Umar went to school

I know I don't update here regularly and I really need to get my act together with that. But I just had to share, since most of you readers have been there since his birth. Pudge has gone to school!!!



Yes I did find a school that was willing to take him, one of the most expensive preschools around but well worth it. He was super happy, brushed his own hair, grabbed his back pack and went for the door. He sees siblings going off every morning and he was so happy to be part of that. I took him to the school, he took his teachers hand, turned back waved goodbye and went in. Don't think that attitude continued I'll find out when I pick him up. But this is a big moment for my little man I'm super happy for him!

I'm Still Here

A friend asked me about my blog today and Umm Umar shot me an email for the link. Both reminding me that I'm in serious neglect of this blog. I don't mean to do it and quite honestly I feel bad that I haven't updated in over a month. Oh the drama that has gone on that I haven't shared here would have truly entertained.

But I'm in the midst of posting something for you all and updating this neglected spot of my life. Right now I'm about to bring down the wrath on these children for their lack of focus during homework time. Someone remind Hannah she can't sing and do math at the same time! Both Hannah and Jihad are reviewing for entrance exams for new schools. Which is a long story in itself. Until then I've been known to hang out on face book lately.. look me up

To Jihad's Teachers

I am getting quite tired of being told that Jihad does not pay attention in class as I'm sure you
are quite tired of dealing with it. Please know that I scold Jihad on a daily basis as to his behavior in school. I tell him repeatedly not to talk in class, not to throw erasers, to be prepared with his work, pencils, and materials. I have purchased countless amounts of pencils, erasers, folders and other materials he says he needs for class however he continues to conveniently loose them.

So in order to help Jihad learn responsibility can you please limit his borrowing of materials from you, his friends and definitely his sister. I propose that there should be a school wide ban of lending Jihad any pencils, erasers, or other school necessities. He has every work sheet, book and folder in his back pack as he insists to me that he needs to carry them all in his bag each day. So if he is unable to find various materials it is because he can't find it in his bag that resembles more of a garbage dump than anything else. I find that having him empty his entire bag helps him find the things he says he has lost so do not hesitate to have him do the same in class or in the hallway.

Please be more strict with Jihad's behavior in class. Since he hates embarrassment perhaps a seat closest to his teacher will help him pay attention. If you find that his behavior doesn't improve please send a note home so I can find appropriate punishment at home. But in the mean time do take creative steps to help Jihad do less talking to his friends and more concentrating in class.

Jihad also has a fascination going to the school nurse so please don't excuse him to go see her unless he is in immediate danger. If he isn't bleeding, hasn't lost consciousness or doesn't appear to have a deformed limb I assure you he doesn't need to see the nurse yet again this year.

I will now be carrying boxes of pencils in my car so when he is dropped at school he is sure to have more than one. I assure you I don't neglect his school needs as is evidenced with Hannah. It is just Jihad's lack of responsible behavior which is at issue and I think we as adults all need to be a bit less tolerant of his current behavior and considering that there are only a few months left of school this year he needs to step it up.

I thank you all for you continued patience with Jihad. I am confident he can do better in school as he is a seriously smart boy. He just lacks the needed focus on his studies but I believe he can do it as long as he is reminded that such things are his responsibility and his alone.

Thank You


*This is an actual letter I'm sending to Jihad's teachers tomorrow I'm one fed up Mama*

My New Ride

Yea I'll keep Mr. Man a while longer.... especially since he got me this rocken Toyota Sequoia!!!






I used to have an old Hyundai that we bought years ago. It was slowly fading away although it served its purpose for us and it now serves the purpose for another Saudi family. I hold told Mr. Man I wanted a Hyundai H1 minivan which would hold my growing family. But after driving in this insane Bahrain traffic with Mr. Man's Toyota Land Cruiser I decided this mama needed a bit more power beneath her feet. Now look out!! This school driving Mama will rule the road!!



Imagine me now behind the wheel taken seriously by others on the road. No cutting me off and don't you dare come in my lane. Can I just point out drivers of Bahrain that when you enter a round-a-bout (or circle for you Jersey people) and it is two lanes, while you are IN the round-a-bout it remains TWO lanes. I know a difficult concept to grasp but surely I tell you the truth.




No middle seat for my DVD loven Umar but who needs that when you have butt cooling seats. Now that is a must have for these summer temps which reach 120 degrees!!



I love the amount of space I get with this car. And that I don't have to fight sits to manually put them down at the grocery store. With a flick of a switch my seats lay flat at my command. Oh if only everything in life worked so easily.


