Thursday, April 11, 2013

Dubai Days with the Twins!

It's been an exciting 20 weeks here in Dubai, and the twins have changed so much during this time!  We've been so blessed to have our nanny, Indu, also known as "Dindu" to the boys.  She's so upbeat, happy and outgoing, which has been a big influence on the boys. They yell "Hello" and "Bye-Bye" to everyone they see and can give a mean high-five to any willing participant.  The boys have a huge fan base here at the hotel and school, and I think they lead a pretty exciting life for a couple of 22-month olds! 

Jake continues to be my sweet care-taker, and is always looking out for Cash.  He waits for him, pulls his chair out at meal time, carries around his drink, relinquishes his toy 99% of the time and laughs at everything Cash does.  He can tolerate quite a bit of Cash's antics, but he will also let the world know when he has had enough!  He's very kind to other kids and shares all of his toys with them.  Jake is a great eater and will even eat whatever picky Cash leaves behind!  Jake is super silly and loves to put things on his head, dance and make funny sounds.  He can sit still, look at books and play with toys for a period of time, while Cash runs circles around him.   He is also a bit shy and very timid in new surroundings and new people.  Jake loves to sleep and can sleep through most of Cash's talking and signing.  I actually think he prefers to sleep through Cash's nonsense as opposed to sleeping in the room alone.  Jake loves to throw balls, or anything that resembles a ball, and has a serious side-arm!  He's still my big talker and his new phrase is "No-No Cash!  Bad Cash!"

Cash continues to be my wild child and is going 90 miles an hour at all times!  Cash is the boss and Jake is usually contempt to go along with whatever Cash has in mind! He loves to stay busy (like his daddy), is a picky eater (like his daddy), does not require much sleep (like his daddy) and is very determined (like his daddy)...see a pattern here!  Cash loves to clean and follow Indu around with all of his cleaning materials.  Sweeping is an all-time favorite but wiping everything down is a close second!  He also loves to dance and can find a beat to almost anything (like his Mimi used to do!)  Cash will climb and jump off almost anything, so I foresee a few trips to the ER in our future.  He can be very sweet and demands a lot of attention from whomever is around.  He can also be a bit on the dramatic side when he does not get his way or is reprimanded for hitting Jake!  He will sulk, go sit off in the corner and put something over his face.  Once he realizes nobody is paying him much attention, then he moves on and is happy Cash again!  Cash is very outgoing and can be very sweet when he wants to!


 Wake-up Jake!
 Shoe time for Jake
 We just discovered Barney!
 Our Christmas card collection.  The boys especially love to point out all the babies
 
 One of Cash's tantrums!


 Jake with Erin (one of Asling's twin girls)
 Another one of Cash's "moments!"

 We love pool time with our big brother!
 1, 2, 3! Go! Cash loved being thrown into the air by his daddy.  Jake did not!
 Jake is perfectly content playing with his ball!
 Cash is very busy at work!
 He looks like a model for "409!" ha!
 The boys love playing with Jimmy, our cleaner. 


 Great fun in Daddy's shoes!






Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Dubai World Cup 2013

The Dubai World Cup Carnival was a couple of weeks ago, and it was a successful day for Godolphin with two winners!  Even though they did not win the actual World Cup race, they were the leading owner and trainer for the evening as well as the winter season!  We had a ton of fun leading up to the big race day and a fantastic time at WC!  Lots of entertaining and celebrating was on the agenda.  
Work Hard and Play Hard!
An evening at Zuma with our dear friends Asling and Charlie
 Rod with Charlie and John
Race day preparations: my friend Vicki organized a salon to come to her room and help transform us girls :)  
 Mommy with her boys before Race Time!
Marina with her son, Liam.  They were impressed with our hats!
Modeling the new gold and silver iPhone!
Caroline and Bhupat in the winner's circle with their horse Renoldo the Wizard.  Bhupat is the asst trainer, and their horse won a $2M race!
 Me with Vicky and Marina
 The "Ash's"
 Marina & I
 Our pals Asling and Charlie

Marina and I with the Prince of Bahrain!  People were lined up to take their picture with this rather attractive young man, and Marina was brave enough to ask him for our picture :)
The World Cup wouldn't be complete with out an impressive fireworks show with hot air balloons, dancing horses, a light show and dancers!


Sheik Mohammed is down there and surrounded by his entourage all dressed in their white dish-dashes
View down below from a suite on the 6th floor
Rod and Luke before the big race!
Sheikh Mohammed (in the navy) with his wife Princess Haya and their 5-year old daughter Aljalila
Post racing dinner with the Seemar's and Yarbrough's at our all-time favorite La Petit Maison
The Boys!






Thursday, April 4, 2013

Our March Madness!

March was a very busy month for us! Mason celebrated his 7th birthday, the school had Field Day, UAE Celebration Day and their Spring Carnival, we've enjoyed many days at the pool with friends and lots of park play dates!  Pictures are worth a 1,000 words, so here are a ton of Our March Madness:

ASD FIELD DAY - TEAM YELLOW
Mason's class was assigned the color yellow to wear.  Mason didn't have anything yellow, so he borrowed a Brazil football (aka soccer) jersey from a buddy.  
 Mason and Axel playing a game
 Andrew and Mason
 Playing the wet version of duck duck goose!
 A competitive game of "Red Rover Cross Over"
Finished up the day with a fun time in the pool!


UAE CELEBRATION DAY AND MASON'S BIRTHDAY
March 21st was a busy day at ASD.  They had UAE Celebration Day, Surf's Up and dress down day in anticipation of the Spring Carnival and Mason's Birthday.  In honor of UAE Day, the kids had the option to change into local dress for the festivities.  The kids tried local foods, learned an Arabic dance, created some Arabic art and got henna tattoos.  



The twins were eager to help celebrate Mason's birthday with his classmates!  "Let Us In!"
Mason chose Krispy Kreme donuts to share with his class
Happy Birthday Dear Mason!  Happy Birthday To You!





ASD SURF'S UP SPRING CARNIVAL




BASKETBALL
Mason is on the far right and representing Texas A&M!
His award for being very determined and quick!

Mason with his "Big Brother" Sean and his buddy, Giacomo 


FUN TIMES

 Bath time with our buddy Liam
 Concentration...
 I Did It! Yeah!
 We love anything dipped in ranch! 
 Yummy!