A Christmas Lunch Party

When we moved to Rahway, we said we would probably never have guest over at our house. Whoever wants to come to Rahway? It's in the middle of no where, and there's absolutely nothing around here. Our house was pretty much a storage space too because we just downsized temporarily from an almost 4 bedroom house to a tiny 2 bedroom apartment.

BUT!!!! We still managed to pull off a Christmas Luncheon (with me being preggers at 38 weeks) for almost 10 adults and 4 kids!

Cheese & Merry Christmas!!!

Round 1 Food Spread!!

Aunty Joy helps out with the food (tasting)

Christmas Roast Pork (Chinese Style!!)

All Christmas Party needs a log cake right??

And friends from 2 decades back!!

The whole cousin gang visits!!

The three second cousins!

Wishing all a very Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Happy birthday Papa Z

Wishing papa Z a very happy birthday! Love you lots and lots!!! From Mama & Shane

 Cheers to Papa Z on turning 35!!

Dinner @ the Waiting Room in Rahway

A all time favourite! Ice Cream Cake!! This year we got a mix of flavours - Cookie Dough & Chocolate Mousse Tracks

Ending the celebrations off with the BEST birthday present. How awesome is this!!! Linghams extra HOT that was missing from so many stores for a few months. Good Bye Sriracha, Hello Linghams

Whippany Railway Museum

The little one loves his trains... especially the one that looks like the NJ transit or a subway. The Whippany Railway Museum was great for what he loved! The photos says it all....

Not interested in the other cooler trains, but loves this boring old one

Checking out the mini trains going by

He called this Harvey... like the Harvey in the story of Thomas

Inside the pretty cool Museum

There's the Whippany Santa Train!

Photo with Santa!!

And finally... picking out a gift from Santa's Helper... A Xmas Mouse!!

A month on at school....

I would say it took Shane about 2-3 weeks to get used to the idea of going to school.

This week is week 6 since we started school, and he's been really good about it. Our routine now comprises of him waking me up, eating a small breakfast, driving him to school, walking him in, taking off his coat, giving him a hug, saying bye-bye, and off he runs off to do whatever the other kids are doing.

His favourite part about school is the food (duh...).

Our typical after school conversation goes...

M: Shane, what did you do at school today?
S: Eat Chicken Nuggets
M: Only eat chicken nuggets?
S: Go playground
M: Did you do anything else?
S: Sing Spider song
M: Any other song?
S: Row Row, E-I-E-O
M: So what else did you do?
S: Eat Chicken Nuggets
M: Again????
S: Ya

It's been the same conversation for the last 2 weeks. I'm sure he did something else according to his reports... but those were his favourite I guess!!

Shane's 2nd Birthday

We had a long celebration over a few days!! This is what happens when your birthday falls just before Thanksgiving. You get many days of celebration!! Hooray.


Round 1: Thanksgiving Birthday Celebration

We started off the first cake at Aunty Cindy's Thanksgiving dinner party... Mama made peppa pig for the little boy who recently had a peppa pig craze after watching a few episodes on TV. It was a maiden attempt on Peppa pig... So I'm pretty glad it turned out ok.

A simple Birthday Celebration with Isabella, Skylar & Norah...

Thorn amongst the Roses?

Round 2: Sesame Place

Over the long weekend, we took a drive down to Langhorne to Sesame Place again. This time, it wasn't as cold as the last time we went in December last year. Great weather does make a difference! Also in 2015...
1. He could walk a lot more confidently as compared to last year where he barely learnt a few steps.
2. He knew most of the characters and got really excited at seeing them live!
3. He's not as afraid of big big characters
4. He was not terrified of Santa any longer
5. He was tall enough to go on some rides

Number 1 favourite at Sesame Place.... ZOEY!! Shane actually spotted her from afar and wanted to go take a photo

He even gave Oscar a hug!!!

Met Bert & Ernie too!!!

And finally, he got to pick out one present he liked from Hoopers Emporium. He initially picked out Ernie. But after walking around the store, he suddenly spotted Big Bird and returned Ernie to its original location and started carrying Big Bird all around.

Round 3: Celebration on the Actual Day!!

Well, I didn't think this was as fun for him because he had to go to school. Since there were so many restrictions on what we could bring (including no cake, no candles?!), we decided to do a morning snack. A lot of fruits, cheese and crackers. I guess the kids enjoyed them a lot compared to the Cheerios and other cereal they normally have.

First school birthday celebration

Then we took him to the dentist!

Some people say that's cruel.... but I say it was practical. The dentist isn't open on weekends, and there was almost no way I could take him on my own and letting him lie on my lap. The belly is just way too big now.

Present opening time after the afternoon nap

And finally... a Mango Mousse Cake which we all used a fork to dig into! Happy Birthday Little one. We love you!

A note to Shane on your big TWO

Happy Birthday son! You are TWO today! It may seem like an ordinary day to you, but for Mommy & Daddy, it was a very special day. It meant we had two great wonderful years with you watching you grow up. From your first cry, to your sit up, to your first crawling session, your first step, your first word and even your first day at school... each new thing you do just made us so proud! You are just so precious to us. Have a great day (even though we took you to the dentist on your special day!)

Lots of hugs and kisses!! Mum & Dad



ps. We hope you love your birthday Big Bird that you picked out!!!