Halloween fun

Today was Halloween, and this year instead of trying to avoid it and whining about the commercialisation and having the 'what's the point' debates - we embraced it!

A conversation with a friend recently changed my view, and then participating in our community tonight cemented it for me.
A friend pointed out to me that the reason why he didn't mind Halloween and thought it was embraced so enthusiastically (particularly here in Dubai) was because it is one of the few celebrations that is not directly connected to one religion or race. It is fun the whole community can participate in no matter who you are or what your background.

This struck a chord with us - especially living here where everything from your salary to your ability to purchase alcohol (including how much per month) is determined by your religion and race.

So today Piper dressed up and went to school and enjoyed Halloween activities all day, then we all attended the school annual Halloween fair in the afternoon. Although she was already exhausted and sugar loaded we then had friends over and went trick or treating in the streets of our community.
It was so much fun - the kids had an absolute ball, we ran into familiar faces, met new neighbours and laughed with complete strangers.

Who knows next year we may even go so far as to carve our own jack-o-lantern!

Piper and her best friend ready for trick or treating

Some of our neighbours went to an amazing effort to decorate their homes

A morning at the farm

A couple of weekends ago at the end of Eid holidays we visited 'The Farm'. A stunning cafe built in the centre of a tropical green oasis on the outskirts of Dubai. 
The area the restaurant is built in is a purpose built lush green residential community that completely denies the senses you are in fact in the middle of the desert.
It is astonishing and thanks to the amount of greenery it really does provide a respite from the harsh heat and desert sand. I shudder to think how much water is consumed and labour is needed to keep this place alive - there are very few places in the world that could afford to do this.

To top it off the food was brilliant - I really wish I had taken photo's of our food for once, but I am one of those people who groans at having Instagram and Facebook feeds full of other peoples food pics. But unfortunately on this occasion there are no words to describe how awesome my pistachio and strawberry waffles were or Naz's breakfast.

Some pics of our walk around the gardens post breakfast.

A beautiful weekend

If you pop by regularly you will notice this little blog has had a makeover.
I guess in some way this is like the 2013 version of 'nesting' - blog makeover, sorting out my data clouds and digital photography filing and storage are all on my to do list  - now I have finally started maternity leave!

I have had so much on at work that I wasn't really consciously aware of the toll it was taking on me until I stopped. The freedom and feeling of not heading off to work tomorrow is exhilarating and very welcome, a break and some time at home is exactly what I need right now at 38 weeks pregnant.

We have enjoyed a great weekend with lots of relaxing and fun with friends. A BBQ and drinks yesterday which turned into a highly competitive board game evening and this afternoon we met up with a couple of other families for a sunset swim and picnic dinner at the beach. How gorgeous is the pic of Piper with her friends - I cannot put into words how well this group of kids get along and play together.

Ghosts of Dubai #1

After a 6 year boom the financial crisis in 2007 - 2010 had a significant impact on Dubai.

One of these is the 'ghosts of Dubai' - projects started and never completed. There are hundreds of these projects around Dubai, more recently they are tearing some down, filling holes and restarting. But a lot are rather iconic, and have now stood still in mid-construction for so long they are part of the landscape.

Below are a couple of pics taken recently, I will add some more over time. At 38 weeks pregnant my ability to get out and about on excursions for taking photographs is somewhat limited by my size, swollen hands and feet and the ever present Dubai heat which has made one final come back before winter kicks in.

Universal Studios - part of the never built Dubailand. It is a common theme in Dubai to build grand entrances first then construction follows - unfortunately this project never made it past the front gate!

These two connected towers would of been an impressive structure, however they are likely never to be completed having stood exactly like this since about 2009. They are eerie building sites - everything right down to workers belongings just sits there.

Life Lately in Happy Snaps

1. Beautiful entrance to Global Village at sunset - the weather is beautiful in the evenings now

2. Date night for the girls - Daddy was out partying at Atlantis on the Palm

3. This happened this week, the rings are off at 36 weeks - it took a lot of freezing and oiling to get them off too

4. Making masks at school

5. More pics from the garden now we can go outside and enjoy it without melting

6. Sleep over while Daddy was out - between Piper and all her 'kids' there was not a lot of room for me and my big belly

BBQ Season Begins!

Finally the weather is cooling down - by cooling down I mean today was the first day under 35 degrees in 6 months. 
It was still a very warm 34 but by 5pm it was cool enough to move outside, enjoy a gentle breeze and our first proper BBQ of the season in our new backyard. It was beautiful while it lasted but unfortunately by 7:30pm the humidity had rolled in the breeze departed, sending us back indoors.

Finally able to enjoy this beautiful space as a family

Not sure if it was the angle, the light or the silly trying not to laugh face , but I can see so much of Naz in this pic of Piper