and now April time

around the home front w/o a live-in nanny and kids update:

tried several housekeepers, after about 3, I finally found one that I like, only problem is he's really busy so the only time he can fit me is 1:30, which means kids go down for their nap a little later those days and I really can't unwind while they're napping b/c of the noise, etc., but atleast he's a good one. I have him on Saturday and Tuesday for 3 hours. I'm having to do all the laundry, really shouldn't complain since that's what I would be doing in the States and a lot of clean up and picking up after kids. Because of this, I've started the kids to help me clean up. They do well when they want to, atleast it's a little bit. Now the rule is they have to pick up their toys before we can go on playdates/school or if we're leaving the house. It also helps that Molly and Redford chews their toy if they leave it out and I show it to them so they know what happens when their toys are not put away.

Also I've started doing time out, it's a corner by the door to the garage. If anyone has a tantum or meltdown, they go to the corner. It's mostly been Skyler, I guess she's showing me her terrible two's, I can just imagine what terrible three's will be like! They have also learned how to open the fridges and "seek" out their food. I literally have to hide the extra yogurts or whatever extra we have so they can finish the ones I want them to. Now they have a shelf where I put their water and milk so they can go get it when they want it. I like this independence but at the same time, lots of messes...there's a spilled something daily.

We were hiring a babysitter, Mrs. Beth to come to the house after the kids go to bed so we could grocery shop. Then Dan wanted to do it by himself b/c the kids have been waking up sometimes, 1 hour after we put them down calling out for water or tuck ins, maybe their blankets came off or they couldn't find their lovies...anyhow when he goes by himself at night, it takes him 3 hours or so...he says it's b/c the fruits and veggies are not as fresh so he spends more time picking out the good ones. I had to nipped that in the bud a) he was so tired when he comes home and he has to go to work next day and b) I'm tired too, cuz I have to put the groceries away, it ends up being a way too late night for us...now he does it after work and comes home before dinner time. It's almost better this way b/c he aims to get out of the store before prayer time! And he's getting really good at picking out fruits and veggies- something I never thought would happen!

On the days kids go to school, I jog w/the doggies in the desert...one morning, it was a bad start for us. Only 10 minutes into my jog and Redford got attacked by two stray dogs, ones we've seen before out there. Molly came back to me when I called her name, Redford didn't and since he's an alpha dog, he stood his ground and of course got bitten by them. After realizing he was beaten he walked back towards me. I felt so bad for him...I couldn't pick him up so we all walked home. He had a big cut on his side and thank goodness blood was not gushing out. I called the vet and they saw me right away. Vet said this was not the first case he's seen, he thinks those stray dogs had pupppies and are out protecting them. Nonetheless, he made sure the other puncture marks were only on the surface and didn't damage any muscle nerves...800 SR/ $214 US later, Redford was all stitched up and ready to go home. He had to wear the collar thing for 1 1/2 week which made it difficult for him to eat his food and drink water w/o making a mess. Dan and sometimes Skyler would hand feed him his food, pretty cute on Skyler's part.

what mommy and daddy did:

tried an amazing Thai restaurant in Al Khobar! Took the advice of Mike, Caroline's hubby to try this place out. Of course it was crazy getting there, since it was in downtown Khobar w/it's one way streets. Ambience was not so great, let's just say seeing the bathroom as the main thing before you eat doesn't make for an appealing sit down dinner w/your hubby on date night, but atleast it was one of the best Thai food I've had in a long time.

Dan had his 1st BNO (boys night out) in Bahrain. He and Clay went w/John for John's birthday. They all left after work and had a great male bonding time doing what guys love to do: drink, eat, relax and of course talk about their wife and kids. They came home around midnight. I'm glad he got to do this, especially with how the kids have been treating him on the weekends. Everyone wants his attention and they all cling to him...it's been really difficult for him when we're out, but he's such an amazing dad to try to accommodate all their needs. These kids are very lucky!!!

While they did that, Ana and I took the kids to Bee's for girls night in and Bee ordered yummy Thai food (different place than the one I went w/Dan...still delish)! We had a great time chatting about our guys, kids, and life, etc.

I was also invited to watch the Royal Wedding, Prince William to Kate at one of the playgroup's mommy house. We ended up putting the kids to nap earlier so I could sneak out...made it back and they were still napping. Then waited for them to wake up so we could take them to Aidan's 4th birthday party at the Snack Bar (Caroline's kid).

what went by this month:

Spring Break time! Schools were out for 3 weeks so I spent quite a bit of time w/Ana and her kids since both of hers were home. We got to know each other better and I'm really glad we became friends.

Also had Tina over before she left for the States. Kids got to play w/Ismi one last time before they'll see him in a few months. We've become really good friends. I'm really glad I met these wonderful ladies who have become dear friends to me and our family.

