School Holidays continue... days 3 & 4

The next 2 days were just as eventful. Fingerpainting (which quickly turned feral once Daddy walked in after his bike ride), baking Mars bar muffins, ice skating for Isabelle & Mummy (boy, my calf muscles are sore), eating out at new Thai restaurant, and plenty more. Here are a few photos...

Kids' Paradise

Isabelle is on school holidays (mid-term break), so we're checking out all the indoor facilities in Doha since the thermometer has hit 47 degrees C.

Yesterday, Caroline and I took our kids to Cafe Ceramique, a new place where you get to paint a piece of pottery and have lunch. Isabelle and her best friends, Ruby, Elsie & Felix (well, Felix is the younger brother, and they have a love-hate relationship going on, very competitive) created amazing pieces (I'll post photos next week once I've picked them up). Caroline and I tried our best to match the creativeness of the kids with our platters... we'll see how they turn out (may not put photos of those on the blog!).

Today, Isabelle, Matilda and I went to FunCity - in other words, kids' paradise. Climbing, jumping, sliding, balancing, rolling, throwing balls at their mother... fun fun fun. Here are some photos...

Let's see what we do tomorrow... I think Brendan is on duty then!

PS. Nice of Isabelle to show her appreciation with this drawing she just did for me... she knows how to guarantee ice cream for dessert!

WELL DONE GIRLS!!

After only a few weeks at her new school, Doha College Primary, Isabelle was awarded with a merit certificate at assembly today! She had earned 25 house points already. When she talked about it, she mentioned that she thought it was fun to shake the principal's hand.

Not to be outdone, Matilda came home with this lovely box that she made at nursery.

We're so proud of our girls!

kisses, Mummy & Daddy

Well, that was traumatic...

As Brendan and I marked our 6 year wedding anniversary on the calendar, I was caring for Matilda in hospital. She had such bad sores in her mouth and throat from hand, foot & mouth disease, that she hadn't eaten or drunk ANYTHING for 48 hours... so was badly dehydrated. The doctor put her on an IV drip for a day and a half, but she was still averse to putting anything in her mouth fearing that it would hurt. Great friends of mine, Caroline and Kelcey, came to the rescue on our second day in hospital... with mini porcelain tea cups and a McDonalds chocolate thickshake, we tempted her to start eating again!

Now, there is no stopping her! There has been a huge improvement, and we're finally back home!

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I was woken up with a card from the girls, written so beautifully... thanking me for all that I do! It brightened my whole day!

Our month continues with more illness in this family. After recovering from her bout of Giardiasis, Matilda has hand, foot & mouth disease - the worst case the hospital has ever seen! Poor thing, she is suffering a lot with a painful mouth, and is not willing to eat or drink anything but sips of water and scoops of vanilla ice cream! We all hope she gets back to the cheerful little kid soon! (I need some sleep!!)

Summer is on our doorstep... the thermometer has reached 45 degrees Celcius, and we're spending more and more time indoors. Still cooling down a little in the late evening, so it is possible to sit out then. Brendan is cycling earlier and earlier on the weekends to stay cool... getting out at 4am! He's preparing to meet up with good friends from Perth in Alpe D'Huez to cycle the Tour de France mountains in July.

The girls and I have booked our tickets to Perth... we'll be home on the 12th July! The next two months are going to fly by for me, with final assignments and exams around the corner. There's nothing like high stress levels to remind you that you're alive!!

Until next month...
Love, Samantha

And finally, here are the WILD WADI, Dubai, photos!

Matilda

This last week has been a bit traumatic for poor little Tilly. She has a mouth full of ulcers caused by a virus, and at the other end, she has contracted Giardiasis! Poor love has been out of sorts, but we're hopefully over the worst of it and heading towards recovery (I only had to change bedsheets twice today). Needless to say she can now say "doctor"!

As you can see, she is still a happy little kid.

Singing Sand Dunes

Isabelle & Brendan took Grandma to the Singing Sand Dunes (they hum as you walk along them making vabrations). It was 42 degrees out, and the sand was HOT!

