Sharjah Discovery Centre

A busy weekend for Pipkin. As well as a visit to the park to run off a few kilos (Rosie that is), we had an outing to Sharjah, to visit the discovery centre, which is a hands-on science museum for mini scientists.

Here are Mummy and Rosie studying the science of something to do with cranes, and making a poor job of building a foam house.
To be honest, much as Rosie loved the cranes and the water displays, I think she preferred taking handfuls of dead leaves and constructing a brown wig out of them on my head.

Winter is coming!

For the first time since May, we have been able to spend an afternoon outside (well, an hour actually.)

 The temperature has dropped below 35 degrees, and the wind is up, bringing a ton of sand but also some cool air. We went to Sharjah discovery park, and mouse had fun in the grass, collecting leaves and throwing them away again, and again, and again. Bright red cheeks were an indicator that we are not quite in winter yet, but a month ago we would all have ended up in hospital after an hour outside.

Angelina Ballerina

We were looking for some winter clothes for mouse last week, and in between trying on wooly hats in H&M Rosie spotted a pink ballerina skirt. Her interest in these has been growing with her daily does of Dorothy the Dinosaur on Jim-Jam (who just happens to wear one) She flatly refused to leave without it, or  to leave without wearing it there and then. She has been wearing it every day since. The pink period has begun.

Dinner at the fountains

A lovely sunny evening (for a change) and a meal at the Dubai Mall fountains. Behind my girls is the tallest building in the world - a little difficult to tell I guess, but it is seriously tall. Half as high again as the Petronas Towers in KL.

A life aquatic

Ahead of her second trip in a month to a five star beach resort on the UAE east coast, Rosie is seen her trying on her new pink flippers and goggles. Direct from Germany, via her uncles, this is the latest in designer scuba wear.

Of course, we had an hour of her flapping through the apartment, flatly refusing to take off her flippers.

In terms of equipment, Rosie is now ready to scuba. Perhaps a few lessons in breathing through her pink snorkel might be in order first.

It's not all Rosy

Just in case it looks like our daughter is a permanent angel, here are a few pictures from our holiday in fujairah that tell a slightly different story...

Life's a beach...

Our first holiday in the UAE this week saw us travelling across the mountains to the east coast Fujairah emirate, and 5 days in the costal resort of Al Aqah. A well deserved break for all three of us.

We stayed at the Miramar Hotel, which was lovely. It was made even lovelier when Katrin complained about the room, and got us a free upgrade to an executive suite, overlooking the lovely beach on the Gulf of Oman.

 One of the consequences of five days of continual sea air (and a fairly nasty cold for half of the time) was an extremely sleepy mouse. Thank heavens for a king size bed and feather duvet.

Breakfast was splendid, and even included pork bacon and sausages. Rosie liked to start with a croissant or two before moving on to cooked items.

Rosie took full advantage of the facilities and maximised her chill-out time on the beach, with temperatures slightly more bearable than in Dubai, hovering around the 42 degree mark (which is 107.6 Fahrenheit for you UK types.)

 The waves were rather higher than madam is used to (Asian islands) but she still insisted on spending as much time as possible getting wet.

 As brave as she might be in water, she is still a sucker for a cuddle with Mummy.

Wee-wee

Rosie will kill me in a few years for posting this, but it is big news and needs to be shared. Yesterday she did her first wee-wee on the toilet!! To the sound of our hearty applause she sat perched on her barbie training seat and tinkled away. Another milestone is reached.

Sweaty baby

Both Rosie and her rabbits are feeling the summer heat this week....

Music Maestro

The piano is finally up in the living room. Rosie enjoys a tinkle each day. Chords still evade her, but she has discovered a way to make it play Twinkle Twinkle, and never seems to bore of it..even if we do.

Another weekend...another pool session.

Doctor on call

Rosie got to work quickly when we returned from Dubai Mall Early Learning Centre with her new medical kit.

All teddies and toys were given a health check and those found to be under the weather were given precautionary inoculations.

Open wide...trust me, I'm a doctor......

Berlin breakfast

A feast fit for a king. And the Queen sits at the head of the table, stressing about what to eat next.

A yogurt seems like a wise choice.
Followed by some chill time with friends

and a movie with Dad.