Dear Diary

March 29, 2009

Another day in Doha, and I just want to take a minute to say how grateful I am to be who I am. How did I ever get so lucky to be the mother to 3 wonderful, grateful, mannered children? I thank my lucky stars every day that I've been so blessed by these precious children, who get out of beed cheerily at the first wake-up call. Who accept their lunches I make with love every day without complaint. Who love each other so much, that nary an ugly word is passed between them. Who come to the dinner table happily, eating the meal I fix while providing wonderful family conversation. Who say the blessing every day without spying to see who cheated by having their eyes open and then tattling.

I'm truly blessed and there's not a day that goes by that I ever wish to change.

I'm the lucky one.

Nothin' Happening

So, it's a slow week in Doha. Boring, day-to-day stuff. You know. Nothing to blog about, really.

Scott and Kaylie are just about done playing soccer. One more game left. This would be the week to bring my camera. Someone remind me.

Taking just a handful of boys to the movie (don't know which one, yet, so don't ask) for Scott's birthday.

All 3 kids have a "student piano......something" on Saturday. NOT A RECITAL. NOT A CONCERT. In fact, parents are not invited. The piano teacher wants it to be very laid back for the kids, but they each will play a piece for everyone.

That's all. Nothing else. Except to wonder if Spring Break will EVER get here. We leave April 3. It still seems a long way away.

In the meantime, I'm still watching American Idol via the Slingbox (I mean, how cool is technology?) and reading and playing tennis and learning Arabic. The weeks are flying by.

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Look! Only one day late. I ROCK.

So March 16 was Scott's birthday. We are not really having his "party" until later in the month, but I did attempt to make a cake, yes, from a box. Let the kids frost it. Ummm...I didn't take a picture of that.

Poor Scott, he hates to be the center of attention. When he found out I had invited just a couple of the neighborhood kids over for cake, he went upstairs and hid. Would not come downstairs. Not even to open a couple of presents from us. He was upset and tired and, in the end, fell asleep in his bed with no cake or presents. Great 8 year-old birthday memory, right? He might not remember it, but I always will.

Just some of my favorite pictures of Scott through the years, since I didn't get any yesterday. Also, no really old ones, either. I have yet to scan in early, pre-digital-camera pictures.











Anyway, Happy Birthday to my sweet, sensitive, lovable, darling little 8 year-old boy, who is really not so little anymore. I love you to pieces.

Late AGAIN!

Honestly, it's taking me forever to upload pictures to blogger. I try and try and the pictures get kicked back and it doesn't work. Then I give up and try again the next day.

Last Tuesday was a busy day for the Dickersons in Doha. Lots of kiddo activities! Here we go....

Fist up on the agenda, a second grade concert. All second graders required to participate. Scott, my shy one, was not amused by this. Didn't want to dress appropriately, didn't want to participate. But in the end, he did, because he also did not want to break the rules.

Those second graders were so cute. Here's a picture of Scott on the xylophone. This boy's got rhythm!

After the concert, it was time for lunch (Tuesdays are short days and the kids get out of school at 12:30). Lunch plans included meeting some of John's Kindergarten buddies for lunch at Bennigans. Great food, fun place to play for the kids, but about 45 minutes from the school.


This Scott and Adam, two concert-performing tag-alongs.

This is John and Ben, Adams brother, hamming it up in the booth. (I am trying to get Ben and Adam's family to come with us on our Spring Break trip. The kids would have playmates!)


Immediately after lunch, I ran the boys home to the compound and zipped back to the school. Tuesday was also 5th grade Science Fair day. Kathryn had been working very hard with her two teammates on something about the effect of saline on aquatic plants. Whatever. I'm not a scientist.

Kathryn and her two teammates from Holland, Rosanna and Alieke.

Kathryn and a group of her 5th grade friends.


At the end of the day, I had spent 3 hours in the car, driving in lovely Doha traffic. But it was worth it, right? RIGHT? Of course it was.

This is so late

I'm so busy here in Doha - I'm just now getting around to blogging. Hmmmmm.

Friendship Festival - a big to-do put on by the PTA to raise money for the school. Very similar to Haude's big carnival they hold every two years, except ASD is just a bigger school. But same games, same prizes, and Johnny Rockets and Subway were there! More hometown goodness.

I worked a couple of shifts, doing my volunteer duty. All three kids ran loose and wild. I did catch Kathryn being chased by cute 5th grade boys. Seems my little girl may be growing up. Am I ready for middle school next year?

And let me just say kudos to John, who played the "Dunk the Assistant Principal" game twice. Both times, in the AP went. He can throw, apparently. My other two missed by a mile.

So here's to a great (hot and sunny) day spent with new friends!


Kathryn and Kaitlyn


Scott, Spencer, Aaron, Alecks, and of course, John

A Little Texas in Doha

Man, not only are there a lot of Houstonians in Doha, they almost all went to Texas A&M. I've never met so many Aggies.

Anyway, last Friday night there was a Texas A&M Boot Scoot. A fundraiser. Fun. No wooden dance floor, but that's okay, because two-steppin' isn't my thing.

We had a great time with our neighbors Jacqui and Wayne (who sadly are moving back to Houston this summer) and with Scott and Susan and her neighbors. A silent auction brought some bidding fun for a cool table that we eventually gave up on.

The music was almost all country (surprise!). They did play some Jimmy Buffett and I would have used that song, but it is inappropriate for child readers. So Garth it is. Plus, Scott and Aaron's teacher is from New Zealand. Susan and I asked her at the party if she had ever heard of Jimmy Buffett. Nope. But Garth Brooks she knew. This is a woman who has just tasted her first ever Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, here in Doha. Can you imagine?

So, I did take pictures. I know you would like to see them. Sorry. Blogger not cooperating. I've tried for the past 3 days. But, you can always go on Facebook and see them. That upload worked.

So, imagine Felicity Huffman in a cowboy hat going with her date Rick Moranis, and you've got your visual. That's the best I can do. If blogger starts to work again, I'll get some pictures posted.

(Oh, and if you are a friend of my husband, don't go tattling on me. I happen to think Rick Moranis is cute. I mean he's no Rob Pattinson, Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig, but then I don't really look like Felicity Huffman now, do I. And I'm in enough trouble as it is for not working on my taxes. Shhhhhh!)

Observations by a 10 year-old expat

"When we go back to Houston, I'll know lots of people so I'll only have to be the new kid once."

"The thing about Doha is the weather is pretty much always the same. In Houston you can go to school in shorts in the morning and be freezing in the afternoon."

"Everything in Doha looks the same. How do you know where you are going?

"It's just so sandy here. Look at all those big areas of sand."

"In Houston I was excited about 5th grade appreciation because I was going to go to a different school for 6th grade. In Doha, it's the same school. Just a different building."

"There are a lot of people here from Houston."

"I wish they had school districts here so the school wouldn't be so far away from where we live."

"I don't understand why our school gives you 3's and 4's on our report card. I like A's and B's."

"If you get a 'U' on your report card in Houston that's bad, but here it's good."

"No way are we not moving back to Houston. WE ARE GOING."

Amen, baby. Amen