mich25 | ExpatWoman.com
 

mich25

242
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 20:25
It is baffling sometimes as a teacher why parents move a young child who is thriving at a school. The grass isn't always greener. At the end of Year 6 there will be lots of movement throughout Dubai so lots of students will be going through the same experience. Moving your child now will mean she needs to settle into a new school, make new friends etc. For me I would get your child's name down on the DESC wait list and then decide in Year 6 which school is the best fit for your child.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2013 - 20:14
I have 16 months between my DDs and it really wasn't/isn't so bad. You are used to broken sleep, nappies, prams etc. The anxiety you had with the first isn't so prominent with the second. Do you have help? I put my eldest into nursery in the mornings before the new baby arrived. A double buggy is great, especially if your car seat fits. You can get out to the park etc. We have a city select baby jogger. My DDs are now 33months and 18months and they play and laugh together and my DH and I smile. Yes they fight and sometimes you feel like a day will never end but I wouldn't change things for the world. We have no 3 on the way in Jan which is scaring me but we'll cope :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 20:20
Amazon.com and co.uk, John Lewis in the UK and I am sure there are more. The city select is a great pram.
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Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 20:16
I had 16 months between mine and I have to say our double buggy city select baby jogger was/is a godsend. My eldest who is now 33months still happily sits in and watches a film or plays on the ipad when she is tired. It makes moving in car parks, to and from the park etc a lot safer with two. When they were younger both would happily nap in the buggy so I could shop or catch a coffee with friends. Soft play places like Extreme fun at quiet times are great for taking two on your own with their younger areas where the staff are proactive about keeping older kids out. Like someone said before just go for it. At the pool arm bands when it is just you. They have just as much fun and when your husband can join you they can be removed. Our eldest can swim now but I still put her in a floater suit when I have them both in the water. It is brilliant when they start to play together. Yes they fight but they help to keep each other amused :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 September 2013 - 20:14
Why are people paying these prices? Our LL kept our rent the same as we refused the increase he asked for. We were ready to go to RERA but he came back to us as we've looked after his property and he gets his rent on time. A lot of houses are sitting empty with lots of new villas and apartments ready to come on line. We all need to stand our ground with the agents and definitely negotiate with the LLs as they need to pay their mortgages!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 20:19
Normal delivery as it moved by 32 weeks. I teach PE so I was in the same boat!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 19:38
Thank you Gauchos it is. We used to love going in London. Lots of other great ideas to save up for another day!!! :-)
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Latest post on 14 September 2013 - 20:23
I had the same at my 20 week scan with my 1st. I was in the UK and by the extra 32 week scan they gave me it had moved. Don't worry too much. They didn't ask me to do anything special.
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Latest post on 14 September 2013 - 20:20
Wow a happy mum makes a happy baby. I tried with my first to BF but she was not interested and I had the support of a great midwife in the UK. She just laughed saying I had a choice - persevering, or pumping and topping up with formula if needed. I took the second option and things were okay but having the time to pump enough to maintain supply was hard. I went 100% to formula after 5 weeks. With no 2, I mix fed for 2 weeks and then went to formula. It may seem selfish and wrong to some but it is about what worked for us. Enjoy your baby and do what's right for you :-)
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Latest post on 11 September 2013 - 20:03
I don't have children enrolled with Sports Life but I do coach swimming at Hamdan. If your child is a beginner Hamdan is not the best place to learn. The pools are kept ready for competitive swimming so the temp is very cold. It is very off putting for beginners as they get cold and disillusioned. However, if your child swims well then the venue is fine.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 19:39
Thank you ladies. We'll head there next weekend. We have two large bean bags Angel Joy but thank you for your kind offer!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 19:36
sorry I only just saw your question. My daughter is in the 2-3yrs class. It is Sat 3.45-4.30pm. It was great today. The cost 700dhs for 14weeks. There are several 3yrs + groups running as far as I know.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 20:47
Sorry I know that this has been done several times but can someone help me locating a shop. Thank you :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2013 - 20:04
Blossom run in the afternoons. Not too sure if you can just go in the afternoon.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2013 - 19:57
My DD is starting on Sat. She enjoyed the trial lesson she attended so we are going to give it a go. Am surprised that they haven't been in touch!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2013 - 21:24
My daughters go to Blossom which runs an all year programme so it is open apart from National holidays and Xmas/New Year. It makes life a lot easier as although I am a teacher I never have the same holiday times as the nursery!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 August 2013 - 21:34
Our 15month old is the same and we bought a chicco booster seat and it has changed meal times from a daily battle to a happy and enjoyable experience. You can change the height of the seat so it can be used for several years. Definitely worth looking at. It is also very portable.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 August 2013 - 21:02
