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...

News From Home!

Brendan's sister Julia and her husband Mike just had a healthy baby girl, Eleanor Isobel Tite, on the 27th January. We so look forward to seeing her later this year! Kisses from Uncle Brendan, Aunty Samantha, Cousins Isabelle & Matilda

Isabelle has lost her first tooth!

I can still remember the day this tooth popped out when she was four months old! Doesn't seem so long ago. Our baby is growing up!

(SCROLL DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN PHOTOS!!)

Happy 2007! from Qatar

Hello!

Hope you all had a joyous Christmas/Hanukkah and a fantastic start to 2007!

We really had a magnificent trip to Sweden. It all started with knowing half the plane on our way there (many families leaving Doha once the school term was over). The girls coped really well, and Brendan found out how much ‘fun’ it can be flying with kids. (I'm wondering how he got away with avoiding it for so long!) Nineteen hours later, we were at my uncle & aunt's home in the south of Sweden. It was wonderful being there in their home. Full of memories for me (spent many happy days there as a kid every summer), and such a warm place, both in temperature and in spirit. The house was decorated in true Swedish style, glowing lights in all the windows and on all the tables, lots of Christmas cheer. Just one thing missing, snow! According to the media, it was to greenest Christmas since 1957!

On the first day, we spent some precious time with my grandparents. They relished the chance to see the girls and to meet Brendan. Last time I was in Sweden was for the new millennium seven years ago! That was “pre-Brendan”, so everyone was eager to meet my little family.

The next day was already Christmas (we celebrate on the eve in Sweden) and we had the most delicious table laid out in front of us. I lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate, and both Brendan and I kept returning to fill our plates! Brendan sat next to my uncle who kept the schnapps flowing. It was a very MERRY Christmas, indeed. Santa arrived at the back door, having trekked through the forest. He was a hit with both adults and kids!

Next caught up with Mum’s cousin and her husband, who lived in Doha 25 years ago. They showed us a video of what it looked like then, which was fascinating. Needless to say, Doha is more than two major roads and one hotel now. Brendan was most impressed by Ingmar’s purpose-built bar downstairs, and they both disappeared for a while.

We took the speed train up to Stockholm and stayed in a destined-for-Vogue-living apartment right in the heart of the city thanks to a close family friend. How lucky were we! Caught up with a school friend who I haven’t seen for 17 years (!!) and another close family friend, and how fortunate it was that her daughter and family were visiting from Portugal. Spent the days showing off the beautiful city, visiting Pippi Langstrump, and shopping. Oh yeah, and did I mention eating!? Coming from café-bare Doha, we certainly indulged gastronomically. Brendan was impressed that I still managed to find my way around (actually I think the word he used was “amazed”). I had a wonderful 29th birthday, and got a lovely watch from Brendan. I’m a very lucky girl.

We returned to the south of Sweden, and stayed with my cousin Annika and her husband Johan, son Erik, two Icelandic horses, two Old English Sheepdogs, and cat on a fabulous property. Much to my delight, we went horseriding in the forest a couple of times – oh, the feeling of galloping in the open is marvelous! I’m determined to find a riding school here in Doha now. We celebrated New Year’s Eve on the second storey balcony with champagne watching fireworks all around us. This is legal in Sweden, so every Tom, Dick & Harry lights up their own pyrotechnic show in their backyard. It was awesome!

On our way back to Doha, we stopped in Malmo for a night and met another cousin and her family. Also, had time to shop a little more, and eat a bit more bacon! So, with our near-bursting suitcases (c’mon, we only had two bags… next time I’m bringing extra empty cases!), we boarded our plane to Frankfurt, and then home to Doha (again, there were several Maersk families on board!)

I can honestly say it felt good coming home. Not only returning to our own beds, but to our life here. Isabelle woke up the next morning, got dressed and ran out to see all her friends, and we didn’t see her until 6pm that night! I’ve returned feeling recharged, and ever so grateful for the opportunity to connect with family again.

We took hundreds of photos, but I have put a just a few on our blog. Again, it is www.whitefamily8.blogspot.com

Look forward to hearing your news in 2007!
Samantha, Brendan, Isabelle & Matilda xxxx

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Jul och Gott Nytt Ar!

Here is my entry about our wonderful trip to Sweden!

We had a blast!

We arrived late on the 22nd December in Copenhagen, then took the train directly to Hassleholm where my uncle Johnny picked us up. Walking into Johnny & Agneta's warm home, both in temperature and spirit, was reallly wonderful. I have an abundance of joyful memories of playing with my cousins every summer growing up. After a good night's rest and a mighty breakfast we headed out for a 5km walk to Lursjon... it was definitely chilly, I even had to steal, I mean borrow, my own child's beanie!

Got to spend some precious time with my grandparents. I hadn't been back in Sweden for 7 years (pre-Brendan) and they were delighted to meet my little family.

Christmas is celebrated early in Sweden on the eve, so here is Brendan tucking into his 3rd helping of food and continuous schnapps on the 24th!

Isabelle and my cousin Anneli getting into the Christmas spirit. We lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate!

Matilda and I digging in too! Yum!

Christmas Day morning... we discover that Matilda is a die hard animal lover - she squeals with delight when she sees cats, dogs, horses - all of which we were surrounded by on our trip!

Caught up with Mum's cousin and her husband... Isabelle charmed them! (I have no photographic proof, but Brendan got cosy in Ingmar's purpose built underground bar.)

We spent a few days in Stockholm where it was so cold the squirrels froze to the stones...

Back in the south of Sweden, we stayed with my cousin Annika, her husband Johan, son Erik, and baby number 2 on the way. It was marvellous! All 3 White girls got to go horseriding on their Icelandic horses, and we were all so delighted!


Indulging in hot chocolate and mandarins in the hayloft after one of our rides.

On our way home to Doha, we stopped by in Malmo to catch up with one more cousin and her family. Nicole, Olof, Sebastian and Alice.

We had such a joyous Christmas and New Year. Lots of lovely memories to warm the heart.

Thanks to all who contributed to this.