Milestones: Safah turns 5 and Deen turns 1

So this as many recent posts, is late. I have been swamped planning the October birthday events and traveling for the marathon Waseem and Mom ran. More on that later.

Safah turned 5 on Oct. 14th. She wanted to have a costume bowling party. She had a regular bowling party last year. This year though, she had more friends there since she had the rest of last year (after her early birthday) to make them. She was pretty lucky to have friends from her old school (Morehead) and her new school (Pearsontown). It is strange though. She is turning 5 while the other kids in her class right now are turning 6. I am not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, she is out-reading any of them by a whole grade, but she is also transfixed on things that happen when you turn six. Your baby teeth falling out, etc. And there are some things I just don't think are appropriate for her yet, in a year, I may feel different, and other parents of the 6year olds do things differently with older kids. Sooo.


Safah was Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). So I had to be a queen, and Waseem got to be a King. Deen was an innocent bystander. ;)

Most of the girls came as Disney Princesses ( we didn't even have doubles...there are alot of princesses. Shaan came as a cowboy...though technically I think he was Woody from Toy Story. At least that is what he looked like to Safah, and she kept correcting me. "He wasn't a cowboy, he was Woody." I thought that was adorable!

And Deenie-bug turned 1 on Oct. 26th.

I made him a small cake for him to destroy ( a family tradition my mom started with me and my brother.) He became a very messy camper.
Stats: His head size had increased from 25th percentile to 75th. Everything else is holding at 75th percentile. He weighs 221/2 pounds and is 33 inches tall. He has 8 teeth, four on top , and four on the bottom. His excema has gotten much MUCH better. Except when he has a cold, then he gets a little outbreak.

He started walking about a week before his birthday. He saw Sameer walking and took more than his normal 3 -4 steps the very next day. Now he rounds the corner behind me like he thinks I am trying to escape. The speed walking is funny sometimes, you would think we had a drunk baby as he tries to balance and walk fast.
He has not mastered his shoes yet, but gets so upset if you take them off while we are out. He thinks that means we are home or going home, and he likes to go out. Alot!

He has gotten pretty vocal now too. He will talk to me and ask me about things (at least I feel he is) and he is very particular about the way things have to be. He wants real food, no more baby food, he wants a real fork or spoon to be used and a real bowl that we use. So basically, he eats what we eat. I just wash off the mirch and stuff from the spicier things and cut pieces up smaller.
It's funny, with the time change, he now gets up early enough to see his Nani before she leaves for work. So after a diaper change, he climbs into her lap and shares her oatmeal every morning. So funny! But he loves his Nani.

Poor thing got 4 shots at his Dr. appointment. The normal 3 and then his flu shot. He got a little bit of a cold the day before I think. We have all been coughing and cranky and he has a runny nose too, plus more crankiness and a low grade fever. But Mashallah, he is fine otherwise.
Mashallah, another year has passed and my munchkins are healthy and happy. Mashallah...Mashallah.!!

Milestone: Deen turns 11 months

This is Deenie at his sister's first soccer game this past Saturday. He wanted to get on the field to badly.

Well Deenie is 11 months old today. And the activities never stop...what is he doing?
Standing on his own, while clapping or holding something or his favorite dancing. He has another tooth or 2 coming in.
It seems like he is getting heavier everyday, his appetite has definetely jumped up and he is downing bottles like crazy.
He still wakes up at night. Though when he is not sick it is only once. Though I think he is going through a growth spurt cause he will screech and then cry and wake up completely.
He is also waking up earlier that 7:30 now, or at least in the last few days. Today it was 6:50...ugh.
He still cries when you walk too fast away from him, and he still gives the best hugs!
Hmmmm, he loves to hang out with his sister and cousins. He will crawl around after them all day if he could. He misses them when they go to school each morning, but loves to greet them at the door when they come home. (but they have to wash their hands first before saying hi to him...that's the rule!).

