Doha!

As I published my first post for 2016, I noted that I had a draft containing these pictures from our arrival to Doha.  Better late than never?

We broke up our flights from Spokane to Doha by spending the night in Chicago.  Good to get as much rest as possible along the way.  Our Spokane flight left before 6 AM, so without a break we would have been really tired.

Oscar Mayer wiener mobile at our Chicago Hotel!

The boys room at our hotel in Doha.

Ryan had a bit of jet lag.

Justin had jet lag too.  The boys would try to catch a nap anywhere they could.

It was hard to get over jet lag when it was so hot and dusty outside.  August is not the ideal time to be in Doha.

We quickly found the playground once we moved into our house.

It was too hot to run around at the playground.

The pool was a refreshing place to spend our mornings.

Justin found that he could dry off quickly in the hot sun.

Tbilisi, Georgia Part 2

Part 2 of Tbilisi, Georgia Trip

Oops!  It seems that I forgot to mention our trip to the Georgian National Museum.  Part of that is because, well, it was not very impressive.  The museum also prohibits taking pictures, so I didn't have any to remind me we were there either. While they have a no photos policy, it does not seem to be enforced as I saw many people taking pictures without employees seeming to care.  I would have taken a few too if my children weren't there.  Don't want to set a bad example.  We ended up at the museum after we picked up some croissants at a French bakery.  I had planned on us eating them in the park, but evidently the park didn't open until 10:00.  Silly me.  I don't think I would bother going back to the museum again.  It is inexpensive though and right on Rustaveli Ave so it might be a good rest stop and bathroom break if it is hot outside.

Back to part two now. After lunch we were all ready for a break so we went back to the hotel, put our leftovers in the fridge, and had a little down time.  Justin, of course, read.  Poor boy kept having to DO things and walk so he was happy for a break.


Reading break!

After our break we were able to get the kids out again by saying we would look for a playground.  They can walk to playgrounds.

Random building on a side street.

The playgrounds we saw were quite small, but the boys are easily entertained.  A couple of Georgian (?) children came while we were there and the boys enjoyed playing tag/chase as that doesn't require speaking the same language to enjoy.

As exciting as the playground was, Rob and I decided that we should do something else before heading back to the hotel for the evening.  We doubted dinner would be of interest to anyone after our huge lunch, so we opted for the zoo.

I had very low expectations of the zoo.  It was, indeed, a very sad zoo.  Justin was already in a bad mood that he had to do something else that wasn't a playground and that didn't help.  Ryan was upbeat and cheerful, except when he would fall.

They did have lemurs!  That was probably the highlight.

 The zoo had a small ferris wheel that Ryan wanted to go on.  Too bad there wasn't much to see.  The animals looked just as pathetic as they did from ground level.  Okay, the zebras didn't look too bad, but everything else was just very dingy and depressing.

Who knows what Justin is looking at.

Ah, such a lovely view from up high.

Bleak apartments, at least from the outside.

The highlight of the zoo trip had to be the signs.  They cracked me up.  I guess they get the message across and were much more entertaining than the sad animals they had there.

Justin shares his feeling about being forced to the zoo.

While we weren't really hungry because of our huge lunch, we figured we would want something before going to bed.  We had a taxi drop us at McDonald's and got a few things to eat back in our room.  With the metro so convenient to our hotel, it made for one segment of the trip that Justin didn't complain about.  I think that the boys enjoyed the escalators too.  They are the loooooooooong kind where there are times you can see neither the top nor the bottom.  Puts the long Washington DC escalators at places like Rosslyn station to shame.  Goes at a faster clip too.  A ride within itself!

We had been unable to find anyone who knew where the Chronicle of Georgia was.  In fact, even with a picture of it, people questioned whether it was really in Georgia or we were mistaken.  We ran into some missionaries from our church on the metro and asked them if they knew what we were talking about.  They were able to give us some helpful hints on getting there.  When I got back to the hotel, I had an email from a friend with some suggestions and was able to find a blog post with information.  I swear only foreigners go to it and it is so interesting.  That will be the start of part 3.

March 2, 2014

The weather continues to be mild.  Now that February has transitioned to March, I am hopeful that the weather will continue to be mild and will only improve from here on out.  Yesterday the weather forecast promised highs in the low 60s.  Today it is threatening chance of snow tonight and Wednesday, with highs in the low 50s.  I suppose that time will tell.  Regardless of this week's weather, surely there can't be much more of winter left.

