July

I had planned on blogging July's post before I left for repat, but didn't get to it...so here it goes, a couple months later.

To start the month off right, we went to Bahrain and stayed overnight at the Gulf Hotel fri-sat. Dan had Saturday off from work, not sure what the company holiday was but who cares! We left in the morning right after breakfast and I packed extra snack baggies for the car ride to Bahrain (not sure what causeway traffic would be). The night before we loaded the van up with everything we needed so we could leave at a decent time. Since it's the summer and most expats are gone, the hotel had great rates on apartment suites. We got a 2 bedroom suite for the same rate as you normally pay for a 1 bedroom. We also paid Harle's agent to get her a visa so she could come with us. It worked out great, she slept with the kids in one room and we had our own room. The apartment has a kitchen, dining room and living room...perfect for us! After checking the suite out, we headed straight for the pool. Some of our friends have mentioned they have a kiddie pool there, but we were really happy to see what their kiddie pool was. It was no ordinary kiddie pool, more like a mini water park. There's a kiddie structure with a slide, water spraying from it and a little tire swing, all surrounded by below the knee deep water. I'm usually nervous when there's water involved with the kids activities b/c Dan and I are always nervous making sure we have everyone in our sight...I'm really paranoid about kid drowning. But I felt really at ease, maybe b/c the kids are comfortable in water, Harle being there to help, or just the fact we spent the day as a family doing something fun and not really worrying about anything. We had an AWESOME time! Ordered lunch and ate outside, had some refreshing beverages w/our lunch! :-) Even saw one of the moms from our playgroup. After hanging out there all day, we headed back to our suite, everyone bathed and showered, we took a short nap while kids played. Then Harle put the kids down at night and we went out to our favorite new sushi place Bushido. What a great day and evening!

Next day, we took it easy. After checking out, we headed for the grocery store to buy some pork and buy the kids some toys. We got them one of the plasma cars (ride on toy). All in all, it was one of the best weekend ever! We really need to do that more often.

Next day was Sunday and kids started summer school w/Mrs. Beth. There's really not a lot of option for summer schools. I was not that fond of putting the kids there, but I know they need an activity and since most of the moms are gone, there was no playgroups. And with the weather heating up, no outside play either. Kids went there for 5 days, 8-11. The boys cried a little bit for the first couple of days, after that, everything was back to normal . They really enjoyed school, being around little people, and doing the crafts. It was only for a month and it allowed me to continue exercising. I also did some printmaking w/my former instructor during that time. She didn't charge me for her time, only for the supplies I used.

We celebrated our first July 4th @ DWG (Dharhan Women Group) and then a dinner at Tina's. Dan met us there for lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the regular fixins'. I was surprised to see so many expats still on camp. We normally like to go watch fireworks at night in the States so that was one thing I was missing. Dinner at Tina's was great, we had Fried Chicken and I really can't remember what else. They also invited another family over.

We had lots of playdates w/Tina to catch up since she's back. It was really nice having her back...I like people who make you feel comfortable and aren't judgemental...that's how she is.
Celebrated Ismi's 3rd birthday before his actual birthday (06/25) since a lot of moms were leaving by then.

Ana came back from Thailand (their repat) and had her over for playdates. Also great catching up with her and her family. Our kids play so well together and we always have a good time chatting. She's another great friend I have found, so comfortable and easy being around them.

Harle cooked curry one night and we had the Lowreys, John, Mike and Stephen over for dinner. The guys are all on bacholer status since their families are out of Kingdom. Dan and John even spent a few nights making our special beverage so we would have some for the upcoming Fall holidays. Things you go here to adapt. :-)

We also went to Bahrain for dinner one Wednesday with the Lowreys, John, and another couple, Su & Walter. It was the first time we left kids in another country and Harle put them to bed. We were so happy and surprised she had no trouble putting them down for bed. I think it's the first time we've felt comfortable with anyone taking complete care of our kids when we're not there. I never thought we would get there but it's nice to have the help we were looking for. We came back about midnight...after an amazing night out at dinner at a Churrasco restaurant called Brazil, dessert and coffee at place the Lowreys liked, and cocktails at Bushido. And the fun and laughter we had even in the car, so much fun! I'm so grateful for these types of outings and the momeries created!

