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scratch

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 18:10
they are doing our tax return for the past 2 years. we've yet to have it finalised but so far they seem pretty switched on.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 08:15
great savvyb...let us know what you think of the show afterwards if you have time :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 10:41
i thought the concert was fabulous...if a bit short. the lines outside were probably the longest i have ever seen but seemed to move relatively quickly. i wasn't sure whether it was a mix up with the NYE count down though...the abu dhabi fireworks went off about 5 mins after the concert countdown..we thought it was cheeky not to have at least 1 encore. the only gripe we had was walking for 2 hours before finding a taxi to get to our hotel but we anticipated and wore comfy shoes and rugged up.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 December 2011 - 14:21
holy moly - that sounds nuts! might convince her out of it i think. DS screamed at the first santa so not keen to put him through it again just for a better pic. will be more organised next year and get in early. merry christmas :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 December 2011 - 10:50
any idea if the wafi santa queues are quieter closer to christmas?? we've seen one santa but MIL wasn't happy with that one ;) am i being naive in thinking xmas eve most families would have done santa already? we were thinking of going tomorrow. DS is only 1 so this is all new to us. TIA
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 19:16
love this idea thanks, but we actually did this for her birthday and as usual i have left xmas presents until the last minute.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 14:26
we use the babysitting services of homemaids.ae the ladies are always friendly and there is one lady we always ask for. they are 35 an hour or 45 on fridays. our DS is usually asleep when she arrives and i leave ironing for her to do while she watches TV. 800 6243. you also need to pay for a taxi if it's after hours and the driver can't pick them up.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 19:27
limetree do gorgeous traditional christmas cakes and puddings. we had christmas cake last year that looked beautiful and lasted for a month. yum. definitely getting another this year. imagine they are sans booze though.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 16:25
second pablosky - got ours from moe and the sales staff were great too. well made (spanish i think) and super comfy for ds.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 16:23
expensive...mmm, yep. was 1000 dhs. BUT, our thinking was that it would last through a few kids and we only got him this for the first birthday pressie. my MIL got him one of those red motorbike trikes from geant and he loves that too - i see them everywhere in dubai and are super cheap at 120 dhs.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 December 2011 - 20:38
i always take my visitors to the SMCCU at Bastakiya. They have a fantastic cultural breakfast or lunch and have a tour you can also do. they also run mosque tours at Jumeirah - then you could do limetree afterwards for coffee. http://cultures.ae/ i know you mentioned "posh" but there are so many options there too - afternoon tea, lunch or dinner at burj/ritz/armani hotel at burj khalifa etc etc and it's quite special to do something unique to this region.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 December 2011 - 20:26
we just got our 12 mo a wishbone bike from nz for his birthday. they stock them at bumblebee at dubai mall. it's a little big for him now but he can still ride it. the best thing is that it converts 3 ways and lasts till the kids are 5 years old. it really is gorgeous and well made too. here's the link http://www.wishbonedesign.com
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 07:08
thanks for the tips, much appreciated.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 13:30
cheers genie, great site
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 13:13
bump :) any general tips on a week in ireland with a bub very welcome
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2011 - 08:30
thanks ladies for your experiences. it's so hard when something that seems so minor to others can impact on your life so terribly. sidra83 - where did you have your food test done? was it dubai london clinic? i think it's time to bite the bullet.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 18:59
hi there - my sister did a mad hatters party for my hens day she decorated hats for all the guests to wear. you should also search "the english tea party" who rent out gorgeous vintage tea cups, saucers, tiered stands, milk jugs, plates in dubai. and take a trip down to satwa to buy original fabrics to make pretty bunting. a long table laden with tea cakes, finger sandwiches, scones and ask everyone to wear hats - sounds FUN to me.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 13:50
thanks peta, much appreciated
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 12:33
has anyone seen an official declaration of this as a dry (and also a no musical entertainment) evening. i am organising an event and will need to do some juggling if this is the case. we had anticipated dry night to be saturday and had arranged the schedule on this. please post any links to news sources if you happen to see them regarding this. much appreciated
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 18:33
thanks for all the responses - lots of options - and hadn't thought to look in the chiller section at carrefour clairehdp. :) think i'll go shortcrust and do a hunt around the spinneys
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 13:47
this event was listed numerous times in the national newspaper. we subscribe to the daily newspaper which was super cheap and they threw in a free entertainer book. i always find the arts and life section filled with great events. we went along and it was just lovely - that woman sure knew how to buy bling. it was an open event to the public.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 20:20
perhaps you could try http://www.smats.net/ we use them for our tax and are thinking of buying another investment property through them. good luck, i hear you on the exchange rate, ouch!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 13:08
thanks ladies - like the idea of changing up the routine kiwispiers much appreciated
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 08:44
just finished the golden cage - 3 brothers 3 choices - it's written by an iranian nobel peace prize winner shirin ebadi. it's a kleenex job but is also filled with amazing history about the politics of iran. loved it! now im waiting for my friend to finish shantaram to pass it on.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 08:21
i'm not sure if this is less accusatory but i like to ask "what is your heritage?" as it gives people the ability to say whatever they like and is less specific. IMHO i think 99% of the time when someone asks you where you are from it's intended as a friendly conversation starter.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 09:32
cheers monnie - fair point, i'm thinking something pretty quick and casual and it doesn't hurt to use an entertainer voucher so i'm thinking chilis it is. then i don't feel quite as guilty when the bub makes a mess :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 14:47
