SoMu(ch) To Do in Kuwait ;)

You know, we always joke that there isn't a whole lot to do in Kuwait, but we wouldn't still be here 7 years later if that was the honest truth.  The REAL TRUTH is that, with a sense of fun and a willingness to explore (with PATIENCE!), you can find yourself with a long list of places to visit during the Eid holiday :)

Yesterday we took the girls to Kuwait City to run around in the SoMu district.  It reminds me of a mini Covent Garden (Phil's favourite place in London!), with trendy boutiques and cafes scattered around a central square.  Juliet and Eleanor embraced the role of "street performer" during our outing, grabbing the attention of those walking by and earning high-fives and kisses for running around in the insane desert heat.

After winning over the crowd (ha!) and admiring some street art, we headed to a cafe called "CAFFEINE" for some A/C, snacks and drinks.  I held strong to my COFFEE IS A HOT DRINK ONLY belief, ordering a spiced latte that was delicious and gosh-darn BEAUTIFUL.  Everyone else stuck to their "40 degrees is too freaking hot for hot drinks" belief and ordered iced tea or cold coffee.  There were also brownies involved - rumoured to be super yummy :)

We would have stayed at the cutest cafe on Earth for much longer, but there are certain cues you need to take with two little ones in tow.  Juliet yelling "poopy coming!!!" under the table is one of them....

On the way back to the car, we ran into some dancing water fountains that really tested our parenting skills.  It was hot, you guys.  And there was water, you guys.  And the girls are 3.5 and 1.5, you guys.  So you'll be SUPER IMPRESSED to know that both kids returned to the car DRY and neither parent had to freak-out to get these satisfying results.  What can I say?  Sometimes you just get lucky ;)  

We can't wait for the weather to get increasingly MORE PLEASANT as the days go on.  Kuwait might be unbearably hot for parts of the year, but it sure does have an exceptionally long season of PERFECT WEATHER.  All of you back home will be jealous soon enough :)

Before I sign off here, below is a video of our neighbourhood in Mahboula, Kuwait.  Sydney's Daddy has a drone (gasp!!!!!) and is a top-notch technology man.  Check out his MAD SKILLS (understatement) and the buildings where we live.......

Mahboula Block 1 from KO Productions on Vimeo.

Hopefully your Monday is a lot more colourful than our surroundings ;)

XOXO

Passport Photos. With a Toddler.

Juliet's temporary passport is nearing its expiration date, so we decided to get her passport photos taken in Canada and apply for her new passport once we returned to Kuwait.  Initially, it seemed simple enough.  The job could be done at the pharmacy across the street and Juliet is used to being in front of the camera (#mamarazzi).  EASY.  PEAZY.

Well, these are some FAMOUS LAST WORDS, my friends.

(If only we had the security surveillance video from this Parkinson Affair.) 

Introducing Our Passport Photo Experience, By The Freak-Out:

The first attempt included Juliet and Phil only.  Because, how hard could it be?

Freak-out #1 - Juliet refuses to sit on the photo stool by herself.  Phil lost some beard hair and gained some scratch marks on his arms and neck.

Freak-out #2 - Phil retrieves Smarties for bribery purposes, but faces the same battle once Juliet realizes it's all a trick.  More beard hair gone.  More scratches obtained.

At this point, Juliet was hysterical and Phil left the store with a box of stolen Smarties.  He returned to the house to pick up the rest of the team for attempt number two.  Nory was reluctant to leave the house (#ownagenda) and stayed in her Minnie Mouse footie pajamas for the journey.  We promised her a treat when we got back to the house.  (P.S.  Does everyone use bribery as much as we do?  No?  Oh.) 

Freak-out #3 - My gift wrap and ribbons dance (compliments of Hallmark!) was only effective with fellow shoppers.  Everyone in the entire pharmacy was smiling except for Juliet (and if I used the term "FML", I would use it in this very instance).  Also, it turns out your face must be snot-and-tear-free in passport photos.  Who knew?

Freak-out #4 - We finally ditched the stool.  Phil did some serious yoga with Juliet on his shoulders in order to get the perfect shot.  Things were going well until the camera broke.

Freak-out #5 - While the lady was fixing the camera, Juliet swatted the box of Smarties out of my hands and Nory shrieked at the dispersal of Smarties on the pharmacy floor.  This sent Nory off to find new treats in other parts of the pharmacy.  MARCO?????????

Freak-out #6 - The camera is working, snot-less snapshots were taken and we think we're home-free!  Alas, there was a glare on Juliet's forehead and the shot was unusable.  I think this freak-out was had by Yoga-Daddy Phil.

Freak-out #7 - Nory is tired of being at the pharmacy.  Juliet's passport photo has still not been secured.  I decide to give-in and let Nory buy the whole store.

