"My hair is long Mom!"

Kia Ora's hair is getting so long! Today I decided to straighten it to see how long it would look straight. She stood so still and when it was all said and done she turned to me and said: "my hair is long Mom!" She is such a cute girl, with so much character!

Here is a picture of my 4 cuties all dressed and ready to go!

My good friend Nicole and I went to eat to Outback with Eden and Kiki. Our cute waiter must have felt bad seeing me manage squirmy Eden and the food I was "trying" to put in my mouth because with hand gestures and a reach, he grabbed Eden from me and said "eat!" He than walked him around the restaurant showing him off to the other employees, making smile, and playing peek a boo. It was very cute! Being the overprotective mother that I am, I was nervous at first eyeing our waiter and Eden's every move, than I relaxed. Where was he going to go? or do? Most of the workforce here in Saudi are Indian and Philippino man. They come here to work and send their earnings back to their families whom they see about every 2 years for a few short weeks, and most of them stay there working for many many years. It breaks my heart thinking about it. They miss their families terribly, and even though I am not accustomed to having people I don't know grab my children and want to hold them and play with them. I know it makes them happy, and it reminds them of their own children and families back home.

Off Roading in the Desert!

Our friend Kevin took Jon and Julien out 4 wheeling in the desert! They had so much fun!

Kevin

Kevin teaching Julien how to work the 4 wheeler.

Jon

Julien

 Here are a few videos!

Julien is doing so well!

Julien and Kevin

Julien and Kevin going up and down the big dune

Jon and Julien

Sand Roses

Today we set out on an adventure to the desert with several friends to dig for sand roses. I was a little nervous about going because it was suppose to rain all day and I did not want to stand out in the rain with Eden and Kiki. But as soon as we arrived to the location, the rain miracleously stopped, and we were able to enjoy our outing.

When it rains here it POURS!!!!!

Ashokan (our driver) doing an awesome job driving and not getting stuck in the sand! 

Jon putting a shemagh on Kiki to keep her head warm!

Cute girl!

Digging away!

The steps to digging out sand roses are: first pick a spot, 

second dig, 

once you find a rose which is usually within the first few tries, 

grab it, 

dust it off and 

rinse it in water and than 

"Tada" you have a sand rose in hand!

Kiki and Julien rinsing out our findings!

We did not keep all we found because we dug up so many. 

We kept what we wanted and put the rest right back where we found them.

Julien found this very cool sphere like rose. It was very pretty!

Kiki loved looking for the "baby ones" as she called them!

My awesome friend Nicole and Eden staying warm!

The BABE!

What a cutie in his little fox hat!

Family pic!

We had a lot of fun and look forward to going again when the weather is a little warmer! 

Jon and me!

 Ready to go home!

On our way home but still driving in the middle of the desert (no visible roads ANYWHERE) we saw a few tents and camels fenced in. Jon thinks they are camel herders. It was pretty cool to see!

Here is how sand roses are formed if you are interested!

A nice day at the park like everyday

The back of our villa opens up to a huge grassy area with a 1/3 mile loop running track (awesome for me) and 4 playgrounds (great news for me yet again!). Needless to say, we are there every day, and often times more than once a day!

"I did mom! I did!"

Today Kiki pulled a new one! On her way out of the bathroom I asked her if she had washed her hands. She answers me: "I did mom! I did!" Me not convinces since there was no stool in that bathroom, and I know she can't reach the sink and faucet, asked again: "Really? Let me smell your hands!" Indeed they smelled like soap. So puzzled I asked to show me how she managed on her own.
Well this little smarty grabs the soap, turns on the faucet to the bidet and starts washing her hands there. She turns back to me with a grin and says: "See!"

.....

Well what else should bidets be used for right! Just her size!

Pool time!

Nothing much else to say, a nice day at the pool!