runny noses---my dr appt---dwg playdates---Rashid Mall---pool (09.18-09.24)

9/19, Sun- We took the kids shopping w/us at the Panda with Semira's help. We had 3 carts and separated the kids and got all of our groceries done pretty quick. I took care of the breads, meat, fruits & veggies, and misc. stuff, Dan took care of the dairy, and Semira did fruits & veggies. We thought we would beat prayer time, but didn't. It changed after Ramadan, I think b/c the moon is different now or something like that. We were the next one in line too for checkout and they wouldn't take us. So since we were stuck in the store for 20 minutes, I let the kids loose in the store. Dan and Semira watched Hudson and Skyler while I chased after Tobin going down an aisle. It wasn't that bad, sorry for the workers who have to put everything back where they belong. Tobin also started having runny noses. I think he has serious allergies here...poor baby boy!

9/20, Mon- It's the first week back for Tina having her playdate, but we didn' go b/c of the kids runny noses. I think it's just allergies, but didn't want to chance giving something to her baby Elena. I found out later that Leanne didn't come either, she's been sick. A mom I met last week at Carissa's playdate, Adaeza, came over during the kids nap to get advice on paint colors since we had just finished painting the house. It was nice to help her out.

Dan and I shopped at the Panda again by ourselves while Semira watched the kids. We actually went to two different stores. I bought some things to get the house ready for our shipment. Dan looked at cell phones, I can't believe we've been cell phones free since we came here. It's kinda nice, but it would be nice to have one for emergencies especially if we leave camp. We endulge in some Krispy Creme donuts too while we were out- DELISH!!!

9/21, Tues- I had a doctor appointment so I could see what my blood sugar results were from last month's visit. I thought they would call me or Dan w/the results, but over here you have to take the initiative on your health. Semira feed the kids breakfast and she told me they didn't cry when she came in to get them in the morning. She told them I was at the doctor and wasn't home and I guess they understood. Anyways, met my Saudi female doctor. I would put her name down, but can't remember or even spell it. Didn't met her last time b/c she was sick. She actually was really nice and addressed all my concerns. I just wish I could see her face, it's hard talking to someone and all you see are there eyes. Dan thinks once she's comfortable w/me, she may unveil. What was going to be a short doctor visit ended up taking longer since she ordered an ultrasound and xray, just to check on the stomach pains I've been having. I figure why not, medical services are free here. On a funny note, on my way to get the ultrasound, as I was leaving the building to go to another building, a bird peed on me---real nice!

I ran into Nadia while leaving the doctor and she wanted to come by and check out the colors in our house. I stopped at the dining hall first to get some food otherwise, I knew once I came home kids would be all over me and I wouldn't get a chance to eat til their naptime and that's too late for me (my blood sugar would be too low). Nadia came over and I gave her a tour of all the rooms.

9/22, Wed- DWG playdate. Saw Carissa, a mom from previous time (which I don't know her name) and a new mom, Saadia.

9/23, Thurs- We took the kids to Rashid Mall after breakfast. We've been hearing about a huge kids area up on the top floor and BOY was it hugmongous! The kids had a fun time! Skyler was very scared of all the rides, she didn't want to go on anything...it was kinda wierd. The boys loved all the rides especially the car ones- go figure! Hudson was investigating the place and saw a train so we took them for a ride. Skyler did ride the train with me sitting next to her, but she was pretty much on Daddy's arm the whole time until we went to the arcade section.

We were done at noon and took Semira to her apartment since the mall is across the street from her place. She was really happy we let her get off early. Then we headed to the Golf Club house and had lunch as a family. It's so cool to go out and eat together now...I just love it! Kids had chicken/cheese quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course they all took bites from Dan's chicken strips and fries. We thought they would nap long considering they had a long exhausting morning, but they only napped 1-1/2 hours. It took Tobin forever to settled down too.

9/24, Fri- We took the kids to the toddler pool after nap time. Now when we say "pool" or "shoes" they know they're going somewhere fun! There were more kids there this time and they had a blast! We bought some of their "cooking" toys so they could pour and dump the water. We saw a kid from last week whose grandparents were babysitting him. This boy and our kids kinda played. The granddad came over and introduced himself, very nice except he's French and the whole time I think Dan and I were looking at each other like "what's he saying" look. :-)

Pictures for the week:

Skyler, Hudson, and Tobin at DWG playgroup. At one point they were all fighting over this vaccum cleaner. Tobin is wearing Skyler's shirt and Hudson's wearing her shorts. She had a SERIOUS FULL BLOWN tantrum over these clothes...my goodness please let this stage past soon!!! Everytime we change her she looks around at all the clothes to make sure she gets the most boyish looking ones, I don't even dare bring a pink or purple clothes around her. So sad b/c she has all these pretty dresses, I still try each time, but always have a backup of boy clothes.

from left to right: mom I dont' know name in cap, Carissa in black, and Saadia in pink shirt.


Coloring time

Hudson, his latest thing is putting all his "buddies" in a circle and talking to them. It's really cute! Skyler finally gave him back his (blue) shorts.

Rashid Mall: Tobin on the ride

Tobin & Hudson

Skyler and Tobin, they enjoyed pushing the buttons.

