ZJ's 5th birthday party

ZJ had her first big birthday party with friends invited this year. We had the party at a newly redone park with a pumpkin carriage in the middle. It was the perfect spot for our pumpkin themed party. Instead of gifts ZJ collected donations for her preschool and raised enough money for the director to purchase two new bikes that have a seat in the back to give a friend a ride. She gave everyone a pumpkin shaped crayon as a parting gift.











After the party we went across the street to a pumpkin patch.

ZJ's 5 year pictures

ZJ is 5 years old!

10.6.2016

ZJ weighs 41 pounds and is 42.5 inches tall. She wears size 10 shoes and 5t clothes. Her current favorite color is “all the colors in the rainbow.” ZJ loves to ride her bike and the scooter she just got a few weeks ago. When she was 4.5 she easily transitioned to our 12” regular bicycle. She never liked using the other scooters we have but after one ride on the new one she’s figured it out and now enjoys riding. She loves to play outside at home or at the park. At home she likes to read, make art, do puzzles occasionally or play with her dolls. She has recently gotten into lego and can follow instructions and build on her own. She loves dress up and pretend play. She loves playing with her brother but also fights with him a lot.

ZJ is an amazing reader. She started reading after turning 4 and rapidly progressed. She also draws very cute pictures. In preparation for her starting dual language kindergarten next year we are now introducing Spanish to hopefully have her reading that as well soon. She is also recently into math and not only likes to work on math problems but she creates math problems for her family to answer as well.

ZJ has been in soccer classes and this school year started swim lessons. She is now in preK 4 days a week at the same school co-op she attended last year. She loves it there. Her favorite activities seem to be the dress up and pretend play areas. She also loves to have tea parties and play outside with her friends. She is very independent and will just do whatever she wants to do, not very concerned with who else is doing what. The days are longer than last year and she often doesn’t want me to leave and says the days are too long but she is always fine while I am gone.

ZJ visited the dentist again this summer and was more willing to let the hygienist look around but still didn’t allow her teeth to be cleaned. She also visited her cardiologist and is doing well. ZJ sleeps about 11 hours per night. She eats a varied diet and her favorite foods are cashews, O cereal, apples, tomato soup, broccoli, peas and popcorn.

See last year here.

September 2016 Pics

ZJ started preK.






IJ started soccer with a new program. Two of his classmates and past teammates are on his team.


ZJ started soccer again too.

August 2016 Pics

IJ did a week of theater camp which he loved.

He did a week of soccer camp which he hated, due to an unkind soccer coach. He did had fun dressing up on Wacky Wednesday.


We took one last trip to the zoo on a rainy day.


We went to the library weekly this summer and ZJ loved having new books to read all of the time.


IJ made these blender muffins on his own.




First day of second grade.


ZJ started swim lessons.


ZJ had a cardiologist appointment, EKG and echo. All went well and she enjoyed meeting all of daddy's coworkers during her visit.

July 2016 Pics

IJ making his own birthday pie.


Both born July 6. 7 and 13 years old.




NJ took the kids to Dallas (I stayed home) for IJ's birthday trip to Legoland.






Out to breakfast at a new restaurant.




Trip to Austin...




We ran into friends from Houston that recently moved to Austin at the nature center, unplanned.

IJ's 7th birthday parties

On July 4th we had a small birthday party for IJ and just invited close family and friends. IJ chose what to serve, including a blueberry agua fresca. He even made his own chocolate ganache pie.







IJ opened his gifts. Both his sister and Ms C were anxious to help him.




His favorite party guest.


On IJ's actual birthday we had lunch with his friends from school to make the day special. He had an ice cream despite this picture looking like he missed out on a treat.