Desert Scouting

 I shouldn't be the one to write about this, as it really isn't my department.  This is the area of the Scout Master - Peter.  But these are some shots of Sam and scouting life here in the Middle East.

It's a darn good thing that Peter is the eternal Scout Master, because there wasn't a program here on our camp until he started it.  Most of these pictures are with the scouts from the other camp.  But actually, due to Peter's hard work, we have a group of 9 or 10 boys.  Hooray!

Beauty Salon

Ruby loves to play Beauty Salon.  She spends a great effort getting it all ready.  Including magazines.  I have a couple of old Martha Stewart's and quilting magazines, and she always puts those in there for me.  I love this girl.  She makes me smile every day.  I hope one day I can be as nice, cute, happy and loving as my daughter.  I just adore her.

Mama.  Let's play beauty salon!

Okay - go get it ready.

20 minutes later....

Okay, mama, I'm ready...Here's your magazines.  And there are the brushes, all laid out.  And here's the bows, and rubber bands, and hair clips.  Now sit down.  How are you today?.... This is just like Aunt Minky's, isn't it? 

Love her.

 

Over the ocean and through the dust, to the big malls we go

Last weekend we took a little jaunt over to Bahrain.  If you like really big and expensive malls, this is the place for you.  If you like to NOT have to wear an abaya while out and about, this TOO is a place for you.  (Ignore the picture above - we were visiting a Mosque)

I've been wanting to take the kids to the Grand Mosque over there, because they offer tours and I wanted my kids to see the inside of a Mosque.  We see people praying all the time, and men heading in and out of Mosques several times a day.  This place offered a peak into Islam they haven't seen.  And, I might add, into a very pretty Mosque. (most are not this nice, at all)

Here is the Muesin (sp) singing the call to prayer.  He had a very nice voice, and it was fun to hear so loud and clear.  When my parents were here, I took them here as well.  This man stands at the niche, the little area cut out of the wall, and sings (calls) into the microphone.  The niche (and the man calling) always face toward Mecca.  It was very loud and Gid and Chach covered their ears the entire time.

Our tour guide told us all about the places the decor came from.  As well as showed us where people study to become Immans (religious leaders) here at the Mosque.  He also showed us how they wash and pray.  It was very interesting.  He then began to tell us about the God they believe in:  "God has no parent, he has no spouse, he has no children.  He is alone and he is great."  Yikes. (they believe that we are God's creations, not His children, btw)  At this point Chach got up, pulled me by my abaya sleeve and with the most concerned little face said to me, "It sounds like God is a orphan."  Oh my sweet little boy.  What was I letting reach into his innocent ears?!  I gave him a big hug and said, "Honey.  This man doesn't know the truth.  We know that we are all God's children and that we are all an eternal family.  God is not an orphan."

It really was a neat experience and the kids said that was their favorite part of the day.  But I will tell you that we spent a good ten minutes (and more since) going over their beliefs and ours.  And why we believe what we do, etc.  I want my kids to respect other faiths, but I hope in return their testimony of their own will only continue to grow.

Tut is my favorite snuggie

If you didn't know this about Gideon; he is totally addicted to his 'snuggie'.  This is a silky piece of fabric, usually a former piece of my under clothing.  Something like fabric from a ladies slip.  Anyway, he will only actually suck his thumb if he has his snuggie with him.  Recently I have found him sucking his thumb with no snuggie in sight. 

But then - I look closer.  See the little white thing hanging out of his hat?

Snuggie.

I've also seen him walking around with no snuggie anywhere.  Why would he be sucking his thumb?  I wonder again.  Then I found his boots.  He stuffed two snuggies into each boot, crammed his little feet in there - and poof!  Instant gratification, and he didn't even have to use an extra hand to carry anything.

But his most recent form of a snuggie?  Well.  It's certainly inventive.  And one I would have NEVER imagined.

It's our cat.

And here is what he has to say about it, "Tut is my favorite snuggie."

Well.  Whatever you like, Giddie.  I find him chasing down the cat, thumb ready to be inserted (but not quite yet), finally he gets the cat to hold still and in goes the thumb.  Eyes roll in the back of the head, and Gid is off the paradise. 

Last days

My kids went back to school today, after winter break.  It was 23 days, but who's counting?  Hehe.  Actually.  I am someone that really loves my kids being home.  NOW, before I say that.  I will totally admit that there is a big adjustment period.  In these three weeks, it's like this.  Week One: Oh.  I love having my kids home!  Week Two:  When does school START?  Week Three:  Maybe I should home school.  I LOOOOVE having my kids home with me.