I hosted a craft playdate for the moms who were here...we made jewelry using colored pasta, yarn and some clip art. I dyed different pasta shapes, pulled out the yarn that I used to make my baskets, and laminated clip art of kid objects: teddy bears, dolls, cars, boats, music notes, flowers, basically anything kid like. Without a laminating machine, Tina gave me her clear sticky paper and it worked perfectly. Tina, Ana, and 2 other moms I've never had playdates with came. I think everyone had a nice time, kids and mommies.

We also prepared for our Houston trip (repat) in August. Made my list of things to bring back. Packed stuff we needed in the van since we are parking it for a month. I filled empty cleaner sprayer bottles and milk bottles with water. A friend suggested we do this since the van will be very dusty when we come back, the water is to washed off the windows. Also had water for us, crackers for kids (incase causeway coming back is horrible), abayas, and extra duffle bags. One of Dan's co-worker also recommended we disconnect the van battery too so the heat doesn't drain it...so we also packed a wrench for the van. I also secured things in the backyard, making sure nothing could fly away when it's dusty. Put away the triplet stroller, bought extra bag of dog food. We paid to keep Harle for August so she could take care of our furries instead of boarding them this time. They just weren't that happy there when we left last Christmas. So we showed how to walk them. She walked them twice a day like they're used too with us.

Pictures of the month:

Our first 4th of July lunch @ DWG

Hudson & Skyler (they look up at me b/c I say "look up" when I'm taking pictures...been changing it to "look at Mommy").

Hudson

4th of July dinner with Tina's family: Kids love playing dress up with all of Ismi's costumes, group hug time: Hudson is the dinosaur

Skyler and Ismi

Pictures of them playing at our house. We were catching for those months they were in Cali and us getting ready to leave for repat (Houston). 5 kids playing, of course I won't get anyone looking at the camera, surprise I even got them all in one shot!

Tobin, Skyler, Hudson & Elena

Skyler, Tobin & Hudson

so precious! Skyler's so into babies now, real and dolls!

I love this one, Ismi and Tobin

Hudson

Random pictures of kids playing at home:

Skyler, Tobin & Hudson

all sharing the cool ride we picked up from our Bahrain trip. Tobin, Hudson & Skyler

Tobin getting his ponytails done from Daddy

Harle put Skyler's hair up with all these clips, then she wanted sunglasses to look "cool"

Hudson showing all his "bracelets" AKA Skyler's ponytail holders.

Boys playing w/Daddy's clothes: Tobin in his shirt, Hudson w/his belt.

I can't remember why she made this face?

I normally don't do these types of play w/the kids since having them b/c my body is not quite the same as before their birth. I've been in some kind of pain, body aches, joint aches, not sure what it is, I think it has to do with being on bedrest and then gaining all that weight, but I have constant pain on daily basis. BUT being in Saudi has allowed me to workout at a consistent level and I haven't felt the aches that much anymore...so Mommy had the energy to give everyone horse rides. (Hudson, Skyler, and Tobin)

Ana & Tina and their kiddos over for play:

Skyler and Josh, they were doing laps around the house.

Josh holding Hudson, Tobin following along.

Hallel and Skyler

Josh and Hudson

Hallel with Hudson & Ismi, Josh & Tobin

One more for June- pool time!

Forgot about these pictures after I blogged for June...it's been really crazy HOT so we broke out the pool. Kids were loving their water time!!! I think the furries and I have gotten used to the heat b/c we are still doing our walks/jog after I drop the kids off at school. I remember last year, they couldn't walk for more than 10 minutes without hurting their paws. Now we do our normal 30-40 minute walk under the 110-120 heat! Going to Houston in a few days will be nice "cool" weather for us! :-)

Molly

Redford

Dan and Harle swinging Skyler. They all started w/swim diapers and then they all somehow came off!

