birthday | The Angel Forever

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Croquet game anyone?

Posted on August 21, 2008 11:13 am by TheAngelForever

Several weeks ago Nana and Papa asked NHL what he wanted for his 5th birthday. Without missing a beat he quickly requested a croquet set.

Hmmmm. . . . I immediately figured that he had no clue what he was talking about. I assumed that he was confusing crochet with croquet and was saying it wrong.

The joke was on me! This is what he was truly asking for:

He described the game of croquet perfectly. I did a double take and asked him where he learned about it. Apparently he had seen an episode of Maggie and the Ferocious Beast and thought it looked like fun. So he put it in his little mind and when asked recalled it.

Sunday at his birthday party NHL received the croquet set from Nana and Papa. Yesterday Nana had the day off and we went to spend time with her. In the afternoon we went outside and let NHL some croquet.

I took all of the pieces out and got them ready. There were a lot items and I was amazed that NHL knew exactly what everything was called thanks to the show. The kid hungry to learn anything and everything he can, thank goodness kindergarten should help with his desire by teaching him how to read.

Next NHL checked everything out.

Then he set things up HIS way. Clearly, the wickets were way too close together, but who were we to stop his fun . . . . at least not right away. Please also note the extreme concentration with the tongue sticking out!

Nana was finally able to convince NHL that by spacing them out it would be easier to play.

NHL was not really interested in listening to us tell him how to play, so a lot of patience was needed. It will be interesting to see what happens next time we try to take out the set and use it at our house.

Thank you Nana and Papa for the fun new croquet set!

Categories:
birthday family fun kid talk nhl photos play time

Mount Dinocake

Posted on August 19, 2008 12:05 pm by TheAngelForever

As previously mentioned, NHL asked for a dinosaur and volcano cake for his birthday. We practiced making it with the giant cupcake pan and then made the real thing this weekend for his 5th birthday party with our family on Sunday.

Rather than tease you, I will play nice (this time) and reveal Mount Dinocake. . . .

Of course since it was a birthday party and we had lots of family over, so additional food was also prepared. JL and I stayed up late Friday and Saturday night making sure everything was made. The only items we did not do ourselves were the pizza, flat bread, hummus, and rolls. We made the vegetarian "meatballs" in sweet and sour sauce, peanut butter pasta with broccoli, edamame and red pepper, along with the cake/cupcakes and zucchini bread. Here they are for you to view:

This is all that remained of Mount Dinocake when everyone was finished.

NHL had a fabulous time playing and talking with everyone there for his 5th birthday. He loved the attention and posed for photos with a lot of our family. It was his idea since he wanted photos of everyone for his photo album. Below from top/left to bottom/right: NHL with (1) Aunt S and Uncle M, (2) Cousin B, (3) Uncle J, (4) Uncle M, (5) Mimi, and (6) Cousin H.

Between lunch and cake NHL opened his presents. He received fabulous gifts. Here are a few photos of him opening items.

Meanwhile as he was opening his gifts all of the "kids" were playing and keeping busy (yes this included my two adult cousins).

Before we knew it the end of the party had arrived. NHL was quite sad to see Cousin B and Cousin H leave early. It was so cute to watchhim interact with B. He keeps talking about him and wants to know when he will see them again. For now he will have to settle with photos like this:

Then Bubbe and Grandpa left and eventually Uncle I, Aunt M and Cousin S. Here is Nana saying goodbtye for now to S. Next time we see her will be her first birthday in September.

I am still in denial that I have a five year old son. Two weeks from today I take NHL to meet his kindergarten teacher. It truly does seem like he was an infant just yesterday. Where did my baby go?

Categories:
birthday family food glorious food fun nhl photos yummy

Five

Posted on August 17, 2008 12:05 am by TheAngelForever

To my big boy NHL,

Five years ago today you came into the world and changed my life forever. You made my dream of being a mommy come true. Daddy and I were so thrilled that you came into our lives and helped our family to grow. We spent hours just watching you sleep, playing with all of your new toys, and getting to know our new baby boy.

You and I spent the first year of your life together at home. We had so much fun. We would get up in the morning, have breakfast, snuggle for naps after Daddy went to work, take long walks, and play for hours while learning to love The Wiggles. We had so many adventures as you experienced many firsts right before my eyes. You even went with us as we found our first house and moved into our home. Right before your first birthday we started a tradition. Each year we would go with Papa and have your photo taken on the Merry-go-Round. Here is your first ever time on a horse.

Soon after turning one you started to go to daycare because I went back to teaching. You loved the extra time that you had with Daddy. The two of your really started to bond. Our time at home at night and on the weekend was extra special. You always loved going to my classroom and playing with the desks there. Just before your second birthday, while visiting Uncle I and Aunt M you finally started to walk on your own. We were so proud of you and watched as you started to explore your world from a different point of view.

You have always loved to read, talk and learn about everything and anything you see. If there was something in front of you, you always wanted to know what it was and how it worked. You learned to talk in sentences long before turning one and have not stopped. Daddy and I love to hear you tell us about everything that you do each day and know how you see things.

Over the last year you have really blossomed so much. You went to nursery school, met new friends and most importantly became a big brother. You were the center of our universe for almost four years and it all changed when your litlte brother, JSL, was born last May. You made us so proud and quickly welcomed JSL into our family. It has been so much fun watching you show your little brother how everything works. He absolutely adores his big brother and I love watching both of you.

