Eid Mubarak !!! and Happy Thanksgiving

I know your thinking... Thanksgiving was on Thursday. Well, if your and El-Amin living in Kiev, Thanksgiving falls on the Sunday after.
We finally sat down last night for the first time as an 8 part family to our Thanksgiving dinner. It was great and Ishmael read us all a Thanksgiving poem. We also all shared what we were thankful for. Traditional meal and I was so glad that my caramel cake turned out, and it was great at breakfast this morning

There were a few things I wanted to share, I should have logged on at the time because my memory is fading me now.. Oh.. yeah, one was when we were at the park the Hari Chrisnas? not sure if I spekked that right. They came through singing and dancing and playing drums... made me remember eating a big rice meal in California when I was younger, I think we went to their shrine or something, have to check with my mom.

All the children had a great first week of school, so for a reward we went to Aquapark afterschool on Saturday, very nice indoor waterpark, we went in the evening so we only were able to spend a few hours, but the children had a great time. They have a wave pool, slides, bumper boats, very nice, and even Inara was able to wade her feet in the water and kick at Isa. The ride by taxi was about 30-45 mins and that was without traffic and the cost for all of us was a bit over $100usd. So a kind of pricy evening considering you can't bring food into the facility. They have 2 or three restaurants onthe second floor but we did not have that much time for food, only swimming. The kids of course can't wait to go back.. Khalid was on the road so I took them by myself, and it felt just like at home, they were all behaved too, so that helped a lot. Isa was a little swimming fish, he did not want to leave, and Inayah was jumping and spalshing for her life during the wave pool, the waves were really strong.

I had to go to the bigger super market, to get some last minute things for the Thanksgiving dinner, I saw a lady in her mid-40's, she was beautiful and had my skin complexion, I so wished to be able to communicate with her, since she obviously had some type of heritage. I just smiled and kept walkling with the boys, they have been playing in the indoor playland by themselves the last few times we have went, while I go shopping, so that is nice to get the things I need without dragging them. Also was able to get beef short ribs to go with the turkey.

Inara is crawling and moving around the living room like a pro, now if we could get her to move forward we would be in good shape. We always find her in a corner or under the chair or couch stuck. It is hilarious, I think soon she will figure out on her own how to move forward. The children are amazed and keep asking, "How did she get over there?" Teething some more and a bit grumpy some day, but still the sweetest of the sweets.

I guess early morning cooking with Isa may start being a pattern.... 43oam and he is crying so loud in the kitchen with Khalid because he has to eat some cereal that he doesn't want. Which i dont blame him, i would rather have Golden grahams over some tropical muesli anyday. I saved Khalid from the screaming while Isa finished eating, it must have been nasty too because he never leaves any food behind, especially cereal. Hash browns, eggs, smoked turkey and Bisquick coffe cake (just like mom use to make) on the breakfast menu this morning, Inayah and Idreis have snuck down at 6am, I told them to go lay with daddy so they could get at least another hour of sleep in.. The aroma of breakfast cooking must have woke them because we all know how Idreis loves his sleep, here he is in the kitchen now, begging for cereal, i just hope he got enough rest.

Got the three off to school, all in good spirits. Read a little bit and actualy did a few sets of my weights... not a first since we have been here, but something I haven't made time for like I should. Ibrahim slept in a bit so me and Isa had some quality time, doing dishes and painting. The taxi guy came to get us at 11a,m to go and mail some letters and also pick up my package from Rasheda (birthday package!!). So now I know where one of the post offices is at, a bit of a walk, probably 20 minutes, Khalid says there is one closer to the house but for some reason my package went to the other. Lots of goodies, cds, candy, and most importantly bath bars that explode, can't wait to get in the tub this evening. We are home now, Isa is napping, I am going to make K some dinner for the road trip this evening. Ibrahim is shooting hoops on his basket that he received for his birthday.

