Happy birthday, Benjamin!!! He wanted to have an NCIS party. He actually just started watching it, but he knows that Mom and Dad are fans of the show and he likes solving crimes. He came up with all the ideas for decorations on his own.
The girls went outside to play for a bit...mostly because the boys needed the girls to go out for a bit ;)
This is Benjamin's REAL birthday (April 5) and he asked for breakfast for a meal. It was the first meal after being sick as well.
We let him open his gift from all of us. The box was huge and it was HEAVY. He got a work out bar for pull-ups. Now he doesn't have to use his bunk bed anymore, and I don't have to worry about him tipping it over since he has grown SO MUCH!!
Birthday cookies (His party was a few days away and that's was good so that we could make sure he was better)
His friend Nic...the NCIS hats were party favors...gotta love Taobao.
The crime scene. I'm not sure we ever figured out who did it ;)
No boy party is complete without a little gun fight.
I think this was one of the best gifts he got and right up his alley. Jumbo Playing Cards.
His little sister knew that he really needed a new iPad case, so she picked one out for him. He was very excited about it.
but not quite as excited as he was when he got money!! :) Every 14 year old loves money! Side note...it's really hard to get pictures of him opening presents when he has this hat on!!
Here is the cake :) I tried my best, but my energy level after having a sick house for 2 weeks was not great. I think he liked it though! :)
This is while the girls went outside. The chaos in the house just got a little too overwhelming and he needed a break, so these two friends enjoyed a few minutes Minecrafting together!
Benjamin did not really want a group picture, but was kind enough to do one for his mother who loves pictures....even if he's not a huge fan.
He came to the door and said, "Pick a card, any card." :)
Jonathan said that we looked ridiculous ;)
The day after his party we had some friends from Zhongshan come visit. WE had not seen them in about a year. Annie saw us and came running. Annie is exactly a year younger than Lauren. Lauren was a little nervous because Annie has always been about the same height as Lauren because she's pretty tall for her age. When they arrived Lauren was soooooo excited because she is a head taller than Annie.
Me, Melody, and Xiao Wei
He was a very content and funny little guy. Oh no! Not more pictures!
But he did think I was funny, so that's always a plus :)
Annie gave Katherine and Lauren 2 silkworms each. So, these are our new additions to the family ;) It's silkworm season and kids all over have them for pets right now. They are quite fascinating. They have literally doubled in size in just one week. Benjamin is hoping that they will make enough silk to sell ;)
Lauren wanted a turn to hold the baby :)
This one is funny...Each kid looking at his/her own mother :)
The girls did a ropes course.
There was a bit of a traffic jam because a little one got too scared to continue. They had to wait for one of the workers to come so they could all pass her by.
After the park, we had to say goodbye. They were headed to their car, and we needed to catch a bus back home.
Katherine took this picture.
Group picture after lunch.
He chose me over his mom :) Made me happy...but then his big sister came along and he chose her over everyone else.
I'm so glad that families can choose to have 2 children now. These two just love each other so much!!
Try playing a game of speed with jumbo cards ;) It's not very fast...haha! I am officially caught up! YEAH! I hope I can stay that way ;)
