Another year done and dusted.... scary how quickly they're over isn't it. Aimee and lucy both did really well this year and brought home 'mostly good' report cards ;) A's B's and a C or two.
Aimee is heading into middle school and is soooooooo excited, Lucy is going in to grade 4.
WOW we have already been here 8 years - who would've seen that coming --- and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight either.
Andre has almost completed his first year at Aramco - we leave on our annual repat this Thursday.
Heading to America for 4 weeks - variety of activities ahead.....
Watch this space for Aimee & Lucy's account of our BIG adventure.
Showing posts with label Andre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andre. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Fathers Day
Growing up, I can remember my gran saying once that if it were possible to come back as anything, she'd come back as a man ! Being about 10 years old at the time (I think, because afterall it was sooooo long ago) my cousins and I asked why .... She responded by saying that what was better, you get to sit around and women serve you hehehehe ! Well not anymore and I think she would have been rather impressed by all of the fabulous 'Dads' we have in our extended family, I know I am !
From Holidays.net : Father's Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or "Big Brothers."
Andre -- Happy Father's Day, from your very first one where you spent the day on the rugby field at Kearsney (1999) to this (the photo) your second one in kingdom (2003), and now your tenth (2008) - spending it on the other side of the kingdon, far away from your girls.... we're thankful for you and love you so very very much !
From Holidays.net : Father's Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or "Big Brothers."
Andre -- Happy Father's Day, from your very first one where you spent the day on the rugby field at Kearsney (1999) to this (the photo) your second one in kingdom (2003), and now your tenth (2008) - spending it on the other side of the kingdon, far away from your girls.... we're thankful for you and love you so very very much !
Latest Updates
I know I know the blog seems to have been forgotten....
Not at all, we've finally finished for this school year and well the last two weeks have been so very very hectic getting finished, add to the mix Andre being away on the other side of the kingdom again and well..............blog just went by the wayside.
BUT...... it has got some finally posted 'old' news :) take a look at :
Moms and Muffins
My boy's birthday
Student-Led Conferences
and the compound Luau
more to come in the next few days, once I have stopped going in to school to finish things up :).
Not at all, we've finally finished for this school year and well the last two weeks have been so very very hectic getting finished, add to the mix Andre being away on the other side of the kingdom again and well..............blog just went by the wayside.
BUT...... it has got some finally posted 'old' news :) take a look at :
Moms and Muffins
My boy's birthday
Student-Led Conferences
and the compound Luau
more to come in the next few days, once I have stopped going in to school to finish things up :).
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Happy Birthday Honey
Very quiet birthday for Andre on the 17th, just us at home for a special dinner and ice-cream sundaes to blow out the birthday candle :)My darling has entered his final year in his 30's, and of course has chosen to take up cycling again - is this a bid to appear to stay young ?? ;)
Other than his beautiful bike as a birthday present, we want to thank The Sharks for delivering an awesome winning performance against the Chiefs for his birthday, now they just have to follow through against the Waratahs.....
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Rastanura - Triathlon #1
Some of you may recognise the name Rastanura because Andre worked at the Rastanura Aramco refinery for the first 3 years of our stay in Saudi. On Friday (05/09/08) we left before the crack of dawn - well maybe not literally but it felt that way to head out to Rastanura for a triathlon, so it was 5:40am ! There are no photos to go along with the post not because we weren't allowed to take photos, not because we had nothing to photograph, but because .... because my darling husband rushed us out the door so early we were on the road before it 'dawned' on me that I'd left it at home.
So... Andre has been going to spinning class twice a week for the past month or so and this was to be his first triathlon in mmmmm 6 years :shock: He was only going to do the cycle and run though because swimming is just not his thing.
