A new week, a new school, a new home

After what has felt like the longest summer holidays to date, it was finally time for the kids to go back to school. They were really excited but also really nervous to be starting a new school. This whole process has been so daunting for us, I can’t even imagine how it must feel for them, a new country, a new school, and new friends to be made. They have been so brave, and we are so proud of them and how they have handled the transition so far.

We have to get up at 6 am to get ready for school. Our first morning was stress-free, everyone was happy and we were on our way by 6:45 am. They both looked so smart! We had already been pre-warned about the traffic getting to school but it wasn’t too bad and we arrived in plenty of time.

By the time we had parked up and headed in Sienna had started to become a little teary-eyed and upset. Zach was his usual laid-back self, although I know underneath the smile he was as anxious as we were. Everyone at the school is happy to help and they walked Sienna up to her class. At this point, I was more nervous than they were. Normally my anxiety would be taking over, leaving my children in a school I’ve visited once, which is a good 20-minute drive away from home and in a country, I’ve been in for 2 weeks would have sent my mind into overdrive in the past. However, there’s something about Dubai and being here that brings a sense of calm and rationale.

After we had dropped them off I headed back to the apartment. Not only were the kids starting school this week we were also moving into our Villa, the apartment had been great for us apart from the call to prayer. We had started to dread the 4:20 am wake-up call. After the kids and James had left, the apartment was so quiet, I made myself a cup of tea and enjoyed the silence and a few episodes of The Good Doctor, a great watch if you’re into medical dramas.

During the day the kid’s Emirate IDs were issued and I got the go-ahead to get my medical and biometrics done. The kids finish an hour earlier over here so before I knew it it was nearly time for them to be home. James is collecting them whilst I still haven’t got a license or a car. I couldn’t wait to hear all about it! Thankfully, they both had really good days and enjoyed it. You could instantly see how happy they were and how much they had enjoyed their first day, I think it was a relief for everyone. We went to Carluccios at Ranches Souk that night for tea, the food was really good! After that we went round the pool, the temperature feels like its starting to drop a bit. It’s still really hot during the day but mornings and evenings are beautiful.

On Tuesday I went to Al Yalayis Medical Centre to get my medical done. I had to have my blood taken (no idea what for, I should have asked) and an x-ray of my chest. I love the early starts to the day, I thought I would dread them but you get so much more done, I was finished and back at the apartment for half 9. After that, I went to my friend Lexi’s who lives in Mira. She kindly gave me a lift to school as James was working all day. Sienna and Arabella have a lovely friendship, they gave each other the biggest hug when they saw each other after school had finished and chatted all the way home. They even taught us some Arabic! Not forgetting Xander, who sang to us all the way home too. He is a little sweetie.

Zach has been busy making friends too, he seems to have settled well and went for a trial at Empire Football Academy on Tuesday, we’re hoping this will also open up new friendship groups for him as well as the ECAs at school. We have seen such a difference in the kids with the way they talk about school and what they have learned, we’ve never seen them so enthusiastic and eager to do home learning. We’re also learning from them, they do Arabic and Mandarin, and hearing them speak in both languages is amazing.

By Wednesday we were all really tired but still up and ready for school by 6:45 am. The traffic had been getting worse day by day but Wednesday is PE day for Zach and Swimming for Sienna so they can both go in their PE kits, which makes mornings a bit easier. Evening came and they had both had another good day, now it was time to go and collect the keys to the Villa.

We had to be out of the apartment on the 3rd so we had a few days that overlapped so we could get sorted. We had already picked the beds which were being delivered on the 1st so at least we had something to sleep on after the 3rd. The Villa looked huge inside as we rented it unfinished. The Villa is perfectly situated on the park and pool areas and has 24-hour security. As soon as the kids got here they were straight out and playing with the kids that live here. A little boy shot Sienna with a Nerf gun though and she was in tears.

