Christmas Season is busy even in Saudi Arabia

One would think your social calendar at Christmas in Saudi would be quite empty. Not so, not so. Triniti just recently wrapped up her ballet classes. She's hoping to get a real tutu and ballerina slippers from Santa. Just to keep things balanced she also wants roller blades and all the protective paraphernalia. We attended a winter band concert of Abraham's. He is playing the trombone in the sixth grade band. He had a small solo, maybe I should say duet, and since someone in the percussion section accompanied him. He did an awesome job! He's such a great kid, soon to be a real "teenager." Tuesday, David's high school had a catered Christmas dinner. We were lucky because it was held on our compound. The meal was delicious and the Christmas decorations were beautiful as well as shocking. I was so surprised at the variety of Santas, wreaths and holly. We had a blast. We laughed until our sides hurt during the "white elephant" gift exchange. Wednesday was Solomon's last game of Pee Wee Baseball. He has hit an in-field home run in the last four games. The coaches have started calling him "slugger." He sacrificed his body for the team when he put his bare hand out to stop a line drive whizzing by the pitchers mound. You could hear the slap from the stands. Ouch! He was quite proud of his trophy and tying for first place. Thursday the family attended David's high school drama class performance. It was his first big evening production, "Ebony Scrooge." It's a take-off of the original scrooge but this time scrooge is a 'girl.' The performance was great. Friday there was a Christmas tea for all the kids on the compound. I think this was the highlight of my week. It was held in the villa of one of our British families. They served us mince pies and lots of other goodies contributed by other families with children. About 40 minutes into the party Santa and an Elf appeared. Santa had gifts for all the children. He called their names, they sat on his lap and he gave them a gift. (perfect photo op for parents) Then we went caroling around the compound. I counted 44 people when we first got started. It was so much fun! Saturday, we attended another catered meal, this one was for my school staff, DEMS and their spouses. We had another delicious turkey meal. Excellent service and the waiters came out carrying dessert singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." Again we were fortunate it was held on our compound. My fellow staffers were duly impressed by the Bialik outdoor Christmas light display. David always does a fantastic with the outside lights. Monday we had a cast party at our villa. We were invaded by a bunch a teenagers. After snacks and them watching their performance on DVD we went caroling around the compound again. This time with students from various religious backgrounds, they loved it. Merry Christmas to you all.

The oohs and ahhs as Santa passes out gifts

Solomon and Spencer

Have you been a good boy?