Freak-out #8 - SUCCESS!  A picture is taken that meets all of the passport requirements!  HALLELUJAH! Let's check-out and BLOW THIS POP-STAND!  But wait, Nory starts crying because she didn't get her picture taken too...

It was a TRIP, I tell you.  The photos were supposed to cost $14.95.  BUT......after leaving the store with two passport photos, one pack of Smarties, one giant Shopkins toy, one iPad stand/drink holder, and a giraffe neck pillow, the ACTUAL TOTAL cost of our passport photos was $68.95.

To make ourselves feel better, we've divided this amount by the number of valid passport years.  It eases the soul. (And other lies we tell ourselves...)

In case you forgot, don't ever take parenting advice from us ;)

THREE CHEERS FOR TRAVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I MISS YOU, I MISS YOU, I MISS YOU!!!!!!

It's been pretty much a legitimate FOREVER since we last hung out.  But I pretty much have SEVERAL legitimate reasons for our time apart....

MY LEGIT REASONS:

1)  The girls battled hand, foot, and mouth disease for 10 days after arriving in Kuwait.  It's the worst way to make new friends because it's super contagious and weird looking.  Also, it's not the greatest conversation starter with those who have landed in a brand-spanking-NEW place.  Luckily, we've rose above the quarantine, reconnecting with old friends and making many new ones :)

2)  Phil and I won an Olympic Gold.  And, just like Penny Oleksiak, we had to return to school immediately afterwards.  #OlympianWoes

3)  Nory started preschool or "CDC" as they call it here.  She is doing the morning session (7 to 10), riding in with us before 6 a.m. and taking the school bus home with her little friend Sydney.  It's been an adjustment (HELLO EARLY MORNING WAKE-UPS!!!!), but a really positive one overall.  She's decided that after taking two years off, the odd nap here and there can't be too awful ;)  She's also decided that, with free dress week being over, she needs as many pink accessories as possible to jazz up the blue uniform.  More pictures to come! :)

4)  Juliet is in the thick of TANTRUM SEASON, Pebble-Style-Pony-Tails, and Side-Tongues.  By the end of the day, her particular-ness has taken it's toll and we're ready for BED.  Like....IMMEDIATELY.

5)  We received the sad news that THE BEST PUPPY DOG IN THE WORLD has gone to heaven.  Our sweet and caring Coco became sick and had to be put down last week.  We're struggling to explain this concept to the girls and my heart breaks every time Juliet hits my computer and yells "NANA!  GRAMPY!  COCO!!!!"  We haven't had a FaceTime chat since she's been gone and, to be honest, I am dreading the moment that we do.  That "puppy" was so full of love for all of the grandkids.  It's just not going to feel the same without her next summer.

6)  Em and I have been working hard at The Glue headquarters (Em's apartment!).  It's so much fun to have this little company together and, even if it doesn't grow in size, it's grown more and more meaningful over time.  I love you, Gem!  It really is THE GLUE that keeps us together :) xo

7)  Lastly, Bitmoji.  Don't get it, you guys.  It will CONSUME YOUR LIFE.  And this is not an understatement....

The FABULOUS news is that we are on holidays until September 18th and I will have (I mean, theoretically) lots of time to catch up with y'all :)

Miss you guys!

Freezies Are The Worst

*** Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Mr. Freeze ;)

My most recent revelation in the summer treat department is that freezies are the worst. I don't know how they ever became a thing or how they continue to remain a thing in recent times. 

Here's why:

1) They are cold. And I know that other summer treats are cold, but freezies are the only ones that don't accommodate your temperature needs with a stick, cone, spoon, etc.

2) You need scissors to open them. Scissors and little people aren't super compatible. Neither are scissors and tired parents. 

3) They cut the sides of your mouth. Or, even worse, they cut the sides of your teething toddler's mouth.

4) They can't be consumed without a small child asking you to help them "push it up", which exposes yourself to the aforementioned cold temperatures and interrupts the five minutes of peace you hoped for.

For these reasons, it seems like a no-brainer to abolish the freezie phenomenon and stick to ice cream and popsicles. At the very least, freezies should be sold exclusively to those with more patience (so, grandparents). 

Sigh.

Good luck in the final weeks of freezie weather, Fellow Parents.

I get it. 

They are the worst. 

Back in Kuwait!

Another interesting journey with two little ones is behind us!  We did it.  And I'm even kind of AWAKE today to tell you about it ;)

Major Points of Discussion:

1)  Nobody vomited the entire way!  GO TEAM!  (You might remember that both children did this on the way to Canada in June.)

2)  Juliet hardly slept on either flight, although when you expect this to be the case, you're not even disappointed when it happens ;)  Her age makes her a wiggly travel companion and we're just sucking that up and moving on....

