As promised ...

... Sera cycled when she turned 4. Today, we went to East Coast Park and she decided she wanted to cycle. She hopped unto her new bicycle and without any fuss, started cycling. Needless to say, Johan and I were stunned ... and both of us shared an emotional moment while we watched our little 'big' Sera excitedly whizz around us.

She's cycling! from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

Weekend before we get down to packing

I wish I could say we're doing very exciting things these days ... because, the truth is, we are not. The heat has forced us indoors, so yes, it's been pretty much pool time in the morning for an hour, pool time in the early evening for an hour or to the MALL. I shudder when I think of malls. I would be happy to not enter one for a long time after we leave Dubai. Even Sera whined tiredly one evening when we spent almost 8 hours at a mall, "Mama, we can't stay at the mall the whole day!"

This weekend was kind of our last weekend to relax since next weekend, Johan and I plan to start packing. Yes, we have pushed the packing to the very last minute but I'm pretty sure we'll manage. We just have to. We started the morning with a very, very short practise cycle for Sera on her bicycle. I'm not sure if it's her lack of confidence, the heat or just laziness. She's happy just being on the bicycle for 10 minutes and then, she's done. She needs more practise and she'll pretty much be whizzing away. Yassy, on the other hand, is very determined to get on Sera's balance bike but she's needs to grow an inch more and then, she'd be able to start using that bike. For now, she's also happy on her trike.

And in the afternoon, where do we go ... to Dubai Mall. Johan's suggestion ... "Let's say goodbye to Dubai Mall." Ok, I didn't realise we had to say goodbye to malls but I guess in Dubai, that is normal. But it was actually quite nostalgic for me. Walking through the mall, I remember being one of the first few visitors curiously walking in when it wasn't even officially opened. For me, living cross the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa for that 9 months was an eye opener for a newbie to this city ... and I learned that Dubai does not accept average but embraces outlandishness.

So we went to our favourite shops one last time, we visited the aquarium which the girls are very familiar with, and we had lunch at the Organic Cafe (oh, I'm really going to miss this one).

Here are some photos of our day. I can't help the photos at the mall but just this one last time ...

Yassy ....

She's missing her helmet ... but elbow guards ... checked!

Posing in front of the atrium at Fashion Avenue at Dubai Mall

Err, under the camel at the Gold Souk. We had to persuade them to pose with the camel ... they had this strange idea that the camel was going to let one go.

A very blue day

Where do I even begin? Ok, how about this? The World Cup. Unfortunately, The Netherlands did not bring back the trophy. Immense sadness for all Dutch people across the world and also, fans who were supporting the Netherlands. I have to admit, I am also sad the team didn't win it but I am even more sad to see Johan in utter depression. Ok, I'm not sure he's fallen into a depression as yet but he's been moping and he still is. So it's 6.45PM and he's either sleepy or depressed because he's already lying in bed. Oh dear, oh dear ... what shall we do?

Well, I'm going to let him mope for a while more because I know he'll get out of it eventually, like TOMORROW! Maybe I don't understand the enormity of this loss but I will empathise that it is a very big deal for him and all other like-minded dejected people, like him. I will appreciate that Johan can be so passionate about football to this extent, rather this then something illegal or offensive. Passion is always good. Even the girls have been pretty sweet to him about it. Overheard this while I was in the kitchen.

Sera: "Papa, what is wrong?"
Johan: "I'm veryyyyyyyyyy sad because Holland lost."
Sera: "Oh that's all right papa, let's just go back and play football again."

Hmmm. To interpret little Sera's mind ... she was implying that the Dutch team try their luck again (in 4 years time). And then you have Yassy dancing her crazy dance in front of Johan, her useless attempt to cheer him up but more than enough for me to break into giggles. I tried to put things into perspective for him ...

Me: "Baby, what were the previous years that the Dutch team made it to the finals?"
Johan: " 1974 and 1978."
Me: "So that means you dad has gone through what you did ... 3 times!!! Imagine how he feels."
Johan: "Hmmm ... "

Not sure if that worked? Probably not huh.

