XX & XY

I remember liking boys as early as preschool. I remember a specific conversations with a friend about a boy named Zach who had promised to marry us both. Later, I remember boys doing tricks and stunts at my group of girlfriends, bidding for our attention to try and impress us.

So I shouldn't be surprised that both Zach and Ethan have shown interest in girls at such a young age. For instance, my boys have never once suggested to play house or babies or anything like that on their own. However, whenever a little girlfriend is around and suggests it, they are totally willing to do so.

During the second week of school Zach came home and sighed, "I hope I get to sit next to Lana soon." "Why?" I asked. "Because I just love her voice." Wouldn't ya know it, the week he's assigned to sit next to her she was out sick half the week. Then today Zach explained that during cooking time he didn't sit next to Anya but across from her, and how that was just as good as getting to sit next to her.

Ethan's love interest right now is our cute neighbor Nyah. Not only can she persuade him but I use her too. I can get him to do or not do things with a consequence of not seeing Nyah. Zach has kissed Nyah in the past, while playing house, but has shown no interest in her for several weeks. I hope down the road there is no brotherly feud.

When Ethan came home from playing with Nyah yesterday I was only slightly shocked to see this...

I casually said, "Oh, so you've got marker on your face."

He SCREAMED back, "IT'S NOT MARKER. IT'S FACE PAINT!"

He and Nyah, at her suggestion, had painted each other's faces. Luckily, it was washable, and came off later while swimming at the pool.

11 Month Magic

This little mamma's boy is magic! He can make anyone smile. Everyday I think he can't possibly get any cuter and then he does.

Two days before our trip he got his first ear infection. The doctor gave him a two day dose of Zithromax to knock it out before we left the country. Mid-trip he did have another slight fever but seemed fine. You never would have known his two top teeth finally broke through during our trip because he was so happy.  I am so glad because vegetable baby food is hard to come by. I've tried making it from scratch but he, like his brothers, just spits it out and cries. With more teeth we have more options.

He REALLY wanted to share peoples' drinks.

He also learned to clap and will do it whenever he sees others doing it. He likes to test gravity with food from his tray and pounds on it if he wants more. When he's done he starts spitting, but if I say he's done he starts. He has been pulling himself up to stand for a while but has not tried to walk.

Glad To Be "A Little Bit Crazy"

When we told people we planned on taking our boys to Budapest and Prague with the Dhahran Outing Group the reactions were mixed and not always encouraging. After taking my three small boys halfway around the world by myself, and then taking them on days trips for two months mostly alone, it seemed only reasonable that Chris and I could take them to Europe for nine days.

DOG tours can be fast paced and I agree that some of the trips they organize may not be suited for kids but we decided to risk it and this was the result!

I felt like the negative comments were a challenge and I was determined that everyone have a good time. My biggest fear in having the kids there was that their behavior might ruin the trip for others. I'm pleased to say that did not happen.

Were the boys perfect angels the entire trip? Absolutely not. Did we hear everything the tour guides explained? Not even close. Were meal times pleasant experiences? Not always. (We only cleared a restaurant once). Are Fanta and chocolate bars a good breakfast at the airport? Not really. Are two sets of extra clothing in your carry-on luggage enough? Not all the time. Did the boys provide comic relief? Often. Does Ethan have a bladder the size of a walnut? Oh heavens yes. Does touching private parts of statues provide good luck? Well, Europeans believe so. Are Leap Frogs, Lego, and iPhone movies necessary? Of course. Is our most rambunctious child also the one who stole everyone's hearts?Apparently.

Would we do it again tomorrow? In a heart beat!

The family time was priceless and we all enjoyed ourselves. As Chris and I pushed the strollers over cobblestone streets we soaked in the fall sun and reveled in the architecture and history.

Upsides to a tour group:

• Excursions are planned out for you.
• You can opt out if you don't want to go on a portion of it.
• Transportation is provided.
• No car rentals or getting lost hassles.
• You make new friends.

