Visiting Ottawa--after 2 years!

Our visit to Ottawa was a much needed, earned and enjoyed visit. It was very relaxing and I couldn't believe how quickly it flew by. Not having to cook or clean and the extra helping hands taking care of Nusayba and Asmaa were definitely a treat I'll never forget--شكرا يا أبله نجاة

Eid without Allaedin

It was definitely a blessing being amongst family on Eid day, but it wasn't the same without you baba

Enjoying their cousins!

Food contests at every meal really gave Nusayba an appetite!

At the library

At cosmic adventure (the jungle)

It was difficult for Asmaa to keep-up with the three of them, even when it was just to get a sip of water!

Getting spoiled by haneena

yes, I was enjoying an ice-cream cone!

just for you Nana!
(Libyan traditional dress for women--yes, this was the fabric for our Eid hijabs!)

henna in one hand a firecracker in the other!

Swimming!

Nusayba absolutely loved the henna and getting her hair braided!

With our Aunts and Uncles
(khali Akram, you were truly missed)

Visit to Houston

Alhamdulillah, we had an adventurous visit to Houston. Nothing went quite as planned, but the girls definitely got enough of each other:) We arrived to Maha's place at 11:00pm on Wednesday night, by 8:00am on Thursday the phone was ringing off the hook--friends and family members calling to advise Maha and Muhammad that they had to vacate!

I think I got to meet all the MAS members in Houston during this visit and they were definitely very hospitable!

We didn't get to spend much down time at Maha's place (we stayed there for two nights, but there was no electricity so we had to leave again). Here Nusayba is giving a gift to Iman.


Upon arriving to Maha's place (post-hurricane) the girls got to enjoy the puddles!

This was so funny!

Subhana Allah, after the hurricane we drove back to Maha's place and on the way there you could see trees everywhere, missing traffic lights and roof-tops without shingles. Alhamdulillah, there was no real damage to Maha's home--just some broken trees (the one above is right in front of her home) and a broken fence.

Summer Fun!

Alhamdulillah, we've had a busy summer this year--so busy I haven't had a chance to upload any of the pictures:) We've barely stayed home and here's a glimpse of how the girls have kept me busy!

Lemus Farm

Asmaa absolutely loves horses!

Seymour Center in Santa Cruz

Water Parks

We've gone to at least 5 water parks this summer (some of them more than once!), but unfortunately I only had my camera with me this time.

Sky High

Sky-high is an indoor recreation center that is just full of trampolines-where you can literally "bounce off the walls!". They have more than one court (one where you can play dodge-ball on trampolines!) and offer "Munchkin Monday's" for toddlers--we've gone at least 3 times this summer:)

San Francisco Zoo

We were lucky enough to have good company at the zoo!

A day at the Beach

guess who? :)

Park Outings

Anna and her boys, Omair and Aziz, visited from Jordan this summer and we were able to meet at the park with our neighbors a few times.


Nusayba and Jana


Nusayba absolutely loves to get herself wet!



Yes, that was Nusayba's doing!


Asmaa is an absolute monkey--she just loves hanging from bars!


Jet-Skiing

We were invited jet-skiing by one of our community members along with many others from the community--we had a good time!




khala Anna--we miss you already!



A rare treat--savoring every lick!

Book-Go-Round

One of the other really fun trips we've been making regularly this summer (once every two weeks) was a visit to a used book store in Saratoga. Every time we went we would donate a few of our old books and purchase a tone more. The kids books were no more than 50 cents each and in perfect condition. It's a small store, but with a huge variety. Nusayba really enjoyed these trips and has really grown to love and enjoy reading--actually, being read to (which gets to me after a while!).

Qisat ashab-ul-kahf

Maha gave me this idea of telling Nusayba stories from the Qur'an and specifically reciting some verses as I narrate the story. About five days ago Nusayba asked me to tell her "qisa min al-Qur'an" (a story from the Qur'an) so we sat down and I tried to narrate the story of "ashab-ul-kahf" (the people of the cave). Today, Friday, Allaedin took the girls out in the car and was reciting surat-ul-kahf. He said that when he got to certain verses Nusayba wouldn't let him continue and kept shouting "qisat ashab-ul-kahf, qisat ashab-ul-kahf!" over and over.

Masha'Allah, her ability to retain information never ceases to amaze me.

The ultrasound

Alhamdulillah I had my ultrasound a few weeks ago and we decided to find out the gender of the baby this time. I'll let Nusayba tell you what we're expecting inshaa Allah...

We didn't open the topic of names in front of her once!

Nusayba's mapping

Nusayba's having fun with this map of the world. Subha'a Allah, children are such sponges and have amazing memory...speaking of memory, she'd go to sleep and I'd promise her that when she woke up we'd do a specific activity or I'd give her something and the first thing she does when she opens her eyes is remind me of my promise!