Holidays 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So far we've:

• Toured the Denver Kid's Museum, mint, aquarium, and Casa Bonita
• Side tripped to surprise my lil sis Lauren in AK for her baby shower
• Drove 40 mph on icy roads in New Mexico
• Warmed up in AZ
• Posed for pictures in Riverside, CA
• Cruised down to Mexico on the Sapphire Princess
• Played at the Skirball (E likes this name so much he wants to name our next child Skirball or Cheeseball)
• Froze at Sea World
• Survived a family food poisoning... just barely
• Hanging out in OC for the holidays with the Slocombe Clan

Due to extensive travel with little to no Internet coverage, plus unexpected illness, this will have to suffice for blog coverage for the last few weeks.

A Walk About

We're on the road. We are hanging out in Denver for a week. Since this is a longer visit, our accommodations have two rooms, a small living area, and a kitchen so we aren't all on top of one another.

Chris stepped out for a few minutes of errands and I got into the shower. I had worked out, so I stunk. I was in for ten minutes. When I got out, I dried off and went looking for Graham, who had stopped pounding on the door (which had to be shut or he plays in the potty). There was no Graham and no Ethan, only Zach, who was completely engrossed in a TV show... I was wet and wrapped in only a towel. I became frantic and then I heard a baby... OUTSIDE IN THE HALL! I peeked out, but because of the protruding walls on each side of the door I could not see anyone. I yelled to Zach, "Where are your brothers?!?!" He quickly got up, ran outside the room, looked both ways and saw Graham happily crawling away from the room. He scooped him up and brought him back. As I was recovering from the ordeal, Ethan returned giggling and holding the hotel room key card. He set it on the table and returned to the TV show he was supposed to be watching the entire time.

Now, I decided to sneak away. I am currently in Alaska. I surprised my family in the middle of the night and I am only here for two days. I didn't want to leave Chris with the boys for too long, especially when we aren't in our own home... and for good reason, as seen above.

I snuck away because my little sister, Lauren, is very pregnant and not allowed to travel to our family Christmas get-together this year. A friend is throwing her a baby shower tomorrow and I wanted to surprise her. I hope she isn't so surprised it puts her into labor.

Turkey Week

For us, turkey week meant:

• Recovering from jet lag. As usual Zach and Ethan flipped immediately. Chris and I followed by weeks' end and so did Graham! He did much better this time-- it was not his usual 10-14 days.
• Great food. We were welcomed over to a friend of Uncle Roger's for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed wonderful and plentiful food in a beautiful new home.
• Family time, as all the Jenkins clan gathered to celebrate.
• 
  

• Rekindled friendships. Cousin Bella and Ethan were inseparable.

So often Ethan doesn't have his own friends. He just plays with Zach and Zach's friends. But he and Bella are cut from the same cloth and they really enjoyed playing together.

• We picnicked. The cranes were stopping over at LSU, so we made an afternoon adventure of it, enjoying the brisk sunny day and the company.

See what I mean about these two?

They are super silly...

and super sweet!

• We shopped. I find it funny that the one who dislikes shopping the most started the last two black Fridays out at 4 AM and was gone all day. Last year it was preparing to move. This year it was restocking. I did a little too, but at more reasonable hours.
• Had some mommy time. I snuck away with my awesome Sister-in law Belin and saw New Moon. I was so NOT DISAPPOINTED after seeing it like I was with Twilight. I'm sure it helped that I haven't read the book for quite a while, so the details weren't as fresh.
• We counted our blessings. We have so much to be grateful for... good health, good employment, three energetic and wonderful boys, and outstanding family adventures. This year has been amazing and strange and tough and exciting and it ain't over yet...

Land of The Free

After 36 hours of travel, with only a few delays along the way, we made it. We are now commencing our six week, ten state, two country vacation. After spending this much time with our children in hotel rooms Chris and I will probably need a vacation from our vacation. We are all a little whacked out on the time.  Graham was wide awake at three and I held him off until four and he just wouldn't be quiet so he and I went to the gym at 4:15. I have NEVER gone to the gym that early in the morning. We are in Houston and leaving shortly for Louisiana to visit Great Grandpa Naquin and other Jenkins kin for Thanksgiving.

