Fun Play-Date!

Today we had Miss Dana and Max over for a play-date/cookie baking fiasco!! It seemed to be a great idea, the baking part, but when you have one big child ornery after a nap and one little child that is newly walking all over the place it's not as easy as you think!! Too bad we weren't being taped by the "Bloopers Show!" We'd a won MILLIONS!!!

In the end, we had a great day and the kids had fun!

The pictures are as follows:

1. I matched Max today!!

2. Sorry, Alan, Max is walking around with Tinkerbelle

3. Cookie baking together

4. WANTING to press the cookies solo!

5. Eating together..(what you don't know from this picture is Fayth is po'd that Max is in her chair)

6. Max just having fun and showing off eating "big people food!"

7. Dana in the kitchen..."inside she's dying with the butter content in these cookies...she's my healthy...organic friend!"

8. Pure Bliss!! Love this picture!!

Bath, Bubbles and Brushing!!

Just a few shots from our morning bath. Couldn't help it...her funky hair was cracking me up...she had a little braid on her head and slept with it last night...Too funny!!

Bones or I's...

I am going to share a story about our little smarty pants. If you recall, Fayth got a talking pig from Auntie Jill and the Grass family for Christmas...It was a BIG hit...Well, Gramie thought the pig needed a friend! So, for an early Valentine's day gift...Fayth received a talking dog in the mail. Well, the pig and the dog enjoy hanging out together on Fayth's bookcase. But here is where the "bones or I's" come in...I was dusting this morning, friends coming over to bake today, and found two of Fayth's magnetic upper case letter I's in the dog's bowl. I KNEW right away what they were doing there but I had to hear if for myself. So, after her bath I said come over here...let's play with the doggie and pig. So, holding my hand she walked over to the dog and pig...Well being an actress I said, "Oh, what are those??" And with no hesitation she said "doggie, nummy nummy, bones!!" "Of course!" I said. "He needs to eat just like us!" Then I just sat there for a moment and shook my head in amazement!!

Now, I'm not saying she going to get a 36 on her ACT's...but my goodness...those letters aren't even kept anywhere close to her bookcase. So, she got that little idea in her head and those I's landed in the dog's bowl. All I know is...WOW...they are surely smart from the get go!!!

"The Three Amigos"

No...not the Evenson "3"...I am talking about Jon's best buds growing up in Cary...Tim and PJ. They still remain as "tight" as ever and it's the same old story as it was 25 years ago...When one gets something new, the others must run-out get the same thing!! Yes, it's keeping up with the Jone's...in this case I'm talking about the Wii. PJ was the first to get suckered into the awesome "gaming" technology! From what I've heard, it took about three minutes of convincing, Tim, once he found out they could meet on the first tee on a Saturday morning in February. Well, poor "Chico"...my better half...sat in Dubai with no Wii. So, after researching the heck out of prices, compatibility with the states, and finding out he could join the other two on the first tee, etc...etc...we are the proud new owners of Wii! Now, this is the part I can't believe I'm writing. I am LOVING the new toy. It's fun to play against each other, especially tennis, and talk "crap" to one another, and do something different then sitting on the couch or typing on our computers at night. THE best part though, you can look like sh&^, be dressed in jammies, have on your "fat pants" and still have a fun filled morning or evening. (Have yet to turn it on during the day)...So, double click on one of the pictures of me and be prepared for a scare!! Yes, I know...only Suzanne!! You know me...have to stick to my beauty regime! Monday night is "mask" night. So, thanks alot to the "TWO AMIGOS" in the USA...you have one, or should I say two, happy friends here in Dubai. Get your game faces on...and let battle begin!

Taking a Look Back at Fayth's First Six Months!

I Know You've Had Em'

Yes, good ole "homemade" healthy Popsicles. My mom use to use Dixie cups and spoons...my friends mom used an ice cube tray and toothpicks! Today, Fayth had her first ever OJ pop...it happened to be the size of a large apple. I couldn't find anything smaller in this apartment (remember...we believe in the concept less is more while we are here) except for Fayth's "brushing teeth cup!" She surely didn't care how big or heavy it was. However; she could hardly hold onto the metal spoon. She went to town on the homemade pop! See...I told you so...I knew you've had em'!!!!

So, go ahead...get some 100% fruit juice and make some pops!!!

Chillin' in a Baby Doll Stroller??

The first photo...a fabulous Pottery Barn, name embroidered chair from Gammy for Christmas back in 07'...she loves the chair so it was a "MUST PACK" when we moved here...she uses it EVERYDAY!!

However; today...it was the baby doll stroller...I didn't argue...she doesn't feel well and if that makes her happy...I'm fine with it. Thank goodness it didn't bust...it's been repaired a few gazillion times already!!

Binky is Sick...

Yes, "Binky" as we sometimes call her...stems from what use to be "Stinky"...until former childcare provider...AKA...Miss Amy...she said...you must stop with Stinky!! The other kids were starting to call her that because they'd hear me say it...

So...Binky rhymed with Stinky and that is who she is...my Binky!

