Salam wa aleikum




....thanks for coming to read my blog.


I hope that you will enjoy keeping in touch with our lives, and that one day, you might even make the trek out to come and visit with us (**NB - VISA's upon arrival for Canadians once again!!).

Grab yourself a nice cup of tea (Make mine JTG's Blue Mountain, mixed with a hint of French Earl...but get something that suits your fancy), and let's catch up...

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Ramadan Kareem!

We are in another Ramadan--a time of fasting and religious reflection for Muslims.  Generally this is supposed to be a slower time...shortened school hours and quieter days, but the days seem to be going by in a blur.  It seems we have been busier than usual, just trying to fit everything into fewer hours.


We have had some transitions.  We have had to say good-bye to Ms. Chantal, Pickle's ILSA, and we welcome Ms. Nicola, whose timing of return to the work-world could not have been more perfect (for us).  It was sad to say goodbye to Chantal--as she and Pickle have their own relationship--separate to our family, and I am so grateful for the energy and love she has shared with Pickle over the years.  It was a very abrupt departure--nothing like ripping the band-aid off in one skin-tugging manoeuvre...painful but necessary.  Thankfully--I was so insanely busy with school, that by the time I was able to focus on finding a replacement (and work myself into a panic about it), Nicola was already on-the-scene.



 Above is a picture of Mr. Brendan--Magoo's favourite teacher--and one of the best teachers at the children's school this year.  We ran into him at the British vet, where we were taking sweet Phinn to get his eye checked.  Magoo was quite disappointed that she opted to stay at home, because she HEARTS Mr. Brendan...if I were a drinking lady (and one day I might still be) I would create a drinking game for everytime magoo starts a sentence with "You know, Mr. Brendan...".  Gentle kidding aside, I am so happy that she has had such a wonderful teacher and influence in her life this year.  Next year's teacher will have a tough act to follow...Mr.  Brendan is SO awesome, that he included Peter's life story in Magoo's reading folder at her Student-Led Conferences (below).

Change that "PH" to a "T"


Mr. Phinn still loves to crawl and hide in all kinds of 'caves'.  He was so easy to kennel train, because he loves small, enclosed spaces.  It is getting harder to slide him out though, as he isn't as stable on his feet, and he has a hard time getting up after he is asleep.  Also, since he is also hearing impaired now--waking him up (when he is half-way under the bed) is a challenge.


This is Jingle V(ivienne) Bell, making herself comfortable on my luxurious faux-fur throw.  We have noted that the stripey pattern actually matches her markings perfectly.  I am making good on my promise to provide her with a life-long home, now that she has survived the Parvo-virus.  Next week I will take her in to be spayed and vaccinated.  She is the most gentle and sweet cat I have met to date.



"Sadaqah" is the new arabic word we have learned, and it means 'voluntary giving'.  My friend Sharee told me about the 'sharing fridges' which have been set up around the UAE (and in our neighbourhood).  Families fill the fridges with food items, and drinks.  The fridges are open to anyone who is in need.  The children have really enjoyed putting together these packages, and delivering them to the fridge.  Pickle and I were very happy to see some men approaching the fridges (as we drove off)--we felt good donating something, in our own small way.


Mr. Pickle is saying goodbye to Ms. Hannah--his long-time O/T.  He started working with Hannah over four years ago, when she worked out of an empty office at GAA.  We followed her through to the opening of her own clinic, KidsFirst, in KCA.  Pickle always looks forward to his time with Hannah (best play-date of the week), as it serves as a reward for his speech therapy time (which is maybe not as fun).  We are fortunate that Hannah has transitioned him to Emma, and as you can see from the smile on his face--he is absolutely thrilled!  He will miss Hannah (once he realizes that she is gone), but he is very excited to work with Emma.  I am grateful that he will continue to receive these services, from someone who is "Hannah-approved."


Sunday, May 13, 2018

I am Larry

So, I have started watching the old episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."  I quit watching because I found Larry to be a bit abrasive and unbearable at times.  Watching it now, as a mom of three children, the character that I can relate to and empathize the most with, is LARRY.  I really feel for him, as he manages to get himself out of one pickle and right into another.  Amazing what kind of perspective you can get from motherhood!

We kicked the weekend off with an after-school trip to Yas Mall Debenhams (the final days of the sale and we needed knee high school socks--which I found!!).  While in the store, they announced the Golden Hanger Contest, and with the help of a few friendly Kabayan, Mr. Pickle found the prize!  He won 125 AED to spend, and bought himself and his sisters some new clothes.  They are were all very excited.

Charlie Bucket

I spent the weekend hunting for head lice (I think we nipped that problem in the bud).  The kids were all pumped for a play-date with friends Friday (and I was pumped for them staying out of my hair so I could organize the second kitchen).  I was doing little Magoo's hair when...wait a minute...what's that?...and that's how it went down.  Four lice (and no eggs) later, we had all our heads inspected, treated and clear.  Despite a few tears, we managed to have some fun with the treatments--we all did them, which was probably unnecessary as the rest of us didn't have any bugs or eggs...but it was expiring in June...it was a sunk cost.  The Nice Lice lady, and her web-site helped me a lot--and I want to send props out to her in my home-town of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (I kind of feel like we are friends now).  We did re-schedule our play-date and dinner plans though, and spent the afternoon playing Monopoly (which Mr. Pickle won).


