The Red Sands Of Shaybah

Shaybah is a HOT SPOT not just because of the intense temperatures. But, because it's difficult to get to this camp in what is known as the Empty Quarter which is north of Yemen and west of UAE.

On most of the camps you have to enter a lottery for several years before you even get the privilege to take a bus and then a private jet to this REMOTE Aramco facility. For us it was a bit simpler. You do have to be present for ticket purchase, not been previously, or get really lucky like we did and be on the waiting list that had last minute spots open up.

Not only did we get to have this amazing experience

we get to do it with many of our closest friends!

Upon our arrival we sat down for some poolside snacks and some homemade chocolate cookies with Reeses chips in them. They were so good and I've been craving them every day since. It is possible to have too much of a good thing.

We then went on a short walking tour of the residence facilities. In the gym there is a massive mural showing bulldozers clearing sand away for a runway. As pictures of pictures go, this doesn't do it justice as the dunes are super steep and sadly lives were lost in this project.

We had a bit of down time during the main heat of the day and kept cool in lounge areas were pillow fights and games of tag kept the kiddos busy.

We then loaded up for a bus tour of the G.O.S.P. (Gas and Oil Separation Pipes or Pumps?) It was perfect timing for Graham to take a little snooze because the real action was yet to come.

We toured a drill site...with drilling in progress. It was nice to have a Dad that could explain what was going on. Other buses full of teachers didn't get the same tour as our bus that had several Engineers on it.

The day wasn't too hot as days go here but any shade was welcome as this was the hottest time of the day.

After loading up we drove up to the Shaybah Oasis which is a large tent with AC above the main camp. We snacked, watched a movie about the area, and kept cool waiting for the sun to set a little more so we could......

....go sand sledding or at least try. (Ethan is in the gray shirt in the middle of the picture.)
Some of us just relaxed and watched the others fill their undies and every other crevasse with sand.

Chris did a bit of exploring trying to find the perfect untouched dune.
When Graham did finally adventure down it was too steep for him to climb back up and had to be rescued....not that he was in any danger.

It was quite a work out for the daddies.

This picture of Zach and his best buddy "M" is my favorite picture of the day. Could those big smiles have anything to do with getting to ride a 4 wheeler over some dunes?
The boys were ready for some serious down time on the plane ride home. What do you expect after playing non stop with friends all day, exploring Saudi's wilderness, and a non stop consumption of juice followed by a surprisingly delicious meal out on the Oasis patio.
Thanks SAEA for another wonderful day trip.

Oh yeah and the Crown Prince just announced that Saturday will be a National Holiday as the King just returned from a successful surgery abroad. Yeah for 3 day weekends.

Experimenting With Color

I like that Mrs. H., Zach's Art Teacher, sends home a note at the beginning of each new unit explaining what the children will be doing, why they are doing it, and what they are to learn from it.

This time she wrote:

Paint is one of the best materials to use to teach color since it can be mixed easily. Children are fascinated to learn how to combine two colors to make a third, to add black to make a darker color and to add color to white to make a lighter one.

(Zach explained to me that this picture is of a hut with a mountain rising up behind it. The green and red are an apple orchard then a layer of mist obscures the rest of the mountain except for the trees on top.)

In art, we are beginning the unit experimenting with color. The approach is playful.

I will provide experiences in color that enable the student to better describe, appreciate and create color.

This piece I love but Zach said I could recycle it because it's not his best work. I'm a sucker for water color medium and love how he thinned out the paint on top giving it that watery effect.

And of course what better way to celebrate the 100th day of school then making some bean art using....you guessed it 100 beans. I actually really like this piece in it's retro kind of way. I think I'll cut it out and use it as a Christmas star or snowflake ornament.

At Least He Used A Plate

Graham, as of late, has had a daily habit of pulling out the oven drawer. Not to rearrange the pans and cookie sheets but as a first step to finding trouble. Trouble can be getting to things purposely put on top of the fridge for safe keeping. Trouble can be putting things in the microwave (which now is kept locked) or toaster oven. Trouble can be eating butter or dumping out olive oil on the counter.

I'd had ENOUGH!
So today I went through my cache of child locks looking for something, anything that might keep the drawer closed before I just remove it entirely. What I thought in theory might be a good solution was quickly debunked when I found this.....

And here's what he had to say about it.

