Ricebowls and Clovers: November 2008

Cian was born on my Gramma Loli Valdez's 72nd birthday, so this year, when he turned 8, she turned 80! Neat huh?

Cian is such a cool little dude.
He always has so much on his mind and inquires about the most interesting things. His Gaelic name actually means ancient and he certainly acts like and old wise soul.

He's also a talker like his dad! Once you start the conversation, you better be prepared! Conversations with Cian are actually one of my favorite things in life. His vocabulary and perspective on life always amaze me. From topics on bubble gum and to his infamous "What if/what would you do" questions, it's always a treat.

Here are some photos of his birthday, September 19, 2008:

Cu Chulainn (12) is an incredible artist with a gift of humor through illustration. He's spends many nights at the dining table drawing away.

This year Cu Chulainn gave Cian a birthday comic strip that Cian absolutely LOVED! Can you tell?

Here they are reading it together

"THANK YOU CHULAINN"

Cian also loves Japanese food!

For the last two years, I've given him the option to have a party or have a special family dinner at a favorite restaurant.

Last year I surprised him with Benihana's and this year he picked Benihanas again!

I think it's going to become a family tradition. YAY!

And the meal begins...

He's just too cute!

Here Cian's drinking his Ramune Japanese soda!

These are so much fun to drink. They have a clear glass ball at the top and in order to open the drink, you have to actually push the ball into the soda!

You can find them at most asian grocery stores!

Try it sometime and let us know what you think!

And the kid sure loves his rice (just like his mom)

Here is Cu Chulainn.

Tonight was also sort of a combo celebration...

For Chulainn, it was to acknowedge his fantastic grades and excellent reports from his teachers during fall conferences. I told him since he did so awesome, he could get whatever he wanted so this is his first surf and turf! YUM!

Isn't he getting so big (and handsome)!

And for me, this dinner celebrated my promotion to management! It was quite a journey, but through hard work, patience and perseverence, my efforts were finally recognized.

Being able to take the boys here for Cian's birthday really meant a lot to me because it wasn't long ago that I couldn't afford an extravagance like this. But because of the promotion and through God's blessings of intelligence, ability and work ethic I was able to celebrate my awesome boys and treat them to dinners like this!

I sure love them!