Look at me!

Uh huh! That is Frankie preparing to launch into crawling.... at 71/2 months. Given Piper didn't crawl until 11 months I was not prepared for the sight of Frankie up off her belly on all fours rocking this soon.
We never had to overly baby proof with Piper, by the time she could crawl and walk she understood no and boundaries. I think Frankie is going to challenge us a little more on that approach.

She also confirmed what I have watched grow ever so intensely over the past month - she is another Daddy's girl. Her first word last week was Daddy, not even Dad or Dadda like a baby sound, it is an absolute crystal clear, syrupy, sucky 'Daddy'.
This week she followed up with 'bub bub'. It didn't take Piper long to realise she could probably quickly coax Frankie into saying 'bum bum' much to her amusement... until I cottoned on and stopped the fun. No way is 'bum bum' coming before Mum Mum!!

Blue Poo, Trampolines and Fun

The mass exodus out of Dubai for summer begins this week. A huge amount of the population departs until September to avoid the worst of the heat and Ramadan. This is the first year we have not escaped to Europe, we have some exciting holidays planned for later in the year instead.

Piper's birthday unfortunately falls smack in the middle of Ramadan and the school holidays once again. So this year we took some initiative and celebrated her birthday a month early.
She had a small party for 10 friends at Bounce, which has only just opened in Dubai. For those that have not been to Bounce in Australia or elsewhere, it is an indoor trampoline centre, look it up, it will blow your mind.
Piper had simple requests - a 'Frozen' theme and a blue cake! Whilst the blue cake did tie in with the theme of the party, this is not why she chose blue cake. Over the Christmas holidays in Australia, thanks to her cousins - Piper discovered the delights of blue bubble gum ice-cream and the resulting blue poo. Yes, Piper wanted blue cake so she could have blue poo!
She had an awesome time and the genius was booking the party in the morning time slot. The kids were all happy and active and probably the best behaved at that time and it was all over and finished by 11am!

For the record - my cake wasn't nearly blue enough to have the desired effect!

Graduation

Yesterday we celebrated Piper's graduation from pre-school with a small performance at her school. We follow the American/British school system here and school is currently wrapping up for the year, and summer holidays are about to begin.
The new school year starts in September when Piper will begin FS2 (equivalent of Australian prep grade) at her big school, exciting times ahead.

Piper and her best friend (above) will go to different schools next year, which is a bit sad but I am sure these two crazy kids will still see more than enough of each other.

7 Months Old!

Because Dads make the best jungle gyms ever.