Haircut

A quick haircut before seeing some family. 

"Dump, dump, dump!"

We met the cousins for lunch at Lee's Sandwiches, one of our favorite places. Hopefully everyone else liked it too. We took over half the place, the boys had their fun at the table while the rest of us talked after eating. After lunch together, we headed to Downtown Disney.

Lots of fun walking around and eating some beignets. We didn't stay very long though since it was getting cold and close to dinner. We went home to take a quick nap and prepare for dinner. 

NJ had us laughing in the car on the way to Downtown Disney. Ah-gim (Auntie Karen) was asking what animals and things sound like. When she asked what a dump truck sounded like he said, "Dump, dump, dump." We all cracked up laughing at that one. Since he got that kind of reaction from us, he repeated that answer to everything she asked. It was funny the first few times, but then it got old. NJ does that a lot. We laugh at something and he repeats it over and over. Baba's always having the conversation with him about jokes getting old. He doesn't quite get it yet, though. He just really wants to be funny. 

"He will be back."

Ah-gim (Auntie Karen) was nice enough to make a vegetable soup for us. The last two years I cooked for us, but this year I couldn't do it... I knew we'd be out during the day, so I didn't want to rush and exhaust myself. It's good that I didn't since I'm also now not feeling that great. I'm happy we had something homemade, though and something vegetable. Dotty was happy too, she got some carrot and kale from Ah-gim after chopping them up for the soup. Dot Dot was also very lucky to have snatched NJ's garlic bread that he dropped. NJ walked in on us in the kitchen and asked, "Why Ah-gim giving Dotty a carrot?" I said, "Because those are extra pieces of vegetable that we don't want to waste, but we don't give Dotty any food, right?" And he says, "Only Ah-gim do's?" We busted up laughing so much that I realized I didn't even answer him, he had already walked away with us still laughing. I love how what he says makes total sense to him, but just sounds so funny.
Ah-goo (Uncle Perry) found a local Italian place and went to pick up dinner for us. Ah-ma (grandma) walked into the kitchen and said, "You think he got lost? How come he's not back yet?" NJ walked over to stand in front of my mom to look at her and say, "He will be back." He said it very intently and confidently as if to reassure her. It was quite funny and cute, we were all surprised. 

NJ had us laughing during dinner. I can't remember what we were talking about or where the conversation lead, but NJ randomly cracking up said, "Baba is ice cream."
What's Mama? - "Mama's sandwich."
What's Ah-gim? - "Carrot!"
What's Ah-goo? - "Monster truck!"
What's Ah-gong? - "A number!" What number? - "One."
What's Ah-ma? - "A hat."
So random and silly. Definitely funny more for us at the moment and not as funny written. It was more about the way he'd say it, his expression and the unexpected answer he'd give. At least it was quite entertaining for the family, so that was great. He was our dinner entertainment. 

We had a fun dessert of decorating some sugar cookies. NJ and Ah-gim enjoyed it most. Ah-gim made very pretty ones, so pretty she didn't want to eat them. That was fun (and yummy). 

After dinner and dessert, we exchanged gifts and opened them. NJ got a cool Hawaiian outfit from Ah-gong (grandpa) and lots of "Cars" cars, including a remote control Lighting McQueen, and a Lighting McQueen play camera too. He was very excited about all of it. Ah-goo tried to teach him how to control the remote Lighting McQueen. Dotty didn't like it, she'd run away or bark at it. I forgot how much she doesn't like them. 

"I don't have parents"

His new book from the school library. He was showing me and telling me the story.

NJ is the happy helper as always. 

Lots of baking today. No time to do it this weekend. 

During our dinner conversation, Baba said something about parents. NJ repeated the word parents so Baba asked him, "Who are your parents?" NJ says, "I don't have parents." What?! We had a long conversation about what parents are and what it means. We never thought about how he knows us as Mama and Baba and I'm not sure how often we're referred to as parents. I couldn't believe he said that, so strange. 

"Can we get chocolate milk from the chicken nugget store?"

It's about time Dotty's nails are trimmed, she just got a lot quieter walking around the house. She's gotten chubbier and harder to zip her up in this bed. She went from being a hot dog to being a sausage.

He calls most fast food places a chicken nugget store. Once in a while I might get him a treat of chocolate milk. On the way home from school, he asked me for some (when we passed a mcdonald's). I told him he could have a little hot chocolate at home. At least that way I can make it less sweet for him and it would be warm instead of cold. He really enjoyed it.

"More Rice, Corn, and Chicken, Pleeeeease..."

NJ's most requested meal and something we love to order at chinese cafes. I tried a recipe for it and who knew it would be so easy and yummy! Made my boys happy anyway. :)

"We made gingerbread cookies!"

I had my arms full this morning trying to get him to school. I couldn't forget his lunch, his bag, his wrapped ornament, and the gingerbread cookies. NJ was getting buckled while I loaded the car, then I realized I forgot my purse. This morning a little more challenging and rushed, but we made it!

This is NJ's decorated gingerbread man that came home with him. He really piled on the candy! 

And the ornament he got in the ornament exchange the class had. I put a string on so he could add it to our tree. Sounds like it was a fun little party they had.

Gingerbread Men

I think it was too cold last night, NJ woke up with a snotty nose and was coughing more. Poor guy. I let him watch something to get him to rest. I'm sad that I had to turn down two play date invites. One in the morning, one for dinner. Hopefully the rest at home will help. He's otherwise himself, but I'm being extra careful because I want us all to be as healthy as possible with Christmas coming. 

For his Christmas party tomorrow at school we need to bring a wrapped ornament and twelve gingerbread men cookies. I made myself a little baking corner. It's been a long time since I've made gingerbread cookies. The dough this time was so sticky, it made for a difficult time making the shape. I made a lot of extras since some of them were crooked. Four hours (or so) later I finally had my batch of gingerbread men ready to go. I had to keep putting the dough back in the fridge over and over. And I could only get about three or four men at a time into the oven. A lot of waiting for it to cool and waiting for it to bake. The best part was taste testing it. Turned out fine, even though I thought I got it wrong. 

Christmas Train

We were actually early for church! NJ heard the music from the end of the first service, so we quietly sat in the back until it was over. He pulled me in there, dragging me almost because he's so strong. Uncle Dan was up there and he noticed right away, wanting to run up there. I told him he had to wait until the closing prayer and they stop playing. As soon as the guitars were down, he was walking up the stairs. NJ was so happy to listen to the music and watch them play. I hope he can be up there one day. 

He was so excited about choosing a toy in his sunday school class today. No surprise that he chose a race car. I saw the children's director and she told me how cute and enthusiastic he was with practicing for the Christmas program. Can't wait to see. 

A little time with Ah-goo. He wanted some boba that's not like little bits of tire he said. Not as good where he gets it. NJ still hasn't had any (except in shaved ice), he got a chocolate milk as a treat. 

Lighted Christmas train, we just barely made it in time to see it pull in to the station. I mistakenly thought it was the one right by our place, this one was still really close. 

We didn't know there was a whole show with singing and dancing! The boys were up front with other kids and from what I could see, they really enjoyed it. NJ's happy just to see a train, but the lights and the show made it all the better. 

Ooh a candy cane from Santa! 

Some super excited boys! Happy from seeing the train? Happy from seeing the show? Or happy that they have candy canes? Not sure, but happy is happy!