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Exploring Basel with kids

Basel is a city spread across three countries. Come and read what we go up to and would recommend for families exploring this Swiss city.

Most people have a bucket list a mile long of exotic locations and they meticulously plan and sequentially tick them off. We have one too, but our destinations rarely end up being  from the traditional bucket list locations, and even less frequently are the planned in advance! The biggest perk of living in Dubai and other “hub” cities is the freedom with which you can pack your bags and head off…

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Exploring Basel with kids

Exploring Basel with kids

Most people have a bucket list a mile long of exotic locations and they meticulously plan and sequentially tick them off. We have one too, but our destinations rarely end up being  from the traditional bucket list locations, and even less frequently are the planned in advance! The biggest perk of living in Dubai and other “hub” cities is the freedom with which you can pack your bags and head off…

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XPark Jr: Baby it's a jungle out there.

XPark Jr: Baby it’s a jungle out there.

The monkeys have reached soft play expert level status. They have mastered cinema etiquette. They are borderline professional global travellers. They are complain about wet feet and have no clue how to make a wooden raft. It’s actually incredibly embarrassing because the one thing I swore would not happen, has come to be. They are becoming the stereotypical Dubai kids!

Lucky for us, XPark Jr has…

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1148 Days later...

1148 days later, we're on the verge of a new adventure.

318 days into our expat journey I wrote my third blog post (read it here) reflecting on life as a stay at home mom. Almost 2 years later, I again find myself in a reflective mood (I’m sure it has happened a couple of other times in between). This time as the realization dawns on me that we may well be moving again.

We always knew that a return to South Africa was not on the cards, at least not…

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Win an Inkcrate from JAFInk

Remember how I was raving about discovering the #InkCrate from JAF Ink and how it was perfect for not only getting me to enjoy genres of books I would ordinarily not even consider, but it was a great monthly reminder of, “What have I done for me lately?”

Well, now I’m going to rave some more because we’ve partnered up to celebrate the month of love by helping another UAE Mom practice some…

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An educational afternoon at Wild Flight Dubai.

Who says Dubai is all about shopping malls and soft play areas? While these are generally the most obvious and prevalent options, with a little bit of digging you can turn some amazing gems. We’ve just discovered Wild Flight Dubai located in the Ghubaiba district of Bur Dubai – you know, that part of Dubai that most expats tend to only venture into when there is family visiting? Guilty! Except…

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It’s no secret that I am a bit of a bibliophile (is it still called bibliophilia if you predominantly read on an e-reader). If you follow me on social media you would no doubt have noticed that the only thing I hang out with more than the boys is my kindle. Before bed, in waiting rooms, on the plane, and always in preference to TV! The challenge being such a voracious e-reader is that I’ve slid into a very distinct rut and tend to read from only a few genres and authors. Bookstore meandering while one of my favorite activities is a dangerous (read expensive) past time for me so unfortunately, I’ve become reliant on algorithms to map my reading journey.

Goodbye algorithm…

I think I may have just discovered a solution for it though! While researching subscription boxes that we Moms could look at to help incentivize us to prioritize Mommy Time Out, I discovered a local gem – JAF Ink. Primarily JAF Ink is a community for local artists, writers, and readers. They are also the curators and suppliers of the Ink Crate a monthly creativity based subscription box. While there are numerous international options in the category, Ink Crate is only homegrown one and involves as far as possible regionally sourced artists and businesses.

  Espionage themed Ink Crate from JAF Ink.

  What’s in the box?

Ink Crate box contents vary based on the monthly theme selected, but will always include a surprise book, 3 – 5 miscellaneous items and a letter from the JAF team. I bought the Espionage Ink Crate which included the book Agent Zig Zag by Ben Macintyre (absolutely amazing read), a mini safe disguised as an English Dictionary (perfect to hide treats from kids), a themed glass travel mug, invisible ink pens and black light (the boys’ favourite) and a DIY decoder ring. Previous boxes have included paint sets, notebooks, candles, calligraphy pens and specialty tea and that’s what I love the most, discovering a topic/theme through the goodies collected by the JAF team.

Spy travel mug and Agent Zig Zag perfect combination to take to the beach or park after the school run!

Had so much fun writing secret messages with the boys!

The book safe is perfect for hiding treats from the boys…or your phone from yourself!

Who doesn’t love invisible ink!

How do I get my box?

