Bowling

Graham is going to have his belated birthday party this Saturday (which happens to also be Bobby's birthday!) at a bowling alley.  So I figured to prep the boys, we would go to our first bowling session during the week when there is no one around.

Well, so much for no one around. There was a company outing in the bowling alley but thankfully there were still lots of lanes available.  It's normally Dhs105 (US$29) per hour but we could also pay Dhs15 (US$4) per game per person, so that made more sense since who knows how long the boys will take to play just one game!

The staff at the bowling alley were very helpful:

He showed us our lane, picked out a bowling ball for all of us - 6 lbs for both Graham and Charlie and 10 lbs for Mommy. I'm feeling strong!

And now, for the dinosaur looking slide! What's gonna work...? Team work!

"Yes, Graham. That's where the balls come back from. Please don't stick your hand in there!"

After a quick briefing from the bowling staff, we're off!

The anticipation as the ball rolls down the lane...

And the excitement!

And Graham even had a strike in the 5th frame!

Charlie was really excited too, thinking it was always his turn.  Who knew bowling would be a good lesson for kids to learn about taking turns!

Here's Charlie's reaction after scoring his first spare.  Pure excitement!

Well, it didn't take long for Charlie to figure out the goal of the game. When he only knocked down a few pins, he would be sad and then, he would slouch his shoulders down.

By the 8th frame, Charlie is asking for a snack (it's a good thing we didn't pay by the hour!).  I did manage to convince him to bowl out.

And the results are in:

Not too shabby for the boys and for Mommy! I even got 2 strikes! :-) Okay, so the bumpers were up but I swear I did not use them once!

Anyway... once it was all said and done, Graham obviously gravitated towards the video games:

Thankfully with my super "Mommy" powers, we were done for the day.  The boys had a good time but by the end of the day, I asked Graham again if he had fun at the bowling alley and he said "No, because we didn't eat there."  Again, gosh - kids these days are so difficult to please!

Happy 5th birthday, Graham!

It didn't seem that long ago that I was just trying to push this kid out of my belly!!!  And now, he is 5 years old.  Time sure flies by fast!

Graham started out his day early, as usual and when he saw me, he said "Mommy, I changed myself!":

And you wonder why he can't change himself ALL the time in the mornings. Go figure!

Then, it was off to the water splash pad.  The boys love this!

Graham is so meticulous and so curious about how the water splashes where as Charlie just runs around like a crazy person!

The boys discovered that their caps worked well as water props.

So focused!

Time to dry off.  Some extra lovin' from daddy to Charlie this morning!

Graham was really hungry and had a really good appetite!

Charlie was so full after his chocolate croissant and 1/2 a sausage and apple pie that he barely even touched his ice-cream.  So Mommy took care of that dilemma :-)

Back home and time to open Graham's present!

First, a card from Grandma and Pop-pop.  Thank you for the usual $1 per year!  Oh wait... What??! An additional $20 bill???? That's breaking the rules, Grandma and Pop-pop!

And ta da!  A new firetruck crane!  Graham had a yellow crane back in Tulsa and we gave it away when he had to move over to the UAE.  He has mentioned it before about missing it a lot, so here's a new one, birthday boy!

Graham is obviously very happy about it.

Although after seeing the pictures on the box of other construction vehicles, he said he wanted the garbage truck and the fire truck that shoots water out of its spout. Gosh, kids just aren't easy to please these days!

Okay, time to make the cake!  Charlie loves to help of course:

And while we wait for the cake to bake, we play some more!

Graham wanted Spiderman and this is what I managed to conjure up.  Looks like I need some practice with that spider!

Skype time with Grandma and Pop-pop to sing Happy Birthday to Graham!

And oh, here's what happens when you take too long to blow out your candles!

Ha ha ha!  Too funny! I laugh so hard every time I see this video clip.  Charlie is so quick! Ok, time to eat cake! The boys love chocolate cake!

As if there wasn't enough happening in one day, the birthday celebration continues.  Off to the golf course!

Hmmm... am I the only one stretching here?

Still left-hand low split grip!

But it's good!  Graham hit some really good shots that night:

Good transition on Charlie's downswing!

