Festival City

We're going shopping? Again? Yay!

Zack checks out the action at Japengos, Festival City. He's growing up so fast.

Nothing beats a bit of lunch then hanging out, holding Daddy's hand.

Daisy loves to draw, any floor will do.

We've had a good day today. It was very good for me for me as Zack woke up with a smile, went to bed with a smile and didn't cry once all day. Hurrah! His first cry free day, very exciting.

We spent some of the day at Festival City which is one of Dubai's many amazing malls. This is a great city if you like to shop. Which I do.

It's been cooler (mid-late 30's) the past few days so we were able to spend the late afternoon in the garden. A nice treat at this time of year for all of us.

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Jebel Ali

Suited up and ready for an early morning swim.

Zack makes himself comfortable.

A brochure worthy shot from Andy.

Self portrait at breakfast.

Daisy and Sanna catch up over a croissant.

Papparazzi, no!

We recently had a night away at the Jebel Ali Resort with Tara, Dajon and Sanna. It's only 40 minutes down the road but feels a world away with a real tropical holiday vibe. We spent the afternoon relaxing in our lovely beach front suite before dinner then Tara and I opted for early nights and the boys hit the bar for a few beers.

The kids were up before 7am which gave us the perfect opportunity for an early swim in the sea then after breakfast the girls hit the spa for massages and facials while the boys hung out with the kids at the pool. Perfect!

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Baby gym

Daisy! Ow! You're squashing me!

Sorry little fella, I didn't see you there.

May was a big month for Zack. His discovered that he can roll over front to back which he thinks is great. He learnt an excellent new game to play with mummy which involves sitting, standing up and tipping over. His best discovery however was his feet. They are at the end of his legs! All the time! And are great to hold on to! Life's exciting when you're only little.

Daisy and Zack are getting on really well which is wonderful. Daisy has finally heeded all our warnings and apart from the odd blip is now normally really gentle with Zack. Now he has the ability to take things from her she loves to give him toys to play with and he rewards her with adoring smiles which makes her happy. She has also discovered she can make him laugh with tickles and funny faces and loves to do so when he is on the baby gym.

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Random pics

It's all about the chewing.

Daisy, budding architect.

One more brick and it's taller than Burj Dubai.


Who ate all the pies?

Look, I do have a neck!

Contortionist.

Sometimes even the toughest little chap needs a cuddle with his sister's dolly.

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Believe it or not...

Still looking composed, it didn't last long...

Andy hangs out with Don Johnson

....Andy and I do manage to get out occasionally without the children. We've had a couple of costume parties recently. I like costume parties, hoorah! The first one I sadly forgot the camera but we went as Luke and Leia from Starwars. It was bloody hot under a wig and floor length polyester white robe.

The last party had an 80's theme. Andy revisted his days as an angst filled goth and I broke out a hot pink and high ponytail ensemble. Zack has a night feed bottle so Andy kindly offered to do that (so he should, I was a loooong time pregnant) and headed off at 10.30pm leaving me to have my first big post baby night out. I didn't waste the opportunity and got home very much worse for wear in the early hours of the morning.

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Ras Al Khaimah

Mah Bebe! Daisy spys that her favourite toy has entered the pool....

....and zooms in for a quick reassuring cuddle.

Splish splash

Zacky sneaks in a snooze, poolside.

Kicking back.

Sundown on the beach.

We had a night away to Ras Al Khaimah with friends last weekend. It's the northern most Emirate and took about an hour to drive to. The drive took us through three other Emirates, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain although there wasn't much to see from the road except scrubby desert, pylons and the odd camel. The town itself is a complete dive but the beach resort we stayed at was very nice and in a great spot.

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First dip

Wet tootsies are go!

Zack has a relaxing swish whilst watching Lucy and Phoebe show him how the big girls do it.



Safely back with Mummy.

Oi Leo, Heineken or Corona?

Zack had his first swim in the sea today. He was pretty chilled about it which is how he approaches most things. The building work in the background of the second photo is on the much heralded Palm Jumeirah. It's not quite the lush tranquil development that I imagined. It is however, huge. Dubai is good at huge.

We've booked our summer escape. Firstly we have a week in Singapore. Daisy is very excited about seeing Bwake, A and baby (as she calls them) and it's going to be great to finally meet Flynn. We then fly to NZ and have a few days in Christchurch then up to Nelson via a night in Hanmer where I hope we'll see some snow! Poor old Andy will only get a week and a half in Nelson then it's back home to work for him. Someone has to do it, glad it's not me. Me and the kids have a month in Nelson then another week in Christchurch then home via a one night stop over in Singapore. We are really looking forward to seeing family and friends. I'm particulary looking forwards to seeing all the new babies that have, or will have, arrived, there are loads!

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