By Thursday, the moving-in day had finally arrived. After the kids and James had left I packed up my little beach cart and headed over to the Villa to unpack a few bits. We still had maintenance coming in and out fixing various things but it was good to finally have somewhere to call home. It was quite daunting seeing it so bare and unfurnished. What would we do to it, what would go where? For now, though we were back to living out of suitcases and eating wherever we could find space.

We had so many delivery’s that day, mainly beds and kitchen appliances. The delivery men are always so kind and helpful, they even take their shoes off at the door. I always keep bottles of water for them and a snack, especially the Deliveroo driver who went out of his way to bring me my lunch at the villa when I ordered it to the apartment. I annoyed the security guard as I had no idea I needed to show him the moving-in permit, which we had but had not uploaded to the system. He kept saying he wouldn’t let any more delivery trucks in until he had it and we could be fined but it was all sorted quickly and we managed to get everything in.

On Fridays the kids can wear their housetops, they’re both in Kestrels and have both got a few house points this week.

Now it was time to measure up, we had so much to order for downstairs and I just couldn’t decide what we should get. I’d also measured everything in inches and not centimeters which was not my best idea and annoyed James to no end. The kids finish early on Fridays, so they were back at the apartment just before 1 pm. James went to work and then we met him at the PAN Emirates to try and find a sofa, table, chairs, etc. I think by this point we were all tired especially James with all the school runs he had done. It’s definitely not as easy as doing the Highfield pickups that’s for sure. We just couldn’t agree on anything and nothing seemed to fit. The kids were also really bored and did not want to be furniture shopping again. We then went to the Mall of the Emirates to get some tea, we went to PF Changs, and the food was lovely but Sienna didn’t like the noodles because they smelled as bad as they tasted apparently (they were very nice) and she let everyone know about it. Zach enjoyed his though. By this point, we were hardly speaking to each other and just wanted to get home. To top it all off we still couldn’t sort our WiFi out and the queue at DU was huge. Also, trying to get out of the car park was like whacky races, people just don’t care, and give way lines mean nothing over here.

Saturday was our last day in the apartment, we had to be out by 11 am but we were up and ready to go by about 8 am. Again, we had so much to do. Not to be defeated we moved all the suitcases and boxes to the Villa and headed back to the PAN Emirates. The rest had done us all good and we managed to agree on a sofa, living room furniture, and a rug all in the space of 30 minutes. It was then back to Mall of the Emirates so we could get a dishwasher sorted and pick up a present for Annie, whose party was later on in the day. It was a relief to finally have a plan and furniture on the way. Still no WiFi though!

Back at the Villa we started to get ready for Annie’s party but realised we had a leak under the sink which needed fixing before we left. The boys had already left to meet Dylan and Willow for the Derby. I dread this day every year, you can feel the tension in the air all day until it’s over. This is probably the only match I ever check on to see what mood they will both be in. I was happy with 0-0, the lads not so much.

After the match James and Zach got a safe driver home. Two people turn up to wherever you are, one drives your car home with you and the other follows to pick them up afterward. They then came to meet us at Annie’s party. We had a great time and met some great people. Big thank you again to Louise and Lee for their hospitality. The kids had hit a brick wall by this point and they have never gone to bed as fast in years!

After another good nights rest and our first in the Villa we were off to IKEA, we needed a Sofa bed and a few essentials, but the kids were not happy by this point, they were so bored and I don’t blame them. We managed to get everything we needed though. What we didn’t need was a call from DU saying we still couldn’t get the WiFi sorted. I thought James was going to explode, the kids were messing around in the racking and I’d lost my new plant and wine glasses somewhere along the way. All were retrieved safely, including the kids and we left, all still a bit traumatised by the past few days but in a lot better position than Thursday!

Back at the Villa the kids played out and went in the pool for the first time, they loved it and loved being right on the park, I can keep an eye on them too. We love Townsquare there’s so much to do and see, a great place to raise a family and build a future.