Angels

I got some last minute discount tickets online when we found out our friends would be in the area. I was a little unsure about the last minute decision, but it turned out to be great! 

To our surprise, we actually each got hats with our tickets. I got them just in time since Auntie was about to maybe buy one. NJ didn't wear his for long before he didn't want it. At least we got a photo first.

It was such a nice night. The sky was pretty, the stadium was so nice, the people were all nice and friendly, we had a good view, it wasn't super crowded or crazy, it was nice and clean with bathrooms everywhere. I was preparing to melt in the sun, but actually there was a cool breeze and there was no sun directly on us. It was much better than I anticipated.

I also worried about NJ being bored or that he wouldn't pay much attention, but he did pretty good. This was the boys' first baseball game. He made himself really comfy with a blanket and relaxed. I thought he might have fallen asleep, but he was watching. 

Couldn't complete the night without a family photo or two! Yay, so fun! 

Give Back (Packs)

He got his school's spirit shirt today. It says, "Soar ...do your best... Colossians 3:23"

We went to a school volunteering opportunity to fill backpacks to give to kids that need it in the community. It was especially nice to do as a family. 

What a pleasant surprise that we were served Chick-Fil-A at the volunteering event. We got hot chicken sandwiches, salad, fruit, and a chocolate chip cookie. Yum! Oh, can't forget the sweet tea too. We were the last to finish eating since NJ always takes his time to enjoy his food and I'm just a slow eater. 

NJ filling his first backpack by himself. There were backpacks, folders, paper, pencils, crayons, erasers, glue, pencil sharpeners, scissors, a goody bag from the museum with free tickets, and a note saying, "You are loved" with a list of organizations that donated. 

After filling the backpacks, we hand it off to a fireman who puts them together in a pile. He was nice enough to offer to take a photo with NJ. So cute. 

To keep the line moving, Baba handed out backpacks to everyone in line and NJ jumped in too. 

All our school volunteers in a photo with firemen. 

The pile for junior high kids.

The pile for elementary kids. 

NJ and his cousin or distant cousin? Ha, ha. It's Ah-gim's sister's son. So they're related by marriage. Well, we were surprised to see them on the first day of school! And now we see them quite often at school activities. 

With the mountain of backpacks. 

Backpacks are filled, time to go and do some judo kicks while we're at it. NJ loves it, he giggles and giggles. We had great conversation on the way to the event and back. I was thinking earlier today that it would be nice to do something together tonight as a family. I kind of forgot about the backpack event. It turned out to be perfect. What better way to spend time together than to serve as a family? Something I've always imagined that we could do together. Starting early is always a good thing. He asked where we were going, what are we doing, and why. We were happy to explain that not every one's Mama and Baba has the money to buy them backpacks and everything you need for school. And sometimes other people have more than enough. So when you have more than enough, you give to those who don't have enough. When there's a need, you help. He says, "Some people have everything even they don't need it." I love this! Makes me such a happy Mama.

Smoothies and Swimming

Poor guy is always so tired after school. The smallest things get him whining and complaining. 

Some Jamba and pirate's booty from home kept him looking somewhat alive. I ran into the mom that we saw last time at Jamba and she asked me if I had gone back. I didn't know it was until today. Since it's the last day of $1 16oz for students, we went for it again. Yum! He usually likes the same one, but today he said he wanted to try something different. Great attitude, sure you can try something different! So Baba ordered him a white gummy, which I knew nothing about and is not on the menu. Interesting. As long as he likes it and he did. Yay! 

We had to stop for gas on the way home. As Baba was getting out to the car NJ says, "Baba, you better clean the window it's so dirty." 

Baba says, "Yes son, that's a great idea!" 

It was 100 degrees today. It didn't feel like there was any a/c at the volunteering event so we were all so sweaty. Even though it was already nearly 7:00pm, we had to jump in the pool. At least for a little bit to cool off. The pool was so nice and warm we didn't want to get out. We were still out there when it started getting pretty dark. 

NJ's new thing is doing backward flips off of Baba's legs. He also likes to run and jump into the pool. I only let him do that a couple of times in the beginning though before the floor gets too wet and he can slip. With Baba he loves climbing on him and getting dunked by him. He's pretty much independent in the pool, he's not clambering and hanging on me which is nice and less worrisome. He likes going under to put his legs in the air or sit criss cross on the floor of the pool. I'm sure by next summer I won't even have to worry at all. He's pretty good at listening to our rules and instructions. It makes pool time much more enjoyable. 

Bedtime devotions and even Dotty is listening in. She usually joins us in the room as we read and pray together before tucking him in. She sits with us until we turn off the lights and close the door. 

What? You want me to clean? I've let go of the mess that overflows from NJ's play area. It's driving me crazy, but every time I figure out a good method to store it all he gets more stuff or it gets all mixed up. It's fighting a losing battle every day. He tries, though. That's all I care about and I help him too. 

His little mini cars that he convinced Ah-ma to take him to the toy store to buy. Oh dear, this guy...

Modeling a shirt that his great grandmother made. I remember wearing it when I was little. He's already stretching it out. I just wanted a quick picture of him in it for memory. 

I collected as much baby stuff that's been at my mom's. Some of it she had because NJ was there a lot, but she was also nice enough to store it for us. I didn't want to put it in our garage to get all dirty. Two pack'n'plays, a bedding set, play mats, crawling tunnel, stroller, a ride on, and some toys. That little blue elephant was one that we sent to him while he was still in Taiwan. I still remember buying it for him and thinking about whether he'd like it at the age that he was at. I think I gave it to my dad to give him. That means he was about four months old at the time. 

I had the chance to go to a great night of music. I love their music and they were coming to our area so I had to try to go! 

All my baby's onesies. And the outfit he wore the day he became officially ours. So wrinkled from being smashed in a space bag. I hardly remember him being this small. So many memories going through his stuff today. I put away some stray 3t's, sorted his 4t's, brought out his 5's and put away the 6/7's. He's growing too fast. 

His helicopter is rescuing the truck with a yoyo. 

Labor Day

We had a very simple day, no plans, no place to go and it felt great. I forget how often I over plan and fill our time. Sometimes it's nice to just be and spend quality time with the family. We went to get some groceries for the day and for the week. NJ stocked up on free samples. 

After lunch, we worked on some homework. Poor guy gets frustrated so easily. He did a lot of erasing and re-writing. NJ really likes this star wars shirt, every time it's newly washed he puts it on. I think because Ryan also has one and because he knows his Uncle Perry is a star wars enthusiast. 

NJ was especially excited about the pool. I think it's the warmest I've felt the water since it's been heated everyday by this hot weather. 

I love watching the boys have fun together. NJ was giggling so much, it was heartwarming. He really liked being dunked and going for a ride around the pool. And he kept asking him, "Bullet train, Baba, bullet train!" I guess that's his way of asking for his ride to be faster. He's been saying that since I've been back, it's funny to hear him talk about the bullet train. 

The sky was so pretty and the water had a nice glow to it. I had a hard time trying to capture both. So I did one at a time. 

NJ running on water...

And doing some fancy kicking. 

Mr. pouty face was hungry, tired, and hot. Actually, I think we all were. We had some lunch after church and went to the newest Daiso in the area. There was a grand opening the day before. It was only on the other side of the little strip mall, but I felt like it was too far to walk. We still walked, but it was such a long one. It doesn't feel like september at all with this crazy heat.