The beginning of the Pool season. Already?

All week the girls have been asking if they can go in the pool.  For Lily it has been the past three months of asking most days, but I kept promising that 'this Saturday you can'.  So they did.  

The water was rather cool and they'd be no way I'd be getting in (it has to be hot and humid for me) but with eagerness in their strides, I took them down.  The water was rather coolish and they were both a little hesitant to get in....until Lily decided to push Monet in...

Of course I was sitting up the other end and I actually captured the moment.  Giggling to myself, Monet came out the pool crying and saying she hurt herself and getting cranky at her little sister.  But in the end Monet was thanking Lily as they both had a great time...

When the girls got out a good hour later, Miss Lily caught herself a head cold (seems to have mainly cleared up now) but at least I won't be hassled for a while yet to 'go to the pool'.

It won't be long until these girls gain their own private pool once again and I will probably get in more often than I do in the apartment's complex one.  

Our Girls love the pool...

...just like I used to when I was a young girl.  I remember spending four weeks in a complex in Coffs Harbour when I was around Monet's age and spending as long as possible in the pool there.  Our girls are fortunate because they have assess to a pool every day of the year.  It's just not a holiday thing.

Lily has become very confident in the pool now.  She's recently gone from wearing her swim vest, to floaties and the last time I was in the pool with her, there was an absence of any floating equipment attached to her body!  However, if I am not in the pool with her, it is swim vest all the way.

The girls do all kind of games in the pool together which is nice to see.  Above is a photo of their 'circus trick' where they would be both underwater (with Lily on Monet's shoulders) and when Monet stands Lily yells out 'Ta-da!'

Monet has gotten quite good at doing underwater handstands with legs very straight and Lily's latest trick is doing awesome proper water somersaults!  Very amusing to watch.

If this hot humid weather continues, I can see us all getting quite a bit more use out of the pool....

Last Sunday

All up, we have lived in FNQ for roughly three and a half years and not once had we walked down to our local beach and had fish'n'chips for lunch there.  Well, I can say now that we have done that and it was really nice to do so.  

Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, warm day, though a bit windy.  We decided to enjoy some lunch down the beach and were lucky enough to score a sheltered picnic table, opposite the view below.  

Even though the photos don't show it, it was busy down the beach.

There was a cruise ship anchored out at sea, ferrying it's passengers back and forth between the mainland and the ship.  The main cruise terminal in Cairns is currently being renovated so we figured that's why they were doing this action.

Gee, that lady, ahem, my mum is wearing a nice skirt isn't she?  So is that little Blondie. ;P

After returning home we decided to brave our pool.  Yep, still winter here (only just) and the first use of the pool since returning.  Sure, was a little cool but really nice once in.  Both girls enjoyed themselves, along with MrL.

Dip

With our weather here in Abu Dhabi heating up, one thing MrL and I are grateful for, is the fact that we moved to a villa that has it's own pool.

I have a feeling it will give the stifling summer heat a different spin. It is temperature controlled too, which is a bonus, so even in the depths of summer, it should/will be refreshing.

The pool is not big (it is just under 5 metres in length) but it is big enough for us all to take a dip in whenever we feel the need.  Monet can now just about touch the bottom too, so it is not too deep.

It still is pretty weird that the pool might be sitting at 31 degrees and the outside temperature is lately hoovering around 40 during the day, but when you get out, it may as well be 15 degrees, it is freezing! (Ask Kimbofo, a London resident, who will surely agree with me.)

So Summer, come on and show me some desert heat again, (for our third year running.)

Hot and HOT

It is about time our skies stopped looking like this;

A couple of weeks back our blue skies were thick with sand (from Kuwait apparently) and outside was dim.  It did give you the feeling that it was going to rain (alas no!) and sometimes at night, with the air conditioners running and your head on the pillow in a particular way, it really sounded like it was raining outside.  Of course it wasn't but it was a nice thought.

We don't step foot outside our villa much these days.  The only time is when we have to go to the bin, to collect the water bottles from the 'Water Man' or to get to the car outside our front door!  Otherwise we are inside.  Does our heads in some days but we really don't have a big choice.

Imagine Monet's surprise last week when I said at around 9am, "C'mon, I'll take you to the pool!"  Talk about excited.  And with good reason....

Bliss.

A nice change too for the water to actually be cooler than the air temperature.

But last night when I went outside to the wheelie-bin (exciting, I know), I noticed the air was thick - it was HOT.  I know I am pregnant and when you are pregnant you feel about 20 degrees warmer than everyone else but I know HOT from hot.  I checked on the internet.  It read 'currently 41 degrees, feels like 48'.  

It was 8 pm.  

I knew I wasn't imagining it.

So, can you imagine how hot it is outside in the midday sun?  

