A night away

Up!

Down.

This peacock hung around our door and looked viciously at the kid's eyes everytime they went past. Although I will concede I'm on abnormally high alert with a new baby around.

Sebastian is blurred (though still v. cute!) and I look old and haggard (time for a facelift I think) but photos of us are pretty thin on ground for this trip.

Zach snuggles up.

Breakfast. It's occured to me that rarely a day passes that at least one of us isn't wearing stripes.

Zach polishes off his full english.

Westside.

This little falcon was there to scare off other birds annoying diners. Wish it had taken a pop at the peacock.

Andy's parents Madge and Bob are over for a visit and staying at the Jebel Ali Resort so went and we stayed at Palm Tree Court (part of the resort) for a night last night.

Daisy and Zach had a great time hanging out with Andy, Grandma and Grandad on the beach and in the pool. It was a bit hot for Sebastian so he had a great time hanging out with me in our room, reading books and eating up a storm (him, not me, honest). We booked a suite but I was still a bit worried about how the night would go with all of us in one room, even if it was a big one. My fears were unfounded however as Daisy and Zach were asleep within 3 minutes of going to bed and slept all night as Sebastian was very good and didn't cry at all.

Bx

Chewing the fat

Here's Daisy, Zach and Sebastian catching up on the gossip.

Bx

Beach Party

Balls!

Zach shouts at a bird...

...chases a bird...

...then flirts with a bird.

Sebastian's first trip to the beach and first time out at night left him feeling shocked.

We recently went to a first birthday party at the Shoreside beach club. It was our first time there and it was great. Small and relaxed with 80's tunes making it all a bit Club Tropicana (minus George with his tight shorts and trumpet).

Bx

Sebastian smiles

Smile!

Looking at Daisy and Zach.

Double smiles.

Just a little smile.

Big blue eyes all round.

Sebastian has been giving lots of little smiles for a while but he's recently graduated to full blown beaming. Ahhhhhh. Daisy and Zach are the lucky recipients of lots of them. He's also mastered the art of looking at me adoringly rather than just looking at me hungrily. Double ahhhhh.

We're all still on the fence about what to call Sebastian. He's defs not a Seb, the kids normally call him Bastian, Andy goes with Sebastian and I swap and change between Sebastian, Bastian and Bastie. I'm sure we will find the right fit sooner or later!

Bx

Posh Paws Petting Zoo

This dog was very soft.

Zach was obsessed with this baby baboon and loved feeding it pistachios.

Daisy took a bit of convincing but fed the little fella in the end.

Zach couldn't quite believe he was allowed to hold the birds.

Megan, Leo, Dom, Daisy and Callum feed the ducks.

Zach gets amongst it. That goose at the front was scary. Hisss.

Turtle!

Times 2!

The sloth had never seen anyone move as fast as Zach.

A fawn. Ahhh. Note the shetland pony sneaking up on the carrot.

It's a ferret, innit?

Take one baby, cover with fly net and gently roast.

Fashion in the field.

Mid bounce meet and greet of a Cockatoo.

Sebastian had his first trip out of Dubai yesterday when we headed to Sharjah to the Posh Paws Petting Zoo which is an animal rescue centre and farm out in the country in Sharjah. We met friends there and the kids had a great time. Zach went absolutely nuts, he loves animals, has NO fear and it was all a bit exciting for him. He spent lots of time barrelling towards animals, arms outstretched, shrieking 'I want a cuddle'. Daisy was often hot behind him worriedly yelling 'be careful, Zach no!' Daisy is not in the no fear camp. Sebastian slept the whole time. I had concerns that he was actually in a heat induced coma (because boy was it hot) but he woke up no problems. Phew.

Bx

Egg hunting

Daisy's going a'hunting.

Zach, not looking the slightest bit camp.

Sebastian sleeps through the action.

Found some!

Eaten some!

Zach looks pleased with his find.

Cheese! Or should that be chocolate?

Who ate all the eggs?

Relaxing on the rug.

I wasn't at all nervous when Zach 'basher' Ellis decided to watch TV right next to Sebastian 'I'm only little' Ellis.

Andy had his first late night with Sebastian last night and this was the scene at 3pm this afternoon. My heart bleeds.

We met friends in the park for an Easter egg hunt onWednesday afternoon. The kids all gorged on chocolate and had a great time. Actually, the other kids saved some of their eggs, Daisy and Zach inhaled them as soon as they found them. Oink. Sebastian slept. I don't think my friends have seen him awake yet.

Sebastian was six weeks old on Wednesday and the miraculous six week transforation started the following day. It's so bizarre how that happens like clockwork. He's been having lots more awake happy time and did really well sleeping in his own room for the first time last night.

Bx

Commotion in the Ocean

The Penguins file in, led by Hannah. Check out how excited Daisy is.

Zach waits in anticipation.

The Penguins perform! Daisy is front row on the left.

Daisy and Adam strike a pose.

The Penguin girls do their bit. Daisy is third from left.

A long shot. Repton's theatre is still being built (it's huge) so the show was held in one of the cafeterias. Not a great venue.

The Penguins file off, Daisy is high fiving Zach who is just out of shot.

Daisy's year group had their spring concert on Tuesday and it was great. All the classes are named after marine animals (Daisy's class are penguins) so it was fittingly themed 'Commotion in the Ocean'.

Andy schelped away from work and Zach and Sebastian came along too. It started with them all singing a song in english then in arabic together. I find it a bit wierd hearing Daisy singing or talking in arabic. She's really enjoying learning it. Each class then did their own little part and they were all wonderful. I was really proud of Daisy, she knew all the words and actions and was up the front having a great time. She's got far more confidence performing than I ever did! Zach really enjoyed it too. When Daisy's class came off he high fived them as they filed past. Sebastian did a great job of sleeping through the whole thing.

Bx