Spring in Dubai

We have been so busy since the end of April that I have not had chance to write to you all! Nursery has been a lot of fun, we are learning lots about recycling, singing new songs, reading new exciting books- my current favourite is The Gingerbread Man, learning languages and of course there is a little playing. Today I showed Mummy how I can introduce myself in Arabic. I think she was very impressed.

Our weekends have been filled with birthday parties, brunches, shopping trips, soft play and afternoons at the swimming pool. It's getting very hot here now even though summer is still a couple of months away! We are looking forward to a little break from the heat when we fly back in just under 3 weeks. I can't wait, I'm really excited that I'll be seeing my grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and friends so soon. Michael and I have also been playing together a lot- he is getting much more fun now, I enjoy having him around much more.

Next weekend, Mummy has pre warned us that we have to go shopping for clothes to wear when we are visiting. It seems like you are having another cold spell and my summer dresses won't be much good to me there. My nanny has bought me a coat which I can't wait to wear. Mummy put a coat on Michael today to check it fits him and he cried. I don't think he's going to like wearing lots of clothes in June!

Mummy turns 30 at the beginning of June so Daddy and I have been planning a fun weekend just before we fly back. We have booked to stay at a lovely hotel for the weekend, and we have arranged a little party with lots of our friends for her. Hopefully she will have lots of fun- I'm sure I will anyway!

We also confirmed my school place for next September which I'm both excited and nervous about. I'll miss my nursery and my teacher a lot. I get to go everyday instead of just three mornings a week too. It's quite a long way from where we live at the moment and as I start at 7:30am, we will be leaving the house before 7am! Lots of early nights for us!

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend back home. I'm sad it's over here as it means Daddy has to go back to work and I'll miss him!

Lots of love

Ella Bella xx

A Trip to Oman

I've been really busy over the past couple of weeks and have not had as much time to write home to all of you. We are all well and I am still having lots of fun in the sun! We spent last weekend in Oman, in a beautiful place called Musandam. We went with Jack and Charlie's family and I was very excited to take Michael on his first little trip. It was just over a 3 hour drive but it took longer as I was sick in the car on the way and then Charlie was also sick in his mummies car. By the time we arrived at our hotel, we were all hungry and tired so we had dinner together before getting to bed.

In the morning we saw what a wonderful view we had form our hotel room. I couldn't wait to have breakfast and get out on a dhow for the day. The water was quite choppy that day but we had lots of fun on the boat. We saw amazing views of the surrounding mountains, little villages nestled among them, birds, fish and the most amazing experience I've encountered, dolphins swimming alongside us. It was magical! I was desperate to get into the water and swim with them! We did stop a couple of times so that we could swim in the sea, some people snorkelled too. I was not happy about getting out of the water to have lunch though!

After our trip we went back to our hotel and our mummies took us to play in the children's play area before we had dinner together. We sat outside by the pool in the evening and Charlie, Jack and I spent the time chasing each other and splashing in the pool! Even Michael was still awake and enjoying the night. The following day we had planned to go to DreamLand Water Park but after we crossed the border back into the UAE, we were greeted by dark clouds and heavy rain! Plus at 26 degrees, it was cold! Instead we stopped at a hotel for lunch and spent some time in the play area before heading home.  It was a great weekend and I couldn't wait to tell my teacher all about it when I got into nursery on Sunday!

I overheard Mummy planning our next trip away too this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it! I hope you are all enjoying your long bank holiday weekend!

Lots of love

Ella Bella xxxx

Fun and Friends

The weeks seem to be going so quickly here and the weather is really beginning to heat up. Needless to say we are not looking forward to the summer and are glad we will be flying back in 6 weeks to escape the weather here briefly. I was pleased to get back to nursery after two weeks off, as was Mummy. She has started taking Michael to baby classes on those mornings which he isn't too keen on. Michael apparently dislikes loud noises. I find it strange as I'm hardly quiet around him... Mummy is going to persevere though as she thinks he will enjoy them eventually and I think Mummy secretly enjoys the classes herself! I hope she isn't embarrassing my baby brother too much.

It was Mummy and Daddies wedding anniversary on Monday and Daddy had made special plans to take Mummy for dinner at the Burj al Arab. They had dinner on the beach by themselves and Mummy was spoiled with flowers, champagne and a special cake. Mollie came to look after Michael and I but I was sad when I woke up on Tuesday morning and she had gone home. She was more fun than my Mummy at bedtime! Daddy had to go to Saudi on Tuesday so Nellie came over to play after nursery and we had dinner at Pizza Express before getting in the bath and putting our pyjamas on! It was lots of fun. Mummy took me to the park on Wednesday morning but the heat meant that we didn't get to stay too long. Daddy came home Wednesday night too and I was very pleased to see him!

