Someone's 34

Happy Birthday papa! from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

Yasmin has been singing the 'Happy Birthday' song whenever she sees a cake. She sang to the gingerbread house everyday that it was on our kitchen table. She sings to the cake in her storybook ... basically, she's been practising. So when Johan's birthday cake appeared after dinner, she sang on cue. But she was a little mesmerised by the glowing candles.

Happy Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

All our love ...


Early Christmas morning (family photo attempt #1)

At a Christmas party later (photo attempt #2)

Father Santa

I didn't plan on telling Sera the tale of Father Santa. Not at all. As children, my brother and I were always given a more religious view of Christmas, one without the fantasy. Definitely not the tale of Santa that travelled the world, with his team of reindeer, to deliver gifts for children (only the good ones!).

So with Christmas approaching, I shared with Sera the Christmas story (the only one I've known as a child) and she was curious, as with all new stories. We even have a little ceramic nativity scene that sits on the table, and Sera had exclaimed excitedly at 'baby Jesus', nestled in the crib. I was glad that she was experiencing Christmas in a more real and meaningful way.

Then a few nights ago, I told her the story about Santa. I now cringe slightly at the whole episode. She wanted me to tell her a story and I, being in a festive mood, impulsively told her the tale that was never uttered to me as a child. At first, I started off warily, and then when I saw her big eyes widen to saucers, I got carried away and the story got more fantastical. Oh dear. I went to bed that night and thought about Santa, about how Sera was so charmed by the whole story and how she so easily believed that he was going to come by on Christmas eve night to deliver presents for Yasmin and herself. It was sweet and in the end, I was glad I'd played along with her imagination of Santa and his flying reindeer.

So the next morning, I discussed with mama, the idea of her 'meeting' Santa in the flash. All across Dubai, in various malls and hotels, Santa was appearing at grottos to meet with children, for a fee of course. We drove 45 minutes to this Wafi mall, bought our tickets and waited another 90 minutes (amazingly Sera stood beside me all that time, not a whisper of a whine). Finally, it was time for Sera and I to enter Santa's grotto. I was, admittedly, just as excited as Sera. The grotto was dimly lit and there was a fireplace to create cosiness but Sera was immediately taken aback and then Father Santa, who was sitting rather snugly on his plush armchair, further terrified her. I expected her reaction, it was no surprise. Father Santa tried to engage her in some conversation.

"Sera, have you been a good girl?" (hmm, talk about scripted conversation huh?)

Sera was standing a good two metres from him, her hands twisted in a ball and her face on the verge of explosive sobs. She managed a weak nod, as in 'yes'.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

Sera turned to look at me, a bit stunned about that question.

"I want you to come to my house."
"Yes, I will come to my house ... but you HAVE to tell me what you want for Christmas."

Hmm, I saw what Santa was trying to pull off. If he thought I'd be easily sucked into this age-old 'all I want for Christmas' scam, he'd be sorely disappointed! Sera shook her head, refusing to divulge anything. I knew what she really wanted and that was for Santa to drop by our place while we were all in bed.

"I will leave cookies and milk for you."
"Oh ... and don't forget, carrots for my reindeer."

Sera nodded in promise.

Our time with Santa was coming to an end and we had to take a photo with him for the evidence! Sera of course, refused to sit with him, so I had to squash myself beside him, with Sera on my lap. SMILE!

So was ALL this worth it? Yes, I think so. The story of Santa and his magical reindeer ... and then meeting him is now a part of her childhood ... one of her many rites of passage that she will have.

Construction worker

No princess tiaras or gilded carriages for our girls ... only the hardiest CAT dumper and a workman's safety helmet!

Gingerbread House

This afternoon grandma and Sera made a Gingerbread House. Grandma did the framework while Sera did the trimmings on the roof. This is what I call impressive teamwork!

Front view

Back view

It's the holidays

Last day of school so how else but to celebrate with a picnic at the park. That's the wonderful thing about the weather now, you can be comfortably outdoors the whole day. Wish you all were here!

Yasmin just awake from her nap under the shade of a palm tree.

After lunch, she heads to the playground

Sera, the ever cautious one, stunned me when she did this all by herself. For a while, she had been standing by just observing while other kids monkey-ed around on the monkey bars. She finally decided to try this stunt today!

I breathe for these moments!

This has been my week so far

We started the weekend with birthday party #1. Then there was birthday party #2. And believe it or not, there birthday party #3. Yes, we attended all three. Honestly, it's hard to say 'No' especially when its a classmate of Sera's. And then, as a mother, you also want to support the mother who is going all out to make it special for the birthday child. So yes, come rain or shine, we attended all the parties with a smile on our faces (Sera for sure) and left with a severe overdose of sugar, highly strung and tired kids. Ahh, all part of parenthood.

And this week has been slightly chaotic. After leaving behind a week of sandstorm, we entered the week with heavy showers that lasted two days. As expected, the roads were a nightmare to drive on (if you even dare but there was STILL party #3 in the midst of the mayhem) and floods were emerging every which way you looked. Sera's school wasn't spared as it started to reveal major ceiling leakage in the reception area. The principal sent out an urgent email to all parent to "Please be prepared to keep your child at home in case the rain does not stop in time for damages to be controlled." Ahh, it was all very dramatic and even comical when I realised I didn't even own an umbrella! Just for your information, it is not easy to find umbrellas here.

