Party Fun!

We went to a kids party this afternoon, the kids and adults had an absolute blast. The weather was fabulous, I can’t stress how our quality of life improves at this time of the year.

Abdulla was fantastic on this balance bike, he won’t need his training wheels for very much longer.

 

Noora with her buddy Ryan from school, you can tell that they sit at the same table together. They didn’t play like they were just friends, there was understanding and cooperation which obviously comes from them having to work together. 

My darling girl, she has started posing for the camera. Isn’t she just adorable.

Stay tuned for more news….

Laila x

A Little Something…..

After school on the last day of term we were supposed to go to a party but we didn’t make it, the kids were FERAL. So instead I threw Sara and the kids in the pool and watched this from the side lines.

kayaking fun!

being dragged along!

Noora is not as comfortable in the water as her brother and always plays it safe!

Boys Stuff

and remember how I said I was watching from the side lines, a little monkey boy told me he that he had had enough and so I took off his float, turned around to reach for the towel and he dived in the deep end….

rescue mission completed

one drowned rat!

he has since told me that he does great drowning tricks!

Look at that face, could you tell him off!

Laila xx

and a Happy New Year

Three years ago Mohamed and I started a tradition. On the the 1st of December we wait with baited breath for his monthly roster, we go straight to the last date (31st) and look to see if he is flying that night or will be having to go to bed early in preparation for an early morning flight. Guess what? Six a.m check in, so once again we were in bed by ten thirty………. I’m not complaining, i don’t think we’d do anything if he didn’t have to fly. I love my bed and that’s exactly where I like to be come midnight.
For new years day we up to my mums with the kids, we got to drive in the rain (did I mention it rained again). We had quiche and pavlova for afternoon tea and laughs for after.
So it’s that time of the year again, you hear everyone talking about their hopes and aspirations for the coming year and you hear a lot about new year resolutions. I have never made a resolution, I’m the one who doesn’t commit to anything and then has a little giggle when every ones good intentions don’t come to anything. Well this year is different but it has a bit more to do with the new decade than the new year.

• I want to be healthier so I will be doing my best to eat better, I will use the cross trainer for twenty minutes a day at any time of the day, I will take up ballet or yoga and want to learn how to play tennis. I want to be one of those people who don't feel right if they haven’t had their daily dose of exercise.
• I want to be a better mum not that I am bad at it but there are a few things I would like to be able to manage better.
• I will sew more because it makes me happy and so will be partaking in this 12 month sewing challenge, so hop on over to Carolyn’s blog to find out more about it.
• Get the pictures on the computer organised (thins has been on my list of things to do since early last year).
• Mohammed and I will be putting a five year plan in place for personal goals and goals as a family.
• and am going to join up to the daily savings club, read the how to here. Or hop on over to Isra’s blog where she explains things in our money

Baby Steps eh?
What are you up to, what are your hopes for the coming year, are you working towards anything? I would love to hear all about it.
xx

A Belated Merry Christmas

I know I’m three weeks behind schedule but better late than never.  Can you imagine the chaos it would have caused had I been born Santa? Was Santa born? In the history of Santa has he ever been a she? deep huh?

So my little sister made it home for the holidays, she is living in the UK whilst she trains to be a teacher  and so we only see her when she on her breaks from Uni. However, on this trip she has had assignments to complete and so I have hardly seen her. She brought with her Holiday cheer and a suitcase full of goodies. My mum and I couldn’t face the prospect of putting up the tree without her being here and hence no holiday cheer bah humbug! Noora and I went to my Mum’s the Tuesday before christmas and they put up the tree together. Thank You Aunty Sara!

not the best the best pictures, I took them at night!

 

Sugar Plum Fairy

inscribed on this fairy is hope, wish, expectation, trust, dream and faith

Salim made this for my mum years ago, it’s getting a bit bald but is still very much loved.

Santa is in actual fact a Scots man, that’s one less worry for me!

and his elves are actually highland dancers and handbag queens!

Santa’s sustenance, he ate both biscuits and drank all the milk – he needs to go on a diet!

our explosive Christmas eve, in more ways than one. I was shot in the chest with a champagne cork (it was quite intense, I really did think that  had been shot). The phrase “mother of god, I have been shot’’ will forever bring my family to it’s knees – pardon the pun.

Abdulla

Noora

Once again mama out did herself in the kitchen. This year we in the Mawali household discovered the joys of Pavlova which was demolished before any pictures could be taken. This is the new years day pavlova before we attacked it.

One minute later….

I hope you had a lovely time with family and friends this christmas.

Laila xx