Dog Days of Abu Dhabi

We have just been busy hanging around and doing the little things that make up one's life.  Pickle is adjusting to nursery (and today was another day without tears...I think it is Day 4 of NO TEARS now).  He is definitely trying to articulate more, and has come home with the expressions of "Oh my goodness!" and "Oh dear!", which are apparently used by his teacher Ms. Lindsey.

Earlier in January, we went to see the return of the GIANTS OF GOLF tournament in Abu Dhabi.  Tiger Woods (having already been pre-paid for his visit here, regardless of his performance) decided to pack things in early and did not play on the weekend.  I envision Tiger lying on a beach in Dubai thinking "THIS is the life!".

  

It does feel a bit strange to have only THESE TWO around the house all morning.  Initially, I wasn't really all too sure what to do.

One day I was THAT lady--the one who WALKS with her child from Al Raha Gardens over to the Spinneys at Al Bandar.  I thought something was a bit unusual when Magoo's head kept bobbing around, and there was no noise...but the grip she had on the milk carton confused me.  I thought for SURE if she was sleeping, she would have relaxed her fingers and dropped it...but NOPE!  As I reached home, I discovered that on the 17 minute walk home, she had fallen asleep...and she didn't even spill a drop of that milk--what a star!

This is hands down Magoo's favourite jacket.  Thankfully, the weather has been unusually cool (and last week it was VERY foggy), and she has had a chance to cozy up in it.  Our friends Norman and Lisa sent this jacket to us when Little A was born, and I loved it so much--such good quality and so cute--I am pleased to have had another little girl to wear it (which is not to say that Pickle didn't....).  

I am Canadian (and Chinese...and Indian....)

During a much needed clean-up of my closet, I managed to find the salwar pajamas that go with this kameez, for little A.  She was so excited, that she wore the outfit two days in a row (here she has jazzed it up with a bhindi, en route to the Shangri-La for brekkie).  Magoo has decided to keep it simple, and honour her Edmontonian roots, with this pink jersey (go Oilers!).

Peter and I are managing to get out a bit more.  On Thursday night we went out for dinner at Nolu's with our new friends Naureen and Naveed (Canadians who may soon be heading back to Toronto).  Then on Saturday we went to De Thali, where we both remarked on a decline in the food (sigh!).  Yesterday morning Little A had a play-date with her friends (which started at Dalma mall and ended up at Al Bandar for ice cream).  This morning I found myself driving out to Saadiyat Island, to visit my friend Amar in her St. Regis apartment.  I can't wait for warmer weather, to go back and try the private beach!

I am putting off a call to the SKMC--I have to so that I am just not prepared to received any bad news at present.  I like things as they are, where Pickle is developing and growing, slowly but surely.  He has become a pro at sleeping in his big-boy-bed and the only problem now is that he literally picks apart the foam mattress in his room (the one I use to lie down beside him while he falls asleep) upon waking.

First day of school

Cover-boy

Here is the face of Redwood Nursery, Abu Dhabi (well--at least it is the picture on the Facebook album cover for Open Day Visitors).

Pickle and Magoo were the first adventurers to scale this climbing wall.

He seems to be settling well, though drop-offs are still heart-wrenching and filled with sadness.  I am told (by teachers and other parents) that he settles down really quick, is engaged, and has shown tremendous growth in the past three weeks.

His vocabulary and 'talking' have definitely increased, so, it is obviously helping him in his language development.

We (A, myself and Pickle) are all unwell.  A has pink-eye (and is now being paid 1 aed per eye to cooperate with drops), and a cough and cold.  Pickle has the cough and cold (and possibly the conjunctivitis, but I am still watching him).  I have the cough and sore-throat--and am nursing myself with hot water and honey.

Was treated to an unexpected visit with Christine today--very nice to catch up with her (though I was very disheveled looking, which I noticed when she was leaving--sorry C!).

Long weekend coming up (though A has been home since yesterday courtesy pink eye).  I love long weekends and down-time with the kids.  Think we might try a Dubai trip with Christine on Friday (we'll see how energetic I am feeling).