Downside to a tour group:

• You are on a schedule and not keeping it affects others.
• It's hard to keep big groups together.
• Sometimes the things you want to do aren't on the itinerary.
• Dinners can be lengthy and late.

There is nothing like exploring a European city for the first time. We started with rain and ended with rain, which none of us desert dwellers minded, and we had perfect weather in between.

Budapest... was such a surprise. We really knew very little about Hungary before arriving. It is a complete mix of old and new. Much of it had been destroyed during WWII, but many buildings have been restored to their former life. This was the spectacular view from our room, but this picture does it no justice.

This is a city FULL of monuments and statues commemorating everything from famous generals to playing catch with your dog.

Buda on the left and Pest on the right.

These stunning walls in the St. Matthias medieval church were hand painted.

The boys kept scaring people because they just couldn't help themselves when it came to looking over the walls of Fisherman's Bastion.

Chris toured this neo-gothic parliament with the group our first afternoon. I let the boys have some down time to recover from our overnight flight by playing Legos and swimming in the hotel pool. After that day I vowed to not miss anything else unless absolutely necessary.

When not posing for pictures this guy would hijack my camera. I think I deleted over a hundred pictures that he took of feet and buttocks.

In a quaint artists' village called Szentendre there was an incredible Marzipan shop. Marzipan is a confection made from almonds, and skilled craftsmen can create just about anything with it. It made for a SWEET treat.

These table decorations and purses are made entirely from wild mushrooms. I am not sure how. They were really cool, but not cool enough to purchase.

I love the hand-painted eggs that this region of Europe is known for.

We spent one evening at the famous Széchenyi Baths. These are thermal pools, ranging in temperature from pleasant to roasty-toasty. There were three main pools, one for play, one for laps, and one for still relaxation. The first had a fun whirlpool that would spin you around. The third was so peaceful old men were playing games of chess while standing in the water. Needless to say this was a highlight for the boys.

 

Our last morning we went to a flea market and happened upon... vintage Legos! Zach hardly put the space ship down for 3 days.

After an awesome lunch in a small cafe we walked back to the hotel, loaded up, and took a short flight to... Prague/Praga/Praha! Whatever way you want to call it, I am so glad this jewel of a country is no longer kept in a Communist vault. It has treasures to behold on every corner. This is a view of Hradcany Castle from the orchard above.

Not only was the architecture amazing, but the frescos were fantastic as well.

After watching the changing of the guard, we visited St. Vitus Cathedral, where St. Wenceslas was laid to rest.

After this long day of touring the boys needed some serious play time. So we left the group and ventured out on our own.

The next morning we ventured out to the countryside to visit Castle Český Šternberk. It has been updated many times over. I thought the coolest part was this family tree mural on the wall.

We then spent a sobering afternoon in the Jewish quarter. After visiting a museum with wall after wall after wall filled with names of Holocaust victims Zach was adamant that he did not want to visit Terezin, a model concentration camp, the next day. We thought that might be a bit much for the boys.

Instead, we had a family day of our own, visiting the famous Astronomical clock. Every hour the windows open and the 12 Apostles circle by as the four statues below move in sync with the chimes.

We ate yummy cinnamon bread...

and weaved our way through a mirrored labyrinth...

and popped ginormous soap bubbles in Old Town Square.

Our last evening we dined on traditional Czech food in a 15th century brewery while listening to polka music.

It was the perfect way to end our trip. I'm so glad to be just crazy enough to venture out with ALL my boys to make memories such as these.

I Can Breath

It's interesting how life seems to be all or nothing. For the last ten months we have all been adjusting to our new lives...

• without Grandparents
• making new friends
• exploring a new country
• eating strange foods
• living with less and living with more
• walking everywhere
• crossing the globe and not going anywhere
• doing without and making do with what we have

Last night, unexpectedly, after many months I have found PEACE with this whole crazy adventure and I am starting to see reasons why the Lord allowed us to start this journey. I never doubted the answer we received as to come here a year ago, but there have been moments where I second guessed about things... but not anymore.