That's Ms. Pele to you.

Water break at half-time, in the Blue Sharks (Lil'Heels) game.

Safah's began her very unpro soccer career today, with her first game. The jerseys were called Columbia, but most of the parents (Ex-tarheels) called them Carolina Blue. It is funny how competitive parents are. Or maybe we just want our kids to thrive so much! The parents decided on Lil'Heels for the team name, course Coach Anina had chosen the Blue Sharks. So we got vetoed. Hey, they will be Lil'Heels in our hearts.

Back to starting positions after our Grant and Isaiah make a goal.

Ironically, Safah originally had to stay on the 3-4 year old team she was assigned to because they try to follow the age range. Even though I told them that she would tower over them and it could be a safety risk, if she collided with one of the "very little" three year olds. And they do look so little compared to her. But I let it go, she had to get the fundamentals first anyway. Well, Saturday comes, and Dakota's team, the Blue Bears, are short a few members since they were created last for the season. She is on the 5-6 year old team since she made the deadline. So my brother asked me to ask Gordon, the soccer chairman to let Safah play on their team. Her skills are similar to some of the 5-6 year olds who have not played before, and she was still taller than some in size. So I said I would let her only if she wanted to. I wouldn't push her. Of course she knew that it was Coco's team, and said yes, even though she had already played her team's game. So the Blue Shark became a substitute Blue Bear with Coach Ben.

Dakota, Sophie and Safah (The Blue Bears and the Green somethings?)

Then they played the Green somethings...and one of Safah's friends from Morehead (Sophie) was on that team, so she had a great time. The only bad thing. The Blue Bears were still short one member (for a 6 person team---one little girl didn't want to play anymore after her brother got hurt in the first few minutes of the game), so the 5 Blue Bears played the 12 Green somethings. They kept switching out fresh 6 person teams every 5-6 minutes, and our 5 person team was just sweating. Funny thing though, the Blue Bears won, 3-1.

Oh, and the Blue Sharks won too, by so many points to 1, that we parents stopped counting... ;)

Sooooo the sahoor that works?

First, I put that extra long so, because by bro-in-law thinks I use the word so alot. So I will pepper my statements and sentences with the word so, so that he can get a fair sprinkling of the so, in case he goes on a business trip and cannot read my blog on my sis-in-laws computer. So, hi out there. So much to tell you. Ok, so that is just a lie. Now, on to the real topic of this blog. Sahoor.

Trying to get the proper mix of items to eat for sahoor is a challenge. I am not a big eater of breakfasts, at least not that early. Anything before 9 should be cereal, and some juice. But that will not last through the day and keep me sated until iftar.

On the first day, I thought I would try a mix. Some scambled eggs, nicely spiced, toast (dry), oatmeal (cause it sticks to your ribs longer), a large glass of juice, a large glass of OJ, and some Kava (green tea). One word. Stuffed and barf. The oatmeal didn't taste right...too little sugar I think.

I surmise that you have to have a good combination of liquid...no dehydration...carbs (but not too many or you will be hungry soon...protein (that lasts long)...and something sweet (cause I want something!)
And it has to be food first. Don't get filled up on liquid first. Sure you will feel full, until you go to the bathroom for the first time!

So the next day, I kept the eggs, and the toast, and added some channa and nihari. Water and Juice. Brilliant.

Any suggestions?

Ramadan Mubarak!!

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone!!!

May Allah accept our fasts and prayers during this blessed month. Ameen.

On page 85 Mashallah

So, I am on p.85 of my book so far, Chapter 4, Mashallah. Those are critiqued pages by my group, who really need a name...maybe the "Wade Avenue six" or the "Triangle Pen Wielders" hmmm or the "RDU punctuation crew". Ahh no. I will keep thinking. I think I am the only one who feels the need for a name. After all, I am positive that when I am published, I will need to thank them, and not by each of their names!!