Long story to tell you you that she is sick with a nasty cold. We have had a few "home bound" days and it's been kind of nice. Yesterday she was naughty and sick, today, she has been wonderful and sick. So, calling her preschool today was a first of many "sick" calls I'll make over the course of her lifetime. I have taken a few "sick photos" to scrapbook of course!! We need to get her healthy before our trip home in less than two weeks.

Chuck E. Cheese's

Fayth was is heaven this weekend when we all headed to Crue's First Birthday Party at "Chuck's House" as we call it. Crue is Cara's son. She is my new friend from playgroup & walking. Her son is adorable and was such a "ham bone!" He loved his party...every bit of it...so cute!! Fayth danced, sang, danced some more, tried to get the boys to dance WITH her, and ATE...No surprise there!!! She had almost two full pieces of the Mickey Mouse Cake!! Don't know where she puts it all?? The girl can eat!!

Thanks Crue, for our first birthday party in Dubai!! It's a hard act to follow...we had a wonderful time!!! Your parents know how to throw a great party!!!

Dubai Lightning Storm

Fayth Joins Her Cousins Ben & Chloe

Just as common as stilettos & an abaya or young girls starting Botox at age 25 in Dubai... Yes, it is school uniforms for ALL children...even preschool children!!! Actually, I have found out that all over Europe and The Middle East it is "common practice" for all children to wear a school uniform and start school at the early age of two. Today, Fayth joins her cousins, Ben and Chloe, who also wear a school uniform for their private school. At first, I took one look at the uniform and wanted to cry. Then, I put her in it and "goodness she looked cute!" The shorts are harder than cardboard but I assume after washing & wearing they will soften. Now, what do I need...BOWS to match. I am on the hunt for navy blue, white and purple. Or, does anyone have a person that custom makes them?? You know me...she has to have a matching bow or five!!!!

So, every Tuesday & Thursday morning she will head to school for a few hours in her new school uniform.

Ever Wondered This??!!

Ever wondered why parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends spend so much time, effort & money on buying "gifts" when all kids want are empty boxes, to climb on things, fit inside things, and play with useless items in our homes?? Today Fayth spent over an hour with "naked" baby (even though baby has a better wardrobe than me) laying inside of our Ikea piece of furniture. She talked, chuckled, sang, hummed...and I just sat back and thought...all of the hundreds of NEW Christmas gifts and this is what you are doing??

Somebody please explain??!!??

p.s. I did however get a great "head" shot of her as she came out of the furniture!!! Guess from my stand-point it was worth it for the second photo!!

p.s.s. I know what you are thinking...You are starting to see a pattern with the word "naked" in our house. Sure hope this doesn't mean anything for Fayth's future!! Don't need my daughter ending up as "Fancy Fayth" on a stage in Vegas.

Sponge Bob Travels to Dubai...

I am still laughing at this one!!!!! For many of you, you know the LONG story of the ever-returning SPONGE BOB. Let's just say, he was garbage picked by my friend Kristen and me years ago from our former principals house during "Junk-Days" in Cary! It has been a HUGE joke between the three of us for years. He has made an appearance at my baby shower, he has sat in the superintendent's chair in Cary, he has has some social work services, he's been hung upside down with rope above my teacher's desk...and the list goes on and on. We continue to have fun with him and pass him back and forth. It all started cuz two "young gals" were out having some fun at 2:00 am after a Faith Hill concert and now the rest is history!!! We happen to have a problem though...Fayth opened him up and fell in LOVE with him. She sat him on our couch and snuggled with him...He also happens to match our decor!! Therefore; he may need to hunker down in Dubai for a while...but be aware...he'll return back to the USA someday???!!! I may give him a bath or take him for a dip in the Arabian Gulf!

To Brian and Kristen...Thanks for the laugh and remembering the "Good ole' days of Oak Knoll and Briargate!" We have sure had some fun times!! Lots of Laughs!!

A Birthday Celebration!!

Wasn't going to "BLOG" about my own birthday, but it happened to be a really really nice one and I wanted to share a few things. Turning 34 in Dubai was a lot of fun! Jon, with the assistance of his friends at the Al Manzil, set up a really nice "Friday Brunch" reservation along with surprising me with a gorgeous and YUMMY cake!! Fayth was an angel at brunch which never really happens lately, the brunch was outstanding, and the surprise cake with about 20 employees around singing brought HAPPY tears to my eyes. In the afternoon, Fayth and Daddy sang once again and gave me my present and cards. Fayth picked out her own card...and guess what...I turned 10 and I must love Tinkerbell...because that was my card from her. Jon said she insisted that is the one I'd LOVE!! How cute it that!! I received a beautiful ring I designed with a gemstone I already had. I LOVE the gemstone because it looks like Fayth's blue eyes but never really cared for the setting. The perfect evening to a perfect day (My friend Jules agress with this) Pizza and an ice cold beer. Pizzeria Uno...YES FROM CHICAGO...opened last week in the mall by our house. So, we headed over to the mall, ordered a pizza to go, went and saw the "fishies and sharks" picked up our pizza and headed home. Fayth went to bed and Jon and I ate pizza, drank beer, and watched the movie "No Reservations!" All in all...a wonderful birthday celebration.

Thanks for all the well wishes via mail, email, skype calls, phone calls, singing, etc...It was a great birthday!!