Cold Stone Concert

One day after school, I decided the kids and I needed some ice-cream therapy, so I piled the kids straight into the car off the school bus, and we went around the corner to one of our happy places, Cold Stone Creamery. We were the only customers in the store, which was a good thing given the amount of time it takes each individual child to decide on an ice-cream flavor (cotton candy or bubble gum … NEITHER! Choose chocolate! Seriously, have you ever tried the gum ball ice-cream/gummy bear combo - I wouldn't recommend it.) What we didn't realize was that the people serving us were going to put on a huge show. They were flipping the cream in the air, tossing it from across the room and catching it, and just being extra enthusiastic. 

As we sat down to eat the treats (figuring the fun was over), they cranked up some tunes put on a dance concert for us, which apparently they had spent a lot of time practicing given their complex moves and perfectly synchronized dancing :) It was awesome enough the kids weren't even eating their ice-cream, just staring open mouthed. 

My music lover, Colby, was the first to join in. Owen wasn't too far behind :)

Tyler was not about to get up and boogie, but he admitted it was pretty fun!

 It was another one of those "only in the UAE" moments, and we enjoyed the spontaneity of it. Now, every time we walk by, Owen insists we go in and see some music and flying ice cream :)

Latest and Greatest

Here's a quick recap of what's been happening with each member of the family for the past 2 months: Colby (14 months):  Continues to be a pretty mellow and happy little guy. This past week, he has decided walking is an acceptable mdd of transportation, and totters all over the house.

He loves the feel of sand between his toes!

... and between his teeth, all (almost) 4 of them

"Are you watching? I might take a step!"

Swinging at the park

We discovered a new way to keep Colby safe at the beach

Owen kept close by to keep him company :)

He still enjoys the celebrity status that comes from being a chubby, smily, white baby. 

Owen (2): Owen has officially graduated out of diapers, leaving me only ONE kid in diapers (don't worry, it is more than enough). Potty training is not my most favorite experience in the world, and Owen has worked hard to make sure I don't get too excited about any progress he makes by regressing when I least expect it, like at the park...

His new thing is spiky hair - he insists I make it spiky each morning, and throughout the day, routinely checks to make sure it is still spiky.

 

He still stands firm in his belief that sand was made to roll in and lay on

  Dads sure are a lot of fun!  

He plays hard, and he crashes hard

He's decided Colby is a pretty good playmate, and is constantly demanding Colby chase him in a giant loop around our house. Colby is more than happy to oblige.

If I survive this duo, I'm pretty sure I can do anything. Good thing they are so cute!

Hailey (4): Thank heaven for sweet little girls. Hailey is my cooking buddy, my enthusiastic rule enforcer, my friendly social butterfly, and she can always be counted on for a hug and an honest opinion. Tonight after hearing Ken tell me how good dinner was, she politely informed me that dinner was "pretty ok, not great, but it was pretty OK." Thanks Hailey, next time I'll save myself 3 hours of work and open up a box of mac and cheese!

Having these two friends move here has been so fun! Here, they all went and got hair cuts together.

Will (6): Will still wishes school was a temporary thing, and would rather be outside doing anything that seems just a little dangerous, like jumping off and sliding down things. Anything Tyler deems a good idea - he's there! He's become an amazing reader, and still loves coming up with art projects.

  

He's been practicing all kinds of flips on the trampoline

 

Tyler (8): This kid just keeps getting taller! He's so smart and funny and the biggest help with his siblings. He's teaching me patience and gratitude, and I love these vacation days that I get to have him home with me.

Leader of the pack

The Parents: Thanks to visits from both Grandma and Grandpa, Ken and I have had more date nights the past two months than we have the whole year! We got to go to the Marine Ball.

Hailey was so excited I was going to a ball, and asked if I was going to meet Prince Charming. I told her I was GOING with Prince Charming!

Here we are with Ken's cousin, Genevieve

Jon and Ashley came with us to make it an extra fun time! 

We went to our first movie in the UAE (Spectre) and have since also seen Star Wars :)

Lots of testing out dinner sites - this was a great Emirate food restaurant (thanks Lindsay :)

And some serious kayaking - best investment ever!

 

I want to end with these photos from one of our family dance parties. I love these moments when everyone is happy, and themselves. Despite all of the crazy and hard moments, I wouldn't trade this time I'm in for anything!