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

Happy Birthday Grandma!

The girls like to be video-ed but not necessarily photographed, if that makes sense? I think they just like to perform. ha ha. Anyway, ma, here is them wishing you 'Happy Birthday!' Hope you had a good day! We love you.

Happy Birthday Grandma! from Que Sera Sera on Vimeo.

Ballet

I finally 'caved in' and signed her up for ballet classes. It never crossed my mind to do so just because I never had ballet aspirations as a child and even now, I don't get all 'ooh and aahh' when I see little girls in the pink leotard and tu-tu. And for me, this aversion to 'girls in tu-tu' started very early on, when I was in kindergarten. I remember seeing a classmate (whose name I still remember because karma had returned in the form of her being in my primary and secondary school) in her ballet costume and I teased her, sufficiently. I know, I wasn't so sweet after all and admittedly a full fledged tom boy. I thought the ballet costume ridiculous and ahhh, too pink. Anyway, that was 5 year old me, and well, that attitude pretty much carried on throughout my life until Sera came along ...

The sky is definitely the limit when it comes to our children and unjustifiable dislikes all fade too quickly. As a parent, I'm learning to accept and embrace individuality in two of my girls. That for me, is truly the fun part. I can't say that Sera, at this age, has royal dreams of being a ballerina. Nah, not at all. I think, ballet to her, means something else. She, like so many other girls her age, just loves anything and everything PINK. So from head to toe, these little girls are dressed in pink and what do they do in their first ballet session? They dance around like butterflies! Oh my goodness, two of Sera's absolute favourite things in the whole wide world (I'm starting to even write like how she talks!).

Anyway, our two reasons for sending her for ballet class. One, because we were leaving Dubai and I wanted a little parting gift for her, a little memento. Two, her friend Elin was also in the same class so they could be 'butterflies' together. And oh, there is a three ... this particular un-snobby school didn't require them to wear all pink!

Bye opa and oma!

Sera and Yasmin's opa and oma have returned to Holland after spending two weeks with us. Sera seems to understand that oma, opa and grandma visit a few times a year and eventually, leave. The guest room in our house is, understood by her, as theirs. When they're not here, she tries every night to sleep in the guest room. Initially, we would encourage her to sleep in her own room with Yas, but nowadays, we let her sneak into the guest room. One, Johan and I are too tired in the night to have a bed 'tussle' with her, and second, we've come to realise that she may simply take comfort in sleeping in 'their' bed when they're not here (and believe me, she sleeps through the night in 'their' bed).

So, this morning, with their opa and oma's departure came the usual quiet acceptance from Sera. Yassy, on the other hand, has been very confused the whole morning. She went onto the balcony and kept calling out for opa and oma, waiting for them to appear. I asked her casually where they were and she said, "in school". She cuts up her wooden birthday cake, wanting to give opa and oma a slice, as she has been doing on a daily basis. Ahhh, my poor Yassy, it breaks my heart that she has to deal with goodbyes.

Nevertheless, the girls had a good time these past two weeks and no thanks to my camera, THE camera, I have no photos. But thanks to their opa and oma, I have some cute photos from their time here. Enjoy!

The girls on their way to school

Yas gets to play at the playground while Sera goes into her classroom

This is a typical Yas move - throws down the scooter, pouts and grumbles all the way home

The girls went bird watching with opa

They did lots of swimming


Sera practising her jumping in

And she's beginning to swim without her noodle ... but I have to say, she has the funniest swim ever. I call it the 'otter swim', her whole body, including her head, moves in an 'S' shape-movement

Yas just chilling out as usual

Her 'monkey' antics

Reading time ... always a big thing with the girls

Earth Day at Children's Garden. The school had encouraged green or home-made recycled clothes ... hmm, I just painted a tree, a cloud, a leaf and a flower, with non-toxic face paint on Sera.

Yas on the carousel, and she stayed on for several rounds

Opa and oma's birthday dinner at Cucina

Our weekend at Ras Al Kaimah, Hilton Spa resort

Yas and oma relaxing in the saltwater pool.

Happy Birthday oma and opa

With oma and opa's arrival, came the birthday celebrations. And everyone knows how Sera loves a birthday. And two birthdays meant ... yes, two birthday cakes and that surely got Sera and Yasmin all excited.

Evening of oma's birthday, we had a little girls' night in, while the boys went out

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Dinner at Cucina on opa's birthday. Yas and that crazy smile of hers

The only time Sera stops talking is when she's eating ice cream ... I am not kidding.

All smiles for oma and opa

The birthday card Sera gave oma ... and that's oma and opa on it

Craft time!

Johan and I play differently with the girls. He likes to play football, 'toss them' around in the swimming pool, go down the slide or up on the swing with them, be a human playground for them ... it's horseplay. He's the more active player and enjoy teaching them things like riding a bicycle for instance. I, on the other hand, am the more passive player. I let them indulge and be messy with paint, dough, water, beading, cutting, pretend play ... ahem, the more creative aspects. 'wink'.

Anyway, this morning, I suggested he did something different with them, something crafty. He did look at me with some trepidation but in the end conceded with a good amount of gusto. It was 3 simple steps really - mix the plaster, pour plaster into moulds, and then paint them. I thought I could leave them while I snucked out for a while but nah, it wasn't possible. It was,

"What! I have to read an instruction sheet?!!!!!"
"I need a mixing bowl."
"Baby, can you get me 60ml of water?",
"I need a wet cloth ... "
"Do we have more paint brushes?"
"Yasmin don't touch the plaster!!!"
"Yasmin, don't eat the plaster!!!!"

Ahh, in the end, I stayed put to mix, mould and paint with them. And I'm glad I did, because it was good fun!

Guess what he's doing ... ?

Mixing the plaster, very precisely ... hee hee

Sera painted everything in her trademark 'rainbow' colours

Yas painting her seahorse