Fairytale Town

This weekend we went to Fairytale Town with a few kids from Arya's school. Two girls came one named Sophie and the other Atusa. It was a fun venture for Arya at his first time here. It wasn't too big of a place but it had its own cute play areas for kids that parents could enjoy.



This is a pirate's ship



You'd think they were actually reading this...?



King Arthur's Castle and the Round table. Arya fits right in.



And the decision is, my knights, to have pizza every time for dinner!



Playground props...turtles



Arya talking about what to do next



Indian village. A Tee Pee!



Wizard of Oz



Train ride....Can you go any faster???



Arya and I with Sophie and her mom Michele



Face or Arm painting - Arya got Picachu from Pokimon and Sophie got Hello Kitty. In this picture, Arya is telling the lady to make sure he gets Picachu.





Mush!



So cute!!!



There were animals to see. Pigs, Lambs, Lamas, Goats, Rabbits.





An ABC Garden to water. How fun.So much parsley and basil...yum



They chased down and found Humpty Dumpty. This was a rewarding pic for them!

Learning more and more

The amazing thing about school is how quickly it makes children aware of reading and writing. I have noticed Arya's increase in enthusiasm for all things learning. The mind is flourishing and ready to absorb anything it sees, hears or feels. And I hope I can feed the need.




With the good progress comes good rewards...and more toys. I know I will regret it later, but this positive reinforcement is working good so far so I will keep doing it.



There's just something about seeing a smiling child that is more fulfilling than anything else.



Then there's the fun of exploring new things that grown ups do. What is it that makes kids wish they were grown up already? I remember the same when I was little. Then when you are grown up, you wish you could be a kid again. :)

Water fun

It has been hot. Yes, very very hot! And what better way to relieve the heat than soak in cold water? Ali came home a few times after work and decided to spend time with Arya in his pool. So cute and funny these two were. Couldn't help capture these great moments they had together.









And Arya's fun time outside with water

Arya's first day of Kindergarten

Today Arya started his first day of school. We managed to get a few photos before we left the house.



All three of us (Ali and I were more nervous than Arya...like it was our first day of school..haha)



On our way there. Took about 20 minutes to get there and find a spot. Then we walked the rest of the way.





So glad Ali could be with us.



At the office.



Meeting the teacher with the other kids outside. She's the one with the black and white dress (Mrs. Segestrom) hard name to say...hehe



Sitting with his class. Supposed to be 29 kids but a few didn't show up.





Arya's first activity. Heart Hand. It stood for something but I can't remember what they said...



And another..



The school entrance.



I have a few more pictures I will add here later. But all in all the day was good. I took off work today and tomorrow for Arya and then next week he will start the afternoon class except for Thursdays. I'm so glad we got transferred to this school. Earl Legette Elementary is the only one right now with 1/2 day kinder. They are very welcoming and seem to care about their school and kids. I am relieved that they have lock doors and cameras to see everything.

Very proud of you today Arya joonam. You did amazing. You were confident, respectful and did good in all you were told. Glad you had a great day azizam. (We got him a gift bag when we picked him up and took him for pizza) :)

Ramadan 2013

Ramadan came to us July 8th and ended August 7th this year. Another year of long days and heat on this blessed month.



As difficult as it was, the WILL of man is one that can truly be felt when it is tested it to its limits.
Life throws curve balls. It is chaotic. It has many obstacles. But it also has its rewards. And through every hardship, I believe there is a true reward that shall come of it.

Without faith, it can seem like life is a waste of time. What good is all the effort a person puts into it, if it's not for a reason?

But with faith, there is a Goal. We can have so many worldly goals, but those always lead to others. It never ends and we are never satisfied. I think the ultimate goal is the one we do for our Creator. God. When we do things for God, it is our soul that gets satisfied.

Without faith, it's like we are thirsty and drink salty water. With faith it's like being quenched with clean crisp water after being thirsty for so long.



Eid Fitr was indeed a lovely celebration with lots of food and togetherness and appreciating all the things we have in life. May God bless everyone in their times of hardship and reward them with the dearest rewards.

Ali's 45th Birthday

Today my dear husband Ali turns 45.



We celebrated a few days earlier (on the weekend) with the family, cake and fun.



It's always nice when he is home. We get to bug him a lot and he gets to be away from dogs :) Here is the cake I made him for his birthday. It was a strawberry cake with glaze and whip cream. Needed more filling in the center, but wasn't too bad.



Opening presents with Arya



Horsey ride with Daada and Jamil

Papa's 77th Birthday

Our dear Papa turns 77 this year. We are truly thankful that we can be with him and he with us in this amazing age. Happy Birthday our sweet, kind and amazing friend.



Our life moves fast and each year as birthdays come and go, it is with thanks that we enter another number to our experienced lives. May each bright candle that we see on our cake bring joy and happiness for the light we have that surrounds us.

 

May everyone's family be filled with warmth, love and happiness always.