Phone Calls from Utah

I'm really sorry this photo came out blurry. Cairo was so excited about the upcoming visit from Bobbi,Sarah and Dave that she was pumping her fist while talking to Sarah on the phone

Wuslim Mom?

Jack has this funny issue with Muslims...It's taken this long for him to comment on the women wearing abayas and head scarves. After seeing my photo with Shari the night of Dave Scott's birthday, Jack asked if that was when I was a wuslim? I said, "No, I was just wearing a head scarf." Jack then said, "But you're still my Mom, right?"
Honestly, these guys make me laugh everyday.

A Day in Abu Dhabi

Jack got 3 stamps today because he was so good at school. He wanted all three on his face! He's still darn cute, in his mom's opinion.

Sam scared this little guy today because he lost his patience with Jack after Jack messed up the diorama. Little Ian took off for the front door with tears in his eyes. After I intercepted him and had a talk with Sam about how these little kids think he is so great and hearing him get angry really scares them, Sam was so cute to Ian and apologized and before long to two of them were on the couch watching Jurassic Park together. Ian is only 2 years old but Sam started treating him as an equal. Sam was very concerned that this little guy would be afraid of him. When I saw them on the couch together I was so proud of Sam. He was truly making an effort to make Ian comfortable with him as an older kid.

Dave Scott's 40th

One of our best friends here had his 40th birthday. His wife Susan had a surprise dinner for him at a nice Italian place. We ate outside overlooking the marina. It was a great night. Everyone wore black for the occasion and Shari and I decided to take it a step further.

Swimming Lessons

Jack was tired today so his lesson didn't last very long. I was able to get a smile out of him though, after he had been hiding under the hat.

Swimming Lessons

After each lesson, if they do well, the kids get to choose something from Shari's treasure box.

Charlie at today's swim lesson.

Swimming Lessons

Cairo at her swim lessons today. She seems to improve every time she swims. In the one picture Shari is trailing her.

Diorama Night at the Cooks

After seeing Sam's diarama, Cairo and Jack wanted a piece of the action.

Sam came to me tonight asking for a box. When I asked what for he explained he wanted to create a "Dinosaur Diorama". So, luckily, I had the perfect box. He spent a few hours creating the perfect dino setting...It includes a volcano on one side..a stream running through it and a flying dino suspended above the others using a piece of thread sewn through the back and neck of the dinosaur. I hope he has this much enthusiasm when it's a school assignment.

Swim Coach and Bread Maker...What More Could We Ask For?

Shari teaches the kids swimming every Sunday and Wednesday and usually bakes us a batch of homemade bread and cinnamon rolls at the same time.


Believe me..These are not just cinnamon rolls..They have caramel on the bottom..Whoa. I need to be doing laps with the kids to justify these calories!