Donncha's Birthday lunch

Donncha celebrated another birthday on Sunday and we had lunch with the whole family. The highlight for the lunch was the sushi boat - the kids screamed when Donncha carried it in. Just as well we had it cos I forgot to organize a birthday cake! But we've decided to have a cake this weekend and celebrate Sitty's forgotten birthday at the same time - I'm not doing too well this month!

Another highlight of the day was kids hash. We had an excellent walk but no pictures as it was drizzling. Next month's hash will be the start of the 7x7 - seven hashes in seven nights. 

Boys Toys !

Timing is everything in life and with Jack's school outing coinciding with a week that I was at home, I couldn't resist joining his class for their outing to visit the Sultan's Flight. The morning started with surprise visit to the private helicopter pad where we saw two Black Hawks which are kitted out for VIP transport. We even had the opportunity to have a look insider with some of the Mum's spending that extra moment to sit in the back and just imagine !

Jack got to sit in the cockpit and hold the controls - despite the lights, we were assured it was going nowhere !

A lesson learnt - the pilot will always sit on the right and it actually takes two people to fly a Black Hawk (I'm trying to look like I belong but to be honest, I'm more used to sitting closer to the tail on aircraft these days !)

Following a quick refreshment (Evian water for the parents !), we boarded the bus again to head for the airport and the Sultan's Flight hanger. We were treated to snacks before taking a tour of the facility - Jack was very excited to meet Uncle Hans and he then got to see the plane that Uncle Hans flies (A340, in the Royal Brunei livery but certainly not a plane you will see in commercial use !)

The tour included seeing some of the land based equipment and the kids all got a turn to try to spot a knife in baggage using a mobile scanning unit - Jack spotted a bag and immediately claimed to see the knife !

Overall, I think the parents enjoyed the trip more than the kids but it was a great day out with very hospitable hosts ensuring that the kids will remember their visit to the airport for some time to come. The only problem comes when we will have to explain why we can't use the planes we saw and have to use the 'common' entrance to the airport from now on !

A Happy Mothers Day

Today was probably the first Mothers' Day we have celebrated. The day started with the cards and Iman and Jack made beautiful cards at school. We then had a family lunch at my parents followed by the Yacht Club for the rest of the afternoon. 

Iman's card is so beautifully written and very touching and I hope the other Mum's from her class loved theirs too! 

And Jack - the teacher's assistants did so well with these cards complete with personal quotes. Not quite what I would be singing but it is one of Jack's favourites!

 

Pizza or Japanese?

That's the decision we have to make every Saturday. The kids will always choose Japanese unless we entice them with pizza making. But today we had an offer for pizza we couldn't refuse - at the Cowleys! The kids had a great time with Alexander making their pizzas and we had the yummiest pizza we have had in a long time, first anchovy and capers followed by a spicy chilli, pepperoni and peppers. Thanks to the Cowleys - think we will be back :-) !!!!

Ayden's start to the day

Its Saturday morning, too bright and too early but for Ayden its a good time as any to line up his "auplane" fleet and with brand new socks on that his bapa brought back from Ireland.

Waterguns and Windmills

The kids and I spend a lovely afternoon with our old friends the Walkers. It's been a while since we met up so Mums had much needed catching up to do. And while we did, the little ones did what they do best - play, run around and have a good time - they had a blast. The play houses were a big hit though they got a bit wet and slippery when the kids decided to pretend the houses were on fire! Of course all the way home I had "Can I have a little house....actually can it be double storey.?", "Can I have a windmill...?". Busy days ahead for the handyman!

Go Blue House Go!!!

Iman and Jack both did well for their Athletics Day this morning. Both had beaming smiles and were proud of their ribbons. Each year group performed 4 races each and all were non-competitive individually though team performance standings were converted into house points for the overall house winner. For Iman's year and Year 2, the last sprint event was on individual performance as well and Iman was very proud to come first in her group and she finished well ahead. So proud of her. Cousins Hariz and Zahra too did well with second and third places in their groups. And check out the picture of Jack doing the sack race!

"Chicken a la Carte"

My Mum was sent this short film recently highlighting poverty and hunger. It very moving ~Alhamdullilah ~ I'm grateful for what we have and what I can give my children. Please watch it.

The fun starts for Jack

Jack was excited to bring home a special book last week and wanted to do his homework straight away. May the enthusiasm stay with him for all his schooling years ahead!

A busy Monday

Mondays are always busy. I started with taking Donncha to the airport at 6am followed by the school run, Monday morning walk (which thankfully went well today), Supasave and then this...!

Something burst under the hood. I didn't panic and just got out the car. A friend drove past and with a couple of guys nearby we managed to push the car to the side - thanks Kat. The tow truck came soon after and I was home in 45 mins and all this by midday.

Book Character Parade

Last week was Book Week at JIS. Class activities emphasized on books and reading. There were book swaps, older kids reading to the younger ones and also mystery readers - I volunteered my services to Jack's Mouse class. Jack was very good and listened to the much enjoyed Room on the Broom but as soon as it was over he crept up and said he wanted to go home, obviously thought he had shared me enough! 

The week culminated with the highly anticipated dressing up as a book character and a parade for the little ones. Iman chose to go as a fairy from the Glitterwings Academy series. I had problems chosing a character for Jack and all he wanted was to be a superhero until I remembered a Halloween costume that Donncha bought him a couple of years ago and hey presto, we have Count Dracula! He loved wearing it but drew the line when I started drawing red  fangs on the corners of his mouth. 

Jack's classmate Ian was a dinosaur and I thought his mum put in great effort into his costume.

Nina was Polly's sick dolly

Iman as Twink and I think Alania behind was another character from the book

Jack and classmates

Snow White with a pirate

Older kids were given these tags to match the character and Jack was one of them

Iman with her classmates

50 runs

Hash on tuesday was the St Georges Day run which was fun. I also clocked up 50 runs and got my pewter goblet. The kids were very excited the next morning. Jack said "Oh my..." (Grandad McCarthy - he's picked that up from you) and Ayden said "Thank you Mama". Awww....

Runny Eggs!

Here are pictures from the Easter kids hash last Sunday. Too many eggs were wasted but kids (and adults) had fun tossing eggs to each other till the egg drops to the ground or onto someone! The kids had egg all over themselves and carried on playing in it for the rest of the afternoon - lovely :-(

Amanda showing the kids how it's done.

And they're off....

Bring it on....

I think Jack could have done with opening his eyes here.

Butter fingers!

An eggy Dave!

Don't think this guy was too happy with his eggy hat.