Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Its been a while since I've posted, but we've been quite busy.  Brian and Liz (Alison's brother and his wife) came and visited for two weeks over Christmas.  We had a fantastic time with them, and were even able to to go Dubai with them for a couple of days.  Here are some things I learned. 

• You can apparently book private parties at indoor ski resorts in the desert.  We had intended to go sledding and skiing to experience snow on Christmas day, but the indoor ski resort was closed for a private party.  Really!?!  Is it not crazy enough that you can do indoor skiing in the middle of the desert?  Apparently not.  We still had a good time that day.  We explored the mall, went to the book store (not that we're starving for one in Bahrain - we just like books) and took Eva to the area with the kiddie rides and arcade games.  She was freaked out by the 
• Chasing Eva saying, "Oh no!  Sharks!" is hilarious.  For both of us.  In another mall, there is a "water-zoo" (aka aquarium), and it was everything I had hoped and dreamed.  Eva laughed and giggled and squealed her way through the whole thing looking at otters, bright and colorful fish, and most of all - penguins.  There is also a tunnel that goes under the massive two-story aquarium and there are 15-20 large sharks with jagged teeth.  Lots of fun. 
• Camel Burgers are tasty.  They're a little tougher than beef burgers, and I probably wouldn't order one again.  But its kind of cool to say I've had a camel burger. 
• The Apocalypse does NOT come if we don't put our kids down for naps at 1pm.  Usually the kids are on a pretty rigid schedule, and, although we intended to keep them on the schedule, we grossly underestimated travel times going to and from the hotel.  But it ended up all right.  Its a little freeing to think that, if we choose for a day, we can do something that requires a little more time. 

Of course, this last week was Eva's 2nd birthday!  Happy Birthday Eva!  We didn't do a whole lot, just went out for ice cream at Dairy Queen and let her have a vanilla sundae.  We didn't plan any events this year, and maybe that makes us bad parents.  I'm not sure. 

I remember when I was a kid my dad (or mom, maybe) telling me that it was nice that my birthday was in April.  That way they had time to save up for presents in between Christmas and my birthday.  I remember being a bit confused as to why that mattered.  Well, now I know.  Not that its a problem now.  But someday when she wants a laptop for Christmas and an iPad for her birthday, there's going to be some tears shed.