Our 1st family trip to Bahrain. We went w/Ana and Bee's family. Caroline's family went to London for Spring Break. The ride there was not so good, Skyler had serious tantrums, not sure what was bothering her, but we pretty much had to listened to her cry and whine the entire ride there. Dan even had to hold her hand while driving a few times. Our first stop was the mall to a waterpark called Wahoo. Wasn't so sure how they would do, but it turned out fine. At one point, Bee and John even watched the kids for us so we could sneak off to the big water slides. Dan and I felt like little kids hiding from our kids, but it was really cool to do these fun things with your hubby! We headed to Fuddrucker's for lunch afterwards- table for 16 please! Then did some mall shopping before heading to a restaurant called Trader Vic's, it's located inside the posh Ritz Carlton. It was only us and Bee's family at this time, Ana's family went to visit one of their friends who lives here. They have their own private beach and kids got to play on it and watch the fish pond, while the parents had some refreshing beverages. To cap the evening off, we headed to a grocery store and bought a bunch of the forbidden meat!!! Never spent over a $100 US dolllars on meat before, but boy was it worth it the next morning! We had some DELISH bacon w/our breakfast! :-) Then porkchops, then apple/pork sausages the next few nights for dinner, omgosh, it was DELISH after not having it for so long! We've been having bacon every weekend and I think it's time to make another trip as our stock is running low. One day during the week, I even called Dan to let him know I was cooking bacon for the kids and I...don't know why, just felt wierd to be eating it w/o him...like I was getting his blessing or something...only in KSA do I feel the need to do this! Anyways I just went on a tangent about pork...back to that night, kids slept on the way back and we just slided them sraight into bed. What a long, fun and exhausting day that was!

We also ended up going to Rastanura Beach w/both families and then having dinner at Applebee's w/the Lowrey afterwards.

We've become good friends with these families and the kids love to hang out w/their kids. It's really cute the way these guys know everyone's names and constantly ask where they are and what they're doing. Almost daily I have to answer questions about their whereabouts...it's pretty funny!

Kids were sick while Dan was still in Singapore, took them to the doctor all by myself one morning when boys woke up w/major fever...they ended up having ear infections and stayed home from school/playdates for a week. They actually did really well with me at the hospital...I had to carry Tobin while Hudson and Skyler held each other's hand and my other hand. I think when it comes down to it, they know there's just me and they really do their best to listen.

Also while Dan was in Singapore, Caroline let me borrow Harley, her nanny since they were in London. Harley was able to help me out on a Friday when there are no school or playdates and I needed to take them to the park. We tried taking them to the Kings road park but they didn't warm up to her so we left. Loaded everyone back in the car and tried the elementary school park. For some reason, they were OK there so we stayed for a couple hours. I like this park too b/c it's covered and they have an area for the little ones. Came back home and Harley was really good watching them, gave me some time to do some things in the kitchen.

We also went to Hallel's 4th birthday (Ana's kid) this month. It was at the swimming pool so I don't have any pictures. It's very hard to take the camera out when I'm contantly worried that someone will fall in the pool, I can't wait til they can take swim lessons...have to wait til they're 3.

Still continuing w/our Sunday, Wednesday playdates and doing one on one playdate. I've noticing more that even though we go on playdates, most of the time they still just play with each other, I guess that's just the way it is until they get older.

Pictures of the month:

Our Bahrain trip, outside Wahoo water park. The water park is next to a mall and the entrance is in the mall. Everyone trying to fit on the surf board.

Kids in their strollers with Ana and Selah.

Josh and Hallel

Kids and their train set. Thanks Aunt Carol for their awesome Christmas gift, they love it!!! We debated about getting them a train table or Dan making one...but in the end this coffee table works perfectly. Besides we don't have anymore room for another big toy and does Dan really have time to do this????

These next 3 pictures are reversed. Hudson was the first to pose w/these animals...then Skyler then all three of them.

Rastanura Beach w/Ana and Bee's family one weekend.

Dan and Hudson

Skyler and Tobin

Bee, Me and Ana. Logan peeking behind the umbrella. I think Josh, Ana's boy took this picture- not bad for a 6 yr old kid.

one of the many huts on the beach

Daddies hanging out w/the kiddos

our crew

one day, kids were bored so we moved the Kangaroo Climber out of the way and Dan set up the train tracks on the play mat...kids couldn't get enough of this!

Hudson

They wanted a turn in the "circle" track. Tobin

Skyler

Hudson

Tobin and Skyler

They've been lining things up as "caboose" on a train. Did this one evening, they kept playing even when it got dark...we didn't care, wanted to soak up as much outside time as possible before the heat hits...as I'm blogging about this a month later, it's been in the 100-108 degrees.
Boys taking a break for mommy to take a picture: Tobin, Hudson. Man aren't they handsome?

