Birthdays and Braais

Although it was an abbreviated work week, the past three days of work felt longer and more exhausting than any other days so far.  We had a lot going on both personally and professionally which led to long days and long nights filled with too much sugar and not enough sleep.  What might have been taking us away from our normal, scheduled life routine?

1)  Heidi's birthday.  Yes ... Heidi celebrated another trip around the sun this week.  Since her birthday fell in the middle of the week, the celebrating was a little more relaxed.  In fact, it did not even really register that she was one year older till she went to the gym and had to punch in the number "32' on the elliptical when it asked for her age.  Aye!

2)  Halloween at AIS.  Okay -- make it Hell-o-ween.  Put together 1,800 students with crazy, ornate costumes and parents who try to show their wealth/"wasta" through the food they bring to a classroom party (subway sandwich platters, Krispy Cream doughnuts, full pizzas, and cakes in the shapes of spiderwebs that cost US $300, anyone?!?) and any sense of sanity goes out the window.  Also, allow said 1,800 students free reign on aforementioned food and see how many students throw up -- go ahead.  Just try it.

3)  A Rugby BBQ fundraiser at the British Embassy.  Now you are probably thinking, "Wait ... they just went to rugby fundraiser at the British Embassy."  True but that one was a ball this one was a BBQ!  One of our co-workers coaches this team and so he got a handful of friends from school (42 of us to be exact) to purchase tickets to eat Braai (look it up) and drink for the kids.  It was a wonderful night to be outside in nature, with friends, hotdogs (all beef of course) and chilled white wine. 

We are now glad it is Saturday and we are transitioning back into our normal weekly routine.  Maybe some would call it boring but we like the life of groceries, gym time, and cooking dinners in.

The best present was this card from our favorite little guy named Elliott (the 3 year old son of some friends).  It came with "sugar free gluten free" muffins made especially by him.

Adam gifted Heidi with some new perfume.  It was so fancy that the box was made of red-velvet.  It would have been even better if the box was made of red-velvet cake!

After work, Adam took Heidi down to the marina for a coffee and a walk.  So pleasant since it is now in the low 70's at night.

Heidi was hoping for a birthday sighting of the Whale Shark who makes his way into these water quite often.  No such luck, this time.

Our little friend Elliott in the AIS ES Halloween parade.  He was the best pirate out there.

Some-bunny did not like having to stay off the big kids playground.

Yes, this is a costume.  Yes, it is worn over a child.  Yes, it did have to get dropped off in two cars and assembled on campus.  Yes, it did take 4 people to get the child inside of his costume.  Yes -- BRILLIANT!

Heading out to the embassy for some dinner, drinks, and dancing.  Not a bad life.  Not a bad life, at all.