The first week was a mixture of excitement, dread and nervousness as they dipped their toes into their new school life. Their school, Al Muna Primary, is right in the city of Abu Dhabi. I am up at 6am, which if anyone knows me well, will know I hate early mornings! Daisy is an early bird so setting her alarm and getting up at this time is a piece of cake for her. Franklyn on the other hand is like me and needs nudging 2 or 3 times before he is awake properly.
The drive to Al Muna is about 30 minutes so we leave at 7am in order to be there well in time for the 7.45am bell. Having spent a few of my early school years in the US, it brought memories flooding back as I watched them all do the national anthem straight after the bell. This is a daily ritual which looks like it is mainly sung by the native kids but you can see that the non natives are trying their best to join in. I think Daisy & Franklyn might master it by the end of this school year!
Their uniform is very smart and they have hats that they must wear at break time otherwise they are not allowed out. Excellent... but of course Franklyn was not too bemused by this as he hates wearing hats. However he has conformed, as football is a priority at school for him so he has quickly learned that he must wear it!
Al Muna school uniform
The children at Al Muna have swimming as part of their school timetable and it is not unusual to have an outdoor swimming pool. The schools in Abu Dhabi all have a swimming team and it is with no question that Daisy wants to try out for this. Her trials are next Sunday and if Franklyn decides to do it too his will be a few days later. Although he is a good little swimmer, football is his first love and the thought of having to attend swimming training after school does not entice him!
As I have already mentioned before, Daisy is already training with Hamilton Aquatics and Franklyn was desperate for us to find a football team for him. So last week Paul took him to the U8's Abu Dhabi Thistle FC trials. He thoroughly enjoyed it so we are waiting to hear if he has made the team. Fingers crossed.
So life without working......very strange. I am so used to flying around and going at 100mph that I'm enjoying this slower pace of life. I could definitely get used to this lifestyle!! I have joined a local exercise group and have met some really lovely ladies. Circuits on a Sunday and Boxerfit on a Tuesday! I've already lunched at one of the girls houses which was lovely! It's amazing how fast 6hrs can pass before it's time to pick the kids up again. I do intend to work at some point but I am just enjoying it while I can. Unfortunately the complex pool is closed and being upgraded so lounging by the pool is not an option this week. Damn!!
Finally, Daisy had a wonderful birthday even if she did have to go to school. Thank you to everyone for all the lovely birthday wishes. She was even given a present by one of the girls she has made friends with which she was over the moon about. She wanted a fish tank for her birthday so since we are all feeling really sad and missing our dog Misty back home, we thought it would be a nice idea to let them both concentrate on something else!
11 years old!!
I hope this finds you all well.....feel free to drop me a line. Missing friends and family very much xx
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