The Allens Invade Europe

Our first stop on our summer holiday this year was London - just before the Olympics hysteria hit.  Jeremy and I have always wanted to travel in Europe, but never really thought it would be possible until we took the overseas job.  At that point, it wasn't just possible, but almost necessary.  When we were researching flights home, almost every flight we found stopped in London.  We took advantage and took an extended stay in the capital of the U.K.  An air of excitement descended upon our household weeks before the big travel day finally arrived.  It was so intense on the day before our flight left (at 2 a.m.) that poor little Lila could sense something was up and refused to nap.  At all.  Thus, we arrived at Dubai International Airport with two over-sized suitcases and a toddler who hadn't slept for 18 hours straight.  Needless to say, we were a little nervous about how the rest of the trip would go down.

Lucky for us, Dalila loves to fly.  She HATED waiting in the airport, dressed in her cute little jammies and wheeled around in her stroller from gate to gate as we waited for take-off.  But once we found our seats, she was settled and ready for the trip.

Our first thoughts when our plane touched down at Heathrow at 6:00 a.m. went something like "brrrrrrrrr!!!"  Mind you, we came from a high of 120* F and rolled into London at barely 50* - that's a HUGE change!  Most of the trip was much the same as our arrival day as far as weather goes.  Lots of rain, wind and cold, sprinkled with a little sunshine. After finally finding some adorable Wellies for Lila and a jacket for me - we were set to go!

Lila, strutting her stuff in her new Wellies

 Here is the rest of our amazing vacation in picture book style, just how we like it!

THE FAMILY AT PICCADILLY CIRCUS:

WE FOUND A CLASSIC RED PHONE BOOTH!!

RIDING ON THE TOURISTY DOUBLE-DECKER BUS:

CHASING THE TRAFALGAR SQUARE PIGEONS:

DADDY AND LILA AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE:

THE FAM AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE:

GREAT SHOT OF A FEW OF LONDON'S FAMOUS LANDMARKS ALL IN ONE PIC:

AT THE LONDON EYE ON A RAINY, COLD DAY:

THE CLOCK TOWER (AKA. BIG BEN):

HOTDOGS ON A RIVER CRUISE:

THE TOWER OF LONDON:

TOWER BRIDGE AND THE OLYMPIC RINGS:

AT OLYMPIC PARK:

ON THE WAY TO HISTORIC AND BEAUTIFUL BRICK LANE:

LIVERPOOL STATION, ONE OF THE LAST STOPS ON OUR FUN-FILLED LONDON VISIT:

Despite a few hiccups (including the loss of Jeremy's new Rolex over the side of the tour bus, a crew of very concerned Japanese tourists behind us, a few challenges before attaining mastery status of the London Underground - WITH a stroller in tow, and the normally blah weather) we thoroughly enjoyed our little trip to London.  We're already planning our European trip next summer....but hoping for a little sun on our next jaunt to Europe =)

Dalila and Friends: Meet the Gang

How about a short little post about all of the friends Dalila has made so far?  Jeremy and I marvel frequently at how exciting her list of friends' nationalities is - something she certainly couldn't count on back home in Idaho, where diversity is, shall we say, limited.  We love that she sees all races, clothing styles, and nationalities here with no reaction either way.  She is totally color-blind when looking at people of the many varied nationalities who live in the U.A.E. and we're deeply grateful to have the means to provide her with the opportunity to be this way.

One of our favorite standing play dates happens most Fridays at a place called Fun City (like an indoor amusement park, only extra crazy thanks to the echo that comes with being smack dab in the middle of a toddler- and big kid-filled warehouse-o-fun).  Luckily, Fridays are much more calm, being the holy day and all.  So we often met in the mornings for Dalila to practice her social skills.  We also love that a toddlers-only room exists with padded floors, TONS of little kid toys, and pretend play opportunities galore.  Here is where we would set up camp, the grown ups plunking down on the various bean bag chairs and cushion seats scattered throughout the area to watch our toddlers try not to turn a dispute over a lego into Toddler Death Match 3000.  Some days were more successful than others, but Dalila always lit up when we announced that she would get to go and see her friends.

I bragged on and on about the various nationalities of her group of friends and then promptly halted that explanation, so here's the rest of that bit =)  Arguably Dalila's best buddy, Dara (lovingly pronounced "Dora" by our little one who adores some little-known television program of the same name...) comes from parents who are Irish and Romanian.  She is adorable, very close to the same age as Dalila, and makes a perfect partner in crime for the various toddler shenanigans their hard-working little brains dream up.  Jemma is a little friend Dalila met when we first arrived and then happened to run into through a mutual friend months later.  She is from South Africa.  Another little friend who is very, very tall for his age - almost as tall as all the girls - but the youngest of the bunch is called Harrison and comes from Scotland.  These kiddos comprise our usual play-date gang and are an absolute blast to watch together.  Here are some photos of them sitting on a banana (btw, getting four two-year-olds to sit for a picture at the same time AND look at the camera was an incredible feat!):

From left to right: Dalila, Harrison, Dara, and Jemma

Our Fun City gang is only one small portion of Dalila's growing list of pals.  We are members at a local hotel where we can use the facilities, including pool, gym, squash courts, etc.  She has made quite a few little friends here from around the globe as well.  Her favorite pal at the pool is an adorable little girl from Russia called Dasha.  The two walk around like they own the place and, indeed, are treated like royalty by most of the staff, who are no doubt awed by the girls' bright blonde hair, blue eyes, and winning personalities.  Two of Dalila's buddies here are from Middle Eastern countries - Leen is from Syria (I think) and Sara - Dalila's oldest friend is a native Emirati girl.  Here are a few photos of Dalila and Leen - sharing exactly how one would expect two-year-olds to share pool toys....noisily and with a pinch of hostility =)

Of course - this entry wouldn't be complete without including Dalila's buddies from her home country.  She loves to play with friends Ellison, Eden and Edward who traveled here from Utah.  Her favorite boys are Colt and Bayne, originally from Omaha.  She asks for these two constantly and loves to go wild with her boys =)

Making grass angels with friends Ellison, Edward, and Eden

Bouncing on the crib with her favorite boys, Colt and Bayne

We're so glad Dalila has endless opportunities to find friends and are constantly surprised to find how similar kids are even when they come from places all over the world!  Now we can't wait for Dalila to get to know her cousins back home and test out some of the social skills she's learned (translation:  Watch out cousins!!  Dalila's on her way!).