And yes, we all enjoyed the bacon on the breakfast buffet this morning.

Bacon Free Zone

When we traveled to Prague and Budapest we ate pork.

We ate pork loin sprinkled with bacon bits, sausages of varied lengths, and anything bacon-wrapped on the menu... because we could. The Saudis in our group had to return their "special non-pork meals" every time because they would accidentally add bits of pork. They loved the soups in that region, especially in Budapest. I too enjoyed the Goulash. It was full of chunky veggies in a yummy broth with occasional meat chunks added. I wanted to purchase a Goulash cookbook but I noticed that EVERY recipe used lard so I passed. I've never cooked with lard and generally avoid recipes that use it. Just recently I found out lard comes from PIGS. So I guess when they ate the soup it was equivalent to the European desserts I've accidentally eaten that had coffee or liquor in them.

We've heard that once upon a time you could buy pork products here. Special rooms were set aside for these "dirty" items. But some non-pork eaters decided they could make a buck and started a black pork market, so that was the end of that. Now you can only indulge outside the country. Except for those people who try to tape it to their bodies to get it across the border.

We are sick and tired of turkey bacon, turkey sausage, turkey lunch meat of every kind, turkey ham, turkey bologna... we'll be home (in the US) just in time to celebrate the biggest Turkey Day of the year.

So the point of all of this rambling is this... our boys were admiring some friend's guinea pigs. They were very interested, having never seen them before. Our friends then told us how fortunate they were to get them because apparently guinea PIGS get turned away at the boarder. They have another friend who has tried repeatedly to smuggle them in. After two failed attempts, they then tried to bring it over as a hamster......and that too was denied. After that they gave up. 

Somehow, someone got one in, or I guess two, and they are breeding them. They are available if you know the right person.

A day or two after hearing this story I was shocked to find these at the store...

I guess these soy chips pass the test, even if the name is questionable. They should, because they definitely don't taste like bacon.

The Benefits of Exercise

Well, I failed!

I didn't make it this time. I am about ten pounds short of my goal. I didn't lose all the baby weight.

But there are still benefits to working out, like:

Repeated slobbery kisses from your one year old as you try to finish your ab set. In between each crunch Graham would lean over and plant a super wet one on me. That was more of an incentive to keep going than a flat tummy.

If you must answer the phone during your leg and buns workout it can be done vicariously by your 4 year old. Ethan was so sweet. After taking a call today I came back to see him laying in my exact spot lifting his legs and saying, "don't worry Mom, I finished it for you."

It Has Begun!

Pantry exploration is not new.

Because he doesn't get to do it often...

it can produce big smiles as treasures are pulled off the shelves.

But today...

his exploration reached new heights.

The climbing stage has begun at a mere twelve and a half months.

We have no stairs in our house so this was very adventurous.

Graham has also added NO to his repertoire, which also includes Mama, Dada, and Uh Oh. Ms. Ellen has been teaching him to clap after she counts 1, 2, 3. Throwing balls has also become a favorite game.

Who's Grosser?

The bare bummed child who bends over, sticking his butt, in the air saying, "here, smell my bum! It's clean!" or the child who actually comes over to sniff and verify it?

Happy 4th Interview with EHJ

Ethan's birthday interview:

• Favorite food: strawberries and blueberries
• Favorite dessert: brownies
• Favorite restaurant: Subway
• Favorite ice cream: strawberry vanilla mixed with chocolate
• Favorite candy: M&M’s and lollipops
• Favorite drink: kiwi juice or lemonade
• Favorite TV show: The Backyardigans
• Favorite movie: The Polar Express
• Favorite superhero: Ben 10 & Kim Possible
• Favorite character: Luke Skywalker & Indiana Jones
• Favorite animal: monkey
• Favorite scripture story: Nephi ("All the good ones")
• Favorite primary song: "the builder song"
• Favorite type of day: family adventure days with balloons
• Favorite vacation: Bahrain at the ball place
• Favorite sport: soccer
• Favorite color: "Every single color in the world"
• Favorite indoor activity: art
• Favorite outdoor activity: sports
• Place I’d like to visit: Alaska
• Favorite website: Lego and Starfall
• What do you want to be when you grow up?: "Just like you Mom."