I keep saying going to, was, instead of did, anyone notice that ? Andre bailed 16kms (sorry Andre has corrected me....it was 16.8kms) out of 20kms on the bike :( seems an empty stomach and Isostar do not go together and he ended up, very unceremoniously throwing-up along the route, and not feeling up to continuing. I would like to say as the girls enjoyed the beach and splashing around in the water, I sat feeling just a touch warm wondering why on earth anyone would even want to be putting themselves through the exercise in this heat hehehe
He did look good and there is always next time. Needless to say the girls are chomping at the bit for 'next time' and a chance to visit a clean, western beach that looks and feels a little more like home :) AND one where mom doesn't have to wear an abaya ! AND AND 'next time' we may just have some pictures to share !
So... Andre has been going to spinning class twice a week for the past month or so and this was to be his first triathlon in mmmmm 6 years :shock: He was only going to do the cycle and run though because swimming is just not his thing.
I keep saying going to, was, instead of did, anyone notice that ? Andre bailed 16kms (sorry Andre has corrected me....it was 16.8kms) out of 20kms on the bike :( seems an empty stomach and Isostar do not go together and he ended up, very unceremoniously throwing-up along the route, and not feeling up to continuing. I would like to say as the girls enjoyed the beach and splashing around in the water, I sat feeling just a touch warm wondering why on earth anyone would even want to be putting themselves through the exercise in this heat hehehe
He did look good and there is always next time. Needless to say the girls are chomping at the bit for 'next time' and a chance to visit a clean, western beach that looks and feels a little more like home :) AND one where mom doesn't have to wear an abaya ! AND AND 'next time' we may just have some pictures to share !
Friday, February 22, 2008
How to make girls happy !
It was VERY early on a Tuesday morning, 2:30am to be precise when Andre arrived home. He had driven home from Yanbu - was expecting him mid-morning, but I guess maybe the incentive to get home quicker was more than he could ignore hehehe. Needless to say there were three very happy girls in our house Tuesday ! After three weeks, we were starting to forget what he looked like hehehe.
Wednesday was C-day for me...... Sick and tired with my hair, I arranged for a hairdresser to come to the house and off came about 4 inches. I am feeling much better about it although getting used to it being in a kindof style not just long and straight. And most importantly I guess, the boy is happy - had threatened to shave it again hehehe and he seriously requested I don't go shorter than my shoulder. So shoulder it was ! Not the best photos but you get the idea, before & after !
Thursday, it was up early to sit on the causeway for 90minutes. We needed to go and book tickets for Thailand. I would be going to our annual NESA teacher's conference being held in Bangkok again this year but, this year, the family would be coming along ! So we're booked, Andre will be heading back to Yanbu for the whole month of March but will return in time for us to spend a week in Thailand together.
And now its Friday. Some of us enjoyed watching the first game of Super 14 round two this morning - Andre and I had predicted different teams to win hehehe his won :(
And then it was off outside for the girls to ride - Steven you asked for photos and here they are ! Lucy needed to start riding a two wheeler, didn't go as well as we'd hoped, still very hesitant but maybe she'll try again later.
And now its Friday. Some of us enjoyed watching the first game of Super 14 round two this morning - Andre and I had predicted different teams to win hehehe his won :(
And then it was off outside for the girls to ride - Steven you asked for photos and here they are ! Lucy needed to start riding a two wheeler, didn't go as well as we'd hoped, still very hesitant but maybe she'll try again later.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
2007 Dubai 7's
The last time Andre was able to attend the 7's was a couple of years ago. Each year he signs up to go and ref and has to bail at the last minute due to work commitments.
This year would have been the same situation so he decided to not even sign up. Close to last minute though it looked like he would be able to make it. Rather than mess with appoinments that had already been worked out, he decided he'd play instead. Mmmm wife was not too happy with this as at the moment its just for fun, the odd game here and there, and we've had enough injuries just on the fun level ! This was going to be an entire weekend !
And then came an email looking for applicants to serve as IRB Anti-Doping Chaperones. Andre was accepted and so a compromise was reached. Andre'd play the first day and then be a chaperone for the remainder of the weekend.
