See if you can spot when poor Lucas gets stuck for a bit upside-down..! (Ha ha, ignore the laughing mother...) It looked so funny with those long, skinny legs wiggling around!
They had SO much fun! What a great party activity!
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
A movie from the Bubbleball
Here is a little movie from the Bubbleball yesterday. The boys were at it for a whole hour, playing different games. A good workout for them!
See if you can spot when poor Lucas gets stuck for a bit upside-down..! (Ha ha, ignore the laughing mother...) It looked so funny with those long, skinny legs wiggling around!
They had SO much fun! What a great party activity!
See if you can spot when poor Lucas gets stuck for a bit upside-down..! (Ha ha, ignore the laughing mother...) It looked so funny with those long, skinny legs wiggling around!
They had SO much fun! What a great party activity!
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Bubbleball
Today we finally got around to having Lucas' birthday party, better late than never!
Initially he wanted to do paintball, but after having seen some photos from another party, he decided on trying 'Zorb football'. He invited 9 friends and we scheduled it in - in the end they were 8 boys gathering to play today.
First they got some safety information from the Coach:
And instructions in how to "put on" the bubble, and how to get up when having fallen over.
They started with a couple of 5 minute games of normal football. In the beginning the ball was nearly obsolete though, all the boys were more interested in bumping, bouncing and crashing into each other..! We saw some amazing flips and saltos from the sideline, it looked so much fun!
It was hot inside the bubbles, and a bit cramped for some of the boys, so we had to take several drinks breaks.
They also played 'Bulldog', and a challenge game, and 'Last Man Standing'.
Initially he wanted to do paintball, but after having seen some photos from another party, he decided on trying 'Zorb football'. He invited 9 friends and we scheduled it in - in the end they were 8 boys gathering to play today.
First they got some safety information from the Coach:
And instructions in how to "put on" the bubble, and how to get up when having fallen over.
They started with a couple of 5 minute games of normal football. In the beginning the ball was nearly obsolete though, all the boys were more interested in bumping, bouncing and crashing into each other..! We saw some amazing flips and saltos from the sideline, it looked so much fun!
It was hot inside the bubbles, and a bit cramped for some of the boys, so we had to take several drinks breaks.
They also played 'Bulldog', and a challenge game, and 'Last Man Standing'.
After the 'Bubble Football' activity, we took them all back to ours and fed them KFC and donuts. Then we delivered some really dirty and stinky, but truly happy boys back to their parents. Another successful birthday party in the books!
Saturday, 20 February 2016
Doggy Day Out
Today we took Oakley out to the Al Bahya Sanctuary not very far from where we live. The Al Bahya Sanctuary is an Emirati owned private farm, and Abu Dhabi's
first Sanctuary. They are working to educate adults and children in
order to improve the animal welfare situation in the United Arab
Emirates. They also invite schools to visit their Sanctuary.
They have an Open Day for dogs and pet-parents every 3rd Saturday of the month, when you can come and let the dogs off leash and have a run around and play with other dogs.
There was a lot of dogs from different breeds and in different sizes, and apart from a few that had a bit of a growl with each other, everyone was playing nicely.
There are currently 2 ponies, 5 donkeys, 7 dogs, around 70 cats and 3 porcupines living at the Sanctuary.
Oakley had so much fun! So much so that he didn't listen (or even acknowledge us even) at all... Hm... Might have to work on that.
A good afternoon for both Oakley and us, we all made some new friends and we will definitely try and come back next month!
They have an Open Day for dogs and pet-parents every 3rd Saturday of the month, when you can come and let the dogs off leash and have a run around and play with other dogs.
There was a lot of dogs from different breeds and in different sizes, and apart from a few that had a bit of a growl with each other, everyone was playing nicely.
There are currently 2 ponies, 5 donkeys, 7 dogs, around 70 cats and 3 porcupines living at the Sanctuary.
Oakley had so much fun! So much so that he didn't listen (or even acknowledge us even) at all... Hm... Might have to work on that.
He made a very good friend in Riley, who was one of the puppies from the other litter of pups we had a look at when we picked Oakley out. They played and played and played and played!
A good afternoon for both Oakley and us, we all made some new friends and we will definitely try and come back next month!
