Days like these ...

We went all out this weekend, literally. We spent the afternoon at the beach here. I don't even know the name of the beach. Basically, it's the stretch between a restaurant and a sand dump. But it was so nice just doing absolutely nothing but lie on the sand, watch some surfers do their thing, and enjoy the wonderful salty beach air. We were there with a neighbour family who has a little girl whom Sera became fast friends with. Yasmin was no trouble at all and even did a power nap in my arms.

The next day, we spend it at Za' abeel park, our favourite one. Again, we were blessed with sunshine and just the right kind of breeze. Yasmin would be on the mat with me, if not, in her carrier on Johan. Sera was just playing around on the grass, running around doing cartwheels with me (ok, I was doing the cartwheels) and playing some football with Johan.

We're definitely looking to having many more days like these!

Yasmin has been easy outdoors ... so curious and engrossed in her surroundings

Yasmin wanting a piece of Sera's cookie. I think Yas will be ready for solids ... soon.

Her little Nintje cap from tante Nathalie

The kids having a go at badminton. That's Etienne, whose family was also picnicking with us.

Sera, Etienne and mama Bonnie playing on the grass

We found these painted horses around the park ... photo time!

She was desperately in need of a nap but she definitely had a good day

Her purple bag

Yasmin has a new sleeping bag, a pretty purple one with embroidered butterflies, one that is more suited to the colder nights here. She LOVES it, I think, or maybe I just want to believe that she's sleeping better because of it. Here she is in the morning, waking herself up (with the help of the camera flash too).

Say hello and wave goodbye ...

The four weeks that oma was here went by so quickly! Sera had a great time with oma. They were like the best playmates, always together, going to the playground, going for walks, cycling around the village or just hanging around at home. Sera was, of course, sad to say goodbye to oma but I think now, she understands 'waving goodbye' means 'saying hello' again.

Sera received her first present for Christmas from oma and opa

Christmas party

Christmas Party at Kangaroo Kids and we were all invited. Oma, Yasmin and I were there to enjoy the festivities. The kids sang Christmas carols for the parents and each one of them were in fancy dress so it was very pretty sight. Sera and her friends were the only kids with silver crowns on their heads. How cool was that! There were lots to do for the kids, bouncy castles, face painting, excessive amounts of food and even Santa dropped by in his 4 wheel drive.

Sera and friends prepare to take the stage

She was so thrilled to see oma, Yasmin and I at her school party

Batman on her left and an Arabian princess on her right

The kids sit comfortably while they feast on the goodies while the adults fuss over them

The Santa arrives ... in his Nike trainers and looking rather starved, and I don't recall Santa carrying a tiny bell?

Unfortunately, Sera didn't take to Santa at all. Her friends all dashed to grab their presents from him except her. She stood away and and cried, motified by the sight of Santa.

I received her present on her behalf

And she finally calmed down in oma's arms and excitedly opened her present

Madinat Jumeirah

We took oma to Madinat Jumeirah for her farewell dinner and of course, it was a treat for Sera and Yasmin who always enjoy going out, and at night ... whoa, double treat. Madinat Jumeirah is a resort built to resemble an ancient Arabian citadel. It is especially beautiful at night but I don't think my photos will do much justice to the place. After playing the tourists, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in one of the courtyards overlooking the waterways.

Behind us is the waterway which meanders through and around the resort. As you can see, both our girls are not cooperating with the smiling part.

The sun was setting thus lending a very warm orange gleam over the citadel. However, it was impossible to get Yasmin to tear her eyes away from the canal or the passing 'abra'.

A view of the Burj Al Arab, the first 7-star hotel in the world

Sera was stuffing her face with bread ...

Yasmin fell asleep before dinner ... probably exhausted from crying during the 20-minute car ride

Thanking Johan for cuddling her while she dozed off

A busy weekend to end a great week

This weekend was an eventful one. First off, opa came over for the weekend and Sera was determined to she got all his attention and she did, of course.

Sera was up early, in her princess dress, ready for opa

Sera, even you are going to have bad photos. 'smile'!

The defining moment for me was putting Yasmin in her pram (we've attempted this several times over the last few months and it was dreadfully unsuccessful) and having her sit in it for 20 minutes while we strolled over (I was so nervous) to Dubai Mall. It was a success I think and it can only get better. And it did because the next day, we had dinner out and Yasmin not only sat in the pram during the walk there but also sat halfway through dinner. Yipee ... ok, I think all mothers and fathers will truly understand this happiness and relief of mine.

1st day - To the mall ...

2nd day - To Urbano restaurant (see the new pram toy she received because of her successful 1st attempt. ha ha)

Yasmin had enough of the pram so into Johan's arms

And we finally put up our Christmas tree. Sera has been talking about the Christmas tree at her school for the longest time and so we thought it would be nice to have one at home, and have her decorate it too. She was a little puzzled about this 'tree' that came in pieces and like a puzzle, it had to be pieced together. But she and oma had fun decorating and wait till she sees the presents under it on Christmas morning.

Okay, I have to say putting up the Christmas tree is not all nostalgia especially when the tree is made of cheap plastic and bits of the plastic are all over the floor. More cleaning up to do! And who's going to pack up the tree after Christmas? 'Groan'. Johan said we'd just leave the whole tree in the spare toilet for next Christmas. Ha ha. Good idea!

Sera was hanging all the decorations at the bottom so we had to quietly move them up for her

And the final touch was the star that nearly toppled over the tree.

One more shot of Yasmin in her pram! You can tell I'm still over the moon that she is sitting on the pram and relieving my back a bit! Ha ha!

3rd day - to the playground with Sera

Bye Manu and Gaston ...

