Beach trip

 A summer day at the beach with our friends, Rabia and Madina...
(pictures taken with a phone, so not the greatest)--you can click on photo to make larger

They said they were holding on to each other so they don't get washed away by the waves :)

 Abdu was really trying to avoid the waves and getting wet so he was really caught by surprise with this next wave...he was about to cry, but then decided to just laugh it off :)

he's supposed to be surfing :)

Asmaa's Sudoku

We were at the restaurant on the weekend and on the kids' menu they had a sudoku puzzle, it was a 6X6 and Nusayba got it. I decided to print some 4X4's out for Asmaa and she loved it! We just ordered a book online :)

Horseback riding & Vasona park

While Nusayba was off for her first sleep over (other than girl scouts' camporee, which she did while I was away for hajj), we all went horseback riding :) Actually, poor Alaa didn't get to ride. Asmaa and I went on a one-hour ride in Mt.Madonna Park amidst beautiful red woods and since Abdu refused to get on with a stranger, he ended up getting a miniature hourse all to himself for the entire hour and did as he pleased with her....while Allaedin patiently guided him around :)

Nusayba not only spent Saturday and Sunday with Khadijah (Bhawana and Najeeb's daughter), but they actually traveled to Redding (4 hourse away!). Hopefully we'll get some pictures of that trip soon insha'a Allah.

We went horseback riding on Sunday and on Saturday I took Asmaa and Abdurrahman to Vasona park. I thought they'd actually wade in the water, but it was a little too cold...

  Doooon't!!!!!!!

 he got her....

 Masha'a Allah, the baby goslings were everywhere--Spring!

And the proud parents were veeery protective...we got the message to keep our distance a few times.

 they said they were planting a garden here--what ever they were doing, i got to rest in the shade for almost half an hour....bring on the gardening!

 steamed train ride and Asmaa's inability to keep a straight face for too long :)

Cousins :)

Another fresh breeze from the East coast! Fatima (Muhammad Esam's sister), Saif & Family...

 With no doubt in my mind, Maha nursing my daughters is one of the best decisions I've made. 

 Day 2: Post dinner

Girl Scouts

 

Proudly showcasing her 3rd missing tooth

Abdu's recitation

I recorded this a few weeks ago, but forgot to upload.

Enjoy :)

The Fresh Breeze

A wonderful visit by khala Sumayah and 'amu Amin--I could almost smell Maha's scent. All I could say after they left was, "I miss Maha--I miss Maha!" Was so refreshing and so pleasant. We hope they come again, soon insha'a Allah.