You can sign-up for the Ink Crate boxes either as a single, one-off event or subscribe to receive your box every month via their website and pricing will vary based on your selected option. The site is pretty simple to navigate and while you’re on it you can also custom make a gift box, order one of the previous boxes or read one of the many book reviews by the trio.

So if, like so many Moms your New Year’s Resolution includes more self-care and me-time here’s a great way to support incentives yourself!

Find out more about JAF Ink on through the following channels:

Website:         www.jafink.com

Instagram:     @jafinkofficial

  Mommy Time Out: Ink Crate Review It's no secret that I am a bit of a bibliophile (is it still called bibliophilia if you predominantly read on an e-reader).

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I find that no matter how profusely I promise to make more time for meaningful me-time, it just never seems to really materialise and maybe that says more about me and how I prioritise self-care than I’m willing to admit. I tend to need to have an “excuse” to extract myself from the kids and that normally takes the form of blogger events, birthday parties and hair rehabilitation appointments 🙂 So when Nielouphar from Pretty Paper Studio asked if I’d like to try out their latest offering of the For Me DIY Kit, I jumped (almost literally as it’s been a loooooong few weeks) at the chance.

If you haven’t heard about Pretty Paper Studio before, they are a one-stop online Craft shop based in the UAE that aims to not only supply you with all your creative goodies but to build a network and community of like-minded souls. One branch of this offering is the “For Me” DIY kits. These limited edition boxes of fun epitomize the concept of “Mommy Time Out” in that they help you create that space (or in my case excuse) for you to stop and focus on something other than the daily routine.

PPS “For Me” DIY Kit (November Edition) including String Art Kit (Turquoise Boutique Studio); Hand painted candle and clay studs (Rodrigo Creations); Fridge Magnet (Marshy Doodles) and an organic cotton towel (Earth and Ethics).

Each edition of the kit comes out with surprise DIY project and a selection of locally sourced hand-made and artisanal goodies. The November Edition includes the following:

DIY String Art Kit by Turquoise Boutique Studio There is a choice of 3 designs for this month’s DIY kit all of which are equally fun to do and you can choose to do them with or without the kiddies (you know which option I picked!) You’ll be supplied with the majority of the components to complete the design (including a private video tutorial) but if like me you do not own a hammer, be prepared for a trip to the hardware store 🙂

Hand painted candle and Clay Studs by Rodrigo Creations. This was the first time I came across this amazing artist! Have a look at her Instagram page as she has some amazing illustrations and can create personalised gifts for family and loved ones (and teachers – remember it’s almost time to spoil them too!)

Fridge Magnet by Marshy Doodles. If you love brush lettering and watercolours you will definitely have heard about this lovely lady!

Organic Cotton Towel by Earth and Ethics. You need to feel this Khadi Cotton towel to believe it. It is so soft I’m hiding it from the hooligans!

    Therapy in the form of art – creating my String Art Masterpiece

Ok, so maybe String Art is not yet officially a branch of Art Therapy, but I’m telling you it should be! There is something very soothing and relaxing about first venting your frustrations on a tiny nail head followed by the fits of laughter as you realise this is louder than you anticipated and culminating in the steady rhythm of wrapping the string around the nail. Tani from Our Big Dubai Adventure and I chose the newly opened Hamptons Cafe in Jumeirah Islands (apologies again to anyone in the vicinity that was not expecting our musical renditions)! This was the perfect setting, no interruptions, flowing coffee and gorgeous views made for the perfect backdrop.

I was initially worried that I would not be able to do the project justice because while in my head I am the Queen of Pinterest, my artistic talents lie so well buried, some might say they are almost non-existent. The way the kit is put together though, makes it really easy to do regardless of your artistic prowess. You have the option of both a video-based tutorial and a printed out step by step guide so it is perfect even for beginners. Those with more experience or who would like to experiment more can add embellishments and play around with patterns and colour combination so there really is something for all levels.

I’m sure there is a special type of hammer for this – I went for the available and cheap version myself! Works like a dream 🙂

I may have gotten distracted by the light 🙂

The video tutorial makes it so simple to follow!

Feeling pretty proud of myself, until I realised I made a mistake so now I have a very unique piece! Please pretend like you cannot see it!

  The final product!

  Totally do not look awkward ….at all! And hubby wonders why I don’t monetize my blog….this!

  I would, however, remind you that yes, hammering is not a quiet activity so this is not something to squeeze in during the little one’s nap time unless they are very deep sleepers! Overall verdict – the perfect way to get some Mommy Time Out, on your own or with a group of girlfriends at your local. The “For Me” DIY Kit also makes a great gift idea that would work for a teens and adults alike.

