Niha

Last weekend we took the boys for a hike to a fort that had been built in the side of a cliff during the Crusades. 

Brought to you by the letter "C"

Cucumbers and cookies

Brought to you by the letter "C"

Cucumbers and cookies

Park

After going to a park almost everyday when we were in America, the boys have not been to one since. Until today! While drive in the mountains we stopped in one town for lunch and found a nice park. 

Match

Jonas, if you can believe it, has met his match!

Still going west

He did this to himself..

Our All-Star Game

Zaki used to want to play baseball all the time. Since we have been back from America though he has been much more into soccer and football.  Today he wanted to play baseball, and after missing the first four pitches he remembered how to bat again then started to hit everything. Here are some pics of Jonas batting.  Also Jonas has turned out to be a lefty. Here he is trying to make Zaki's mit work. 

Brought to you by the letter "R"

(Old also)

Well unfortunately the saga continues. (And don't think that I am ungrateful, with all the political unrest and human suffering going on around us, that this is my struggle keeping us awake at night) with that said! Ugh!!! Well we thought the nasty thing had come up through the drain, BUT we found two holes in the screen window of the kitchen. I had defrosted some meat Saturday in the balcony that had left a strong enough smell to attract the critter. And we can only guess he couldn't get down. We put 4 glue traps in the bathroom, with no success. We put out poison in cheese this morning. And have not caught it yet! We heard it scratching at the door through the night trying to get out. I have spared you all these awful stories, but no more. Now I tell all!!! But to stay on theme the boys made rats from toilet paper rolls for the letter "R" painting project.

Sunglasses

We hate the sun in our eyes. 

Ugh!

(This is an old blog, never before published due to my mother in law's impending visit.  She has come and gone, so this post can now be seen :  )

Piece of chewed fruit on the kitchen counter, half chewed egg roll that HAD been wrapped in foil on the other counter, those two clues combined with Bill saw the thing in the back bathroom! Has led us conclusively to believe we had another RAT sneak in. Past two metal screens cemented into the drain! Everyone say with me " UGH!! "

As it turns out he actually came in through a door. We noticed his poop out on the balcony off the kitchen.  He is now stuck in the bathroom. We are just waiting for him to be caught in our traps. 

Winter in July

Yes, It has not been too hot here this summer.  But the boys have been taking it a bit too far. Jonas sits on a cushion and pretends its a sled. Zaki last week was even making snow angels. 

Going west

While Bill and I are treasuring the not really hot days, overcast sky's, and cool breeze throughout the house. The boys are pretending its cold outside, putting on bits of winter clothing, and marching around the house singing "going west" (I imagine it is something from Backyardigans). They refused to take them off for quiet time, Jonas insisted he was cold. Crazy boys!

Cherry season

Eat your heart out Gramma! $2.75 - $4.00 a kilo! The size of quarters, and the perfect blend of sweet with tart. ( this is my annual cherry picture for gramma )

Fly

Bill's new app allows him to write on pictures.

Three's company

Bonding

TV time has been increased from weekend only to a few programs a day. Of which, must include some French, Arabic and English.(justified) The boys look forward to their tv time and will ask if there is power through out the morning. Yes tv is mind numbing, blaa blaa but man the house stays cleaner. And if both boys are contained Anna-Lena is entertained just by their presence, she doesn't feel the need to crawl into the kitchen trash or bathroom.

Quick Dip

Some friends of ours in Tyre had a baby last month.  We needed to go and give a proper congratulatory visit.  Lucky for the boys they have a girl their age. Even better, these people live right next to a beach.  So the guys got to take a quick swim while mom and Anna-Lena went to the supermarket.  

4th in Lebanon

We had our annual 4th of July party at our house. American flag cakes, s'mores,    

sparklers and fireworks were part of the day.