Hi, my DDs are at Blossom. It may be a bit tired and not have the biggest rooms but the staff have been excellent with my girls and I am very impressed with the communication within the nursery and with us as parents. It makes me feel a little better about leaving my LOs everyday. The new Blossom Centre looks amazing and is on the way to my work but we have decided to keep the girls where they are as they are happy and enjoy their days at nursery. When making the choice I visited 5/6 nurseries and I went with the nursery which felt the most welcoming. The children were all interacting and being interactive. Blossom also offer food which for me as a full time working mum is very helpful. I would go with your gut feeling. If you are looking to start in Sept your choice will probably be restricted anyway to the nurseries that have offered you a place as a lot of nurseries have a wait list. Good Luck and I hope your child has a great time!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 August 2013 - 20:55
If the student didn't pass Maths and English then they need to retake and taking a year out wouldn't help. Tutoring may help and the school can advise on the next retake date. 5 passes or more is the aim for each student it shows employers and colleges that the student can comprehend and use a wide breadth of information. BTechs are a great more practical alternative to A-levels but I don't know if they exist here.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2013 - 20:26
Schools tend to build in phases. I expect the first phase will be ready when they said but the next phase will be far from completed. I know GEMs did this with GWA.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2013 - 20:03
How much allowance do you really need a week? I have the same issue. I work but all my money pays for our bills so we actually manage to save some money. When I do the groceries I take out eg 1000dhs each week. The groceries will be less than this and the rest I use for coffees etc. My DH is happy with this and just shakes his head when I always seem to have a full costa coffee loyalty card at the weekends! Like you if I need clothes etc I either have to mention that I need some money or I show him whilst we're out shopping and he buys it. Yes it is frustrating at times but I was a nightmare in the UK and would just spend if I wanted something whereas now we prioritise what we need and our mortgages are a lot smaller than they would have been if I had free reign with our money. Talk to your husband.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2013 - 19:35
Take a look at some of the private schools. AAM a Taaleem School where girls and boys study in both English and Arabic in Pre - K and KG. Boys cannot stay in the school after KG2. The main population of the school is Arab so there is a strong Arabic culture in the school even though it is an American Academy. I am sure there are others which will give you the best of both worlds!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 19:56
Hi, I was hounded by the diabetes nurses in the UK even though they never got a high reading for me when I was tested. My BMI is quite high and they were determined to stay on my case. The information I was given was that they induce at around 38 weeks and they will test the baby's sugar levels after the birth to check they haven't been affected. I was signed off after the 2nd GD test but I don't remember them mentioning the NICU etc so try not to worry to much and ask your obs. They should give you some information to read.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 19:49
Congratulations nateb and Hannah33 on finding out if you are team pink or blue. Nateb sorry I am still working full time until Dec so I can't meet up until the end of term. Great idea though!!!!!!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 19:45
This sounds very harsh but don't hire the maid. We trialled a maid who had little English and after two weeks we tried to look for another family for her. Someone agreed and then let us down a few days after her visitors visa expired. They were ideal as they didn't have children and needed someone to clean and look after their cats, dogs and rabbit. She was the SIL of our driver and the SIL of the maid across the road who both promised to help her English. We felt guilty so thought we'd keep her and try our best at helping her improve her English. It is a disaster. Her cleaning and house keeping is amazing but she does not understand anything we say. I tried to explain to her how to use the steamer to clean our rugs. I physically showed her how to fill and use the machine and I also wrote it down simply as she can read quite well. We came home a few days later to see her scrubbing the rugs with a brush. She had asked my mum who was staying at the time how it worked and my mum said to wait for me to get home as she wasn't too sure. We daren't leave our two LOs with her due to a lack of clear communication which defeats the object of us taking on a maid as I work full time and she is our back up if they fall sick or we need a baby sitter. I am now waiting for one of the TAs at my children's nursery to complete her contract and then we will take her on and cancel our current maid's contract. She is a lovely lady who has done nothing wrong but for the safety of our children we have to let her go. Cleaning wise she is amazing so we are hoping we will help her to find a new position before we have to cancel her visa.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2013 - 21:16
Hi Daisy 92, My daughters are at Blossom from 8-5pm. They really enjoy it. My husband drops off and I try to pick up but with fixtures etc it is difficult. Good Luck with looking for a part time position. I have some friends who have negotiated working from home which may also be an option for you if you are office based. They do mornings in the office, pick up from nursery and then work from home at some point.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2013 - 21:07
Don't panic, all schools will be ready to deal with all types of children. Just because a child isn't shy of new situations doesn't mean they are going to be an able student. Teachers will observe your child with different toys etc. They may ask you to look at a book with your child or put pictures down and see if your child identifies the object/person etc. I am sure they will be observed in a group situation as well to see if they interact, share or just play happily. Your child's nursery can send a report which the teacher can use to guide the assessment. Try not to worry as your son will pick up on this!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 August 2013 - 20:52
Found out today that we are having a boy! Very excited after 2 girls but it will be a big change :-)
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Latest post on 06 August 2013 - 20:48