Anyway, I say, it's always about the journey and the same applies for World Cup and being 2nd place, one place higher than Germany (we love all our German friends!!!) is also a big deal. So let's be positive and The Netherlands will surprise yet again, in Brazil 2014.

A doubly important day

Two reasons why today is very, very important ...

First, Yassy is two. It's funny but I was a bit confused when I realised she's only turning two. I mean, not to say she has the maturity or intelligence of her older peers but with Yassy, it has been different. It seems like she has simply cruised along to her present day of two years. I have to say, it's been an absolute pleasure being her mama these past two years and she is one kid that makes me laugh, just by being her natural self.

I didn't plan a big party for her but instead a cosy one with her few little friends. I did bake a cake again, and this time it didn't sink, crack or explode. I even decorated it with icing and 'Smarties'. And yesterday, Sera was more than happy to help me bake a tray of mini muffins. I think Yas enjoyed her day ...

Now comes the second important reason ... it's the World Cup finals today! I'm actually nervous talking about it. So this evening, The Netherlands will compete with Spain for the coveted cup. I will be supporting Johan in those, surely, agonizing 90 minutes. And hopefully Yassy will give Oranje some added luck. May the best team win!

Sera making little cupcakes for Yassy's party

A big cuddle for Yassy in the morning

Sending Sera to school before the party


Opening up her presents

She was pleased with her birthday cake

Sera and Fine came back from school to sing and blow out the candles again

Yassy and her new excavator

Yassy is two! from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

Football fever

This was my evening.

6PM. The match. Holland vs Brazil. THE match to watch, a very, very important one. Johan wakes up from his nap just in time to hear the referee blow his whistle for the game to begin. The girls seem to be excited to be watch football with Johan. However, 10 minutes into the game, Sera decides to practise her handstands and forward-rolls on the carpet. Yassy is hungry, wants this, that and more. Then suddenly, a thunderous 'goallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll' from his truly and Yasmin completely FREAKS OUT. She screams in terror because the poor chick was standing just beside her papa, who unfortunately could not contain his happiness?

Yassy cries, I do not exaggerate, non stop for a good 30 minutes and then intermittently for the rest of the game. I can safely say she's has become a non-fan of football. To her, football = crazed papa. I decide to lure the girls into a warm bath, to calm Yassy's nerves but it doesn't help much. What she really needed was to get papa away from the 'bad' football so that he could tuck her into bed.

If only I had video-ed Johan during that last 6 minutes. Tense is too mild a word to describe his state. He was a nervous wreck - standing, sitting, squatting, mumbling to himself, shouting at the players, shouting at the referee. I was a little dumbstruck actually. The match finally ends with a 2-1 win for Holland. Johan is beyond ecstactic and the girls finally get their papa back for their bedtime stories.

New babies

Sera and Yassy adopted two babies a few days ago. An African baby called Zara and a Hispanic baby, Leila. Ha ha. Ok, baby dolls I might add. They are a little obsessed with them at the moment but it's also really sweet to see the girls go about their 'pretend play', and at the same time, very disturbing to see them carry the babies by their hair or necks. Gulp.

Yassy with baby Leila, who immediately pees when you feed her

The babies stashed on the trailer, going for a ride in Yassy's new tricycle

And Sera takes all of them for a ride

4 is a big deal!

Sera has finally turned 4! Not that we're in a hurry for her to age but after attending so many other birthday parties, she was counting down the days to her birthday. Turning 4, apparently, is a big deal to her. Since forever, she has been making a list of things she can do by 4. According to her, by 4, she'd swim without floaties (that she has been doing for a couple of months already) and she'd be cycling on her 'big' bicycle. However, unaware to her, is the practise that must come before the actual act.

