Walking Continued

Heather is walking more now and it seems she went from crawling to cruising to walking in a matter of days. It seems all she wants to do now is walk. I love seeing her walk and then she crawls. I was hoping she would hold off to walk before we went to the US, but now we can get her some shoes. It is funny to see how things work out. All of this by March 18. It seems like she just turned 14 months old. I have to say I miss the baby days, but the toddler years have just started and one can only imagine what she will do next.

Walking

Heather is walking some now at 14 months old. She takes about 7 steps, but then decides to crawl, put a couple of days ago I saw her stand up in the middle of the floor and start walking. It is something to see, but then another day I was looking down and then I looked up she was walking. I couldn't believe it. I still keep looking for her on the ground somewhere, but soon she will be walking full time. I wish she didn't have to grow up so fast.

Mini Break

We went to Sir Bani Yas Island on Sydney's mini break from school. We spent our time taking in some activities that included a safari, mastery and a bicycle ride. The late president of the UAE started a Arabian Wildlife Park on the island that is home to all kinds of animals. We got to see some Giraffes, peacocks, Arabian Gazelle and Hyena. The Mastery was dated back to 600 AD. They found glassware and pots that they plan to put in a museum. Monks must have been short back then because the areas weren't vary big. It is kind of neat that we got to see the Mastery since we saw one in Jordan as well. You have to take a ferry to the island and then ride a bus to the hotel. They try to keep cars coming to a few SUV to sight see and golf carts since some of the animals walk around freely on the island. It was really peaceful there. I can see why the late president loved it there. We also got to see flamingo's. I also took the girls to a kids play area and they enjoyed playing with the toys inside and playing on the playground outside. Then, we walked on the beach and picked up some sea shells. I even found some coral. A rock that is dried out now, but it is really cool to say the least. They also plan on scuba diving there soon and it is are hope that we can do that before we move. I know Paul loves to scuba dive.

Sydney's 5th Birthday

I can't believe it is March, but I need to do a posting on Sydney's birthday. I am not sure where February went, but on February 8 our little girl turned 5 yes that's right 5. I can't believe it. It seems like it was yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. She has grown so much this year with attending a great school and making some wonderful friends along the way. We had two small parties for Sydney this year. Dad came home early from work and we had our neighbors come over for some cupcakes and playtime and then we headed out to dinner and I invited Sydney's best friend from school to come to dinner with us. It was totally a surprise to Sydney because I wasn't even sure they were even coming, but they did and you should have seen the look on Sydney's face when I said Manel was here. We also had the employee's of the restaurant sing happy birthday and they brought out a cake. I think she had a special day with friends coming over to celebrate her birthday and going out to eat with her best friend. I think two small parties was better then one big party. I hope she had a wonderful time.

Tupperware

Heather got into my cabinet today full of tupperware. I can't get over how fast she is growing. Look out world we are exploring at 13 months old.

School newsletter

Sydney is in the newsletter at BISAD. They had a concert on Valentine's day. Sydney is the third child on the left side of the photo right up front. I have to say we are proud of our little girl.

Penguins

Meet the Ski Dubai penguins!

Someone told me a few weeks ago that you’re statistically 10 per cent happier after coming into contact with a real life penguin. Whilst I can’t verify this fact, I can verify that after meeting the new additions to the Snow Park in Ski Dubai, I am a lot happier. More than 10 per cent in fact.

February sees the beginning of a new era for the six year old ski park. It’s now home to a colony of Gentoo and King Snow penguins. More commonly found at the South Pole, these 20 flip floppers were raised by humans at SeaWorld in the USA as part of a multi-generational breeding programme. Ski Dubai is the first place in the Middle East to partner in such an endeavour and provide a home to the iconic birds.

In a cave type setting at -3 degrees, visitors can experience the Peng-Friend encounter. Part of me was terrified these little cuties would be overawed by the snow facility and stuck in a pen at the side of a ski lift, so I was heartily relieved to see that, actually, the penguins are as happy to see us as we are to see them.

With 13 trainers who all have over 50 years’ worth of experience in looking after the birds (that’s nearly one for every penguin), visitors get to interact with the two types of penguins, playing with them, stroking them and yes taking the obligatory photos with them.

The King Snow penguins are the larger type of bird, coming up to around knee high, with broad white bellies and a mischievous look in their eye. Happy Feet might have tried to persuade us that penguins like to dance and sing, but they definitely like to play! The trainers use balls and bubbles to stimulate the birds who love nothing more than to chase things around and they love being stroked. Much like dolphins, they pick up on humans’ emotions and having been raised by humans they’re completely open to being petted. In fact they’re quite keen on a hug!

The smaller Gentoo penguins sit at about half the size of the King Snow birds but have just as much character – they’re also very keen to make new friends and seem completely in their element in amongst new people.

Visitors also have the chance to learn all about these wonderful animals as the trainers explain their environment and the challenges they face in the real world. Teaching guests about environmental awareness is a key objective for Ski Dubai.

“This programme is all about love, love for the environment, love for the penguins and we’re fortunate enough to be able to create this environment for the birds, show them to the public and show them how wonderful they are,” says Tom Shephard, Operations Director at Ski Dubai.

Six penguins at a time will be made available for encounters and seven times a day there will be a ‘March of the Penguins’ through the Snow Park so that Ski Dubai guests and Mall of the Emirates’ visitors can catch a glimpse of the waddling wonders for free. But rest assured, says Tom, the birds aren’t forced to do anything they don’t want to do.

“The birds’ home exceeds all international standards, so that we can offer the birds the most relaxing home. We want them to be happy, so they fall in love and start to lay eggs.”

Ski Dubai is hoping that in time these birds will give birth to the first generation of penguins born in Dubai. But for now, Mona Lisa, Jumeirah, Pebbles and the other penguins are quite happy to make some new friends, starting with you.

To book a Peng-Friend encounter, call (+971) 4 409 4090 or for more info go to www.skidubaipenguins.com