(Think of those who have to work in it.  There is currently a rule that all Labourers have a 3 hour break between the hours of 1pm till 4pm.  Now, imagine working in this heat during Ramadan when water and food is not allowed to be taken between sunrise and sunset.)

Itchy Feet

I got my car yesterday - it was transported from Cairns to Melbourne via truck.  It is nice to have my own wheels again and Monet was thrilled to have her own booster seat back.  It doesn't take much to please her....at times.  (Just don't go asking me how many times she's been grumpy lately!)

It feels like the middle of winter in country Victoria today.  Lyndon's parents had lit their fire because they knew Monet and I were popping in to visit for a while this morning.  Good thinking Nanna!

Lyndon's sister had her heater on when we spent a bit of time there today.  (I think she knew I'd whinge otherwise! *heehee*)  

Lyndon has settled nicely into life, half the world away from Monet and I.  He states it is the best decision we've ever made by moving over there.  He is looking at getting his two girls over there in the first week of December.   He has been busy shopping for a few needed items.  Like this oven for example...  (Nice shoes!)

See how nice and shiny and big it is.  And it is all mine!  *mwah haha*  Italian made, gas hot plates (haven't had gas hot plates for about 3 years!) and an electric fan-forced oven.  *sigh*  (In case you didn't know, all places in the UAE come without an oven and white and electrical goods are dirt cheap!)

Can't wait to go sitting by this pool too, which belongs to the place we will be living at...

I can already imagine Monet in there having a blast and me sitting on one of the pool lounges.

Roll on December!

(Flower shots taken in my parent's garden, the last two photos via Lyndon's mobile phone camera.)

Sometimes I Prefer A Cool Beer

Is there anything better than swimming in a pool on a warm day?

Monet thinks not.

I love to watch her enjoying herself in there.

She's getting quite good; we are slowly teaching her ourselves.

She likes showing off and floating on her back.

The worst thing for her is getting out.  She *never* wants to get out...unless she's bribed with the offer of an icy pole.

I wonder what I will have to offer her to get out of the pool once we're in Abu Dhabi.  She will never, ever want to get out!

Because I Know You've Been Dying To See...

...just how lovely our pool is...

Not a bad photo for a self-timed one don't you think?

And I can tell you how lovely it is to have Broadband speed back on board. (Who and why would you, have dial up? Maybe I don't have the patience anymore to sit around waiting for pages to download onto my computer!)

I'll be around to visit you all very soon! Yippee!!

I Don't Mean To Make You Jealous.

Well, not too jealous anyway.

We've spent the last week, Monet and I, making the most of our pool. The weather in Cairns lately has been nothing short of spectacular and we've been making the most of the wonderful sunshine and cloudless skies. We spent a wonderful two hours this afternoon in the pool and to be honest with you, I have seen a change in Monet. She has been so good since we've been back in our pool - no ounce of 'naughtiness' in sight. Beauty! If she is well behaved for 5 days in a row, she is rewarded with a 'Freddo Frog' (chocolate shaped frog). She got one on Monday. So far, she is due for another on Saturday. I love an un-grumpy girl.

I'll be un-grumpy too come Monday, when I get normal broadband speed back on my internet.

*sigh*

...one of those days...

Today is one of those days where it isn't even 9:30am and we've done so much. I've paid the bills, I've done a load of washing, I have tided up, I have vacuumed. I've showered, dressed and feed both Monet and I and walked (with Monet in the pram) down the beach. We paddled in the water and sat on the sand. We then went to the playground and 'played' (as you do) then gone over to the little shop for a couple of things. I have plans to have my dinner marinating before lunch time, a quick drive over to the supermarket to pick up some 'urgent' supplies ie. coffee for Lyndon, then after lunch to go for a swim/play in our pool. It's one of those days when the sun is shining (it is meant to be about 30C here today) and it makes you feel all motivated to get on with life.

Yesterday was one of those days when you felt all motivated to 'do' stuff but didn't quite get around to achieving what you wanted to achieve. But I did 'achieve' going and buying a new pair of bathers/takini/swimmers/cozzies/ TOGS (for Tracey!) and then later on going for a swim in the pool to try them out. No, I will not be posting a photo of me any time soon in my takini but I will say that I felt comfortable and a bit more 'trendy' than I did in my other bathers. And anyway, I can't exactly go uploading photos to this blog at the moment - I'll tell you later.

Yesterday was one of those days when a good pub meal was in order for lunch. We went to the delightful Palm Cove Tavern up the road which was great. It wasn't busy, the food was reasonably priced AND tasty and there was an enclosed children's playground, which is always a bonus. And I love the fact that there was a sign near the tables seated near the playground that read 'If noisy children offend you don't sit here. Sit elsewhere'.

