Good Behavior Week One!!

Fayth has started a "good behavior" chart. Too harsh you think, heck NO...she is TWO (28 months) and so stinkin smart!!

She gets rewarded for positive behavior. For example, doing something the FIRST time we ask her! However; in the new plan, she also goes straight into TIMEOUT for the following:

1. A sassy NO! to mom or dad.

2. Opening the refrigerator door. She needs to ask and not help herself...this it the "independent thing!"

3. Walking around in just underwear. (Thanks to Aunt Jill we started this...daddy, too, wants her to wear "bottoms", and now that we are totally potty trained, I'm also on board!)

4. Eating around the house. We eat in our booster chair only. Water and milk can be drank anywhere still and we can eat on the balcony as well.

The first week was VERY successful and she LOVED earning stickers. We looked through a catalog and allowed her to pick something to work towards. I cut it out and taped in on the bottom of the behavior chart. We hung it on the refrigerator and wa-la...she earned her toy with no problems at all!!! We shopped on Thursday and the photos are of her playing her new toys. It was buy two for the price of one!! Manic Martians & Jitterbugs...boy are they fun and LOUD!!

This week, we are working towards Rosie's World Beauty Shop. I think she is a UK small toy. She's kind of like Strawberry Shortcake in the US. Wish us luck!!

Family & Friends Tea

THIS IS A LONG ONE...grab a drink and perhaps an Excedrin!!

Yesterday, Wednesday was a special day at Preschool called family and friends tea. When I picked up Fayth on Tuesday, her teacher asked, "Oh, are you coming to the tea"...and I said, "Yes we planned on it but don't have any family in Dubai so it would just be us three." She said, "No problem that's fine... just remember to bring a dish to pass!" So, yesterday I hopped in the shower at about 10:45. The "tea" started at 12:00.

SIDEBAR, it's different in Dubai than at home, we don't receive newsletters or notes, they just hang "non specific...boring" sheets up to let us know about any upcoming event. For god sakes...if we were having a program we'd naturally send about three notes, two reminders, what time, where to be, what to wear, what to bring, etc. etc...BUT NOT HERE!! It just kills me but that's the way they operate.

Back to the story...SO, out of the shower and it seems very quiet. I walk out to the family room and my little darling was OUT COLD, covered up, laying in front of the TV snoring like no buddies business. She has been fighting a cold and has been a little under the weather. I just continued to get ready. Then 11:45 rolls around and she hasn't moved an inch. I quickly call Jon who is in the middle of a "fire evacuation" and says he won't be ready for a few more minutes anyway! No problem I tell him...his daughter is out cold. I ask what to do...SO, we decided, let her sleep a few more minutes. It's only a TEA! Now mind you...I have been to two other events and all they are is food, kids running around and screaming, and parents either playing with their child or totally ignoring their child and gossiping with other parents!! Well, 12:30 rolls around and we decide to get her up. She had been sleeping for at least an hour and a half. I quick brush her hair, put her in her smashing new dress, run downstairs with her and grab a taxi! I make him stop at Krispy Kreme for two dozen donuts (yeah...I know...can you believe that's what I took!) NO baking this week & very unprepared (I am however hosting a baby shower this weekend)!! So, we get to the school and are getting out of the taxi...Here comes her TEACHER, she is walking towards us and goes, "OH, YOU JUST MISSED THE PERFORMANCE!" BUT, THERE IS A SLIDE SHOW GOING AND FAYTH IS IN A FEW PHOTOS!!! GO INSIDE AND HELP YOURSELF I"LL SEE YOU IN A FEW MINUTES.

How terrible did I feel...You don't even want to know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I call Jon who is two seconds away and tell him. He says, no biggie, it's fine!! That's why we are so good for eachother. CALM (him) and CRAZY (me)...well, we go into the classroom and it just gets worse. All the little girls are running around with beautiful "Fancy Nancy" butterfly wings, faces painted, and glittery head bands. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die!!! Fayth...she was clueless and wanted a donut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank god she is "shy" at school & only cared about the FOOD...and I'm serious with that one...her report card said, very "shy" at school and hardly talks!! I still think they have the wrong child but that's a whole other blog...

Back to the story...She held onto us, showed daddy around her classroom, ate a HUGE plate of food, pounded down a donut, built a tower with me out of blocks (called it daddy's tower), and finally started waking up and decided to dance with mommy & daddy!!

Well, I'm sure the rest of the parents where like thinking, "NICE YOU COULD MAKE IT!!" Who's this family??!!??!!??

Oh, well...I don't believe in "waking" a sleeping baby or child. If they are sleeping, they must need it!!

So, I explained it to the teachers who TOTALLY understood and said, NO BIG DEAL!!

It turned out to be a nice "show and tell" of her school classroom & daddy and I really enjoyed it.

