Weekend in Al Ain

We  had a long weekend here in Abu Dhabi due to the Muslim holiday, Eid.  Charles suggested that we get away for the night to stay in Al Ain (about 2 hours drive).  So I got online, booked a hotel and off we went.  I had forgotten how MUCH you have to pack for a little one!  It was great practice for our upcoming trip to the US for Christmastime. 

I love seeing all my ducklings in a row.

After a (thankfully) uneventful drive over there we gave ourselves a little tour of the hotel, snagged these gorgeous antique metal platters from the gift shop (THANK YOU CHARLES!)

 

and then grabbed some lunch before heading to the pool.

I watched the kids from the sidelines with Julia while Charles waited for check in – our room wasn’t ready for an hour after our check in time and by now we were all exhausted.  I bathed the kids and got everyone down for a rest before dinner.

Audrey and Will love hotel buffets and enjoy going to ‘pick’ what foods they get.  Check out Audrey’s plate.  All fruit. LOL

She did go back later and get some rice and meat… she is just the best eater!  Will, however, is not…. especially when he is tired – the boy. will. not. eat.  One small victory was that he randomly started to eat pineapple and watermelon again after refusing them both for several months.

The next morning the big kids woke up at 5 am. ugh. We were at least in adjoining rooms so they had some space to watch cartoons while Charles and I attempted to join the land of the living.   We all got up and dressed and headed out to the zoo.

I dug up this old picture of Audrey wearing the same dress 6 years ago.. I remember it like it was yesterday – they grow up WAY too fast.. but I feel like since I know that – I definitely do not take it for granted this go ‘round. Soaking up every minute like a sponge.  On a side note:  I am so glad I saved all of her clothes since it is a joy to see Julia wearing all of my old favorites of Audrey’s.  

My three McKiddos:

We all got loaded up in the car – anyone that has 3 kids and/or a newborn realizes that this a victory in and of itself… aaaaaand we have a car that wouldn’t start. hmmmm. Ok. everyone out.  Thankfully I grew up in a family that ALWAYS had car trouble on vacation.. Charles asked, “Are we still going to the zoo??” My response, “UH yeah” we get the car fixed and then we go.. no big deal.  When I was a kid it wasn’t a vacation until the car broke down. seriously.

Only got slightly ripped off by paying the equivalent of $140 for a car battery with handy man Charles doing most of the labor himself.  One hour later we were off to the zoo.

Will refused to indulge me by getting into the picture above… he’s lucky I didn’t ask him to get into the picture below:

Once again, Audrey smiling for the camera alone.    As you can see it was HOT HOT HOT.  and we didn’t realize it then, but Will was getting sick with a cold… Oooooh that is why he was so cranky and tired?! woops.

Ohmygosh how cute is the baby rhino?!

Will still not showing his face.

This gorilla was right up against the glass… it was amazing and it even snapped Will out of his ‘mood’ for a minute.

We let the kids take a ride in these things… that REALLY wiped them out.  Doesn’t it look fun though?!

Will cried to get out and we knew it was time to hang it up.  We stopped at the café, grabbed lunch and hit the road back to Abu Dhabi.  It was back to school and work tomorrow!

We’ve had a couple of super busy weeks, but in the meantime, Will is full-on POTTY TRAINED and Julia’s sleeping is getting much better at night with her only getting up once for a feeding and so far (knock on wood) she is a pretty easy going baby.  I pray she stays that way.  Unfortunately she caught the cold that Will had – actually we all did.  Being that she is only 7 weeks old it is a little scary when she is sick so it is nice to have another adult around to keep an eye on her.  She missed out on trick or treating and stayed inside with Espy while I ran around with the big kids.  Charles was working late again this year… (poor guy has missed the last 2 Halloweens in a row). 

This was earlier in the day when she was feeling okay

the ones below are Audrey:  (for some reason it won’t rotate.. sorry, just tilt your head)

They look a lot alike at this same age don’t they?!

then later here’s Julia with her pitiful sad little sick eyes:

Trick or Treat time for Audrey and Will: They were SO PUMPED.  It was hard for me to make the call, who should I stay with.. but I know it would mean a lot more to the kids if mama took them instead of the maid and Julia was going to be in good hands with Espy at home – it was the right choice to go with the kids that would actually remember.

Even the locals joined in on the celebration:

I started out with them at 6:00 and went door to door in the compound until their buckets were full – thankfully it didn’t take long and we were home by 6:45 with 2 exhausted kids. In the bath and to the bed… Will was asleep by 7:15 and Audrey, 7:30 – not bad! Audrey’s school has their Annual Fall Festival today so we’ll do it all over again.

*just for giggles.. here is Will yesterday: (They got to wear costumes to school)

Happy Halloween Y’all!