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We survived 1st week of school

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A week has passed since V started kindergarten and we can conclude that he is enjoying his time.

V proudly shows off his Star reward from school

Few funny things happened though…

Sunday (1st day of swimming lessons):    He went home with an extra swimming trunks and when I asked him about it, he insisted that his friend gave it to him. As I was stripping him off his school uniform to my surprise “Where’s your brief, love?” he replied with a smile “I gave it to my friend.”  When C arrive home from work he proudly showed his dad the extra trunks “I have a surprise for you Daddy! Taaannaaan…See new underpants!”

Monday:     “Ma, Teacher got upset with V because I don’t know how to listen” This was the only day that he didn’t come home with a star on his hand (or face)

Tuesday (P.E. Class):     Came home wearing a different pair of shoes.

Wednesday:     He would always greet me with a big smile as the school bus door opens but today was different he look really sad. The bus nanny handed me his bag and said “V kept telling them I want my mommy.” V with a sad face this time didn’t say bye to his friends, and when he get hold of my hand gave a loud cry and just kept saying “I miss you Mama.” It was not until we cuddled in bed that he manage to tell me what happened.

V: “I miss you Mama. There’s no mommy to take care of me in school. My friend did not want to share book in the bookshelf and hit me on my bonbon. No mommy there.”

M: “Did you tell teacher?”

V: “No. I cry and tell teacher that friend palot me here (pointing his hips)”

We cuddled for 10 mins and he was OK, while eating lunch he then said that his friend said Sorry because teacher got upset of his friend. I was initially worried that the incident will lead to him not wanting to go back to school, so I asked him if he wanted me to talk to Teacher. He just replied “Nope. Friend S and I are now friends.”

By the way, he got plenty of stars that sad Wednesday.

Slowly we are managing quite well with our new school routine. V off to bed at 8pm that could stretch to 9pm with endless request of one more bedtime story, and he’s up before Mr. Sun at 6am.

a happy basketball day to my bana – C

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C turned 33 last September 8 and we didn’t get to celebrate 😦 but I made him a basketball themed cupcake and cake that we shared among friends.

His office big boss was in Dubai on his birthday week, he went home late to attend meetings and entertain guests who flew from Thailand and London. He instead had birthday dinner with them, to which V complained “Why no daddy? It’s night time and happy birthday today.”

He’s not into big celebration for his birthday, and was even not too keen to bring the basketball themed cupcakes (above) in the office. “Ma why did you have to make yourself too busy forming fondant (he hates fondant) when all I wanted was plain chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing.” When he saw my sad face, “Love, I just don’t want you to get tired. Thank you for the cupcakes.” Yes, he’s appreciative and sweet that way.  I also want to make the cupcakes pretty! Would it not be more odd if I designed a 33 y.o grown man’s cupcake with colored sprinkles instead?

Month’s before his birthday I already had a cake design in mind and when he informed me that he won’t be home for dinner on his birthday, well I just decided to bring the cake to his basketball game it would also be our potluck contribution.

I had a feeling that he would once again complain if I put in a “happy birthday” message on the cake. He doesn’t want that kind of attention, it was after all a basketball game and not a birthday party.

Kid’s took turn to blow the candle and each of them felt like it was their birthday. V insisted that his friends just borrowed the cake while telling everyone “It’s daddy’s cake. I help Mommy make it”

To the man who never fail to make me laugh after annoying me to bits. V’s best friend, play mate and best daddy. Everyday I thank Mister God for giving us a blessing in you.

Happy Birthday Daddy C!

Little Man went to school

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We have been preparing V for months, talking about playing with friends in school and him riding a school bus with no Mommy.

Day before kindergarten start we had this conversation…

M: You will go to school tomorrow na.

V: Don’t be sad Mama. You’re a big girl, just cook adobo and wait for Vierte.

And he gave me a big hug and a yummy wet kiss. Writing this now just makes me cry, wasn’t it not just yesterday that I gave birth to a bouncy baby boy.

Books covered and labeled. Uniform washed and ironed. Shoes brushed and socks ready. V all set for school.

I was up at 3:30am definitely excited for V’s school day and by 6am breakfast was ready. Daddy C slowly whispered to him “it’s time to wake up little boy.”  We had a bit of a struggle that morning V crying that he wants Mommy to go to school with him. “I don’t have a mommy to embrace me there”

After bath time he was his cheerful self again making sure that his bag was ready. Three of us inside the car off to school. V insisted on pulling his Pocoyo bag all by himself as we walk the school grounds.