So off he went.... Dubai is a fabulous venue for the tournament, so much going on. He had a wonderful weekend. The chaperoning was very interesting....Collect your player from the field, and stay with them until they give their sample. They can warm-down, they can even take a shower. Sadly though they MUST be watched at all times - just in case they "lose" some sample hehehe So guess who got to see a player or two in the shower !? What fun ..........
This year would have been the same situation so he decided to not even sign up. Close to last minute though it looked like he would be able to make it. Rather than mess with appoinments that had already been worked out, he decided he'd play instead. Mmmm wife was not too happy with this as at the moment its just for fun, the odd game here and there, and we've had enough injuries just on the fun level ! This was going to be an entire weekend !
And then came an email looking for applicants to serve as IRB Anti-Doping Chaperones. Andre was accepted and so a compromise was reached. Andre'd play the first day and then be a chaperone for the remainder of the weekend.
So off he went.... Dubai is a fabulous venue for the tournament, so much going on. He had a wonderful weekend. The chaperoning was very interesting....Collect your player from the field, and stay with them until they give their sample. They can warm-down, they can even take a shower. Sadly though they MUST be watched at all times - just in case they "lose" some sample hehehe So guess who got to see a player or two in the shower !? What fun ..........
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My wonderful wonderful wonderful husband !
My husband is the sweetest, most romantic ever ....
listen to the song he sent me !
And I'll even forgive the fact that he said it was our thirteenth Valentines when in fact its our fourteenth heheheh
Happy Valentines day everyone
hope you're blessed with all the love in the world !
Friday, October 19, 2007
The Bokke
As many of you might know, André and I to a lesser degree are involved in a rugby blog called RuggaWorld. These two articles really sent chills up my spinehttp://www.ruggaworld.com/2007/10/18/praising-our-great-warriors/
http://www.ruggaworld.com/2007/10/18/live-the-dream/
I credit the authors for their awesome emotive writing.
These both explain all we feel as our boys face the 2007 World Cup final tomorrow night.
Here's to you doing it Bokke, for yourselves, for your country, and for every South African with a dream of greatness !
A Real Bok Supporter ...is this you ??
Thanks for the video Brenda, good laugh !
Bahrain 10"s
André is once again at the Bahrain 10's this weekend. The girls and I joined him there yesterday for a bit of swimming before the tournament kicked off.
But ....after getting home close to midnight last night we decided to send him on his merry way today. He left earlyish and will be back early evening.
We're just relaxing at home, mom trying to catch up with news on the blog and then of course it'll be getting ready for school tomorrow.
And here we have the Khobar Quins, winners of the plate final in The 2007 Bahrain Duty Free 10's Tournament.
Sadly no photos of my darling reffing as well last night was too dark and I wasn't there today, next time.
We're just relaxing at home, mom trying to catch up with news on the blog and then of course it'll be getting ready for school tomorrow.
And here we have the Khobar Quins, winners of the plate final in The 2007 Bahrain Duty Free 10's Tournament.
Getting into the spirit of things
The 2007 Rugby World Cup kicked off in France September 7 much to our enjoyment.
September 9, our first game saw me at school for our Annual Open House - never fear though, I went along in my Springbok kit and received score updates from my wonderful husband throughout the evening :)
September 14, our second game of the tournament saw me in a hotel room in Jordan - once again wearing my Springbok kit and getting updates from my wonderful husband :)
September 22, was a tighter game for us and I started thinking "perhaps I should be away every time we play ?"
September 26, Special mention to Alison - hope your day was a great one, sad we couldn't be there to share it with you.
September 30, was fabulous....although I had proudly worn my Springbok kit to school each time we played, the girls and I were delighted to wear our shirts to school the day following this win too !
