Putting up some decorations for the birthday girl. 

And here she is! Already one, but a celebration all the same. She was my company while her mommy went out to get stuff at the store. 

NJ was eyeing the popcorn from the moment we got there. Later I noticed that he had another bowl. I asked him how many bowls he's had. He held up one finger. I asked how many more and he held up two. Then I asked how many he really had and he held up three fingers. Aha, that's what I thought! 

Someone's pretty happy about his giraffe! 

The lovely mama of the birthday girl. She said the dress she's wearing is one that she bought when she first moved here from Brazil. A mother of two girls and she always looks amazing! 

This is one cute giraffe!

He went back to the balloon guy for a sword. 

He's not the only kid that got a sword made. Uncle challenged her to a sword fight. 

Then someone else joined in. They all tired themselves out. It was really cute to watch Baba play with the kids. They got really into it!

NJ was fascinated by the girls playing with the ponies and little house. He looks a bit out of place.

Cake time!

NJ's always trying to get a good look at the cake.

Mmm... my birthday cake is yummy!

NJ agrees. :)

I didn't realized he had taken this pastry. I probably would have cut it in half, but oh well!

Fun in the bounce house.

All lined up for the piñata from little to big. 

After only one turn each, the pinata went down. NJ was in the midst of the frenzy, but as always, only came up with one piece of candy. It was nice of the other parents to give him a few more. 

I think this is the first time he's had sour patch kids, he liked them and didn't seem to think they were sour. 

The cute little invitations for the party. We had lots of fun, wish we could have stayed longer. NJ needed to get back for bed and I was so exhausted that my body ached. I know I've over done it any time my body aches. Time to rest for tomorrow. Great time spent with friends though and watching my boy have so much fun.

NJ loves his stamps, markers, and craft stuff. I asked him to make a card for me and draw some pictures. He did his best to draw a couple of his vehicle stamps. 

Parent teacher conferences today. We have an A student, we're so proud! We also found out interesting things we didn't know. Like how NJ likes to be a rule reminder, likes to be helpful, and likes praying. The teacher also showed us some of his work that stays at school. This one was our favorite. 

"Help me, Mama!"

"Thank you!"

We took a stroll around the store, he kept wanting to go back to the cars aisle of coarse!

He likes to brush his own teeth now, but he still lets me go over his teeth again in case he misses anything. 

NJ wanted to read some books before our devotion book, so he got me a whole stack. 

An after school trip to the market. NJ was really good, he wasn't restless, didn't whine or complain or beg for anything.

I love little moments like this, I just love these two so much! They are both watching the coffee machine dispense coffee. 

Time for some homework before getting lost in play.

NJ asked Baba to help him build a car. I like how you can really tell their size difference at the little lego table. 

We've had this little visitor inside our screen, but outside the window. He's been hanging out here since yesterday. I'm getting worried that maybe it can't find it's way out. But before dark, it was gone. 

I asked NJ to clean his toys out of the way. I got a bit of complaining at first, but he did it so nicely and did a great job cleaning. 

As we left for school, NJ and I noticed that Baba's car was in the driveway. We both knew that means it's the car we're taking to school. He says to me, "Oh no. Mama do you know how to drive this car better? You drive the small car better." 

As I'm backing out of the drive way he tells me, "Yea, that's better already. You can do it!" 

Thanks for the confidence, kid! Couldn't help but to laugh.

We picked up NJ from school together. We got to talk to one of his classmate's moms. NJ wanted to show his friend our car. With the door open, he handed him some candy. I didn't even know there was any candy in the car, but leave it to him to find it. It was nice of him to give it away to his friend. We all went together to get him a t-r-e-a-t. We told him he could pick one thing at the bakery. He was pretty excited about that. 

NJ helped while Baba changed his license plate frame. So helpful!

NJ really wanted to play chinese checkers. I asked him if he knew how to play and he explained the rules to me. He set up the board and told us, "Mama, you're white. Baba, you're red. And I'm green. Ok?" Even though he understood how to play, we still had to remind him what jumping pieces meant. He did pretty good. Brought back memories of when I'd play chinese checkers with my dad when I was younger. I wish I could remember the strategies I used to have! I love that I can continue this with NJ and maybe he can also play this with my dad too. 

Dotty fell asleep on the tracks today. She gets squeezed out of her sunbathing spot when NJ doesn't clean up after himself. 

NJ did his homework happily. Once he got into that is. At first he complained to me asking why I gave him so much at once. He was happy to get some bao or bbq pork bun. I offered a piece but not all of it since he already had dinner. He said, "Mama can I have half?  A semi-circle?"

No memory verse this week, but he repeated the last one. I read him the creation and we talked about that. He's been learning that at school and has been talking about it. Sometimes randomly, but I'm glad he's so interested and learning.