Daily Routine

I woke up at 6am today, which is fine considering the last few mornings I have been awake with Isa at 3am. Skyped with Rosa while getting the older three ready for school. They had oatmeal this morning, not instant, I think I may have cooked it too long as Idreis kindly commented that it was, "like eating mush".. This is as Ishmael is complaining how nasty it is and no matter how much brown sugar I added he still thought it was disgusting. It tasted fine to me and Inayah and the rest of the crew. The taxi arrived at 7:50 to pick them up. Cleaned up the bathroom, did some laundry and picked up the kitchen. Isa had a rough morning, not sure why, but he cried and cried for food and movies, and we all know that he had already eaten at least twice. I showered and read a bit and played memory with Isa. K took care of Inara most of the morning before heading to practice. I woke Ibrahim up at 10am, he was up during the wee early morning hours watching television. Isa and I (thanks mom) are starting the baking for Thanksgiving, we are going to make pumpkin pie. 10:25 and Ibrahim would rather still be asleep but if I am going to get them on any type of schedule, I will just have to deal with his attitude. 12pm: Brought the boys to the indoor playland while I did the last of my shopping for Thursday, we are having traditional meal, but I am trying to find a dessert online that I don't usually make, and something that I can bake. The walk down was good, the weather here is not too cold yet. 215pm now and boys are playing with Khalid. He just informed me they are leaving Thursday evening after practice for the road, so it looks like Thanksgiving is going to fall on Sunday for us this year.... which sucks a little bit because I was ready to get in the kitchen on the 1s and 2s tonight and tomorrow to have everything prepared for Thursday evening. And already finished the yams and pie earlier, a bit of a bummer but guess we all have to roll with it and title it "Thanksgiving in Kiev". Just gives me a few more days to add some more to the menu. We may just go to Arizona restaurant Thursday evening. I thought about cooking anyways and just eating at 2pm which would be traditional anyways, but the children will be at school and we all have been talking about how this is our first Thanksgiving together in a few years, and definently a first with the Six.

Happy Birthday Ibrahim Noah !!!

We had a really nice day and the sun was out, me and Kamillah took the children to the park while K and Ish were at practice. Horse rides and Big Wheel drives at the park, the horse guy tried to hustle me for 100 grievans, saying that I didn't pay him, I had to inform him in the most pleasant way, that I was raised on the Northside of Minneapolis via 16th & Vincent. I mean he really tried to say I didn't pay him.... which I know that I did... this is as he is giving mt 85 in change back.. nice try... I guess everyone has a hustle for foreigners, his English was pretty good too. But, you have to wake up a little bit earlier in the morning to fool me.

I baked a cake, Spiderman theme, it was delicious, we had a small party, very small, just the family, Ibrahim got a basketball hoop that he managed to break about 5 mintues after it was put together, he was naturally pissed off!! Did I say the cake was really good?

The older three are supposed to start school tomorrow, the taxi will be here at 7:50am to pick them up, me and Khalid will go with. Hopefully there is not too much traffic and hopefully they are not too tired, we all went on a 2 hour walk after practice, Idreis was dead man walking, but we all made it, Inara lost her hat, we went to the main downtown shopping strip, the Kiev version of Rodeo Drive, it was all lit up for the Holidays, we told Ibrahim that we all came out last night and put the lights up for his birthday, "No, you guys didn't, your all lying"..
Will hopefully post pictures and video tomorrow. Also saw my first biracial couple, kind of shocked to see, but very nice brother who spoke when he saw us and then also attempted to help Kamillah bring the stroller up the stairs, so a gentleman too.

Back 2 Business

We all made it back safely to Kiev. The flights were fine and the crew were all troopers as usual. Everyone was knocked out when we arrived in Kiev, and it took awhile for us to all get off the plane. Ibrahim and Ish both had to use the bathroom, I had to shake and shake and shake Isa awake, also had to get everyone in jackets because after you exit the plane on the runway, a bus is waiting to take the passengers to the customs area. So we are all going down the stairs to board the bus, Inayah forgets her nintendo gameboy so Idreis runs back up to get it, all during this time of bathroom breaks, jackets and forgotten items, the whole group of people who were on the plane are also on the bus already, waiting on us, I felt kind of bad walking down the stairs off of the plane when I glanced over and saw the bus with all the people on it, had to be at least 10-15 minutes, because I was taking my sweet time. Customs went fine and can't wait to have some beef bacon for breakfast.

Spent the day finishing unpacking, I left with one bag and came back with ten... but at least now we have everything we need to enjoy life overseas and feel comfortable. Wii night should be a lot of fun. Inayah and Ibrahim slept til about 330pm, this is after staying awake until around 630am.

We went for an evening walk and found a coffe place that is really nice, we could not order very many drinks because I left money at the apartment and Ishmael only had 45 grievans and I had a little less, so the original plan was to share hot chocolates, luckily I found some money in my jacket because we would have all been sipping on one drink. They also have internet access and are open 24hours. So that is nice to find another hang out spot or place to go with the children, or alone.

Inayah decided it was time to play her nintendo and goes to get her bag and lowe and behold, NO NINTENDO, she forgot it in the seat pocket of the plane.... not surpising at all when I think about the sleep walking state she was in.

I started reading PRIDE by Lorene Cary, if anyone has time to go to the library we could do an online book club together. let me know

Home is Where the Heart Is

And because our hearts miss our home and our family and friends.

WE ARE COMING HOME !! Because of the h1n1 outbreak the league games and the children's schools have been cancelled. We all thought what an excellent opportunity to travel some more, as if we haven't had enough. See you all very soon. Skype tonight???