So Ramadan starts in a few days and as usual, I am not ready, food prep wise. Since I hate to cook anyway, and I hate to think about the menu everyday, Waseem and I decided to make a bunch of our favorites and freeze single portion sizes. It seemed like a good plan, but he is now out of town on business until Wed. and I have PTA newsletter committee meeting at 7:45 AM tomorrow at Starbucks, then lunch plans (YEAHHHH), then soccer practice at 5:45, then an Academically Advanced meeting at Safah's school at 6:30 (assuming she gets out of practice before then, and then it is dinner time... Anyway, enough whining.

So I think the Balziva is starting to get out of my system. It has been a month. And still some of the same issues, but hopefully it won't be too long or too many more months before the stuff works its way out of my system.

Deenie is getting soooo expressive now. And he has a little temper too. I took him to Jumah on Friday, and he decided, after getting use to all the women in black, to craw at light speed down the row. Of course this was during the khutba, so no worries really, but some sisters were coming in and praying before the salat. I was like a football reciever, spinning and weaving between and around women so I wouldn't walk in front of praying sisters. The second time, I let him go, and he was heading for the door, and one of the sisters who runs the Sunday school grabbed him and said joking "you want him back?" I was like yeah sure... and he was handed down the row again. Later she said, "My, my, he has a little temper doesn't he." He had gotten really mad and squirmed when she picked him up... woops...;)

Sick Babies

SO I have not blogged in a long time. The kids have been sick. It seem like they have been sick for months. First Safah had a cold, then poison ivy, then another cold. Deenie for a slight cold. No poison ivy, thank goodness, and then a real cold with croupe. 102.7 fever at the highest. And the barking cough scared the crap out of me.

My sick babies...they were really good though. Look at those feverish smiles.

I have just emerged from the cocoon of illnesses, finally saw Sarah (the baby), well and the adult one too ;), and Laiq, and Sheeza (that goes without saying since I saw Sarah---I mean she didn't drive herself...Sheeza produces talented kids, but there is a limit I think. lol.

We had a great time at Shabashabu...never been there before, and I really enjoyed it. But Waseem got a little sick from the bad beef he tasted (even that small amount--and even after he spit it out)---moral of the story? Always trust your nose! And the nose of your wife...I have a nose like a bloodhound...and no cracks on its size please.!!

I miss my peeps!!!!

That's all, just felt like I haven't seen any of my girls in forever!! We have to get together soon!!!

There is a gate, I promise!!

There is a gate, we just didn't put it back up after he woke up from his nap in time. usually we do it as we come off the stairs, but we both thought the other would be getting it...big duh, never assume.

And his cold has gotten worse...102...poor sick babies, now him and coco's little sister madison...
He tossed and turned so much, and only wanted me, so we both slept on the floor an a pallet I made. Humidifier humming along, and the sounds of Safah coughing in the other room through the monitor.

We have ordered a custom permanent gate to fit our stairs, it will be here tuesday! ;) The problem with rentals and exagerated stairs!! So no fear...he is not going anywhere near the stairs again!! Now if I can just go potty without a papoose...! ;) I haven't even put in my contacts yet. The school people saw me in glasses!!! ugh!! but they are cool new glasses. soooo.

Milestone: Deen turns 10 months

Well Deenie is 10 months old, MA. And he is sick with a cold that he got from his sister, who got it from her cousin who got it from her Dad, my bro. Did ya get that?

So to put it in context, he is being a little terror. And he won't let me put him down for a second. But he does have a fever and just wants momma's good hugs. ;) Who can argue with that?

Deenie stats:
20 lbs. He stood for a few seconds the past couple of days, then he gently lowers himself to the ground. I don't even think he knew he was standing at first. He was busy yelling and laughing at his Nani.
He crawls so fast now...no new teeth. He really understands the word "no" but he still likes to test me a few times to make sure I am watching, or to see if he can get away with something.
His excema looks better, well not right now. Whenever he gets sick, it flares up a little more than usual.
He gets really mad if we are eating and he is not. Even if he just had his own dinner. So we put him in his seat and he munches on Cheerios or banana pieces or whatever we are eating that he can have.
Still has seperation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
Still yells at people to get their attention.

