Happy Birthdays

We were so fortunate to celebrate Neva's 2nd birthday with a number of friends and all of our family - at different times. Neva is now addicted to the happy birthday song and talks about blowing out candles almost every day. 

First was a breakfast that we hosted before leaving the U.A.E. Neva was VERY excited to see her new kitchen. 

The next celebration was with the Gindls complete with the Gindl Cat Cake. 

Lastly, we shared a birthday celebration with Neva's wonderful cousin Sara. 

Stampede!

I love this picutre of Neva watching the planes. We had a fairly good flight and it is so great to be in Canada.

















We rolled in to Calgary last weekend and are loving the weather (yes really). What does one do when jet lagged? Go to the Stamped of course.


The barns were a BIG hit.

The rides were a hit as well. We rode the carousel, the swings and the mini roller coaster. 

Here we are at the end of the morning. 

Barns - check

Rides - check

Superdogs - check

Win prizes from a fishing game - check

Exhausted child and mum - check.  

Summer Fun

As the heat rolled in to Abu Dhabi we were kept busy with festivities.  Here were some of the happenings: 

Neva's end of term for her playschool (nursery). She LOVED her teacher Ms. Chloe!

Bruce and I had a movie night and made pocket dogs...little trouble with the sizing though. 

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The latest addition to our living room. The Fat Boy. We ended up purchasing this thing on points - I was orignially against it but have eaten my words as the Fat Boy has provided hours of entertainment and comfy sitting. I always love when Neva wants to play on it - she runs up and says, "Mumma, Fat Boy."

Litte Mia turned 2. We were very happy to drive to Dubai and join the festivities. It was a wonderful party with a Monkey theme - quite appropriate for 2 year olds!

Playing monkeys on the bed. 

Neva being so kind as to help Mia with her gift. 

I ended up returning to the Gramigni's later that week for a longer visit. Coincidentally it was Canada day, so Karla made pancakes and bacon for lunch. THANK YOU!! We all had a great time visitng. 

Neva and Mia

Ella, Mia and Neva. I have a great picture of these three when they were just wee. I will have to dig it out and post it another time. 

Eric and the cutie Tea (with an accent on the e)

The beauties

Twinkle

Here it is Grandma...
I especially like how she can shove food in and sing at the same time. Talented child :)

Pony & Cheeese!

The other day I was looking at Neva's hair and thinking about whether or not it was long enough for one pony tail. Turns out - heck yes - these curls of hers are so deceiving! Here is the first ever single pony tail - they grow up so fast!

Neva is also more comfortable around the camera and loves to say CHEEEEESE. "Smile" is still out -that that will prompt nothing but blinking and holding her eyes shut. Anyway here are the latest from our little poser who loves saying cheeeeeeeeeese to the camera. 

FYI - the monkey is wearing a diaper because it had a "big poop."

Making granola bars

Dinner out on Father's day. Her shirt says - my heart belongs to daddy. It sure does :) 

Lib-YA

Neva and I had the pleasure of visiting the Wriggs in Libya last week. It was a quick trip through Istanbull and then we arrived in Benghazi.  We were greeted by lovely weather and a man who told me that Melanie was waiting inside for me. Nice way to start a trip! Fortunately women with babies/toddlers are well taken care of and we were through the processing lines in a hurry. 

TA-DAH. Benghazi, Libya

I had a wonderful time with my dear friends. I appreciated being able to see where they live, seeing what life is like for them, and just generally spending some time with them. Always a treat. Thanks for taking such good care of us! We loved every minute. 

Neva is now a swing addict (there is hope Marla!). The Ws have a perfect setup and Neva would ask every minute of every day to "go swing." 

Friday at the beach

A trip to the souq

A trip to Cyrene. What a place...

Wiki description of Cyrene

Oscar is trying to help neva by holding her hand. Neva wants nothing to do with it...

Date night. I got to be the third wheel in the M&M date night. For those of you who follow the Ws blog, you have already seen these. 

I got my first taste of yummy Libyan Shawarma. It felt quite fitting to be eating a version of "street meat" with the Wrigs. ;) 

Watching the world cup at an outdoor venue. 

Thanks again guys. See you in the summer.
xox