Friday Morning Art Project

Bacterial Infection

The other day I was talking to Miss Kisie and Yvette, two of Pau's nursery teachers, who had a funny anecdote to share.

Last week when they noticed that Andrés was not in school, they asked Pau, "Where is Andrés today?"

Pau promptly answered, "He is home. He has a bacterial infection."

They can't get over how "clever" 2 1/2 year old Pau is. Me neither.

So Good

Andrés helped me to make tomato sauce this evening. He (and Pau) picked fresh basil, garlic chives, and parsley from our garden. Andrés peeled and shredded a carrot while I chopped garlic and eggplant. Andés added the salt, pepper, and oregano. I poured in 2 cans of chopped tomato and he stirred. He let simmer. He seasoned the chicken then watched me brown it in the pan before adding it to the sauce. He salted and oiled the water for the spaghetti. He waited, patiently, for the water to boil and pasta to cook.

Finally, when it was all ready and time to eat, Andrés helped himself to a huge portion of spaghetti which he mixed with a large spoonful of the tomato sauce. After eating quietly for a little while he said,

"Mama, it's so good I don't even taste the vegetables!"

Andrés Graduates

A day to make a mama proud.

"This certificate is proudly presented to Andrés for being our most Rapacious Reader with a fabulous imagination. Congratulations!"

Mango Mania

from places including Kenya, India, Philippines, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and USA

Sick Day

So I decided to work from home.

Eastern Mangroves

Date night (romantic kind, not edible kind)

Proud Mama

Dark Nader

(a.k.a. Darth Vader)

Pau and Andrés' discussion over diner:
Pau: Who's stronger, Gargamel or Dark Nadir?
Andrés: Dark Nadir is stronger, because Gargamel only has magics, but Dark Nader has a sword.
Pau: If Gargamel had a gun, he would be stronger.

Andrés' School Concert

Andrés' concert with his class, the Dragonflies. Poor guy had pinkeye and was not feeling great. (His Mama was feeling annoyed that he was in the back row.)

Wiggling with the rest of them.

Esfahan, Miss Rowena and Miss Joud 

Pau joined in the fun.

Dragonflies can dance! Miss Zeny, Miss Julie, Miss Mairi Clare and Cameron in the tie.

Pau's First School Concert

This is the Fireflies class concert. When I arrived I didn't recognize Pau - he looked so grown up.

Beloved Miss Kisie lead the English songs. 

Pau does some moves during the Arabic songs.

French teacher Miss Virginie led the French songs. Miss Maha, favorite Arabic teacher to Pau and Andrés, watches her daughter sing.

Watch Out Here We Come

Bassel's Birthday Party

It's Getting Hot

As Seen From the Road

Extra Large Palm Tree or Cell Phone Tower?

Emirati Crossing

So Sari

I went sari shopping with some friends from yoga and couldn't resist trying one on. This is what I look like wearing 6 meters of fabric being held together with four safety pins. 

Scholarly Interlude

Dog on a Rope

Gielyn taught us how to make this delicious treat. Mama came up with the name. 

Can you think of a better one?

The Internet

The other day we were all sitting at the breakfast table talking about animals and the sounds that they make. Andrés asked me what sound a zebra makes and I answered with a, "Nay!"

"No," says Pau. "Zebras don't say that. Better check the internet."

Hermanos

Lovely

Yesterday, as we were getting ready to pick up Miquel from work, I was bent over next to Pau, helping him to put on his shorts.

"Mama, " he said, leaning his whole body on me, "You're lovely."

Wow. All I could do was feel my heart bursting and tell him I love him.

"I love you, too," he said, and gave me a giant hug.

Happiness.

On the Mend

Goofing around at Dr. Sami's office. Feeling better after being really sick.