And then it was the quarters .... we faced Fiji October 7 and in celebration of this win, André decided to attend rugby practice in one of his English jerseys. Now to paint a true picture, the previous practice he had been crunched in a tackle and had been complaining ever since of pain in his side, especially when he lay in a certain way - boys will be boys I guess. So it's October 7, about 8:30, practice should be finishing in about an hour, enough time to get home shower and watch the second quarter at 10pm. No chance André walks in, blood down his face and jersey, and a very primitive effort by a fellow player to bandage his head up - Thankyou. "What happened, I thought this was touch rugby not tackle" I exclaim. We head off to the bathroom to cleanup and disinfect, it doesn't look as bad as when he walked in but basically he knocked heads with .....the coach/player, Tony Mulrain. In case anyone was wondering.... Tony was perfectly fine hehehe. And I thought André had a hard head ! I sent him off to the hospital because it looked like it might need a stitch or two, they said he'd waited too long to come in and just taped it together - do they honestly expect you to be there seconds after ???? Thankfully he got home halfway through the next quarter to see Argentina beat Scotland.
(Next day he kicked his toe on our bathroom scale - looked possibly broken or at least seriously bruised.)
'Tis the season for rugby and it seems 'tis the season for injuries.... in my house at least.
September 9, our first game saw me at school for our Annual Open House - never fear though, I went along in my Springbok kit and received score updates from my wonderful husband throughout the evening :)
September 14, our second game of the tournament saw me in a hotel room in Jordan - once again wearing my Springbok kit and getting updates from my wonderful husband :)
September 22, was a tighter game for us and I started thinking "perhaps I should be away every time we play ?"
September 26, Special mention to Alison - hope your day was a great one, sad we couldn't be there to share it with you.
September 30, was fabulous....although I had proudly worn my Springbok kit to school each time we played, the girls and I were delighted to wear our shirts to school the day following this win too !
And then it was the quarters .... we faced Fiji October 7 and in celebration of this win, André decided to attend rugby practice in one of his English jerseys. Now to paint a true picture, the previous practice he had been crunched in a tackle and had been complaining ever since of pain in his side, especially when he lay in a certain way - boys will be boys I guess. So it's October 7, about 8:30, practice should be finishing in about an hour, enough time to get home shower and watch the second quarter at 10pm. No chance André walks in, blood down his face and jersey, and a very primitive effort by a fellow player to bandage his head up - Thankyou. "What happened, I thought this was touch rugby not tackle" I exclaim. We head off to the bathroom to cleanup and disinfect, it doesn't look as bad as when he walked in but basically he knocked heads with .....the coach/player, Tony Mulrain. In case anyone was wondering.... Tony was perfectly fine hehehe. And I thought André had a hard head ! I sent him off to the hospital because it looked like it might need a stitch or two, they said he'd waited too long to come in and just taped it together - do they honestly expect you to be there seconds after ???? Thankfully he got home halfway through the next quarter to see Argentina beat Scotland.
(photos taken after I had cleaned the wound, cleaned the face too before sending him off to the hospital hehehe)
'Tis the season for rugby and it seems 'tis the season for injuries.... in my house at least.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Our boys ...
Well as I posted previously, André was home in RSA for the Super 14 final between the Sharks and Bulls. We have recovered sufficiently by now to talk about the trauma, hehehe
André had a fabulous weekend at home - thanks Mommy for looking out for my boy - but we have to add, a great weekend considering !
Sadly our boys led for 80 minutes - yes a game of rugby IS meant to be 80 minutes. So you're saying well if we led for 80 minutes, we must have won the final and are over-the-moon ??? Well through some silly mistakes and a ref that played overtime :grrr: we lost due to a Bulls try with conversion after 83 minutes :boohoo:
It was a great weekend for my boy, well other than losing his phone at some stage of the evening - after the game. (So if anyone needs him .... you'll have to send your number and/or message to his email because he probably don't have your number no-more hehehe.)
He arrived back home rather tired but luckily had a day of leave available to recover.
Needless to say .... win or lose ....
André had a fabulous weekend at home - thanks Mommy for looking out for my boy - but we have to add, a great weekend considering !