Hi, I went back to work full time when my DD's were 5 months and 21 months. As a teacher I felt if I didn't take the job opportunity it would be a year before I could go back and having two children 16 months apart meant I had been out of the system for two years already. I have both girls in a great nursery and they are both happy there but I don't have the job satisfaction I expected because I feel my children and I are both missing out. There is a severe lack of part time work here which I would love. The adult company and the pay is great but sadly I am looking at other avenues which will hopefully help me find a happy medium. With my eldest starting school in Sept 2014, I don't want her to be finishing at 12.30pm and me walk through the door after 6pm. Good Luck with your search, just make sure the job fits your needs!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2013 - 20:15
Allied Pickfords get our vote. Great service, good communication at both ends.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2013 - 20:13
We worked on our calendar several months ago and we had to submit it to the KHDA for approval. I don't think they would give this approval and then change their minds. KHDA wouldn't get round to see all the schools for inspections if we all had the same holidays!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2013 - 20:04
Hi, Try not to get too worked up over this. I was 37 when I had my first and am expecting my 3rd in Jan at nearly 41. I have PCOs and when I went for my confirmation appointment with my obs this time I had cysts on one ovary the size of tennis balls. She just laughs at me every time as I should not be getting pregnant as I have. We never really worried about getting pregnant and left it to chance for years. A friend suggested Chlomid when I started to think it was getting too late for a baby and I took this for one cycle and boom it all happened. See your Dr and I am sure you will feel more relaxed and hopeful. Good Luck!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2013 - 20:36
There are 16 months between our two DD's. It has been busy but they play together and my eldest accepted our LO from day one. Crazily we are expecting our 3rd who will be 19 months younger than our LO but we are both in our 40s and wanted 3 children. Is there a right time? I feel like I haven't had a big night out, looked freshed faced or had a lie in forever but I wouldn't change things for the world right now :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 July 2013 - 19:34
If you are qualified this sounds very low. You would probably earn slightly more as a teaching assistant in a school.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 July 2013 - 19:24
Extreme Fun in Motor City - two sections. my 15 month old and 29 month old play happily in the toy area for under 4s and the 29 month old will also run around in the other section forever if it's quiet enough without me having to be there. She can see me in the other area so can check in when she needs too. The staff are good and seem to be proactive with the more exuberant children!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 19:56
Baby Steps were great. The driver was very good and he arrived when he said he would and made sure we had everything required.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 19:53
Hi, we interviewed a few months back and we offered 2K with Thurs evening to Sat evening off. We found that maids who had been hired in places like the Ranches asked ridiculous things like bonuses at Xmas and during the Summer and tried their luck with asking for 2.5-3K per month. We were firm and said it was 2k or nothing and sure enough they all called back the next day saying yes we'll take the job but we weren't interested. We have a lovely maid who is very happy with 2k and we are happy and will pay her a bonus etc without question. We took our daughters to the interviews and for both of us it was very telling who actually took any interest in them. Our last maid shook my hand at the interview and sailed right past me to pick up my DD. Unfortunately, she had to leave to go home but our current lady is very similar. A lot of people will disagree with 2K but you can add extras as we do. Yes I think bonuses are great but they should not be expected. Other friends pay 1400aed and their maid is happy with this. I would ask what they are earning currently and offer something sensible as you can always up the salary after a probation period. Good Luck with your search!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 July 2013 - 20:30
Hi, Glad to see there are a few more of us. Yes Xmas and New Year won't be so festive but I am glad I'll be larger in the cooler months! I had my youngest daughter at Medcare. My obs is based at the Cooper clinic and she only delivers in two hospitals. Medcare seems to get a bad press from lots of ladies on here but I had a positive experience and this week a friend had a traumatic time at City so I would recommend you find the right Dr for you and trust them. The hospitals here are all pretty good but as always people have good and bad stories to tell! I didn't have insurance either last time and our bill for a straight forward birth was under 10k + costs of Drs appointments but if you need a c-sec it could be over 25K. Most hospitals have packages. Hope the ms is disappearing shoes 23 :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 20:10
I would definitely arrange for a maid a month or so before the birth. You will also find nearer the end of your pregnancy an extra pair of hands to do chores and other odd jobs a blessing. Our maid plans her day around us. She is up and ready to go at 6am as I leave for work at 6.45am so she helps with breakfast whilst I check we are all ready for work and nursery. Once my DH and DDs have left she tends to clean, iron etc in the morning and then she has the early afternoon for herself. When we arrive home approx. 3.30-4pm she helps with my DDs whilst I get their dinner and then she is just around tidying/playing etc until approx. 7pm or later if we need babysitting. I don't begrudge our maid the time off as the house is immaculate and organised, I have someone at home if the girls are sick and we are unable to take time off. I don't ask her to cook for us as we have different ideas but she would if I asked her without any complaint. Having the maid means all the time we have outside of work we can spend with our DDs and for my husband and I that is something we are thankful for. Good luck with your search!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 19:49
HI, We don't pay a service or maintenance fee in our townhouse but we aren't linked to a block of flats with a pool and gym. There is no housing fees(5%) on top of the DEWA bill at present but I am sure it will come eventually. The tram is advertised by agents as coming out this way but like everything out here it will take time. Our nanny got very excited when the bus stop signs went up and that was a year ago and still no buses!!!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 July 2013 - 20:40
Congratulations! I would decide where you want to be treated and maybe by who and book an appointment. I know my obs is impossible to get an initial appointment for several weeks.
