3 Years Old (Birthday & Party)

Arya's Birthday has finally come for his 3rd year. This time I took a few days off to be able to enjoy it and get ready for his party on the weekend. But before that day, I wanted him to have some fun on his actual birthday. So in the morning he woke up and got his gifts.



Then we were off to the movies to see Cars 2. This was Arya's first time in a movie theatre. He enjoyed it very much.





After lunch and a nap, we went to a place that decorated ceramics. He got a plate.






This is what it looked like after he finished and we helped a little. We haven't fired it up yet.



Then it was off to a Japanese Steakhouse for dinner and a show. We went to Susumu's.
We had to wait for a while so it got a little boring for Arya, but after the Iron Chef came, he was fascinated by his cooking.





Saturday was the party. I prepared for 14 people. Here are some pics from the day.

My first attempt at a birthday cake. I wanted something with no artificial colors or preservatives. This was a chocolate, raspberry filling cake.



Family Room




Dining Area (Before the pasta & pizza)


Cake Time




Playing




Arya got some Cars 2 cars & playsets and a flying Halo, a play Laptop and a game.
It was a fun time.

Last week of being 2

So I thought I'd post the last few pictures before Arya turns 3 so we can save the rest in a new folder. We've been having fun in the front / backyard playing with water and activities.

This is Arya's first watergun.




Waterfight!


Out in the front dunkin toys




On the porch


Close-up view eating a popsicle


Pre-Skater outfit


Inside with the Cars Color changers


A train set! Got it with him at Toys R Us so he saw it and we gave it to him early for his birthday.


After we assembled everything (took 3 hours)

Summer fun

Remember summer when you were little? All I remember is being outside and in the sun. I loved the sand and the bright blue sunny days. I loved playing and drinking lemonade. And the best part was being in front of the house with my parents and playing with my toys. Well, after all the rain finally passed, Arya can get out and stop living like a caveman. And it has been hot. Not blistering hot but hot enough for us to go out and play in the water! So Arya's paradise pool was ready to go and ready for fun.









There was also a place we found that had a lot of fun activities to do like jungle gyms, slides, ball pits, and tunnels. Wacky Tacky is the name of the place.











And this is from the other day when we gave Arya one of his gifts for his birthday. A sandbox! He's been wanting one of these for a long time now.





We are excited about the next few weeks coming up as Arya turns 3!

Another bit of good news is it's been 2 weeks now that "The Bottle" is Lost and Arya has been doing without it. It's weird because it magically disappeared and out of sight makes it out of mind so he hasn't thought about it much except for maybe a couple times. Yipee!

Arya the Narrator

In the past few weeks, Arya has been learning quite a few things that he likes to talk about. So much so that I have found him to become a narrator in many instances. Thankfully today, I had a camera handy and video recorded it. I will miss this cute voice of his once he gets older so I want as many of them as I can!

Nana's Family Visit

A few weeks ago we had family visiting us that we hardly ever get to see. I love those. There's so much talking and hugs and kisses and deep looks that speak for themselves. I wanted to have their pictures on Arya's blog just so when he looks back he can see those who visited him.

This is my Daee Bouzar who lives in Shiraz and we haven't seen him for 10 years. It is the first time he has seen Arya. It was great to be able to see him again after our wedding. Wish his wife and rest of the family could have come too.



This picture is one of those rare Modaresi pictures that have more than 2 Modaresi's in one room. I mean they are scattered all over the map but when they come together it is the cutest to see. Left to right is my aunt Pouran (who lives in L.A.), uncle Bouzar, and Nana.



And here is a bunch of us together that day. From the top is Papa, my uncle Bouzar, Kamran, uncle Khalil (aunt Pouran's husband), my aunt Pouran, Jamil, Christina, Anahita, my uncle Masud and auntee Linda, then on the bottom is Ali, me, Arya and Nana.

Mother's Day 2011

It is the 3rd year for me being a mother and I am still pinching myself to that reality. Flashbacks of when Arya was born come to my mind. I can remember every thing. Hopefully I can remember it all when/if I get old and he is a grown man established with his life and comes to visit me. It is also amazing how often I imagine my mom and what she did when we were little. It definately is not easy. There are so many little things that nobody remembers, but living it each day makes me thankful for all the efforts she put into raising me and my brother. And for all the good mothers out there who have spent time patiently raising their children, God bless you all.



Arya and Jamil played together and enjoyed painting their favorite toy characters.





And here are some more pictures taken of all of us











Here are a few other pics taken from the other day at the Salam Center

Warm Weather Has FINALLY come

This week the weather has finally reached the 80's. We've been loving it and there's a light gentle breeze that comes in as well. We can't escape allergies, so that part is no fun. But the pollen is slowly disappearing.

A few weeks ago, we went out with mom & dad and Arya had some fun playing with toys in the stores. Here's a cute one of Papa with Arya waiting outside.



Here's a photo Arya took the other day. He's getting pretty good with that camera and he's not even 3 yet! What will happen when he's 5? I'm really seriously thinking about boosting his photography interest.


And here's a picture from last night in his pj's. I was lucky to get this pose let me tell you. :)