Sadly our boys led for 80 minutes - yes a game of rugby IS meant to be 80 minutes. So you're saying well if we led for 80 minutes, we must have won the final and are over-the-moon ??? Well through some silly mistakes and a ref that played overtime :grrr: we lost due to a Bulls try with conversion after 83 minutes :boohoo:
It was a great weekend for my boy, well other than losing his phone at some stage of the evening - after the game. (So if anyone needs him .... you'll have to send your number and/or message to his email because he probably don't have your number no-more hehehe.)
He arrived back home rather tired but luckily had a day of leave available to recover.
Needless to say .... win or lose ....
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Bahrain 10's
Andre spent the previous weekend in Bahrain.
First at a conference and then for the rugby. We - the girls and I, weren't able to go as my passport was still in Riyadh for my Greek visa :( This unfortunately meant we saw him for barely 6 hours from Wednesday to Friday evening. The Midnight 10's was apparently really good, the Al Khobar team walked away with 1st place so of course they all came back exhausted but very chuffed.
They have a celebratory family braai planned for this weekend - I will be in Greece though so Andre and the girls will go and have a bite and fun at the pool with the rest of the team.
First at a conference and then for the rugby. We - the girls and I, weren't able to go as my passport was still in Riyadh for my Greek visa :( This unfortunately meant we saw him for barely 6 hours from Wednesday to Friday evening. The Midnight 10's was apparently really good, the Al Khobar team walked away with 1st place so of course they all came back exhausted but very chuffed.
They have a celebratory family braai planned for this weekend - I will be in Greece though so Andre and the girls will go and have a bite and fun at the pool with the rest of the team.
Photos on Andre's machine and considering he is in Yanbu again, they'll have to wait cos I know he'll never get them uploaded from his side hehehe
Friday, March 02, 2007
a sporting week
Hello everybody :) I know I know its been a while, hey the last post explained it, life she is a busy business.
Well the last week or so has had sport as a highlight for most of us.
André got to go to the F1 testing in Bahrain last Saturday. Hehehe, I called to see how his day was going and to check if he'd gotten to the track .... didn't need to ask the question though, as soon as he answered the phone, a car went past, we had to wait a minute before we could hear anything hehehe very cool ! of course nothing can top seeing Schumi up close, driving in and winning the first Bahrain Grand Prix but cool nonetheless.
Every year our school gets invited to participate in a sports day with the British school on campus. Not anything like our sports days back home. Fun races, everyone participates in at least one.
Lucy's was on Sunday and Aimee's on Monday. Both were very chuffed that dad made it to school to watch - stick-in-the-mud wouldn't take part in any of the parent races though hehehe excuse was that he was taking photos :)
Mom couldn't make it as she was teaching big kids, girls didn't seem to mind though, dad was there !
And finally, well rugby, its Super 14 and even though The Sharks had a bye this last weekend, there are plenty other teams to watch :)
That's us for now then, weekend is done, Survivor Fiji about to start as well as the Cheetahs vs Waikato Chiefs game. Have a good one til we pass this way again :)
Well the last week or so has had sport as a highlight for most of us.
André got to go to the F1 testing in Bahrain last Saturday. Hehehe, I called to see how his day was going and to check if he'd gotten to the track .... didn't need to ask the question though, as soon as he answered the phone, a car went past, we had to wait a minute before we could hear anything hehehe very cool ! of course nothing can top seeing Schumi up close, driving in and winning the first Bahrain Grand Prix but cool nonetheless.
Every year our school gets invited to participate in a sports day with the British school on campus. Not anything like our sports days back home. Fun races, everyone participates in at least one.
Lucy's was on Sunday and Aimee's on Monday. Both were very chuffed that dad made it to school to watch - stick-in-the-mud wouldn't take part in any of the parent races though hehehe excuse was that he was taking photos :)
Mom couldn't make it as she was teaching big kids, girls didn't seem to mind though, dad was there !