3)  The Airplane Fairy is our saviour.  If we've learned ANYTHING at all by traveling with kids, it would be this:  BRIBE, BRIBE, BRIBE!!!  (Ha....maybe DON'T take any parenting advice from this site.)  Here are the girls in their new "cozy ones" that we changed into at Toronto Pearson (after going back and forth on the moving sidewalk a bazillion times because it was located conveniently by the family washroom):

Our two beauties, so full of smiles pre-flight #1 :)

4)  Nory hardly made a peep the entire second flight because.........STICKERS.  I couldn't believe it when the flight attendant asked us what was "going on here".  OBVIOUSLY, I was doing my darnedest to make sure everyone else on board had the most enjoyable flight of their life.  I also don't think she realized that taking the stickers OFF the headrest (ah-hem, CLEAN-UP) was Juliet's half of the activity.

5)  Both girls started to lose it as we began our descent in Kuwait.  It was perfect timing!  If you haven't tried waiting over an hour for luggage when nobody in your family has ANY PATIENCE LEFT FOR EACH OTHER OR LIFE.......I recommend you don't try it EVER :)  Haha.  It wasn't that bad.  But it felt that bad on zero hours of sleep.

Our reunion with Kumari was the sweetest thing.  She was waiting for us outside the housing complex when the taxi pulled in and the girls were thrilled to see her!  Even Juliet wanted to be held by her and Jet's been glued to Phil all summer long.

It feels nice to be back at our Kuwait house.  Ben and Winka are flat favourites and Kumari seems to be the adult of choice for playtime.  Phil has been going into work (#DreamJob) and I've enjoyed some Gilmore Girls on Netflix ALL BY MYSELF (gasp!).  All of us are fighting through jet lag and colds, but the girls slept for 15.5 hours IN A ROW yesterday, so we are well on our way to getting back to normal :)

Emily and Steve arrive tonight and we are so pumped!  I still can't believe Steve will be a hallway away this year!  Just like old times :)

Sending much love to you on this Tuesday morning!
XOXO

YOLO Grandma

For the longest time, we called Grandma (Phil's Mom) "Crash/Bang/Boom/Blend".  This nickname goes way back to our post-baby days, when we would stay at The Parkinson House and wake up to the sweet, SUPER LOUD sounds of a woman up and at 'em!  She drove us NUTS (sorry, Grandma!), but it was her house so.............ya know.  We lovingly declared her CBBB and laughed off every ounce of sleep we missed out on.

Then came this summer.  And her 10 day visit.  And I realized that CBBB no longer applies.  And there is another title that is much more fitting...

YOLO Grandma!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who don't hang out with 13 year olds ALL DAY, for most of the year, "YOLO" stands for "You Only Live Once".  It's basically the equivalent of "Carpe Diem" for the younger generation and, after this series of pictures, I think you'll understand how it applies to this wild and wonderful woman that the girls call Grandma:

1)  She jumps on the trampoline - without the standard BEGGING that results in ME going on the trampoline.

2)  She goes swimming in the pool - also without the standard BEGGING that results in ME going in the pool.

3)  She makes Lucky Charms Squares WITH SPRINKLES ON TOP!

4)  She plays Pie Face.  #LikeAChamp

5)  She believes in EASTER IN JULY.

6)  She believes that "getting Nory ONE PAIR of shoes for school" is a flexible thing.  (And that Jet should never, ever be excluded from a trip to the shoe store!)

Oh YOLO Grandma.

We LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

We can't wait to see you in February at Nory's FOURTH Birthday Party!!!!

XOXO

LAPTOPLESS is not my best look.

My computer is basically my third child, so I've been quite distraught this past week not really knowing it's fate.

It all started a few weeks ago when my MacBook picked up a weird "trovi" virus, causing my entire computer to MOVE AS SLOW AS MOLASSES (#NoPatienceToBeginWith).  I always thought that Apple products were IMMUNE to these sorts of things, but WHATEVER, I was able to (oh so slowly) Google the way out of that dilemma.  I felt pretty tech-savvy for the first time ever and assumed it would be smooth sailing moving forward.

But nope.

A week or two later, when the girls fell asleep early one evening, I jumped at the opportunity to write a spontaneous blog post or two.  I started my unexpected blogging session as I always do, with a big smile and a happy little click on the iPhoto icon.

ERROR MESSAGE.

I was told my iPhoto library was totally inaccessible. 

I tried to open it again.

STILL INACCESSIBLE.

And again.

STILLLLLL INACCESSIBLE.

My heart started to race as I thought of all the summer photos that had yet to be backed up.

Eventually, I transitioned from Sobbing Baby Mode to Problem-Solving, "I just removed a virus from this laptop BY MYSELF" Mode.  I had faith that a quick reboot would solve everything, as it tends to do with all technological devices that exist....

Well, friends.

