Violet experiments with lipstick shades

First Dubai update

Well today marks exactly one week since we've been in Dubai and its been a huge week, a bit of a blur but quite productive.

We are all pretty much over our jetlag and on Dubai time now, including the girls. Violet is still waking up early but other that than, they are back on their 7 til 7 schedule with 2 hour nap after lunch. They are also back to being themselves and loving all the new experiences Dubai has to offer. They especially love their 5pm swim in the ocean before dinner and bathtime. To say Violet gets excited when we go down to the beach would be a huge understatement, she just loves to splash and paddle around and sit on the sand and pick out shells. Livi is not too sure about the beach and likes to sit away from the water and just play in the sand. After their swim they have a shower off outside and into their jamies for dinner outside and milk in the hammock.

We are all driving over here now, and the roads arn't as daunting as i thought they'd be. You just have to watch out for the crazy taxi drivers, otherwise the roads are large and fairly well planned out. Forget courtesy on the roads though, nobody lets anybody in, and the horn seems to be everyone's bestfriend.. its very much like new york driving. Also the problem is the lack of good signs for things like malls etc, so you need to start learning where everything is and not relying on signs to get you there.

The security on the Palm island is excellent and nobody gets on without a pass, so it feels great to walk around at any time of day. The crime rate is extremely low here to begin with, so combined with the tight security, we feel very safe here. Weather is warm with a light breeze, we've taken lots of walks on the beach with the girls, who just love it.

Food over here is delicious, the girls eat hommus with carrot sticks every day, they love it.

So far so good here in the ol Middle East...

List of Photos
Girls having their nightly milk in the hammock
Pics taken from upstairs in our house
Various pics taken from our house of the view of Burj Al Arab and the other houses across the frond
The girls enjoying their afternoon swims in front of our house
D with the girls at Mall of Emirates
Violet meeting her first Emirati Boyfriend
V and L enjoying some afternoon sun by the beach

Tania, Ben and their new baby Ethan

Here are some photos of our goodbye with Ben and Tania and pics of their new baby Ethan James who is such a cutie.

Was very sad saying goodbye to such good friends but we know we'll be back next door before too long and our kids will be the perfect ages to get up to mischief together.

Dreamworld with the whole crew

Well the Hamos are now living in Dubai but before i start my posts about that and pictures of the girls, i want to catch up on a few posts before we left. First off our trip to Dreamworld. Was a fantastic day, and aside from Dustin, Dave and Lucas, the whole of my side of the family were there. The girls had the best time, they went on rides, played in ballpit, kids play areas, train rides and animal petting zoo. Here are some of the pictures.

1. Kym and Mitchell in the Elephant ride
2. All the kids watching the animals
3. Ignore my ridiculous noggin... i just think this pic of LIvi in her tiara looking less than impressed is pretty cool
4. Cute one of Violet and the snakes
5. Violet LOVED the kangaroos
6. Dad and the girls
7. Chloe and Violet played in the toy store
8. Good group shot minus Dad and Gary