And because this was bought in Saudi it comes complete with a super fabulous leather prayer rug. Oh yes.. ride in style and pray in style!

Thank You Mr. Man for giving me some power and I promise not to run over too many people :)

He is 2

Yes it has been two years since my little man was brought into this world. Two years that have flown by and this day of his birth comes with much happiness and a twinge of sadness. To see him grow is a joy but than I still remember holding him on my chest as he slept with his butt filling my one hand.




Right now I'm enjoying watching him transition into the terrible twos and let me tell you he is right on target. He is no longer that easy going one year old his an official temper prone two year old who will throw himself on the ground screaming, or make the silliest face as he tries to shed fake tears. And he has a temper which knows how to tell you he is not pleased. Luckily this Mama of five has learned to sit back and watch such things with humor or I would go completely mad by the time he outgrows this stage. Mr. Man however is going to spoil little pudge rotten if I'm not careful.

He is so very active and can easily push over any of his siblings to get what he wants. He isn't shy by any means and prefers to be out with people, lots of people. He loves to chase the neighbors dog, hang outside all day, chase ants around the house and unplug the tv to annoy everyone. He is like any other two year old doing two year old things and it is wonderful.

Right now I am trying to find a school here in Bahrain that will accept my little pudge. I have a meeting with a nursery on Thursday provided they see him as being like any other two year old and they have a spot he should start in September and my friendly boy who loves to play with other kids will welcome it.

I will share pics of his day tomorrow. Nothing big here just family with cake of course and quite a few presents. Now lets all sing.. Happy Birthday to Umar...

Why I neglect my blog

I know I've been neglectful, badly so but I do other things. Well to be honest I have another addiction. Yes it has reached the levels of addiction but I figure there are worst things I can do than have albums filled with memories for my kids and our generations to come. These are just a sample of what I've been doing this month. Yes only this month and only a sample!

Happiness

Father

UP

Spring

March 15, 2009

Taking Risks

Adventure

Pooh

Tween

Imagine

When Your Mr. Man

Not only does Mr. Man get to be married to me the forever 17 year old Jersey gal and have five wonderful kids out of the deal he gets this.

Call to Mr. Man

"I lost my phone yesterday at the movies call and cancel the number" after calling him in a panic

"What?" He asks confused as he is out on four wheelers with the kids in the desert.

Taking deep breath "Yesterday when I went to the movies I thought something fell out of my purse but when I left I checked for my iphone and it was still there but I didn't check for the other one" Explaining this for you readers, I have two phones for two different numbers one in Saudi and one in Bahrain.

"You're just noticing this now?" he asks me like I have my phones attached to my ears like him

"Yes I just needed it now to call you. I called and someone answered but didn't say anything" my heart dropped as I dialed my number and someone picked up. No voice just silence.

"Ok, Ok" he says in a panic knowing that if one of those poor workers found it at the cinema I am going to be charged up the wazoo for international calls.

I keep calling my number but no answer.. I worry.

Phone rings it is Mr. Man

"Well whoever it is they are having fun with your phone it has been busy" he says

"No that is me I keep calling the number hoping they'll answer"

"Ok" he says

"Why doesn't someone just return it?" I ask because I would

"If they are honest they will. Remember my friend Fahad when he lost his phone? The guy who found it called the last number that he dialed and it was me? I got his phone back the man was honest" He reminds me that honest people do exist

"Yea. Are the cancelling the number?" I ask

"Yes I have the guys on it I'm sure the bill is going to be high" he answers

"No really because I have a cap on my outgoing calls" which lightens the dread


I hang up and start talking to Hannah who was taking a nap on the couch and related my whole tale. She says "You are just realizing you lost your phone??" not this again I think. I explain it all.

I went to the movies and turned down my phones but when I put my purse down it fell over and dumped things on me. I thought something fell but when I looked for my iphone it was there. So I went on to lunch but latter that night I went to pick up Hannah and my purse fell (I hate purses) and it was dark. I thought that this phone was in the car so I called it but when someone answered, no voice just silence I knew it was all wrong. I went to convince her and sent her to the car, although she didn't want to and called the number.

"It was behind the seat" she says in frustration that she had to actually deal with this as well. I frantically call back Mr. Man

"False Alarm it was in the car don't cancel my number!!!"

He doesn't say much because this isn't the first time I've done something as silly as this and I'm sure he'll remind me of it latter. But I have a long list of his silly moments as well so we can battle it out if he wants to!



* what about when I called and someone answered

option A- I dialed the wrong number
option B- a jinni answered my phone


Option A is more likely