Nyla's 6th Birthday

This weekend we celebrated Nyla's 6th birthday, and second birthday home with us.  Last year, in Montgomery Alabama, we had a huge double birthay party with almost 30 kids for both Nyla and Jalen at Pump It Up. Here, in Sierra Vista, AZ, with not many kids' birthday party venues, we decided to do a smaller home birthday party (one for each) and it was great.

This weekend was Nyla's turn. We had a total of 7 kids (including mine and a baby).  The kids had a lot of fun, so much in fact, that they wanted to have a sleep over.  So us, and the other parents agreed. It was a first for all of us! But it went well, and I survived it :) ......

Her butterfly and flowers cake, half vanilla, half chocalate .... very yummy, moist and not too sweet.

All the friends at the birthday party, minus the baby, one of the kids' sister.

Mama and her Birthday Princess.

Mama, some of the girls, and Nyla after opening some presents.

I didn't give her Rahel, from Ethiopia, and all our gifts until Sunday afternoon after all the kids left.  She's got enough the day before, so I just didn't want to overwhelm her, and wanted to absorb the moment with her alone :) .... I love this doll and what it stands for. It's from the Hearts for Hearts collection containing about ten dolls, each from a different country, with Rahel being from Ethiopia.  Each girl has her own story and how she wants to change the world one heart at the time.  I thought it was so cute, dolls with a purpose and mission other than, outfits, boobs and legs for days.  The doll was a hit with my Nyla.  She loves her and we'll cherish her.  

Throughout the weekend, Jalen was really a good brother, just happy he had his friend Dominic to play with.  In 17 days it'll be his turn to celebrate.  So as of today, and for 17 more days I have 2 six year olds.

Emma, Nyla and Sofia

Jalen and Dominic

The kids on the Trampoline, the next morning after breakfast.

The girls all cuddled up, ready to watch "Tangled".

The boys - watching "The Emperor's New Groove".

Mariah and Nyla ..... with Mariah kissing her, but couldn't capture it while on her 2 legs :)

..... so much love ......

All in all, it was a great weekend, and even though I felt spent and tired, returning back to work on Monday morning, I'm happy that Nyla had a good time celebrating her 6th and that Jalen had a good time as well. And as a momma, I'm happy if my kids are :) happy .... great weekend.

Mama, falls Du dies liesst, Alles Gute Zum Geburtstag heute!!! Ich hab Dich sehr lieb und vermisse Dich sehr!

Lake Havasu Vacation

Over the Labor Day weekend we decided to take a trip to Lake Havasu, AZ. This trip was fun and at the same time very special to us as:

1. It was the kids' first trip and swimming in a lake
2. It was our first trip with a pet - our beloved Mariah
3. We've never vacationed in AZ before

We enjoyed ourselves. The kids had fun. The lake and the area was beautiful .... but .... it was extremely hot .... between Lake Havasu and Sierra Vista about a 45 degree difference in temperature.

The kids in the lake.

Mariah - our beloved - she was such a trooper. She was great riding in the car and she'd do everything we do, including swimming in the lake. She used to be afraid to get in the water (the pool at home) but after a few tries of water on her paws she started getting in and even swimming. She was wonderful and so easy going with no problems on our trip. She is the best dog we have never dared to dream of :) .... she is truly a blessing to us.

Mariah found a friend, General, to play with. She is very good with other dogs who are nice to her and wanna play with her. She doesn't care for dogs that bark at her (like little bitty lap dogs) and she doesn't care for cats either. She tries to chase them. But any other dogs that wanna play with her .... she's down for that.

We also try to let her off the leash as often as possible so she can get her exercise and roam around freely. Contrary to non-dog-owners beliefs, a dog does not get a true exercise by walking on the leash next to you. So because Mariah has adjusted to us well, and because she listens to us, we let her off the leash as much as possible .... hence, she's playing with General off the leash.

Here's Mariah's very first time in the water. She kept wanting to swim back to Geno who was taking the picture.

The kids found some friends at the lake they were playing with.

Dada and the kids.

Nyla snapped this picture of us as we were leaving one evening for dinner at the Chinese Buffet :)

We were relaxing and enjoying the day in the shade ..... all of us ..... except the kids. They were swimming and playing in the lake.

We even managed, thanks to my Nyla, to snap a picture of me and Mariah ... my first ever ... as usualy I'm the one snappin' them :)

All in all, great trip, great times ..... love quality time with my family!!!!!!!!!!!