First Half of July

The girls finished school towards the end of June and we had a couple extra weeks in Doha. The girls attended summer camp at their school and also a gymnastics camp before we headed to the US. We also did lots of playdates and activities with friends along with celebrating the twins' actual birthday.

1. Best little helps adding the ingredients.
2. Big sister in charge of mixing.
3. The end result - the Magnolia chocolate bread. It was yummy!
4. We have tolerant cats. Here is magician CeCe.
5. Movie with their stuffed besties.
6. Gymnastics duo.
7. The most delicious quinoa salad that I am obsessed with and keep making for my lunches.
8. Fun unicorn mugs they were gifted by my friend Marli.
9. We had al lunch date with Daddy and in the mall the rose shop gave them free roses. They were thrilled!

We had some playdates at a fun play area called Curiosity (first four pictures). It's as close to a children's museum we've found in Doha with lots of fun sensory activities. The next three pictures are from Summer Entertainment City. We visited last summer when we visited Doha in July. They have all sort of small amusement park rides and play areas inside the convention center. It's massive! We spent all day here with friends and the dads joined us when they got off work. The last two pics are the girls painting some tiny unicorns we got through their Scholastic book order. They love painting!

We celebrated Independence Day with a dinner at Joe's Crab Shack with some of our closest Doha friends. It was fun to go out and celebrate with these families who have been super supportive in our move and transition to Doha. 

Tomorrow the girls and I fly out to America for a few weeks to visit friends and family in America!

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Happy 4th Birthday Evelyn and Olivia!

A very happy birthday to our sweet Evelyn! You are outgoing, cheerful, and love to be included in everything. You are very girly and love all things pink and princess, but also love cars and racing (like your Daddy!). You play amazing with both your sisters and are very affectionate towards everyone.












A very happy birthday to our sweet Olivia! You are quiet, but strong. You love deeply and help keep the peace between your sisters. You know what you want and aren't afraid to do it even if your sisters don't want to and you are the only one. You are the perfect balance to your big sisters and they love you.

You attended gymnastics camp on your birthday and loved being sung to by your friends. We headed to dinner at Cheesecake Factory at your request where you got to share a piece and being sung to again by the staff. 

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June Fun

There was a lot going on in June - the month kicked off with the girls' superhero birthday party, and right after was an Eid holiday from school that we didn't travel for, but opted to have a staycation with friends. Then we had our first non-family visitor, Cindy, who also came to visit us in Norway and took a trip to Poland with me. All of that combined with end of year madness, Madi's actual birthday, and catching up with friends made the month fly by quite quickly!

Our Eid staycation was at the Ritz Carlton and was lovely! The pool was fantastic and the kids all get along so well. We were able to hang and visit after bedtime and enjoyed the mini vacay in Doha.

During Cindy's visit we got to do some hanging out and some touristy things. We visited a few museums, including the newly opened National Museum of Qatar, which the girls loved. They were still on school break most of her visit so there was some arts and crafts, playing, and pool along with it.

1. Cheesecake and cake for breakfast. Sometimes you just have to say "yes". 
2. Painting cupcakes they molded. 
3. Enjoying the museum.
4. Family pool time with the unicorn. 
5. Dress up day at school for these three during the Fun Week before term ended.
6. Practicing her Elsa moves.
7. Taking Cindy out to enjoy the Doha sunset.
8. We cleaned and sorted our massive shell collection to make these displays. 
9. Delicious coffee with friends before departing for the summer. 

1. Madi looking too grown up on her bicycle.
2. Pajama dat at school with the matching animals.
3. Name took the girls to Bounce for their birthday present and had a blast.
4. Real life at 33 years old.
5. Playdate fun with this crew.
6. We enjoyed seeing Toy Story 4 after binge watching the first three, haha.
7. Jason's been collecting money from each country we visited after seeing our friend Cindy's display and wanting to do something similar. We found this vintage coffee table made out of a door that's perfect!
8. Last swim lesson for the summer!
9. Delicious pork green chili because sometimes you just need a taste of America. 

We also celebrated Father's Day (a day early since Sunday is the start of the work week). Last month the school hosted a Father's Breakfast so most of these pics are from that, but we made Jason breakfast and the girls made cards for him.

1. The girls parent watch gymnastics and certificates for the year.
2. The gymnastics crew.
3. The girls have conned us into doing evening walk/bike rides together. It's a sweaty mess since the temps have been in the 110's here lately, but we've obliged for now. 
4. CeCe snuggles.
5. Ms Attitude! She's got the best poses and is a natural. 
6. Madi had a final playdate with this friend who is leaving Doha and will be greatly missed.
7. I got not one, but two nights out this month - say what?! The first was checking out Nobu and catching a beautiful sunset.
8. The second was hitting up Morimoto with these ladies.
9. Who made us do shots. I do not like shots. 

The girls had their last day of school this month as well. I cannot believe how much they've grown in the past year!

It's been a busy, but fun June and we are excited to spend a couple more weeks in Doha before heading to America for a few weeks to catch up with more family and friends!

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