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...

August 17 - All is well

Just a quick post... We are still waiting to get paperwork processed before we can apply for Internt, TV, etc. so are still out of touch for the most part. We are all well and doing fine. It is another busy week with the last of the furnitutre being delivered today and then vists to the school for the kids and Lisa.

Our air shipment finally arrived so now the kids have some toys; Lisa and I were probably more excited than they were - thank goodness for ponies and lego :)

August 13, 2009 - Radio Silence...

Well we check out of the hotel tomorrow morning and move into the apartment for good. We got our stove, microwave, TV and some other kitchen gadgets delivered today. Tomorrow we hope to get our air shipment from home but it is technically a day off so it might be delayed another day - we'll see. Our refridgerator is being delivered on Saturday and then the rest of the furniture comes on the 17th so we are almost there in terms of outfitting the place. The rest will come in dribs and drabs.

We rented a car for a month to make the daily errands. Lisa even drove to the grocery store and Ikea all by herself (she was a bit shell-shocked when she returned but very proud of herself). Later this evening we took the kids to the roof for a night-time swim which was a lot of fun (another first).

We do not have our Internet or phone installed in the apartment yet so we will be unable to e-mail, Skype, MSN, or blog for several days and possibly a week or more. Don't worry; we'll post as soon as we are "live" again. TTFN!

August 12, 2009 - Check it out!!!!

Patrick, is like any man with their new toys and gadgets. They have to have more power and bling. Check out Patrick's new toy from Poppa. He is having a blast with it, especially at the apartment since there isn't much furntiure in it yet.

August 11,2009 - Checking off the list...

Well between yesterday and today, we are getting things done. The rest of the furniture has been ordered as well as our appliances. Things are beeing delivered tomorrow and early next week. Tomorrow Wayne will be looking for a car and getting the phone/internet set up, so hopefully we will have internet at the apartment shortly. I got talking to the school and have set up a "chat" with the prinicipal next week. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.

We seem to be going to exteremes when it comes to waking up time. Yesterday we were all up by 4 am, with the kids falling asleep in various places (in stores on couches, taxis and at the supper table in mid chew). Today we all slept in until 12:00 pm. I think tomorrow we are setting the alarm to try and get back on track. :)

This evening, the kids got to try out the garden maze on the corniche. Although it was hot, the kids found it very "cool". They made it into the centre with some help from Dad but Patrick was able to lead us all out to safety. We tried to take some photos but the camera fogged up - will have to sort out how to do that soon.

August 10, 2009 4:30 am- We have arrived!!!

The kids at Pearson with all our luggage, before departure.

Well we are finally in Abu Dhabi. The Limo ride to the airport was fun, especially for the kids. The flight was long but the kids did really well. Patrick fell asleep during take off, and Samantha was at the window seat saying "COOL". We all were able to sleep some which was good. The traveling part of the adventure got old fast for the kids, but overall they did very well.

The ride from the airport to the hotel was a bit trying. The hotel was supposed to send a van to fit the 8 large suitcases, two knap sacs, two carry on luggage, two carseats with kids and two adults. What did we get... A Chevy Malibu that took 6 of the peices of luggage in the trunk and the rest was crammed in with us (Grrrr). :( But at the end of the flight you just want to get to the hotel so we managed.

Once at the hotel, the kids and I checked out the roof top pool and the view. We'll try swimming tomorrow, no I guess it would be later today (this is confusing). The plan for today is to head to the apartment to show the kids around, and then to get some furniture shopping done. As you can see we are a bit turned around with the time shift. So we'll be working on that the next few days as well. :)