There is much to report on family life as the school holidays have begun. For some reason even the weekend seemed busier. I think we probably have only just recovered from the birthday party. And poor Rupert is business editor for two weeks so rarely out of the office.

My in-laws, who are heroic in their efforts to travel and see their offspring around the world, are here. During the last year they have been here (twice), India and Portugal. And they are in their late seventies/early eighties respectively. My father-in-law even managed to get someone to give him a beer during Islamic New Year (he of course had no idea the corner shop doesn’t sell beer or that Islamic New Year is dry). He met a woman who was so charmed by him she went to her flat and picked up some beer for him. Imagine our surprise when we came back from the beach to find him watching the cricket sipping a bottle of beer (obviously the house was totally dry after the party…)

Last night Rupert and I took Leo to see the football. It was final of the FIFA Club World Cup. It was fun seeing Thierry Henry in real life but I hadn’t really heard of anyone else and their kit was the most awful orange colour. Leo loved it which is the main thing (not the kit I hasten to add he has better taste than that) although he looks a bit glum here. This evening we are all off to the races so to speak; it is race night at the Abu Dhabi Golf and Equestrian Club and later in the week it is Christmas Day…I have never felt so un-Christmassy, but I guess that might because the sun is shining and there aren’t many carol singers in Abu Dhabi.

Anyway, for the full report on family life I defer to my own very special guest blogger Bea. She really should have her own column….

FAMILY LIFE !
It could have been a crazy time for the wright/frith powell family
with rupert wright’s work going on .It’s great. to have
a lovely family like bea has her sister olivia who
is 10 doesn’t want to be the oldest and
as her little brother leo who’s 6
only wants a new roman book
with all the pictures of the olden days.
we all miss france terribly
as my mother who tryes to keep
the family together consvinced
us not to go back there “it’s better here
we have a cleaner and a driver “
she says

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2009