So Much For Time Off

So I haven't really gotten out of cooking and doing dishes like I hoped however,
I have had a helper...

Chris was out of town yesterday and the boys freaked out and completely refused to eat at the dining hall.

So I decided to go ahead and cook one handed yesterday only to have them not like what I cooked at home. OK they did eat the side dishes just not the main dish so it wasn't a complete waste of my time.

Thanks E for stepping up and helping Mom out. He does do a very good job with the dishes too I might add.

So Much For Swim Training

....At least for this week.

While chopping green peppers for my lunch time omelet I cut off a bit more than I could chew....
a good portion of my thumb. As I looked for the chunk among my chopped veggies suddenly it wasn't so appetizing.

With Chris only minutes from being home I tried to stop the bleeding myself. But after 20 minutes of pressure it just kept soaking through everything I used. There was nothing to sew because I cut it clean off but there was one small artery that I nicked as well causing all the trouble. Leaving the boys with Chris I drove down to the Urgent Care where they sealed it with glue, because they have no cauterizing tools, sympathy wrapped it up, and said no dishes/water for a couple of days.

Good thing it's roast turkey night at the dining hall because generally we can't stomach it.

Love Notes

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I Just Found Out

A Triathlon has been organized for Udhailiyah residents.
On a day I can participate.
Two days before we leave town.
In only 4.5 weeks.

So I signed up!

I'm not so worried about the bike/run part but the swim will be a challenge for me. I can swim but I was never on a swim team where I learned proper form and technique. Not that I'll be judged by my stroke but I know that proper form in any sport improves overall performance. Also even though the pool is heated it has only been in the 50-low 60's and I just shiver even thinking about getting into it.

Wish me luck!

Mr. Muscles

No, not Chris, however, he is getting some serious definition now that he's half way through P90Sexy.
(Sorry, pictures will not be posted: this is a family blog.)

Ethan just can't stand letting Mom and Dad have all the fun.

This little guy is surprisingly strong and

loves the death defying drop. OK it doesn't really defy death but it makes my heart stop every time he drops. Can you say, "Another broken foot?" Chris just tells me we can't keep them from ever jumping so I just have to endure the fall.

Our tough guy gettin' a little tougher.

A Mommy Morning

What to do with a 3 day weekend....

Hop over to Bahrain for a movie, meal, and play? (Dang, Ethan's passport is in the renewal process.)

Add an extra day and live it up in Dubai? (Nope, no rooms available for our family size using Marriott points.)

Stay home and do nothing (Heck no, we just gotta get outta here.)

We settled on this....
Stay overnight in DHA with some of our favorite people, eat Chris' homemade Chocolate Cheese Cake, Cycle 100 miles, and have a MOMMY SHOPPING MORNING OUT!

After our Friday obligations instead of driving back to camp we camped out at the Reynold's home (so gracious of them). It was so fun to stay the night and actually hang out with our friends there and let the kids run wild. We stayed up late talking and then Chris got up at 5 AM to do a century ride with some DHA cycling buddies.

I however, got the kiddies up and over to a babysitter bright and early and went out with 4 other ladies to hit the souks and other antique shops that carry the most amazing Eastern/Asian and Middle Eastern wears. There are several shops all my big city friends frequent and find beautiful and unique jewelry, furniture, and clothes. Most of them are very well known in these shops so it was nice to have a driver and tour guide and no kids for the morning.

Just before noon prayer closes everything down for the afternoon we spent some time at Desert Designs. This amazing shop has so many items, mostly antique or refurbished of Middle Eastern design. I have loved many of the pieces in my friends' homes and hoped to one day own something of my own. I called Chris to check on his ride status and told him I'd seen some pieces I liked but wasn't really planning on purchasing anything. He was surprised and assured me that it was OK if I found something either way. Only moments after I hung up I changed my mind and decided to get this lovely cabinet. I had seen several people looking at it and discussing purchasing it. When they walked away without talking to a sales person I took my opportunity to buy this beaut before anyone else did. Apparently it had just come in today and unbeknown to me another lady in my group fell in love with it too but wasn't ready to commit.

Since they won't deliver out here I have to wait for Chris to bring it home in the next several weeks. Until then it will sit in my friends living room until it makes it's way to it's new home. Where I can admire it every time I walk down the hall.