Pajama Day

Someone's excited to be wearing comfy pajama's to school! He's not wearing what he slept in, but I had him pick out a new one instead. Seems strange to really just get out of bed and spend the day with the clothes you slept in. 

NJ knows school is a short ride so he asked to sit in the booster. 

Ah-ma showed us some paper crafts she learned on her trip. NJ showed me and told me all about his plan on what he was going to make. My mom made fun of me and said NJ is more excited about it and determined than I am. I have a lot of projects going on, this will have to wait! 

Baba had some food and NJ came around to see what it was. He was happy Baba shared. 

After school he changed into this shirt and I told him it's a Christmas shirt, but he still really likes it.

This is the highest we've stacked the tofu with this game! Good job, NJ. He's getting better with chopsticks.

Bed time already. 

NJ wanted to sit with me while I worked on a project most of the day. So I gave him some learning activity books to work on. 

Two Surprise Guests and Two Jailed Criminals

We surprised NJ by picking him up a little early and with special guests in the car. The five of us went to grab some sandwiches since they hadn't eaten lunch yet. NJ already had lunch so he got a treat of some i-c-e c-r-e-a-m. 

Auntie Evin and Uncle Greg stopped in for a couple hours. We maybe get to see each other only once a year or two, we always wish it was more often. Too bad we can't live across the street from each other the way we did when we were four. Such great memories. So glad we're still making more. NJ showed them his legos of coarse and even showed the ones he didn't have (and wished he had). 

NJ was not done with building legos. 

I suggested he build a garage. Baba helped him with finding pieces. 

It went from garage to a garage with a fueling station, watch tower, teleportation station, and jail (with two criminals). 

He insisted on having a dessert and or snack even though he complained of a tummy ache. I told him he couldn't since he faked a tummy ache. It was strange that he was acting up so I tried to have a talk with him. He was so fidgety and not paying attention so I started to get upset until I stopped to ask him what was going on and how he's feeling. At first I got nothing. Until I asked him if it was because he missed Baba. To my surprise he broke down crying and nodding his head. It's the first night back at judo after the holiday break from the dojo. Baba and him have really bonded. So much that I am no longer the go-to person for him. This is a bittersweet change. I miss being the one he wants and the one to comfort him. It also makes me so happy that they have a good strong bond that melts my heart. He goes to wake up Baba instead of me, calls for him, waits for him, wants to show him everything, tell him everything, share everything, it's the sweetest thing. I've been praying for these boys to have a loving relationship that will grow stronger and stronger especially when he gets older. Trust, safety, and strong bonds can never start too young. I'm a happy Mama.

I also had a talk with him about how pretty soon when he's old enough he can go to judo with Baba too. But to go to judo faster he has to practice good listening and following directions. That way he will learn faster and it will be safer. Safer for him to not get hurt and safer for the other person not to get hurt. He seemed to like that idea. And I told him that the sooner he went to bed the sooner he would see Baba when he woke up. So glad he went to sleep happier. After all that, I let him choose one thing to have before brushing his teeth and going to bed. Thank goodness that he chose veggie chips. He even explained to me how he liked each different piece of dried vegetable. 

Nativity in a Walnut, Tofu, and Bees

First day back to school after two weeks off. He asked yesterday about it, when I told him he had school, he was excited. He said, "I do?! Yaaaaaay!! I love school!" 

Ah-ma is back and brought some fun goodies for us. 

Including a tiny nativity scene in a walnut. I've always wanted a nativity scene, but haven't looked for one or like one enough to ever take home. And I'm worried about the amount of space it takes to store it and display it. This is perfect, just my size. 

NJ couldn't wait to show grandma his new games. He calls them the tofu game and bee game. They were mutually excited and missed each other. NJ prayed for her every night to have a good trip and come back safely. 

HOPE, Gen, Fosselman's

NJ's first offering. He's been earning money this last week (at the start of the year). I woke up to Baba talking to NJ about the importance and significance of tithing. I thought it was really sweet and cool, not to mention a great reminder for ourselves. That's one of many reasons why having kids is great, you get constant reminders of lessons in life. It was cute, he was excited to drop his envelope in the box. 

We surprised Baba with lunch reservations at a korean bbq place he's been wanting to try. We were joined by four and a half families, but missing two. Baba enjoyed the food and we had lots of fun with the company we had. (We missed you, Oates' and Reyes')

After a long lingering all you can eat lunch, we went for ice cream! We didn't want the fun to end. We still wanted to hang out together and we had no cake so I suggested to come here. I miss this place, we loved going when we lived closer. Haven't been back since. 

Of coarse, it was hard to get NJ to even get passed the line up of candy by the door. 

The kids loved their ice cream!

A quick stop to help uncle with his car. It was so sweet of them to invite us to stay for dinner, but I was about to crash. It's been a long day that we've been out. Next time. :) Baba said he had a good birthday. I'm so glad. He kept saying he didn't want to do anything, but I had to make the day special somehow. It was great to be with friends to celebrate and hang out with.