Our little Tiger

Shane took Adam out today to use his new golf clubs (they are so cute!). He worked on his grip and taught him how to swing the club. Adam did really well, which surprised me. I was sure that he inherited my "no hand-eye coordination" gene, but apparently not. When he tries, he hits the ball pretty good, and can even putt it through some rings (like croquet).

When we returned home, Shane broke out the putting mat and his putter, but his attention span had diminished. Maybe next time!

Spring Fling!

Our table - Whitney, Russell, Shane, Amanda, Cheryl, Derrick, Susan and Gerry (in the back)

We went to the Pegasus Club's Spring Fling last night. It was held at the Diplomatic Club, which we have always heard was nice, but just never been. It was right on the water, and held mostly outside, so fortunately the weather was pleasant. It has been reaching to about 38C (100 F!) here lately, so we really didn't know what to expect. The evening was fun, but the only problem was the food. Everyone was under the impression that dinner was going to be served, but all they served was appetizers. There was a lot of moaning and groaning about that, but once they turned on the music, everyone hit the dance floor and forgot about it. We had a great time, got to meet a lot of new people, and had a grown-up night out without the little man!

We're so pretty!

The dogs finally got groomed yesterday. They wouldn't pose for me, so this is the best shot I have of them. And, as usual, Bailey looks as if she has been stealing food from Buster!

Swim lessons - Day 3

As promised, I took some pictures during Adam's swim lesson today. He did a lot better today than Friday. He went out into the deeper section of the pool and used the noodle (with the instructor's help) to kick and paddle across the pool. He still won't put his face in the water....he is too scared, I guess. I can tell that he is getting more confident and more comfortable in the water. The weather is really warming up here, so we are going to start going to the pool more often, so I know that will help, too.

Pegasus Club Easter Party

After all the Easter Egg hunting at home, we went to the Pegasus club's Easter Party for the kids. They had the obligitory bouncy house, of course, which is where Adam stayed most of the time. They also had an egg hunt, but Adam wasn't very interested....he was happy to stay on the bouncy house! We got him down and he got a few eggs...most of them had already been found by the time he got around to joining in. There was also a pinata, but he wasn't into that, either. He hit it once, and that was all he wanted. I think he had fun, though....with Robert, Brian and Nicolas in the bouncy house!

Happy Easter Egg!

My Grandmama always used to say that on Easter... We celebrated Easter today, since the work week starts on Sunday and we wanted to have Daddy around to enjoy it with us. The Easter Bunny showed up this morning and hid eggs all through the house and in the front garden. He also brought Adam his Easter basket full of goodies and a new duck to add to his collection. After we were done, I tried to get him to pose with his basket, but he was too wired. I think I got one shot out of 50 where he actually gave me a smile!

Swim lessons

I have started Adam in swim lessons again. It is going much better this time around. Adam warmed up to the teacher quickly, which is half the battle. He is learning to blow bubbles, paddle across the pool with a noodle, and use a kickboard. Basically what I want him to get out of this is more awareness of the water and what to do when he is in it (hold his breath, etc.).

My Bunny Hat

This is Adam's bunny hat that he made in school. Isn't he a cute bunny!

Coloring and Ceramics

Adam's school had a local company, Ceramique, come in and do some ceramics projects with the kids. The children selected the colors and objects to put on their tile, and the Ceramique people made an outline on the tile for the kids to color (and put their name and the name of the school). Adam's turned out pretty good...and he is real proud of it, so I thought I would put it on here to show you. The other picture is of his newest masterpiece from school....not really staying in the lines, but making progress from the scribble he used to do!

We love Aramex (and Nini, too)!

Nini sent Adam this Thomas the Train book a few weeks ago, and I picked it up at Aramex today! He is thrilled to have it, and he has been looking at it non-stop since we picked it up. Thank you, Nini!

Easter chicken

Adam made this at school. I thought it was cute, so I took a picture so we could share it with you!

Music for Me

The first activity we did when we moved here was Music for Me. Adam has loved it since day 1 and we have continued to go every session. Today was Monica's (teacher) last class. She and her family are moving back to Houston. They are excited, and we are excited for them. They have been here 4 years! I took a few pictures of the children's favorite activity during class: Bubbles!

Your guess is as good as mine...

I dropped Shane at work today after lunch - Adam wanted to have lunch with Daddy - and was driving back down the Corniche to go home and I saw this truck...actually there were 3 of them. They were Emirates (UAE's airline) trucks, and they all had these spacemen in them. Not sure what they are for, but you know me, I always have my camera!