Hudson

Once again, Skyler's shirt comes w/some adorable orange, pink, purple stripe shorts but she didn't want them.

Daddy referreeing the whacking mallet between the boys

Tobin

Semira w/Tobin

Skyler

Hudson

more Eid---more painting---playdates---Semira's bday---my abaya (09.11- 09.17)

Sat, 9/11- Golf club house breakfast. Eid celebration after nap. We're kinda funny, maybe funny's not the word, but if we do something one day and it's pretty easy venturing out with the kids, we'll do it again. If I can entertain the kids and parents are not too pooped out doing it, I'd say we've done our job!

Sun, 9/12- Took kids to buy paint at Jotun Paint. Finding the place and making it there by 11:30 (prayer time and store closes) was very challenging! Dan called that night AND morning to get directions and confirm their times. Luckily the salesman spoke English but getting directions in Saudi is complicated as all the street names sound the same and I think they all start w/King Faisal. We finally found it out of luck since it was on a one way street which we figured out ourselves and not by the salesman directions. Anyhow, made it there right at 11:30 and they let us inside and shut the doors. Salesman said it would take 15 minutes to mix all the paint, we were there for almost 1- 1/2 hr! Luckily they have a showroom upstairs and the kids were preoccupied "playing" w/the decorations. Until they got bored and started "playing" w/all the painting supplies...let's just say we spent our time putting LOTS of stuff back on the shelves. The painter we hired, Banjo started tomorrow. We did not use the same guy who painted the living and dining rooms. We found out later that he saw fresth meat and took us for a ride. There's not a white wall left in the house except for closets...I love it! What a difference color makes! I love all the colors and the house really feels like home now. BTW, whenever we go somewhere and return, the kids always say "home when we're in the driveway. The hominess (is that a word?) makes me want our shipment to come even faster!!!

Tues, 9/14- playdate at Carissa's house. This was a really good playdate, I met a few more new moms and we all just hit it off instantly, maybe b/c our kids are closer in age. Even saw some other moms from previous playdates, Nadia and Sharon. Semira's been off since last Thursday for Eid and came back today. Dan was also off for Eid and went back to work.

Wed, 9/15- DWG's playdate. We were the only ones there except for a 3 yr old boy. His mom helps run the place and when we came he was playing by himself. I'm sorry but I can't remember his name. The kids had a fun time painting and playing w/all their toys. I think they enjoy this playroom. We also celebrated Semira's bday. I made here a cake and we gave her a present. She worked til 1 and had the rest of the day and Thursday morning off as her additonal bday present.

Thurs, 9/16- Took the kids to the Hobby Farm for breakfast. Then we went to a fabric store to pick out fabric for curtains. They really liked the loud noise from the heavy duty sewing machine and upholstery machine. They had some amazing fabrics and the had really cool ones for the kids rooms too. The saleman came to our house that night to meaure the windows and gave us an estimate. I think we got the Aramco discount (NOT)...so the search continues. After the kids nap, we took them swimming. They have (3) pools at the recreational facilities: a lap pool, regular pool and the kiddie pool. We went to the kiddie pool, the water level is about 1' or 18" max and it's somewhat covered. There were about 6 other kids in the pool and they were all having a good ole time. Since they've been "swimming" in the bath tub, they were doing the same moves at the pool. They enjoyed every bit of it. Sorry there's no pictures, it's not allowed.

Fri, 9/17- The painter finally finished! Since all of the walls are painted, the kids are learning their colors very quick! I made Tina chicken enchildas and deviled eggs and brought them to her during the kids nap. I also got to meet baby Elena. Dan was so worried that if I held Elena, I would come home saying "let's have another baby"...naw we are done! I'm saying this b/c I have (2) yr old triplets and they are definitely fun but LOTS of work! Ask me next yr when they're 3!

Pictures for the week:

Eid celebration. It went on for another night, but we figured 2 nights were enough for us. I'm not sure what the kids thought of these characters. This was at the end as we were leaving. (Tobin, Skyler, and Hudson)

Tobin and Skyler

All three on a different bounce house

Tobin on his first camel ride :-)

Tobin

Skyler on her first camel ride :-)

I'm surprised she kept this ponytail up for so long.

Hudson on his first camel ride :-)

My abaya: serious on the outside, party on the inside.

Carissa's playdate. She has an almost 2 yr old son, Max and an almost 7 yr old daughter Margot. Her housemaid, Joanne was the one who helped me out when we first came. We all enjoyed this playdate, there were lots of kids their age and I had lots of adult convo.

This picture: Semira w/Tobin & Skyler. The other two kids in the back are Sharon's, she's the one who introduced us to Semira.

DWG's playroom

Painting time! At first they kept wanting me and Semira to clean their fingers everytime they got paint on it, until I told them that it's OK and that we'll clean them afterwards. What do you expect? They do have my clean genes in them.

Skyler showing off her hands.

Hudson and Tobin

Hudson

Semira's bday: kids giving her their gift. (Hudson, Tobin & Skyler)

After their lunch, instead of giving them fruits, they got to eat her bday cake. I was worried they wouldn't nap b/c of the sugar, but luckily they did!

I made her a chocolate/vanilla cake.