It has been a pretty normal week with Rob going to work, Justin to school, and Ryan to preschool.  The boys enjoy being able to play outside without bundling up.  They also enjoy playing inside with a variety of toys.  It continues to drive me a bit crazy that they get so many things out at one time, but they do play with them.  This week skylanders figures from the wii built block fortresses to fight against imaginext figures.  Evidently they also needed some food so the play dishes and food came out.  It is nice that the boys generally play so nicely together.  It is good for them and good for me as well.

And they still got out more!

Wednesday was my book club night.  I swear that it is always rainy, snowy, or something on book club night and I don't want to leave the house.   Once I am there I do enjoy myself though.  I have been reading some books I wouldn't otherwise read and having a grownup conversation.  Sure, I talk with Justin and Ryan about books like Captain Underpants, but it isn't the same.  This month (March) the group will meet at my house and I chose the book.  It ended up being just a so-so book, but I think we will have a good discussion about it.

Friday was a half day for Justin because of parent teacher conferences.  I am thrilled that he continues to do well in school both academically and socially.  He is fortunate to have a good teacher this year and I keep holding my breath for next year.  We shall see.  Since he spends so much of the day in school, I want him to like being there and it certainly helps if he has a teacher who appreciates him for who he is.

Remember December when my kids had their birthdays?  Well, with Christmas, New Year's, and some other Armenian holidays, I never got around to taking them in for their well child check ups.  I finally did on the last day of February.  Both boys seem to be doing well.  Justin is currently a pound heavier than Ryan and almost two inches taller.  Being over 48 inches is excited for Justin as he can now go on "big" rides and waterslides in a lot of places. Ryan, being the sweetie that he is, is excited for his brother rather than jealous.

After the dr apt we played on the Embassy playground.



J tried to hide from me, but he wasn't fast enough.


On Saturday we needed to run into Yerevan to pick up a black binder for Justin's music class.  No, there is not a Target or somewhere nearby to go to.  We had to go to a stationery store to find what we were after and that would not be out in the suburbs.  Since we had to go for such a boring errand, we decided to do something fun as well.

We found the stationery store and the binder quickly and decided to head over to the History Museum of Armenia.  Justin was very excited because he had already been there.  His class went in to see the cuneiform and other related things during their study of Mesopotamia.  The museum has quite a few interesting things.  Unfortunately, there is no photography allowed inside the museum.  There are a few things that I would have liked to photograph for the blog.  It does kind of free you though when you aren't allowed to use a camera and just see things in the moment through your eyes rather than the camera screen. 

We were in the museum for just over an hour.  The boys were well behaved and even interested in some things, but they were definitely done and ready to get out of there.  Just a good reminder of why we are still not doing layovers in Paris to go to the Louvre.  Interest and attention level of the boys is still definitely more children's museum, science museum, and zoo.  I suppose that they will grow up fast enough and we can be more "cultured" then.  Perhaps.

My cuties.  I was able to get a few pictures outside
of the museum.

Republic Square in the bright sun.

 We went to a little café for lunch.  Rob and I had eaten there before.  They have an English menu with some kid friendly items.  It is really average food, but the boys were thrilled to be there, ate well, and were well behaved.  Good enough for us.  Definitely not a place you would go to impress someone, but we are pretty plain people.

Ryan wanted a picture with the giant ice cream cone.

It was good to get out.  Rob and I agree that we need to make an effort to see what Armenia has to offer.  The boys saw a model of the Temple of Garni in the museum and that is easily accessible so perhaps that will be a place to go in the near future.  Warmer weather and longer hours of sunlight should help.  All in all, we are pretty boring people though.

November 17, 2013

This week I am once again playing catch up.  Last Sunday afternoon, Justin fell asleep during his quiet time.  Now quiet time is something that I need much more than the boys, so for one of them to fall asleep during quiet time is quite unusual.  I tried to wake him up and noticed that he was quite warm.  I took his temperature and it was almost 103.  I decided to let him sleep.  When he woke up, he wasn't feeling well, but that was easily resolved with some Tylenol.  Unfortunately, he was not at all tired, but plenty needy.  He also stayed up very late.  Being the good mother that I am, I went to bed and had him wake me up when he needed me to change the DVD he was watching.  I kept him home from school and it about killed me.  The time he rested gave him super energy.  Maybe I accidently gave him Tylenol with speed or something.  I could hardly wait for school the next day.

So, the past two weeks have been a blur.  It isn't because so much has been happening, but rather because what happens is often routine and doesn't seem much worth noting.

With the kids having their birthdays AND Christmas next month, they have been busy making lists.  I love the spellings they use. :)  The lists are prominently placed on the refrigerator and as they see each other's lists, they often add to their own.  Uh, yeah, like you are really going to EACH get a wii u.

