Just A MUST!!!

This photo goes along with the past post...while I was typing the post she was on the couch...

I thought it got rather quiet...She passed out at 5:45 p.m. to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Now I really better take a bath and go night-night. She is going to be up at the crack of dawn!

"Naughty" Sleeping Beauty!! God I love her!!

Naughty!!!!!

Oh, yes...you heard right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Santa was watching TODAY...Miss Fayth will have four tons of coal in her stocking and that's IT!!!!! And the gifts that are arriving daily...they could be donated to the less fortunate kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is how our day went... 1. Grocery store...would not sit in the cart...I could have had social services take a closer look at me if they would have seen me "forcing" her into the seat!! Not fun!! 2. Playgroup at the FUN playground land that costs a pretty penny...left a half an hour early because someone screamed MINE at the top of her lungs and threw a tantrum over a sippy?!? Oh, was I embarrassed... 3. Home to eat and nap...NO NAP AT ALL...would not go down...missed the napping window because she slept for about a minute in the car!!!! 4. Five or Six timeouts throughout the day...maybe seven or eight but who's counting??!! 5. Daddy home.......tried to have a "serious talk with her" she grabbed his face...OH, MY...didn't make the dada very happy!!!! 6. The topper of the early evening...I turned my head for two seconds while she was in the bath tub...she took the pump soap and pumped a HUGE pump in her mouth. All I have to say is bubbles are still coming out of everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I mean everywhere!!!!! MAYBE SHE WAS PUNISHING HERSELF... YES...this is all very Naughty...and I know what you are thinking....just wait the best is yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am having a beverage, taking a bath, and going night-night myself!!!!!! Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May tomorrow be a better day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (No photos taken...they wouldn't be pretty!)

Things Are Pouring In...

Cards, gifts and boxes are starting to make it all the way here just in time for Christmas!! I am pretty impressed with some of you and you're Christmas cards. You must have sent them out very early because we have received a bunch already! WOW...impressive!! The mail to Dubai is very "frustrating!" Some times it takes three to four weeks...other times it's a quick five days. However; when we send a card from here to the states...it without a doubt takes three LONG weeks at least!

Well, yesterday we received boxes from Gammy & Papa Evenson and as we were opening them there was one gift that wasn't going to make it until Christmas morning! It was in a huge garbage bag and Fayth was so excited she could hardly stand it. So, we gave in...It's the softest bear you've ever felt.

Side bar...many of you have asked if they celebrate Christmas here. The answer is...the ex patriots from all over the world do but the Muslims do not. They, however, don't frown upon the holiday and actually teach their children about Christmas and embrace our Christian religion. I just read a very interesting article that the "locals" enjoy the way the malls are decorated and all of the holiday spirit! Also, a ton of restaurants here do traditional meals with visits from Santa, Christmas carols, and so much more. I must say FRUIT CAKE, YULE LOGS, and Gingerbread treats are HUGE here!! You can order and take away all of these items and so much more. The UAE definitely has things down to a science and many hotels and restaurants take the opportunity to offer Christmas meals.

We plan on opening gifts, playing for awhile, heading to the beach with breakfast and coming back for a jammie day so Fayth can play with her new things!!! I am going to prepare Lasagna before X-mas eve and we are going to "eat on that" for a few days. It seems silly to head to brunch for about 130.00-250.00 US dollars per person when Fayth doesn't like to sit still and Jon and I are such picky eaters.

Hanging out, relaxing, and watching Fayth play it how we want to spend our Christmas.

WONDERFUL SURPRISE!!!!

Today when we got home our concierge had a beautiful arrangement waiting for us!

The Johnson's...Kristen, PJ and Gilbert sent some "holiday cheer!" And yes, it did just that!! It is a very modern & unique vase of orchids! We LOVE them! Thank you for thinking of us and bringing a smile to our faces! I wish I could have it last forever. It has an Asian flare to it and the sleekness of it looks really nice in our apartment! Very "Posh" arrangement! Thanks!

