Today little Miss Novali turned 5 years old! Man that makes me feel old... well this weekend was the big party. Saturday morning Heather and I met my parents and Miguel (Miguel's birthday was Friday) for breakfast in Kalamazoo early in the morning and then we went to Chicago. My parents got a hotel in Des Plains, IL not too far from Tamara's house. Saturday we had Novali most of the day and we played, swam, ate, and just hung out. Lets recap...
 First stop was a little park in Des Plains. It was too cold... |  Novi wanted McDonalds... we ended up at the first one ever! |
 Then back to the hotel for swimming. |  She is getting close to learning how to swim. |
 We dried her curly locks and got ready for dinner. |  Miguel opened the window and taught Novi about paper airplanes. |
 Then a short trip over to Evanston. |  Kate picked a cool place called Dave's Italian Kitchen for dinner. |
It was a long day and Novi passed out on the way home... tomorrow was going to be a long day!
Sunday we woke up and I taught Novi how to make her bed. I told her since she was five now that she needs to make her bed on her own each morning, and if she does I will give her a quarter for each day. So now she has an allowance! She can start saving for that first pair of roller skates... a big bike maybe... Then we got ready for her big party... here is the Sunday recap.
 Making her bed. |  Hide and Seek... in the hamper! |
 Writing a birthdaycard |  Notice which hand she is using in this photo? |
 The grandparents got put to work. |  I did her hair. |
 Papi and his little girl. |  Had to draw out hop scotch squares. |
 Some patty cake... |  Tamara organized some games for the kids. |
 Compliments of Heather Novi had a party princess crown. |  Then it was cake and present time! |
 Presents everywhere. |  Tio Miguel got her a fish! |
 She got clothes... |  and one million Barbies. |
 Tamara and Novi in matching jackets. |  Grandma and Grandpa before they had to take off. |
It was a great weekend. Very busy... and today I am way too tired... but it was a very good weekend. Novali is now five years old. She remembers phone numbers now, and likes to say funny things, and enjoys a good book and prayer before bed.
For more pictures from this weekend please visit: www.centellas.org/novali
Adios!