I decorated our backyard with balloons, birthday banners, lights and flowers.

Kids had their activities planned for them outside when they came home from school.

A birthday card from the grandparents.

Even though the party was just for the immediate families, my mom went above and beyond once again for her grandson.

My only dish at the table.

We had a chicken dish, a noodle dish with beef, veggies and mushrooms, shrimp and scallop dish, 2 sauteed vegetable side dishes, seaweed soup, shrimp tempura and fish.

His face lit up when he saw all the food. This look right here…so content… was priceless… makes everything worth it.

praying…

My boy Shane, you are a joy. You are dreams come true, challenges overcome, a wonder.

You are silly, yet you are stubborn. You are gentle, yet you are tough. You have the most charismatic smiles and the most endearing laughs… you are a challenge in your two year old ways. You are boundless energy, you are a blessing, you are everything your mommy and daddy ever hoped to have in a son. And we are so grateful, my handsome boy, to have the privilege of kissing you every chance we get, holding your hands and kissing your booboos when you get hurt. And most of all, my son, we are thankful to God that He’s chosen us to raise you, to be a man of God, who is patient, honorable, gentle spirit, wise and most of all, love Him and serve Him only and be His glory.

Happy 2nd birthday, my son.

I love you, I love you, I love you… forever and ever and ever and ever.

At 2 years, he:

1. Can sing ‘Jesus loves me’ song both in English and Korean

2. Has bitten his sister a half dozen times

3. Knows and says all the days of a week, in order

4. Can count up to 10

5. Can sing one hymn in Korean among many other kids songs

6. Loves his crocs (calls it my shoe croc), Fresh Beat Band show, soccer ball, vitamins, cars, trains, garbage trucks and buses.

7. When he realizes that he did something wrong, he says “soyou (sorry) mommy, soyou… okay mommy? okay mommy?” and repeats until I say okay.

8. Tells me (more like demands) which songs to sing to sleep him

9. Says “here you go” “there you go” everytime he hands me something

10. Loves his grandfather and can imitate his gestures

Shane Potter

I took the kids by MYSELF to the Kids Spring Fest event by TimeOut NY while Andrew went to go see his dentist. I was really excited to go to the city since I often complain to Andrew that we don't do the city events anymore. Why live so close to the city if we're not going to take advantage of all the cool stuff that this NYC offers?

About 10 min. later, I changed my mind. It was a challenge keeping Shane entertained while Chloe did her art projects. All he wanted to do was run away from me. 

Chloe was so happy, doing projects, and staying close by me.

Shane had about 3 lollipops waiting for Chloe to finish.

Then he was really running around, sugar high…

There was a live music which kids loved.

kids yoga class

All Chloe wanted was popcorns, cotton candy and ice cream. I couldn't buy any of them because I forgot my wallet in the car along with the stroller when Andrew dropped us off. Besides, all the lines were so long that we couldn't have waited given my squirmy Shane. 

SO, today's big lesson was, I will NOT take the kids outside by myself especially to a crowded New York City park. After a couple of hours, all I wanted to do was get on my big fat SUV and get the heck out of there. I love New Jersey. I love all the private big parks where the kids can run around. I love that we don't have to wait in lines to get on swings. I'm not going to fake anymore. I love the burbs.  

While Andrew took Shane to a park, Chloe and I went to a paint your own pottery place, called Doing Dishes in Montclair, NJ. I used to make (drag) Andrew to these kind of places with me, but now I don't have to! I have my willing partner who is as happy as a clam to do art projects with me!

I forgot to take pictures of our final pieces before we left, so I'll be posting the finished products next week when we picked them up. They were actually mother's day gifts for the kids' grandparents, but I forgot the fact that we have to leave the pieces to be fired in kiln and that it takes 6 days. Oh well… 

Chloe painted a bird house for me.

Shane's first art project!

Chloe made this piece of cake with a candle (above picture) and I was making the mermaid, when… 

Chloe: Are you making a mermaid?
Me: Yes, Chloe. I am making a beautiful mermaid and you are making a delicious piece of cake.
Chloe: You're making a mermaid for me?
Me: No… I am making ME a mermaid. YOU are making you a piece of cake.
Chloe: No, no, no, that's my mermaid.
Me: How is this your mermaid? I'm making it.
Chloe: You're making the mermaid for me, because you are my assistant!
Me: Excuse me?? Do you even know what that means?
Chloe: (smiles)
Me: Chloe, do you know what assistant means?
Chloe: It means you're my HELPER!

Chloe decorated this beautiful mail box.

Then we got a letter!

I was so touched to get a letter from Joshua, one of the 2 children we sponsor from Africa. We chose Joshua because he had the same birthday as Shane. He lives in a highly affected HIV area in Uganda but sounds like he's doing good and having a lot of fun with his friends and family. It was so great to hear from him. We love you, Joshua! You and your family are in our prayers…

Chloe loves this paper doll dress-up project. She can spend hours doing this and she knows exactly how to mix and match an outfit.

Today was Chloe's last day at school and the parents were invited to their chanukah party. 

Chloe knew that I was there as a guest and was very accomodating. She brought me a chair to sit next to her and didn't sit down until I sat down. 

We got to see the children perform on stage, played some games and ate snacks with them. Chloe was a very good listener. She was very attentive and cooperative to what the teachers were guiding them to do. 

Some parents made comments about Chloe being very quiet and shy. I was just laughing to myself. Shy? Maybe sometimes, initially…but quiet? Oh nooooo.