And unfortuantely, is too fast and adventurous for his own good. My heart is still in my throat at this one, Deenie fell down about 4 wood stairs on Tuesday. The gate wasn't back in place yet and in the literally 1 minute that everyone had turned, Safah went upstairs to play in her room and he thought he would join her.
Next thing we hear was bump, bump, bump, bump, bump (five of the worst sounds I have ever heard and I will never forget). I scooped a crying Deenie up and just held him. I know I should have let his lie there for a moment to determine any injuries, but hey my baby was screaming. Anyway, we called the Dr. and they told us what to look for, but that is he stopped crying after a minute, then he was more than likely fine, just scared.
I checked for bumps and bruises like I would find gold or something. I had to go do grocery for dinner later and I called back like 3 times in 30 minutes to ask about him. MA he was and is fine. And he got all the mommy lap time he wanted!!!
But poor Safah, she was so scared that she hid in her room, so I went to find her and gave her mommy hugs too. Then walked her over to her brother, who was with Waseem. And she asked a few questions about what happened, then sat down and hugged him. I was already crying, but that just did it, so I held both my babies and watched some random science program.

And if there is a funny part. Deenie is fine MA, and wants to climb the stairs again. Such a boy!!!

Hormones...leave me alone!!!

****MEN...THE FOLLOWING IS A FULLY GIRLY GYN ENTRY. NOT REALLY FOR GUYS. YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN FULL NOTICE...;)****








Ok, gotta tell my horrible birth control story. Those darm hormones.... So I have been taking this birth control for about 4-5 months. It was the generic of the one I have taken for almost 10 or 15 years....and I never had a problem. The generic Balziva (the regular formulation is called Ovcon35) has given me soooo many problems.

MASSIVE mood swings ( the week before my period was suppose to start I was snippy and pissy--even to myself---that is bad when you are think...dude I am in a bad mood...why?, lethargia (I have been exhausted--last 3 weeks I have not really even worked out), bloating ( bad), hair shedding, appetite loss, contact problems--(I even got my eyes checked I couldn't figure out whymy eyes were so red, irritated, and blurry.), anxiety--nervousness--(I have no nails anymore), and my periods went from 6 days to maybe 2.

In short...do not take this. I did some research and instead of a small percentage of women having reactions, MOST have these reactions...that is the norm...they all said Ovcon worked perfectly for years for them, then within 2-3 months (like me) they had problems with the generic. Some had silver dollar size patches of hair loss....

so I took myself off of it Saturday...and today is monday...3 weeks before my period should start and what started to day? Hello....it is heavy and the craps are pretty sharp. But I almost welcome it. Better cramps that I can take Motrin for, than hair loss that I need a wig for right?

I may not take another pill. I started taking them to help with debilitating cramps while I was in college, but they have not been that bad for years. So why bother...Except the whole double digit weight of my kids problem. So what do I do now? What can I try or use that i would have to worry about more munchkins right this moment? Suggestions? ;) Some say the patch. The ring is not gonna happen--I know that about myself already. What else? An IUD....the doctor says only if I won't have another kid within 5 years. So that is not the answer. Give me your thoughts ladies...

