We're going to Ireland!

We are going to Ireland on our way home! We were going to go to France, but it was cheaper to fly through Dublin when we ended up booking our flights. (We'll have to catch Versailles and EuroDisney later- shhh... don't tell my kids what we missed out on!) I am really excited. We are flying to Dubai, then to Dublin, staying six days, then flying Dublin, Amsterdam, Portland. On our way back, we get two days in Ireland, so we are thinking about doing the countryside during our first trip and Dublin the city on our way back. It should be a lot of fun. How to see an entire country in a few days with kids in tow? We are going over maps and inteneraries, making sure we hit the highlights without running ragged! I am very excited.

Homework battle

"Once there was the meanest parntes in the world that treated ther child..."

Our new homework hitch is creative writing. Once she vented, exhibit A, she did get a five line story out. So progress. Now just got to get it to the page and a half it is supposed to be!

She is pretty cute!

Turkey dinner

We just had another Thanksgiving yesterday. We had to give our second fridge back, which forced a turkey defrost. I went for it with stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole, candied yams, mashed potatoes and apple and pumpkin pie. We had some friends over to help us eat it- I should have invited more- but we didn't have enough plates! (We are down to five Corelle- the kids got plastic Ikea ones)We have a ton of leftovers even after sending some home- but what is better than Thanksgiving leftovers?  It was wonderful. It also make me think I am so grateful for Allrecipes, my wonderful family, good friends, cleaning help, t-shirts in February, a taste of home, and to be having this incredible adventure. I am so blessed.

Camping

Evelyn and I went day camping last weekend with some of the women that work at the school. One of them invited us to her family's tent for the day to join her and her family for a great catered lunch. It was so wonderful! We started out eating a traditional breakfast dish made of sweet noodles with scrambled eggs on top that she had personally prepared. It was really windy- so we had to stay in the tent most of the time. The woman sang songs with a drum providing some complicated and beautiful rhythms- the songs were interesting- even though they were in Arabic you could tell they were fun, teasing, girls-camp type songs. At the end, one of ladies, the drummer, said "let's sing something everyone knows" and she began singing "Baby, baby, baby, ohhhhhh" by Justin Beiber. Then they sang Barney's "I Love You" and we were all laughing. The dancing was beautiful. I wish I knew how to move my hips like that, shake my shoulders and hold my hands so gracefully. One of the women told this hilarious story about a trip she had taken with her husband- they really value story telling I think. Evelyn had fun playing with the other girls. Outside they look like these huge, dusty tents but inside is luxury with those floor sofas. They had a bathroom set up, generator running electricity to the tent, a TV, DVD player, sound system, mini kitchen, etc. It is big for extended families to camp together every weekend. Outside was a fire pit, barbecue and playground equipment. I couldn't take pictures of the women that invited us- they had their hair uncovered and it would have been disrespectful. All of the food was so wonderful- I think there were seven or eight dishes and the most fantastic cake. It was a really wonderful cultural experience and I am so grateful I was able to have it. Everyone was so warm and generous. Middle Eastern hospitality is something else!

Angry birds

Man, those sure are some Angry Birds- razor-blades for all!

I didn't have my camera the other day, but there were a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake backpacks for sale. The sign said "Strawberry Short of Cake". Lost in translation!

International Day!

International Day was fantastic. It was so cool seeing all the kids in their native dress. All the Americans were in red, white and blue- blue jeans and sports jerseys or flag t-shirts- some in Western gear. But some of the other coutries- so elaborate and beautiful! Maybe next year I'll make Evelyn a pioneer or Statue of Liberty costume? And the food! There were over 30 countries with food tables- each with several dishes each. It was wonderful. I didn't get to sample it all, but all I sampled was delicious. I'd love to edit / compile an international day cookbook using all the parent's recipes! There were games and crafts. I am bummed I missed the cricket demo- so curious about that game. I caught good photos of Evelyn with a few friends (they had already changed out of their dresses) and Edward and a new, just made friend.

Representing the USA

Evelyn's school is having international day tomorrow and they asked all the parents to do something like a craft, game, food or poster, for their cultural heritage. We did USA. I made apple pies (cooling now) and a poster. But how do you do a poster on the whole USA? I decided to focus on agriculture because I think it is part of what makes the country great- being a net exporter of food with higher yields than most countries. Farmers are some of the smartest, hardest working people I know. So there you go! Plus Native Americas were first to cultivate things like corn- now arguably the world's most important food product. Can't wait to see what the other parents whipped up!

It was too quiet...

so I was a little worried when I raced downstairs after my shower. "Eyes!" said Edward proudly. He then handed me my ruined mascara. The funny thing is that his eyelashes are naturally so long they get tangled in his eyebrows. Luckily Evelyn also had the same insanely long lashes- they are wasted on boys! Little cutie. Gotta get a new makeup hiding place.

No more monkeys...

Sorry- I know this is blurry, but with my camera it was the best I could do. Love the jumping on the bed while singing and playing Roger's DS. So 2!