We had a crafty day at nursery on Thursday and made cameras out of recycled materials. It was lots of fun and I'm sure my parents can't wait for me to bring home my homemade camera to add to the many crafty items I make at nursery! Mummy took Michael and I to play in Jack and Charlie's pool in the afternoon. Lots of my other friends arrived to join in the fun and we had a pizza tea together too. It was great but I was very tired when we got home from jumping in the pool all afternoon! daddy went out to a wedding so he was quite unwell over the weekend and did not appreciate having to attend a birthday party on the Friday. Mummy said perhaps he will think twice before drinking when we have a birthday party to go to next time!

Mummy, Michael and I went shopping in the morning on Friday while Daddy stayed in bed recovering! He came to meet us for lunch but kept his sunglasses on while we were indoors so he must have been feeling pretty bad! Toby turned 3 over the weekend and we had a pool pirate party to celebrate on Friday afternoon. It was great fun, I especially enjoyed going on a treasure hunt! I fell asleep in the car on the way home as I was so exhausted from so much swimming and cake eating over the weekend! On Saturday Daddy got up with Michael and I and left Mummy sleeping. We read lots of stories and played with our toys until Mummy finally emerged and announced that we had to go to the Dubai Mall- luckily we did not stay too long. Daddy had to work in the afternoon so Mummy took me to meet Jack and Charlie at soft play for a little while. It was great fun even though we argued and refused to share things.

The cake was GOOD!

I enjoyed being back in nursery today and was so excited that Daddy came home to work at lunch time. He did however, have to go on an aeroplane tonight and will be working away for a few days. I was sad to say goodbye, we don't like Daddy going away. Mummy has made lots of plans this week though to keep us busy again and when Daddy does come home, we are going on our first little family holiday to Oman. I'm really looking forward to it! I'll make sure we take lots of pictures and will tell you all about it next week!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine at last!

Lots of love

Tinkerbell xx

Holidays Are Ending

Much to Mummies delight, I only have two more days off for Easter. I'm also looking forward to going back to nursery even though this week has been a lot of fun. Mummy is confident that I am now potty trained so is happy to venture out more! I spent all day Sunday at Eleanor's house. We had an amazing storm on Saturday night that continued into Sunday. A mix of thunder, lightning, rain and sand. It helped the weather cool down a little but sadly it meant that Nellie and I couldn't play in the garden or the paddling pool like we really wanted to! Another of Nellie's friends spent some of the day with us and we played, argued and fought over toys before sitting quietly in front of Peppa Pig after lunch. Nellie and I carried on playing until dinner time and then we went to the park to play as the weather had got a little bit better. We also went in the bath together and had fun getting her mummy wet! Michael and I fell fast asleep in the car on the way home luckily for my Mummy.

Story Time 

We had a quiet morning on Monday and I stayed in playing with my toys. Mummy took me to play at Sky's house in the afternoon. I was excited on the way home as Daddy was on an aeroplane coming back from Saudi. All the excitement was too much though and I fell asleep before he got in! I was very pleased to see him yesterday morning before he went to work. We went over to my new friend India's house and played in the pool in her garden yesterday. When our daddies finished work, they ordered take away for us all so my playdate was extended until quite late! Michael and I also fell asleep in the car on the way home from there!

This afternoon I am going to meet Toby and Elodie at the park. Mummy has insisted I sleep before we go out though as I had a late night and an early start and she claims I'm really grumpy! The cheek! Tomorrow I am seeing Jack and Charlie at soft play and staying for dinner before our weekend starts! Mummy hasn't told me about any plans this weekend but I think she is hoping for some quiet, family time as we seem to always have so much on. I just hope she takes me to the pool...

Lots of love

Ella xxx

Potty Trained

We spent almost a whole work week indoors so Mummy could help me learn to use the potty and toilet. I think she and Daddy were surprised how quickly I took to it but when there are sweets involved, I'll do pretty much anything. I learned quickly that if I made one wee last 5 or 6 toilet trips, I'd get more sweets, lots of fun!

By Wednesday, Mummy felt it was safe enough to venture outside. We started with a (what should have been) quick trip to the shop. It didn't go quite to plan, there was lots of waiting around in the queue while the shop assistant found barcodes and then they charged Mummy the wrong amount and suddenly I needed a wee! Luckily Mummies friend was sat with her little girls outside the shop so she offered to take me to the toilet! I think Mummy was very relieved to have bumped into a familiar face!

In the afternoon Mummy took me for ice cream as a treat for doing really well and I didn't have an accident at all while we were out. So on Thursday we braved a morning at soft play with Katie (armed with my potty!) I needed a few toilet trips while we were out but again I managed to go accident free! I was very pleased with myself.

Mummy and Daddy had arranged to meet friends for lunch on Friday afternoon. I mostly told my parents when I needed the toilet but towards the end of the meal, I was so wrapped up in my food that I forgot to say anything and had my first accident since day 1! Not the best place for it to happen! We went to Katie's house for a BBQ later that afternoon and I did it again in the garden just before it was time to go home. I've learned my lesson now and I have made sure I tell Mummy every time I need to go today!