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Linnea's Souk Day
One of the more anticipated events on the Grade Four calendar, is the yearly Grade Four Souk Day.
Lately the Grade Fours have learned about, researched in to, and in groups formulated their own businesses, as part of the 'How We Organise Ourselves' Unit of Inquiry. Linnea was in a group called 'Super Strike', and they set up a stall with a 10 pin bowling challenge.
There was a little bit of everything going on around campus, items for sale, such as little trinkets and edible stuff - lots of cookie stands etc. Different challenges where you could win a prize were also popular - like this pie face challenge, that Linnea took three times..!
Each group had to calculate possible supply and demand scenarios for their stall, and figure out how best to meet this with price points, and quantity to bring on the day.
They had to think of who would be responsible for which different aspect of the business, and in Linnea's group, she took it upon herself to buy the candy for the prizes, of course.
During the day, not only parents were invited to come and take part in the Souk Day, but also all the other students at school were asked to come and participate. I managed to time my visit really well, as I got to see Lucas come and support his sister's stall during his break.
After Souk Day, the groups had to work out the real profit or loss of their stall. Linnea's was happy that they had made a profit of close to 250 dhs. As done in the past, the money will all be going to a charity. I haven't heard yet which one that has been chosen, but I'm sure it will be to a worthy cause.
What a fun project!
Lately the Grade Fours have learned about, researched in to, and in groups formulated their own businesses, as part of the 'How We Organise Ourselves' Unit of Inquiry. Linnea was in a group called 'Super Strike', and they set up a stall with a 10 pin bowling challenge.
There was a little bit of everything going on around campus, items for sale, such as little trinkets and edible stuff - lots of cookie stands etc. Different challenges where you could win a prize were also popular - like this pie face challenge, that Linnea took three times..!
Each group had to calculate possible supply and demand scenarios for their stall, and figure out how best to meet this with price points, and quantity to bring on the day.
They had to think of who would be responsible for which different aspect of the business, and in Linnea's group, she took it upon herself to buy the candy for the prizes, of course.
During the day, not only parents were invited to come and take part in the Souk Day, but also all the other students at school were asked to come and participate. I managed to time my visit really well, as I got to see Lucas come and support his sister's stall during his break.
After Souk Day, the groups had to work out the real profit or loss of their stall. Linnea's was happy that they had made a profit of close to 250 dhs. As done in the past, the money will all be going to a charity. I haven't heard yet which one that has been chosen, but I'm sure it will be to a worthy cause.
What a fun project!
Souvenirs from Paris
Yes, Linnea did buy a few keyrings and a mini golden statue of the Eiffel Tower for her to keep in her room; and even though the rest of the souvenirs had the same motif, they weren't as tacky:
A LEGO Architecture Eiffel Tower that we bought as a present for Daddy; two Xmas tree ornaments (as per tradition on our travels), the one to the left being one of the rose windows from the Notre Dame cathedral, and a pair of small Eiffel Tower silver studs.
A LEGO Architecture Eiffel Tower that we bought as a present for Daddy; two Xmas tree ornaments (as per tradition on our travels), the one to the left being one of the rose windows from the Notre Dame cathedral, and a pair of small Eiffel Tower silver studs.
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Good little travelers
Took this photo of Lucas during the flight back from Paris. Both the kids are super seasoned plane passengers (this was Linnea's 189th flight and Lucas' 217th!) and they know the drill inside out.
It still warms my heart though, observing them going through their own routines as soon as we get on board, watching them get sorted and comfortable.
I love seeing them fold out the menu and have a chat with the stewardess when she comes to take their order. This time Lucas ordered the sea bass, with all his best manners. The stewardess looked puzzled and asked "You do know it's fish..?" Ha ha, apparently not many kids would pick the fish over steak or sandwiches.
It warms my heart when they fold out the napkins across their lap, and sit back and settle in and truly enjoy their dinner while watching a movie.
Good little travelers.
It still warms my heart though, observing them going through their own routines as soon as we get on board, watching them get sorted and comfortable.
I love seeing them fold out the menu and have a chat with the stewardess when she comes to take their order. This time Lucas ordered the sea bass, with all his best manners. The stewardess looked puzzled and asked "You do know it's fish..?" Ha ha, apparently not many kids would pick the fish over steak or sandwiches.