Numbers

For those of you into numerology:

14:
This is the number of years that Dr. Stiles (73 year old pediatrician, often mentioned throughout my blog) has been in Abu Dhabi.  At the end of this month, he will be retiring his stethoscope in this region (though he tells me he will be back on 'well-advertised locums') at the end of this month.  We will always remember him for:


1.  his old nurse who told me that A's voice reminded her of the duck on The Simpsons (?)

2.  being our (very) "white knight" wrt to Pickle's 12 days in NICU at the New Al Noor Hospital.  Once Stiles got involved, Pickle started to progress and was released two days later.  Stiles got us into the system at SKMC and was always happy to see us for N's annual follow-up visits.  My favourite was when he walked N over to Dr. Salam and said "Look Salam--remember this little guy?  This is a case of benign hypotonia".

3.  catching Magoo in the delivery room (as a favour to me b/c of our difficult experience with N), and bursting out with "I haven't been in one of these for a long time" when he walked into the O/R.

Long may you run (literally) Dr. Stiles!

37:
This is how old Peter is now.
On Saturday night I organized a surprise party for Peter at Toki.  With the help of my friend Shariza (who picked up the cakes, texted me while I was driving and in the bathroom and coordinated things with the hostess while I was distracting Peter) and our friends Arul, Brian, Linda, Rajeev and Meera, it was a great success.

My favourite was when the hostess came to offer us a move to a private room which had just been vacated (Peter had expressed interest in the private rooms when we first arrived only to be told they were all booked--how perfect!).  She led us to the room at the end, and I saw Peter step back apologetically when she slid open the glass door, and he saw these ladies sitting at the sunken table (I could tell he felt embarrassed, and likely had a few words ready for the hostess).  Then everyone yelled "Suprise!" and he clued in.  Stepping back into the room, he recognize the ladies and saw their own male counterparts, who had been cleverly (or coincidentally) seated on the other side of the table, out of view.

For a guy who didn't want any kind of party for his birthday, he sure seemed happy.

We shared some good laughs and enjoyed each other's company.  It was a good group of people, and everyone got along well.
For his official birthday, we lavished Peter with chicken wings, cannelloni and chocolate birthday cake (decorated by little A).  The children enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to their papa, and Magoo discovered she loves ICING more than cake.


5:
The number of minutes I had to settle little A in at school, after the holidays.  She was upset about PE (bc she doesn't like it) but she was a trooper.  At the end of the day she told me she had fun in PE and participated in the dance game.



76468:
The license plate number of the Euro-trash who blocked in my car in the parking lot at school yesterday.  This lady (from some Eastern European country--NOT a local, as many might assume), is my first run-in with rude and inconsiderate people in parking lots here.  She double-parked behind me and I could not get out.  When she arrived at her car (dark sunglasses, high heels and braces--is that a sexy look?), and I explained to her she was parked illegally AND I had been waiting for her she said "Oh--I didn't see your car".  I repeated the statement (louder and as a question--somewhat incredulously) "You didn't see my car?" and she said "No", slammed her door and drove off.  Perhaps we need to look into some PRESCRIPTION lenses for those sunglasses, babe...

2:
The number of days of nursery Pickle has under his belt as of today.  N did very well the first day, and the report was that he only cried a bit during the day.  The real test came today, when I took him to school.  In the morning he was very excited and the first one ready to go with his monogrammed backpack (of which I noted there are now two of--thanks ANDERS!!).  However, when he realized we weren't going home after dropping A off, he became more and more upset.  It took him about 15 minutes to settle down, and he spent that time crying off and on.  It was sad for me, but I stayed hidden from view.  Ultimately, I had to sneak out (thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows which he seems to guard).

4:
The number of years that I have known my friend Mirha, who I learned today (when I took her up on that offer to 'just drop by anytime' she has been issuing to me) will be moving to Doha at the end of this year (or sooner).
We had a lovely talk, with Magoo mixing and Phinn trying to pick up anything he could scarf off the floor.  I have always enjoyed visiting with Mirha.  She made me this fantastic coffee-shop latte too!