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Latest post on 17 July 2013 - 20:33
Will do! Hope you start to feel better soon, it will all be worth it come January :-)
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Latest post on 15 July 2013 - 20:12
Hi, I am due in mid January too. I kept checking for a thread too. Thankfully no MS for me just tiredness which has finally lifted! FC for you Hannah33. We are very excited but my DH has his FC for a boy as we have two DDs. I am not to sure whether to find out in August or not!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 July 2013 - 20:18
Sorry I didn't see your reply. Just call the school and ask to speak to admissions or pop in. I am not too sure who is working or on holiday.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 19:52
My daughters both have Filipino teachers who are both fantastic, my eldest daughter has also had a Chilean teacher and an Italian teacher as she has come through the classes. None of the teachers bar one has a perfect accent but they understand their students, I receive feedback regularly, if I write a note in the diaries I get either a phone call or a written reply. I think what we are all trying to say is with nursery it is important that when you walk through the door you feel welcome and when you walk out the door you are confident that your child will be well cared for. My daughters are at Blossom nursery. The same company has two other nurseries which have much better facilities but when your daughter shouts 'yeh' when you pull up outside the door it makes leaving to go to work a little easier! I hope you find the right place for your daughter. You posted about Uptown as well. Things seem to be going very well in the KG dept.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 19:32
Hi, This is me right now. I challenged them as some staff kept their international status. HR gave us a paper at the beginning of the year telling us that if our husbands received flights and housing they wouldn't duplicate the payments as in the labour laws. Like you my husband did not receive either as his company were UK based and they were messing us around and not keeping to the local contract my husband signed with them. We filled in all the forms that my HR gave us and they told me there was no budget. I questioned this saying well why give us the form in the first place and after a bit of toing and froing I managed to get the benefits. Ironically my husband has changed firms and we receive everything now so it was for nothing. The real issue will be the Principal is given a budget for hiring and that is all they are given so they have to hire as many local hire staff as possible so there is money available to pay for the overseas staff they need. Good Luck but I would find out if anyone else is in the same boat.
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Latest post on 06 July 2013 - 20:29
Hi, I think you will find most schools have students with diabetes. I teach at AAM and we have several students. They are fully involved in school life and at times we need to make allowances but in general I don't have any issues with any of them when they come to me in PE. With full time nurses in schools if you can get your child in there shouldn't be a problem.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 July 2013 - 20:11
For me all the things you list are material - at nursery age the children need to be nurtured, feel safe and be stimulated. My daughters are both at a well known nursery in Dubai and they love attending everyday. I visited the nurseries you have listed and the one I chose doesn't have the biggest areas or the lowest child to staff ratio but when I walked through the door the nursery was busy, there was activity and interaction going on every where I went. It wasn't a scheduled tour I stopped on the off chance as I knew they had a wait list. Just make sure your child is going to be looked after, having the best facilities here in Dubai doesn't mean your child is going to be in the perfect nursery.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2013 - 21:26
Best buys - muslins - great for a multitude of things, mothercare bounce chair and baby bjorn carrier - both perfect for keeping the baby secure whilst doing jobs in kitchen etc cot - eldest DD hated her bassinet so both DDs went straight into a cot breast pump pram which takes a car seat - it gives you more freedom if you don't need to transfer the baby from your car seat into a pram/pushcar. Worst buys - bassinet fussy clothes - keep it simple,
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2013 - 21:06
Thanks for the list. It will help planning activities for our kids and house guests!!!