Preschool Practice Day #2...

Yesterday Fayth had tears for about 35 minutes...Today, I at least got a KISS...and then, she sprinted for the classroom. She had ZERO tears and loved it today! It was their holiday party so what's NOT TO LOVE!!! The teacher said she is a doll and did a good job today. I must tell you...I walked in and it was quiet time...the kids were all lined up watching TV sitting nicely on little people chairs...About four were too busy to watch TV...Fayth being one of them...she was next to her chair on the ground playing with a plastic plate and peach! She had no shoes on, her hair looked like she stuck her finger in an electric socket and the bow was missing... So, did she have Fun Today???...........I'd say so.............passed out cold once again on the walk home.

"PreSchool Practice"

Today, Fayth, headed to Cello Kids Club to practice going to "peeskool" as she says. The center recommends that they come 3 times before starting. In January, she will be going two days a week in the morning for a few hours. It is a very unique place and does yoga, gym kids, language both English and French, arts & crafts, ballet, piano, swimming and so much more! They actually bring in a ballet teacher once a week and a piano teacher too. When I heard this it was a done deal. Now mind you...I know they aren't going to make her a "sugarplum fairy" at age two but the introduction to dance and the fine arts was a a deal sealer for me!

Boy O Boy...how the table has turned however! I got up this morning and kept saying your going to school, dressed her in a school girl outfit, packed her "bakpak" (backpack), and we headed out the door. It is about a five minute walk from our apartment. I prepped her the whole way there and she has been ECSTATIC about going. We even ordered Elmo Goes to School last night to prep her on our I TV. Anyway, I of course took a few dozen photos, laid on a big fat kiss, and knew to escape rather quickly. She ran after me, started crying and saying Mama mama. NOW...I AM NORMALLY THE ONE SAYING TO THE PARENT, "She'll be fine, just be on your way and have no worries! We will take good care of her." Well, hell...it's a lot different when you are the parent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I walked, stopped and listened, walked back toward the door, turned around, called Jon...felt better...and knew I had to leave. Now, she LOVED daycare in Cary with Miss Amy, however; this is all new and it's not MISS AMY. We live in a different country and all she's had for three months is US! Plus, she is so much older now and knows what is going on. So, yes, she will be TOTALLY fine and it will be VERY good for her socially & emotionally. Plus, she is a busy girl and needs the stimulation. But wowie wow wow...It was not as easy as I thought!!

So, here comes the apology...for all those parents out there that I (laughed behind your backs) and thought..."GET A GRIP"...I apologize and now I have joined you...the parents side!!

I will never make another comment again!! I promise!!

The last picture is her passed out cold on our walk home. So precious! I transferred her to her bed and she didn't even flinch. PEESKOOL wore her OUT!!

Blankie Back-Up

Fayth has a sage blankie that she just loves...she calls "that one" her blankie. It was a gift from a former family of mine at Briargate...the Cummings family. She has a bunch of beautiful blankies...handmade ones, embroidered ones, little ones, big ones...but the Little Giraffe sage one is her ultimate blankie. So, Jon and I decided we better get a back-up! Most of you know how I am with my blankie and she has inherited that from me! So, I went on the web site Little Giraffe...and much to my surprise... there was Suri Cruise, Apple Paltrow, "little Garner", and Angelina Jolie's children promoting the Little Giraffe blanket. So, yes, my little galpal has great taste!! Anyway, the website is just about the products you can't buy them on the site. So, I sent and email to customer service asking for stores in Dubai or online and got a quick response within 24 hours of four online stores...Well...this is the main reason for this BLOG... Jon is in BIG TROUBLE...One of their recommendations was www.laylagrayce.com and I have died and went to heaven. I want one of everything on the site and NOTHING is cheap!!!!!!!! It has amazing furniture, jewelry, robes, bedding, and it's all my style!! Shabby Chic and adorable...So, this blankie-back up is going to cost a fortune!! I am saving now so when I return my next home can be filled with things from this fabulous store Layla Grayce...This is the kind of store I'd like to own! Not to mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name and like Fayth...they both have y's in them. All I Can Say is it Was Meant to Be!!!!