9 Months and Counting MA

Here with his 5 month old cousin Zohaib. I promise Aneesa and I did not plan the outfits. We packed in different states, but Carter's style knows no state boundaries. ;)





So Deenie is now 9 months old today, and the one thing...or maybe 2 things that I can say stand out right now. We have had 2 and a half days of a pretty clear complexion (MA). Not clear clear, but clear for Deen, which is not that red. And he has turned a corner from being fine playing on his own, even if we are in an adjacent room, to crying the minute we even turn away from him. My feet cannot point in another direction, before he starts wailing. And the minute I pick him up, which is still no more than before, he buries his forehead into my neck and holds on tight, like he has not seen me if ages. He does this to Waseem too.
I wonder if part of it is being over sensitized with family this summer. We went to MD this weekend, and it was even a little much for me, since my sis-in-laws in-laws were also in town. That equals a crap load of people.
I also think he is use to his sister and cousin being around. They drove me nuts for 4 weeks, but they kept his entertained and ambitious to follow them around the house. So I am glad they are in school, and he is missing everyone! Poor baby! What will happen when I go back to work? My heart will break! I don't think Safah was this clingy. Well I know she wasn't. She could play for hours on her own. I had to check on her to make sure she was fine because she was so quiet. Of course she is not quiet now...or ever! ;)

Maryland on my mind...

Esha and Safah (the bunny?)

We had fun in MD this past weekend. A quick trip before Safah started school on today. Her cousins ( the 5, and 7 year olds) love her, and vice versa. They play, then fight, then change loyalties, then play, then cry when the day is over and one of them goes home. Next time, I think I will have to institute a group sleepover so Arooj won't cry that Safah is not goin home right then to stay with her, and Esha won't cry later that Safah is leaving for the night and can't stay. ;( But when the camera comes out, it is all smiles. ;)
Two of my nephews ( second oldest Jawad and youngest Zohaib (Z baba))


Safah chillin' at Dadi's house.

Another kid!

Scared ya huh???

It is funny when the older generation says you should have more kids when you are clutching your infant to you.
We are in Maryland this weekend and we have been told that 2 kids is not enough. My dear hubby reminds people that we have, or I have hecka big kids. What compares to my 1 kids is 2 of theirs. And the next could equal 3 or their kids....at 5 pounds each.
The funny thing is, I say I want more, but as Waseem reminds me, each kid takes such a toll on a woman's body. He sees it with his mom. 9 kids and your body (without GREAT genes and surgery) is never going to be the same. Joints, muscles, skin, shape etc. And that is with 5lb kids.
I would love to have another, not anytime soon of course since Deen is only 8 months. But in a year or 2 maybe. But then you have the worry, and Drs have said this that the next could easily be 13-15 pounds. That is like triplets, that is hard on a body, and I am a small person.
My family is absolutely against me having another. They worry big time that I will have worse nerve pain and pack pain that won't go away next time with the months of physical therapy I have done. Waseem says the same thing. But from the taking care of them once they are here point of view. Another girl and that is another shaadi, either way, it is another college education and activities and etc, etc, etc.
So what is left. Adoption? Waseem and I both say sure. I would love to adopt. I just wonder how other people will treat my child. Would I have to stop associating with some family and friends because they cannot treat that child the same as my biological ones. Cause I would kick their A** if that happened.
So hmmm. When Deenie is 1 or 1.5, maybe I will revisit this topic. At the moment, baby needs Dudu, and only Mamma has the right touch. ;)

Tired all the time?

I have been told that when people ask me how I am, I say I am tired. This seems to be my response most of the time they say. Ok only some of my in-laws say this.
But honestly when they see me, it is at 12, or 1AM after a day of packing and running errands to leave for a short weekend trip. Four hours of driving and dealing with kids and an impatient spouse ( "You and our four year old have to pee now, while we are actually stopped at the gas station"). So of course when it is 1 AM and I get in bed by 12 most nights, and you add all that other stuff, yeah when you first see me and I am yawning, I am tired.
So ettiquite requires I placate and say, "Me teek hu". But I say forget that. This is family, if I cannot say the truth with you, then why bother asking me and/or getting my response!
I could do the "proper thing" that way I don't get the tirade of "your tired, she's tired?" I gave birth to 9 kids. You don't know tired. To which Waseem reminds people that times are different than they were then. You had a village helping you. (you know the addage it takes a village to raise a child) Well that was true. And when they got here, the older kids took care of the younger ones. That was without learning to drive and learning the language. So you didn't have to interact and do other things. It was just the house.
So now, we do it alone. One or two kids or more, we do extra activities with them that they never did. Soccer, piano, ballet, tennis, football, swimming, golf, PTA, our jobs, clean our house, cook, entertain, visit people, see family---who don't live with you, have friends, travel ( and not just back home to the pind once every 2 years) all at warp speed.
So yeah forgive me if I am tired. With my 8 month old crawling over to unplug my laptop again, and waiting for everyone in the house to actually wake up (we were all up at 7:30, and Safah has eaten--I brought the cereal she likes, I have made Waseem and me chai (I miss my coffee--in the morning). And we are still trying to keep the kids quiet so that they don't disturb everyone else. It's 10:30. And we all went to sleep at the same time.

