Happy Halloween!

Today was the big Halloween night. We didn't quite understand how big it was until this weekend. It all started at school. Being an American school they had planned a big Halloween parade around the school on Thursday, costumes and everything, then class parties and sweets etc. However, on Wednesday Ras al Khaimah's sheik died at the age of 92, and we all got a text message in the afternoon saying that the school had cancelled the Halloween party to show him respect. They still had a party though, but without the costumes. On Friday we decorated the pumpkin I had bought and roasted the seeds in the oven. Very nice actually! In the afternoon the girls went to Emma's school friends Halloween party. She lives in the same street so that's great. It was a combined pool/halloween party.

We also went to the garden centre to buy some nice plants, now that the weather finally permits the planting of flowers and sitting outside. Jon has actually bought some watermelon seeds, so that will be fun to see! Anyway, between all the flower pots and fertilizers, there was of course also...christmas trees! It was kind of a shock at first, but now I think it's pretty nice. So we went home and decorated the entrance with a nice big flowery bush and a pumpkin. No christmas tree yet....

Today we have had 20 groups of kids here trick or treating. I couldn't believe it, luckily I had a lot of sweets left from isabelle's birthday party. We ran out completely of sweets, crisps, raisins, etc...they just wouldn't stop coming. And they all had great costumes. Isabelle was so excited. They both went out with Emma's friend Rosa and I came back with full bags! Isabelle ran home first, someone's dad had scared her completely, dressed in a scream costume, making horrible screams she said...poor thing.

Happy Halloween!

Anna

Birthday girl

It's been a few buisy weeks and the blog has not been a priority, sorry about that. Jon has been travelling alot, James and I have had bad colds and I had a history essay to hand in last week. I have also started my job as a teacher assistant in the Swedish school. So a bit chaotic. The worst part I think, it that James didn't sleep well when he was sick, which means we don't sleep well, which means I have no patience and even less energy. But anyway, I managed to hand in my essay only one day late, which was ok by my teacher so I'm very happy about that. Everything culminated with Isabelle's birthday yesterday. Luckily everyone is well now, the fairy cakes were made in time, and she had a great party at school.

Bless her, she asked me last night, if turning 5 means no more bottles of milk at night, so I said, she could have milk before she goes to bed, but never during the night. She is far to big for that. 'Yes, she said, you are right. And I can also wipe my bottom now without help. But how can my body change just because I am 5, does it now it was my birthday today?' 'Well, I said, you change a little every day, but when it's your birthday, you grow a little extra.' I just love how children think.

At school, they have parties when it's someone's birthday, so of course, Anna Kiely has to be as good as all the other housewives, and make homemade cupcakes with icing and the whole lot. They all have to have a goodie bag each as well. So, Emma and Isabelle helped me to make the most beautiful cakes. It was almost a shame to eat them. They also had a short disco afterwards to burn the calories. James joined in and was so cute dancing away with the five year olds. Then we went to the Swedish church for junior-fun and we all had a very nice time. We were not home until 6.30 and then it was time to try out the new High school musical dance Wii game that Isabelle got. They only had a short try, we didn't quite understand what to do. So after putting the kids to bed, the very tired, exhausted mummy (seems to be the story of my life), decided to have her own try, educational purposes of course, had to leanr so that I can teach the girls. One hour later (or maybe two...) I was a superstar dancing to highschool musical and I really had a good work-out as well. Felt so good! Jon was working away on his laptop as I was dancing, his only comment: Are you sure you bought this game for Isabelle?....Of couse, but it's so nice when you can do thinks together as a family, right?!....:)