Borrowed Uncle Ajay's moustache for the photo-shoot

 On Saturday we had swimming lessons and a drive to and from Dubai for Little A's dance competition.  I do not enjoy driving to Dubai, but honestly, these dance performance are really enjoyable--great music and the time just flies by.  Little A has become an amazing little dancer...she says that she would like to pick up some more classes...so let's see how that goes in the next term.

I would have liked to post a video here, but the lighting was quite poor for video and the school had a very strict rule about no phone video/photography...now if I had Larry's chutzpah, I definitely would have had a video here to share.  In hindsight, I am disappointed with myself.

It seems you can find pictures of her show here though...they are so fast to upload them!


"Just two french braids and then twist them into a bun" 
With Ms. Amy after the show



Peter has been out of town on a 'business trip' since last (Tuesday? Monday??)...a few days anyways.  He flew into London, did some 'business' and then flew to New York yesterday where he will do more 'business'.  Please don't misunderstand the quotes--I am purposely keeping his 'business' ambiguous...

My friend Iris painted this and sent me the picture this morning.  I have shared it with 78 friends and now you...


This was the best Mother's Day present I got today.  Magoo let me pull out this tooth for her...as you can see she is beset with "shark-teeth" like her siblings.  This one has been wobbling for months now, and today she took a deep breath, cried some wet tears, and let me take it out (which, as you can see...it is so loose it could have been sneezed out!!). 

Beautiful Smile!

Happy Mother's Day!


Saturday, February 17, 2018

Enter the Year of the Dog (and one kitten)


We had a very festive and busy day yesterday, ringing in the Chinese New Year.  This year belongs to one of my favourite animals, the DOG!  Here are some pictures of my dogs, getting ready for bed.


We started our celebrations with our annual trip to the Shangrila hotel, for their Lion Dance.  It was exciting to discover that my new friend Francesca, is married to the new GM of our favourite hotel in Abu Dhabi (possibly the world??).  


Next year we have to practice our hand gestures when we wish our friend's happy new year.  I have missed this point in my children's education.  Note to self:  do better.



We rushed out after the dance, and had to miss out on the Shangrila's new addition of the "Prosperity Salad".  Apparently, the challenge is to toss the salad as high as you can.  Winner gets...the best year of her life...?


If the Pickle can do it--we can all do it.  Look at that amazing smile!  He was so excited to wear this hat with the accompanying braid!


We rushed home to complete the above cake (woof!). Please note the pink tongue made from meringue, and the nose inspired by Pickle's toy, Belle-Gaston.  It took a lot of restraint not to cry in frustration when Little A bumped her hand into the ear, and smeared it all flat!  Fortunately, I am a MacGyver sometimes--and I managed to deliver it to the party without anyone but my crew (who were impressed with my mad icing repair skills) finding out.



Looks like Karma had "prosperity salad" on the agenda for me today.  Though I missed it at the Shangrila, I found another waiting for me at our friends Iris and Raymond's place--and I believe I won the toss.  It was a beautiful preparation (look closely to see the dog made out of pomelo, with a grape nose and strawberry tongue).  P says that he identified my hands because of my poor chopsticking (not a word).  


It was so nice to spend some time with friends today.  We ran into Francesca (and her husband, Ulf, who is now Pickle's new best friend).  Ulf invited Pickle to help him paint the Lion's eyes at next year's Lion Dance...something I am pretty sure he thinks Pix will forget in 364 days....so obviously he doesn't know Pickle that well yet....

Iris had us bring an even number of oranges (and gave us an ODD number back by mistake--I am damn lucky I won the prosperity salad toss otherwise that mistake might have cost me the entire year!!).  Thus, another new tradition was acquired.

Next year--hand gestures, oranges and prosperity salad will join our CNY celebrations!!

We had one more event--the reunion walk--for Chewbacca with his former family.  We met at the kids' school, and walked together for an hour.  The family is lovely (they brought Chewbacca's human grandmother along) and they seemed relieved that he hadn't spent the last (almost) 3 years pining away.  It seems that he had forgotten them--though he did respond to some whistles and Spanish (who knew?).  My kids made eyes whenever they heard him called "Albert", "Albertino" or (their personal favourite) "Albertini".

Once home we were exhausted.  It was all I could do to stay awake long enough to put some food in my stomache.  We were all lights out by 9:30 PM.


Did you say something about a kitten.....?



I DID!!

Meet Jingle V. Belle (the "V" stands for Vivienne).  She showed up in our colony before Christmas, sick and on her last legs.  Little A brought her in, we took her to the vet (who gave us a look that said "this cat is going to die" but I will give you meds, bill you and send you home anyways), and nursed her back to health.  

On Sunday she started acting quiet and strange, not eating, and having diarrhea and vomitting.  On Tuesday she was diagnosed with the feline death sentence of Parvo-virus.  The vet gave us that look again (which we know well), the meds (and THE BILL) and told us the next "24-48 hours" would determine her fate.  

It was disturbing, and I confess to shedding more than my fair share of tears with the girls (Pickle is much more pragmatic).  When you read the research on Parvo, particularly for unvaccinated kittens--which Jingle is  (I am not an irresponsible pet owner--she is just in between serious illnesses), the odds are not great.

However, I made her a promise:  Live, and you'll have a home forever.  

Of course, she started recovering instantly....she is bony, and eating very little...but it is Saturday, and she is still alive and getting more so every day.

And a promise is a promise....