Benga, Selma Says!

We should have named you Selma Butter Ball Salamonti.
But you were almost 20 days late in showing up,
so we were too tired to give you such a long name

We couldn't wait to have you meet your big sister at home,
so we left the hospital a few hours after you were born!

You Bubbly baby,
Became irresistible! We didn't want you to sleep at all...

You Naughty one didn't want US to sleep at all!

But we didn't care, because you brightened up our
 days & nights...

You bring joy and love to any one's heart!
 Your facial expressions are priceless,
they say it all...

They say Benga & Bagen and that's all...

You tell me you love me, you tell me you're sad, happy or mad!
You tell me you miss me and how hungry you are...

You tell me you need a diaper change and you ask me to rub your tummy
and play with your hair :)

You ask for a kiss and you bite my lips...and shoulders and knees too!

You drive Mariyah crazy when you pull her hair...

You ask for a bath and for a swim...
 you cry for so many teeth are in a hurry!

You ask for hugs, cuddling and more cuddling
And you always always get them!
Who can ever say: "NO"?

Salamonti...You are ONE!
We love you, and even though all you say is BENGA & BAGEN
We understand you and know you well...

One last whisper in your ear:
Whenever I ask you to grow up fast so I could relax more...
I don't mean it! AT ALL,,,
Stay perfect...Just the way you are.

Al hamdulillah :)

Why I picked Hawaii...

When we were still a small family it was easier to travel more than once a year and enjoy vacations. It was easier financially. Now that we are a family of four planning became harder. Now we have to think about the budget, the location, the "to do" lists and the right place to stay at. It's not easy but so far my Jeeej has never failed us. People joke about it sometimes and wonder if he could have his own office for finding great deals online.

Most of my married relatives and friends in Amman travel to different countries during Summer. They always enjoy it and of course they all need it. I need it too, a vacation I mean. So, where do I go every single year?
Yep, To Amman!

This year, Jeeej said to me: you can go to Amman every single year for a vacation but you won't be able to go anywhere else. Simply because we take a long time off to stay there longer and then the tickets and costs -Shopping here and having fun there- are too expensive.

To be honest, Now when I think of Amman I think of my family and my close friends only. Nothing else! I'm sorry but year after another I find it hard to enjoy time there, neither indoors nor outdoors. Not even in an open cafe. Blue Fig is excluded ;)

Traffic, indoor smoking -not good for my girls-, bad customer service, expensive everything, people staring and not minding their own business & rejection for your looks -Hijabi in my case- and some other reasons too.

This year I was lucky I had mama come over for a few days and tomorrow we have Jeeej's sweet sister coming to visit from Alabama along with her 3 kids. Then some more relatives are coming over too. You see, I'm getting the right amount of family dose to keep me away from feeling home sick.

This year, it was all up to me. He said it's either Amman Or Maui, Hawaii...

So guess what I picked?


Deciding on the right activity for all of us was quite challenging



It wasn't easy but we managed to have fun!

So much fun :)

We went hiking

A nice and kids' friendly trail...



It took us 3 times to become a professional beach family  



Food was great!

The private pool by the house we rented was just perfect for calm days

The 6 hours trip on the ferry was so special, we got to swim/snorkel in the middle of the Pacific ocean and watch the dolphins spinning and we had a great BBQ for lunch on the boat as well!

We got to wear our very colorful outfits and it felt just right!

The tips I received upon request from a fellow blogger were so helpful. I felt great wearing the right thing every single day :) I even recieved compliments on my outfits & also on my new Hijabi swim suit

The weather in Maui was beautiful and I can't wait to go there again :)

Alhamdulillah :)