Justin's list

Front side of Ryan's list

Justin's school finished the astroturf playground project.  Ryan enjoys playing on the playground while we wait for Justin to get out of school.  We have been enjoying the mild weather this year.  Mid November and no jacket!  Unfortunately, it looks like that is going to change this upcoming week. 

Justin was very excited that he got an award in school.  His school grades academic skills and what they call success orientations.  Personally, I think that it is a poor system.  It appears that it is easier to get good academic grades (every child can succeed at high levels, right?) than to get the top "grade" in success orientation behaviors.  It looks like grading and ensuring all students can achieve at high levels means we have to keep dropping standards.  Vanity sizing keeps telling me I am getting skinnier.  I guess US grading systems are going to make all of our kids brilliant.  In the meantime, at Justin's school, it is very difficult for students to be honest, work well in groups, show concern for others, etc.  Huh.  I would have thought these were things that we could expect of students regardless of academic abilities.  Shows what I know.  I am proud that Justin demonstrates concern for others, and I really think that he does.  I think he is a very honest child and a poor speller, but his report card, based upon the standards, shows the opposite. 
Note: I think that Justin has a wonderful teacher, I just think many schools are going overboard to make average students think they are geniuses.  What is wrong with being average academically?

 I finally got my driver's license on the 8th, but I haven't driven yet.  We have one car, I can't think of anywhere I really want to go, and I don't know that driving here is something I look forward to doing anyway.  The Embassy helps to make this an incredibly easy process.  It took longer to get to the police station than to get the license. 
I was amused by their driving course.  It was laid out very neatly in a grid-like manner with lines clearly marked on a smooth, even surface.  In reality, lines, if there are any, mean nothing.  Roads have potholes as big as my kids.  Mini bus and taxi drivers are even worse than the average drivers, stopping suddenly or quickly pulling in front of you even though they have the horsepower of a snail in molasses.  Cars break down frequently and become yet another obstacle in the roadway.  Unfortunately, roads are laid out in bizarre patterns and are street signs are rare.  I think anyone who can drive to the police station and get there in one piece should be granted a license.  Perhaps if you can drive on the "civilized" course you are denied your license because it bears no resemblance to reality.

Justin and Ryan are also busy planning every last detail of their birthdays.  Here is part of Ryan's schedule.  He has written things on individual pages so he can rearrange them as needed.

 

 

I really need to post some things to my other blog outlining some of the activities I do with the boys. I keep putting it off until I have time to catch up.  The longer I wait, the harder it is going to be.  I need to just sit down and do it soon without worrying about when I did what.  Here are a few things that the boys have been doing lately.

 Justin continues to invent complicated games that make no sense to anyone but himself.  He likes to get commitments that we will play.  Here is a sign up sheet he made for his Plants vs Zombies inspired game.

sinnitsher = signature

 Justin has been writing stories and of course Ryan has insisted in getting involved as well.  He tires of the actual writing part quickly and will often dictate to me.  As an almost 5 year old, he is not a particularly gifted artist.  I loved this picture though.

Leaves are falling off of the trees.  Ryan and I looked for leaves both big and small.  These were big enough for me to wear on my head.

 I needed to find some buttons to sew on a shirt.  Ryan and I ended up playing with buttons for almost an hour.  This is the kind of thing I love doing with him.

 Ryan and I also worked a bit on telling him. He was excited for a play date and wanted to quickly get through things like lunch, quiet time, and picking up his brother so it would be time sooner.

 Ryan and I read a book about shadows and then tried out some things in the dark bathroom.

 

 Saturday was a surprise baby shower for some of our friends.  The baby isn't due until January, but they are moving early next month.  Justin and Ryan enjoyed the fact that the baby shower was a family affair.

15 September 2013

This week we had decent internet.  Hurray!  It made my life a lot easier.  Ironically, I think I spent less time on the internet when it worked than when it did not.  When it was mostly not working, I spent a lot of time checking to see if it was working and trying to download things very s-l-o-w-l-y and multiple times.

Ryan and I continue to pick Justin up at school in the afternoon.  We leave a bit early so we can watch the frogs.  I am still having so much fun watching them, as is he.  We also go out with our cameras and a clipboard for ABC walks sometimes.  We are trying to get pictures of things that start with each letter of the alphabet.  I think we will be without a few letters, but we are having fun.  The weather has still been in the high 80s or low 90s during the day, but I know that soon it will change.

Ryan and I love to watch the frogs when we go on our walks.

