Someone's having a birthday party

This week we are in full preparation for Piper's 3rd birthday party on Friday. Her birthday is still two weeks away but the mass summer exodus from Dubai's heat and before the beginning of Ramadam has started, so we are holding her party early while her friends are still here.

I will update post party but for now here are a few photo's.  A princess themed party (who knew a 3 year old had so many opinions on a party) and as with the past two years I will attempt to make her birthday cake myself, this year she has chosen a princess castle! Actually she wanted Shaun the Sheep again until she got her little hands-on my cake books and found this one!

Helping bake cupcakes

Handmade party decorations..... I have a lot to finish

Chocolate crackles of course.... copha not available over here but after 4 different supermarkets I finally found an alternative product

The princess castle I am attempting tomorrow night

Our little mummy

The Ballet Concert

Unfortunately we have not yet received our official concert video or photographs (cameras were banned during the concert) but below I have attached a sneaky couple we took of Piper the Mermaid during the concert and some post concert photos.

All my worries about Piper (the youngest in her class) getting stage fright on the day were a waste of my energy..... she loved it! So much so she refused to leave the stage at the end of her performance and had to be dragged off by her teacher.

Then 3 songs later she popped back out on the side of the stage during the older children's performance for a little solo dance which was highly entertaining before once again her teacher had to drag her from the stage. Hopefully this was caught on the official video which we will post soon.

Stay tuned for more Ballet tales. Although official ballet class has ended for the summer Piper has enrolled in summer school and for the next 6 weeks is taking Hip Hop classes..... this could be interesting!!

ABC Practice (video)

 Piper has discovered how to work the video function on our iPhone. She loves making videos and playing them back again and again. This is her practising her ABC's on the weekend (this was very early in the morning - you will see from my voice).

Watch through to the end...... the attitude is hilarious. Our almost 3 year old going on 13!

Visitor fun!

This weekend we had the beautiful Lexi and BJ come stay with us on their way through to Europe.
It was an absolute blast to see some familiar faces and hang out together.
While it made us a little homesick, seeing it through the eyes of newbies also made us appreciate where we live and how lucky we are to be here in this amazing place.
FYI - I stole these photo's from Lexi's camera (thank you).

A drive out to the end of the Palm Islands to see the amazing Atlantis Hotel

Morning beach fun

Drinks at the Address Hotel, overlooking the dancing fountain, Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa - how gorgeous is Lexi!

Fab photo from the Address Hotel overlooking Old Town (Attareen Island) and the tower behind is our home!

Looking out from the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building)

Lexi couldn't resist this shot from our car park. There is actually another Ferrari and Porsche usually parked next to these two. I am in such fear of wiping this row of cars out every time I drive in and out of our car park... ouch!



Love this photo! Taken at Burj Al Arab after attempting to Stand-up Paddle Board.... it was too windy and choppy apparently (Piper and I stayed home for afternoon nap).



On the last night Lexi and I snuck away and enjoyed Sangria's at the Palace Hotel pool bar. It is amazing, with fan cooled cabana's and day beds to lounge on and drink cocktails!