Al Khor beach picnic

We picked Brendan up from work and headed north to Al Khor beach. We saw lots of camels, goats/sheep (not sure!) and crazy crabs.

Showing Grandma Isabelle & Matilda's schools

Grandma visits Doha College Primary School with Isabelle. She is in Reception Red, and starts year one in September.

Matilda goes to Tots Corner Nursery three mornings a week.

Grandma is here!

Here are photos from Grandma's first couple of days in Doha... more to follow! Boat trip out to Zaflia Island...

Dubai

We had a fun trip to Dubai. Quick, but definitely fun. We stayed with friends from Perth, Duane & Lisa, who are expecting their own bundle of joy in just a few weeks. It was wonderful to be in their home, and hang out with them.

Isabelle took the big boys to Wild Wadi, where they spent the day slipping and sliding up and down the rides. Apparently there is no need to walk up stairs to start the ride, instead water jets propel you up and then down. Lisa, Matilda & I went shopping at instead.

Brendan and I explored Mall of the Emirates, with indoor ski slope attached. 6000 tonnes of snow and a 400m ski run, it looked impressive, and I was itching to have a go! However, I decided to spend my time shopping some more... just as good exercise, I reckon!

Jumeirah beach was a sight for sore eyes coming from Doha. If you put blinkers on and squinted to blur your vision, you could almost imagine you were standing on North Cottesloe beach! Somehow though, the Surf Club does not really compare to the Burj Al Arab! Everyone took the opportunity for a quick dip & body surf.

Photos will follow shortly (once we found the camera that Matilda seems to have misplaced; it's only been 24 hours, I'm not panicking yet!!).

So, now we're back in Doha, and so looking forward to Grandma arriving next week.

Easter Sunday was a huge day of parties and endless chocolate! Alert: hyperactive kids!!

Easter Egg Hunt at Tots Corner Nursery

Matilda and her nursery friends had an Easter Egg Hunt today. Sparkly eggs were hidden throughout the garden - how egg-citing!

Here she is with her friend Silje (whose mum works with Brendan), and then mucking around in the softplay area.

Matilda's New Words

Matilda is really talking so much now... today her new words were "apple", "love you", "me", "pippi" (as in Longstocking), "shoes", which sounds very similar to her "cheese". It is so fun!

Mad Month of March

Well, it all began with Matilda stuffing cereal up her nose! Organic puffed wheat to be exact. A trip to the hospital plus a screaming fit blew those puppies right out of her nasal cavity. I'm actually quite impressed with how many she managed to get up there...

To up the ante on her little sister, Isabelle then tripped at school splitting her chin open! So, back to the hospital we go. The brave girl that she is, didn't shed a single tear nor flinch when the surgeon injected local anaesthetic and added three stitches to her beautiful chin. The whole ordeal wore her poor mother out, and I can vaguely remember the nurse saying, "Would you like to wait outside?"

Thankfully, the girls are both in tip top shape now. It is really starting to heat up again, so the airconditioners are gradually waking from their hibernation. It hit 36 degrees celcius today, which still seems a long way from 50!

We have just had our first visitor for 2007, Sean, Brendan's highschool classmate from Perth. It was a quick stopover for him, but we managed to fill it to the brim with sun, sea, and sand (of course) - oh yeah, and some table top dancing & karaoke! (Photos from 4WD trip to Inland Sea)

We are looking forward to Isabelle's 5th birthday celebrations this weekend. We're taking 12 girls and boys to a bowling alley! Should be a super day. Still can't believe she is turning the grand old age of five!! On her wishlist are the dreaded Bratz dollz - how do I avoid it??

Lots to look forward to in April - weekend trip for all of us to Dubai (bring on the bacon!!), Isabelle starting a new school (Doha College), and Grandma Gail visiting from Perth! Yay!

Lots of love, Samantha Brendan Isabelle & Matilda

Mountain Biking in Fuwairit

Brendan and mates from work "mountain" biking in the cool of the evening.

