A Letter to Master Z on his Eighth Birthday…
Today you are 8 years old! Woohoo! You’ve really been looking forward to your Birthday this year, especially now that you are older and understand it’s a special day where you are smothered with love and attention, more so than all the other 364 days in a year!
Life is pretty much back to normal after the last 2 years of Covid lockdowns and restrictions, expect for still needing to wear face masks here in the UAE. You have chosen this year’s birthday theme to be Hot Wheels, so your Chaachish (your mum’s sister) has made you a Hot Wheels themed cake topper to go with the cake I have ordered. You are excited to see the living room be decorated on the morning of your birthday by myself and Papa, even if they are simple printed or hand made decorations but bring the biggest smile on your face. You will also be gifted a Hot Wheels car racing set, as well as a couple of Lego gifts which should keep you busy over the next few days and weeks! And for dinner, we are hoping to go to a Seafood restaurant as you love eating crabs and fish!
Over the last year, you have accomplished so much. Getting back to face to face learning at school was a huge relief for me and you truly thrived being back with your friends and in a school environment. Your end of term reports are always a pleasure to read and your teachers only have great things to say about how well behaved and helpful you are. Your Arabic teacher did mention that you are quite the chatter box too!
You have come a long way in studying the Qaida, and I am hoping you will start reading the Quran in the coming months In sha Allah. Both Papa and I are also so proud that you managed to keep your first 4 fasts of Ramadan MashaAllah! You were very insistent and eventhough I thought you’re still a little too young, you did amazing and wanted to keep even more, which I am sure you will do next Ramadan In sha Allah.
You love getting creative, constantly creating little art projects or science experiments and showing me the latest thing you have doodled in your school notebook that day. You have loved exploring Expo 2020 Dubai and all it’s pavillions, your favourites being the Saudi Arabia pavillion and the Water feature which had you and Little Z drenched every time we visited! You have also enjoyed going to your second cricket match, chanting and cheering for India and Virat Kohli at the top of your lungs. You have got to experience more of Dubai too, with a trip on Ain Dubai (the world’s largest ferris wheel) as well as a trip to At the Top of Burj Khalifa.
After a two year hiatus, we also went on our first post-covid international trip to India. It was your second time and you absolutely loved every minute. You played cricket with your cousins, named the stray dogs on our compound (Jaddu and so on!ha!) , visited Sanjan train station, stayed at the Taj hotel again in Mumbai, screamed whilst crossing the Mumbai roads, devoured Sev Puri and Gilli and even rode the motorbike with your Papa. You had an amazing time and your next destination request is Saudi Arabia In sha Allah!
You are a worrier, and try as I might to get you to relax and not worry about whatever is coming next, the clogs are always turning in your head. It most likely comes from me so I almost feel guilty about it… it’s something we are both definitely going to have to work on relaxing ourselves a little more and be more easy going because overall you are such a happy boy.
You are a wonderful brother, guiding Little Z, helping him, being a great team as well as teasing him too because it wouldn’t be a sibling relationship otherwise! Ha! You are so helpful around the house, and always want to go the extra mile to make us even prouder. You are understanding, empathetic, reliable, caring and constantly putting others before yourself. I could not be more proud to be your mother. Thank you for all the happiness you give to me.
Happy 8th Birthday Master Z! May Allah bless you with all the happiness and love you deserve. Forever proud of you!
Lots of love, hugs, kisses and cuddles,
Mummy & Papa
If you are interested, go ahead and read my letter to Master Z on his First Birthday here, Second Birthday here , Third Birthday here , Fourth Birthday here , Fifth Birthday here , Sixth Birthday here and Seventh Birthday here.