Thank you to Nielouphar at Pretty Paper Studio for the opportunity to try out the “For Me” DIY Kit! If you would like to order the November Edition or have a look at some of the previous kits head over to www.ppsuae.com or @PPSUAE on Instagram.

Creating Me Time with the Pretty Paper Studio "For Me" String Art Kit. I find that no matter how profusely I promise to make more time for meaningful me-time, it just never seems to really materialise and maybe that says more about me and how I prioritise self-care than I'm willing to admit.

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Kid-Friendly Halloween Events in Dubai.

An 8 year old's guide to the killer kids' Halloween events in Dubai!

Joshua seems to have been bitten by a hairy scary, Halloween crazy spider this year. We have a calendar up on the fridge to count down the days to our Christmas holiday – he has hijacked it and created a Halloween countdown command centre, complete with daily updates, hourly interrogation to ascertain what we will, in fact, be doing on the day and costume ideas. Considering that in all likelihood…

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Easy peasy homemade Oat Cookies!

Easy peasy homemade Oat Cookies!

You may have spotted a trend in things I write about and explore – I love a good hack and simple tricks to get things done easily (like planning dinner for instance). This is probably why I love this oat cookie recipe. I think in its original form it comes from the goddess of baking herself, Nigella Lawson, at least that’s what my Dad always calls them – the Nigella cookies. Then again perhaps he…

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#GoldenPavlova Challenge

I love baking and cooking in general. I’m not always very good at it, and more often than not you’ll find my creations on #PinterestFails rather than Pinterest 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, they always taste pretty good, presentation, however…Let’s just say that they should be served with a generous helping of artistic license! So when Al Jazira Poultry Farm approached me about participating in their…

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Is it starting to feel like all you are doing all day is heading to a shopping mall, indoor play area or driving to Summer Camp? Not sure about you, but we’re starting to feel the monotony and boredom kicking in – and by we, I mean me of course…the kids don’t seem to be complaining more than normal 🙂

Here are 5 alternatives for you to try out:

Mirzam Kids’ Chocolate Tours

  Mirzam is a Dubai-based Chocolate Factory (yes, we have our very own Chocolate Factory) that opened up in Alserkal Avenue in September 2016 and a definite must for anyone with a sweet tooth! They are currently running Kid’s Chocolate Workshops every Friday morning and they are in fact as good as they sound. The boys learnt about how chocolate is made, the different kinds of chocolate and cocoa beans, the art of blind taste tests (my dream job) and how to go about designing your own chocolate wrapper. In between all this, there were chocolate brownies, hot chocolate, chocolate tea (yes, this is a thing and a very delicious thing at that) and lots of giggles. This was such a fun way to spend a Friday morning – the coffee is superb and we all got to learn something new. Sessions only run on a Friday and fill up pretty quickly so booking in advance is a must and arrive a little earlier to make sure you find a parking in time!

Booking and schedule: www.mirzam.com

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Otter Experience

We first discovered the Otter Experience at the Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underwater Zoo last year (read all about it here) and loved the concept of adding an animal experience to an already awesome educational experience. As the boys get older, this kind of interaction becomes preferable to them and while at first glance it may appear more expensive than what you would normally pay towards an experience, bear in mind that you do also get to enter the rest of the aquarium and zoo section so you can easily lose 3 – 4 hours in there excluding a refueling pit stop.

More information and to book: The Dubai Aquarium

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  Apple Store workshops

This was a new one to us, and I was introduced to the sessions by Abigail from Cuddles and Crumbs.  There are special Kids’ Hour sessions running almost daily teaching the kids a whole range of skills from Making Music on Garage Band to designing and drawing their own characters on iPads. We tried out the Sphero Maze Challenge and what I loved about it was that this is perfect if you’re looking at your child learning a new skill without spending a fortune (the sessions are FREE)! As kids become more proficient in handling the Sphero robot, their workshop leader will introduce new coding challenges and techniques. The workshops are aimed at 6 – 12-year-olds but Liam managed really well at the first session (he is 5).

