So he calls on the Friday....(the 5th)...and says he's coming to pick up the kids. (nothing about me driving....says he borrowed someones van...) I tell him the kids can't stay the weekend, because we are going to Winterfest in Barrie..(see pics from winterfest ..._.been invited since December....and that on Sunday my good Egyptian friends are moving and the girls promised to help.

He's not pleased, and I suppose I don't blame him....I would have explained it all on Tuesday if he'd of answered his phone or even called me back. So then he says, how about I come after school and take the kids out for a few hours...sounded fine to me, so I told him that everyone is home by 4 pm and they are usually hungry so he should be prepared for dinner... After I hung up the phone with him, the 6 yr olds school called and said she was really sick. So I hurried over to get her....she was burning up with fever...brought her home and set her up on the couch, blankets, pillows....warm milk tea. Her father arrived right at 4 pm.....and the other kids told him that she was sick.....(I told the kids that he could come in the livingroom and see her) It was a big step for me allowing the ex inside my house. I looked at it as being mature and not picky and stupid. His daughter was sick and I was more worried how she'd feel knowing her Father was right outside but she couldn't see him. So he came in and gave her a present. (turns out it was a colouring set with markers from the dollar store...the markers were all dry and she wasn't happy about it)

So off the kids went. The ex brought them to Popeye's for dinner. But he refused to buy them combo meals....they only ate a bucket of chicken....he wouldn't even buy them pop....he told them it was too expensive. Then he brought them to Chuckee Cheese. (the 17 yr old, 14 yr old and the 12 yr old didn't enjoy it)....basically it was only my 2 1/2 yr old son who had fun there. Then they came home. ~~~~~ Next visit was on a Thursday. The ex called and said he was in Mississauga and wanted to see the kids. Again it was an uneventful visit....there was some talk about me and other nothings, but it seems the ex controlled himself pretty well. He brought them to Burger King for dinner....and the kids came home a little miffed about it. They all wanted to go to Mandarin.

~~~~ So comes Friday the 12th. The ex has arranged that he's taking all the kids to his house for the weekend. I'm a little worried about it.....but it's a necessary step. So far things are going okay. The oldest is working Saturday, so she is to be picked up on Sunday instead of Friday..... Then Friday comes....the 12 yr old comes from school....she doesn't want to go to her fathers. She says to me....I haven't seen him in a year and last week I was out with him twice....I'm good. It's her responsibility to tell her Father when he comes...not mine. The 14 yr old arrives and says....I don't want to go. His house is small and I don't really like it there. Again, I tell her that she'll have to say it...not me. She's worried and scared that he'll get mad and force her....so finally, I agree to call the ex and tell him. I call him and say the two girls don't want to go......only the 6 yr old wants to go....and I'm not so sure about her going alone for a day.

He comes to the house anyways...even comes inside to talk to me...(wow!)...it goes pretty okay. So he takes the 6 yr old...and although it bothers me....I think to myself...if he screws up, then I fairly have justifiable reason to say no to any one on one visits with her. He comes back Sunday for the rest of the kids......but only the oldest and the 2 1/2 yr old go. Again the 14 yr old and the 12 yr old back out. This time it visually bothered him said my 14 yr old. (don't forget that the 14 yr old is his sweetheart) My house is too quiet now. ~~~~~~ So Sjon and I take the 2 kids out for dinner. We have a great time talking. I needed it. I was bothered on the inside and my mind was in a knot. Then we go over to my egyptian friends new house and have an easy evening of warmth and conversation. I play with my friends 2 yr son and miss my Abdu even more. Sigh.

The oldest calls me later and tells me she is bored out of her mind. The ex has presents for them from Egypt....but he'll only give it to them if they come to his (MM's) apartment. They are sitting in a tiny one bedroom apartment watching the History channel together. My son is touching everything and the EX tells the oldest to take him on the elevator for a ride. So she brings him up and down a couple of times and calls me while she's doing it. 18th floor...up and down.....up and down. And as much as I miss the two younger ones.....I worry about my oldest. I just pray that she has a normal visit and comes home in one piece......the ex has an unnerving ability to make her come undone.....I'm thinking about you habibty....love you!