Happy Birthday, Xiao!

Xiao Yu turned five this past week, as he will attest to anyone he approaches--both friends at church as well as complete strangers such as the check-out guy at Costco.  He is growing fast and developing.  He just had his five year check up last week and is at the 75th percentile for height and 65th for weight.

Since we usually do one small party with the family and then another one with friends, last week on Sunday, which was his real birthday, he got to open several presents.  We unfortunately ran out of birthday wrapping paper, which is why one of his presents has "Merry Christmas" all over it!

 Fortunately, Xiao Yu wasn't too concerned with the wrapping and more interested in the contents.  Amongst other things, he got a Playmobil set ...

And his favorite toy is actually the smallest (and cheapest--isn't it funny how it always turns out like that!)  It's a little electronic mouse that skooches around like a real mouse, makes little squeaky noises, and it constantly hurtling itself off the coffee table and dining room table.  Xiao Yu loves it and carries it around everywhere.

 We then had cupcakes...

Here is Xiao Yu taking a deep breath to blow out the candles.  The only problem is that we are only about halfway through singing the b-day song.

So we tell him to "Wait!" and Karina trembles in fear at the thought of him blowing out the candles prematurely!

 And then finally it's time to blow!

 He missed several and so had some secondary blows.

And everyone enjoyed these cupcakes with orange frosting.  Orange is actually Gabe's favorite color and we have a feeling that this has subconsciously leaked into Xiao Yu's brain because Xiao Yu wanted his frosting orange this time.

On Friday, we had a party for Xiao Yu with some friends.  Elvin took the day off because we were going to drive to Portland to watch a theater production of Pete the Cat by the Oregon Children's Theater.  Pete the Cat is a children's book series that Xiao Yu likes.

Also, Elvin and the kids were preparing the Brazillian dessert brigadeiros, which are fudge-like balls rolled in chocolate sprinkles.  It's a common kid birthday party treat in Brazil.

When we came back, while the Papa Murphy's pizzas were baking in the oven, Xiao Yu opened presents from his friends.  One of his favorites were boxes of Band-Aids.  Who needs fancy and expensive presents???

 The other kids were fairly impressed that he got TWO boxes of Band-Aids.

Finally, the pizza was done and then it was time for cupcakes (again)!

This time, Xiao Yu knew the drill and there was no danger of premature candle blowing!

And then we finally dug into the cupcakes and treats.

And so that was Xiao Yu's birthday!  Happy birthday Xiao Yu!