And finally, well rugby, its Super 14 and even though The Sharks had a bye this last weekend, there are plenty other teams to watch :)
That's us for now then, weekend is done, Survivor Fiji about to start as well as the Cheetahs vs Waikato Chiefs game. Have a good one til we pass this way again :)
Saturday, February 17, 2007
life is about living
Okay since our last posting, life has just been about living. André was due to head of for a day or two to Yanbu on business again but the technician that would have stayed on, did a runner while on vacation and so André was forced to spend two weeks in Yanbu.
Needless to say the girls and I survived, school keeps us rather busy hehehe. And hence the title, life is about living, nothing exciting going on, just the day to day cycle of wake-up, off to work, come home, homework, bed and it begins again.
Guess the biggest family news happened during & after I chaperoned at our Middle School Valentines dance. Decision time - these girls are never going to a dance, hold me to it ! My goodness teenagers are scary creatures !
André is now home and we had a relaxed weekend at home together. Of course at this stage its mostly about rugby :) Sharks doing reasonably well, hopefully they're just warming up too :)
To all our February birthdays... Ethan, Hanna, Brett, Kim, Gran, Maxi, happy happy, thinking/thought of you on your special day.
'Til you pass this way again, love, laughter, happiness and friendship,
Tracy, André, Aimee and Lucy
P.S. Go the Sharks !!!!
Needless to say the girls and I survived, school keeps us rather busy hehehe. And hence the title, life is about living, nothing exciting going on, just the day to day cycle of wake-up, off to work, come home, homework, bed and it begins again.
Guess the biggest family news happened during & after I chaperoned at our Middle School Valentines dance. Decision time - these girls are never going to a dance, hold me to it ! My goodness teenagers are scary creatures !
André is now home and we had a relaxed weekend at home together. Of course at this stage its mostly about rugby :) Sharks doing reasonably well, hopefully they're just warming up too :)
To all our February birthdays... Ethan, Hanna, Brett, Kim, Gran, Maxi, happy happy, thinking/thought of you on your special day.
'Til you pass this way again, love, laughter, happiness and friendship,
Tracy, André, Aimee and Lucy
P.S. Go the Sharks !!!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
this past week...
The week was pretty uneventful. School and work, up in the morning, out the door, home at night, and repeat !
Wednesday however was International Day at school. First thing in the morning, we all dressed up in clothing from/representing our home country, carried flags we'd made and had a parade at school. Throughout the day, students then got to "visit" the many countries represented at our school by visiting displays our wonderful PTG had put together.
Back to school in the evening for dance, music and food from around our world !
Up earlyish on Thursday morning, we headed for Doha to visit Larry and because André had been appointed to ref a Ladies Rugby Tournament Thursday/Friday. Decent drive, we took it slow because of the wet weather, arrived around 3pm. Off to the rugby where the girls had an absolute ball getting thoroughly soaked and muddy.
Back again Friday mid-morning where we got to get a few signatures from some visiting rugby greats. They have been travelling around the gulf doing some coaching and special appearances.
Wednesday however was International Day at school. First thing in the morning, we all dressed up in clothing from/representing our home country, carried flags we'd made and had a parade at school. Throughout the day, students then got to "visit" the many countries represented at our school by visiting displays our wonderful PTG had put together.
Back to school in the evening for dance, music and food from around our world !
Up earlyish on Thursday morning, we headed for Doha to visit Larry and because André had been appointed to ref a Ladies Rugby Tournament Thursday/Friday. Decent drive, we took it slow because of the wet weather, arrived around 3pm. Off to the rugby where the girls had an absolute ball getting thoroughly soaked and muddy.
Back again Friday mid-morning where we got to get a few signatures from some visiting rugby greats. They have been travelling around the gulf doing some coaching and special appearances.
André being the ref appointed to the tournament got everyone organised, and then the games were on again.
"look at my nice clean clothes !"
(Lucy was pretty pooped and miserable by this stage and was fast asleep minutes after climbing in the car.)
The day was long but absolutely fabulous. We left just before 5pm and thankfully didn't make the detour through Hofuf this time, arrived home just before 9pm. All in all, a good ending to a pretty non-eventful week.
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