Kindergarten

Well, I can't believe I am writing a blog in June already, but time is flying and I will no longer have a Kindergartener.  Sydney has grown so much these last few months and coming from a life aboard to having to adjust to a new school in the middle of the year to some might be small, but to others it is really hard.  I have watched my daughter cry about not wanting to move and I worried what we had done to growing and loving her new school.

I hope she holds on to her memories of our time in Abu Dhabi and take with her it doesn't matter what you look like or your religious views that everyone has a way of life and to treat others the way you want to be treated.  I will never forget seeing our girls play with other kids and then though they didn't speak the same language they know what they wanted and would play together and it didn't matter where they were from.  I think adults could learn from children that color, race or religion doesn't matter that friendship is the most important thing. 

I have to say I find it fitting that Sydney's best friend is of Asian dissent.  I thought to myself out of everyone in the class she picked someone different and I hope being aboard has given her the knowledge to over look peoples appearances and to look inside someones heart first.  Come to find out the little girl is the smartest girl in the class.  Way to go Sydney for picking someone to look up too.

I have to say I am one proud Mom and looking forward to seeing her grow as a 1st grader.

The girls birthdays

I thought I would write one blog about the girls birthdays since they are one month apart.  It is hard to believe that Heather turned 2 years old in January and we took her to The Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum where you can milk a cow, pick eggs, play in the store and kitchen.  It was all pretend, but I think the girls had a wonderful time.  After naps we all went to Chucky Cheese for some pizza and games.  All and all I think it was a great birthday.


Sydeny's birthday was in February and my parents came up to celebrate her 6th birthday.  Yes that's right my baby is 6.  She wanted to go to Build A Bear this year so she made a Valentine's dog named Scarlet for her birthday.  She really enjoyed making her and being able to watch them add the stuffing and wash her just like a real animal.  We added all kinds of accessories for the dog.  I didn't know they had so much stuff for the animals there.   I think this was one of Sydney's favorite birthday's to date.


 

Our last Christmas in Abu Dhabi

It is funny I am writing about Christmas in February, but with our move and trying to find a house it seems I haven't had a lot of time for blogging.  Our last Christmas in Abu Dhabi was one to remember from opening gifts to having the movers come and pack our stuff on Christmas day seemed like a fairy tale.  We woke up and we all opened gifts and we finished just to have a knock at the door to start packing.  After an hour in the power went off since we needed to get a security deposit back we needed two days to do it so it had to happen during packing.  Water included.  I never thought I would add water down the back of the toilet to be able to use the toilet.  I can't remember what we had for lunch, but we had our Christmas dinner across the street since our good friends were going to be in Dubai she said we could use there house and we sure did.  We had turkey and all the trimmings.  I have to say with all the craziness I truly believe this was one of my favorite Christmas's ever.  I am looking forward to having Christmas in our new home and have family over to celebrate.

Moving

Our time in Abu Dhabi is coming to a close after 3 1/2 years of living aboard.  What started out as 18 months ended up being more then we thought when we first got here, but I am glad we stayed as long as we did.  We have gotten to see some amazing things along the way and the girls got to attended two amazing schools and Paul had a wonderful job.  I also got to continue staying home which I love.  I never thought I would be sad about leaving here, but the UAE has become our home and the friends we have made will stay with us forever.

We are moving to Leesburg, VA.  Paul will be working at Leesburg airport and we plan to find a house close to his work and other amenities.  I am looking forward to having 4 seasons again and having our own home again, but our villa here is huge.  Somehow when we go back I am sure we will think the homes are small compared to what we are used to.  Leesburg and Loundoun County seem to be really great with lots of things to do that are rich in history and some small towns which we love.  You are close to bigger city life if you want to go and visit, but go back to a smaller community feel.  All within a close drive.  Washington DC is a hour away and I can't wait to take the girls to see the buildings there and the Cherry Blossoms.

We have already started looking online for housing at have found a realtor, but can't wait to see the area in person.  I hope we find something we all love.  It is great to be moving back to the USA can't wait to see family and friends when we get back.

End of Term 1

December seems to be flying bye and school is now out.  What are we going to do now?  Time to take in all we can before we start the next chapter of our life.


Year 1 didn't have a Winter concert this year, but they did have an art exhibition that you could walk the halls to see all the children's art work.  The art work focused on themselves and they did one for eyes and one of there face and I got to see two pieces Sydney made and walk around the school with her class.  I have to say they all did a wonderful job.


Heather school had a Winter concert so Paul and I went to see them sing and I am so proud of her.  She didn't really sing, but she did some motions to the songs and she didn't come running to Mommy or Daddy or cry during the concert.  Way to go Heather.

Spirit of the Union

The UAE is about to celebrate 41 years as a country on December 2.  As I look at what this country as done in such a short time I can only imagine what the country will be like in another 41 years from now.  This country seems so young compared to the USA.  I can't believe the USA was founded  236 years ago.

This picture below is a silhouette of the iconic image between the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates, lead by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Time to give Thanks

I can't believe it is November already a time to give thanks for what we have.  I am thankful for our family and friends, but most importantly I am thankful for a wonderful husband and two wonderful daughters.  God has blessed us with the chance to be parents and what a blessing it is.  I am thankful we have a home and we can provide for our family.  We have been blessed to experience living in another culture for 3 years now.  This adventure has opened my eyes to a culture that is different than our own.  I am grateful we have gotten to live here and to be able to show our children some amazing sites, but one thing for sure there is no place like home.  A place where some people only dream about.  After living abroad it gives you prospective to never take for grated our beliefs and our freedoms.  I hope everyone is grateful for what they have and always be thankful everyday of the year not just at Thanksgiving.