Tobin, I couldn't resist! :0)

Here they are doing it inside the house, and of course they decided to take off there shirts too.

Aidan's birthday party. Caroline ordered McDonald's Happy Meals for the kiddos and had the McDonald's team come out to do face painting and games.

Need to see next picture...he was fine until Barney's friend gave him a hug. Note to self, maybe not ready for Chucky Cheese this summer, we'll see.

Hudson was the only one who wanted to follow the "purple" fellow. We were calling him Barney's friend. The other two were scared of him.

Tobin was in his clingy mode, didn't want his face painted.

Hudson and Skyler's 1st face paintings!

More home pictures, come to realize most of these pictures are from home...it's so much easier to bust out the camera at home. I guess it's because I know they can't go anywhere! :-)

Daddy time!

Brotherly Love! I'm one lucky mommy!

March

A few tidbits on the kiddos:

Kids can put on their own clothes, I tell them to look for the tag and it goes in the back. Now they like to put on their own jammies for bedtime and clothes for school. It helps me out A LOT in the morning b/c I just change their diapers and ask them to put their clothes and shoes on. This new independence is what gets us out the door and on time for school or playdates. They can put on their own shoes too, Hudson and Skyler did it first and then Tobin finally did it on his own...for a while he wanted you to do EVERYTHING for him, but I guess he sees the other two being indpendent and he doesn't want to feel left out. Besides when they do something on their own, I ask them to give me a hug or a high five!

We've started taking the potty chairs out and letting them get familiar with it. On bath nights, we let them sit on it. Sometimes they want to use it during the day, but nothing really happens. I'm really not pushing this b/c a) they haven't shown that much interest in it and b) I really don't want to deal with the mess...I think I will seriously start after we come back here from our Houston trip in August...by that time they will be 3 and hopefully will be more ready!

DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS- the like to decide on everything from the color of their plate/bowl/silverwares to the animal print on their diapers. And sometime these little people (mainly Skyler) will have a serious tantrums, it's the end of the world for her if she doesn't get the one she wants! The boys are better to negotiate with, I feel like a referee everyday during meal times, well I guess throughout the day!

I am just amazed at all the sentences they put together everyday, they are so intiutive. If I tell them something one day, they still remember it a few weeks later. I've also started to lie so much to them...can't believe how much lying I've been doing, Dan too. It's on things like:

"no, there's no more blue plates, it's dirty" when I don't want to wash 6 plates for one meal b/c everyone decided they want to pick their own ones.

"there's no more grapes or bread" -if I'm trying to get them to eat a particular fruit or have more variety in their diet. they were on a bread diet for the longest, didn't want anything but bread...really think it's b/c they were teething, back molars coming in.

"green jammies are dirty, haven't washed them"- struggle atleast once a week w/someone, they love these green Santa Claus jammies and there's only one of them...of course the red or pink Santa Claus ones are not good enough.

"there's no more playdoh"- this is their FAVORITE and they always fight over what color someone gets or something...it's a love/hate relationship with this, while they are so happy when they get to play with it, they also fight too.

Basically I lie so people don't have a tantrum when they want something and to keep the peace. I admit it! I find myself catering to them sooooooo much and it can be really tiring everyday when they keep changing their minds and sometimes they don't even know what they want. Can't blame them? they're (3) 2 1/2 yr old toddlers!

Happenings for the month:

I hosted a MNO at the on camp coffee house. Only a few moms showed up...it was nice to get out and have some adult girl conversations! Also went on a Home and Garden tour w/Dan and Caroline. We got to visit people's homes and see what decorations/home improvements they've done. The best part was seeing some of the executive homes, larger one story home that have huge yards...something you can bid for once you've been here for years!

Dan and I went on a date night to Movenpick, a restuarant in a hotel. We tried it b/c everyone raves about the seafood buffet and the fact expat women don't have to wear an abaya! We hired Beth, our babysitter and it was so nice to get out and eat some really good lobster and shrimp!

Vaseline Incident. I left for a haircut appointment during the kids nap and Semira took the baby monitor to her room. When I came back an hour later, I didn't hear music from their room, but a lot of talking. I went upstairs and peeped through the hole in the door. I laughed at what I first saw...the picture below says it all. I even got the camera. But after going in their room, I got really upset! They managed to knock the dresser over and took all the tissue paper out and smeared vaseline on everything, their bodies, the furniture, EVERYTHING! The reason I didn't hear music is b/c the CD player was on the dresser and that fell down too. I was really upset that Semira had the baby monitor and didn't hear any of this, how could you not hear the dresser falling over? It could have fallen on one my kids! I bathed them while Semira cleaned up the room. It took 4 days of constant washing their hair before the vaseline came off. The next day at school, Ms. Tori thought they just got out of the shower when I dropped them off...it was one story they will hear FOREVER!

