SNOW!

We had a really fun, but short trip up north with a few friends. We drove for 4 hours, played for 3 and then drove back home! We hope to visit the snow again before it melts this year and hopefully stay overnight. It was my first time to see snow in 7 years and I really enjoyed it!

Yes, Abdurrahman was in a pink hat :)

There was a competition of who could build the best snowman. Initially there were 3 teams, by the end everyone was "helping" me! :)

He was practically crying the entire time there--not sure if he was cold, the gloves were uncomfortable, his feet were wet or if he just didn't like the pink hat...what ever it was, he didn't like it!

Alaa was initially working alone and Ahmed was part of another team--the guys joined forces and this is what they could come up with!

Fall Leaves...

We went to the Guadalupe River Park and collected some leaves. When Abdurrahman saw his sisters grabbing the leaves he started singing, "hana waqtu-tandheef, tandheef..." (clean up, clean up...) :)

Nusayba's the only one who wanted to work outside--the other's preferred to work in the warmth...

I'm gonna call this one Palestine

The Fire Station

We had this idea of making dinner for the fire fighters and taking it over--we were really well received. The girls made cards and we made lasagna, salad and a cake...I think they were pleasantly surprised. We hope to make this a regular thing insha'a Allah.

SuperKid Triathlon

The girls participated in their first triathlon on 10/10/10 in Santa Cruz. I think they had a lot of fun, but it was quite stressful for me:) Asmaa was part of the 3 year old "wave" (group) that started at 11am and Nusayba, the 5 year olds, and started at 11:30. We had no idea what to expect when we got there and just figuring out where to place their bikes, what happens after the swim, etc...made me realize why they asked that people arrive 90minute before their wave--which we didn't do :|
I also feel guilty because of the lack of pictures we have for Asmaa. She went first so my lack of organization effected her the most!

Nusayba getting ready for the countdown

Out of the pool and on her way to get on her bike

No time to take off the helmet--just RUN!

We got there when all the small tshirts were done--so we got dresses ;)

very focused on the finish line!

No, they weren't really first place...:)

Our First Homemade Pinata

This was a project that got them out of my hair for a long time...I really like these kind of activities--they also spent 35minutes in the tub soaking and playing afterwords which was wonderful!

Day 1: First layer of paper mache

After the first layer dried I guess the balloon expanded so it kind of cracked, we added another layer of paper mache (Day 2), but I didn't pop the balloon...and hence, we ended up with a crack in our pinata!

We decided to make-do with our wonderful crack and painted it all green, this was Day 3!

Nusayba saw Styrofoam balls we had in our art closet and suggested we use them for eyes! She wanted to use two, but we just cut one in half (Day 4!)

Our masterpiece:) Her name is "awwadet" because that's how Abdurrahman pronounces the sound frogs make in English and that's what he calls it....awwadet! :)


We took it to the park today when a few mothers were meeting for a play date....