Birthday party in Green Village

Matilda checking out the new toys, and Isabelle with her best friend, Ruby.

Procrastination leads to updated blog!

Hello!!

Just thought I'd let you know that since I am now studying, I am also procrastinating, and "tada" the blog has been updated with some new features!!

For example, a slideshow of the girls' time together so far... one photo a month since Matilda was born (scroll over to see which month)! Wow, they've grown so much!

Plus, we're experiencing a sandstorm here right now so can't do much, the girls are in bed, and Brendan is out watching the semi-finals in Qatar Total Open (tennis). It's fantastic really, we get to see top-seed players for free! Just saw Justine Henin beat Alicia Molik yesterday.

Hope you like the blog!
Samantha xxx

Sandstorm outside, choc chip cookie baking inside!

There is an awesome Shamal (Middle Eastern dust/sand storm) outside. You can't see more than 50 meters infront of you. I'm hoping these windows are sealed properly...

Anyway, Brendan and girls are baking choc chip cookies while I pound away at my calculus textbook...

Isabelle lost another tooth!

It's raining teeth here in Doha. All the kids on our street are toothless wonders right now. Isabelle has well and truly joined them!

First swim for the year!

Brendan and the girls braved the cold pool water for the first swim of the year today. Here is a photo of Matilda in her Christmas towel at the front steps of our house.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Hello!

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year! It is the start of the year of the pig. We hope you have a prosperous, happy & healthy year!

Since returning to Doha, I have been busily adding more personal touches to our home. It has been super fun! Each room has a splash of colour, and we've got a comfy bench and sandpit for Matilda outside. I am about to embark on another semester at university, this time taking on the maximum number of units. Should be interesting (aaah!)... no, really, I am looking forward to it. Brendan is relieved, since the "home improvements" will finally cease! He has started on his fitness regime in preparation for the gruelling hills of Tour de France 2007. He is meeting his parents and some friends in France for this awesome experience in July. He is offshore on an unmanned platform at the moment, enjoying his time out of the office, getting his hands dirty. The bugger skipped town just in time to avoid Valentine's Day! (Thanks for the surprise gift, Bren!)

Isabelle got her birthday present from Grandma & Grandpa early - a bright yellow pair of Roces rollerblades! It took her all of 5 minutes to master the art of gliding, and zoooms up and down the streets of the compound with her buddies. She got her first report card from school, and of course aced it. She is reading well, and starting to write herself. We're very proud. She is on the verge of losing her second tooth, which is barely hanging on.

Matilda just started nursery two mornings a week at Little Angels. She is still struggling a little with the separation from Mummy, but has a great time once I've left the room. Still only saying a handful of words, but loves to sing and dance. She is now out on the street with the big kids, either scooting along on a pedal-less trike or pushing her doll around in it's pram. Fascinated by cats, and miaows loudly every time she catches a glimpse of one. She has a photo of Amber (Uncle Rob & Aunty Gem's cat) in her room, and she is always talking to it!

The cold weather is gone, and it is starting to heat up again. Days right now are gorgeous, lovely for being out and about. Perfect time to visit Doha (hint hint).

Take care,
Samantha Brendan Isabelle Matilda xxxx

PS. Great to see more friends on Skype! Look forward to chatting with more of you this year!

Playground along the Corniche

While Brendan is away on an unmanned platform out in the gulf somewhere, we spend our time visiting new playgrounds, eating takeaway, and watching movies! (Plus, I am quickly getting two more rooms painted!!)

Isabelle speeding past on her new rollerblades. She's amazing - it only took her 5 mins to get the hang of it! That's my girl!!

Here is Matilda trying out Tristan's like-a-bike. It's the latest thing for 2-6 year olds!

Sand, sea & ... camels!

A group of us drove out to the Inland Sea.















It is the middle of winter here, and the weather is perfect. Water is still a bit cold for a swim, but the kids didn't mind!

Matilda couldn't take her eyes off the camels! She's not quite sure about them...