08.10.11

 

Today was a really fun day.  The girls and I woke up at a pretty reasonable time. I woke up earlier to prepare some things for this evening - we had some friends over for dinner. I felt pretty cool marinating fruit and candying my own almonds for a salad. When it comes to cooking I have loooooooooong way to go.  I used to think I was a great cook, but it turns out it was my mom.  My mom made it look so simple when I was growing up.  It's not simple.  But with the gift of opportunity here in Saudi (to be a mother and wife) cooking has become a new wishful hobby of mine.

Today was the first time we actually got out of the house and saw some friends since we returned from repat vacation. We went to an art playgroup at our next door neighbor's house.  We've lived here over a year now and I really haven't spent a lot of time with our neighbor.  She has two little kids near Madeline's age, a boy and a girl, and they are very kind and friendly.  After today, I am going to make it a point to be in better communication with her. 

It turned out really nice. Only two other moms, besides myself, showed up. We had a good time talking while the kids played, ate, and made a glittler craft.  Madeline is a glitter/glue pro and it is our new favorite craft.

After the craft the girls and I came home for lunch. We did some dancing and listened to some music while I made lunch and then after we ate, we watched a movie and played with some toys.  I didn't take any pictures today, which really erks me! It would have been a great picture day.

I spent the rest of the afternoon, inbetween playing with and taking care of the girls, getting ready for our friends to come over for dinner.  I planned to make a breaded baked chicken, red potatoes, garlic bread, and a strawberry/pear/almond/celery/green onion... etc. etc. salad.  It turned out okay.  The chicken didn't crisp because I was distracted when I put it in, but Paul said it was cooked right (not too dry like I usually do it out of fear of bloody veins and e. coli.

Paul got home around his usual time and played with the girls while I continued getting things ready.  Our friends started arriving around 5:45 pm.  We have some really good friends here in Saudi.  People who are laid back, friendly, genuine, and fun.  Part of my goal for this year is to be more social.  I am not what you would call a anti-social, but we aren't anxious to party every weekend.  We enjoy our friends and family, but the every day's of life with the girls keep us pretty busy.  That and being in the nursing stage with Abigail pretty much limits what we can and cannot do.  I don't feel too great about leaving the girls with anyone anyway unless I really know and trust them.  Eventually we will look into the baby sitter thing so Paul and I can do a date night or something.  ANYWAY, there are some great people here to hang out with including our friends Fiona and Jeff, their son Benjy, and another friend Travis - whose cute little family is out of town right now. 

Dinner was nice. The conversation was good.  I love feeling at ease and comfortable.  Little Benjy brought me some very pretty flowers as a gift.  We stayed at the table pretty much all night talking and eating.  We're all planning on going on a trip together this fall so we had a little pow wow about that.  Madeline was so excited to see Benjy.  They've been friends a while now and she has missed him this summer, being away on repat.  She includes him in her list of names whenever she talks about cousins.  I think she overwhelmed him a little. There were several times he ran quickly to his chair between his parents to get away from her. He also kept telling he needed some space. 

It was a good time with great friends.