Despite the hot and humid weather, we decided to go check out the new dinosaurs park in Secaucus, NJ.

Chloe was a little scared at first. ( I told her they shot the dinosaurs with freeze guns to freeze the real ones here)

They had little stations for kids to do arts and craft.

Did I mention it was steamy hot? Well, kids were feeling it too.

You can see the Empire State building in the back.

We got through the park in less than two hours because of the heat. All in all, I think it was a good experience. The kids played with dinosaurs activity kits we got for the rest of the afternoon at home.

This has been my breakfast for the week. Mixed berries with oats and greek yogurt. So yummy and so healthy!

One of my favorite dishes I enjoy from PF Chang is this lettuce wrap.  So I thought I would recreate it at home and make it less greasy.

We put Chloe in Kindergarten last year with the thought that she would repeat given she’s the youngest in her class. When we switch her over to a public school she won’t meet the October cut off date to be 6 years old. However when I went to the town Board of Ed to register her as a Kindergartener, they told me if she passes her reading and math test, she may be eligible to go right into 1st grade.

What!? This changed everything. So in the past couple of weeks, I took Chloe to a couple different schools to meet with a few different teachers to get tested and in the end, she qualifies academically. Now the decision is really up to us… and I’ve been talking to other parents, reading and researching about being the youngest in the class and how it affects the child… I was so stressed out about this decision and there was no absolute right answer. Every child is different and our decision today will impact her for the rest of her life.

So we asked Chloe how she felt about it:

Me: Chloe, do you really want to go to first grade? You would be the youngest in class and the other kids will be bigger than you.
Chloe: … (thinking)…
Me: What do you think Chloe? I know you were excited about going to first grade but do you think you are okay with being the youngest?
Chloe: Mommy. I’m small but I’m smart. I think I’m ready.
Me: Really? Wow, what a great answer! I’m so proud that you’re so confident!
Chloe: Yay!!
Me: But Chloe, if you do go back to Kindergarten, you can be with kids with your own age and it would be Easier.
Chloe: EASY?
Me: Sure, you’re already reading and you’ll probably know a lot of stuff that you will be learning already.
Chloe: Hmmm… easy…. Okay! I want to go to kindergarten again!

We both laughed so hard when she like the idea of school being easy. Haha, then I thought, why not? Let’s make it easy for everyone and just go with it. Plus, we didn’t want her to go off to college when she’s 17 because that’s one less year with us.

It was a beautiful night…

Our guest of honor arrives!

The handsome duo

Me and pretty Amy.

Wait, why does it say 29?  😎

My girlfriends and I are planning a surprise birthday party for one of our friends tomorrow night. She’s also moving to London in a few weeks with her family so this party means a lot to us. I have the joy of decorating for this special night at our friend’s house. We’re using their splendid family room to put three of 6′ tables in the middle which will comfortably accommodate 19 guests for a sit down meal.
The theme of the party is: English garden.

Julie is a beautiful woman of God. Truly inspiring…and it’s my honor to plan her party. I’m blessed to be able to say she is my sister in Christ.

This is my favorite dish to eat in the summer time.

Spicy noodles with fresh vegetables from my garden.

Herbed Quinoa with Chicken