A Letter to Master Z on his Ninth Birthday…
Today you are 9! Your last year of single digits In sha Allah! How time has flown by!
This year and possibly many of your future years, you are celebrating your birthday in the UK. We made the move from Dubai to UK just last month, so your birthday is the first big milestone we are celebrating after Eid!
Having only been a month since the move, and as we are still living in limbo at your grandparents house, I haven’t had the chance to be as organised as I normally am with your birthdays, even though they are a small affair and celebrated at home. We have got you a Bugatti Lego set along with a few tiny other gifts like a kite (you loved flying Kites during your last Dubai winter so much). I feel guilty for not having made a handmade card this year (as birthday tradition goes) as all my craft supplies are still in the cargo boxes but I did get a card nonetheless. You’ve chosen the theme to be “Ninjago” this year so I managed to have some Ninjago banner and birthday decor printed (thanks to Nana) to make your Birthday morning special. Regardless, being surrounded by your grandparents and family members is what is really going to make this year more special than the previous years so you are very much excited!
In the last year, we explored more of Dubai and did touristy things like going to Madame Tussauds Dubai, Qasr al Watan, Warner Brothers World AUH and Emirates Park Zoo as well as finally visiting Museum of the Future which you loved. We ticked off all of our Dubai Bucket List items before the move to the UK, including eating Shawarmas and drinking Cocktail Juice.
Last summer, you went for your second Umrah in Makkah, followed by your first trip to Riyadh. You took such good care of Little Z when we needed an extra pair of hands and loved the Kingdom Tower as well as the Royal Airforce museum.
Mummy and Papa were finally allowed back in school to cheer you on during the various themed days at school. Before the move to UK, you successfully completed Term 2 in Year 3. Your teachers once again had only kind words to say about you and are going to miss you so much. Now that you are in the UK, due to your age, you will most likely be skipping straight to the start of Year 5 this September, meaning that you will have to catch up on a year’s worth of education. (That’s my cue to start homeschooling you this summer before school starts!) Of course as a mother I worry about how you will cope, but at the same time I am confident that in time you will catch up and excel amongst your peers In sha Allah.
You have started your Quran journey Mashallah, having already completed the last para and now almost coming towards the end of the first para of Quran. Although your pace and fluency will only increase with more practice, I am already so proud of you and how far you have come.
Your blossoming relationship towards your brother is amazing to see. Even though he loves to get under your nerves, you react calmly (for the most part) and handle him so well. I also see how your arm reaches out to protect him and guide him when we are out in public, always looking out for him.
You are polite, love to draw, love to eat seafood, not as keen to read chapter books yet and get scared quite easily. You are sincere, thoughtful and respectful always. You are empathetic and sensitive. You love to try new food. You have taken moving countries like a champ, especially knowing that being the oldest, you also understand so much more of what’s going on around you and what you are giving up or leaving behind.
Since coming to the UK, you have loved splashing in puddles with your wellies on, helping your Nani (grandma) with gardening, helping your Nana (grandpa) with any DIY around the house, discovering the attic, admiring the wildlife here (keep those earthworms away from me please!!), cooking Rotis with Nani, spent your first Eid with the entire extended family, loved climbing hills, had your first eye test (perfect vision so far Alhumdulillah), explored museums and so much more!
There’s many more adventures to be had and this year is a new chapter in all our lives as a family. The previous years in the UAE have been such a great foundation and now the years ahead in a new country will shape you further in new ways. But regardless of the chaos that is currently our life right now, you are our calm. Being together, no matter where we are in the world, is what matters the most. We love you so much and are so proud of you.
Happy 9th Birthday Master Z! May Allah bless you with all the happiness and love you deserve. May you reach for the stars and achieve all your dreams!
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 , Seventh Birthday here and Eighth Birthday here.
Comments
Wow so impressive 🎉