A month of farewells...

I don't think I've quite processed our upcoming departure so I'm just focusing on all that needs to be done.  We have had a few very nice events and gatherings to say good-bye to many of the fantastic people we've met during our time here.

Fun going away event for Anna and three other friends who are also moving away. Snacking, slime making and swimming - a great agenda for a bunch of 2nd grade girls!  Thanks to two great moms for hosting this event.

Homemade slime!

Jane and Regan chose to have a laser tag going away party.  

Regan's 8th grade group (in the dark)

8th graders - Red vs. Blue

Anna was too little so she and I hung out playing air hockey

and whack-a-minion

Jane's 6th grade group

The 6th graders

Good buddies - Regan and Daniela

8th grade commencement

They acknowledged the 8th graders who are leaving his year.  Clearly Regan is not the only one relocating somewhere else for high school 

Grown up Regan getting her certificate (she also was awarded with Academic Distinction in most (all? - clearly a lot going on for me to not remember!!) her classes and received the Presidential Academic Excellence Award).

They also showed 'then and now' photos during the ceremony

Zoe and Regan

This group of six are a neat, neat, very close group of friends.  Zoe (left) is coming to Arkansas this summer to see Regan, Daniela (middle) has talked her parents into letting her fly to Washington alone from Columbia (yes, the Columbia in South America and not the one in Missouri for anyone who has heard of *that* Columbia!) to Washington to visit Regan and then fly on her own to Abu Dhabi and Brad (pink shirt) has talked *his* mom into also bringing him to Washington for a weekend this summer.  Lots of tears from this group - but they clearly have plans to see each other again.  Now we just need to find a way to see Harjas and Arnaav, too (hopefully at Christmas)

With my oldest...

Gorgeous graduation cake

Regan's friend Ina sang a beautiful song at the commencement (Bright - with lovely lyrics for a commencement - 'now I'm shining bright, so bright').  We also plan to see Ina in Ireland during our upcoming visit.

And Regan's friend Elizabeth (her *very* first friend in Abu Dhabi!) did a great job playing the guitar and singing.  She surprised her mom who didn't know she was singing (it was the same song her brother sang at graduation before so a sentimental moment for her family)

All the 8th graders

On our way to *my* going away party.  Our driver was named Mohamed so I assumed he was fasting.  We knew the sun would go down right as he was dropping us off so I packed him a few dates.  When we got to our destination I asked him if he was fasting and when he said that he was (and he glanced at his watch nervously.   I handed him these and said, "Ramadan Kareem."  His face completely lit up - I don't know if it was because he was just hungry or if he was pleasantly surprised that a non-Muslim couple would think of him.   I hope he enjoyed his dates.

The beautiful spread at a small going away party for me.  

Waiting on guests with my best guy (he's taking the photo)

Anna

Tray, Shannon, Alicia and Yvette

Leslie and Shahin

Robin and Ranya

Too much sunset - but here I am with dear friend Shahin who is also leaving Abu Dhabi.  We'll definitely get together in California, DC or even Arkansas (she has Arkansas connections, too!).  Only regret was that I didn't get her to take me to Iran before we left the region!

Sunset has special meaning during Ramadan - I was with several who hadn't had anything to eat or even water since around 4 a.m.  We broke the fast with many kinds of dates, juice and coconut water (straight from the shell) and then had a gorgeous spread of all kinds of yummy Arabic food.

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Iftar (breaking of the fast after sunset during Ramadan) with our school board.  Another amazing group of people I feel honored to have worked with for several years.  Will miss this group!

Anna and part of her posse on the last day of school

Anna and Ms. Elizabeth

Anna and Meredith and Elementary Principal, Mr. Johnson - this elementary school has taken good care of our girls over the years!

Ms. Russell (runs the school's service program) and Meredith

Regan and Deanna (the last day of school is *hard* when you are moving....)

Regan and Zoe - tears even though they are seeing each other in Arkansas in two weeks!!!  Funny girls!

The last day of school was school in the morning, laser tag (reprise because it was so much fun last week) in the afternoon and the beach club in the evening.  Not a bad way to spend the day.

Our 3 younger ones and friends

The movers have arrived

Getting all packed up

So what do we do with a dining room with no dining table?  Move our ping pong table down.  I must say that it gets a *lot* more use when it's right off the kitchen than when it's on the 3rd floor way off by itself!  Meredith has turned into quite the ping pong player and can pretty handily beat me (but not all the time!)

Another fun stop - "Wonder Woman" in Abu Dhabi before we go.  Great movie!!