But I enjoyed the rain. I really did. It was cold, wet and extremely messy! However, it was very worth it because when the rain relented, the sun just seem to shine even brighter over the usually dusty city and oh, it was such a pleasure to breathe fresh air for a change.

So moving along ... today was 'Pyjama Day' at Sera's school, which meant the school saved me a few minutes of my usual morning struggle of negotiating Sera out of her pyjamas and into her 'proper clothes'. 'Pyjama Day' also meant that the teachers were not planning to do any proper lessons (this is also called the 'We've had enough of all these lovely children and we need a break NOW' syndrome) but to have a class party and huddle the kids together for a 90 minute child-friendly movie. Honestly, I really don't mind at all but I wasn't so pleased when I had to drag myself out of bed this morning, just a little after 12, because I forgot to make the pizzas I signed myself up for. Yes, so while the rest of the family were in dreamland, I was busy (for 2.5 hours) in the kitchen making a big tray of home-made pizza. Insane!

Tomorrow is the last day of school and then we are school-free for 2 weeks. This time, I think I am going to say, again, that I'm looking forward to the school break. I just want to spend time with the girls, together with grandma, in a free and leisurely manner. No schedules, no rush, no birthday parties! Now, it is time for the all of us to slow down, get cosy and lovingly welcome Christmas.

Parties means more face painting which Sera simply adores now

But when she starts looking like that ... it gets a little scary


Josephine and Sera in their very confusing get-up - hair extensions, cat whiskers and in their pyjama outfit straight from school

And then they became 'doctors' to a very willing patient

Yasmin and the phone

Yasmin is talking a lot more these days and her discovery of the 'workings' of the phone is an extension into the world of communication and technology. Oh so fascinating for her, especially when her papa is on the other end. (Note: Yasmin has the mouth-piece on her ear)

Johan is talking on the other end ...

and she is confused ...


even more so when she realises that she's holding a photo of her papa and mama ...

Totally confused but ahhh, it's wonderful to hear papa over the phone

and oh so funny

Drawing

Sera, it seems, is showing signs of being a little bit of an artist. Okay, maybe I shouldn't be too quick or bold to say that because I do detest labelling. But nowadays, a few pieces of paper and her well-used coloured pencils will keep her very busy for a lengthy stretch. Nah, we're not holding our breath that she may have some artistic gene in her. ha ha. But it's refreshing to see her, so full of concentration, head bent over and her hand working all over the paper.

Overheard

So yesterday, Sera had her first brush of a 'life and death' conversation. Just before Johan came back from work, I found out from him the terrible news about his colleague. Johan was very shaken and I just casually pre-empted Sera about Johan being sad about a friend at work. I didn't give details ... just that Johan was feeling very, very sad.

This afternoon, in the car, Sera brought up the sad incident at Johan's work.

"Mama, how is papa's friend?"
"Hmm, not so good ... "
"Papa is really sad about his friend."
"Yes, he is ... "
"I shall give papa a big hug when he comes back tonight."

I could not help myself but my eyes started to water.

Conversation between Sera and Johan this evening ...

"Papa, how is your friend?"
"He's in the hospital."

"Papa, did he drive into the sea?"
"Yes."
"But why did he drive into the sea?"
"He may have been sleeping."

"What happened in the sea? Did the sharks eat him?"
"No, sharks did not eat him. He drowned."

Gulp.

I was in the kitchen when I overheard their conversation. My heart did a flip and my tummy got all knotted up ... my 3 year old daughter is starting to learn empathy, and for few seconds seemed wise for her age.

In their jungle

This is the 'jungle' that we walk, scooter or cycle through, a few times every day. The girls absolutely love walking through this trail that leads to the main park. They greet neighbours, appreciate the cats and dogs from a distance, get very thrilled when they see the many birds that fly through it or the birds that perch at some of the lush gardens. They collect twigs, sticks, rocks and flowers and stuff them in the stroller or in Sera's bicycle basket. They can do this everyday and never, ever get tired of it. What simple pleasures!

Football and flea market at the park

Johan has started playing football, at Safa Park, every Saturday morning. The motley team of expats with, varying sizes and fitness level (ha ha), meet to play, one day participate in one of the amateur leagues here. But for now, I'm just honestly pleased that Johan gets his few hours of exercise doing his favourite sport.

The girls and I decided to tag along, to show our support. He was touched, I'm sure, because we were the only family there. The girls were very excited seeing their papa play but I had to pull them back from running into the playing field. I, on the other hand, got very distracted by the very talked about flea market just 25 metres away. It was not easy getting the girls to accompany me to the flea market but they eventually did after the promise of pop corn and face painting.

It was a good morning. Football and flea market ... a win-win combination!

The girls cheering their papa

They went back to support their papa after having some fun at the flea market

Sera, of late, is very into butterflies

Since last Wednesday ...

School is STILL closed, till next Monday, so that means I am, simply and matter of factly, tired. I know I said I was relieved that school would be closed for a while but honestly, I must have been crazy to think that. Hmm. Anyway, some photos for now ...

The Christmas tree is up ...

On Saturday, we spent the morning at Jumeirah Beach Park. The water was cold and only Sera bravely went in ...

All of a sudden, Sera loves having her face drawn on or painted on. And of course Yasmin will not be left out. Two cats with the wrong set of ears

That's a spider web, if you can't tell ...

and that's a spider on Yasmin's cheek

The girls and I went to the aquarium at Dubai Mall one morning to see the new addition ...
the giant octopus

With friends at the park in the community