I wanted to throw her a party, a very small one. Johan suggested 4 friends for her turning 4. Great idea in my opinion. So a few weeks before the party, I visualised the party in my head. A week before, I gave out the handmade invitations and started to add in more details in my mind. And two days before the party, I decided I really should have started preparing for the party. Hmm. Wanting to make it somewhat special for Sera, I took it upon myself to make the birthday cake and the butterfly pinata. I have to say, I enjoyed making the pinata especially designing and crafting it. But I should have sought Johan's help when it came to making sure the pinata would work, technically. For the birthday cake, all she wanted was a chocolate cake and I could not even deliver! Well, to be fair, it tasted yummy (using only the best wholesome ingredients) but aesthetically, it was an earthquake of a cake. Literally. The top half of the cake cracked into 3 parts. Groan. Oh yes, it was very bad. It was un-salvageable. And it was 1.5 hours before the party too. So thank you Baskin Robbins for the delicious chocolate chip ice cream cake which everyone loved and devoured in the end.

On the whole, the party was a success, chaotic as most kids' parties usually are. Sera was thrilled to have her close friends with her and even her papa came back for the afternoon. She couldn't have asked for more.

Ahh, I sob when I see this 'perfect' ice cream cake

Presents!

The butterfly pinata

that didn't rip apart when the kids tugged at it ... Johan had to give it some assistance

Complete mayhem but so much fun for the kids

Winding down

The celebration continued at school today ... it was also her last day at school

Sera looking awfully shy but I'm sure very happy to have her classmates with her

Finally, a big goodbye hug to Ms Andrea, her German form teacher

Yassy's play date

During the week, a few moms and I would take turns holding mini play dates, well, not big ones, preferably no more than 3 kids. Yasmin doesn't like crowds, which is the total opposite of Sera at this age. She comes out of her 'shell' when the environment is less chaotic, calm. So here one morning this week when we had Frederick over for some fun.

Painting ... and in the end, making a beautiful mess!

Snack time ... err, this was one of 3 snack times. These two have very good appetites!

All girls weekend

This weekend, we spent it with another mama and her two girls, whose papa also had to work. It's always better when the papas are around but thankfully, we all had a good time. We packed the weekend by spending the whole morning at the pool, back home for the younger ones to nap, and then to the park for play and a picnic dinner. The girls had a deep, deep sleep that night.

This morning, Sera had ballet. Again, I think Sera is not very impressed with ballet. When I peek into the room, I see her doing her own version of 'freestyle ballet', not at all dancing in unison with the other girls. Hmmm. Oh well. The minute class ended, all she can say is, "Mama, let's go to the aquarium!" And to the Aquarium we went. We spent the rest of the morning at the Aquarium and then Discovery Centre. We went to Candyland (the biggest candy store I've ever entered). The girls got to choose one piece of (big) candy each. After lunch, we found the girls' favourite carousel and the kind attendant let us stay on for more than 5 rides. It was free of charge anyway ...

Hope everyone else had a good weekend. Enjoy!

Big sisters doing their thing

For Yassy, the higher the better!

Yassy and Lotte goofing around in the gazebo

Sera and Fine by the pond, all flushed from the infamous summer heat

First ride ...


and finally, their 6th ride?

His little belles

It's been a busy week, especially since Johan was away for work. So busy that I didn't have time to post anything ... well, actually more like feeling a little melancholy without Johan. Ha ha. It's true. Once the girls are in bed, it is nice to have some adult conversation going on and his company. So anyway, he's just hours from returning home and I'm feeling lighter already.

This photo taken last week before Sera's ballet class. Sera is so tanned, like a roasted chestnut and Yassy, hmm ... her smile just cracks me up!

Unexpectedly surprised

So the 5 year anniversary was coming and though I didn't expect we would be doing anything out of the ordinary, I decided to get our babysitter in for the night. Just in case. And before Johan and I could even celebrate, the day began and had to go on like any other day ... with the girls and all their dramatic glory! So while I dealt with Sera's resistance to go to school, Yassy's almost 2-year old antics throughout the morning, Sera's 1st meltdown at the mall, Yassy going missing for a heart-stopping 5 minutes, Sera's 2nd (only a few minutes later) meltdown, an hour of mind-numbing play-area 'fun', and finally driving home two fully exhausted girls ... Johan did (surprise, surprise! ) have something planned and I was running very late for it.

