The Seamons Family Oasis: January 2012

These are the cool types of events that come to our city here in Abu Dhabi. Really cool because #1- we walked to this event. We live right beside the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. #2- The kids are way into Golf - they take lessons here on Sunday. #3- Because crowds were relatively light - we were seriously 2 meters away from Tiger and Rory.

That is our first glimpse of the competition. A very picturesqe golf course. The grass was amazing!
Forget the big names - why didn't I take pictures of just the green, lush grass? A beautiful day - maybe around 80 degrees. Small crowd (these shots were taken Saturday), surprisingly so because it was a free day if you wore red, the color of HSBC Middle East Bank. HSBC has a big presence here in the Middle East- they were sponsoring! Shukran!

The clubhouse to the left and the new hotel - The Westin on the right. We live in the compound just to the right of the hotel.

Sully trying out the cricket simulator. Not a sport that gringos are typically good at...

Golfing - Grace's new favorite sport.

They had a really cool children's play zone. The kids had their faces painted, colored, played golf and tennis. Hazel is into all things 'doggies' right now...

Audrey and her good friend Holly clowning around....

Grace doing her best to support "TIGER"....

Face painting section.

Sul as a lion! So cute!

Rory - from Northern Ireland. The eventual 2nd place winner!

No - this is not a zoom lense. So cool to be that close.

Tiger Woods- came in 3rd.

Great day! See you next year!

Every year at Raha International School there is a day designated to celebrate each of the student's home countries. It is truly the showpiece event of the school. It is a display of many cultures and all the diversity that is truly what makes Raha -well, Raha. There are 68 countries making up the student body.
Each country is invited to host an expo featuring their customs, food and country facts. Most nations participate. It is entirely volunteer and run by the student's parents. Families are invited to come and celebrate the day and festivities with their children. It was an awesome day! My very favorite of the year, the school year too!

Audrey and Grace woke up at 6:15am to get ready for the day. Grace was chosen to represent The United States of America! How awesome for her! She walked the parade in her red, white and blues, holding the sign for The USA- and as my kids would say "The best country on earth!"

Audrey was elected as class president this year. All Presidents were in charge of set up for the day and ushering. This is also a pic of Eva - one of Grace's best friends and her class president for grade 3.

All the country representatives waiting for the parade.

Grace and Sebastian - both from Utah! Sebastian was from Salt lake City- who knew? Anyhow they had a standing ovation, I was crying, everyone was clapping! It was so awesome! Why was I crying? Well, all the countries came out in alphabetical order. The USA was one of the last. It was just so moving to see all these kids and their pride of home, they were so cute, and friends all with one another. I just kept thinking there really can be world peace.... I was so happy for Grace that she had this honor of walking with her flag. So cool.

This gentleman was an American humanitarian. Apparently he was the only American that was allowed to be in Rwanda offering service. He helped track down, physically - himself, clean running drinking water for various orphanages. He told some amazing stories about children in Africa. They made me so thankful that my children have never known hunger and fear like these kids. Wish there were no children who have ever had to feel that way.

Local Jordanian dancers.

African drummers who seriously ROCKED the House! These kids were up and dancing all over the place! They were great entertainers!

Raha students in home colors!

A sampling of Countries!

Jacie- Our good friends from Colorado, USA.

Fione- one of Sully's KG friends.

**My new favorite Middle eastern Country!!! Yeah Oman!!!

Grace's friend Riyah from India!

Just wondering what it is with all these beautiful Czech gals- tall and cute! All of them!!

Egypt's pavilion was AWESOME! They had a whole cooking crew making one of their National Dishes - KOSHERY. If you have never had the yummy, simple dish you are missing out - Big Time! It is a mix of noodles, fried onions and lentils. Then it is topped with a vinager-ish tomato sauce. So delicious!

Audrey waiting for her turn in the choir. We found that hat at a local dollar store- too cool and funny! Totally perfect for today!

Brilliant idea- an igloo for the Canadian expo.

The USA stand setting up. I sneaked back before everyone came- knowing this is a popular stall.

Some of the candies and country facts sheets.

Hazel and her stickers.

Sullivan and his friend Amir, from The UAE.

Sullivan and his cute teacher- Miss. Michelle from Australia.

Sullivan and his fellow KG mates. They sang "He's got the whole world in his hands" and "There are 7 continents". All the choir pieces were about world peace, keeping the planet clean and understanding one another. How could you not feel soooooo good about enrolling your kids here?