The 5 days went by really fast and we had to say goodbye to Manu and Gaston ... but it was really nice having them over for a visit. On the final morning, we played one more time at the playground and had brunch at a nearby cafe. Hasta luego Manu and Gaston!

Sera loves this playground and visits it everyday. Climbing this rope ladder thingy took a while but she's a pro at it now.

Gaston was more than eager to climb it and very soon he was doing it effortlessly

It was a lot of playing and eating the past few days but it's the holidays ...

... so why not? And we all know Gaston always has a big appetite!

As usual, it was impossible to get everyone to pose for a photo ... but this will do!

Schaapje, schaapje, heb je witte wol?

Sera does oma proud when she sings an entire song in Dutch. I think its the Dutch version of Baa Baa Black Sheep?


Sera sings in Dutch? from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

36 years!

Happy Anniversary Ma and Pa!

Reunited

It was like watching one of those movies, where two people run towards each other, after being apart for years and years. The difference was these were kids ... Sera and Gaston. Ha ha. Yes, the meeting (after 7 months) was that dramatic but oh so sweet. Sera and Gaston were calling each other's names, while running, but the most comical thing was when they met and collided, they just stood still and looked at each other. Shocked, confused ... errr, what do we do next? So Manuela and myself were like, "Hug each other ... kiss each other!" Kids, do we have to tell them to do everything???? ha ha ha.

But it was like the old times, the two of them clicked right away and rekindled their happy times in Doha. For the rest of us, it has been really sweet to see two little friends together again.

She insisted on wearing this dress which was still too big for her but she loved it and called it her 'Christmas Princess Dress'? Guess she wanted to look good for Gaston but on hindsight, I think he was stunned to silence when he saw her running to him in this dress. Ha ha.

Evening walk around the village

Yasmin joining the two friends after breakfast

Sera was very excited to show Gaston around and. of course to ...

... The Dubai Aquarium

Friends together

Johan dancing ... priceless!

Dance papa dance! from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

PTM

Parents Teacher Meeting. Our first one for, none other than, our first daughter. And we brought the whole ging-gang along, oma and Yasmin included. So we arrived, very promptly, at Kangaroo Kids for our 12PM slot. We waited at the reception while Ms. Trish and Sera came down to join us at the meeting room. Sera was surprised to see us all at the reception, gave us all a round of hugs and then, followed Ms Trish into the meeting room. Hmm, very composed I thought to myself. School is doing her some good after all ... ?

So into the room, with little chairs and little table, we went. Ms Trish took out a big book, a colouring book, where she then started to explain Sera's evolution/exploration of colouring. Yes, this is all very serious ... I mean, we're talking about colouring here.

Ms Trish: "So you can tell from her first colouring attempts that she was rather timid at first".

We immediately looked at the picture of a ... gosh, I can't even remember what it was but I did notice that Sera had only drawn a pink line in all that white space. Hmm, yes ... very timid indeed.

Ms Trish: "I like to see the the children colour out of the lines, beyond the picture ... I encourage them to go WILD!" (no, no ... she didn't start to roarrrr!)

Yes, yes go WILD ... we all nodded unanimously but I could see Johan starting to frown. I just KNEW what he was thinking. "Teach them to colour outside the picture??? What kind of a school is this?"

So Ms Trish flips the pages to show how Sera's colouring had evolved over the months. Yes, they definitely did get more wild, much to Ms Trish's delight and approval.

Ms Trish shared with us Sera's interaction with the rest of her classmates, saying how she is actually very quiet in class just because she is also the second youngest so there are the older and louder children, who are more present. However, Ms Trish went on to say that when given a chance, Sera can really 'take the stage'. But on the whole, she is more the observer.

(Yeah, so observant that just a few days ago, she made a very loud and keen observation at her last paediatrician visit. "Look, Doctor no hair ... papa a lot of hair!")

Ms Trish went on to praise Sera for her excellent table manners, how she'd wait for her classmates to finish their meal before she left the table or even pace her eating so that she'd finish her snack together with the rest. And together, we all said, "Yeah ... right!!!!!" Ha ha ha. "Is this the same Sera you're talking about?"

In summation, Ms Trish said that, judging from Sera's behaviour thus far, she is very independent for her age, she is a peacemaker and in fact, moves away from rowdiness therefore in life, she'd very unlikely be a risk-taker.

"Any other questions?"

I looked over at Johan. He looked a bit stunned or was he trying to hide his mounting amusement? Oma looked a little bored. Did I have any other questions? Hmm, well I did actually.

"You know the red paint mark on Sera's white tee shirt ... it didn't come off even though you said it was washable paint." (secretly, I knew oma wanted me to ask that too!!!)

Ms Trish looked a little dumbfounded by my question.

"Oh ... it didn't come off? Err, I haven't the slightest idea why not?"

And with that, our first PTM for our little Sera was over.

First day of the last month of the year ...

First morning of the first day of holidays in Dubai.

First day of December - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE FIONA!

So school will be closed for 10 days. Just 10 days ... but 10 days are MANY,MANY days. The day started fairly smoothly with Sera chatting non-stop with Yasmin in the morning. But a fever very quickly crept up on her and thus began her un-Sera day. An un-Sera day, as I've mentioned before can be difficult because it means a 'NO' day for her. For example ...

"Sera, do you want to play a puzzle?"
"No."

"Do you want to go to the playground?"
"No."

"Sera, do you want to go for a walk with Oma?"
"No."

"What do you want to do?"
"Watch TV."

Gulp. And she did.

But she managed to pull herself out of her sulkiness (and fever) by dinner time, and did a great job helping oma make pannekoeken for dinner. Good job Sera!

Rise and shine Yasmin and in comes Sera ...




Hello ... hello ... hello? from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

Sera was very thrilled to be in the kitchen helping oma with the cooking