Zach starts playgroup!

Zach chose his bag. It has space invaders on it and he loves it.

We had another proud moment this week when Zach started playgroup on Monday. What a big chap! He did very well, no tears at all and had a great time. He was most pleased to tell me that he had a biscuit. I'm really pleased that he's started as he has been missing Daisy awfully. He's distraught when she leaves in the morning and often looks downcast and says 'I want Daisy' when she is gone. It's been really nice to have some one on one time with him though and he's been enjoying doing puzzles, puzzles and more puzzles with me.



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Daisy starts school!

All dressed and and ready to go!

Showing off the Repton book bag.

Daisy's class are 'Penguins' and here we are in her classroom.

Daisy had her first day of school on Monday and we are very proud of her. It's called Repton (http://www.reptondubai.org/) and is a 15 minute drive down Emirates road. She's been very excited about starting and has really enjoyed her first few days.

There are 16 children in her class. Her teacher is called Miss Collier who Daisy thinks is really pretty and there are two teaching assistants, Mrs Reeve and Miss Queenie. Repton is huge - 1700 pupils - but the early years wing (3 and 4 year olds) is quite separate and there are lovely classrooms with great facilities set out around a big playground in an internal courtyard. Each classroom has it's own terrace going out to a grassy play area. The early years also have their own little indoor pool.

We had a lovely trip to England, more on that on another post.

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Introducing.......Pookie Three!

It's official - Bec is pregnant again, due mid Feb. Hurrah!

We've just had the 12 week scan and all seems well, apart from Bec feeling dreadful most of the time. Both scans are attached.

It is a little too early to tell for sure, but the guy doing the scan says it looks like another boy!

Daisy wasn't too thrilled about this (I want a pink one!) but she is now very excited and is constantly asking about the baby (P3 for short).

8 week scan

12 week scan

Seychelles

Zach's pretty happy with chips on the terrace of a local restaurant on our first night.

It's the Seychelles!

Enjoying sand between the toes.

We did a lot of mooching on the beach.

The view down Beau Vallon back towards Clef des Iles where we stayed.

The pizza place next to Clef des Iles. Open sides, sand on the floor, perfect for messy kids.

Andy got Daisy a fanta when I wasn't watching. She was thrilled.

Clef des Iles, with the green roof, tucked in the trees. Absolute beach front!

Andy took many many sunset shots from our terrace looking out to Silhouette Island. They were pretty impressive.

Daisy's been teaching Zach how to strike a pose. Just call her Tyra.

Time to work it.

Outside Clef des Iles.

The sea is pretty tame here but it did get fierce at times. Just ask Daisy who got nailed by a big wave.

Another evening, another sunset, another photo from Andy.

Fisherman hauling in their catch outside Clef des Iles.

Dinner at the Hilton down the coast. One of the few times we ventured off the beach.

Walking 200 metres down the beach to the local shop for ice cream was the extent of our afternoon excursions.

In early July we headed to the Seychelles for an eight night holiday. We stayed at Clef des Iles, a two bedroom townhouse right on Beau Vallon beach. The plan was to hang out on the beach and do as little as possible, we managed this no problems. We made a lot sandcastles, did plenty of swimming in the sea and had a fabulous relaxing time.

The Seychelles gets lovely weather year round, it was in the late 20's every day and the sea was warm enough to stay in for hours. Perfect! It was quite different to what we were expecting, very beautiful but quite run down apart from the luxury resorts. In the evenings there were always locals playing football on the beach and during the day there were little roadside stalls selling fruit and freshly caught fish.

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Last day of playgroup

With her teacher, Lisa. Daisy is wearing an outfit that Grandma Julia got in Vietnam, it's gorgeous.

Teacher's help, Lalita.

Daisy, Isla and Nicholas getting a lift home in the mummy bus.

Daisy had her last day of playgroup at the start of July. She's been going for two years so it was very sad. Three of her good friends from playgroup are going to her school which is good.

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Lydia & Neil Wedding

I went to Harrogate in May for Lydia & Neil's wedding. Lydia is one of my oldest and closest friends from school, and it was a lovely wedding in a fantastic setting.

It was also a good chance to catch up with some old school friends. Bec and the kids stayed in Dubai becuase it was too far to go with the kids for just a long weekend.

The Harrogate institution - Betty's Tea Rooms

Neil and Best Man looking relaxed before the event

The venue - Allerton Castle

Neil and bro - still relaxed

Here we go!

Lydia with dad and bro

Chris, Neil, me and Dave

Chris and Lydia's Dad

Speeches!

Lydia and Dave

Chris - getting down!

Jason K, Rachel & Caroline

Jason T & Jacqui

Dave & Nigel

Splish splash

I have lots of blogs and photos to catch up on but in the meantime, summer is here (mid to late 40's during the day) and that means one thing, pool time!

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