The new Year is flying by

I can't believe we are nearly in May. This year has flown by so fast.

Aside from the global recession, this has been one of the best years for us in every way. We have truly been enjoying our time in Dubai, really settling in and enjoying the girls and watching them grow into their little personalities.

Business has been nice and steady, despite the recession, we bought a house on the Palm Jumeirah near the tip of a frond with beautiful ocean views and we're currently renovating it to suit our family.

Dustin has unfortunately had to travel a lot this year, but its all part of a greater plan to wind things up where he isn't so hands-on and can pursue other more stimulating business tasks. In the meantime we are both pursuing our dreams to study, with me carrying out my bach of Science in Psychology and him carrying out some classes at Columbia University in NYC (where we are spending the summer).

Now, on to the girls!
WOW, we couldn't be happier with how well they have developed and turned out. We have two of the most loving, affectionate, well-behaved little 2.5 year olds we could ask for.

Violet is energetic, absolutely loves gymnastics and loves to swing from everything and do acrobatics. She loves books too, and says "you read... please please please"...its so sweet and ultimately results in you dropping whatever you are doing to read Dora's magical adventure for the 34343 time. She loves Dora and Barney but is happy watching just about anything nowadays, in fact i put on my own favourite movie of all time last night "Annie" and they loved it. Violet also loves to swim, and pretty much the only time i hear her cry in a tantrum style is when we take her out of the water.

She is less clingy than Livi and more independent, yet definitely more affectionate. When she hugs you she hugs you so tightly and is so loving with animals and baby dolls. Everything she does she turns to us and says "look Mummy" .. "Look Daddy".... she just wants our approval, its so cute. I took her out by herself the other day in the car and the whole way there she was saying in her sweet voice "bye bye Lili" (still can't get Livi going).

Now on to my little Livi. When Livi looks at us with those huge blue saucer eyes its hard to say no to anything. She is convinced she runs and organises our house. Everything has its place and order and Livi makes sure there is no messing that up. She knows what is Violet's and hers and makes sure that each toy has its place. She will call for Violet if she is lagging behind and if i take something from Violet she says "no Mummy that is Violet's!". She adores her sister. She is just divine and makes us laugh constantly. She has a different sense of humour to Violet completely. She is also more sensitive, if something upsets livi, it really upets her and takes her a little while to get over. She is so smart, she picks up on everything and listens and remembers things that even we forget. She also argues with us "No Mummy, not pink.. red". She learned her colours, shapes and animals with ease and still debates a lobster over a crab. She impressed the other Mums at the park when she pointed at a toy turtle's back and pointed to the shapes on its back and said, oooh "octogon". She cracks me up when she runs, its just so cute.

I think what Dustin and i love about them most is how excited they get with every new experience. It seems they become jaded by nothing. Every afternoon on the beach is as exciting as the day before. Every time they see 'fishies' at the Atlantis resorts its just as cool. The other day we took them to see some sharks and they are still talking about them.

All in all... we really got lucky with these two, and we can't wait to continue to watch them grow. Right now Violet is definitely a Daddy's girl, they have a special bond, and Livi is Mummy's girl through and through (her favourite thing is watching me put on make up and me painting her toenails).

This Summer we are going to NYC for business, i am looking forward to the experience with them there, taking them to Central Park and seeing if their little expatbrat accents (a mixture of just about every nationality possible right now will turn more the way of an American accent).

Anyway -- Sorry for taking so long to update this, i'm a big Facebooker now... but dont want to let this blog fall by the wayside.