There was a mistake on the section written on the admit slip given to us good thing he was not yet settled inside the wrong classroom. V was the second student to arrive in his class as soon as we got him seated he pulled me and whispered “Mama hold my hand.”  Teacher seem to notice that he was a bit scared so she gave him a toy to play with and he immediately let go.

Parents were asked to got out of the classroom, V waved his hand “Bye Mama. Bye Daddy” I soo wanted to stay there and peek through the door to check if he’s ok but then we we’re all asked to leave the corridors.

My bana C took the day off to see our son on his first day in school and to keep me company.

School Bag Tag

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The day we got back from our vacation we claimed V’s school books and uniform, yes we are excited.

V has a total of 10 books which I have yet to label and cover. Book cover used here is very different from the book cover we use back home. A mom friend advised me to cover a dummy book on my first try and do it slowly.

I’m looking for ways to personalize book labels and bag tags, doing crafts is just not my thing, I can only do one if there’s an instruction (with illustrations please) right in front of me. That’s why I’m happy that I came across Jill’s blog – Controlling my Chaos, she’s a teacher with two lovely daughter, I absolutely love how she organize things and how she makes things pretty. Anyway, I got this  bag tag idea from Jill I don’t have any digital scrapbook software instead I used MS powerpoint, I have yet to find a wood and a Mod Podged mentioned on the post.

Any tips you’d like to share for a 1st time school mom?

Vacation mode

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V all set for vacation

1 more sleep and we’re on vacation! I’ve been busy making list of things we need to bring: travel documents, hotel reservations, medical papers, government records, and emergency numbers.  Clothes – done. Now what else?

Stay safe everyone!

Fresh Fraisiers for July Daring Bakers

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Fresh Fraiser Cake

20 something Jana of Cherry Tea Cakes was our July Daring Bakers’ host and she challenges us to make Fresh Frasiers inspired by recipes written by Elisabeth M. Prueitt and Chad Robertson in the beautiful cookbook Tartine. The day the challenge was revealed I was both scared, excited and full of questions – what if I don’t find the ingredients, what if I won’t be able to complete or if I totally fail?

I stumbled upon Daring Bakers way back 2006 I applied, got accepted then I backed out and didn’t once again got the nerve to join the group, guess life back then was well kinda complicated.

Daring Bakers Fresh Fraiser

Here I am 5 years after my first attempt to be a Daring Baker actually completing a challenge but waited the last minute. Yes, I was studying the recipe for weeks and only managed to work on the challenge yesterday because my phone reminded me of the deadline. Lazy lazy me.

This is my first time to incorporate fresh fruits on a cake, reading how to make Fresh Fraisier made me miss my Mama who absolutely love fruits on her cake. She’d stare at the beautiful fruit cake dessert and cherish every bite. I just hope I can squeeze some time to make this for her on our vacation.

FraisierCakeChocolateGanache

As I take out the cake Vierte requested if he can put sprinkles and chocolate which led me to make a chocolate ganache that we spooned over the sliced cake. Since the strawberries were not that sweet the ganache somehow added a bit of twist to the fraisiers freshness.

I absolutely had fun completing this Fresh Fraisier challenge while thinking about my Mama and celebrating FIA’s 1st birthday.

Once again a Yummy Happy Birthday to my fellow UAE Food Bloggers! Enjoy some virtual Fresh Fraisier slice.

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Happy Birthday UAE Food Bloggers (aka FIA)!

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Happy 1st Birthday FIA!

A special yummy birthday post for a food loving and equally beautiful 56 talented UAE Food Bloggers!

 

My once a upon FIA story began when I commented and joined Rajani’s (eatwritethink) blog giveaway April this year.

 

MyNappytales started as a baby-mommy blog then I stopped when we moved here for Mr. C’s work, fast forward to March this year I decided to write about food and once again I found time to blog. I actually first virtually met Kari and Sandy when Vierte had some chicken and soup craving which led to visiting other UAE base bloggers. I didn’t know then that FIA existed.

 

After 3 food related post Rajani asked if I wanted to join a UAE food group without hesitation I said YES. Arva (iliveinafryingpan) fried up an overwhelming welcome message (made me smile ear to ear) and introduce me to the group FB page.

 

I already got to meet some of them at the Farmers Market for some photography lesson, baked our goodies at BakeFestDXB, lined up at Tavola to meet Martha Stewart, and just recently went on a food safari at Atlantis. From finding one food item to restaurant recommendation to photography tips each one helps.

 

FIA added spice to my boring SAHM life, everyday I read and learn a thing or two on each blogpost.

 

Besides winning the blog giveaway I aslo won a new set of friends. I’m so happy to be among happy delicious people.

Happy Birthday 1st birthday Famished In Arabia!

 

Hop on to Ms. FryingPan’s  post here for some FIA history.