VIP to the Dubai Ladies Masters

Today, Jon and I got to go to the Dubai Ladies masters "VIP" style. A client gave Jon two tickets, a parking pass, and ACCESS to "The Clubhouse" at The Emirates Golf Club. Thanks to Aysun & Semih, who watched Fayth, I was able to join Jon. Oh, my...we had so much fun!! Despite the weather and a few raindrops we got to follow Michelle Wie a few holes, Christina Kim, and Anna Nordqvist (the 7th best female golfer in the world...and very cute I might add). We started out in a fancy hall overlooking the 18th hole while enjoying some fruit, cheese, croissants & cappuccinos. It was like a wedding reception...so pretty and fancy. I felt "very" special. Then, we headed over to the driving range and watched some of the ladies warm up. My goodness do some of them have an amazingly strong swing. After this, we walked some holes and watched the golfers later coming back for a pitstop & beer at "The Clubhouse". We were right next to Laura Davies and many of the other golfers. It was really kinda cool!! Overall...super fun day VIP style. Our passes said "Chairman's Guest" which is the chairman for Emaar, the largest property developer in Dubai...and obviously the developer of the Burj Dubai (that's why we were there). So, a million thanks goes out to Jon's client for allowing us to experience a super cool golf tournament and Aysun & Semih for babysitting!!

HO HO HO...

Merry Christmas...said the big jolly Emirati Santa!!! Last night, with three other couples, we headed to the Madinat Jumeirah, to the holiday "winter wonderland!" It was about 78 degrees and beautiful out...hardly a winter wonderland but we had the best time ever!!! Fayth sat on Santa's lap and said, "My name is Fayth." "I want DVD's for Christmas, Mickey DVD's." "And "amminals" for my farm...the farm I am getting for my birthday!" She was so funny...I was dying!! She was right on...she IS getting a farm from us for her birthday and GOD I hope some animals from Santa!! I think "Gammy" Mrs. Santa has this covered...or at least Ben and Chloe's old ones wrapped under the tree...she'll know no different!!! She has four animals already that she got this summer from Gramie at the fair and LOVES them...she is all into this farm thing!! So her "passion" right now...baby stuff and clothes "for baby" of course, princess stuff, Disney & dress-up, and THE FARM!!! Great combination I must say...very well rounded in the toy department!!!!

We not only saw Santa, we had some beers while listening to X-mas carols and over looking the Burj Al Arab (Boozie Suzie danced a bit), and had dinner AT MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE...The Noodle House!! Yum Yum!! Fayth was in heaven since she LOVES to eat rice!!! It was a wonderful evening with all our "little buddies" and their families!!

A Lucky Little Lady...

Aysun, our friend, is so good to Fayth. Yesterday she came over bearing Christmas gifts. She is Muslim and doesn't even celebrate XMAS but knows we do and had to bring Fayth some presents!! We had invited her to make cookies with us but she had a friend come by and wasn't able to join us. She stopped by later and gave Fayth a Hello Kitty stuffed animal, which Fayth loved...she LOVES Hello Kitty & some cotton pajamas. The cotton jammies are an "inside joke"...the long and short of it...I got "yelled" at because I had Fayth sleeping in silky jammies or polyester and Aysun said she needed to have cotton to whisk away her sweat at night...she told me this was why Fayth kept getting a cold last "winter"...not because of ALL the GERMS at preschool!! Anyway, she bought her new jammies to make her point clear...it was hysterical and Fayth stripped down to her undies and put them on right away. She loved her two gifts!!! I also got a present...I LOVED a sweater Aysun had on when we went to tea, the other afternoon, and commented on it a few times. I was going to head to Zara and by it myself...well, wa-la, she bought me the sweater, which was totally uncalled for, but I LOVE IT!! So, once again, we are lucky to have such wonderful new friends in Dubai!! Fayth really loves Aysun and was a gracious gift opener!! Thank goodness!! She even went running out after Aysun because she didn't want her to leave. We sent her home with some freshly baked cookies that Fayth picked out!! Aysun and Semih, thanks for being so thoughtful and kind. We appreciate your friendship.

***As I've blogged earlier...their baby, Aras, is still in the NICU. He is gaining weight and getting stronger...just happens at such a snail pace. Aysun just wants her "little man" home to hold & love. This has been very hard of both of them and they have remained very strong & positive. We wish them only the best and continue to give our support whenever we can!

Sugar Sugar...

do do do do do do do...oh, honey honey...do do do do do do...you are my "Baker Girl!"and you've got me "Bakin' with You."

We have so much fun in the kitchen together and GOD do we make a MESS!!! It was exactly 6 1/2 hours from the start of the "making of the cookie dough" to the cleaning up after the decorating took place. Thank goodness Jon came home to help with clean up. I could hardly think straight, not to mention stand much longer, and it was such a mess!! Mind you, a little person napped during my preparations and pooped out after awhile of rolling and cutting! We baked about 100 sugar cookie cutouts and decorated them with frosting, sprinkles and colored sugar! We have made plates for Santa on X-mas eve, Santa when we visit him on Thursday night, our families (they are being frozen), our friends in Dubai, the concierge, Jon's work, our cleaning lady, and of course...Ourselves!!! It was a fun "festive" day. And when it was all over, I remembered I wanted to play Christmas music while baking and FORGOT...Oh, well...there's always next year!

Babysitting...

We have had our littlest friend, RY RY, overnight the past two nights. He came over on Thursday night so his parents could go to a Palestinian wedding in Abu Dhabi & then on Friday night as a "pay back" for when they had Fayth overnight when RA and Tom were visiting. We have had loads of fun and the kids have really been good. The "octave" level is much higher with two kids but they truly have behaved nicely. Thursday night we headed to the mall, via foot with TWO strollers, had dinner at Chili's, ate ice cream from McDonald's, exchanged some Crocs daddy had bought for Fayth (needed a bigger size...she is growing like a weed right now) walked past the "Rally" car show downtown, watched Barney's Christmas DVD, read some Xmas books and headed to bed. They slept in the same room...NOT THE SAME BED. Ryan had Fayth's toddler bed and did a really good job in it. They woke up at 6:20 and were ready to PLAY PLAY PLAY!! I made Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast, they played some more and then KellyAnne came to take him back for a few hours before he returned at 3:30. Then, after his nap, he came back to our place for another sleep over. He is a good boy and we have enjoyed having him. He has so much energy it's SICK...wish I could bottle it...but he is always happy and is a nice little boy!! He is a loving little one!! At 4:00 we headed to our friend's house for Roast Dinner. Cara, Craig, and Crue wanted to have us out for "The Last Supper" before they head home for the holidays and stay in Canada before their move to Houston. I AM GOING TO REALLY BE SAD AND MISS THEM A TON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, we were in HEAVEN, it was like a meal my mom cooks and so so good!! Roast with the best gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, cooked carrots, rolls, wine...yum yum yum!! Jon was in heaven and went back for seconds. I think he would have had thirds but would have been embarrassed!!! Once again the octave level increased a bit, three kids this time, but they were really good and had a ball playing together. It was a great evening. The noise didn't seem to bother me...after downing a HUGE cocktail!!! Ha Ha!!! Thanks, guys for such a great night!! We didn't have to say our "goodbyes" just yet...we are seeing them for a few holiday events, scrapbooking, and park playing!! So...all in all...we had a wonderful time babysitting Ryan and he is welcome anytime. We've decided to try to take turns monthly and give the parents a "date night." Seems like the kids love it and so do the parents!!