We were all sad last night as we closed up our many weeks together.  So we had one more cooking lesson and craft project. Over the weekend we went to Bahrain and the kids were dying for those yummy giant pretzel's they sell at malls.  So we found some there, (and Gelato, and Fat Burger's) and all enjoyed these yummy, buttery soft pretzel's.  First question, after a week of 'cooking boot camp' at our house - "Do you think we can make these at home?"  My answer, "Of course we can".  (Thanks to google- that is)

They were very good and the kids loved making them.  My kids also thought I was super awesome because I can make reaaaaaaallllly long 'snakes' out of dough.  Once again, my fine arts degree comes in handy.  It doesn't make any money or come in handy very often; but every now and then, those three semesters of ceramics really pays off.

Ruby got an "enchanted pony" from Build a Bear in Bahrain, with her Christmas and Birthday money sent from Grandma and Grandpa.  Gid moved out of his crib over break, and now it sits empty.  What better place for a sparklie new pony to live?  So she decorated it with pictures and now needed a bridle for the pony.  Did I have any rope, she asked.  Hmmm.  No, but we can make some.....

Ever finger crocheted?  .....

Well I have.  Like, for miles and miles.  Minky and I finger crocheted til our fingers fell off.  Rainbow sherbet sparkling yarn was the fav.  It was so funny how nostalgic I felt teaching my kids this last night. 

Simon is making a tie.  Sam is just giving it a try.  And Ruby is making the bridle.  I laughed and laughed thinking of me and Mindy under out stairs in Bothell just finger crocheting away.  Fun memories.

The other highlight of the day yesterday was while we were on our family walk at the beach Giddie starting yelling, as clearly and firmly as he could - "Simon is a Jerk!"  "Gid.  Stop that.  That's not nice," I said.  "But he is a jerk" Gid says.  "You can say he's mean, don't call names," I say.  "But he IS a jerk."  I was trying so hard not to laugh. I mean, Gid is two, remind you.  His English is perfect and he enunciates perfectly, with a huge vocabulary to boot.  It really is funny, the things he says.  That is, until he starts calling people 'jerks.'  Yikes.  Preschool could be bad...

In Sharing Time at Primary we are learning 'I am a Child of God'.  Most of the kids know the first verse, but not the second or third.  So Solomon is learning these verses very well.  So well that, as he sits on the front row - right on front of me teaching the song - he doesn't say a word.  That is until he wants to.  At which time he stands up, pushes his bum forward, gives a karate kick, jumps and shouts the word.  Like this:  "I am a child of (the children all sing, except him) "GOD!" (Sol joins in with his jump, kick, and thrust).  And he has sent me (they sing) HERE! (Sol screams).  Again.  Funny - and naughty at the same time.  I LOVE being in there with my kids.  Along with my other Primary duties, I am now teaching the senior primary class (which has Si and Roo in it) and I suddenly feel this huge responsibility.  Teaching Gid and Sol I felt the same, these were the first time some of these things were being taught to them.  But now with my older kids, I feel like 'this is my chance to really tell them what they need to know'.  I love being in Primary with them. They might not like it as much as I do.  Sorry, my little lovies.   BTW, we are now down to 8 kids in our little branch.  Sad.  Anyone want to move to the middle of no where?  We're not picky.  We'll take anyone.  :)

Medieval Dreams Do Come True

After Mass, a market comes to the piazza.  Roo got a new hat, and is sporting her new boots from Florence (this is all she wanted for her birthday), with her jacket from Paris.  (spoiled much? - sheesh)  Also wearing her new pink pearls Aunt Rachie bought her and eating Uncle Fede's sweets, that my children promptly robbed from him.  Kind and patient people, I tell you.

Gid couldn't live without this Cars2 backpack and winter wear.  I'm a sucker.  Plus, it was cold and he looked cute in it.

After the market, Fede drove Sam back down from the village to their house and let him ride the quad bike.  Sam was in heaven and only wanted two things for Christmas this year: To go back to San Ginesio and have a snowy Christmas there - and get a quad bike of his own.  (bummer for him - he didn't get either, but it sounds fun!)

Everyone wanted a ride, and got one.  But I think they were pretty happy just trying on the gear.  Gid got into Fede's boots and gloves as well.  You should have seen him walk.  Very funny, as the boots go all the way up to his diaper!

Last stop before heading home was the coolest, hands down, coolest place.  (well, at least for a bunch of little boys that want to be knights and a little girl that wants to be a princess)  This is a neighboring village with a castle, still used today, by the same family.  They've been there since the 800's.  And they let you tour it! 

It's castle is at the highest point of the village.  So there was a lot of uphill walking.

Inside there was everything you could think  that would have been in a castle for a thousand, plus, years.  They asked you not to take pictures, but man - you should have seen the place.  And it wasn't like a museum, where things are donated and replicas made.  Everything in the place lived there.  It had been there forever. 

All of the things of a working royal kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, grand halls, armory rooms, stables..everything.  We were in awe the entire time.