It will be interesting to see how these responses change over the years.

I'm 4!

It wasn't just a happy fourth birthday but a happy fourth birthweekend! As a family we have been so overbooked with activities that we could not find a time to have an actual big party with friends. So instead we broke it up into several smaller birthday events.

First stop: Baskin Robins (for lack of other options) for a cotton candy ice cream-- with rainbow sprinkles, of course.

Next: Al Othaim Mall for some playtime. We had one hour between prayers to get some serious playing done.

Ethan REALLY wanted to ride the bucking bronco, but after watching a few children get thrown...

we decided it would be better to stick with stunt riding instead.

But even that got a little crazy!

What's a party without balloons? Ethan adores balloons and was so excited to choose a color...

and watch it be blown up.

The next evening Ethan's dream-- a blueberry cake with blue frosting and topped with firefighters-- came to fruition.

With Dad's guidance the cake was made.

However, I'm sad to say, due to bus delays the next day,  Dad did not get home in time to decorate it. Instead he got Mom's sad decorating skills.

On Ethan's actual birthday he came down with a high fever. He slept the day away and only perked up just in time for his pajama party.

Just before blowing out his candles he whispered his birthday wish to me. It was for a camera/video camera.

Which, surprisingly, is exactly what he got. He had not been asking for one and this gift was completely top secret. I had Grandma Jenkins bring it when they came to Doha. I was so sick of him taking my camera hostage all the time I was determined he have his own.

Then last but not least...

handmade, original Great Grandma Naquin Superman and Batman superhero capes. These were a total trip down memory lane for Chris, as he wore these to save the world when he was a small boy.

Curry Cook off

In Alaska, each Sunday we would rotate eating at different family members' homes. We each had our specialties and rarely crossed over into the others' domain. At our house it was Mediterranean; at my mothers', good 'ol American meat and potatoes and Mexican dishes; and at the elder Jenkins' they took care of all Southern dishes. Other than maybe a simple stir fry none of us really attempted Eastern dishes. 

Chris and I really like curry but we've never found any recipes that knocked our socks off. Then we went to Dubai. At the Jumeirah Beach Hotel we ate a green curry that was so spicy good it made my nose run. I'd finally found a curry dish I liked above all others and it has become my ideal. 

Because I was nursing, I hesitated to try many ethnic dishes here, but no more. To celebrate we went to the Third Annual UDH Curry Cook-off. This was not a cooking contest for amateurs as you were judged on

• Best vegetarian curry
• Best non-vegetarian curry
• Best table setting
• Best costume
• Best kids costume.

Essentially you had to be the complete package. This is my gorgeous friend from India. Her curry did not disappoint. We met when she started bringing her sweet daughter to my Cardio Kids class last spring.

This Bahama Mamma made a Sweet Island Curry. Who knew the Bahamas could produce a family of blond haired blue eyed beauties? She is an amazing cook and as sweet as her curry. Her food is so good that if she can't make it to a potluck we will reschedule it until she can come.

Irene is from Kenya and works for my friend Maryanne. Before coming to Saudi Maryanne and her husband taught school in Kenya. Four children later they needed an extra pair of hands in the home so they were thrilled to be able to bring in Irene to help out. This woman can COOK. She loves to do it and it shows. Her spicy peanut curry was a total hit with me and many others. The combo of the sweet peanut and just the right heat made me want to stop trying all the others and just have a plateful.

Akmed is from Bangladesh and is in charge of the stables here. The equestrian group sponsored him and boy did he represent. He made two dishes. The first was a lamb curry. I am not a lamb fan but this was actually okay. But the other dish he made was an amazing lentil curry. He was my first stop of the night and I was so impressed and knew I was in for a good night.

13 tables later, my votes were cast for some of the cooks above. However, since they are ALL my friends I won't say who I voted for. After everyone voted a 20 foot buffet was open for us to enjoy for the rest of the evening. I was so stuffed I couldn't even eat a single thing. I am not sure why they thought they needed that after everything we had sampled. Unfortunately the boys' behavior did not allow for us to remain until the winners were announced. I'll find out tomorrow.