Saturday was one of those days when you feel all 'sluggish'. You can't be bothered doing anything, bar take your daughter over to the playground for a run around and a play for a while. I don't think she could even be bothered doing that. It was one of those days when you sit addicted to watching a 9/11 documentary on the Discovery Channel, then put on a movie (the silly Australian movie 'Danny Deckchair') and sip away on a glass(es) of wine.

It was also one of those days when you are sitting there watching the AFL footy, feeling a bit tired when all of a sudden you hear a huge 'skid' then BANG, which gets you rushing out on to the balcony knowing that a car has just written its self off in the light pole across the road from your apartment.

Which turns into one of those nights where you have to call 000 (Australian emergency number) because you don't know if someone has been killed or injured in the ute that had skidded across the road! But it seems as if the dickhead driving was totally drunk and ran away from the scene which gets me all fired up and mad because fools like this don't deserve a license let alone a car. He is darn lucky that no one was walking along the footpath at the time or other cars where on the (usually busy on a Saturday night) road. To say that Hoons drive along the road I live on is an understatement. The skid mark from the car was about 50 metres long, zig zagged all across the road, then BAM, into the light pole. He is lucky he didn't kill himself. Everyone from the neighbourhood (it seemed) came out of their homes to see what was going on and to see if anyone was hurt. Witnesses saw the driver run away from the scene. Authorities didn't take long to get to our address (ambulance, police, fire brigade, sniffer dogs!) It certainly 'perked' us up to say the least. I took photos but as I said before, I am unable to upload photos onto my blog a the moment.

Friday was one of those days when you get up, turn on the computer and discover that you've exceeded your limit on Broadband for the month, so for the following 11 days until your next month begins, you have dial-up speed. S-L-O-W. It happens because your partner and his friend downloaded over 150 songs onto your computer which never happens within a month in this household, so you go over your limit! Urgh. Yep - it was one of those days! I apologise if I don't get around to your blogs for a week, due to the fact it takes too long to download your page and if my patience is wearing thin! *heehee*

So, what type of days have you been having lately?

Prune Feet.

Do you think someone has been in the pool for far too long?

We're trying to make a deal with Monet, that when her feet become all prune-like, it's time to get out of the water. Well, the dealing hasn't worked yet. I usually have to bribe her with the promise of a little special treat or otherwise she'd be in there all day. I mean it. All day. If she could, she would.

We usually play/swim/paddle in the pool for a good half hour at a time, though I reckon yesterday it boarded on an hour. People in the apartment came and went, some just doing a lap or two and then quickly getting out. It's a big pool, not huge by any means, but big enough to share with other apartment dwellers. I don't see the point of jumping in for a one minute lap and getting straight out. But then, that's me.

Ohh, and can I tell you just how stunning the weather has turned? Pretty stunning. No wonder we are utilising the pool! *grin*

How about you? Do, or would you, go in the pool for a quick swim or for a decent wade until your feet and hands become prune-like, like us?

(Blogger not liking paragraphs today! Urgh!!)

The Story of How The Jet Ski Turned Into A Boat

So, Lyndon wanted to buy Monet a 'pool toy', so we stopped at one of those cheap 'Warehouse' stores, which sell everything from 50cent books to $15 towels. You know the kind of store.

They have one whole aisle committed to pool toys. Well, practically one whole aisle. He walked out with a $15 'blow-up' jet ski.

After coming home and blowing it up (lucky we have an electric-type air pump!) he gave it to Monet who thought it was the best thing she had played with ever.... well, for the day anyway! She played with it like you would a rocking-horse.

And she thought it was just as much fun in the water too, with Lyndon helping her and our friend who stayed for a couple of nights whom I will call Joel. (Because, well, that's his name.)

I'm not sure who had the most fun playing with the blow-up jet ski.

I'd probably say Lyndon and Joel. Even one of our neighbours who was laying by the pool asked the same question of who was enjoying the new jet ski more.

Lyndon exclaimed it was the best thing he had ever bought, he was having so much fun. Joel commented that 'imagine how much fun you'd have if it had a motor!'

I haven't laughed so hard in ages watching the antics of all three in the pool with the jet ski.

I especially laughed the hardest when the jet ski actually 'blew up', literally. It was like a bomb went off when Joel attempted (and was successful) in doing a backwards somersault from the side of the pool and landing on the jet ski which was in the pool. He (literally) popped it and the noise was so loud, it was pretty hilarious. I swear most people at home in the apartment complex would have looked up from what they were doing, wondering what the loud explosion was.

So the jet ski turned into a boat.

I think Monet thought that was, if not as much fun, even funner than the jet ski. (And yes, 'funner' is actually a word from the Melody dictionary, if you were wondering!)

Somebody Doesn't Like Getting Out Of The Pool...

Monet could stay in the pool half the day, given half the chance. I was like that as a kid too.

Seems rather cruel doesn't it, when mum and dad have had enough?