No News Here!!

We have been "down and out" with our little gal who came down with 'Hand Foot Mouth Disease' last week. I wish this upon NO ONE!! It happens to be the worst thing we've experienced with Fayth so far!! So, wash hands little preschoolers...and little people...ADULTS TOO...and pray your child never gets this. While you pray, say one for Jon, who might just kill the mom who sent her "carrier" son to school. We don't need him in the Dubai jail...although we've heard it's pretty nice!! No photos, no energy, just wanted to let you all know we are still alive in Dubai!!

Safa Park

Same time, same place...yes...but with more friends this week!!

My "bestie mom's" and our "babies" headed to the park for some more fun in the sun!! It was another great day in Dubai. See, you really take advantage during the "winter months!"

Take 20 Seconds...

click on this link www.LetsSayThanks.com and send a card to a solider during the holiday season. All you have to do is scroll through the cards, pick your favorite (all stinkin cute done by kids), pick a verse and "wa-la" Xerox will send a solider a card!! What a wonderful thing to do!! Thanks, Jill C for the email...great "chain letter" email.

Two-Timing

Or maybe even three-timing...where she learned all this from I don't know!!!???

Fayth is giving Ry Ry a "run for his money" and starting to KISS Crue...not to mention she's always had a thing for Max and stores up kisses for him, too! It's just a normal day at the playarea when she kisses the "boys" goodbye and walks home holding ONE of their hands.

Oh, lordy...it's cute now...but in 12 years it surely won't be and she'll have quite the name for herself!! I say...she's just an affectionate person which I LOVE!!

Family & Friends Day!!

Surprise Fayth...Ryan and KellyAnne joined us for a special day at preschool called "Family & Friends Day!" Jon didn't know if he was going to be able to make it, last minute, so I quick phoned KA and said or should I say begged...he he he...would you like to go to Fayth's preschool in 45 minutes for a luncheon. Without hesitation, KA said sure, and had to hang up to get herself and Ryan ready!!

We walked in and FAYTH CAME RUNNING (first photo) she was SO excited to see her friend Ryan. I sure never get greeted like that!! Then she dragged him around by his hand and showed him her classroom. She even took him to her teacher, without my guidance, to introduce him to Miss Kristy!! So...stinkin cute...they are just so stinkin cute together!!!

We had some lunch and then the kids played. I still will never know exactly what to expect from these monthly Preschool "get-togethers"...they are just casual and not much happens. Very very different from our experience in the states, at least in grade 1, where every minute of an open house or family event it planned from the minute they walk in the door. At one point Jon looked at me and said, "What am I doing here?" KA & I just laughed...because we were thinking the same thing. However; it's nice to see the classroom and meet other moms & children. Another funny story, KA looked at me and said, "I could never do this...this is complete hell!" I just had to laugh because me on the other hand is sitting there "remembering" the GOOD TIMES of teaching school. I will always love what I did and there are some days, like today, I miss it!! The best part of the event though, the taxi ride home...Fayth leaned over and gave Ryan a hug & kiss and said thank you for coming (this was prompted by me) and Ryan (who speaks just a little bit) smiled and said, "Fun FUFF!" It melted our hearts. He was just so cute and sincere. I just love how he calls Fayth FUFF!! That's his special version of Fayth!! She will always be Fuff to him!!

SO, thank you VERY MUCH Ry Ry and KA for joining us. It made for the best Family & Friends day ever!! You are both true friends!! These kind of events make it hard that our extended family is 7000 miles away!! And daddy, thanks for popping over...we know your schedule is "out of control" at the moment with the tower almost opening!!!

Polo Match & TailGating

Saturday afternoon we headed out to the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club for a match. We invited our friends Dana, Alan & Max to join us. It was such a beautiful day out and perfect for a little "horsie watching!" We got to park on the field for FREE and watch a little Polo. We "backed" our cars in and did a little "tailgating" in our minds. None of us knew the rules of the sport but that didn't really matter. We had yummies to eat, some beers, and great conversation while watching the horsies run back and forth on the field. Fayth couldn't wait to go...we had been telling her all week. She just has a thing for the animal!! I do however; love the photo where her back is to the field and she is reading a princess book. She did turn around and reach out towards a horse as one went by and then proceeded to say..., "Look, their tails looks like a caterpillar!" Yes, they do...how funny...that's what goes on in that little head of hers!! It was so much fun and the "referee" came over by us 1/2 way through and let Max & Fayth pet his horse for a few minutes. We also had a few visitors which made Fayth extremely happy!! The doggies loved my baked potato & sweet potato crisps. They came over and helped themselves. Fayth & Max had fun running around and chasing the two doggies. When it was time to leave, Fayth decided to drive their car and Max was "checking his makeup"...it was a crack up!! It was yet again another wonderful "family & friends outing!!" Anyone living in Dubai...I highly recommend it. Just something different to do!!

Notice the HOMES being built around the perimeter of the field!!! I want to know where and who are all these people???

Mexican Dinner on Wheels

Our Turkish friends, Semih & Aysun gave birth to their son last Friday at just about 28 weeks. The baby is in the NIC unit and will remain at the hospital for a few months. Everyone continues to pray and show support for their family. The baby is responding well to the treatment and we all continue to "hope for the best" for little Aras...pronounced A "rus"...with a little roll of the "r". Semih and Aysun came home earlier this week and I rounded up our friends from "SR Ladies Night" to deliver "meals on wheels" to them for the first seven days home. It's amazing at the support and help everyone has shown. The ladies couldn't sign up fast enough to help out. Even though we are all "expats" & "new friends", we have really grown to be a "little family" in Dubai. Our night, was last night, to prepare a home cooked meal. We stayed to have dinner with them. It was a "Mexican Fiesta!" We had a wonderful dinner and great conversation. Aysun's cousin has flown in to help her with house work, laundry, cooking, and just being a sounding board and friend to Aysun. Aysun looks amazing, as always, and is starting to move about. She had an emergency c-section but it really doing well. They visit the baby as few as two times a day and will continue doing this for months. I can't imagine how tough it is on them and they are handling this very well. They have a super attitude and are very confident in their doctors which is very helpful. So please, everyone out there, say a little extra prayer to the "BIG GUY UPSTAIRS" for little Aras. He needs everything he can get!!

The Human Laundry Basket

Just wish "The Human Laundry Basket" knew how to sort, wash, hang, fold, and put away laundry!!!

Family & Friends Outing

On Friday morning, bright and early, we headed to "MotorCity" with KA, Glenn and Ry Ry. It's in Dubai about 15 minutes away and out of the "city." Glenn had printed some FREE tickets and we thought "what the heck!"...may not be a Barbie event but great fun for a family outing. Indeed it was!! The kids donned their YELLOW ear plugs, Fayth ATE through the whole event and didn't sit still, and the rest of us enjoyed the races and nice weather!! We watched three races total and then headed home for afternoon naps! The third race had a PINK car with Hello Kitty on it and Fayth LOVED it! As we were walking out to our cars after the race I asked RY RY what color car was his favorite...as he pondered the question...Fayth yells out, "Pink! I liked the Pink car!!" Well, no SH&*!!! The only TWO seconds of the race, she watched all morning, was when the PINK car zoomed by...imagine that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the sweet picture when she is looking at the track with her hands cupped up by her mouth. We had a fun family & friends outing!!

Miracle Man

Jon's "Mr. Electronics" and fixed my computer. Don't know how but it's working properly...thank goodness. So, I am back up and running!!