This cutie is Lana from Zach's class. Not only does she distract Zach with her cuteness in school but she also plays soccer with him. Her little brother is too young for the team but he loves coming so much he has a hard time staying off the field.

Artist or Engineer

Zach loves ART! He comes home from school and wants to draw and color and create. He is also very SMART! Perhaps even freakishly so. His little sponge of a mind impresses us each day with multiplication problems, grammar explanations, and all sorts of wonderful things he's learning in school. Often,  artists are told to write or paint about things they know and are familiar with. As of late we've hung pages and pages of different very detailed Star Wars scenes.

Then two days ago he surprised me with this: a diorama of how oil travels from well to port with a 3-D pipeline.

He explained that the oil starts coming up at the well and travels down the pipeline.

It then passes by a camel...

curves by an oasis... and on through the desert...

until it reaches a cargo boat where it's put into barrels and taken where it needs to go.

This process has not been explained to him, so he must have picked it up in bits and pieces on our weekly drives through the oil field. He has not seen a refinery as they aren't in our part of the kingdom. I assume this is why this step is missing.

Zach was so excited to show Chris what he made and is hoping Chris will hang it up in his cube at work. Chris was impressed and wondered if they had talked about it at school. My thought was, yeah right. This may be an Aramco schoolm but I seriously doubt that this is in the Kindergarten curriculum.

So Charitable

Ethan has decided to start a non-profit organization called "Footwear for Foreign Friends".

Crocs are the perfect desert footwear for kids. We know their feet stink no matter what they wear, so why not give them something washable that they can put on themselves. However, they are not cheap, especially when you have to replace them three times it eight months.

Ethan has a habit of leaving them at the park next to our home. Once I realize they are missing it is too late. Whichever gardener gets there first wins the prize. At least we know they are going towards a good cause. The work force here are from some of the poorest countries in the world. Having shoes even a little worn out is a true gift. We just wish they weren't so darn hard to replace.

One friend commented, "at least he lost both shoes. At our house we only seem to lose one, so they aren't any use to anyone." Another said, "wow, whoever got them is really lucky because in my country (Philippines) the imitation ones from China cost $50.00 USD."

So in the end I hope our misfortune becomes a blessing for someone else.

Spooktacular Weekend

Our Spooktacular weekend started off with a community harvest/Halloween carnival.

This is one thing I love about living on a small camp. We can hold real community events and enjoy each others' cultural diversity. At Ramadan, a Muslim holiday, they invite us to celebrate with them. In turn, we have Americans, Latins, Saudis, Arabs from other nations, and Indians all gathering to join in our fun.

I set up two games, the t-ball game above and the golf toss shown below. Both of mine were a hit with the kids, but it may have been the prizes of kool-aid and popcorn balls more than the games.

Kids and adults dressed up.

Some just wore their Abayas and masks... that was freaky. Does that count as keeping your face covered?

All the proceeds of the night went to Sock it to 'Em, a charity run by our friend Kirk that buys socks for workers here on camp.

Finally, after months and months of waiting, Halloween was here.

The boys have begged and begged to wear these costumes for months. But this momma knows all too well that they would be sick of the costumes by October if I let them wear them too soon.

Graham was the cutest Baby Vader with the perfect evil laugh to go with it. He is very good at copying sounds so Chris would pretend to laugh and Graham would copy.

You can trick or treat here but we did very little of that. Instead we went to the youth center for some fun. After a parade of costumes they provided pizza, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets for all the kids, followed by an outside movie.

Ethan LOVES to battle with the lightsabers, but weapons and groups of small children don't mix. Shortly after this picture the lightsabers had to take a time out due to unintentional face contact with a curious toddler.

While the kids did their thing, some of the parents pot-lucked it outside in our friend's driveway.

Ethan is using "THE FORCE" on something... maybe to keep Mom away from the car. He didn't want to go home. Instead of talk to the hand he sometimes tries to use the Force to keep me from giving him a consequence.