Very nice setup w/the basketball and slide. Skyler, Hudson & Tobin (w/the ball)

Skyer and Hudson...see our pathetic plants...atleast the grass is looking better!

Dan w/Tobin

Daddy swinging Skyler

Guess who's bottom that is....Hudson! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Harle swinging Hudson

Hudson

June---painting...pigtails...graduation

June and July has been really busy for me. Ever since my art show (see below), I was convince to participate in an upcoming show in October, so I've been busy creating more artwork. I'm allowed to put in (10) pieces and may actually meet that. I've started weaving baskets ontop of doing my printwork. I'm working on my last basket and of course it's taking the longest. My former printmaking instructor is doing workshops w/me this month to get ready for the show. All I have to do is pay for materials and not class fees since I already took her class. On top of my artwork, I'm also planning the kids 3rd birthday party (which we'll celebrate next month in Houston), online shopping for things to bring back, figuring out their Halloween costumes, and maintaining my exercise routine. Dan thinks it's funny that I'm so "busy" and stressing over this b/c technically these are all self imposed deadlines....ah the life of an Aramco wife...ah the life of an expat! But he agrees that living overseas we do have to plan for things in future especially for the holidays. It's not like I can go to Party City and pick up 3 costumes for Halloween! We'll be in Houston for (5) weeks and by the time we come back to Saudi, it'll take us atleast (2) weeks to get back to our routine...so I doubt I will have any creative juices to finish my projects.

One BIG change this month is our new FULL TIME live-in housemaid, Harle. By full time I mean we have her on the weekends too, something I wasn't sure how I'd like but so far, it's been the best for us. AND she finishes her day when we finish putting the kids to bed, on OUR schedule. We started her w/helping us put the kids to bed since no one has ever been able to do that for us. The kids took about 2 weeks to warm up to her, letting her change their diapers, bathe them, etc. and now they really like her. Of course they still want us to do that...I have to keep telling them that "Harle is here to help Mommy and Daddy". Dan and I feel really good about her. She's so positive and happy all the time which is not always the case w/live in help. Harle used to work for Caroline. Caroline had processed their paperwork to sponsor their own nanny six months ago and their new nanny finally came in May. Caroline let me know that Harle would be available and we jumped on it before we lost her to another family. She had to work for a Saudi family for a month before coming to us, but it was worth the wait!

Since her being here, Dan and I have gone out to dinners twice with other couples and several shopping trips w/o the kids. One night she even put the kids down for bed. It was such a great feeling coming home to know that we finally have someone to help us on OUR schedule.

Pictures of the month:

Kids around the house: Skyler and Hudson showing me their phones, Tobin showing me his drawing toy

Daddy giving everyone a "back" ride (Skyler, Tobin, Hudson). Dan is amazing at entertaining them. He does all sort of dare devil things w/them like swinging them in different directions, letting them climb all over him, jumping while holding them. And he usuallydoes at this after working all day...I don't know how he has the energy for it, but he manages to say "yes" to them most of the time. Another favorite of theirs now is doing the "Hot Dog Diggity Dance" from Mickey Mouse. They love dancing to that song and also when Dan carrys one and dances to the song...it's hilarious!

I see so much of how the boys LOVE hanging out w/each other. Hudson & Tobin

My first art show: DAG (Dharhan Art Group) had a printmaking show and my former instructor suggested I put some of my pieces in. I did not have these for sale, but I'm working on some that will be for an upcoming show in October. Printmaking has been really fun and really allows me to express my creative side. The challenging part is inking, getting the right consistency of colors and mixing the colors.

A rendition of Klimt "The Kiss" on linocut.

I call this one "Pagoda Blossoms", etching on pexiglass.

The opening night, Dan put the kids to bed by himself. Everyone was actually sound asleep when I came home. We took the kids there the next day so some of my fellow art peeps could meet them. Of course they were more interested in playing around then looking at art.

Dan swinging the boys: Hudson's in front.

