Nearly walking!

We have just come back from London, where Max stood up on his own for the first time. Luckily, he then repeated it for the camera, hence here is the video. Next - walking!

Zach - Rugby U6

Zach recently finished his second year of rugby (under 6's), which was the first year of playing competitions. 

It was a fantastic year of rugby. It is not his favourite sport, football is, but Arabian Knights is a great rugby club and the other kids / parents make it special.

The first tournament was held in the national stadium in Abu Dhabi, and it was all a bit of a shock.

I volunteered to help coach, and as we had a big squad, we entered three teams of seven. I took charge of Zach's team, with no real idea what I was doing, and a very loose understanding of the rules for U6 tag rugby. I was most nervous about being asked to referee, which thankfully didn't happen.

It was very hot, but the kids were great, and we actually managed to win most of our first games, including knocking out both the other Knights teams in the knock out stage, to reach the final.

Unfortunately, the Dubai Exiles pipped us in the final, but Zach did really well, including scoring a couple of tries.

Coaching was fun but hard work, however the tournaments were really intense experiences. We had a few in Dubai, plus one in Al Ain, and towards the end of the season we traveled to Doha, in Qatar.

The top Knights team came second in most of the tournaments, but Zach was normally playing in the middle team. However, we only took one team to Doha, and after a fantastic day, his team managed to win the tournament, which was such a great experience for him and his little rugby mates.

To end a great year, Zach won a 'U6 Most Improved Player' award, which was one of seven awards given to the squad of nearly 40 kids. 

Max is 1!

A big balloon and big presents for a little boy!

The siblings were close by to lend a hand.

All for me?!

Fun at The Farm.

Roast chicken and vegetables for birthday dinner.

The cake was Max' first and the flavour was 'healthy'.

Success! A cake fan in the making.

We've had a wonderful first year with our adorable Maxi. I still can't quite believe that he made it here safe and sound. He's not walking or crawling but is a very enthusiastic bum shuffler and has an impressive top speed. He got his first tooth at 5 months and had the full set by 10 months, there was one popping through every week at one stage - and with very little drama thank goodness. He is a great little eater and would eat fish pie every meal given the chance. He is known about town as the smiliest baby in Dubai and smiles all the time, at anyone and anything. He is a very happy little boy although not quite so much on Sundays of misery when Andy goes back to work and the other kids go back to school. He loves the school run and checking out all the action at Repton. On the not quite so cheery side he is not the best sleeper in the world. He fed every two hours around the clock until he was seven months old and still feeds several times a night, I know it won't last forever but am soooo tired. It's all worth it though, Max is totally delicious and the best way ever to complete our family.

We didn't have a party for Max but we went out for a family breakfast to The Farm then the Roses' came over for a birthday dinner in the afternoon.

Height: Forgot to measure him, oops.

Weight: 9.6kgs

Colour: Blue

Singer: Eminem

Song: Ice Ice Baby

Thing to do at the weekend: See his family

Food: Fish pie

Drink: Milk

Book: Googlies

Movie: Not interested yet.

What makes Max most happy: Having all his family around.

Bx

Sebastian is 4!

Starting the day with birthday cuddles. School hols so a birthday lie in, woohoo!

Presents!

The brotherly love doesn't extend to sharing presents.

Chocolate waffles and fruit for breakfast.

We had a birthday visit to the Nad Al Sheba bike park with the Hoggards.

The cake, banana choc chip (obv). Can't believe I didn't get a birthday dinner photo. It was spag bol.

Cheeky Monkey parties kept us sane again.

Cake time. I emptied the supermarket of kit kats and smarties.

Happy birthday to our gorgeous Bastie.

Cuddly lovable Sebastian is 4! It's been great year for Sebastian. He has retained his gorgeous cuddly cuteness despite starting school, result! He always makes us laugh and has an impressive sense of logic and way with words. He is not afraid to stand his ground and loves a good debate. All in all, a born lawyer. He started school in September and is loving it although gets very tired which is tough. He hasn't seemed to have been fazed by being displaced as the baby of the family and often covers Max in kisses. He is increasingly getting up to boy mischief with Zach and it's lovely watching them grow closer. He is such a sweet little boy and so easy to love and we enjoy every minute with him.

Sebastian's party was on 28 February. It was the usual 48 children chaos so it was all hands on deck and not much time for photos. Everyone had a great time and collapsed afterwards.

Sebastian's party was

Height: 103cms

Weight: 14.9kgs

Colour: Green

Singer: Justin Bieber
Song: Sandstorm - Darude

Thing to do at the weekend: Go to the mall and buy things

Food: Hommous

Drink: 7up

Book: Dinosaur

Movie: Despicable Me 2

What makes Sebastian most happy: Trash Packs.

Bx

Daisy is 8!

A great haul of presents then off to school.

Daisy's birthday dinner was fish, chips and vegetables.

Another banana choc chip cake.

Party Day!

Daisy walks the catwalk then strikes a pose at her fashion themed party.

There was a lot of posing going on.

Yep, some more posing.

There was also some excellent dancing.

More fish and chips.

Cake!

A great party topped off with a disco and sleepover with Hannah.

I can't believe how fast Daisy is hurtling towards double figures! She continues to be fabulous, just all in all a really good girl. She has a great teacher who often reminds me how wonderful Daisy is. She continues to do very well in school and puts in a great effort with her school work. She isn't particularly interested in sport but is still enjoying swimming and gymnastics and has taken up tennis which she loves for the social aspect. She takes her responsibility as a big sister very seriously and is a great help with Max who adores her. She reads reads and reads some more and flies through books faster than I can buy them. I often have to tell her to put the book down and get outside, she would read 24/7 if I let her! Daisy is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and we are so lucky to have her.

Daisy's party was on 2 February and was a fashion party. The girls had a great time and loved all the strutting about and posing.

Height: 130cms

Weight: 23.7kgs

Colour: Light blue

Singer: Selena Gomez, Brtiney, Katy Perry
Song: Roar - Katy Perry

Thing to do at the weekend: Meet friends

Food: Mummy's banana choc chip cake

Drink: Water

Book: Too many to list, loves so many books!

Movie: Frozen

What makes Daisy most happy: Her family.

Bx