Schedule and Bookings: Apple Store

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  TheJamJar Summer Workshops

We were first introduced to TheJamJar a while back when we attended the Painting & Toy Casting Workshop hosted by Our Big Dubai Adventure. If you haven’t visited them the concept is quite simple, they are a community art space where you can either come along and do your own thing or sign-up for one of their many educational programmes and workshops. During the summer months, they are running a series of Summer Jam Kids’ Workshops ranging from painting to Sock Puppets which was the one we signed up for. I loved the mixed media feel of the Sock Puppet Workshop from the media used to teach them about Puppeteering and its history to the variety of materials they were encouraged to use to create their puppets. This is a great workshop to encourage creativity in several areas as they got to design and draw their own character, translate that into a real life figure and then bring it to life with a mini skit. They’re still busy creating stories with their puppets and our next mission is to create a puppet theatre at home! Sessions are 90 minutes each and suitable for kiddies 5 – 12 years old.

Online bookings and pricing: TheJamJar

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  FuzziWigs Tour

I love walking into FuzziWigs! Stepping through the front door is akin to stepping through a Tardis into bygone days (or at least what I would expect days of old to look like – I’m not that old)! We took a FuzziTour a couple of months back and at the time all I could think is I wish this was an option for anyone. Well, wish granted! FuzziWigs have launched their FuzziTours to the public. There are currently 3 package options starting from AED50 (I would recommend at least a Super FuzziTour simply because you MUST have a FuzziCoffee, but I may be an addict). Tours are available at either the Riverland or JBR branches and are suitable for anyone over 5.

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I hope you enjoy these activities as much as we have! If you have any secret gems, please share them in the comments below and we’ll go give them a try!

  5 Off the beaten track activities to try out with the kids this Summer. Is it starting to feel like all you are doing all day is heading to a shopping mall, indoor play area or driving to Summer Camp?

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Summer boredom busting games and activities for 5 - 8 year olds!

Summer boredom busting games and activities for 5 – 8 year olds!

I think if the boys had their way, they would be on the X Box all day every day which would make for a pretty stress-free day for me but alas, we all know the downside to copious amounts of screen time and developing brains. For that reason (and because I’m such a geek) I offset their screen time with geeky educational games and activities. Sometimes I get it horribly wrong and they are really…

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Oscar & Jemima's Giveaway!

Oscar & Jemima’s Giveaway!

A couple of days ago I shared with you my 5 favorite services in the UAE that help cut down on the things that eat away at your time as a mom. One of those (and a definite life saver during the holidays when I’m even lazier) is @oscarandjemimas 🥘🍽 They offer subscription meal plans for dinner, breakfast, parties (yes you read right) AND kids’ lunch boxes!

I’ve signed up and we’re getting a week’s…

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5 Services in the UAE that make Mom-ing more fun! I hate being a Mom... I hate being a Wife... I hate being a Grown-up... Ok, maybe that's a bit dramatic but I really hate all the chores and routine rubbish that seems to fill up my day leaving me with precious little time for the fun parts.

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When the summer holidays are 11 weeks long and for all intents and purposes you’re staying in the UAE for the duration, you start to look for alternatives to soft plays and malls. The attractions in Dubai are amazing and aplenty, but they are also costly and as the kiddies start to get older, they often start to ask for something different. I had heard that there are loads of things to see and do in Sharjah with kids, but we just never seemed to get our collective selves on the same page and across the boundary line. Until now! Here is what we got up to during our first Sharjah Day Trip!

Before you head out:

We do generally prefer to go with the flow and see what there is to see once we get there, however, in this case, I would recommend at least a little research before heading out. This is simply so that a) you do not psych up the kids and arrive at a closed venue and b) you’re dressed appropriately – Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai so you will need to modest and respectful clothing. The trip is about 40 minutes depending on which side of Dubai you’re heading from and we didn’t get any traffic along the way. I did pick up a joke book and Archie comic at a petrol station along the way to keep the kids entertained though!

Stop 1: Sharjah Aquarium:

Our first stop and the main reason for our trip was the Sharjah Aquarium. This was Joshua’s favourite part of the day (admittedly he has decided he wants to be a Marine Biologist when he grows up)! Do not expect a flashy affair but you are able to get up close and (almost) personal with sharks, rays, hermit crabs, star fish and a wide range of sea creatures. You are able to view several of the tanks from the top (and hence get to see the stereotypical shark fin approaching you) and from the side/below which is really fun. Because Sharjah is the only Emirate with 2 separate coast lines, they have chosen to feature the creatures from both habitats in the exhibits and is therefore very informative if like mine your kids are getting older and more receptive to education trips.

It was bright and hot and humid (spot the foggy lens)!

