A's sunflowers |
Manolos |
Some of the highlights of our year include (not in any order of significance):
1. Pickle got his first 'professional' haircut and his first prescription lenses. He continues to have the longest lashes anyone has ever seen, which do in fact hit his glasses, and likely cause him to view the world through spider's legs. He is the sweetest and happiest boy (with normal hearing in fact) and though he still has speech delays, his language has picked up a great deal.
A's last ballet class (mummy can't handle the crying anymore) |
3. Russell Peters came to town, and we went to see him. We did manage to be the butt of one of his (old and often used) jokes. It was good to get out and laugh with friends, though we were hoping for more 'new' material. Russell has come very far from his days of being a stand-up comedian at Yuk-Yuk's 'multicultural night', where I had the pleasure of seeing him perform, so many years ago. I think I paid about $12 for my ticket.
Pickle's dream-girl: DORA |
5. Domo Arigato--Peter's trip to Japan: not with me--lucky Ajay!
Peter decides it is time to get a bigger tree |
7. Our trip to Paris: C'est magnifique! We all fell in love with Paris, and I would love to go back again (and again, and again...)
8. A started kindergarten: It has definitely been a transition. I think she is weathering it well though, and she is learning a lot of new things (though I could have done without her learning the 'Gangnam style' dance...is that curriculum now?). I am the 'classroom representative': a position that I fell into after the original mom decided it was too much work, and dropped it into my lap (though she sweetly assists whenever she has time between going to the gym and having her hair blown out).
9. Our move to a new villa: same compound, opposite end, with much more space and a better lay-out for our growing family. I love it!
Those are Blue's pawprints |
Birthday boy! |
Muscat |
Lame Santa at Abu Dhabi Mall |
Peter's a proud papa |
A scene from Christmas day (Peter is behind the lens) |
2012 held its share of sadness. Two of my dear friends were diagnosed with breast cancer though thankfully they have both responded well to treatment and are on the "road to remission" (if that is not a cancer survivor book title, it darn well should be!!) We also said goodbye to two friends of ours--Kim and Derrick, both of whom were lovely young men. We will always treasure their memories and the time we had with them.
Though I have not made any resolutions for 2013, there are a few things I am looking forward to. Jasmine (Peter's cousin's daughter) will be coming to visit us (hopefully) early in January. We really enjoyed getting to know her this past summer, where we were likely the only couple in Paris who imported an AMERICAN au pair. The children all loved "Jah-jah" and I am excited for the reunion, and to have some family come and stay with us.
Our little Pickle will be starting nursery in January. Though it does pain my heart to send him off to school when he is sooooo small (and I am at home), I finally feel (somewhat) ready to follow the advice of the many language and developmental professionals he visits. They all have told me that the experience of being in a classroom environment, among strangers, and with different stimulation will be the kick-start he needs for his speech and language development. So, his backpack is monogrammed, and on January 6, he will start at the best Montessori school Abu Dhabi has to offer (seriously--this place is Maria's dream come true!).
Which will leave little Magoo and I at home. She will start attending music classes and gymnastics classes, all on her own, and experience some quality time with her mom. I am sure she will miss Pickle greatly (the children all really enjoy each other's company), and I hope that she will not start pressuring me to send HER to school as well (frankly Magoo--I plan to keep you home as long as I can).
in Muscat--a morning walk with Papa |
I have the usual goals: lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier. Overall though, I am really hoping that we could just be lucky enough to live a 'normal' life. The kind where things are fairly boring, you know? I would just like for us all to be healthy, happy and love one another. I hope the years will just pass by (like they have been doing) with nothing BIG happening (unless BIG means winning the lottery). I want to laugh, cry, fight, make-up, stay up too late and wake-up tired in the morning. I want the children to have memorable childhoods full of simple delights that they can remember wistfully when they are my age. They are so precious to us--and we try to give them all the love, attention, guidance (and toys) they need. They are truly the best parts of Peter and I.
No comments:
Post a Comment