Mother's Day in the Kingdom

Mother’s Day in Canada is a day where we honour our precious moms. In Saudi Arabia, it is a day where mothers provide fun activities for their children; demonstrating their love through their generosity.  I equate a Mother’s Day school event with a GIANT fun fair!



Special cake, special school!





one of two chocolate fountains



Like every other social function I have had the privilege to attend, our Mother’s Day afternoon at school possessed the same glitz, glamour and giving nature of the Arab culture. Our Mothers came bearing gifts, food, Arabian coffee and amazing crafts. Their collective effort pleased every taste bud and creative design!

Whenever there is a gathering, the party starts early! We have many wonderful moms, one who is particularity kind to the staff members and nourishes us with not only juice, Arabian coffee and tea, pastries and croissants but with her love and hugs. She adores how her daughter is learning and growing in our school and thanks us by bearing offerings to start our day off!  



boys first trip to the soft ice-cream machine!



steamed corn on a stick



so beautiful to look at - Discipline with a capital letter "D"





the finishing touches



The food; oh my the food!  Every time I attend an Arab function I have opportunities to try new food. The newest dish I tried is called belaylah. (This is phonetic; no doubt spelled incorrectly) Marinated chick peas are the main ingredient, served with various spices and crunchy red diced pickled beets. Moms brought cakes, platters of pastries decorated with fresh flowers, fresh Tunisian treats (really – bought in Tunisia the day before especially for our Mother’s Day), salads, spring rolls, samosas, dishes kept warm with their own little burners, 7 large boxes of Crispy Cream donuts, donuts from the House of Donuts, stuffed grape leaves, snow cones, soft ice-cream maker, corn on a stick, chocolate fountains, fancy sandwiches, cupcake decorating, popcorn, and many containers of every shape and size holding piping hot addictive Arabian coffee.



Arabian coffee served in tiny cups



The crafts were as varied as the food. One mom had a little souke market! She set up in one corner and gave each child so many gifts they couldn’t carry them all! We had children fishing for their own live fish and making their own special aquarium. Children enjoyed beading and making jewellery, decorating containers and filling them with candies, creating sand art and making wooden spoon puppets. Students painted with brushes and their hands, they painted ornaments, planes, stained glass and decorated picture frames. Some had their face painted and others enjoyed playing with the clown and participating in her tricks.



mini souke



future pilot?



sure way to catch a fish!

All in all, our school was buzzing with happy kids and mothers alike! Regardless of where we are in the world when we celebrate Mother’s Day, the one reciprocal similarity is, "I LOVE YOU!"

Many Blessings and Happy Mother’s Day to all!