My kids at school. We are studying AIR this week and we made windsocks. It was sooooooo much fun. I dont think they have ever done anything like that. I have two classes. They are good, fun kids! I love them!

We took a field trip to the airport today. These three fell asleep on the way home. It was SO hot, the bus air could not keep up!

at the airport in al ain.

It's my birthday!!

My birthday....My kids,My nephews and my parents singing to me. It was sweet! Then we cut my cake and the kids pretended to feed grandma and papa. We love SKYPE. Its been a life saver for our family!

Rylan's 10 day tattoo.

Rylan conned me into riding on this!!!!!!!! First waterslide, ever. I still hate them thank you very much! The things you do for you kids!

Ice cream at Wild wadi waterpark, Dubai! Rylan kissing his brother b4 bed!

Free slippers at the hotel....Rydge thought they were like the coolest thing ever!

Jumeirah Beach hotel, Dubai.

Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai. This was the awesome wave pool. We had tons of fun.

Dinner at Chilis. It was so good to have some fried green beans! Ry was SO tired.

mommy and Rydge

Mommy and Rydge again in the wave pool. I didnt see Rylan or Andy most of the day. They were too busy on the huge water slides! :)

Burj Al Arab...Hotel out on a small man made Island. It was the view we had from our hotel room on the 16th floor. Very pretty.Abby's Birthday WEEKEND in Dubai, UAE. It was REALLY fun. It was so fun to take my family for the weekend and I was able to PAY for it myself, from a real paycheck, it was a great feeling. I asked for no presents, just a weekend with my family and a whole lotta fun!!! It was a success!

All is good here. Today is the official day of my 37th birthday. I cant believe how old I am getting, it hit me hard this year. I am depressed I am getting older...... I am on the down hill stretch to end my first year of teaching overseas. It has been such an adventure. We have really loved it and would not ever give this up if we were to do it all over again, eventhough the decision was gut wrenching. Its been truely amazing for us as a family, financially, emotionally and spiritually. We have learned so much this past year and have grown in more ways than one.
I know the family is anxiously awaiting our arrival and we are too, actually. It will be awesome to get the heck out of this ugly weather we are having now. Today it was 116, WOW is all I can say. Really, really hot. No humidity, so that is a good thing. All you can do now is swim, stay inside and maybe venture out after the sun goes down, but then its still well over 90+degrees.

Well, I had better get going. The kids need baths and we need to read. Take care and see ya soon.

♥Abby

Tickets are booked for July 16-August 31. We are coming home for 7 weeks! The kids are sooooo excited! I am too, but a little worried about seeing my house. I sure have missed it for sure. Our living here is okay, just not home. I like my job, but I really dislike where we live. The apartment itself, just needs to be picked up and moved to another part of our city, where we are only amongst teachers and their families. The difference in culture is very hard to deal with most days. We hope for new accomodations next year that are more appropriate for our families. Thats all for now. Take care.
♥Abby

Click on the picture to see bigger. Rydge is in the second row far left and his friend Alana four down from him, cute little girl from Arizona and then his friend Zach first row third from left. They are from the Bronx I think.

You can click on the below photo to see it larger!!!!!

Rylan's Class Photo. Yep, hes the white kid dead center! He seems to really like his school. I think we are switching him/them for next year though, I am not impressed with the academics being offered at this school. We found a school that has American, Canadian and British teachers. They offer so much more than the current school. They even have AR for those of you who are familiar with that. Rylan has not brought home ONE single book this year. We have had to rely on the few chapter books we brought and a few from my two sisters. They even have IPADs at this new school. All homework and books, test, etc....will be on that little computer. Its gonna be super cool. The price tho, is double what we pay now, which was double what we paid back in the states when you add in what yo upay for school taxes. I never imagined we would be paying over $10,000 in private school bills and we can actually PAY for it. Yes, its pricey but at least Andy has a job which allows us to be able to send the kids to a good school. Unfortunately, my kids are not the homeschool type kids, otherwise I would save that money and homeschool. Rylan needs socialization and he needs to keep busy. Well, that is it for now. Its bedtime for the kids and Andy just walked in the door! All is good....its just REALLY hot here, about 110 now during the day and its only gonna get hotter!!! I will be doing some major shopping when i get home and buy more appropriate clothing for this heat!
Take care,
♥ Abby