The kiddies were out in a compound here in Yanbu. The ladies who organized it did a fantastic job and we were invited to join the festivities. It was so much fun seeing all the kids and some of the adults dressed up. Really made you feel "normal" for a bit.
Abby went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I was a little worried as she'd asked for the costume this summer when we were in the states, and I had to make it myself. I was certain that we would get it all finished and be here in Saudi and she would want to be Snow White at the last minute - but she pulled through and her and Toto went over the rainbow.
The party was so much fun - with tons of food and treats, games and laughing. The kids ate quickly, and then it was off to trick or treat! They gave us a listing of houses that were participating and the princes and princesses went door to door. Abby remembered from last year and was happy to say "Trick or Treat!" and get the candy. The funny thing was she was a little picky, so if they didn't have anything she liked, she actually told a couple people, "No thank you!" At least she has manners!
We spent over an hour walking the compound and she had quite the bag full of candy when we were finished. We still have quite a bit, because unlike her mother, Abby really doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. I'm the one who keeps grabbing a candy now and again from the bowl! :)
We did decorate our house as well. Since Abby was off school at the beginning of October we took the opportunity to get in the holiday spirit!
We are now preparing for Thanksgiving. One nice thing is we control when the holidays come here. There's no Christmas music being played now - we will wait to hit up the Christmas channels on iHeart Radio until after Turkey Day! I do miss Black Friday though, so if you're in the states, do a little extra shopping for me please!
I was able to get 2 turkeys from the local market. Last year we roasted turkey breast deli meat. (Hey - you do what you have to!). And I'm still hoarding some real cool whip for the pumpkin (ok butternut squash) pies. One expat just left us 2 cans of cranberry sauce as well. This year is turning out to be more of a traditional Thanksgiving. I should say, you cannot get good pumpkins here, and no canned pumpkin. This is the first time many of us have seen cool whip in the stores; and even fresh cranberries are nonexistent. I'm getting very excited for the big meal and cannot wait to celebrate with our friends!
Let the festivities begin!