House of Nguyen: January 2012

Gio turned two on Saturday, January 21st and we had a big day planned for him. Auntie Christine and Mylien decorated our living room in an underwater theme. When he walked out of our room, there were balloons in the entryway and streamers coming down. He was timid at first then started pointing at all the fish on the wall and the streamers coming down spelling out Happy BDay Gio. Wow, Wow he kept saying, so cute! I made monkey frenchtoast and cut up some fruit. Then we got ready to go, go, go. We were out the door 15 min later than I wanted, but still on target, then we forgot the pin the thomas project, hubby made, so we went back. Little late but ok, then I decided to take the toll, since we were late..big mistake, huge closure of lanes..wasted 25 min=panic attack for me. Thankfully we made it to Costco safely and picked up the sandwich trays, Danny picked up the nuggets for the kids (thank you). We made it to Hermann Park 20 min before the party. But I didn't really know where it was, so we had to look for it, which was easy thankfully, but parking was horrible..it was a cloudy rainy day in the morning and by party time, it was windy and sunny day=beautiful day in Houston, everyone wanted to be outdoors hence crazy parking. We hosted Gio's 2nd Birthday at the Hermann Park Conservatory Volunteer Center. The area that we reserved is a patio area with a private room located right behind the train depot, a great space for parties. They decorated the place out in Thomas Gear and had a cute children's table set up. LaTonya our hostess, was so helpful, she set everything out that I brought, the place looked amazing, way more than I expected. Guests started trickling in..everyone commenting on the parking..whoops..but the kids arrived and colored while we waited for more guests.

The kids ate first, then everyone else joined in. We then played pin the 2 on Thomas, all the kids took turns, it was cute. It was hard to contain Gio and Sam indoors, they kept running out to see the train passby..

My kid was everywhere, thankfully fammiy was right behind him at all times..at one point someone said where is Gio, I turned around to see him running out the gate towards the train, I took off behind him and realized that's why my inlaws were standing outside to catch lil man, lol. All the kids were anxious to ride the train. I purchased little train conductor hats and bandanas and it was so cute to see all the kids dressed in train gear.

Once we finished our game, it was finally Train Time!!! We lined up all the kids+adult and then headed off to the train depot.

Gio was so excited, actually all the kids were including the adults. We finally loaded onto the train and off we went. Gio was so cute, he kept smiling and looking all over, he started talking animated and wow, wow, pappa, momma..choo..choo train..wow..so happy that he took off his hat and let it fly in the air, I caught it once, but the second time he was too fast..then he was very concerned where his hat went...=p At the end of the ride we passed the party place and all the remaining guests came out and waved as we chugged by...the kids were so happy and waved back!

What a great time...now for CAKE! FYI Lucy made Gio's cake and it was amazing, she really outdid herself. The cake was two layers, the top strawberry, bottom white with strawberry filling. Denise made yummy cakeballs that she placed in the kids bags, because they were quickly disappearing..=p

The week of the the party I had been reading "Where is Baby's Birthday Cake" by Karen Katz that I got Gio last year for his 1st bday every nite.

We had just celebrated Tita's bday, so when I say Happy Happy Birthday Gio, he would say Happy Happy Tita..I had to explain that he was right, but that his bday was Saturday and he was turning two! At the end of the book there is a cake and we practiced blowing out the candles and if I asked him how old he was he would say Twozz..Spanglish..=p So when we sung Happy Birthday and we said blow your candles, he did it so well! In the video you can see him smirk once we all clapped...how cute!

Gio you did great and you were so well behaved at your party, all you wanted was to see and ride the train and you got it little one. We passed out cake and goodie bags..people started leaving..we finally were the last to leave, what an awesome day. We headed back to our home and opened all his presents. But Gio got sidetracked with his first present an ambulance and playing with Sam. Gio and Sam are going to be trouble..they were ok that nite...but I can see the future, we need to watch out, because next year..jeez..They followed each other everywhere. We had a great day and evening and then off to bed we went...to train heaven dreams. Thank you everyone for celebrating Gio's 2nd Birthday with us!

Here is a link to the album I will try to put up a slideshow later...
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150608356311352.442697.657891351&type=3&l=49824d0750

Little man did not nap so of course he caught up on his slumber in the car with his trusty Thomas in his hands! Well we were good this week and I decided that we should go to dinner and then i treated us to a fun carousel ride! Lil man is serious at first then he slowly starts smiling and observing everything around and absorbed in the lights and colors! Love to follow his gaze and try to imagine what he might be thinking! Daddy finally got out of work and met up with us! I told gio go give daddy a big hug, he took off running into his arms! I wish I could have captured that moment it was so heartwarming omg so precious! We then had to look at the train museum of course before heading home!!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

29/366

28/366

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Choo Choo Gio is Two!!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

27/366

26/366

25/366