Al Muneera

After a lovely morning birthday breakfast for our friend Izzy at the Westin, I came home, and had a LOVELY and AMAZING nap.  Upon waking, we decided that we would take the kids out for a run at Al Bandar, as it is a lovely, clean and enclosed walking space (with shade, coffee and shopping possibilities).  I added the idea of BIKES, and once Magoo hopped on the (8 aed) fire-truck, there was no going back.

We were having a smashing good time, until the security guard (very kindly and sweetly) told us that bikes were NOT allowed at Al Bandar, and that our children, (who were motoring around carefully and having a great time on the tiny inclines they could find), needed to stop.  He was very apologetic, but he had just asked another family to stop their children from doing so, and he didn't want to get in trouble.  So, with screaming kids in tow, we departed and had to come up with a Plan B.

Plan B turned out to be drive two minutes to Al Muneera to walk along their deserted, walking path (with multiple inclines), with a beautiful water-path beside us.  We spent about an hour there, and we all had a fabulous time.  When it was time to go, the children were all ready, and we didn't have to drag anybody out, kicking and screaming.  

We are coming to the end of A's school holidays, and sadly, I will be packing her and Pickle off to school on  Sunday.  We have such nice family times together, and it is so special watching the children play together--I am sad the break is almost over, and will look forward to the next one, and the next one...

Jasmine could not make it. The airline could not accommodate her travel plans, and I had to try and explain 'cancelled' to a seriously bummed little A over and over again.

ME:  Jasmine's not coming, her flight is cancelled.

A:  AWWWWWW.  So, when is Jasmine coming?

(repeat).  

I think she gets it now, but she was very disappointed.

Peter forwarded me an article entitled 

To My 13-Year-Old, An iPhone Contract From Your Mom, With Love

I would like to save this for when my children are older.  I am formerly requesting Baz Luhrmann (via my blog--Baz--if you are reading this tonight) I am asking you to please put the contract in the link above to music (in the spirit of Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)) and promote it.  It is SUCH common sense, but you know what they say about "Common Sense...."

Plan B

De Thali

Wah! (translation:  Wow!)

De thali is where we enjoyed our New Year's eve dinner.  They had a special Chaat station set up for the evening.

Biggest laugh came when the manager came over to Peter and enquired as to how he liked the food, as he didn't know whether it would be to his liking (b/c well, you know, Indian food can be too spicy).  Peter pointed at me and said "you know she's Indian, right?".

Actually, he did not.

As he explained it, there are so many ex-pats from all over the world here, and I am so white.

Wah!

Look out for a picture of me on their web-site, having chai tea poured for me.

...and a Happy New Year

A's sunflowers

So...it seems that I missed the 'cut-off' for the annual Christmas update.  I always use my friend Sandra's annual Christmas email update as a 'gentle reminder' that it is time to get going and write-up my own.  This year, for reasons unknown, I have just not managed to get organized enough (or get enough time on the computer b/c typing on the iPad is awful) to send it out.  However, a "Happy New Year" note seems like a good substitute. I am going to do a joint blog/e-mail update, as it seems I have been neglectful in both areas. The pictures in this entry will only pick up where I left off in my blog (and actually do not correlate to the text in most cases).

Manolos

2012 has been a relatively good year for us in Abu Dhabi.  Though we have all aged a year (I have now reached that point where I am starting to get confused about my age, and have even found myself being the 'oldest woman in the room' at a party), we all still find ourselves in relatively good health.  Our children (now ages 5, 3 and 1-almost 2), keep us young, sleep-deprived, and very happy.  In October, we celebrated FOUR YEARS in Abu Dhabi (Peter celebrated in September, having arrived one month earlier than A and I).

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)

2.  My parents visited us in February.  We did a few days trips (mostly to Dubai) and they spent a lot of time enjoying their grandchildren.  Looking through our pictures makes me miss them very much.  Travelling here is very difficult for them (not just the visa process, but the actual travel) and though I would love to see them again, they will have to wait until I feel the desire to spend 20 hours in the air with my trio.

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

4. Seeing Elton John live in concert:  what an amazing and talented singer.  Epitomizes the difference between a 'performer' and an 'artist' (with him being the latter of course).