I think the biggest adjustment for me has been not having continual family support... meaning fewer dates with my husband or time for myself. I have loved Zach being in school and now that Ethan is gone in the mornings as well... I feel like I can BREATHE. I am getting my workouts in and getting little moments with just Graham and then this ANGEL just fell into our lives!

Ms. Ellen is from the Philippines. Her husband, who has lived here for many years, had surgery and she needed to come help for the recovery. Now that he is doing better and is back at work she is bored, bored, BORED.

No longer is that the case. She asked me to call her anytime and she comes and plays with Graham or watches the boys. She has come enough that Graham is starting to get comfortable with her and she is WONDERFUL with him.

She has been super helpful, especially while I've been preparing for our trip. Her Visa will end sometime in October but she and her husband are trying to decide, if Aramco will allow it, if she should stay, even though her children are grown.

When I thank her for all she does to help me she just says, "it is my duty as a Relief Society Sister to help you in any way I can." I told her to email her Relief Society President and tell her she's doing her VT. Her response was Compassionate Service too.

So I went from a constantly FRENZIED mom to-- "aaaahhhh!" (sigh of relief)-- an evening time frenzied mom.

Soon we are off to complete something on my PLACES TO VISIT WHILE ABROAD list.

Math Games

On our way out the door Ethan showed me how he could hop on one foot while saying, "hopping on one foot helps me do math."

"Is that because you count each hop?" I asked.

He replied, "no, I count my talents."

How silly of me. Yes, you are one extremely talented young man, and I'm soooo very glad you're mine! Lately, his talents include being super helpful with dinner prep and clean up. This boy's got M&M's on the mind. He is definitely looking for service opportunities.

Table Manners

Teaching our boys proper table manners is an ongoing process. Over the years we have addressed the following concerns:

• It is not okay to throw plates, cups, or silverware at the table, or anyone sitting at or around the table.
• It is not okay to tip over full drink glasses for fun.
• No banging silverware on the table. After Ethan took a chunk of glass out of our last table, we decided to get one that looked a little more distressed. The boys keep asking why the table already has marks in it. Presumably they are upset they didn't personally get to put them there.
• Shirts are NOT napkins.
• Belching accidentally happens, but the extended, full abdominal push ones are not polite, and "excuse me" doesn't counterbalance the grossness.
• It is not necessary to cry, fuss, and whine for 30 minutes before even trying a bite of dinner and deciding you do indeed like it.
• Climbing on the table is not considered dinner entertainment.
• Prayer must be said before the meal is consumed.
• Taking bites out of others' food (i.e. a sandwich) and then eating your own lunch is not okay.
• Licking the salt shaker top is not hygienic.
• Butter is not a main course.
• Dessert, such as this, is not offered to those who do not finish their meal.

But tonight Zach reached a whole new level of uncouthness at the table. After finishing his meal, he stood on his chair and began to pull both his pants and underwear down for inspection. As the rest of us are still eating, Chris and I choke out "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" His response was that he was checking for liquid gas. We pleaded with him to pull his pants back up and tried to help him understand that you never say things like that at the table, because it's no one's business to know, and if you need to check then just please excuse yourself and do so. Within seconds he hops down and says, "excuse me, I have to check my business."

About five minutes later, just as the rest of us are finishing up, he comes prancing down the hall in a t-shirt and, completely bare bummed, asks everyone to check out his new tail. He had stuck toilet paper in his bum crack and had a long line of it trailing behind him. We gave those parental THAT IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE LOOKS AND COMMENTS as we were trying really hard to stifle the laughs.

Motivational M&M's

When I potty trained Zach I began with the "Potty Train in a Day Method," which actually took about six months. It was a very frustrating time and the bad mom came out a lot. We would be in the bathroom and I would ask him if he needed to go. His response was always no, and then he would proceed to step out onto the carpet and pee. I think the combo of new house/new carpet/new baby brother was not a good mix.