However, thankfully, Johan and I have excellent teamwork since having the girls. In a matter of 15 minutes, the girls were in bed (showered, teeth brushed, into pyjamas, and two bedtime stories each). The babysitter arrived and we were off to celebrate ... what was it, oh yah, our 5 years of marriage. It surely doesn't feel like only 5 but yes, 5 years ago, we promised many things to each other, on the beach, with our family and close friends surrounding us ... and who can forget the noisy planes taking off above us. What a blast!

For me, these past 5 years have only reaffirm the one thing I was most certain about Johan ... and that is, he was going to be the best partner for our journey ... for years and years to come.

After our dinner at Frankie's. I insisted on taking a photo though knowing us, we didn't want anyone to take the photo (go figure?) and then I decided to change it to black and white hoping to lessen our typically tired eyes (my left eye is also swollen from goodness knows what?). Happy anniversary babe!

Playing indoors

The hot weather has finally descended .... and it feels, with a fiery vengeance. Ok, maybe it's just me not used to it but sometimes, I don't think I'll ever get used to it, albeit living in the middle east for 5 years. So anyway, the air conditioning is running 24/7 and the girls are preferring to stay indoors or in the pool. The trick is to keep them entertained indoors. 'wink'

Sera, luckily, is starting to show immense interest in art and craft. She is very easily content to sit at the table or her easel doodling away. Oh and just an update on her ballet, it isn't happening. ha ha. I'm afraid my Sera is not very passionate about ballet, at least for now. Yassy is also easy to entertain at home. She is so curious about anything that her interest is piqued at the littlest things. But her one big thing at the moment is cycling her tricycle, which she does all over the apartment.

Hope every is healthy and enjoying the coming Summer!

Just got this easel for Sera from Ikea, where else, and she is loving it.

Yassy on the tricycle ... going under the 'bridge' (Sera at the table drawing away)

Oh dear, I can't understand this smile of hers. ha ha


The girls goofing around after dinner

Routine ... as usual

I wish I could say we've had exciting days but nah, it's been pretty routine. I mean, routine is fine, it's good sometimes but the girls and I were also sick for a while. Yassy had an eye infection, on top of a very bad cough and a cold. Sera had an ear infection, which resulted from a cough and a cold. And I had a throat infection. So between the three of us, our respiratory system was dysfunctional for a few weeks. Life still went on and we still managed to squeeze in some fun. Here you go ... random photos of the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Yassy and Erik having cake at Ayda's 2nd birthday party

Another day, another party. This one was for Sera's classmate Bardia and it was held at a mother's worst nightmare but a child's paradise - Funland (a children's game arcade)

No tokens but Sera and Lucas still enjoyed the game

Yas getting henna-ed by auntie Mani.

Sera with her very elaborate henna-ed hand

Pretty hands but 'useless' for a few minutes

Sera and Yas looking very cheery going for ballet class

Pony ride

The papas, Johan and Armin, took the kids to the polo club at the Arabian Ranches this afternoon. Johan didn't tell the girls where they were going so Sera was so thrilled when she finally reached the surprise destination and Yasmin just wanted to run back to the car. Hmm. Yas is sometimes a mystery. She is such a brave heart in so many things but with animals, she is just terrified. Ahhh, she'll come around one day. I hope.

Sera chose her pony, named Barak, well ... Nicolas was actually getting saddled unto Barak but Sera only had her eyes for him. Thankfully sweet Nicolas gave into Sera easily and so the two kids went on their pony ride around the paddock. Frederic, Nicolas' younger brother even went for the ride. According to Johan, Yas observed from a distance, making sure to keep her distance.

What a nice treat for the kids, and a nicer treat for the mamas who were relaxing in some quiet time. 'wink'

At the stables where the horses greeted the boisterous kids curiously

All saddled up and ready to go

Sera with Barak. She's definitely come a long way, I remember the time when she was exactly like Yassy, afraid to go near any animal

Giddy-up!

Sera stroking Barak goodbye