This "solution" was the poison apple of my MacBook story - sending my computer into a long, un-boot-up-able sleep.

SWEET DREAMS (of an overdue date with my blog) SHATTERED. Technological confidence CRUSHED.  Lots and lots (and lots) of crying over potentially lost pictures ensued....

Here's a really cute picture of my kids to distract you from the sadness you inevitably feel for me:

Cutting to the chase here, we were able to contact the local Tech Ninja (#LakefieldForTheWin) and he solved all of my computer troubles.  Four days, a new disc drive, and a new somethin', somethin' cable later and WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS, my friends!  It cost us a bit of coin, but I think Phil's just happy I've stopped crying.

Also.

I thought I had 12,000 pictures on my computer that were at risk of vanishing.  Turns out I had 39,000.  And 1400 videos.  So glad I discovered this AFTER the Tech Ninja came to the rescue!

It's August, So Here's a Parkinson Tidbit FOR YOU! :)

While making a salad one night, I stumbled upon:

1)  Nory's Chelsea doll

2)  Jettie's partially nibbled rice cracker

3)  Our collection of summer hair ties

Turns out Juliet has been using the salad spinner as her hiding place this summer and, despite our discovery, she continues to use the container as a long-term storage bowl for all of her treasures.  Stickers, random pieces of fluff, markers without their lids.....everything that she deems as AWESOME will find its way into the spinner.

And it is allowed to stay there.  

Because we don't have the heart to remove EVERYTHING (with the exception of half-eaten food) from it.  Also, we'd much rather face the embarrassment that comes with our friends making a salad at our house....OY.

Happy August, everyone!  Only 12 more days of Salad Spinner Treasures until we fly back to Kuwait.

Nory is the best big sister.

I mean, the girls sure do fight with each other.  And there is sometimes pushing and hair pulling.  And there is practically always an issue with sharing toys (ughhhhhh).

BUT.  

That's regular sister stuff.  Sibling stuff.  Normal stuff.  It doesn't define what makes a big sister GREAT.

THIS STUFF, HOWEVER, DOES:

*  Reminding people that, "my sister can't eat too much chocolate because it makes her sick."  She does the same thing with blueberries, too :)

*  Snuggling Jet on the couch in the morning, giving her a gentle kiss and whispering, "You're so cute.  I love you so much."

*  Playing peek-a-boo to make Juliet smile.  It's Nory's go-to baby game and, even though Juliet seems to be past the whole peek-a-boo phase, it's a trick that works well between the two of them.

*  Making crafts to surprise Juliet.  "And this special one, I made it for you, Sister!!!"

*  Always thinking of Jet when she's shopping without her.  "But what about Juliet?  We need to bring her something too!"

*  Letting Juliet know what's going on.  "Today ______________ and ________________ are coming over and it's going to be so much fun!"

And then there's the ultimate proof that Nory is THE BEST BIG SISTER.  The validation that comes from the BEST LITTLE SISTER.....

Juliet is constantly asking for Nory.  She loves to know where she is or what she's up to.  It's her first word in the morning and it's often her first word when she talks to other people.  I used to think she was introducing Nory to our guests, but now that it's continued with the regulars, I'm pretty sure she's saying, "There's Nory.  She's my big sister.  And she's got my back."  It's as though Nory is her safety net and I can't think of a better Strong Girl to have on her side :)

After writing this post, I am inspired by Nory to be a better big sister to my two sisters, but also, a better "sister" to the wonderful gals I call FAMILY.

Here's to being more kind and more thoughtful to the people around us.

Happy LONG WEEKEND, Canada!
XOXO

WATCH THIS!

Nory wants us to watch everything she does.  LITERALLY, EVERYTHING.  Even when there's nothing particularly interesting going on, like when she's sitting at the island in the kitchen, asking me to watch her various poses.....

"WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!"

 

"WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!"

She has even learned to say, "here comes the really good part!" when she feels as though she's about to lose our attention.  It's really, really sweet.  Unless you try to converse with anyone other than her whilst "watching this".  Then the Nornado comes out and lays down the ground rules.  She doesn't believe in The Multi-Tasking Viewer.  #sigh

Anyways, speaking of WATCHING THIS, the village of Lakefield was lucky to overhear a non-stop rendition of Frozen's "Let It Go" last weekend.  Residents can thank Grandma and Grumps for the new dress-up clothes that prompted the afternoon of musical theater.  For your convenience, it's been shortened to under a minute :)  Don't forget to hang in there for "THE REALLY GOOD PARTS!!!"

Well, I think this video has just about encouraged me to LET GO of the horrible bedtime experience I just endured with the Nornado.  She's sleeping.  I got to blog.  And now Phil is going to watch an episode of The Bachelorette with me!

We hope you had a wonderful weekend! XOXO