The start of our amazing Christmas Vacation was in Dubai

We have been planning this trip for a long time. It is hard to believe it is over and done with already. It was an amazing trip that will be remembered forever.

Here is there start…

the line to get out of Saudi…yup!!

Miles and Ayla staying busy while we wait! They really have become great travelers…thank goodness!

Our family selfie before we fly to Dubai to meet Grandma Sue and Grandpa Vern!

Dubai….

Night view from our hotel window! Picture doesn't do it justice…

Day time view…Good Morning Dubai! 

Dubai Mall…

The Dubai Mall is amazing…so much to do!

Kidzania in the Dubai Mall…

It is all about the kids in this place. They get money from a bank and then can do various jobs to earn more money. Then they can pay for activities by doing their jobs. It was pretty cool. It was busy that day and the kids were a bit tired from travel, so they didn't do as much as we had hoped. It was still very cool to see though. 

At the bank

Ambulance

Ayla getting her drivers license.

Miles getting his drivers license.

Watch out…Miles has taken the road!

Our firefighters!!

Town Center

Off to get a fire!

Aquarium in the Dubai Mall

It has the largest single sheet of glass on an aquarium in the world. It is enormous! The fish were so beautiful…kids loved watching all the sea life! Lots of people were there checking it out.

Miles loves his photo being taken! 

Burj Khalifa is right outside the Dubai Mall. We had plans to go all the way up…only to find out it was sold out. So next time we will make reservations. It was a bummer because Sue and Vern were looking forward to that and I am not sure they will be back. I guess we will have to video tape it.

Waiting for the water and light show!

Cute picture…again Miles is loving the pictures!

My hubby and I

Evening picture…beautiful!

Water, light and music show. It is so beautiful! It goes on every 30 minutes and the music is different every time. There were lots of people out…it was a beautiful night!

One more…

Christmas tree in our hotel…I mean we had to have a picture!

Took a day trip out to Atlantis…ridiculous!!

The view coming in on the train.

The beach and water park area.

Water front with Grandma

Water front with Grandpa

Another view of Atlantis

Two monkeys!

Drinks at the Address Hotel and an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa

Next stop Sri Lanka...

Some more...

Ayla and her friend Layan

Miles and his teacher Ms. Ann

Ameerah...A.K.A Ms. Twinkle from Chrysanthemum

Cheza...A.K.A. Chrysanthemum 

Sue and her crew!!

Allison...not sure of her character but she rocked that dress! Ha!

I mean how cute is this kid?!?

My girls!

My crazy boys!

Picnic lunch and reading...although there are no books in this picture.

My awesome teammates! 

Our awesome educational assistants!

IPS Reads

Terry and I were on the IPS reading committee. So we got to help organize the 2 week celebration. I think it got the kids excited about reading and they had a lot fun with the variety of activities. 

Snuggle Up and Read Day! Kids got to wear pjs to school! K thru 2 read quietly in the gym for 30 minutes. Here is Miles with his class.

Ayla with her class!

Jaida, Miles and Gaith on our daily walk to Day Care at 1:00! 

 Character Parade Day! We have Fancy Nancy, Mr. Scary and The Lorax

Fancy Nancy, Ms. Viola Swamp and The Lorax

My class on Character Day...such funny personalities...

Family Reading Night! Ayla and Mia reading a Robert Munsch book. They did a fantastic job job reading in front of all those people! 

Hats Off to Reading Day in my classroom.

IPS Reads

Terry and I were on the IPS reading committee. So we got to help organize the 2 week celebration. I think it got the kids excited about reading and they had a lot fun with the variety of activities. 

Snuggle Up and Read Day! Kids got to wear pjs to school! K thru 2 read quietly in the gym for 30 minutes. Here is Miles with his class.

Ayla with her class!

Jaida, Miles and Gaith on our daily walk to Day Care at 1:00! 

 Character Parade Day! We have Fancy Nancy, Mr. Scary and The Lorax

Fancy Nancy, Ms. Viola Swamp and The Lorax

My class on Character Day...such funny personalities...

Family Reading Night! Ayla and Mia reading a Robert Munsch book. They did a fantastic job job reading in front of all those people! 

Hats Off to Reading Day in my classroom.

Christmas fun

We found a Chrsitmas tree! There is a pretty funny story to go with it. Now you would think you couldn't buy one here but if you ask the right people and are willing to knock on random doors...you shall find one! 

Kids were really excited about the tree...so glad we could help make it feel like Christmas here! A little help from Eddie is always good too! 

Who knew Santa visited Saudi?!? There was a Christmas bizarre at one of the compounds. It was nice and they had some cute things. Here is one of them...

I mean...how do I not purchase this at the Christmas Bizarre? Classic salt and pepper shakers!

Kids with Jaida and Gaith...lighting is bad so they all look a bit funny. Oops!

Sleigh ride!