November: Snow Cones, Campout, Girls Trip

We love our school! They have sweet little celebrations of accomplishment.  This was a writing celebration where Olivia read her latest piece about an important event in her life.

Eliza's latest fashion statement

My sweet friend Christa roped me into helping her with the Snow Cones PTA fundraiser.  Once she left, it fell to me to chair these events for the PTA.  It is such a fun thing the kids really look forward to. We sell about 350 snow cones in about 30 minutes every Thursday in November and April.  It is fast and furious!

Huge lineups!

I begrudgingly went with Mike to see The Beach Boys in Dubai.  While I complained about the hassle of it, we had a blast!  It was amazing!

My KG2 Daisy Troop!  Campout 2016

Playing animal walk games

Olivia's 3rd Grade Brownie Troop

With their fearless leaders, Aman and Raya

S'mores!

The mamas getting a turn!

The girls' tent..not a while lot of sleeping went on in there that night

Glow sticks!

Eliza at Dana's birthday party at Build a Bear

Olivia was practicing for the talent show at friend's apartment and this was the view one night

Mike came into Olivia's classroom to talk about what engineers do.  It was so cute.  They had a million questions for him.

Eliza and two of her buddies, Ava and Alexandra

 Girls Weekend to Dubai with my Abu Dhabi besties

 Chetna, Raya, Angie, and Ayesha

 Cocktails!

 We love staying in the Marina each year

 I love this photo!

 Hammers and Aprons crab restaurant in the Marina area

 Shopping Mall of the Emirates the next day

 Raya bought the glasses on the model...fierce!

 Dinner at Pier Seven

Burgers the next morning after another quick stop at Marina Mall

Eliza's turn for a Writing Celebration

 My little cutie!

 "My favorite activity at school is PE"

 Oh Olivia!  Car seats and boosters are pretty much optional here in Abu Dhabi.  For this reason, everyone gets pretty lax about it in late elementary.  Not this mama!  A cute boy made fun of Olivia for still riding in a backed booster, telling her she rides in a baby car seat.  Usually one to not care about what others think, this one bothers her.  As soon as I pull up to school each morning, Olivia ducks down so that no one sees her :-o  I told her on her 8 1/2 birthday, I will take the back part off.

 Olivia and her friends Amna and Nina made the talent show!  They danced to a mash-up of songs.  They were great!

 Olivia and her friend Tala after the show!

3rd grade dancers

 More snow cones! I get all of my close friends to come and help me sling snow cones.  We have a blast!

Olivia and I got to have a Mommy and Me day.  She chose a real Mani/Pedi, not just polish.  She wanted to soak her feet.

Emirati National Day

Olivia had to present to the entire school in Arabic.  She was fantastic!

Francesca and Olivia

Eliza and Alex on a camel

Eliza and Tala

My Daisy Troop!  It is a lot like herding cats, but still fun.

Chetna's birthday celebration at Bentley's