 Grapes seem to be ripe now.  We pass by some houses in the neighborhood with grapes and they have more than they could possibly eat.  I wonder what they do with all of them or if some just spoil.  I was delighted to see that they are evidently ripe everywhere now and very tasty and cheap.  Better enjoy them while we can.  At least everyone in the family likes them.  With the plums, it was just me.

It is grape season!  Since these aren't ours, we bought some at the market.
They were only $1.25 a kilo!  They are small, but seedless and delicious.

 

Rob took Friday off of work because he has some comp time he needs to use before the end of the year.  It was nice to have him around and the boys gone.  We went to Yerevan City Supermarket downtown.  I would rave that it is the best supermarket I have been to here, but I realize that I have only been to Kaiser and to a small little market in the city.  I enjoy the convenience of being able to order online in English from SAS and having them deliver.  Yerevan City had a much wider selection and lower prices.  They also had some things that I haven't been able to find yet.  In the US we wouldn't consider it a particularly great store, but it is all relative.

 

That afternoon when I went to pick up Justin, Rob stayed home with Ryan.  Cyrus and his mom came over to see if Ryan could play.  Justin joined them when he and I got back.  Even more time without the boys.  It was so very quiet in our house.  It gave us some time to get ready for our dinner guests.

 

We had Elder and Sister Reese from church over for dinner.  It was nice to have them over and have time to talk a bit.  In church it can be hard to get to chat much sometimes.  Justin and Ryan were in heaven and treated them like adopted grandparents.  They loved the attention and we enjoyed being able to share an American meal with them.

 

On Saturday Rob had to work for just over an hour.  We chose to go with him and play out on the Embassy playground while he was working.  It is the only American style playground here so it is a special treat.  We drove into the city when he was done.  We decided to see the Cascades.  We parked by the Opera House in an underground lot.  The city has just started charging for street parking, but the tricky part is paying for it.  You can pay in advance at kiosks, if you know where they are.  You can also pay using your cell phone.  The problem is that our provider doesn't have that feature.  Some people have said that since we have red plates (diplomats) we would be okay.  I guess if we should ever need to park in pay parking and not find a way to pay, we can risk it.  The fine is about $12.50 US.  You can pay for parking by the hour, day, week, month, or year.  It is $5/month or $30 for a year so I guess if we think we will be parking on the street we can find a kiosk and splurge.  For now the underground opera lot is perfect for us.  It too is relatively inexpensive (under 50 cents an hour) and not in the sun since it is underground.  It also means you don't have to parallel park. :)



This is the Opera House in downtown Yerevan.  It has a great (and inexpensive!)
underground parking lot that I think will become our regular parking place.

 

It took us a few minutes to figure out where to go once we came out of the lot.  We wandered around the block until we saw it.  It wasn't like you could miss it once it was within sight.

Street signs?!  That is sadly not always common.
These have English too, a real plus.

The Cascades in Yerevan.  Would be prettier if they weren't
doing construction at the top.

Statue of someone who is probably important.

My boys. :)

 

The Cascades consists of many flights of stairs up the hill.  There are statues all along the way.  There is also an art gallery of some sort, but we opted to just check out the statues because the boys were not in the mood for walking around quietly and looking at "boring" things.  The really great thing about the Cascades is that there are escalators under the stairs.  We went in one of the little doorways and took escalators up.  Escalators are entertainment in and of themselves for our kids.  We did take the stairs down and look at the statutes on the various levels.

What could be better than a statue of a naked soldier of some sort?

City view from the Cascades

Mt Ararat would be great to see from here on a clear day.

No idea what they are still working on. 

I spotted a deux chevaux and it made me think of when I lived
in Brussels as a child.

 

 

After we were done walking around, we headed to KFC for a special lunch. Yes, KFC is a special treat here.  It isn't like there is a McDonald's, a Burger King, or Wendy's or anything.  There IS a Pizza Hut, but as was the case in China, Pizza Hut is a somewhat "fancy" restaurant compared to the US.  Maybe we will give it a try soon.  Something about American fast food can be comforting when we are overseas.  Plus it is something that the boys will eat without complaining.

 

We were able to make it home again without incident.  I tried using my phone to help with directions, but Google Maps was absolutely crazy!  When I got home I looked up the problem online and discovered that there was a mandatory update to the app.  I did the update and all is fine again.  It is a VERY helpful app in a place that has few street signs.  Sometimes seeing the street signs doesn't do much for me either because we drive past too far for me to try to match up the squiggles I see with what is on the map.

 

See what I mean?  Which KFC location would you choose and how would you know you were getting close?