Ned the Ted and ???? the Camel

In the UK they have this great scheme of work centered around Barnaby Bear (check it out HERE). The general idea is that this bear travels all around the world (or just around it's home state/city/town) and tells of it's tales as it goes. All the year 2 classes at JPS are doing a similar thing. Each class has it's own teddy (in term 1 my class had Ned the Ted) and every afternoon a different child gets to take it home. The child then writes a letter from the bear telling the rest of the kids what he/she got up to while visiting with the child. In the holidays I take the bear and write the letter... Last holidays Ned went camping... All my non-teacher friends think it's very strange but oh well!
Anyway I thought it would be fun this time for Ned to retire and usher in a new 'bear' ready for a new term. Heather (who I work with) and I went to a Sushi bar the other day and we took the photos of Ned the Ted meeting his new friend, ???? the Camel.

I haven't decided on a name for the camel yet so suggestions would be welcome!

I know one of the other class teddys flew 1st class to New York this holidays, so I'll be looking forward to the pictures of that! The kids absolutely LOVE this it's a great idea if you're a teacher. Mine bring in photos and everything, it's so cute!

Happy Merry Christmas*

Well, Christmas seems to be over and done with! It was my first Christmas away from family and I think I coped remarkably well, although it's not quite the same. Although Christmas is celebrated here by lots of people, and recognised in some way by nearly everyone, everything was open for buisness like any old odinary day. We even had a call from our bank manger... Just about normal every day stuff which was weird!

In the morning we went to a party at Mike's house (another Drydocks Mike) which was nice, people dropping in before or on the way to their Christmas Dinners.
Chris, Me, Zadok, Sandie and Mike at other Mike's house

After that we came back to ours. At about 3 we had people round to ours and had a meal that we got delivered from a hotel, which was really good. Zadok had to get up at 2am for work so he had a fairly early night.

Mum and Dad called and it was so good to talk to them... Also all the sms back and forth from friends and family make the day that bit more special.

*Our cleaner Netra (one of my favourite people in the world) comes from Nepal and is Buddist, but on Saturday he came in wishing me a 'Happy Merry Christmas' which totally cracked me up. Aso downstairs there is a sign that notifies residents that there will be limited housekeeping services on the occasions of 'Merry Christmas' and also on the occasion of 'Happy New Year'... Very amusing!

Ski Dubai

On Sunday all the Year 2 team celebrated the end of term at Ski Duabi followed by Barasti Bar. Ski Dubai is an artificial Ski Slope that has recently been constructed in the new Mall of the Emirates. It is the largest indoor slope in the world. We just went in to muck around in the snow park rather than to Ski or Snowboard, but I am pretty keen to learn!
Here we all are in an igloo... In Dubai... It's all very strange!

Here I am going on the tobogon, Kate looks mildly concerned, it was quite fast but not quite as long as the Dismal Swamp slide!

Judi wasn't feeling well so she watched from Mall side.

This is the best pic I could take of the actual slope. The longest slope is 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters, quite impressive!

And all of us in the grotto.

'Ffinlo'

We have been slaving away the last few weeks, practising for the Christmas Production, a singing dancing musical spectacular called Ffinlo. It was all about a clown who lost his nose. I have permission for most kid to be on the net now, so here are some snaps!
Here is the whole class (minus those who I cant put on here)

Here is a Muscle Man, Ffinlo and Rudolph

Khalid and his Clomping Camels

and the Agile Acrobats all the way from Alaska

This one is so cute I had to put it on, these are 2 of my Australian kids

I am on holidays now for 2 weeks, YAY! Stay tuned for my next installment... Wendy goes to the snow....

Christmas Parties

Last night we had the Trade Centre residents party, which was held in the Palm Garden at the Trade Centre and also the JPS Christmas function, which was held in the Lawn Garden at the Trade Centre! It was good cause we could be at both. The residents party was quite massive with heaps of food and drink... There was a chocolate fountain but by the time I got there a few too many kids had been dipping their fingers in it for my liking!
Here ae some photos from the school do.
Teresa, Kate and Martin. All from Year 2, Martin is our fearless leader (he also teaches his own class). There are 8 Year 2 classes at JPS this year.

Angie and I. The song my kids did an 'acrobat dance' to in the production came on and we decided we should relive the moment! I have some photos of that and i think I am allowed to post them so I will when I get around to it.

And Zadok and I

X Games

The X Games have been in Dubai and last weekend we headed down to Creek Park to check them out. It was really great. Here are some pics...
Zadok watching the skate ramp, they BMX also and they were amazing on this big ramp.

The motorcross was my favourite, they were going so high and this one guy just kept flipping over every time, and they never crashed.

Tonight we are going to the Trade Centre Residents Party and also the JPS Christmas Do, luckily being held just meters from each other... Should get some pics to post. Mind you noone comments.... I know your visiting your just not commenting... Makes me sad.

Andy's Visit

Last weekend we had Andy, one of Zadok's mates stay with us on his way to Oman. He was heading there for a 6 day bike and road race.... Not my cup of tea especially in this heat! Anyway we had a great time doing all the Dubai things.
Smoking Sheesha

Down on the creek, the little boats are called Abras and are a fast and cheap way of getting across.

In the souq (market) we haven't been down there for ages, you forget that Dubai cheaper, dodgy side to it.

Zadok and I at dinner.

Andy and our friend Chris reclining on beanbags at Bar Zar.

November Left Overs

Here are a few things we got up to I never got round to posting about.

On Sunday we took the kids to Creek Park for a day of 'Healthy Eating' and 'Active Activities'(?). I got smart and took some back-on photos. No one is identifiable so i can put them here I guess...
Checking out the lay out and making a plan of attack... 'there's a playground here, here, here, and here' they tell me.


Enjoying the mini beach, this is the same beach that featured in the Flugtag Photos.


Zadok and I went to the Dubai Race Track and watched the GT 500 (not quite sure what that means). Not really my cup of tea but it was interesting to see the track... Couldn't really get a good shot of the cars though.


And Mike turned 30, oh I mean 29. We celebrated at home then went out for all you can eat Seafood.