Jalen's 7th Birthday

This weekend we celebrated Jalen's 7th Birthday ... with a first time at home birthday party for him, just like for Nyla a few weeks ago. Before AZ, we'd celebrate at a venue like a Chuck E Cheese or Pump It Up, etc.... but we don't have those options here, so a house birthday party is really not that bad. And momma's getting better and better with the preparations, etc...

So all in all it was a hit. Jalen had fun, Nyla had her friend, Sofia, all weekend ... and the kids seemed all happy having a blast whether jumping on the trampoline, swimming, playing, or on the wii ... and for the sleepover, they had movie night ... Transformers.

Happy Jalen - he got a remote control truck from his TeeTee Nicky :)

Jalen's into wrestling now .... the boys (this one and the big one :) ... watch wrestling lately every Monday night together .... so I figured for his birthday cake decoration he gets to have 2 wrestlers .... he liked it!

His birthday gang: Terrance, David, J-man, Darnell and Dominic!

At the birthday table!

One thing we traditionally do after the birthday song is ... eat cake of course, and get as dirty on our face with cake as possible :) ... lol .... just as long as momma's floors stay clean ... lol

Kids had a sleep over .... first thing they did Sunday morning after waking up was jumping on a trampoline .... it truly was a beautiful day!

My precious butterfly!!!

Jalen and his friends on the trampoline .... it was too hot for shirts ..... lol ...

Nyla and Sofia doing art work ... they get along so well ... were together for well over 24 hrs and never once did they fight or not get along ... and they did everything together!!! So precious!!!

And to top off the event .... Jalen lost a tooth ... lol ... he pulled it on his own.

We had a great birthday weekend! It has only been about 2 weeks since Jalen has started in his new school and I was worried about having friends in time for his birthday party. My worries were in vain, this boy had made friends quickly and his friends came .... and this momma was so happy! We as parents can give them a cake, gifts, etc..... but one thing we cannot so easily is friends for a birthday party .... And he had it all!!! Sunday night he went to bed a happy boy!!! Thank you Lord for a great, successful birthday weekend. Please always keep my 6 and 7 year old safe and may they always be blessed!!!

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!

Jalen's 5th Birthday Party

We celebrated Jalen's 5th Birthday today at Chuck E. Cheese. Below you'll see pictures from his party. It was a great party, as it always is at CEC, and Jalen had a lot of fun.

*Wir haben Jalen's Geburtstag heute gefeiert beim Chuck E. Chese Restaurant mit der Chucky E. Cheese Maus. Hier sind paar Photos von der Feier. Alle hatten viel Spass!

Jalen's Spongebob & Patrick Birthday Cake.
*Jalen's Geburtstagstorte.

Lori and Jalen

Patrick, Jalen, LJ, and Lori.

Lisa, Alida and Kaitlen's little brother. I had to carry this boy for a long time. He just wanted to be held by me ...... and I loved it!!!!

Jalen and Kaitlin

Jalen and his best friend Elias. They used to be in the same grade and now they're together in Karate.

* Jalen und sein bester Freund, Elias. Sie waren zusammen in der gleichen Klasse letztes Jahr und jetzt sind sie zusammen in Karate.

Elias and Jalen

Jalen and our CEC Party Hostess.

Mykylie and Shawn

Jalen getting the Birthday Boy Crown.

*Jalen kriegt die Geburtstags Krone.

Jalen and Chuck E. Cheese

Jalen and his best friend from school, Jeffrey.

*Jalen und sein bester Schulfreund, Jeffrey.