Our Abu Dhabi Christmas

The last week of school before Christmas break was absolutely nuts – crazy busy since Espy was gone visiting her family, I had to do all the junk that I have grown  accustomed to not doing… Laundry, Ironing, Cleaning,  etc.. {GASP!} I know, I’m spoiled over here.  Both  kids had parties up at their schools that I had to make food for and thankfully got to be present for.

Will had a Christmas Concert at his school.  Oh my GOSH. it was cute.  Super simple but it was so sweet to see him in his element. HE LOVES PRESCHOOL... and in this week I came to the realization that he thrives in the structured setting.  Audrey never showed any signs of needing preschool at this age, but Will is a very different child and I’m having to adjust my parenting choices to what suits him.  Because of a different schedule that last week, he ended up going more days and I thought he would be cranky because of it, but I was shocked that he was like a different child – in a good way.  His behavior was much better, his speech was improving and he was much more content at home.  I think we’re gonna throw his butt will be in preschool an extra day this semester.

Below are pictures of him at his Christmas Concert:  I couldn’t get him to smile so I told him to show me his teeth. what a mistake! ha~! Too cute to leave out though…

 

 

Yes, finally got one that is a keeper! ^^

How cute is his little wreath?! I am putting it with our decorations to take out next year. I remember my mom always kept that stuff and it was so sweet each year as we looked back on what we made as little girls.

Here are will’s friends in his class.  He is so much more brown than them. LOL. Well, except for the little Indian boy sucking his thumb.  They sang songs and did hand motions to them – but once he spotted me, it was over.  He didn’t cry, but he didn’t want to participate anymore.  I enjoyed all the cuddles….He is so affectionate!

A day or two later, Audrey had her Winter Party at school.  The teacher has been doing an International social studies lesson – so to wrap it all up, the kids were asked to dress according to their Nationality and bring a food that represented their country.  I knew that they would be celebrating their nationalities in school, so when I was in the states this summer, I picked up the gaudiest 4th of July outfits I could find.   You can’t see it here, but she had a red white and blue tutu

Here is the table of the foods from all the countries represented… I was so impressed at the effort the parents put in.  We have such an amazing class!  Do you see Audrey’s apple pies?  My favorite were the falafel and Chinese steamed dumplings.. so GOOD.

Such a goober!

Audrey and her friend Saskia above, Class picture below:

A little out of order here, but the weekend before her school held an event called Breakfast with Santa.  It was much bigger than I anticipated… but of course an amazing event!  Audrey’s daisy troop had to work the bake sale (hence the blue vest) and we all enjoyed pancakes, crafts, a big market to shop in, lots of sweets and time on the playground.

She looooves arts and crafts.

Santa sent her a video also this week telling her she was on the Good List!

While we were away, Santa dropped in and left a few treats and a note for the kids on Christmas Eve.

We arrived back at our Villa from our vacation at 1:00 a.m. The kids were asleep so we just transferred them to their beds.  When they woke up the next morning they got to see all that Santa left for them while they were away!

 

 

The trampoline is super small.. the only thing that would possibly fit out there… only 6ft! I didn’t even know they made them this size.

As you can see, we didn’t even put pj’s on will.. just took the jeans off.  This picture reminds me of when he was a baby. awe. growing up tooooo fast.

I was trying to video her reaction to the trampoline.. so cute!

one of her favorite items.. zhu zhu pets..oh geeeeez. She treats them like real hamsters.

Mr. Will and his “CHIRETRUCK” costume.

Precious!