But yeah, Mei bahoot achi hu! Thanks for asking. ;)

9 month Dr. Appointment

So Deen had his 9 month Peds appointment today. As usual, I had tons of questions (freakin excema when will you go!) and they had tons of questions ( formula and eating patterns, what he is doing. etc).

Hmmm what is he doing.

Deenie is 19.6lbs. I know Sarah, he doesn't look it or feel it, but they checked twice. He is keeping steady with his height and head size.

Cruising, babbling, six teeth, still has excema and impetigo (scalp thing--not like cradle cap--that is associated with excema), crawling fast, eating table food--all that jazz. Hmmm what else? Knows his name when you call him. Making consonant sounds. Some seperation anxiety and stranger anxiety. He looks to me to see how he should react to people. But he still doesn't want them to touch him, even if he does smile at them. He will go to those he knows I like. He is really good at figuring that out!
Yells at people to get their attention, gets miffed if they look away from him when he wants their attention.
Loves to blow bubbles on my face and upper arms. And chew on my chin with those really sharp teeth!

Hmmmm I think that is all! My baby is growing up too fast!

Life with a Kindergartner!

Today begins Safah's Kindergarten career. Time for homework (Pre-K didn't give any) and more group lessons, science, social studies etc.

Summer was short! Here is my baby girl!

And with her cousin Dakota, also starting Kindergarten today!!! Coco had a few tears because she misplaced her lunchbag.

Milestones: Deen is 8 months and Safah is 4 years and 8 months.

I love that my little Safah loves her brother, and vice versa. Second to Nani is his sister on his list of people he wants to hang out with. I think I am rising on his list, but he will still yell at the two of them if they don't come to him.
Deen: So we have 6 teeth now MA! Four on the top. And they gave him a hard time, poor thing. The bottom 2 were fine when they came in, but these 4 required baby orajel and cold chew toys, and tylenol. But MA we are good now. Well he is, my chin is in pain most of the time. I worry that I will have permanent marks on my face soon, but I love the mommy kissies and chewies. ;)
Deen is still pulling up, and has started trying to use his feet to walk along instead of tap dancing.
Safah: Is MA, growing like a weed. I noticed one of her feet lapping over her sandel one day this month, and took her to stride rite, only to find out one thing I didn't know and one I did. My daugther's feet grow fast (knew that!) and one foot is a whole size bigger at any given time. 13 1/2 Wide on the right, and 12 1/2 Wide on the left. So she needs a size 1. Ugh....Once you get into the 1's, shoe makers assume that your kid is a certain age and that is not always true. So sandels and dressy shoes have heels on them. Not appropriate for a 4 1/2 year old.
Same with clothes. She is 4 not 14. I am not dressing her in the scanky clothing that they make for tweens these days. Even when she is a tween, I'm not dressing her like the anorexic celebutanes on the TV. Since she starts year-round school in 2 weeks, I am thinking about school clothes since it is still warm out. I got soooo frustrated at the mall, I left. Usually that only happens when I shop for me....;(
So I have a full-fledged Kindergartener. Where did the time go, when did she get such attitude? I met someone this weekend who has 4 kids and said that once they get to 5, something changes and the toddler is gone. Replaced by this grownup in a short body! Scary, and sad. I want her to always need me, and want to be near mommy.
;( Sad mommy time!