5.  Domo Arigato--Peter's trip to Japan:  not with me--lucky Ajay!

Peter decides it is time to get a bigger tree

6.  Madonna sucks:  (also titled "Seeing Madonna live in concert"):  Nobody can deny she is a great performer (though not very professional, as we waited almost three hours for the show to start).  After supporting and loving Madonna since my pre-teen years (much to the chagrin of my parents), it was a big disappointment and let-down.  Mom and Dad--you were right--Madonna DOES suck.

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!

10.  Muscat:  we celebrated Pickle's official birthday in Muscat, with a stay at the Shangri-la resort.  I was not fully prepared for the beauty of its deep saffron-hued mountain peaks, off-set by the rolling waves of the Gulf of Oman.  One more night would have been perfect!

Muscat

We always try to keep ourselves busy (though not as busy as many of our friends).  This year we enjoyed our first family trip to the Corniche beach (which only took us four years of living here to accomplish).  The children all loved playing in the sand, and wading in the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Lame Santa at Abu Dhabi Mall

Peter's a proud papa

A scene from Christmas day (Peter is behind the lens)

Dubai is also a 'go-to' adventure for us.  Whether it is a day spent at the Aquarium in Dubai mall, or just strolling through Ibn Battuta Mall looking for bargains, the children enjoy the change in venue and exploring around.  Though they are only an hour apart, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have two completely different feels to them.  When we are in Dubai, we feel like we are leaving behind the Middle East for a while, and returning to a more Western civilization.

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.

I don't want a lot for Christmas...

...but there is ONE thing that I am hoping for.  I will let you know if I get it.

We haven't had time (yet) to prep for Christmas.  We have been celebrating National Day (41 years!!) or what I have just learned THIS year, is also called the Etihad holiday.  After the third person mentioned 'the etihad holiday' to me, I asked my friend Samar to clarify.  She told me 'etihad' means 'the union'...which is essentially what we celebrate every year on National Day--the union of the seven emirates.  It is just so bizarre that this is the first year I have ever heard it called that.

Our home-made National Day dress

Visiting the GAA campus

Papa's hat (that he never wore)

Future falconer
(check out the new white scarf!)

Peter is off in New York this week.  His trip got moved, and shortened--he left on Monday morning (thus losing one holiday day).  Pickle learned to climb out of crib on Friday.  Though I celebrated his growing strength and curiosity, I mourn the loss of my best sleeper.  On Monday night (or was it morning?), I lost my temper with my three children--all of whom took turns waking up--all night long--all in my bed.

A big thank-you to my neighbour who decided to have a pool party outside (complete with screams and howls) that got the dog barking, who woke up the baby, who woke up all her siblings.  I think I slept two hours total.  I promise to get you back with a 5 a.m. wake up call, with some loud music and screaming children one day REAL SOON!!

Surprisingly, I was not a complete mess on Tuesday morning (or maybe I was??), and even received several compliments on my appearance (no kidding!).  I was going to cancel taking the littles to gymnastics, but I thought I would take one for the team--and boy did they EVER enjoy it!  Pickle's favourite was the large triangular shaped mat that you pushed over and then slid down on your belly.  I couldn't take pics of that though, bc I had to have two hands on (to make sure he didn't push the mat down on top of anybody---namely Magoo).

Jump Sports Academy, Zayed Sports City

Today I attended a MASTER CLASS at my gym.  I will be honest and tell you I didn't attend a junior class--but the information I received was fantastic!!  I will definitely try and kick my butt into gear sooner (rather than later) and this will help.  Raquel--the instructor and head of the gym is an amazing Brazillian lady, with a killer body.  I always wonder what it must be like to have abs that actually act like shapewear...and do a better job of it.  One day, I hope to live to tell the tale... ;-)

I also attended a tour of The Redwood Nursery in Khalifa City A--and I was BLOWN AWAY.  This is the place that I will send Pickle in January, and I will know that it will be money well spent.  From the educational toys, to the rooms, to the buildings, the grounds, and the staff--all I can say is WOW!  If there had been a nursery like this in KCA when Little A was...well...little...I might have had to really consider sending her.  I have never been a big supporter of nursery culture, especially as it exists here, but this place will really expand Pickle's mind and help him to develop, faster and better than what I can do at home.  He and Magoo loved tottering around there this morning.