#shellieandkashif

I run these Mammens pretty hard. We worked a full day, speed packed the car, drove through rush hour to Sugar Land and even though we arrived after our kids normal bedtime, I suggested we should still try and make it to a wedding party. Needless to say, with a start time of 9pm, it was a Pakistani party.

We put the baby to bed and even though we had originally decided it would just be Zayd, Sam and I, Zahra expressed an interest in going. And when she put on her shalwar kameez without crying about it's itchiness, (a first!), I decided to let her tag along.

She was wild eyed and hyper on the way there, "Mommy! I forgot Daddy and Zaydie were even in the car because I was looking so much at you but then who would be driving if it's not you and I know it's not you because I'm looking at you." "Yes." She was asleep by the time we made it to the valet, thank goodness for valet. We got out of our car behind another family carrying another passed out five year old girl. So we were definitely at the right place.

When we walked in, my kids wanted to know where the play room was, "there's not even soccer balls!?" Ha. After adjusting, Zayd loved the experience. I told him he could get as much dessert as he wanted, sprite as he wanted, go wherever within the hall just don't leave. The kids ran all over the stage, inched between adults, and devoured the tiny cakes. It was just like I remember except they weren't hiding under all of the tables.

Zahra spent a little time making very sad puppy dog eyes, then just went to sleep on my lap. Multiple people commented on how I used to go to sleep at parties. I thought we all did...I had even listed it as an option for things to do when my kids asked.

All in all, the bride was beautiful, the music was great, the hookah was plentiful, and I loved seeing my WWC childhood family.

I wish we could join them again tonight for the actual wedding but we're cruising tomorrow! I'm very impressed with the stamina everyone had yesterday (even Zahra) but I'd better not push it.

Ziyan, my wonder boy

I owe so many posts about this sweet baby. He turned two more than a month ago and, though I have a draft, I haven't posted about it yet. I'm not sure exactly why but I know writing the post was difficult for me.

But, regrets aside, let me tell you about my little man. Today he peed in his potty AND put his jammies on completely independently. What?!? I couldn't believe it. He wasn't surprised, though.

The other day in the car, he counted to 22. The highest I'd heard him count otherwise was 15.

He is such a funny creative jokester. He loves to say, "mommy look!" Then throw his heard back, grab his belly, and do a completely fabricated belly laugh. It's so peculiar.

He loves loves lives singing and reading. Every Little Thing shaped from Bob Marley's "three little birds" is a favorite book. We sing E-I-E-I every night before bed but on our farm, there are not just animals. There are "lips" for kissing here and there and everywhere. Fire trucks. Normal obsessions. There are heads shoulders (here) and knees and toes (there). There are Elmos that sing their Elmo song. But also there are E-Is that go EIEI here and there. It cracks me up. As the young people say, he's so meta.

He's such a delight and I'm so glad we get to spend our days together.