Amin's big Kilimanjaro Trip

Amin finished his last A level exam on Monday this week and Tuesday he left for his DOE Gold award trip to Tanzania going up Kilimanjaro. We are all going to miss him and look forward to seeing all the pictures of the trip. Knowing Amin, providing all the pictures afterwards will be a bigger task than climbing the mountain itself! Amin, if you ever manage to log onto fb, we will all miss you and please take care. xxx

1st Brunei 6-8 yrs Swimming Competition

Iman had a fantastic day at the swimming pool today. She swam in the 2003 / 7 yr age group in four 25m races and came away with 2 golds for the butterfly and breaststroke and 2 silvers for back and free. Its the best she's done so far and to top that JIS won the overall team trophy!

Best saturday night hangout

Our favorite saturday nights are the ones when we have early takeout dinners with friends and our favorite location for this has to be "Madang Manor". Last night the kids had homemade pizza, an Indian delivery for the adults and best of all plenty for the kids to do while we can relax and chat on the big comfy dining chairs!

Jack's message

A few weeks ago I found this in Jack's reading bag. One very proud Mum here.

Father's Day 2011

Pictures say it all!

A Party like no other

Another one of out highlights from the half term week was an invite to Prince Wakeel's 5th birthday party which was held at the Istana. The theme was racing cars/Ferrari and the dress theme for the guests was red, back and white. The whole party area was very well decorated to the theme as were the cakes which were amazing - I don't think I have ever seen a vertical standing cake before!

It goes without saying that the McCarthy kids had a B.L.A.S.T. There were race cars, various fun fair style games, face painting, clowns, a magician, waterslides and ice cream, popcorn & candy floss on tap. And they did all the above several times over and had so much fun.

In the car on the way home, Jack said "For my next birthday..." (and I'm thinking here we go!)..."I would like to invite..." Phew...

We all had an amazing afternoon and were very grateful to be part of the invite list!

BIT 2011

Last week the kids and I went to see the Brunei International Tattoo 2011. Judging from the previous Tattoo we went to in Brunei a few years back, I was not expecting much from the show. BUT in truth, I was blown away and as were the kids and the friends that went with us. The show was short of amazing and really is probably the most well organised show I have seen in Brunei. For starters it started on time and it was full of fun and excitement without any palava - need I say more! Ayden must have been so impressed as after the show he announced that he wanted to be a soldier!

Iman's Sandakan trip

So much happened over half term but I could not post due to minor technical difficulties so I will need to do some catching up this week!

Iman's highlight was her trip to Sandakan. She went all by herself with the school swim team. They left very early on Friday morning and did not get back till Monday night. She's pretty exhausted but on a high. It's Iman first trip away with school without any family and despite being away for longer to Paris with her grandparents nearly two years ago, we truly missed her on this little trip. And judging by the hugs she gave me this evening she missed us too. Unfortunately Donncha's away so she will have to save her hugs for him till the end of the week. She didn't bring any medals home but I'm told she did some very good swims and even managed a tumble turn!

Bieber 'McCarthy' Style

As you have seen from previous postings, the kids have really started to get into their music and in particular, some unknown Canadian teenager! Fatin, Maria's niece and resident 'artist' in the compound, regularly avoids studying and passes time getting the kids to perform. We will have to wait for some time to see if this talent develops but you can already see from the video that they take it quite seriously. All this from kids reared todate on a diet of the Pogues and the Dubliners !!