I have another week off nursery so Mummy has made quite a few plans to see friends this week after being stuck inside for so long. Daddy had to fly to Saudi today for work but it's just a short trip luckily! I hope you are all enjoying the weekend back home.

Lots of love

Ella xx

Easter 2013

My ear got better by Tuesday and I was able to go to nursery again much to mine and Mummies delight. We spent the week getting ready for Easter which included decorating eggs and making bunny pictures. I couldn't wait to take them home to show my parents. I spent Wednesday afternoon at the park with Adriana and then had dinner at her house when our Daddies got home.

On Thursday at nursery we had a party day. We hunted for Easter eggs, it was great fun and I got to enjoy a lot of chocolate eggs and cakes! I didn't want to go home so was pleased when Mummy arrived and had to stay behind to talk to my teacher as it meant I could play there longer! My end of term report was a great one, but my parents shouldn't expect anything less. I like being a good girl at nursery more than at home.

We went for dinner on Thursday evening along JBR with Adriana's family and caused lots of noise. I had fun but my Mummy kept telling us to stop shouting and screaming. Adriana's mummy made us snowflake hats which I think was an attempt to keep us quiet! It didn't work. I went on another Easter Egg hunt at the park with my friend Katie on Friday. It was a really hot day but we very much enjoyed it. Most of the chocolate melted in the heat. It still tasted good!

Daddy had to work on Easter Day and as I am off nursery for two weeks, Mummy has made me start using the potty again. I'm doing really well and haven't had an accident for a couple of days now. Mummy is planning to take me to soft play on Thursday which we are both a bit nervous about! I'll make sure she takes my travel potty though just in case! I'll  have to try very hard to not have an accident as being stuck in the house is driving both Mummy and I potty!

Lots of love

Ella xx

Ear Infection

There is a naughty fairy living in my ear and she is making it hurt (or so I told the doctor today). I was awake all night and very uncomfortable. I think everyone is very tired today, Michael is currently sleeping the day away so I must have disturbed him too last night! Mummy took me to see the doctor this morning- something tells me she wasn't sure if I was telling the truth. My ear is very red inside but I'm not being given antibiotics which Mummy is pleased about as she thinks it is important for me to fight things myself. The doctor has insisted that we manage my pain though so I'm having to take Calpol and Ibuprofen regularly. It does help for a little while, enough for me to run around like a lunatic for an hour and then fall asleep anyway! The good part of being ill is all the fuss I get. The down side though, is that I can't go to nursery today.

At least I had a great week. Daddies trip to Saudi was cancelled so we had a whole week with him here! I spent Monday afternoon outside playing with Adriana on our bikes and we made puddles with our drinking water and splashed around like Peppa Pig and George! I had fun in nursery making salt dough mini beasts with my class on Tuesday morning and in the evening Michael and I stayed at Adriana's house so Mummy and Daddy could go out for dinner together. On Wednesday Mummy, Michael and I spent the whole morning in our pyjamas playing games! I went along to a little party in the afternoon which I really enjoyed! We played lots of games and danced around. Each of us got a little trophy for participating but I lost mine! On Thursday we had a charity bake sale at nursery for Worlds Down Syndrome Day. I had 2 cakes and a biscuit but felt a bit sick afterwards! I finished nursery early so Mummy took me to play with Adriana and we had lunch together. I came home to speak with Nanny and Grandad on Skype which is always great fun. Grandad sings silly songs about Michael and I!

I went for lunch with Charlie, Jack, Katie and William (our parents were there too of course) and then we watched a show at the theatre together on Friday. I loved it and found it very funny! Michael watched half of it before he fell asleep but he kept smiling so I guess he enjoyed it too! Afterwards Daddy treated Mummy and I to tea and cake at the Mina Al Salam Hotel which was delicious! I was exhausted and ready for bed when we got home that afternoon! Yesterday Michael had to go to the doctors again as he needed a scan on his hip. Fortunately everything is fine, he just has one chubbier thigh! We had lunch afterwards at a little cafe and then I had to visit the dentist. I was very pleased to see that Mummy had taken me to see Toby's mummy! I happily let her look at my teeth even though she had tickley fingers! My teeth are all there and they looked fine, best of all the dummies I no longer have, didn't do any damage to them! The best part of my visit was going into the staff room to see the fish and budgies! I can't wait to go and let Hannah look at my teeth again soon! I spoke to nanny, Rose and Aunty Lisa on Skype last night too.

Today will mostly be spent feeling sorry for myself on the sofa! Mummy has let me watch DVDs while we snuggle up so I feel a bit better! Daddy is going to try and come home in time to have dinner with me and I'll need cuddles before bed from him! I hope you are enjoying the weekend despite the cold back home. I hope it stops snowing ready for us to visit in June!

Lots of love

Tinkerbell xxx