The Achievement Assembly

Today was Alex's end of year Achievement Assembly and Parents Information meeting. It started at 10:30am, with a one hour presentation from the head master, Mrs Radi, to the parents. We went through the curriculum for the next school year, how to prepare the children ect and we met Alex's new teacher for Reception. I have forgotten her name already though, whoops.

All the foundation students came in at 11.30am and the achievement ceremony began. Alex's class was the 1st up on stage. All the kids were presented with different awards ranging from great achievement in maths, science, phonics, role play & physical education, to name a few. Alex was awarded for achievement in Personal Social Education & effort in Knowledge and Understanding of the World. What a mouth full.

After all the classes had received their award all 88 foundation students got up on stage and performed my 2nd favorite Barney song " Oh Mr Sun". By this stage I was a bit teary as the whole thing was pretty emotional for me............Our beautiful little Alex is growing up so fast, it feels like yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with him. Oh how time flies. We are so very proud of you Alex!!

This is Alex with his
Teacher Ms Jones & Assistant Mrs Aneda

Counting Down the Days

Well the big count down is on!! Only two and a half weeks untill our long trip back to Perth, Yay!!

On the weekend just gone we took a trip to Sharjah, the next Emirate to the north. We didn't leave untill 3pm on Friday as it's just too damm hot to do anything earlier in the day. The drive was a pleasent one, which I don't say very often. It only took us about half an hour and the traffic was flowing :-)

Our 1st stop was the Sharjah Aquarium. It wasn't the biggest and extoridinary aqaurium that we have been to, but I liked it. We had room to move around, the aircon was cooling and the kids enjoyed themselves.............To me that is a perfect day!

After the aquarium we walked over to the Maritime Museum. It was busier in the musem, but we still got to see everything. It didn't take us long as it wasn't very big, so we walked along the cornice back to the car the we were off for a game of 10 pin bowling and a bite to eat. James and Alex kicked my butt, which seems to happening a lot lately. Have I lost my bowling touch? Maybe.

The Saturday was spent with James and Alex playing the bloody playstation. I think I almost regret buying it, all though it does keep the boys amused for hours on end. I don't know what they were playing, but by the end Alex was complaining of sore fingers. I left them to it and went to the gym then came home and cleaned the house.............How exciting!!!

Alex has his end of year assembly this week and then only 1 week of school left. I'm hopping that James will be able to get a couple of hours off work to come to the assembly with me. Alex will be given a certificate, so I think it's important that his Dad is there to watch. Today his class went on a trip to 'The Childrens City' at the creek park. It's kinda like Scietech, but smaller. He seemed to enjoy himself. As for me, well I've gone into over drive trying to make sure things are in order before I leave for 6 weeks. My days have been busy cooking & freezing up meals for James and arranging other bits and pieces. It's not long now!!

Back to the 50's

On Friday 5th June, James and I attended a 50's birthday party. The birthday boy, who was also turning 50 yrs old, was Derrek, the Ensco money man!!

The night was fun, had lots of food and plenty of free flowing champers, vodka, whisky, beer.........well all sorts really. We danced and drank the night away by the juke box and before we knew it the time was 4am and everyone was leaving. It took over an hour for our Taxi to arrive. While we waited out the front I made friends with the catering crew that were packing up. The boss had a bright orange beard that I was fascinated with. Check out the photo.

Anyway, both James and I had a killer hang over the next day and spent the day on the couch in the dark. Thankfully we have two very well behaved boys who don't mind a day inside with Mummy and Daddy :-)

I Need to Learn Arabic

As most of you know I had a small accident in the

car park at Alex's school last week. My car was actually parked and I was hit by a fellow parent as he was pulling into the empty spot next to me. He over turned or just didn't judge the distance correctly and hit the back of our Chevy. It left minor damage, just a scratch on his car and a broken tail light on mine. Unfortunately for me though the man was an Arab or Emiratie and they are always right! The police have to be notified of every single accident that involves an insurance claim, they then come out to the scene of the accident. The driver who is at fault is given a pink slip and a fine and the other driver is given a blue slip, these slips are to passed onto the insurance company. The lovey police officer decided to give my the pink slip and fine (pictured in the top corner) even though my car was stationary, but as I said, the locals are always right, especially the males. The police officer also confiscated my drivers licence and forced me to sign the fine that I couldn't read. I did refuse to begin with and told him I would sign it when I have "My People" read over it, he then threatened to arrest me, so I just signed. I now have my license back, after a whole load of stuffing around. I think I may be best to go have some Arabic lessons!!

Alex our Little SuperStar!

With the school year almost over and with summer definitely here, I can safely say that Alex has settled in like the little star that he is. We even have an award to prove it : )

He attended his 1st birthday party on Monday night. It was at a ridiculous time, Monday evening, 5pm - 7pm, Only in Dubai would someone have a kids party at this time on a week night. Anyway, the party was at a fun centre in the Times Square Centre. We didn't have to travel far, just 10 minutes. The whole class, plus some attended and it was mayhem. All the kids had a blast though and I survived my 1st encounter with all the parents from school. I was very uncomfortable and actually phoned James at one point and asked him to come down at sit with me. His response was "You're funny sometimes, just sit down and start talking, you'll be fine", thanks James, hehehehe!! Honestly though, the parents seemed very clicky and it was hard enough trying to make eye contact let alone strike up a conversation, plus I was the only person there without my maid. Strange hey!

Miss Jones, Alex's teacher, obviously has a soft spot for him. In his 1st term at his new school, Regent International, Alex has been awarded three certificates. Two from Miss Jones and one from the head of reception. Reception being the same as our kindy. Miss Jones is a lovely lady from the UK who is not much older than James and I. There is also a teachers aid, I can't remember her name, but she is also very nice and is Filipino.