Camels in the Manger...

Received an email today with this picture and it made me SMILE...This camel "family of five" made it home with Gramie as "souvies" from Dubai for my sister, her husband and their kids. They weren't the easiest things to get through security (heavy hard metal... :-) but they are now in Nebraska celebrating Christmas with baby Jesus and the manger scene!! So, a touch of Dubai will be with them when they host the holidays for both families this year!

Christmas Spirit??!!

Not to be a "Debbie Downer" but I've been asking myself...do I have that Christmas Spirit??!! I can honestly say without the cold, snow, and lights & decorations on all the homes...I'm not really feeling it!! Yes, some people in Dubai have lights, trees, and festive Christmas things but it's just not the same. So when you're driving down the street this year... don't take the snow, beautiful trees, festive homes, and all the decorations for granted. They truly make you feel the Christmas Spirit...not to mention the yummy hot cocoa and candy canes...It's just not the same.

Although, Gammy has been sending us beautiful singing X-mas cards and gorgeous scenes by Jacquie Lawson...so this has been helping our spirit. Fayth looks forward to these cards and says "more, more, more!" I am also using the line, "Santa is watching you...better be nice and not naughty!" So this shows some spirit, RIGHT??!! I think I say this a few dozen times a day. Those terrible two's are quickly approaching!!!!

Anyway, from Sunny Dubai...we truly wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas & Happy New Year! Only 12 days and counting...Merry HO HO!!!!

Maroon Five

Oh, yeah...that's right...Maroon Five...for FREE!!! Well, kinda FREE!!

While returning a dress to the Gap a few weeks ago I asked a sales person what was all the ruckus?? He looked at me and said...are you kidding...people have been camped out since the early am hours for Maroon Five tickets that the GAP, Dubai Mall, is sponsoring! Well, a few phone calls later, Dana's taxi speeding to the mall, and spending only 125.00 US on Gap merchandise (which is so easy to do) we landed two back-stage passes, VIP treatment, front "row"and a night out as wanna be 16 year olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story gets better and better.

So, we get our VIP phone call during the day reminding us on where to be and what time. Jon and Alan come home from work early for us to allow us plenty of time. We got there, got a beer, and went to the tent where we were to wait. About an hour and 1/2 later they took about 50 of us (like a herd of cattle) to the back of the stage. Now mind you, Dana is 38 and I'm 33 (for another 30 days :-) so we are calmly walking not pushing-shoving like all of the groupies...just walking at the tail end of the "herd." We get to the gate where you enter and the security guard puts his hand out and says, THAT'S IT!! Literally, we were the next two to get in. Well, even though we really didn't care too much, we of course, made a HUGE stink!! After a gazillion phone calls & texts by the security guards and Gap associates a Gap Manager came out to speak to us. She felt very badly and said, "Sorry ladies don't know what happened they just said no more in to the guards and the concert is going to start. What can I do to make this up to you?" So, after negotiating, we scored her signed picture from the band and made a quick trip to her car to take whatever GAP loot we wanted. Jon has about seven new caps in various colors, four T-shirts and I got a cute purple tee and cute hat...I was really hoping for a hoodie!!! We will be "walking marketing" for the GAP. Then, we quickly headed back to the concert and entered VIP where the news and media people are and had a really great time. We walked in and the concert started. Maroon Five is REALLY good. The concert was awesome and we were so stinkin close we could see the sweat dripping off of their faces, kinda cool! I didn't realize how popular they are and many songs I knew!! So, thanks to Gap and the band we had a super night out and the weather was perfect!