Andy's party

Boys. There were also girls at the party.

Cake.

Andy had party at home for his 40th. It was also St George's Day so curry and english music were the order of the night. A good night was had by all but unfortunately the photograhers were either drunk or terrible at taking pictures (or both) so only a couple came out. Oops.

Bx

Happy Birthday Andy!

Andy, not looking a day over 40.

Cake, porridge and toast. Mmm.

Zach pulls his 'special' face for the occasion.


Sebastian was still in bed for the cake but he's too cute to miss out of the photos.

It's Andy's birthday today, goodbye thirties, hello 40! He's coming home early from work and we are going to go to the Golf Club. We did the cake this morning, cue to Zach screaming for an hour because I wouldn't let him eat it for breakfast...

Bx

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