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!

Washing the car

Edward was helping me wash the car yesterday and doing a pretty nice job wiping the running board when he stopped, looked at the filthy, soapy rag with black greasy car dirt, and put it in his mouth to suck on! I was so grossed out. "Plugh, plugh, yucky!" I showed him, imitating spitting. He just laughed and put the rag back in his mouth. I snatched it away and put him on hose duty instead. We chased it with a bottle of milk (no poison control to consult, but I figured that was a safe move?). I told an unconcerned Roger, who said it would build immunity.

Maybe next time I will wait till he is napping to wash the car. I could spring for the $2 BD car wash at Lulu's I guess. There are guys in pretty much every parking lot who will wash your car for you while you shop for about $5.40 US. What a tough way to earn a living!

Being here makes me so grateful I was born a U.S. citizen, had so many great opportunities in life, that my husband has a job that can support us, while we are all living together in the same place, and that we have all of our needs and a lot of our wants supplied. We are so, so lucky!

Sorry its been so long...

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. The month of January was crazy. Roger's dad passed away and Roger flew home for several days to attend the funeral. We wished we could have gone with him to show our love and support. We are so thankful things went smoothly and that he is safely is back now. What great family and friends we have to rally around us during the tough times!

Roger got caught back up on school and sleep. He still has his cough, but is getting better. I am so thankful to have him back. I can't imagine how military wives do it. I was talking to a friend who has a preschooler, one year old and is pregnant, and she is here and her husband is deployed. She is made out of much stronger stuff than me.

I am spring cleaning- amazing that we have clutter already when I feel like we brought so little. I am also tackling my bare walls with two DIY art projects- I'll post when completed. I've also been busy with my calling in YW- it is a lot of fun.

Evelyn is loving her mask-making and cook with a good book after-school activities. She was so helpful while Roger was gone. She has been washing the dishes lately and is eager to earn money- for what I'm not sure. She loves making origami creations and drawing in her fashion design sketch pad. She loves playing with her friends and reading the "Series of Unfortunate Events" with me before bed. It is so sweet to watch her reads stories to Edward.

Edward has grown a ton! He got bigger in the few days Roger was gone. He would tell me, "Get daddy!" and point to the school during dinner and bed time, until he learned, "Daddy 'puter. Doooot, doooot," which is the Skype calling sound. (I am so thankful for modern technology- it makes the world so much smaller when you are far from home.) He is using more full sentences like "Mom, I want a bottle of milk!" (Which makes me think maybe it is time for no more bottles of milk!) He loves his new Thomas jammies and Cars light up shoes- in which he does the cutest dance run.

The oil well across the street is done now and fully operational. I am so thankful- that was a bad two weeks when they were drilling during the night. Edward's window isn't fit in properly, so the kids couldn't sleep for all the noise. It sounded like a fleet of semis parked right under your windows, that rattling hum of their idling. With occasional honks and beeps. And a sound like a large bundle of pipes being dropped from a great height. All night long. I am very sad we aren't getting a park instead- but at least it is over and done with! Can't say anything about it as I drive a car.

Having a ball in Bahrain