Do I still feel badly...HELL YES...however; she has 16 more years of school and I'm sure they'll be plenty of other performances, right??!! That is how I am talking myself off the ladder!!!

***one more thing***

As Fayth was eating breakfast yesterday, I said to her, "Honey, today is your family & friends tea." "Are you excited for it?" And she said, "Mommy, Auntie Cindy & Aunt Jill coming,"...and I said, "No, honey...they live far away, but we will see them shortly!" I couldn't believe it!!!!! Inside I was dying & wanted to cry!!!!! I'm sure the teachers talked about bringing family and it was so sweet that she said both aunts and THEIR names...She totally comprehended "family" and knows those are her aunts!! SO, sorry Gammy and Gramie...this time it was the Aunts!! And no worries...when we return someday and you are coming to ALL THE STINKIN PROGRAMS...you'll wish we were gone again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it, I promise...and this blog may count for a month worth of blogs!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Taste of Home

No, not food...But the way I enjoy decorating!! Lauren, a friend & Jon's co-workers wife, just had her mom in town for two weeks. They were kind enough to let me tag along on one of their days of shopping in the Marina. There is ONE store down there that Lauren and I discovered months ago and I LOVE IT!! I walk in and immediately feel right at home!! It is called "Cottage Chic" and it's fabulous! I have NEVER bought anything from the store but happen to just get that good "feeling" walking around!! It is all very over priced because being the "cheap" bargain shopper that I am, I know I could find 1/2 of it at Homegoods, antiquing, or steal it from my sister in laws house!! Ha!! The main level is filled with pillows, chandeliers, candles, tea sets, clocks, shabby chic furniture, pj's, anything and everything a woman loves...AND THE UPSTAIRS...here it goes again, HOLY MA HOLY...it's the nursery/baby section! I went up there with Lauren, who's do in August, and we were dying!! Her mom said it was hysterical to hear us from the bottom level!! She just listened and laughed!! It "almost" made me want to have another child!! However; I came back to my senses after coming home to a three foot midget that keeps me on my toes!! Anyway, just a few photos I MADE Lauren take. The chair I'm sitting in...awww...it was sososososososo cute and comfy!!! Thanks Lauren and Eileen for letting me come along!

Mailbox Jackpot!!

It's not "too" terribly often we go to our mailbox and have ONE piece of mail let alone a "mailbox jackpot!" This week we've been filled with Father's Day cards, graduation thank-you notes, silly fun cards & stickers for Fayth, singing cards, postcards, new insurance id's, and the BEST WEDDING INVITATION I'VE EVER RECEIVED (sorry for all of YOU out there from weddings we've attended...but, really, it is the topper on the cake!) One of my BEST buddy's is getting married in July and I can't wait to be there to celebrate. Her adorable invitation arrived TODAY!! Very chic hot pink & lime green! Gotta love it! What I love even more...my "ensemble" is going to match her wedding party and gorgeous reception! Yeah, I know, like Jon says, "I'm a wanna be bridesmaid!" You gotta do what you gotta do, RIGHT??!! Love ya, D...can't wait...truly can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fork Cheers!!!

Yes, Max and Fayth were having fun doing "cheers" with their forks yesterday while having lunch! Fayth was a big girl and sat on a bar stool for the first time ever. I was "neurotic" thinking she was going to take a tumble...but, she was kind enough to let Max have her seat...let's just say last time we tried to give Max her seat...she wigged out!!! However; she is older and more MATURE now!!! How funny does that sound!!! As always, fun and busy times!!! We have missed our friends Max and Miss Dana!!!

Dancing Water & Dancing Friends

Today we "hit the heat" with KellyAnne and Ryan her son. Jon gave me the car today....YIPPEE...and I took full advantage of it. We went down to the Marina Walk and the kids played in the jumping fountains while we took a million pictures. The two of them are just so cute together and Fayth has a "thing" for Ry Ry...It's always good times when we are together. "I happen to love the photo of KellyAnne taking a photo of Ryan." We were like paparazzi with the kids today. It was hysterical!!!

After watching our munchkins run and dance in the fountains we headed to another area of the Marina called "The Walk." It is shopping & food on one side of the one-way street and the gorgeous beach and gulf on the other. We had a coupon voucher, you know me...love the coupons, so we tried out a new Pizza joint. It was great and the kids had a ball. It was close to 1:00 p.m. and near meltdown, for both kids, so we headed home for naps. AHHHH...both took L-O-N-G wonderful naps. The heat and running around will do that. I actually sat on the couch and read two magazines that KA gave me. NOW, you know me, sit still on the couch...NOT...well, I did, and it was wonderful. A fun day!!

Nothing Out of the Ordinary

I just had to...