Don't they look in awe?  Actually, this is just a picture on the way up.  We actually ate lunch in an old part of the castle.  I think they should have served drinks from giant pewter steins, because that's what it felt like.

AND, they had dress up.  Yep.  They had a dress up room where you could try stuff on.  If you don't know this about the Tennis kids - dress up is their middle name.

Real chain mail, btw.  Totally heavy.  Biggest regret of a non purchase?  We didn't get our own chain mail.  I know.  What were we thinking?!  It was 40 euros, and Peter and I are still talking about how did we pass that up??  (I know - we're weird like that)

This picture right here says why we love Aunt Rach so much - look at her.  She totally got into it.  We pretend fought for a while, lived it up, and bought a whole lot of weaponry to take home.  To be exact, 2 four and a half foot bows and arrows, 2 two foot ones, a sling shot and a small cross bow.  Their prices were great, and my kids were in heaven.  That is, until the airport authorities in Bahrain tried to confiscate them.  But alas, after 20 minutes of arguing/begging, we got them through.  Phew!

What can I say?  Truly the greatest trip ever.  I say this in a very humble way.  We were so blessed this entire trip.  The fact that we even had the means to take it is the biggest gift.  Then it was one blessing after another.  Ruby was sick during our time in Rome, but was able to keep up the whole time.  We were able to do and see everything we wanted.  The weather was great.  The van worked wonderfully through tiny Roman side streets, up little village hills, and across miles and miles of freeway. (Luckily Peter is a great and willing driver)  The kids got along really well.  We had a much needed dose of wonderful family to reconnect with.  Honestly.  I can't thank Rachelle and Federico enough.  They made a vacation that we thought couldn't get better -into  one that we will never forget.  The entire thing from start to finish was amazing.  I said in our Christmas letter that 'we came home dripping with olive oil and culture' - and that's the truth.  We saw more than I ever had imagined.  Fede said, "You guys are on a Japanese version of a trip to Italy.  It's too fast."  Haha. While that's true, we get what we can.  And with a big, young family, this is the way it works for us.  Some day when I'm old, I will saunter through Europe.  But it will never be as crazy and fun as it has been with our kids.  Just quieter. 

Mmmm. San Ginesio....

Another connection Aunt Rach made for us was a chance to ride these awesome Tuscon draft horses, called Friesians.  They're huge and lovely.  Did you see Lady Hawk?  Same kind of horse - filmed in this area of Italy, too.  Awesome.  I know.  Any way - this is Perla.  She's lovely. 

Did I say Medieval?  I mean really.  Where else do you see animals like this?  I swear, it's crazy.  We ate things like Wild Boar and truffles on pasta with squash.  Very hearty, earthy foods.  Delicious.

Si having his turn with Perla, Aunt Rach walked each kids around the arena - a lot.  There was a man here that was giving lessons to the older kids as well.  Sam really enjoyed the lesson, while the other kids just took their turn riding.

Gid waiting for his turn.  He HAD to wear the HAT!

On a drive up into the mountains, we came across a heard of mama and baby goats.  They were so cute with their bleating and their sheep bells jangling.

I think our best meal in Italy was eaten here with Rachelle and Federico, at their home, prepared by Fede (and a little help from Rach, too).  It was a barbecue, with yummy salad, roasted veggies, and delicious pork.  We were in heaven.  It was SO nice to have us.  I really can't tell you what a neat experience being here with them was for us.

This is a door in their house.  They have amazing Venetian glass doors and lamps all over their house.  And gorgeous  iron work, made locally.  In fact, you'll see below our trip to the iron worker.  Awesome.

 Meet Carlo, their bird.  Who, apparently has never been around five wild indians before - I'm just glad he survived us.  It was some thing like this, times five, all at once; "Carlo!  Caio, Carlo!  Hi Carlo.  Carllllllllllo!  Caio, Carlo.  Caio!" Over, and over and over.  BTW, he does say "Caio" and he does say his name with a great tongue roll.  "Carlllllo".  But really, I think he was shaking in his cage, feathers dropping, and begging for his cover to be on for the rest of his life - by the time we left.  He was very cute and nice - and he's like 30 years old.  He is Fede's mother's bird, and she's had him something like 25 years.  Lucky for us - we didn't kill him off.  :)

You're only getting small glimpses of Fede, because he had to work most of the time.  But he did come with us to see their friend the iron worker.  He makes beautiful things and showed the kids how foundry works.  They loved it, and Simon will tell you THIS, in fact, was his favorite part of the trip.  And still wants to know when we can get our own iron working shop set up in the back yard.  First question from both boys - "Can he make swords?"

Inside the fiery furnace.  What a cool thing to see something so Medieval, in a place that has had black smiths for ages.  Making all the weapons and equipment young boys of today dream about.  Fascinating.