This life

The worst part of our expat life is saying goodbye. Everyone moves on to other destinations at some time. This last 12 months has been a tough one, and we've lost a big chunk of our 'family'.
Here we go again... the last Hamza-White beach day with the doggies.

End of an era.

Jamie & Isabelle & Tessa.

It wouldn't be Friday morning at Al Wakra beach without a stop at Starbucks on the way.

Bon Voyage you guys! Best of luck in Durban!

Birthday Celebration #2

We celebrated Matilda's birthday again with the Robertson and Hamza families. On the menu... Singaporean Chilli Crab & Dom Pedros. Multicultural as always.

An evening with good friends, good food and good cheer! Thanks guys.

I'm ready for my guests!

The kiddies, non-spicy, table.
Here it is!

Tarryn aprons up for the mess ahead.

Moe digs in.

Jackie needs something to cool the burn. Brendan thinks of a great solution!

"Happy Birthday to yooouuuuu!"

Thanks for a great year!

Isabelle and Matilda both received stunning school reports this week and today is their final day at school. Thanks to DESS for another great school year!Matilda with Miss Hirst.

Isabelle's teacher, the Jedi master, Mr Hope.

Dress Ups Again!

The brief that came home in the school bag read

'What do you want to be when you grow up?' Matilda's response is a CHEERLEADER!
Give me an 'M'!

In the schoolyard with Vet Mimi.

Hanging out with Ballerina Sofia.

With fellow cheerio Eliza.

Matilda's Flower Birthday Party

How it all started... and now germination is about to begin!
Patiently waiting for guests to arrive.

Decorating a flower pot each.

BFFs Matilda & Mimi.

Pretty girls in floral designs.

Brave Sofia looks for bugs in slime... eewwww!

Half-time show: Isabelle and Jessica show off some of their gym and cheerleading moves.

Nice arabesques!

These girls are well-trained... sitting in a straight line watching the big girls perform, mesmerised. Isabelle and Jess had quite a fan club three minutes later.

Hello. I'm not usually on this side of the camera. Anyway, here I am laying out the birthday cake, pastel cupcakes, worms in (choc) mud, and the ever-popular jelly.

Blowing out five candles.

Matilda digs into the grassy patch of a cake, worms and all.
These girls have been together for two years now, and it is lovely to see that they have formed strong friendship bonds.
Thank you to all of Matilda's friends who made her day so special.

80's Dance Show @ DESS

Today, we get to relive the fashion crimes of the 80's while watching our kids tap dance to the hits of the decade. I reckon Matilda looks pretty cute in crimped hair and blue eye shadow though...
Yeah, she can pull it off! Work it baby!

In the hall, waiting to go on stage, Matilda and Mimi calm each other's nerves.

Go girl Go!
Lovin' it!

Matilda and Jenna groovin' in sync.

Jenna's proud parents... guess who they are supporting tonight?
Accepting her certificate from Mrs Ballard.

Here is the video!!

Svenska Skolavslutning

Idag hade barnen sin Svenska skolavslutning. Matilda har gatt i barngruppen och Isabelle i nyborjar gruppen. Bada tva har lart sig mycket sprak och Svensk kultur, och tycker faktiskt att det ar roligt. Tack till lararna Anna och Sara for detta aret!
Matilda var Lilla Gubben!

Isabelle laste om Broderna Lejonhjarta.

Se sa sota de ar! Alla Svenska barnen i Qatar.

Matilda springer ivag med sitt intyg fran Anna.

Isabelle far sitt intyg fran sin larare Sara.

Summer has arrived...

First day of summer and we have already hit the high 40's.
Tessa, the desert dog, doesn't seem to mind...