Tara, one of the moms in the playdate group had her baby boy, Sean Paul. So she's been bringing Calee over for play atleast once a week. It gives her some time w/her newborn and keeps Calee entertained. They kids really like her, especially the boys. It's a hit or miss w/Skyler, sometimes she likes her here and sometimes I think she's jealous b/c the boys pay attetnion to her. People always think it's a lot of work for me to have their kids over when I already have my three, but it's actually better b/c they have something or in this case "someone" to interact with...they need stimulation, and it balance things out b/c two kids can play with each other...makes me wonder what it would have been like having quads! (like I said, wonder)!

We've had a few individual playdates w/Ismi and Aileen. And now some of our playdates are when they come home from school.

They still nap, but it's a battle. I still put them down and it takes them about 30 minutes- an hour to wind down. They just play in their room even though there's no toys...they are really creative playing w/their pillows, blankets and lovies. After running around and jumping from beds to beds, they finally tired themselves out and will nap for about 2 hours. Lately they've been waking at 5 or 5:30 from their nap. After naptime, is when they are the crankiest! It's mostly Tobin or Hudson or both...these boys take a long time to slowly wake up! They just cry and cry! We try to be done with putting them to bed by 8 on weeknights, unless we have plans then we MAKE sure we are done by 7:45 so we can head out. On weekends, we've been more flexible, sometimes later if we are out and about.

Time for Semira to go. After giving the live-in nanny thing a try since we came here, we found out she was not a good fit for us. Don't get me wrong, she's great with the kids, but we wanted someone that was good with the kids AND that fits with our schedule. It was too much compromise on my end and after the vaseline incident and other little things bugging me about her, I decided it wasn't worth it...I wanted my house back! We let her go and paid her out for the rest of the month. Good thing is now I'm able to fit my van in the garage b/c we have our storage room back. Bad thing is I'm doing a lot more housework than I'd like, that's with a housekeeper (houseboy) coming twice a week too. I wish I could have someone to come
7-8 pm and clean everything up for the night...wishful thinking! I'm not ruling live-in nanny out, I just know there's one out that fits our needs.

One of Dan's co-workers from Latin America visited and we had dinner with him in Khobar at a restaurant called Moonlight. Didn't care for the food, just has too much on menu and nothing was quite tasty. We also took him to the Golf Club for lunch on one weekend w/the kiddos.

Finally got our skype working and started skyping w/Matthew and Dan's parents.

Dan went to Singapore for a week. To help me out, we hired some pre-teen girls to play with the kids and wear them out so they would for sure nap. Carissa, another mom from our playdate, was nice enough to invite me over for lunch and allowed our kids to play. They loved playing w/Max and all his cool toys. Carissa was very brave to have us over, the mess that comes along w/feeding toddlers and all the noise from their "non-sharing" stage. I was grateful for the afternoon!

Pictures of the month:

Rastanura Beach w/Ana's family. Rastanura is another Aramco compound about an hour away
that has nicer beach then Half Moon Bay (the beach closer to our camp).

Josh, Ana and Clay's oldest kid

Hallel, just turned 4




Tobin

Not sure which boy this is, but liked black shadowy effect.

after the beach, they played on the playground and this broken Merry Go Round.

Hudson, this is what happens when Skyler doesn't wear her jacket, one of the boys end up w/it.

Tobin & Daddy

Skyler and Hudson

Skyler w/Josh and Hallel

Skyler

One of my friends, Saadia, son, Rayaan's 6th birthday party.
Their was puppeteer, she was really good, kept all the kids entertained. We were very surprised they sat their w/the other kids and not be attached to us.

Hudson, Skyler and Tobin

"Vaseline incident"

Skyler, Hudson (naked boy), and Tobin----this is what I saw when I came in, I had already peeped through the hole through the door so I went and got the camera

Tobin

Skyler

Hudson

Calee over to play: Calee and Tobin
Skyler, Hudson & Calee

Hudson, Calee, Tobin & Skyler

Hudson

Calee and Hudson

Tobin & Skyler, they asked me to get the camera to take this picture...how could you not?

they LOVE LOVE LOVE to do ring around the roses---the boys (Tobin & Hudson)

Sorry it's so blurry, not sure what happened.

sometimes they do it w/their stuffed animals, really cute!!!

Dan out of town, girls to help me
Renee and Sydney. This one time, Calee was over to play also.

Skyler and Calee running through the kitchen and then Sydney would throw them on the couch! Lotsa giggles and laughter that day!

Renee drawing w/the boys.