"Winter" Break

I always wonder how we are going to spend our free time during a winter, summer or spring break. But without fail, we end up staying super busy and by the end of it all I have no idea where the time went.  This so-called winter break was no different!  The first part of our time was occupied by baseball!  Mason was fortunate enough to have private pitching lessons with two Washington National pitchers.  Then he attended a 3-day baseball camp put on by current and former professional players.  What an opportunity!

 Pitching lessons

 Coaches' pep talk

 Camp photo

Mason with National pitchers Pat Lehman and Danny Rosenbaum

It's hard to believe that we spent most of our "winter break" at the pool, but we've been taking full advantage of the heated pool and temperatures in the 70's and 80's!  Cash loves "diving" into the deep end, which starts off like a swan dive but ends up more like a belly flop! ha!  He's a descent swimmer, and I'm sure the fearless kid will be doing backflips off the high-dive before too long ;)  Jake likes to play and splash in the water, and he loves to wear his swim goggles.  He does not necessarily like to put his face under water!  Reminds me of a saying my Papa Nelson used to say, "You can go swimming, but you can't get wet!"

 Swim games with Mason, Jake & Cash

Smiley Jake

Swan Dive by Cash

 Mason playing "monster" with the kids

The Dubai Mall is right across the street from us, so it's a quick walk and has lots to offer!  We can get a bite to eat, watch the water fountain, go to the toy store, grocery store, movies, etc.  There is also a dinosaur skeleton on display that is over 155 million years old!  It's pretty impressive and was discovered in 2008 at the Dana Quarry in Wyoming!  Almost all the bones were found intact at the excavation site and is over 80 feet long!

 Cash, Shyla and Jake on the camel statue

 Jake & Cash are mesmerized by the Dubai Water Fountain

 Just another Rolls Royce parked outside the mall

 A gold plated Ferrari on display

 Main entrance to the mall

 View of our apartment on our walk home from the mall

 Burj Khalifa

A stroll through the mall with Cash, Erin, Jake & Emily 

We managed to fill our other days with outings to the park, an indoor play gym and even the beach!

 Silly boys at the park

 View of the Burj Khalifa with Liam, Marina & Eva

 A day at Kite Beach

 Cash & Erin practicing their back-dive into the ball pit

View of sunrise

Now we are back in full swing with Mason back in school and the twins just finished their first week of preschool!  Baseball games have resumed and the horse racing started up last night!  These next few months are going to fly by!

First day of preschool in Dubai for Liam, Cash & Jake