Majong winners of the night!

It was great how quickly the kids caught on and learned the game. It was cute how happy they'd be once they won a game or two! We haven't pulled this game out in so many years, since before NJ. Reminds me to late nights with friends at our old house. Funny how things change, now we're playing with little ones and they're beating us! 

Pumpkin Picking!

A day at the pumpkin farm, so much fun! We took a small group outing to a nearby farm. We all had such a great time. We worked up a sweat walking the farm, the corn maze, picking pumpkins, wheel barrowing the pumpkins, playing games, taking a tractor ride, and taking a ton of really fun photos. Baba hauled some of his photo gear and we took some awesome family photos. Too many great ones to post, these are just a few. I might have to save some for our Christmas card. 

"I like to help!"

We both tripped on this piece of floor that Baba is fixing. NJ tripped on it and spilled his milk. One side was sticking up so I tripped on it and broke it off completely. Oops! NJ ran to Baba to ask him to fix it. Best not to have anyone else tripping on it, kicking it, or hurting their feet on it. 

Somebody's behind you... 

"Can we do this puzzle?"  He's been asking me about taking out this puzzle to do it. I think he's getting tired of the four or five puzzles he does over and over all day. He needs some new challenges. But this is a bit too challenging for him. 300 pieces, 2 feet by 3 feet. I did most of it, but he was very helpful with finding me the edge pieces and randomly connecting some that he'd dig out on his own. Overall I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did considering how hard it was for him. He lined up a bunch of pieces that were a similar color and they all fit together almost exactly the way he laid them out. And he'd dig out pieces that were exactly what I'd be looking for. 

"Look at the puzzle, Baba. I did it all by myself!"  Baba and I laughed and said at the same time, "No you didn't!" But good job helping! I dug this out of my mom's closet. Part of my big cleaning plan. I almost got rid of it at a yard sale, but I figured I'd keep it since NJ seems to really like puzzles so much. And who knows, maybe we'll have a girl that will appreciate it someday. Besides all that, I do like the Little Mermaid. Where can you find this again, anyway? It's from back when I was little. It's also a good way to also find out if I lost any pieces. Nope, it's all there! (I just googled it and I could only find two that were $20 and $24. wow!)

I can't believe he actually picked this up and carried it into his room, it's heavy! Once we vacuumed the air out, they were solid bricks. The other week we got a package at our door. On our way out, I tried to pick it up, but it was heavy. So I went back in to put my purse down to get a better grip. By the time I put my purse down, he had already picked it up and put it in the house. He tells me, "I got it, Mama!" Yikes. 

It's like my big boy sitting at the counter drinking his coffee instead of milk getting ready for work instead of preschool. That's what I picture when I see this. 

We shared some strawberry lemonade, but it definitely wasn't evenly shared! 

We shared dinner too while we sat and picnicked on the grass. 

NJ really wanted to ride the train. He didn't get to last time. He kept waving to everyone on it and wanted to watch it go by over and over. 

Yay, train! He was so excited!

We sat and listened to the band again and watched NJ do his dance. He asked over and over for some popcorn (kettle corn, actually). Baba told him to dance for it and he went crazy. But he got his popcorn and I think he's going to sleep well tonight from all that shaking!

"Can we get more books?"

NJ was so excited to get a postcard just for him! He insisted I take a picture of him with it and that we call Auntie Evin to thank her. He said, "Hi Auntie Evin, thank you for the post office!" (It's postcard, silly)

It's been three weeks, time to return the books. Although he wanted to re-check some because he loved them so much. I told him to ask if we could do that. So we entered the library, he went up to the counter, and asked the lady. I was so proud of him I didn't know he really would, I just asked. 

We made it to story time this time. He enjoyed it and played blocks with some kids too. 

My boys outside at the grill. NJ asked to sit with Baba as he grilled dinner. Yum! They even read some books together while waiting. 

"Why I'm still three?"

"When I'm bigger can I cut your hair?" (to Baba)

"Can I have my You-You song because I not move when I cutting hair?" (He always asks for his VBS music in the car)

NJ got another home hair cut by Baba. As he's cutting NJ's hair I thought about how I'm constantly amazed at how quickly and easily Baba picks things up. He cuts hair so well and from what? Just watching them when we took him for his first two haircuts? If we didn't have his talent, we'd still be paying for them. 

Had a little time to myself today. I got to read, enjoy some tea, and relaxed in some a/c. Today would have been twenty seven years for my first liver, since my transplant in '85. It reminds me of how much I shouldn't even be here. How many ways I should not have made it this far. It's only by grace. And I'm so thankful.

sashimi swim

My big boy eating at the counter... looking at him this morning made me think about how big he's gotten. I had one of those mom moments of seeing him suddenly bigger before my eyes. More boy, less toddler. It's happening too fast!

All ready for church. He got these glasses as a prize from yesterday's party. He really wanted to bring them. 

Last day of September and it's still in the 90's. Crazy. It's extending our pool use, though! Yay!

Wow, we got the generous gift of fresh tuna and yellowtail. Even though I couldn't have any sashimi or sake with everyone, the company was plenty enjoyable. We're feeling incredibly blessed to have such great friends that are like family to share our lives with.