You know your in Iraq when........

Your son builds a city and says.....

 "Here is the Mask (mosque) that says the answer to prayer (Call to Prayer)"

Staycation

Our weekend WAS going to start by leaving the school picnic early and taking a taxi to Erbil to enjoy a weekend of refreshment. Getting out of our city, going to a mall, eating out, having life a little more "western" etc.  But with our earlier than planned arrival back to Iowa (May 30th) we decided to save some $ and have a STAYCATION instead.  IT WAS AMAZING! 

We had our schedule of events planned, pool ready, and rules of not answering the phone, or the door. :) 

The first night we went out for pizza and walked to the DVD store and picked out some movies for the weekend.  We set up a little "movie theatre" under the stars.  

Got our jammies on, snacks on, and cuddled up to "Alvin and the Chipmunks"

Our mornings were slow, making a nice breakfast, good coffee, and enjoyed some breakfast and family devotion time outside in the shade.

It's been getting hot here (90's) so it was perfect for our Pool Party! We got all crazy and sneaky and wore shorts and tank tops on our roof (since no one could really see us when we sat down behind the retaining walls) The view was awesome too! We cooled down in the pool, laughed, and ate snacks.  You know us, the Bishops be lovin' them some killer snack times!

 Zephie didn't make it in the water this time, but enjoyed her special shady spot. 

Unless Daddy needed some cuddle time!

Zander had a blast. We had a blast just watching him.  We need to do this more often!

We have been working hard on potty-training this month. We had a couple "Potty Train" sticker charts, that he totally loved and helped with some motivation.  Well, the deal was when he woke up dry each morning for a week we could go to DREAM CITY! (The Mickey Mouse Place) Big boys go here when they are done with diapers!

Seriously I don't think his smile ever left his face. 

 He felt like such a big boy giving his ticket to the man.

Riding the BIG Ferris Wheel that we have been talking about for awhile. 

 Riding on the space-ship. Andy's long legs barely fit in it, I think he was about ready to sink that sucker!!

Not much for rules and regulations here. The ride was still spinning and people were jumping out, climbing over the wall, etc.  One of those "You-know-your-in-Iraq-when" moments.....

Then the carousel ride.  He choose this one and named him "Black Snake" but said "You remember that horse that Grandpa has, Diesel.... Yeah, we can ride that one too"

 Zephie took a little snooze but then was ready to have fun too!

We spent a lot of time outside going for walks, reading, swimming, and working in the "garden"

We spent each evening watching movies and just relaxing. Andy and I even got a little afternoon date at the only "western" restaurant in town- Texas Chicken. The plan was to order a coffee then mix it with Ice cream so it was like a "Jamocha Shake" but they didn't have any coffee that day :)  We still had the ice cream and had a lovely time. 

It was a perfect weekend.  Very refreshing to just relax and enjoy each other and exactly what we needed to get us through until we get back to Iowa. 

From Iowa to Duhok.2

A little beat up this time... but it arrived (in 5 weeks!) 

The hopes was to arrive by Easter, because it had the goods of Easter egg coloring kit, jelly beans, and other "goodies" that could go in our "easter basket". :) We just celebrated again!

Zander will get the jelly beans for rewards for going potty. Daddy gets the trail mix for an after school snack for being  the #1 Teacher. Mommy gets the pink lemonade to enjoy during naptime fully concocted in the magic bullet for a "slushie"

What about Zephie???? 

ohhhhhhh.... She gets this squishy ball thing...even she loves getting packages!  But we are a sharing family, so hopefully I can get one of those dried cranberries and jelly beans. I promise I will share my WHOLE-WHEAT pasta with everyone else as I make a yummy recipe I will find on pinterest!

Most of you are like "whoopie-doo" why blog about receiving a package- twice in ONE WEEK for petes-sake! Well for one, these are our first packages that have been sent to us... and two, I use this blog to remember really special occasions.  To us... this is a really special occasion! Can't you see on our little man's face??? 

Thanks Al and Jenn for the awesome package and Thanks Al for having really big feet so the package could hold more stuff :)

ps- if you are wanting to send something, it will have to wait until next year, because good chance it won't get to us in time to enjoy before we leave. (proof I'm not telling you all about this, just to get more packages) :)