Changing

In preparation for our upcoming visit to Houston, I thought it would be good to write about how the kids have changed since we moved.  The obvious is that they've all grown, but then there are some new things that aren't so obvious.

Boston
1.  learned to read
2.  learned to tie his shoes
3.  learned to ride his bike without training wheels
4.  learning French
5.  learning Arabic

Olivia
1.  learned to read
2.  very close to tying her shoes
3.  learned to ride her bike without training wheels
4.  learning French
5.  learning Arabic

Sophia
1.  talking more than when we left Houston (interesting conversations with this one)
2.  learned that she is a funny little girl
3.  learned some letters and some counting
4.  learned about time out!
5.  tries to sing the Arabic number song with Boston

Being in Dubai is still sad at times for the kids.  They really miss Allie, our dog.  Allie is a prayer request every single night.  However, they all enjoy their schools, teachers, and friends.  They also love going to the park, swimming, going to the beach, going on a bike ride, and driving their Power Wheels Jeep around the house.  So there is the update for when we come home. 

P.S.  Emily and Wiebe, you'll be able to talk to Boston and Olivia in French and hopefully teach them some more.

Conversation with Sophie

Me:  Sophie, you have clean sheets on your bed.
Sophie:  Sheeps?
Me:  Sheets.
Sophie:  Sheeps?
Me:  No, sheeetttts. (stressing the t)
Sophie:  Ohhh, nice.

Trick or Treat

What's more exciting than dressing up as your favorite of-the-moment character, trick or treating, and getting lots of candy?  Probably not much to kids.  Mine were so excited when their costumes finally came in the mail.  They had to wait a week before they could actually wear them.  Oh, the torture.  Finally Halloween arrived, and boy were they excited.  We came home from school, put on our costumes, and finished getting ready for our mini-party with friends. 

L to R:  Harriett, Annabel, Annika, Olivia, and Sophia

Harriet and Sophia

Lara and Boston added to the group

It was finally time for trick or treating after our mini-party.  Boston had a friend join us and off we all went through the neighborhood.  (He wasn't surrounded by girls the entire time!)  The kids had so much fun looking for the houses that were decorated and asking for candy.  We even had kids ring our doorbell even though I didn't decorate, but I did have candy.  As Boston was going to sleep, he reminded me to continue answering the door and make sure to give the kids some candy.  All in all the kids, their friends, Andy, and I all had a fun Halloween.