Jet lag and birthdays!

We started the week off with trying to get over jet lag. This involves various 3 AM cries and much needed afternoon naps for everyone!

There is an 8 hour time change here so it quite an adjustment.

Elise has been making sure all of her animals go to sleep before she does. Yes, her entire bed is covered in these animals.

One of her many times of falling asleep in the middle of the day.

On Elise's actual birthday we invited her friend, Lauren to come over for a girls day of lunch and painting nails. These girls are so sassy!

We took her out to eat at The Steak House. This was her choice of restaurants because of their playground. They are also one of the few restaurants that sing to you!

Bebe and PaPa came over to celebrate with us and BeBe made delicious cupcakes!

Elise and Lauren wearing their matching dresses....

We also got to celebrate our good friends birthdays here in Saudi. Jeanette had a birthday this summer and Stephanie's was this week too.

We went to Le Cafe which is like a mild version of a La Madeline's, but very good for food around here.

My friend, Amber made Elise this beautiful pillowcase and blanket for her birthday. She loves it and loves snuggling up to it!

It was finally birthday time! Elise has been wanting a superhero party ever since Gregory started liking superheroes!

My friend, Katherine at Simply Party, made these precious invites and my table signs! 

My little "bat girl"

Elise was thrilled Mr. Alex came!

  

This is a picture of our friend, Jamir. He works here at Murjan and loves the girls. He only sees his family once a year, at best.

These girls love each other!

Wow! I can't believe Josh and I have a four year old. We are both so happy to

Have two healthy and happy girls. There's not a better feeling in the world!

Birthdays, plane rides

We had another early birthday celebration for Elise this week! She is one spoiled little girl! Josh's parents took her to chuck e cheese and she had a blast! 

She told everyone she was a princess.

Can't believe I got her to take a picture with him! Claire cried every time she saw him!

Paw paw is a pretty good sport about wearing princess crowns!

So glad I got to catch up with my good friend Melissa! 

And we were off! I regret not taking any pictures of the packing or what I looked like on this flying day!!! I was a sight! 6 suitcase, two girls, a stroller, three carry ons, and a car seat strolling through the airport alone! Luckily, lots of people had pity on me! 

Josh's parents helped me get checked in and it was sad to say goodbye! As much as we couldn't wait to see Josh, it's hard to leave the freedom and family behind. I was dreading the abaya and the foreign country, but also looking forward to seeing my Saudi friends and the quiet life we have here. Such a mix of emotions for sure! 

Luckily, my friend Heather and her girls flew back with us! Let me just tell you, 14 hours in a plane with two kids is no walk in the park, but we did it! I even got two hours of sleep! 

Things I will do different next time: 

1. Give Elise two doses of melatonin instead of 1

2. Don't pack heavy carry ons

3. Try to relax!

Claire was not that great on the plane so I ended up having to hold her the majority of the time which was hard. 

When we finally arrived in dammam, we realized the airline lost our stroller and Heather's stroller and car seat. Let's just say take two moms who have been traveling for 24 hours with little sleep...and then tell them their strollers are gone...not a good combination! 

Ours should arrive soon...we shall see! 

Needless to say, when the girls saw Daddy we all had big smiles!! It had been way too long! We missed him so much. Claire said "dada" the whole way home. 

We received a welcome surprise when we arrived home from our friends!

Birthdays and goodbye!

We celebrated the kids birthdays all together this week! They were so bummed we couldn't party together, so Alecia whipped up some party stuff...like she does so well!

This cake was from HEB and I must say it was tasty!

Elise loves her new backpack and is constantly telling everyone about it!

It was Larkin's turn to have her ears pierced! She only cried for a minute and did great! Gregory was not amused.

Doing a little makeup...

We surprised the kids on Wednesday with a trip to sea world for the day! We got a babysitter for the babies and had so much fun with the big kids!

The shows were all amazing!

Their favorite was the sea lions.

They were exhausted when we got home!

One day we spoiled Marissa by having a big girls day! It was so fun to just spend the day with her!

Their last night sleeping together for another few months! So sad...

Elise keeps asking when we are going back. It makes me cry.

I cheered her up by going to bucees on the way home.

The only girl at Barnes and Nobles reading a superhero book!

Olaf came to Barnes and Nobles.

Being spoiled by Paw Paw

We celebrate Ethan and Parker's birthday. So glad we were able to go! They had huge blow up water slides. Elise had a blast!

So sad to leave them too! Erin is expecting a baby girl in December!

Finally got to catch up with Norma over lunch and a Costco trip! So good to see her and Elise just loves seeing her too!