Happy Holidays

We were all set to make the journey to Salalah for the Eid-al-Adha holiday until the Ministry of Health declared a 24hr lockdown for the entire 4 days. Not to be kept down, we declared our own holiday and chose a few doable favorite moments. Matt had recently purchased a large Omani "pumpkin" which he was itching to turn into a pie. Our friends had mentioned doing something similar, putting up a Christmas Tree and having Christmas in July. I wanted to gift them cinnamon rolls so it was the perfect opportunity to have a day of Thanksgiving, a day of Christmas, and a day of New Year. The kids were all over it, even excited for the lockdown. I had a few ideas up my sleeve. Setting goals to get us going on our new adventure? Yes please!

The pie was actually some of the best ever made! We were missing a few spices but cardamom was lovely.

We had rolls, tropical fruit salad, a chicken, homemade mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and spicy sautéed veggies. Everyone contributed.

Alena made a lovely Christmas Tree out of a string of lights with some lovely paper ornaments. Eli's nativity came in my suitcase.

We did 2 1000 piece puzzles.

My kids put together some very sweet gifts for each other. Alena helped Elise make different fun gifts including paper floating pictures that open when you put them in water. Sennia made a decorated oragami animals, Brigham drew pictures he thought each person would appreciate, Alena did something unique to each person. Treasures from her stash, perfectly wrapped for her sisters, watercolor bookmarks for me, coupons for help in the kitchen for Matt, $ frozen in ice for her brothers. Samuel purchased a bag of dried pomegranite? from the souk for the family. Matt and I had big plans to gift a trampoline but unfortunately, it wasn't quite up to our standard and will need to be returned. We did find something for each child.

 

We're now on our last day, the Sabbath. Everyone is making goals and working on a way to watch the olympics. Yesterday, we also worked outside. It was hot but it was also good to get somethings accomplished. Our New Year's Celebration was a good ol' Tex Mex dinner of chips, re-fried black beans, queso and guac. We also played games. I won Scatagories. Maybe the only game I can win.