I was one of those, "I'm not going to give my child candy as a reward" moms. However, after the hugs and kisses and the "happy potty dance reward" didn't work, I thought, well maybe a baking size M&M would be alright. And alright it was. One for pee, and three for poop, and IT WORKED!

Ethan mostly potty trained himself by watching Zach, but I was also more relaxed and used Pull-Ups a lot more. He did need a little encouragement and it came in the form of Gummy Bears.

Now, I often find myself immediately doling out the highest consequence possible to get the fastest result... but that doesn't always work, and frustration levels increase on both sides. To reign myself in, and in hope of helping the boys with some behavioral issues, we have created the M&M BANK.

I am not above paying them for good behavior but they took the M&M thing on first bite. Maybe when that wears out we'll move on to cash.

Each morning the boys get 5 M&M's. If any of the below behaviors are demonstrated one M&M is taken away.

I picked their three worst behaviors at the moment for each to work on and they will change with time. Now if one of the boys is abusing the other and the victim does not retaliate they earn the M&M that was taken away. On the flip side, three M&Ms can be earned for an act of service, sharing, playing nicely, reverence during family prayer, or if they obey the first time we ask.

I wanted something visual they could see they were earning and that wouldn't take long to get. They get to eat their earnings at the end of the week during popcorn and a movie. Zach totally crushed Ethan in the earnings the first week. The total was significant but I still don't think it amounted to one regular size bag. The bad behaviors only somewhat improved this first week, but the service and helpfulness increased quite a bit, so I do call that a success.

Now I just need a way to help the boys be reverent in Sacrament meeting. It seems like the older they get the worse they are, not better.

Preschool Curriculum

We tried to convince our preschool dropout to give it another go this fall. With all the Kindergarten excitement, we thought he might want to try it, but it's been a NO GO all summer. Our first day of HOME preschool we talked about:

• The letter A
• Days of the week
• The month of September
• The acorn in Chicken Little

and lastly, at Ethan's insistence, we had a lesson on...

• How to blow a bubble with bubblegum.

Many of you are probably wondering why, given Ethan's history, would I allow him gum. Well, he is a boy full of surprises, one of which is that he loves gum, and has always chewed it responsibly.

After a bit of chewing it was still not ready so he took a coloring break.

Finally, the right consistency.

After a detailed demonstration from me and about two minutes of trying he gave up and said, "okay, what's next?" I responded that we were done for the day.

He was so ticked and felt that I was an ill-prepared and incompetent teacher and said, "I want to go to REAL preschool!" HALLELUJAH! I got up and ran-- not walked, but ran-- to the phone to see if Ms. Mai had any openings left. YAHOO she did. I told him if I paid he had to go, no backing out, and no changing his mind.

I think his motivation in going and staying is the little cutie below, his good friend Nyah. It doesn't hurt that he gets to ride to and from school on her golf cart.

Gangsta Slippers

Somehow the word gets out when you're having a birthday... Some of Chris' Saudi co-workers gave him these!

Chris is afraid to wear them around town, not only because they are uniquely hand-made, but also they are "tribal wear". What if he walks into the wrong tribe turf unknowingly? I jest... the note that came with them said:

Happy Year (In Arabic)

Those are traditional hand-made sandals, which used to indicate the root of the person wearing them.

Fact: They expand/shrink to fit your feet size "Intelligent Arabian Sandals"

Mullrem & Shawly

Don't worry we are straight:)

They are way too beautiful to wear so Chris and I decided we'd rather display them up as art!

A Dessert Glutton's Birthday

The night started out with this: a chocolate fountain with marshmallows, strawberries, bananas, pretzels, and cookies to dip. We can't forget the homemade cream puffs and the banana berry cake with cream cheese frosting.

When the guests showed up we also had a strawberry meringue cake and a blueberry cheese cake.

We had a full house (25+/-) with loads of kids.

I'm not sure who had more fun. Was it Zach and Ethan, who had so many friends over, or Chris, who loves dessert and people to share it with? HAPPY 32nd BIRTHDAY CHRIS!