Making a Gingerbread House

Today Savannah, my mom and I made a gingerbread house. We used one of the pre-baked kits, so my mom and I put it together and let Savannah put the candy on (with lots of guidance). It didn't take her long to taste test the frosting and candy...which my picky eater seemed to enjoy!

Making the gingerbread house was so much fun and hopefully will be a tradition that we can continue every holiday season, regardless of where we live.

Christmas Shopping

Today we did some Christmas shopping. We all had a little shopping left to do. Luckily, Savannah is still young enough that we could shop with her, although she did enjoy picking out her own dress. Now that Christmas shopping is just about done, I can't wait to see Savannah's reaction Christmas morning!!! She is at such a fun age and is going to have so much fun with her new toys!

My parents have also started doing some of the day to day stuff so that they can learn Savannah's daily routines. Today she demonstrated that she loves hummus, fruit and cheese but is picky about all other food!

Nana and Granddad Fun and Back to the Golf Tournament

Today Savannah and I went back to the golf tournament with my parents. She is loving all the extra attention and it was a beautiful day to be outside. We managed to watch a few of leaders play through before we had to head home for Savannah's afternoon nap.

Nana and Granddad Arrive

Tonight Nana and Granddad (my parents) arrived. They are going to stay through the holidays. We are so excited to spend Christmas with them. They are also going to stay with Savannah for a week, while Chris and I go on our first "baby-free" vacation!

This picture is of Savannah riding the trolley back down to our building's lobby. We used it to bring up the groceries, so now she thinks it is fun to ride it back down. Apartment living sure can be fun!

Half Marathon and Dubai World Championships

This morning I ran the Dubai Creekstriders Half Marathon, which was great.

I am just about halfway through my marathon training so it was a good test to see how I am doing. I ran the race in 2:02.56 so not awful, but good thing I have several more weeks before the full!

This afternoon we went to the European Golf Tour's Championship "Race to Dubai". Chris got Hospitality Pavilion tickets from work so we had lunch before watching some of the tournament from the deck overlooking the 18th green. It was a beautiful day and a great way to watch the tournament. Savannah had a fabulous time making friends with the wait staff and is definitely not shy when there is someone new that thinks she is so cute and charming. She is definitely a ham. She also enjoyed sharing her first ice cream cone with Chris!

Deck the Halls...

This weekend we decorated our Christmas tree. Savannah had more fun chasing the lights, as I attempted to string them on the tree and she made a good effort to hang a few ornaments all though enjoyed taking off the ones that Chris and I put on better.

Our Christmas decorations are pretty simple this year. Partially because of space and having a toddler that is into everything but also because decorations a pretty limited in Dubai. The stores do seem to make an effort and carry the basics but once it runs out it is gone (which is why our tree last year only had one strand of lights). We do have a Crate and Barrel and a Pottery Barn/Pottery Barn Kids that have been great for picking up a few things.

I love the holiday season, but sometimes find it hard to get into the holiday spirit and realize how close Christmas is when the temperatures are in the 80's and we are still wearing shorts and flip flops (although I am not complaining!). There are lots of Westerners in Dubai, so Christmas is pretty widely celebrated but not acknowledged in the same way it is at home. There is no "Black Friday" or hectic shopping days (which is a relief) but it is also missing the real meaning of Christmas and family (although my parents are coming in town this weekend and spending the holidays with us). This year, Savannah and I started an advent calendar, listen to lots of Christmas music, made a Christmas tree painting out of her hand prints and bought a gingerbread house kit. In the next week or so we will make some Christmas cookies...all in hopes to create some kind of traditions and "normalcy" around the holiday season.

National Day

Today is National Day (similar to our 4th of July). It marks the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. There were lots of celebrations and decorations around Dubai and the other Emirates marking the country's 40th birthday. It was fun to see the locals (and expats)so proud of their country. Homes and hotels were heavily decorated with flags and/lights. There was lots of red, black, green and white on display. And only in Dubai style would people show their National Day spirit by decorating their luxury cars with everything from spray paint to Swarovski crystals.