Ahhh... boys losing interest after almost 6 holes, which means times to go in. Plus, it's getting late!

Nothing like a cold towel over the head when we're done!

Happy birthday, my big boy!  Hopefully the 5s will bring more laughter, more listening to Mommy and Daddy, and less crying and screaming especially when it's time for "work"!

Fun with playdoh

Graham and Charlie loves playing with Play-Doh.  We have a big book with pictures on all sorts of vehicles made with playdoh.  

The boys were obviously testing my playdoh making skills!

They wanted to keep them for display and unfortunately, with all playdoh it dries up.  Charlie then had a blast taking the vehicles apart.  Oh well... until the next playdoh session!

Random pics

We've had a lot of random things happen this past couple of weeks. Let's begin!

First off, more expensive honey for the boys - we're going to try a slightly lighter one this time. I still can't find the honey with cinnamon and ginger.  Boo hoo!

It's getting hot outside but thankfully the days are longer and it cools off a little cooler after 6pm (for now). Going out for a quick ride after dinner!

Graham loves the Happy Meals toys here from MacDonald's:

Another quick trip to Dubai to get my watch fixed.  We found a whole new (expensive!) section of the mall and discovered that Lebanese food is super yummy!

Meanwhile, back in Abu Dhabi... I've noticed this tree for quite a wile now.  So instead of cutting it down, someone has decided to tie it to a rock to prevent it from falling??!

And I've also discovered that taking a photo with 3D art is more difficult than it seems! We may have to try this one again next time we're back at the nearby mall here.

Another discovery - fresh Green Juice!  I know quite a few friends that make their own green drink.  Seems like kale is a big thing these days.  I'm not too sure about this one.  The ginger is really strong and it probably needed some honey, perhaps!  Needless to say, I gulped it down pretty quickly to minimize the "strange" flavor.

Speaking of strange, Bobby was reading the newspaper yesterday and something about a tradition in India, where the women would tie ribbons on trees as a sign of longevity for their husbands. Then, Bobby turned to me and said "You never do stuff like that for me!".  So... I found our one and only ribbon laying around the house and tied it to our bonsai tree.  There you go, honey! :-P

By the way, it's Graham's birthday this upcoming Friday. He's turning 5!  We are having a small little party for him at the bowling alley but not until next weekend.  We couldn't book any lanes this weekend.  The boys have never bowled before and with their school being on break next week, looks like we'll have some time to practice!

Graham still does not like to practice writing but I just keep pushing!  He did draw this picture all by himself.  We were at a restaurant for breakfast last week and the little girl sitting at the table next to us was drawing/copying the little flyer on the table.  Graham saw that and decided he could do it too!

Good job, Graham!  Can't believe he is turning 5! Wait, I already said that.  Ha ha!  We bought him a very similar crane truck that he had in Tulsa.  A few months ago, I would always ask him what he misses most and he would say his yellow crane. Well, this is a fire truck red one and it even comes with lights.  He's going to love it!  And I'm sure Bobby is going to be reminded about that annoying loud crank when he opens his birthday present this Friday.  Sorry, honey!

Happy Mother's Day!

My first Mother's Day in Abu Dhabi!  Although, the UAE actually celebrated Mother's Day back in March.  I could not convince Bobby to buy me a gift then but he did make up for it this May!

Well, yes... I'm always happy with anything Hello Kitty :-)  But this time, a spa package. I'm so excited!  I'll have to use it up before my birthday in mid-June, otherwise he may think he can double it up as a birthday present too! :-P

Of course, Mother's Day is never complete without breakfast with my boys. Lots of hearts for Mommy!

Charlie is still working on his heart sign:

Yummy pancakes for breakfast and Charlie is showing off how much he loves to eat carrots:

My cheeky boys! They are growing up so fast.

Sometimes I can't believe I'm a mommy of 2 boys. They test my patience every day but I wouldn't change a thing (okay, maybe just the crying and screaming parts!). Graham and Charlie and Bobby too of course, are the love of my life!  I just wished my mom was around to watch the boys grow up.  But with that said, I'm so blessed to have a lovely mother-in-law, whom not only spoils ALL of my boys but me too! Thanks Mom!