It warms my heart when they fold out the napkins across their lap, and sit back and settle in and truly enjoy their dinner while watching a movie.
Good little travelers.
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Favourite shot
This is by far my favourite photo from our Paris trip. Walking down the Champs-Elysées in the rain, having a chat under the umbrella. A rare peaceful moment between the two...
I think I will print out and frame this one..! ❤️
I think I will print out and frame this one..! ❤️
Paris - Day 4
Monday was our last day in Paris and even though we were flying out in the evening, it didn't slow us down. We checked out in the morning and left our luggage in the hotel, and off we went for our last adventures. It was still chilly, but at least it was a dry day, so it made for a welcomed change!
We started our day with toast and hot chocolate in a nearby coffee shop.
This is the most narrow street in Paris at just 1,8m wide, Rue du Chat qui Pêche, which was located not far from our hotel.
Pont Notre Dame and the Conciergerie, as seen from Pont d'Arcole:
For our last stroll, I took the kids to another favourite part of Paris, Le Marais. It's filled with beautiful houses, little galleries, cool shops and an ethnic mix of Jews, Asians and others which creates an exciting atmosphere.
In the sun at Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world, as it's perfectly symmetrical - it has 36 houses, 9 on each side, made out of brick and stone.
For our last lunch we chose a local bistro, and I made the kids try 'steak haché', while I had a delicious quiche with chèvre and tomato.
After lunch we went to Jardin des Plantes and one of the oldest Zoological Parks in the world, Le Ménagerie. It specializes in small mammals, insects, birds, primates and reptiles.
It's very pretty, lovely surroundings. It was set up during the Revolution to house survivors from the Royal menagerie at Versailles; and it also welcomed animals that came from circuses, and exotic creatures sent from abroad.
This was my favourite part, inside the vivarium:
The flamingos here were extremely red!
There was many animals I had never seen before. Like this strange looking "thing", an Axolotl..? Some kind of salamander amphibian?
The wallabies were very cute, and we could see that some of them even had little babies in their pouches!
The visit to the zoo rounded off our Paris trip for this time.
Back to the airport and back to Abu Dhabi. It was actually quite nice to leave the cold and get back to somewhat (for the moment) more comfortable temperatures, and not feel like you were going on a polar expedition every time you went out the door!
Next time we shall come in warmer weather, but Paris... aahhh, you were still amazing... Thank you! ❤️
We started our day with toast and hot chocolate in a nearby coffee shop.
This is the most narrow street in Paris at just 1,8m wide, Rue du Chat qui Pêche, which was located not far from our hotel.
Pont Notre Dame and the Conciergerie, as seen from Pont d'Arcole:
For our last stroll, I took the kids to another favourite part of Paris, Le Marais. It's filled with beautiful houses, little galleries, cool shops and an ethnic mix of Jews, Asians and others which creates an exciting atmosphere.
In the sun at Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world, as it's perfectly symmetrical - it has 36 houses, 9 on each side, made out of brick and stone.
For our last lunch we chose a local bistro, and I made the kids try 'steak haché', while I had a delicious quiche with chèvre and tomato.
After lunch we went to Jardin des Plantes and one of the oldest Zoological Parks in the world, Le Ménagerie. It specializes in small mammals, insects, birds, primates and reptiles.
It's very pretty, lovely surroundings. It was set up during the Revolution to house survivors from the Royal menagerie at Versailles; and it also welcomed animals that came from circuses, and exotic creatures sent from abroad.
This was my favourite part, inside the vivarium:
The flamingos here were extremely red!
There was many animals I had never seen before. Like this strange looking "thing", an Axolotl..? Some kind of salamander amphibian?
The wallabies were very cute, and we could see that some of them even had little babies in their pouches!
The visit to the zoo rounded off our Paris trip for this time.
Back to the airport and back to Abu Dhabi. It was actually quite nice to leave the cold and get back to somewhat (for the moment) more comfortable temperatures, and not feel like you were going on a polar expedition every time you went out the door!
Next time we shall come in warmer weather, but Paris... aahhh, you were still amazing... Thank you! ❤️
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