The School Run

Taking your child to school every morning may seem like a "normal" activity.  Here in Dubai it's a zoo.  Traffic is terrible, there's a line 50 cars deep to get out of the subdivision, and moms are dressed in high heels at 7am.  I'm usually sporting yoga pants (but don't do yoga:) and a t-shirt with no make up.  Veronica has to go with and she's not happy about being dressed and out the door shortly after 7am, either.  

But once we get out of the subdivision rush and get out into the newly developed area where B currently goes to school, things get a bit better.  This is where the pavement meets the sand.  Take a look at how we get to school every morning.

Diaper Free!!!

I haven't been able to do much of anything lately.  We are currently on Day #4 of quarantine for potty training.  Oh, how I DESPISE this part of the toddler years.  However, I learned my lesson the first time by waiting too long to potty train B.  I blamed a new baby, moving to a new country, and starting school.  Pretty good excuses!  I planned on doing this at 22 months with Vivi like "all" the books say, but to be honest, I wasn't ready with visitors and holidays.  Anyone who has children close together will also tell you: potty training child #2 with (young) child #1 demanding attention is definitely not easy.  It's also hard not being able to go anywhere.  I went grocery shopping and stocked up before, and I rearranged for someone to take Bianca home from school.... thankful for friends:)   

Prior to this week, Veronica had never gone on the potty or acted interested.  For a little girl who had no idea what was coming, she's done VERY good!  

Day 1: never made it to potty.  Accidents all day.  This mama and child were both exhausted.  

Day 2: made it half the times to the potty.  Wet at nap.

Day 3: 1 accident during the day, stayed dry all through nap.

Day 4: mommy escaped to buy groceries for 2 hours.  Daddy supervised.  During this time, 2 accidents.  (Aghh....... we won't blame him).  

She's done AMAZING I think.  She hasn't had a diaper on for 4 days now, and we are all happy about that!  She does wear a nighttime diaper just in case, but she's basically dry every morning. Such a big girl!!!

I plan on taking her to the morning program she regularly attends tomorrow.  She goes from 8-noon and I feel confident in her ability to tell someone when she needs to go.  Wish us luck and say some prayers!

And the Cisel household is DIAPER FREE!!!

R-O-C-K in the USA

Since I've already touched a bit on the Luau party hosted for us when we were back, I figured I will go ahead and talk about a couple of other parties our lovely family hosted.

Which is way more fun than painting chevron stripes.... which is what I did this morning.  I love when you are in the middle of a paint project and you find out you won't be living in that house by the end of the year.  Makes me want to stop half wall.....

Anyways, my adorable sister-in-law, Abbey (Derek's one and only sis) was so kind as to host a get together for a couple of our Chicago friends at her beautiful home.  We loved seeing everyone.

The Dearies hold a special place in our hearts as we used to work/live/play together when we all lived in Atlanta.  They have since moved to Chicago so they stopped by to see us.  We were so happy they spent their afternoon with us in Chicago!

Ken is Derek's best friend from college.  They had a lot of fun out on the town the night before our cookout.  They got to catch up over a Cubs game and night in Chicago.

And while yes - Derek and Ken are best friends.... his wife, Erin, and I happen to be good friends, too! We get along great and love catching up with each other.  Comparing life with 2 boys and life with 2 girls is fun.

HUGE thanks to Jon for cooking

 and Abbey for hosting!  We are so grateful.

AND special thanks to this lil guy!  He was a perfect host and shared his toys brilliantly!

We had another cookout on Derek's side before he left.  His mom and dad hosted his grandparents, aunts, and uncle to an afternoon cookout.  It was so great to see everyone together.  I can't wait until we move back and can do things like this more often!

It is so awesome to see everyone when we come back over the summer.  Please know you are always in our thoughts and prayers.  Hope to see you all again this summer, God willing.  And special thanks again to the hosts!

Farewell Luau

This week has flown by.  We have had an (unfortunately) eventful week.  I won't bother you with details, but to top things off our landlord informed us he has sold the house and we will have to find a new home in Dubai by the end of 2014.  Just what we wanted to do: move again.  

But, to remain positive... I've been thinking back on fun times this summer.  We had an amazing party to wish us farewell when we left The States this summer.  Again, my Aunt Pam was over the top!  She went out of control (yet again).  I'm such a lucky girl.

This was a GREAT idea.  I've opened several letters already.  Really warms my heart here in Dubai.

My AMAZING family.  That's Fancy Pammy on the left.  She's AMAZING.   Meg in the middle had a baby about 5 hours after this photo was taken (hello, wonder woman!).  Jenn on the right is Party Extraordinaire.

 I miss you Donnelly girls.

The Schaub ladies.  Wendy is a Pammy in the making.  If you saw her parties - you'd think some genes connected the two of them.  The lady in the middle is pretty cool, too.  She attends all the parties, even in Dubai.

LOVES her cousin Sidney.

And her Uncle Matt.  Nothing like co-parenting to make a great afternoon.  Thanks guys!

Aunt Pammy, thank  you for yet again creating memories for me and the girls.  We loved every minute of the party (and the birth that followed!).  Thank you.  You make a girl feel so loved.

Where to begin... In the sand!

I'm so far behind.  Do I just start all over or go back to where I left off?  I guess I'll just go sporadically as my mind take me and see where it leads.  Scary.

Currently, we are recovering from the holidays (insert new blog post about holidays).  The girls had birthdays (new post x 2) and visitors (new post x 2).   

Mind.  Spinning.

Lately we have been enjoying desert outings with friends.  We head out to a local spot, about 10 minutes from home.  It's truly serene, peaceful, and beautiful.  The girls get to play in the sand, roll down the dunes, fly kites, and just be silly.

I can't even tell you how ridiculous the sand is in my house after a "dune night".  It's in my house, the car, clothes, shoes.... but it's worth it.  The smiles on their faces are priceless.

 

Did I mention we met Santa in the desert this year?  No need for those long lines at the mall...
 

Something about Santa in the desert, on a camel, being led by a Muslim is just not right, ya know?

We also eat dinner out there.  At times the hot dogs can get a bit.... "gritty" with sand.  But having a good 'ole s'more is priceless.  

 And these lovely ladies?  Well, they are pretty priceless, too. 

I am blessed.