Gingerbread cookies

We've been planning to bake these gingerbread cookies for the longest time--we finally have all the ingredients.

I actually got to decorate a batch myself--was very relaxing :)

Painting rocks

I uploaded these pictures a while ago and forgot to post them. I remember this day...I decided to paint a rock with the Canadian flag and then we discovered we painted many Libyan flags as well :)

Notes (Part II)

Alhamdulillah, Nusayba also writes us sweet notes :)

She said the sad face wasn't supposed to be there--I'm going to gladly believe her!

Abdurrahman and books

Abdurrahman has developed interest in books, but it's quite amusing to watch :) He grabs a book from the shelf, sits down and flips through it, closes it and grabs another. He chooses another location in the living room and repeats. I took all these shots (except the last one) in the same sitting. He just kept going from one corner to the next.








He's developed an attachment to one particular book, a version of The Three Little Pigs. Every night I tuck him into bed and leave the room. Two minutes later he's calling me back and requesting, "qisa-tha'lab-maktaba" (story-wolf-bookshelf)...of course I oblige!

Notes (part I)

Not sure how much I'm looking forward to this stage of Nusayba's development.

She wrote a note and handed it to me a few days ago--right after we had a little disagreement.

"No talking to Ummi today"

Nusayba's First Blood Test

At her annual physical after turning 5, the doctor ordered Nusayba's first blood test!



On the way home when I was trying to explain to Nusayba the idea that we can donate blood to those who may have suffered blood loss. She was very concerned with the blood donors and if/how/when the blood would be returned to them?! :)

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!