June is when most of the expat moms leave camp and head back to their home country. Most leave all summer long and don't return until September when school starts. At this time, I'm in no liberty to attempt this (flying by myself w/almost 3 yr old triplets...ain't gonna happen). I'm not even sure if it'll ever happen, I actually don't mind the heat and it is kinda nice enjoying the "quiet" camp. Who knows? I may change my mind when they are older. But they way I see it, we came here to be a family so I couldn't imagine the kids and I being away from Dan for several months. Since most of my friends are leaving for the summer, we spent a lot of time w/the three families that we've become close too. Lots of playdates and dinner outings. Ana and her family spent their repat in Thailand. Caroline and her kids went back to Canada. Bee and her kids went back to Malaysia. Both Caroline and Bee's hubby will join them at a later time.

Lucky for me, Tina came back from the States end of June just as the other moms headed out. It was nice to have her back. We didn't see each other until the following week, but it was nice to catch up with her on the phone.

The boys w/Aileen in the upstairs playroom

Aileen, Skyler, Hudson and Hallel in their bedroom

Hallel and Aileen

Skyler joined in the fun

Hallel tucked everyone in bed.

I like this picture, too bad the lighting was bad. Skyler loves having an older girl around.

Caroline hosted a potluck dinner at her house...yes that's right 12 kids in the pool plus 2 from their neighbors, Ok so maybe not everyone was in the pool at the same time. Some serious water fun (yes that's our pool, it's the only one among the families that was big enough).

Only Skyler and Hudson played in the pool, Tobin was more kids watching that evening.

Hudson & Adian. Hudson looks so suave!

Holy smokes! Atleast 3-4 times a week I'd ask Skyler if she wants a ponytail...for the longest time it was "no"...now this month finally a "yes". After she went to Mrs. Libby's school, she wanted to wear dresses and I couldn't believe when she said "yes" to the ponytails! So hang on! It only took her 34 months before she wanted to be girlie, there's still lots of tom boyish in her, come on now, she is my daughter! One morning hanging out w/her bros.

then another morning, after she said "yes" to ponytails, asked her if she wanted braids..."yes"!
so happy I could capture these!

housing around: Skyler, Tobin, Hudson

With Harle: it didn't take the kids long at all to warm up to her.

Graduation @ Mrs. Libby 6/18/11 Saturday. They have learned so much from her. They were at home for 2 weeks before starting summer school w/Mrs. Beth. It was kinda nice hanging out in the morning and not rushing. Only hard part is not being able to exercise and walk the furries. Had to make up for it during their nap...it was so brutal! The heat is ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been 110's lately and now the humidity hits, feels like a sauna.

everyone feasting afterwards- Hudson, Tobin, Skyler and Maya, Mrs. Libby's daughter

I gave each teachers, Mrs. Libby, Ms. Tori, and Mrs. Anjou a card and some candies/home-made chocolate chip cookies from each of the kiddos. And they got to pass them out to the teachers. I'm so glad I made the right decision by putting them in there.

Hudson was so done w/graduation :-)

Mrs. Libby putting the cap on Skyler. Tobin didn't want to wear his.

Their classmates. I think some kids didn't show up. When I was labeling these pictures for blogging, the kids were pointing to each kid saying their name.

Tobin's so ready for it to be over.

Aileen, kids and Maya

Our weekly playdates have been at the kiddie pool. Hudson and his juice. I still don't give them juice at home, they only get it when we're at playdates, friends house, or a restaurant. They don't associate having juice at home...they drink just water and milk.

Tobin & Skyler snacking, their favorite thing to do at playdates is devour all the food. I still have them wearing these baby hooded towels, now it fits like a jacket instead of covering their whole bodies.

Harle w/the kids

Harle was able to put Skyler's hair up.

My silly monkeys

Trying to keep them entertained indoors, we've started painting

Tobin's masterpiece

Skyler's masterpiece...how do I know it's Skyler? because her name is not on it. Everytime I TRIED to write her name on it, she would paint over it.

Hudson's masterpiece. Love his double brushes technique, so efficient!

Thank goodness for washable paint, only way to go babies!

more silly faces: Tobin

Hudson