This past week you said you did not want to turn five or become a grown up. I know it is hard to experience changes and new things are scary, but we will be by your side. You have a very exciting year ahead of you. In kindergarten you will learn to read. Soon you will be able to read books to us. JSL will love his big brother to read to him. Before we know it you will be writing letters to us, and typing us notes on the computer. We know that you are up to this challenge and will make us even more proud as you turn five, like you did the last five years of your life.

You have grown so quickly right before my eyes. The little boy is completely gone and in his place is a big boy who is ready to start kindergarten in a few short weeks. Although I am sad about this, I know it has to happen. I may miss my little NHL, but I so look forward to watching you spread your wings and be all that you can be. NHL, please know that Mommy and Daddy are always here for you. There is nothing you have to hide from us and you can always tell us anything and everything. We will always be there for you, cheering you on, protecting you, and most of all loving you with all of our hearts.

Love,

Mommy

Categories:
birthday family looking back nhl photos

Baby cucumbers, thanks and busy weekend

Posted on August 16, 2008 12:05 am by TheAngelForever

For the last two years NHL has asked to grow sunflowers and other items during the spring and summer. Year one we had sunflowers in a patch of our garden. Apparently they were quite tasty – our friendly neighborhood bunny enjoyed them all. NHL was devastated. Last year we bought organic spray to keep those bunnies from eating the plants. Too bad the spray did not help again the hail that mutilated the poor plants.

This year we set out again to attempt to grow sunflowes. They grew nicely inside our front porch at first. Then we put them outside and brought them in when we heard storms were approaching. We did not have the heart to leave them outside after the history we had.

While visiting Aunt M during the 4th of July, she gave NHL a teeny tiny little cucumber plant. It was not looking the best when we got home. We loved it and cared for it ,no I did not talk to it, sorry I do draw the line. Before we knew it, the little plant had quadrupled in size.

Thursday when I arrived home from taking NHL to his summer program I noticed something by the flowers on the plant. Sure enough, there were teeny, tiny baby cucumbers growing! NHL was thrilled when he saw them. Just within the last 24 hours they have grown a lot more and quite a few more are now visible. Wahoo!

The sunflowers are still growing nicely. One is so close to opening up. I have a few photos, but will upload those later. We just hope that the pesky birds do not destroy the flowers once they open. The birds have already taken every rose that bloomed and our gorgeous lillies as well.

Oh, we did learn a lesson. Next year we will get the already grown plants and not even bother with seeds, too much work and they never seem to grow as well.

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Did you win anything during the Bloggy Summer Carnival? I did!!! Two items actually, plus I gave one away.

One of the items actually arrived this week. You should have heard me jumping up and and yelling when I saw the package as I opened the door. NHL and JSL surely must have thought that Mommy had completely lost it.

This is what was inside of the package that I won from Christina at A Mommy Story:

Seriously, I was the lucky winner out of 548 entries to get the Nintendo DS that she was giving away! Secretly I had always wanted one, but never could justify it. We talked about it for NHL’s birthday, but again could not see spending the money on something at this point. I was blown away when I received the e-mail from Christina telling me the news. I have used the birthday money that I never spent from December and bought a few games. We are also looking into some more kid friendly ones for NHL. He is anxious to test it out, but we are waiting for the screen saver to arrive first. For now he helps me out.

Any suggestions on games for a mommy that loves puzzles and things like Dr. Mario and Tetris or for an almost 5 year old little boy would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again to Christina for her generous gift.

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This weekend is action packed. Today we will spend the day at the lake with family to celebrate my father’s 60th birthday. It should be a great day of playing in sand, swimming in the lake/pool, and going on the boat. After we get home JL and I have to prepare foods for NHL’s family 5th birthday party on Sunday. We already baked the giant cupcake that will form the volcano and put it in the freezer. So much to do and so little time. Eventually I will catch up on NHL’s birthday party from last week with his friend IA. Of course Mommy also needs to sit down and cry to write about her big boy (technically still my baby) turning five on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Categories:
birthday contests fun nhl photos weather

Introducing Sparky

Posted on August 14, 2008 7:36 am by TheAngelForever

Did you know that static electricity is quite entertaining? Seriously, it is!

Sunday we went to a local place to celebrate NHL’s birthday with a friend (think Chuck E Cheese with amusement park rides – inside). At one point NHL decided that he wanted to go on the indoor playground. JL thought it would be fun to follow NHL up and take photos of him inside. I went to watch them come down the big slide.

As JL was flying down at me I noticed something. He had sparks flying out of his pants. Yes, the static electricity was quite evident not only thanks to visible sparks, but also the snapping sound that accompanies it.

The little guy soon wanted to join Daddy and big brother in the fun. This meant that I took over control of the camera. I opted to do a video. When we arrived home we decided to check out the photos and videos. Sure enough, we were able to see and hear the static electricity on JL’s pants!

NHL thought it was hilarious and wanted to see it over and over. "Make Daddy go back up the slide and down!"

Who knew?! Here is the video so you can witness the wonders of static electricity yourself.

Later on JL was talking to Laura on the phone and told her about the video. She immediately gave him a new nickname –> Sparky! So please help me to welcome hubby’s new nickname.