Up to my eyeballs in it

I have not blogged recently, cause I am feeling a little overwhelmed with stuff I need to do and stuff I want to do.

The Needs: normal...wash the TONS of clothes that seems to be generated between the 4 of us, figure out dinner (which I hate to figure out and cook for everyones specific tastes), vaccum, clean bathrooms...this is why I don't need a huge house. I hate to clean and ***k dusting.

And the wants: write, write, write; spend more time with Safah--my girl needs mommy time seperate from my errands (and there are always errands), not having to ask people to do things they should know to do already (we know that includes so many people--adults and children alike), house shopping (making sure everyone, including me is happy in a budget that we can afford.---difficult when not everyone is flexible, also not easy when my brother has just bought a 7 bedroom, three floor, three car garage, theater room, two bonus room two kitchen (the other is the basement apartment my dad will use). It is basically THE house, with THE basement in-law apartment that my mom would want.----no pressure. So now it is much harder for her to settle on less...with this blaring in her and our face. UGH.

I need a person to clean for me. Like just every 2 weeks and I can maintain and do the laundry, but that means I go back to work.

And I want to, even PT so that we can afford more house, and I have adult conversation and extra cash for my accessories...this girl gotta have her shoes and bags. Or full-time, but then I need someone to come in to watch Deen while Waseem works, even for a few hours. Cause I just don't want Deen in Daycare until he is like 2 or 3, and I just have to have someone watching the person who watches my kid. Plus I guess they would have to watch Safah too during her breaks from school, so that Waseem can work without too much distraction.

Plus IA I want to get my Masters. I don't want too much do I? ECU has a good program. I don't know, I see myself at such a crossroads, but I am spinning around in a circle like a dervish on Mountain Dew (the yellow piss drink...hehe).

Anyway, have I mentioned that I hate house shopping. It is beyond annoying to search and talk and search and drive around and look and think and talk and such. I have actually seen a few houses I like, but they have not hit the mark with the other adults....Ughhh.

I'm out.

Birthdays and Grateful days galore!

The birthday boy, Ibrahim--blue and green with cake. Usually shy, he was all too happy to give me a cakey grin!

We had a fun and very short time in MD attending Grateful for Issa Day and Ibrahim's 3rd birthday. The kids got to see old friends, and in Deen's case, make new friends. And we did too! Plus we got to see family. Fun time had by all..




My pyromaniac hubby was lighting the fireworks. Ibrahim's parents (in the yellow and green--were happy to let him do it....although there was mention of our kitchen he set on fire 2 years ago).
We were wayyyy out in the country in Columbia, MD. So these never even bothered the neighbors. In case you were wondering. Funny thing, the boys were wayy back near the cars, while the little girls were right up near the explosions. They even started a chant (I couldn't figure out what they were saying) and they were shouting "more, more."


Deen (the second youngest kid of 22 nieces and nephews) and his oldest cousin Umair (the college man). If I was ever looking for Deen, I knew where to look. He would be chillin' with his cousin. He even watched the fireworks with him, and was only slightly afraid. He just grabbed Umair's neck and held on for dear life, while craining his neck to see more sparklers and explosions.



Safah(4) with 2 of her other Divas. Arooj(5 1/2, wearing heels, argh they start so young) and Esha (5). These 3 cousins are inseperable once they are together. The car stopped and they were around the car before we got the doors open calling her name. Then they were off to the moonbounce. Here they are holding their pinata loot.

(This picture is missing Maria (the oldest and Esha's sister). Of course they fight as much as they play! But don't come between them. Esha still has not forgiven us for moving to another state! She tells me she likes Safah's old house better (she has never seen the house here....lol)