Back on the ladder and up and away.

Our big news this month is we have bought a house! We'd rather not be at the mercy of a landlord and with rocketing rents and no sign of the credit crunch in Dubai, the time felt right. The downside is that it's not built yet and won't be ready until November 2009. Ages. It's in a new development here at the Ranches where we currently live and can be checked out at:

www.emaar.com/developments/arabianranches/alma/index.asp

It's a type 2 - end unit so similar to what we have now, just a bit bigger.

The other excitement is that in a short few hours we are heading off on our summer holiday. Yay! A week in Singapore then NZ. Andy is coming for 3 weeks then me and the kids will stay on in NZ for an extra month after he leaves. It will be so good to see everyone. And get outside!

No photos today because the camera is packed and I haven't downloaded any new ones off it. Better finish the packing, our first flight with two kiddies, gulp!

Bx

Cabin fever

Daisy gets some indoor triking action.

Zack has a quiet bottle and contemplates his team's disastrous kiwi tour.

I'm outside! Quick, ruuuuuuuuuuuun!


Check out my moobs!

Airbus 380?

Summer's really here now, we had the first showing of 50 degrees last week which prompted even Daisy (who likes the heat) to remark that 'it was a bit 'ot.' She's gonna freak when we arrive in Chch in a couple weeks - I talked to Oli yesterday, it had been snowing and was 1 degree. Yikes!

Bx

School's out for summer.

Daisy pulls out a pout at the news it's the last day of playgroup.

Things started off so calmly at Pizza Hut.

It didn't last.

Daisy had her final day of playgroup on Wednesday. She'll be back after the summer though, and is moving on up to the big kids group and going three mornings a week. The whole class (10 of them) went to Pizza Hut for an end of term lunch. Carnage.

Bx

Exersaucer action

Well hello there.

It's all mine, no Daisy allowed!

I'm so excited! Tu meke!

Zack is enjoying his new exersaucer. It's pretty pimped out with all the bells and whistles and keeps him amused for ages. Plus he can stand up, bonus!

Bx

Family photos

Costa at The Green Community. The whole family in a photo, a very rare event.

Zacky loves Costa.

Mummy sandwich!

Cuddles from my chubby chap.

We had a relaxing weekend. On Friday we went to The Marriott at The Green Community for brunch. It's only about 20 minutes down the road but we'd never been and Andy reckoned it was a bit like The Others on Lost so we went for a nosy. It was weird.

On Saturday we met a group of friends for brunch at the Organic Cafe. In the evening we got the kids tucked up in bed then had six friends round for a dinner party. As much fun as it is when all the kids get together, it was really nice to have a child free evening and actually be able sit in one place, talk and drink champagne until late. Yay!

Bx

Baby gourmet

Hurry it up, I'm having to eat my bib here.

Ooo, what's this? Better open wide....

......holy moly mama, this tastes goooooood!

Bring it on.

Keep it coming.

Feeling good, baby rice is a winner!

Zack had his first solids today, a big occasion for the little chap. I was going to wait until he was six months but he saw a paediatrician at the weekend who said 'he's a fatty, give the boy some food!' so we decided to go for it. As the photos show, it went pretty well. Let's hope it continues and his current routine of waking to eat at 1am, 4am, and 6am is banished forever...

Bx

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.

Bx