B Graduates!

This last week Bianca "graduated" from nursery school.  Otherwise known as Pre-K.  Hard to believe next year she is expected to attend school everyday.  Makes me sad, actually.  We've been busy doing things together lately and soaking up our precious days together.

Her little nursery school had a proper graduation ceremony and everything.  At first I thought it all sounded a bit over the top, but when I saw how proud and excited Bianca was, I realized it was just perfect.  She had been practicing for weeks and it was time to show her stuff!  

I let her pick out her dress that day.  She wanted to wear her Cinderella dress, but I had to say no... it looks like it's been through the ringer with the daily washes it gets. 

Girl had some serious hair stylin' for the day, too.

The nursery.

The spectators.

 She found us in the crowd.

Receiving her certificate.

I'll admit, I had a bit of a tear come to my eyes.  I thought, 'Next it will be grade school, then high school, and college' (then med school/law school or some type of advanced degree, I'm sure:).  Time is going way. too.  fast.  Slow down, Father Time.

Kids Fest at Festival City

Back some time ago... (March) we went to the Kids' Festival at Festival City.  It was a lot of fun and not too hot yet, so the girls really enjoyed it.  

Bianca was so scared to go down the slide by herself.

But a little courage....

 .....

She did it!

Bianca loved all the large animals and characters. 

Veronica - not so much.

First BDay Party in Dubai

Since moving to Dubai, we have become very close friends to our neighbors.  Bianca asks every day to play with them.  We usually see them on a daily afternoon basis.  Olivia and Erin just turned 4 last week.  Yes, they are twins.  Twins that couldn't look more different!  But they are alike in many ways as well - just the sweetest, most polite, cutest little British girls you have ever met!  They had a princess party at their house and Bianca and Veronica were both invited.  

Erin

Olivia and mum Vicki

The girls' other British friend, Isabelle.

 All these princesses need a Prince Charming!

We worked relentlessly on this cake.

Lil Cinderella and her slipper.

Bianca chose to be Ariel Princess.

Finger and Hand painting station

Vicki had a video playing of pics from their birth and early ages.  Having twins is crazy!

 Happy Birthday Olivia and Erin!  Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives!

February and March Fun

We moved to Dubai late January and fell in love with the warm weather right away.  It was perfect, mid to low 80s every day.  We couldn't get enough of the sunshine after Beijing.  

Al Safa 2 Park

Backyard Fun

New friends.

It feels like we live on a resort everyday.  We feel blessed.

Bianca Ice Skates

Back in March (yes, I'm a bit behind in blogging) Bianca went ice skating for the first time.  She had been begging for a few weeks so I decided to go ahead and pay the $30 lesson and satisfy her need.  I would have taken her myself, but it's impossible with a 1 year old and husband that is not home.  So I forked over the money and sat back to watch.

The lesson was at Dubai Mall.  Digging out winter attire was not easy.

She made 2 laps in 30 minutes.  I was proud of her for finishing, as you can see her face was not all smiles!  After she was done, she said, "Mama, thank you so much for taking me ice skating.  It was really neat.  But I do not have to go again."  So sweet!

So now she has been doing swimming and gymnastics weekly, which she loves.  We will retire the ice skates.