has anyone booked tickets for this yet? it looks like a fun dinner show but just wondering if anyone has caught it in adelaide, melbourne or in edinburgh and could give me some feedback. i think this might be a good one to take the MIL too. :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 11:35
hi - i take my DS to Dawn venturas on a monday but she does a fri/sat class too. classes are at tamani hotel in the marina. we love the c;asses. http://www.dawnventuras.com/ good luck
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 19:23
thanks for the tips ladies, much appreciated. and you're right about it always being hot but he is fixated with humidity and temperature - besides this he is pretty normal ;)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 20:43
my good friend likes it and i visited her last week. the apartments have nice finishings and her view is over the stables and to the beach which is pretty spectacular. however it is still quite hard to get to (unless you go off road) as you have to drive in off al khail rd. there is a nice pool with infinity edge and a golf putting course (which i thought was a little strange). but she loves it and it was quite reasonably priced. good luck
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 14:00
thanks ladies, much appreciated bring on the kimchi!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 19:30
a quick thanks again for the great advice. we are on day 2 of 2 naps (rather than 3) and last night we actually had 12 hours straight sleep (7-7) a new record! we pushed back nap # 2 and today he went down from 1-3.30...thrilled it didn't take too long to settle back into the new routine AND then we had his first steps taken today so double happiness in this household:):)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 09:04
thanks ks, i think you're right and thanks for the advice. i didn't want to have to bring the bed time earlier as DS gets home at 6 and loves spending time with him but it might be necessary in the long run.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 12:47
thanks for making me feel better...just zipped to dubai mall for pressie and it's roast lamb with all the favourites for dinner. so hopefully it will make up for it :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 August 2011 - 16:50
GREAT suggestions thanks so much :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 August 2011 - 10:39
off this afternoon and have gone through all the aquaventure related threads and just have a few more queries. 1. will we be restricted bringing in snacks for bub. i read that we get a liter of water each which is great. also, 2. DH thinks he saw somewhere that all kids need to wear a flotation device?? i cant imagine those molded vests fitting him at 9 months but any advice would be fab. and finally 3. our guests want to lounge on the beach but i'd rather a shady spot with bub - any advice where to set up camp for the day to keep everyone happy....it seemed so massive last time i went and i'd like a set plan before getting there. TIA
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 12:01
nice one, thanks ladies. looks like i've just been unlucky with my ghds. looks like i'll be picking up some cloud 9s, they've been getting a great wrap. ta
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 13:47
sandwiches are a great idea thanks, esp as he's a toast fiend at breakfast. so do you think it's ok to stop with the spoon feeding all together for a while or should we persist? FYI he still has 3 BF a day - when he gets up, before midday nap and before bed. <em>edited by scratch on 22/08/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 August 2011 - 12:53
probably subway and def nkd pizza as they have a location in al marooj. healthyish yummy pizza
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 19:35
i dropped some serious hints and had DH buy me a nursing bra from "hot milk" a NZ brand that dubai babies stocks. dubaibabies.com will also deliver and the online store for hot milk has guidelines for sizing. they are the only lovely ones i could find. though M and S are ok for everyday comfy nursing bras and the lady at DFC did a nice job of measuring me there. good luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 19:30
hi zihad i know there are lots of lovely gallery spaces in al quoz and i think some of them are available for hire...third line gallery, the jam jar etc. then you could arrange catering from lime tree, they also do fab cakes or dish catering?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 01:13
just to add to cornish pixie re lime tree - their media city branch is open for take away till 4 sun - thurs
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 12:18
thanks ishinami! sorry green queen haven't seen them in dubai
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 10:39
i just flew emirates to aust with my 8 mo. i just very kindly asked the attendant for a nice white pillow from business class (rather than the tiny economy ones) and they were lovely enough to help. i agree with kiwispiers that inflating a breast pillow would be hard work while traveling, there is already enough to juggle in my experience. but the organic cafe in dubai mall has the inflatable version of "my breast friend" feeding pillow if your looking for something specific.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 04:39
hi there - i'm not a canadian but lived there for a year. i saw clamato juice at the greens choitrams the other day - i didn't see spices but isn't it just celery salt, worcestershire and tobasco...oh and celery and lime.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 18:35
my DH and i just started playing scrabble - sounds lame but it beats staring at the TV for hours as we were doing before and we usually have a laugh and get a chance to talk properly. we also are trying to be more active - he with golf and me with swimming. it's so easy to get into bad habits as a couple...good luck.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 12:32
thanks parkernz, great advice. i know wolfies so will check them out. much appreciated!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 09:46
hi there we are getting a wish bone bike for our bub for his 1st birthday. it lasts from when he is confidently walking until he is 5 yo. we are heading home and wondering if we should get a helmet for him there (aust) or maybe someone has seen good helmets here in dubai. i guess my other question is, do kids on 3 wheeled walker bikes need helmets (he will only be in our compound)? as i've seen lots of kids scooting around on these kinds of bikes without helmets on. tia for any feedback.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 18:08
hi there - i use homemaids.ae and so far have been very pleased with their babysitting service and cleaning is OK too. they are reasonable, on-time and i have a girl that i request who is just lovely called helen.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 18:01
hi there...you HAVE to try lilypadz. they are made from silicone and have a great shape so you can't see that silly nipple bit like on the johnson and johnson. i also had nipple thrush and being able to wash the lilypadz helped it clear up sooner. babysouk stock them and there is more info on their website. i actually used mine for longer than the recommended time (shh 5 months) and have just ordered some more. they are FAB. good luck