A Happy Birthday Boy

NJ had a great time seeing some of his friends and family. He's been asking about it for the last couple months inviting all his school friends. Baba is always looking out for me and did his best to make it as stress free as possible. But of coarse I always end up doing more than I should. It's a good thing we have friends and family that are pretty awesome. Ah-ma is a resident of the city and helped me with reserving this spot and even paid for it. When we got there she was already hard at work putting up balloons and decorations. Then we had uncles and aunties come to help set up and calm my nerves. And once we were done, we had family and friends left that stuck around to help us clean up and pack up. We had three car loads so it was nice of them to also come over after. We sat around to talk and had coffee together. How blessed we are to have such great family and friends. So thankful for all our loved ones, even the ones that weren't there. 

The Finished Product

Baba took some photos of them and we even recruited a little model. A couple actually.

We had some visitors today! Auntie took the time to make some cool name tags for his friends and presents. We're sad they can't make it tomorrow, but they still got their goody bag gifts. We'll still be missing them, but glad to see them today! Thank you ah-ee!

NJ really wanted to look through all the stuff I had piled up at the door including the goody bags and snacks. 

Family Project Time

My sorted pile of legos went to Baba for him to drill. Not bad, it doesn't take long at all. 

Now to cut the ball chain spool into the correct lengths. 

NJ helped to straighten them out and line them up for stringing the legos one by one.

I'm thankful for will participants and great helpers! My crazy ideas come to life with these two to help make it happen. 

Hope his friends think they're as cool as we do and appreciate it, we put in lots of effort! Even if they don't, oh well, it was fun to make. 

NJ was yelling something about a spider. I'm glad he doesn't run screaming the way he used to. He got Baba's slipper to smoosh it and got a tissue to pick it up and throw it away. 

Lots of print outs to cut, this is not as fun for NJ, except he likes picking up the cut offs and throwing them away. 

His owie is healing nicely! He says it doesn't hurt any more. That's good!

He wanted Baba to draw on his bandage saying, "I like you to draw better" (as opposed to me). Baba, by request drew a truck, van, train, bulldozer, smiley face, and anchor (like Popeye's). 

Lego Sorting

While NJ was at school I sorted some legos for our project we're doing. It's so fun to be creative! 

NJ came home from school and I asked him to change. He didn't bother to put a shirt on which is unusual. Some boys run around in their undies or like being naked, not this one. He's always clothed. And oddly enough he really likes wearing his school clothes which I would think are scratchy and uncomfortable. They're already quite worn and it's only been about three months. Let's see if they'll even last the school year. 

Love does no harm to its neighbor

The first thing NJ wanted to do when he got home was build another truck. I missed a piece that threw everything off and didn't finish. I felt bad, but he just put some wheels on it and started playing with the truck anyway. Baba laughs at how he always puts the smallest tires possible on all the vehicles he makes. I think that's why all our tables and chairs have scratches all over them. Oh well. 

NJ met a new friend today, all three of us did. But she felt like an old friend because she was an extension of our close friends far away. We got to talk and get to know each other over coffee and I took her on an asian market adventure. I'm sure she's never been to an asian market and we went to three. She was here to go on her first mission to mexico. Which sounded a lot like my first recent trip to Japan. So we had much to talk about. Hope to have another chance to see her again sometime soon. She gave NJ some candy and before running off he said to me, "I'm going to save this for later and not eat it right now, ok?" Ok! After making his truck (sort of), double checking his homework, and going over his memory verse, I said he could have his candy if he wanted. I'm glad it was really only half the bag. I told him I was proud of him for making a good choice to save them for later. He memorized his verse pretty quick, I think I might have memorized it too... Love does no harm to its neighbor. Romans 13:10 

NJ likes to brush his teeth himself and insists on flossing which is great. Today he asked me why I go over his teeth again after he brushes. I told him that we have to be sure the teeth are really clean. He says, "Or I have to take my teeth out?" Something like that.
His prayer tonight was thoughtful in including our guest today:
"Dear Jesus, thank you that we had a good day and everyone in the whole wide world will have a good day tomorrow. We just ask you that Baba and our new friend has a safe trip back to where she lives and Baba will have a safe drive back. We pray for a good night sleep. In Jesus name, amen."