The weekend- August 29,2009

Hello everyone! We had a nice weekend. We actually got out in the evenings the last two nights. With everything being holiday hours, the stores close at 3pm and then re-open between 7-9 pm. So Thursday night we did a bit of evening shopping with the kids and then they played on this huge blow up slide that they have at the mall. It looked like alot of fun. Last night, we headed out to the park after dark with the kids and their scooters. What a blast, but hot. The kids wanted to go in the splash pad but by the time we got there it was shut down and there was no water pressure left, but there was enough water coming out to at least get cooled off. When we got back home we headed to the pool to see the lights from the roof top, and then they had a late night swim. Right now, the streets are full of lights (like our Christmas), stars, laterns, moons etc. It is very pretty.

Wayne is slowly getting better. Least we know the folding couch is comfortable, since he has been sleeping there for this past week. :) The kids are ready to head to school (who am I kidding-I'm ready for the kids to go to school:) Patrick starts tomorrow and Samantha on Monday. My first week was good. I was mostly by myself since the teacher was a last minute hire and didn't get here till Thursday (their last day of work for the weekend). So we'll see how this week goes. At least the hours are short right now (8:30-2).

There is lots more to tell you, but on borrowed internet so it will have to wait. Talk to you soon.

August 27, 2009 - Ramadan Kareem!

Yes we're still here... It has been a hectic few weeks.

I am just recovering from being quite sick with an evil, U.A.E. strain of strep throat (yippee!). The one good thing is that I now have a Dr. for Lisa and myself in the building adjacent to our flat. She only treats adults but gave us the names and numbers of some good kids doctors nearby.

Lisa was offered and has accepted a Teacher's Assistant position at the school. It pays beans but it is great for Lisa to have something she can do. It also means a fair bit of coordinating schedules and it has been especially tough this past week as she has had to go in to get setup and I've had the kids on and off at the office with me (while being sick). We think we have figured out how to make it all work with cars and taxis; things will get easier once Ramadan is over on Sept. 18th (the kids are also on reduced days and there is no after-class care for Samantha during Ramadan). Next week is the first week of school for the kids. They are quite excited; Samantha being a little more apprehensive, which is to be expected.

The weekend of the 4th/5th we will be driving to Al Ain and into Oman so that we can renew our visitor visas for another 30 days. we plan to make a weekend adventure out of it. Having said that, we are hoping that all of that paperwork will be completed within the next 2-3 weeks.

The kids have still not missed a single day of swimming. Patrick can swim the entire length of the pool (~40') and Samantha can do the full width (~25') several times (with short breaks climbing on Dad in between attempts). So much for bothering to bring two sets of water wings...