Everything Comes In Threes

About two weeks ago Jett woke up with a very oddly swollen finger. I had never seen anything like it and I was afraid he was bitten by some odd Arab creature. Well, that was our first doctor’s visit. This injury just required topical medicine and band aids.

The next day, as we were headed into the mall Jett ran ahead to go through the automatic sliding double doors that take you from the parking garage to the escalators. Well he was going a little too fast and didn’t realize the doors were not completely open and BANG, there goes injury number two for Jett. Luckily this was just a bump and did not need medical attention.

Yesterday, as I was sitting at Jake’s school playground letting the boys play before we went home, I was discussing with my friend Dana how both her sons had broken bones on this very same playground my boys were playing on. The ground is astro-turf, which does not create a very cushy landing. Next thing I know Jett falls from monkey bars that he was attempting to cross. Now everyone that knows Jett, knows he falls, and after most falls comes the “I’m okay” response..Jett.. Mr. Happy Go Lucky. Well, there was no happy response after this fall, and the tears lasted quite a while. I know Jett’s cries and could tell this hurt bad. Well, off I went to the ER, calling Mike on the way to meet me there. One of the best things about Mike not having to operate a park (yet) here is that he can leave at a moment’s notice without worry of what will happen without him there.

Number three, not a brake THANK GOODNESS but a severe sprain that warranted a splint for at least a week. I have never seen Jett in so much pain, he didn’t sleep well last night and aches at any move his leg makes. So it was a rough night BUT, you have to take the good with the bad, as JAKE WALKED RIGHT INTO SCHOOL this morning, without even a whimper!!!

Ski Dubai II

More photos...



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Ski Dubai

After a very stressful week (for all of us) Mike took the boys to Ski Dubai. I was able to stay home and run errands (without kids) a feat I have yet to accomplish. The grocery stores here are so massive I find myself wondering around looking for favorite items, or trying to find the local/arabic version that we will all like.

The boys had a great time, Dubai is just about one hour and fifteen minutes away so it provides a great day trip!

The Hardest Week Yet

We were so excited to find out that Jake got into the American Community School that we didn’t even think about what his reaction would be. We know Jake and knew he would be distressed about starting a new school where he didn’t know anybody, but had no idea the week would be as trying as it has been.

Although these photos look like a normal first day what they don’t show is Jake being held by three teachers, as he did not want to stay at school. The reaction that you don’t see is absolute fear.

This has been the hardest event to deal with since we arrived, as it is trying on all of us to see Jake so upset and see him react this way. Luckily, once he settles down he has a great day at school and the teachers get to see his best and most well behaved side. We’ll see how tomorrow goes but we know it is just a matter of time and he will feel as comfortable and safe here as he did back home. We also know that although this is hard for Jake to deal with, it will also make him stronger and (as it did for me with our moves) make him learn how to deal with new situations and cope with change. A lesson that will only help him as he grows and moves through life.




The calm before the storm...

The Beach Club

This is the Hiltonia Beach Club, where we have been spending all of our free time!! Once the kids start school this will also be where I will work-out. There is a great gym, exercise room, sauna, tennis courts, etc. They also have a nursery for the kids if I need it. We have really enjoyed the club as there are several pools and it is right on the gulf. It is also only a five minute drive from our house with easy parking!! Our German neighbors recently joined as well which is an added bonus!!

The entrance (these photos were taken around 6pm)
The main pool with swim-up bar in the back
The kiddie-pool, waterslides with plunge pool are in the background
The beach with the city in the background. The first day we arrived we came down to this pool, I looked at the pool, the beach and this view and thought, "Yes, this is it!"
Another view of the beach, the Marina Mall is in the background. This is where IKEA is, which we have visited often!

New Arabian Family Members

My spell check is not working, please excuse any errors I missed!

Please meet the newest members of our family in Abu Dhabi, a pair of teddy bear hamsters. Names (bestowed by happy new owners) are Lightning McQueen and Scooby!

Alright, I know some of you are thinking..what is she thinking, pet hamsters? Well, call be naustalgic, but one of the great memories I have when my parents moved us to Canada from Tennessee is my sister and I purchasing new (easy) pets to keep us entertained until school started and we made friends.

So far the minor investment has been well worth it. With having to spend much of our time indoors these pets have given the boys (especially Jake) a project. They love holding them, playing with them and watching them. It gives Mike and I great joy to see them so happy, we both have wonderful small pet memories from childhood. This is just one of those things I felt we should do to help with this major transition. The boys have really taken it so well, barely mentioning missing their friends and home in the states. They really deserve a pet to love!

Jake took this photo...notice Mike has no forehead.
Getting them out to play.

This is what I look like while I am blogging or e-mailing, pretty exciting stuff, hey??

Our new friends/neighbors

We were very lucky to discover our new neighbors about three days ago! They are a very nice German family that just moved here as well. They are two doors down from us. Ralph and Anja...They have three kids...Greta 8, Merle 5 and Valentine 10 (see photos below). The girls do not speak any English but it has been amazing to see that friendship and play has no language restrictions. Ralph is a heart surgeon at the local hospital.
Greta was trying to tell me something yesterday evening, I could not for the life of me figure it out. I asked her to show me. The next thing I know she found an etch-a-sketch and brought it to me. I was so delighted as to how clever she was!! As you can tell from the photo, she wants Jake, Jett, Greta and Merle to go over to her house together to play.
These are the moments when I realize what a great experience this will be for the children! To experience friendships from across the globe.

I am so happy to have met a mom to talk to! Expats are just starting to come back to Abu Dhabi, so until school starts I have to rely on the neighborhood and the pool! It gives me great comfort to know I have a friend to count on!!!

First Photos

These did not go up in the order I wanted but I have not become the blog expert yet!!
This is the master bedroom, the sliding glass door in the background is an enclosed patio.
This is the pretty view out of the enclosed patio (the street in front of the house).
The kitchen (left side)

The office, where I do my blogging!!
Jett's room...
Jake's room, he has access to the enclosed patio as well.
Upstairs den/playroom for the boys...
Family/living room...notice the boys on scooters!

Living room from view of first landing of the stairs...
Looking at the stairs from the couches in living room...The front door/foyer is on the left side of the picture.
Dining area (left side of living room). The door in the back goes into the kitchen, there is a laundry room off the kitchen.
Right side of kitchen...

Front of house. Mike has had some work done on the yard, we are trying to grow grass, right now it is just dirt!

Jake watering our dirt...There are no sprinkler systems, so we have a man who comes and waters everyday by hand (Jake helps!)
View facing the street, looking toward the left...The far black gate is the house of our new friends, a very nice german family!
Our front door...
Foyer area, just inside front door.

We have really enjoyed the house. There is lots of room for the boys to play, which we need since it is so hot outside!!

More to come...

We are here!

So far..I feel like I am on vacation. Our house is great, our beach club is wonderful and my new housemaid starts tomorrow!!! The kids and I are really happy! The trip was pretty easy too!

I promise to take pictures and give more information soon!