Our ever expanding family

Meet Bonnie. She was found wandering the streets of Doha and has today found a new home with us. A bit on the skinny side, but in no time she too will bear the Doha girth! Tessa, the top dog, is loving having a playmate around all day long!

Sweden August 2009

Sweden July 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Matilda!!

In keeping with Swedish traditions, we woke Matilda up with cake (well, it was a banana), candles, presents and singing! Here she is with some of the gifts... dress, a gold medal for being the best sister, and flashing pom poms!
Afternoon tea brought the real cake... a pink heart because we love her so much!

Is it yummy??

Next, we took Matilda to Toys R Us to chose whatever she wanted for her birthday! She chose a(nother) Hannah Montana doll... the darling chose one for her and one for her sister. Here, in new favourite dress by Grandma and mouse ears from Unki Rob & Aunty Gem.

She had a GREAT day!

Ya think??

The Magic Flute

Once in a while Doha surprises me with a little bit of normal stuff, you know, stuff you would do at home. Tonight was one such moment... we took the kids to watch a performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and it was brilliant!! Both girls were transfixed during the hour and a half opera, choreographed especially for children (& Brendan!). Bravo!

Here's a bad photo of the cast and then with the Queen of the Night... she was my favourite.

Summer in Doha

It is close to 50 degrees outside, so Doha summer days are spent at one of the malls in their indoor amusement parks. Here we are at Circusland in Landmark Mall.

Summer Sleepover with my Sister

The girls have decided that they are best friends and are going to sleep together until we get on that plane headed for Sweden!

Gadget Girl

Isabelle and Matilda scored new Nintendo DSi consoles with cameras and now they're spending their summer holidays playing games and snapping photos!
Here are a couple of Isabelle's pics...

Looks like I have competition... I may need to start up a new blog for her!

Off the to beach again!

It's the weekend, we've got sunscreen on, and we're ready for the beach!

Thanks for a great year!

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

Isabelle's teacher for year 2, Mrs Bettit.

Matilda's teacher for nursery, Mrs Cameron.

End of an era

Ruby and Elsie come over for a movie night... Hotel for Dogs.

The Beales family moved in across the road three years ago. We have since become extended families to each other. They leave us and Doha on Friday for good. We take comfort in the fact that they are moving back to Perth, so we will be together again one day.

It's the end of an era.

We'll miss you!!!!

Late arrival...

Matilda takes a pic of her new favourite Barbie... Hannah Montana!

Thanks Giselle!

Matilda's Hi5 Party

Matilda is a girl who knows what she wants, and in the case of her fourth birthday party it was definitely a Hi5 party! It was a huge hit and we can't wait to see what theme she choses for her fifth birthday party!

Waiting for guests to arrive, my three gals warm up to the Hi5 rollercoaster exercise! Whoa!

The guests arrive and it's cookie decorating time!
Eliza, Nikita & Monica make one-off designer cookies.
Enjoying the artistic results!

It's time for bean bag racing!

It's a photo finish! Isla bends it like Beckham!
Mimi shoots and she scores!

Isabelle & Ruby choreographed and performed a dance to Hi5's hit song "Robot Number One". The robot's name is Silver.
"Robot Number One, you can switch and turn me on...

"... Robot Number One, we're gonna have some fun!"

And now follow the leader around the room!
Looking for Tessa (the dog) and tortoises in the back garden.
The food... 36 hours of baking and voila!
The pinata cake... Matilda got to smash it with a hammer to reveal chocolate cake and goodies inside!
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!

Graduation Party

Matilda's nursery (kindergarten) class had a graduation ceremony for the littlies. Here's M & M waiting for the presentation. Here they are in their mortar board hats, so cute. Matilda's teacher, Mrs Cameron (in the background) presented her with a certificate. The cake, complete with class photo. Thanks for the memories!

Mimi comes for a play after school

I'm proud of you too!

Sisterly adoration. Love it!