Tortillas!

I found these Mission tortillas at Carrefour, which is sort of like a French Walmart. They never carry American products, but I saw these tortillas there when I was shopping on Sunday. I have bought tortillas at Megamart (a store with mostly imports) before, but not a brand I have heard of. I was surprised when I turned the corner and there they were....just like if I was at home! And in case you are wondering....the price for the smaller package is 14.50 QR, or $3.98!

Out at the park

As per our normal routine, Adam and I went to the park today. And as usual, we met Sam and her crew. Robert and Adam chased each other all over the playground, but eventually stopped to play on the slides. Robert saw me with the camera and gave me a big smile. Adam, of course, is used to the camera so he barely notices when I have it out.

Watching the tube

This is how Adam watches his cartoons. He looks so big laying on the couch like that...(sniff, sniff).

Mr. Cool

Adam was looking super-cool in the car the other day...don't you agree?

Spring is here!

Even though Spring isn't supposed to start until March 20, it appears that Doha didn't get the message. Spring is in full bloom here in Doha! The weather is nice, except for the occasional sandstorm, but who's complaining? :P

The bougainvillea (I looked up the spelling) in our front garden has bloomed nicely, along with all the rest of the flowers around the compound. Even the malls have gotten into the spirit with the festive "flower-like" balloons. Everything looks so nice and colorful....we just need to enjoy it before it dies in the Summer!

Today's weather

Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!

We have been here too long...

The end of February marked 18 months of us living in Doha. I was talking to some friends about how things that astounded us when we first moved here are now considered normal and part of life. I started really thinking about it and came up with even more things, and I thought I would get them all down to share with you:

1. You are no longer surprised when someone blatantly goes to the start of the long line you are in and demands service.
2. When you are out driving, you expect someone to try and move into your lane....it's just normal behavior.
3. Roundabouts are no longer scary....and the fact that there are no rules to navigating them makes complete sense.
4. You are no longer surprised to see 3 men with a ladder come to change a light bulb or clean an air conditioner filter.
5. 90 degrees is now cool, and 50 is COLD!
6. Being stared at like you are some sort of alien doesn't faze you anymore (this one applies to females only).
7. Having your grocery bill total upwards of 700 (Riyals) is normal.
8. You say "same-same" to someone from a western country and they don't blink an eye.
9. Everything being closed on Fridays is no longer an imposition - it's just the way it is.
10. It is now normal to tell someone how to get somewhere using landmarks, not street names or numbers, as nothing here has a physical address.
11. You expect the guy behind you to blare his horn 2 milliseconds before the light turns green.
12. You are no longer shocked when you see sheep in the back of SUV's, sedans, and pickups.
13. You know what time it is when you hear the mosques during prayer time.
14. You know people that travel to Bahrain just to eat bacon and you get a little jealous.
15. You know that "Insha'allah" actually means "maybe, but probably not" (literal translation: God willing) and you accept it.
16. Staying up to watch a football game that comes on at midnight (3:00 pm in TX) is normal.
17. You see two men holding hands, touching noses, or kissing and it doesn't bother you.
18. You don't even try to hold hands with your spouse in public.
19. You say something is on "the other side of town" or "outside of town" when in fact it is only 10-15 minutes away.
20. When the grocery store has a new stock of macaroni and cheese, Bacardi margarita mix, or Dr. Pepper - you get excited and text message all of your friends!

Texas A&M Boot Scoot

Shane and I at our table

Our table (Steve, Stephanie, Mike, Amanda, Shane, Carrie and Ross)

Stephanie and Mike

Stephanie, Carrie, and Amanda


Mariah and Shane

Mariah and Steve with their "door" prize

Amanda and Shane showing off their T-shirt

We went to the annual Texas A&M Boot Scoot last night at the Intercontinental Hotel. Most of our friends were there....unfortunately there were some that weren't able to get tickets. :( The food was pretty good, for tex-mex in Doha anyway. The margaritas were very good - probably too good if you know what I mean! Shane and I got to dust off our dancing shoes and do a little two-stepping...but no line dancing, thank you! Our friends won the door prize, which was in fact a door! I think they are still in shock over it! There was a silent auction, so I bid on a few of the t-shirts, hoping that I would be victorious - and I was! I think I now have a grand total of 2 Aggie t-shirts. I know, I'm a 2-percenter! Overall it was a great night and I am glad that we went through all that hassle with the "Aggie Mafia" to get tickets!