This is a photo "nothing out of the ordinary" since I am living in a Muslim country. It's something you just get use to seeing. I'm just waiting for Fayth to say something one of these days!!! All I can say is...picture three Muslim women standing there...they wear all BLACK in 130 degree heat. However; they are all SO beautiful and I happen to really like their abayas. They always look so neat, well-kept, and really together. I'd love to have just ONE of their makeup bags. You haven't seen make-up and I mean fabulous makeup application until you've come to Dubai!!!

Sangria & Spa Night

The ladies of South Ridge headed to the new Nivea Spa at the Dubai Mall. This was our last outing before we all hit our homeland, for months, this summer. Some of the girls have already left and others start ditchin' Dubai next week!! We will ALL be back in September (I think I'm the latest to come back here...as Fayth is not in a school academy...just preschool). It started out at Karen's for Sangria & yummies. The Sangria went down WAY TO GOOD for most of us...so, we hit the taxis instead of driving!!

Then, at the spa we all headed our separate directions for various treatments. I "ran" around and embarrassed everyone with the camera of course!! I even took a picture in the bathroom. The tile was so "Nivea!" Nivea is HUGE here in the middle east! Some of the treatments included, 1/2 body massage, detoxifying massage, sport massage, eyelash tinting (I really need to try this...it totally works), manis and pedis, and the list goes on. I had a 60 minute Swedish & Sport massage done by Warren. He was the bomb & it happened to be one of the cheapest and best massages I've ever had!! I will be returning to see my new 'little' and I mean 'little' Filipino friend. I loved him the minute he said after the massage...you look like someone...someone Hollywood...I can't put my finger on it...I stood up and he said...OH, Cameron Diaz!! It's the eyes and great smile. Well, how can I not love this man!! Notice he didn't tell me my legs, arms, and body looked like hers!! Oh, well. I'll take it in the face. So, it continues, from Vegas to Chicago and then the Middle East, I always get "Cameron Diaz"...I really can't see it AT ALL...but I'm totally fine with it!!! Who wouldn't be...Now, can I just have her wardrobe??!!

Anyway, after being totally relaxed and feeling like GLUE...we got our makeup spruced up, spent millions on makeup because we all fell in love with the "inexpensive brand" and headed to the new Karma Cafe in the Souk Al Bahar! It is owned by the Budda Bar, a great bar here in Dubai, a HOTSPOT for years! So, this new Karma Cafe that overlooks the fountains, is said to be the new HOT hangout. I just happened to love the hot pink lighting, chandeliers and fabulous dark lighting!!! We sat outside and enjoyed the view. Inside people were starting to dance to the live DJ and enjoying the huge atmosphere. Remember...we weren't looking all that spectacular so outside was perfect & calm!! If it wasn't for the two ring leaders, Karen & Ann, who wanted to hit the cafe, I think I could have come home and fallen over!! However; it turned out to be the BEST night. Some snacked on Sushi & prawn rolls while I tried a "new" treat, edamone, and loved it!! If you don't know...they are little beans you pop out of a pod. Yum Yum!! Drinks were yummy and conversation was even yummier. A bit "racy"at times...sorry, can't share all the goods!!! As always, a great time with my "Dubai darlings!"

Holy...Ma-Holy!!!

Yes, it's a word in my vocabulary...and I said it about one million times today when a package arrived from Gammy! I thought she was just sending my antibiotic (zit pills & headache medicine) but it was a box and it was a Holy-Ma-Holy!!!

Gammy and the "downstairs crew" from the Bank in Cary have moved to the Harris Bank in Barrington (I know a lot of you have wondered where my mother-in-law has been...she was "THE POPULAR ONE" at the bank in Cary)...well, this is a major BONUS for Fayth. Evidently, Gammy stumbled upon the most incredible girly girly store in downtown Barrington and Fayth got lucky!!

First, the swimsuit, sandals, and matching cover-up! I just can't even express how adorable it truly is...and one her...oh, my!! I just kept saying, oh, my!!

Secondly, the pink, brown & white, most adorable "twirly" dress you've ever seen!! It screams, London, here we come...watch out!! Fayth will be stylin' on our mini-vacation to London. We are pit-stopping on our way home this summer!!

Next, a brand I love and both grandma's buy...Baby Lulu...This was a huge hit because it had a birdie on it. I happen to love it because it's blue and I love Fayth in baby blue! Fayth loves it because of the birdie. So, so cute!!

Lastly, a BOX of fabulous scrapbooking paper and embellishments for ME...Yippee...It's chuck full of fun papers, kits, and do-dads! Thanks, Gammy!! Can't wait to scrapbook!!

Now, you may be thinking, What did Jon get?, nothing and he made it known!! Gammy said his is on it's way...Father's Day is right around the corner!! I think he's stilling pouting!!

A wonderful surprise & we love it all!! I hope you can "feel" the excitement in the photos. She LOVED getting a package & loved her new clothes!! I LOVE that she LOVED getting clothes!! She is a true girl!!