Malek Turned 4!

I can't believe it has already been a year. Malek has been counting down the days until his birthday since his cousin's birthday in April. He has grown a whole lot this year, this is what he looked like on his last birthday...

He had been giving me a very hard time napping so I told him that we cancelled his 'pajama party' and were going to dinner with a mouse. He was so excited that the whole way to his party, he thought he was going to a mouse's house. Zayne finally got fed up with the drive that included a stop for cake and exclaimed, 'Ma fi Mouthe Houthe!' I've never heard anything more like Daffy Duck come out of his mouth, Bassem and I laughed the rest of the drive there it was so cute.

Waiting for everyone to get there...

Making the train go around and around was one of their favorite games.

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday balloon, just their size!

The Jazi men trying to protect innocent bystanders from the boy's flying basketballs. 

Zayne just loved this little robotic car, it took his picture and spit out a fuzzy black and white image of him and Chuck E. Cheese. It wasn't about the image, it was the 'friend' in the car that he liked.

Layal and Rayya on one of the 'rides'. They were so into it, it was adorable!

Mmmmm, pizza!

Malek had to take a few minute break to hold Lara's hand, he was so sweet with her.

Cheese!

Zayne and Tima kept walking around holding hands, when I finally caught them and told them to say 'Cheese' Tima struck this little pose! So cute!

Malek and his Birthday crown!

He wanted this Thomas the Train cake for months!

Picking up tickets from the Ticket Toss.

Zayne bringing me the tickets he gathered.

Malek and Yara in the ticket blaster. Malek didn't want to go alone and they both came out with lots of tickets.

Malek was THRILLED with his party. He was so happy to see all of his cousins and had a great time. He has already been talking about 'When I turn 5....I want a Chuck E Cheese Party'! hahaha

Clean the Kitchen Mondays

The boys have been giving me a VERY hard time when it comes to going to bed. Zayne usually comes out of his room at least 5 times. And this morning...they came to get me 5 times in the hour between 2:30 and 3:30am....This is how I found them finally sleeping....

We had a stay at home pajama day since Mommy was so exhausted from last night. Luckily, they were in a great mood this morning and were sitting on the living room floor eating gold fish crackers for snack. Zayne was pretending to be a cat and was meowing and eating fish crackers from Malek's hand. They both thought it was the best game and it was sooooo cute!

When it came to nap time I figured I would try to bribe them to sleep for nap time....But with what? I had already taken away PlayDough time because of not listening and it looked like rain so no swimming.....so I told them I would let them mop the kitchen floor if they went to sleep without coming out of their room. And it worked! They napped right away and then helped me mop the floor after I cleaned the kitchen. I will have to try this bribe again.... No wonder they make me laugh so much!

Matchbox Cars

Well, we had a busy day. Nothing important, just fun stuff. My kids wake up in such different moods. Both are a lot happier after some milk. Here is how their day started....

After breakfast, we headed out to the neighborhood pool. Today was the first time that Bassem joined us before work. The kids had lots of fun and were practicing jumping to me from the edge without floaties. Zayne is still young enough not to fear water and jumps right in. Malek took a little coaxing, but he finally relented and jumped to me. We got home, took a bath, ate lunch, and took a nice nap.

It was after nap that this blog really starts. After a quick snack, we cleaned out the boys closet and finished cleaning their room from yesterday. They colored while I vacuumed, although they really wanted to vacuum, I wanted it done well. Because....I set up their rug with the roads and got out ALL of their matchbox and hot wheels cars. I am guessing around 150 of them? They went crazy, they don't remember the last time they had all of them out because we tend to rotate them so they don't get bored with them. It was like heaven, even as I type, Zayne can't resist going in his room to play for a minute. The only rule is that the cars stay in their room and we don't have to accidentally step on them! hahaha

 Zayne was having trouble picking a car....

Driving a few of the 'new' cars.... 

Showing Mommy a few of their favorites.... 

More driving cars.... 

Showing me the 'brother cars, like Malek and Zayne'.... 

And a LOT more driving, they barely made it through dinner before scrambling back into their room to play some more!

Sleeping Silly

Malek and Zayne always find the funniest ways to sleep or things to sleep with. I have multiple pictures of how they end up when I check on them after they fall asleep.

 Malek napping, shirt up and with his Handy Manny truck.

 He was in the middle of the living room floor and the truck was balanced just perfectly.

He slept like that for almost two hours!

We always wonder after we put them to bed or check on them if they sneak into bed together. They ask to sleep together, but then stay up playing so we separate them. This was the second time we caught them asleep on Malek's top bunk.

 Zayne LOVES his 'Green Blankie'. I broke down and got out his changing pad for his dresser. I figured he is almost potty trained so I should take advantage of the ease that it might give me when I do have to change him.

Apparently the changing pad cover reminded him of his blankie because he pulled it down and I found him napping on it....He even got his blankie, pillow, and stuffed animal. I can't believe he found room among the toys he had been playing with!