The very first tank has an array of sharks that you can spot from the observation deck and if you’re lucky you get to see the spooky triangle popping out of the water!

So tranquil and peaceful. In complete contrast to the raucous school tour underway below it!

Important notes:

Getting there is simple if you’re using Google Maps (Sharjah Aquarium) and there is plenty of free parking on site.

The aquarium is open 6 days a week (closed on Sundays) though I would recommend a week day visit as it gets pretty full on weekend (especially Friday).

Tickets are very reasonable AED25 per adult and AED15 per child (2 – 12 years old) and there is a little coffee shop/restaurant at the exit as well as a souvenir shop with the cutest stuffed rays.

Contact info: Sharjah Aquarium Website

  Stop 2: Sharjah Maritime Museum

Your aquarium ticket gives you access to the Maritime Museum too and though it is not huge, it was incredibly interesting and has a wide range of interactive displays for young and old. The kids learnt about different types of boats, pearl diving, fishing and navigation. All the displays were immaculate and the attention to detail for me was the most impressive part. This is probably better suited to slightly older children (over 4 years old) depending on your ability to tolerate stress as they run amok inside the hall.

Each display was better than the previous one! A serious feast for the eyes.

I love that they are now old enough to start enjoying these exhibits and reading and exploring for themselves!

There is a gorgeous outdoor play area for kids big and small, unfortunately, we couldn’t make the most of it as it was stiflingly hot and humid but will be amazing during the cooler months or if you go in the evening. Excluding the play area and assuming you don’t stop for a treat (we did, boys could not resist the brownies), plan for about 2 hours for both the aquarium and the museum.

Stop 3: Sharjah Fort (Al Hasin):

Since Liam was about 2 he has been fascinated with castles and forts! Our first family trip to Portugal involved hours of driving around looking for castles and every subsequent family holiday has had to include at least 1 castle/fort. So obviously, a trip to Sharjah would not be complete without exploring Al Hasin. The Fort was built in 1823 and was home to both the Al Qawasim royal family and the Sharjah government. We loved exploring the nooks and crannies of the fort, complete with a prison, windy stair cases and a weapons room – seems if you’re a boy this is a crucial room to investigate.

Roaming the Fort does require you to be outdoors part of the time as you move between galleries but we weren’t too perturbed and the views from the top are amazing and eerie as Al Hasin stands amongst the bustling Heart of Sharjah.

Exploring the model of Al Hasin

Because boys….and swords…

We walked the entire Fort hunting for the weapons room!

Important notes:

Like all the Sharjah Museum attractions we’ve now tried, it is well referenced in Google Maps (location) and has parking on site (keep your ticket receipt to validate your parking)

The Fort is open 7 days a week and again I would recommend a week day visit in order to avoid the crowds.

Tickets are very reasonable AED10 per adult and AED5 per child (2 – 12 years old) and while there is no restaurant on site, there is a lounge where you can get coffee as well as a souvenir shop.

  Stop 4: Al Qasba

No surprise that once we had done the Fort tour Joshua was hungry….again…he ate at the aquarium! Anyway, we headed over to Al Qasba (5-minute drive from the Fort) for lunch. There is a wide range of options and we stuck to our theme and had lunch at Beit Setti (Arabic/Middle Eastern cuisine) which was delicious followed by ice cream! If you’re headed out after 4 pm there is a cute children’s play area, musical fountain, Eye of the Emirates and so much more so you can really make an evening of it.

The Eye of the Emirates.

The sweetest little garden along the canal

Beautiful canal with boat trips available in the evening.

  This was our first foray into Sharjah and most definitely not our last as there are still so many museums and activities to explore! If you know of some gems please do let me know in the comments so that I can add it to our list of Summer Holiday Day Trips!

One day in Sharjah exploring the Sharjah Aquarium, Maritime Museum, Al Hasin Fort and Al Qasba When the summer holidays are 11 weeks long and for all intents and purposes you're staying in the UAE for the duration, you start to look for alternatives to soft plays and malls.

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Dubai Summer Fitness Options - with the kids!

Dubai Summer Fitness Options – with the kids!

Way back when (or more accurately almost 7 months ago) I started with a New Year’s Resolution Challenge at Dubai Fit Boot Camp and while I am so glad that I did, the last few weeks have been hard. Not because I’m not stronger and fitter, but because I’ve allowed excuses to make their way back into my routine and I will not lie I’m pretty disappointed in myself. However, I remembered a recent post…