September Fun!

Poor Claire is having a hard time adjusting to school life. We've had some rough morning and rough afternoons. She falls asleep right after dinner!

We found a Tex-Mex Rock outside our front door. It was neat to get online and post about it! I had never heard of the rock searching going on in America.

I loved this Birthday letter Elise sent LeLe!

I had a week of dealing with ants. This picture is just a small sample of what was in our house. It started slowly in the girls bedroom. We would spray, clean vacuum, repeat for several days. Then one night I was getting ready for bed and I went in to the girls playroom and realized that ants were taking over. The ants were not only in their toys, stuffed animals, etc, but they had managed to cover the ceiling. It was the craziest thing I had seen. They had to send someone from another city to come spray our house to get rid of them. It has been a few days and the only ones I've seen are dead ones- so hopefully they are gone for good!

It's weird being in the house with no kids all day. Luckily, there have been a few activities going on around the compound. Last week we played "retirement ladies" and played Bingo. 

Elise has been loving 2nd grade and her teacher. We are so happy!

We celebrated Saudi National Day this weekend. It's like The Fourth of July in Saudi. This  man has an entire  cart worth of chickens!

The girls were excited to wear all white and celebrate International Peace Day.  

They love their Daddy!

These two...I wonder what they were talking about!?

We stayed up all night waiting and waiting for the annual fireworks. Unfortunately, they decided not to have any. The girls were very disappointed. 

Going back almost 4 years!

They are bringing pumpkins to Saudi this year! These are some expensive pumpkins!

The girls and I went to Bahrain for a fun day of shopping and wine!

This is how Claire gets in her bus! She is so spoiled.

End of Summer and Beginning of School

Oh my goodness--it was a long 3 weeks when we returned to Saudi! When it's so hot you can't play outside, you can't go anywhere during the day because of prayer time, you just eat!! We unpacked all of our USA goodies and the girls were so happy to see these fruit cups in Tamimis. They fell in love with them this summer at Granny's house. 

Everywhere we went Claire brought all of her accessories.

Hanging out at the fish market at Tamimis. 

Elise also started to request to wear her abaya while we were out and about. I didn't want to make her feel bad and tell her no...she wants to do what mommy has to do.  In case you were wondering, girls here don't have to wear an abaya until they have gone through puberty...we will not be here when that happens. ;) 

We have been heartbroken watching Houston go through Hurricane Harvey. Our friends from all over were sending us pictures. We have several friends that have been affected by the devastating flood waters. We were thankful we don't own a house in Texas, however, felt pretty helpless being here not being able to assist anyone.

The last week before school started it got "cool" enough to go to the pool. They chill the pools in Saudi so you can get in. However, no one can "lay out" in these temperatures. Every summer I forget how hot it is--it really is like someone blowing a hair dryer all over your body every time you step out. Yes--it is much hotter than Houston--it is an unimaginable heat.

I seriously got out very single craft we had in the house!

The girls and I got away for a day and went to Bahrain. It was nice to have a day of "normal"

Elise is thrilled that an American Girl store is coming to City Center.

I love getting to hold sweet Adam!

Claire and Elise were so excited to see Love and happy she brought chicken and rice for lunch.

We spent a morning making cards for kids that lost their belongings in the floods.

One of my very best friends, Katy had a fundraising walk for her son, Hudson who was born with Spina Bifida. I was sad I couldn't participate with her, but we were there in spirit! Go Hudson!!

Before we knew it, we had survived those 3 weeks and school started! I'm so proud of my girls!