Minecraft Party

Minecraft party! 

NJ had such a great time building these mine craft animals, jumping in the jumper, playing legos, playing video games, and just running around! He wasn't the only one, Baba and I were happy to relax with the other dads and moms. We talked while the kids played until we didn't even notice that it was nearly 10:00pm! So fun!

NJ was especially excited to play his first video games. He played super mario brothers from what I could tell. We thought at first he was just holding it and pretending, but no, they let him play. I asked if the kids taught him how to play or told him which buttons to press. He said, "No. I knew all by myself. Nobody told me anything, I just played."
Well, ok then. I guess just like that he's playing video games! Ha, ha. We knew we couldn't prevent it forever. We're so happy he had so much fun with everything that they did. Thankful for the invite and getting to know NJ's school friend and family. :) 

My boys. So cute playing and building together. 

During dinner Baba said, "Wow, someone here is eating so well, sitting nicely, and being so polite! That someone might get a dessert if they keep it up."
He looks over at me and pats my shoulder and says, "Good job, Mama!"
NJ laughed so hysterically I thought he was going to fall off his chair. He said, "Silly Baba."
Baba: "What? I'm not talking about Mama? Then who?"
NJ: "It's me!"

We went for an after dinner walk around the block with Dot Dot. 

A couple games of guess who. 

And chutes and ladders. (I won again!)

Devotions time. It's really nice that NJ can read it with us now. I'm so impressed and it's cool to hear him read God's word. I love spending time with my boys. It was the cutest to see NJ all over his Baba snuggling him all day. I finally feel like things are coming back to normal. 

Breaking in the Pool for the Summer

Finally. NJ's been asking almost daily to go in the pool. And he's been talking to his friends about having them over for a pool party. He got his pool party. He was so, so excited it was cute. They had so much fun playing they stayed in the pool for at least a couple hours. With a break for some snacks and legos. I wish we could have days like this everyday. So relaxing and nice. 

A quick stop at the farmer's market. We got some more delicious nectarines. NJ was in the middle of watching a movie when we pulled him out for more fresh air and an evening walk. He seemed a little sad, but on the way home he said, "If I don't get to watch the rest, it's ok Baba." 

We love that attitude!

There wasn't much left so he got to see the rest and then it was off to bed. What a fun full day with friends and together as a family. 

The Lego Move

Our helpful guy that offered to help with the table. Time for the move. 

The legos have all made their way home at last. Didn't take long for it to be spread out through the whole room. 

I got the kitchen cleaned up again and met my best friend at the farmer's market this morning. So I was all ready for cooking a nice healthy dinner. I love being able to cook and enjoy dinner with my boys. Able because the kitchen's back and I'm feeling well enough to. It was a yummy and pleasant dinner. Yummy fresh food and my boys enjoying it. NJ was happily eating. After his first plateful he pointed to his plate with his fork and said, "It's all clear for more food, any of them!" I baked some fish for the boys, we had asparagus, potatoes, tabouli, pita, and hummus. NJ kept calling the pita "not tortillas" because he kept calling them tortillas and I kept correcting him that it's pita bread. So when he'd ask for them he'd say, "Can I get more not tortillas please?" He also mentioned how much he loved everything and wanted to make it everyday. That's what he said about the chili we made. He said, "Oh yeah, that too! Everyday, ok Mama?" I love having him home! He was as sweet and pleasant as could be. 

The boys worked on building back the fire station again after dinner while I finished up some laundry.

I made NJ's bed and it reminded me of a photo I came across recently. It was a photo of my room back in high school and my bed had these sheets on it. It's funny how my mom saves stuff. Sometimes I think it's too much, but other times I'm glad she does it. I love seeing it on my son's bed for him to sleep on. 

I was laying on the day bed when NJ came over to squeeze in with me. He wanted to take pictures again. He must see people doing this all the time because I don't. I'm not much of a selfie person unless someone else is inviting me to take one with them. I took one and he took one. Can you tell who took which one? 

Appointments, Shark Feeding, Kisses

Lots of waiting. Blood test, then two appointments. We met a really sweet couple waiting for clinic. We had plenty of time to chat and get to know each other a bit. Before leaving we exchanged numbers. We exchanged stories, which is always interesting. It's really nice to hear other people's stories of how they got sick, their experience, and how the recovery was. A lot of times I feel so different from everyone because there's so few people that understand. Surprisingly the appointments went relatively quickly, quick in comparison to usual anyway. 

Excited about his new set and couldn't wait to show us. 

NJ showed me how his white shark is fed. There's an entire bag of feed for the shark. 

He also showed me the traffic lights and sidewalks that he made. 

The traffic lights even had buttons to press. This mini figure is pressing the button to walk. 

I spotted his newest mini figure that he says is now a criminal. 

This is how he gives his kisses. He really puckers up and gives wet ones. It's sweet though. 

After the kisses, NJ wanted to take a picture together. We always take several and most are a mess, but I liked this one.

NJ and Dot in the back seat. They both made quite the fuss. Whining, growling, barking, and complaining about each other. They have the same look on their faces like: It wasn't me!
It's both of you! Can't you learn to get along? Goodness!

VBS Week

VBS this week at his old preschool. Lots and lots of kids. I hope there are some kids from his school so he has people he knows. I'm excited for him, I think he'll have fun. 

Mom gave us some sticky rice or taiwanese tamale or bah tsang. She says we're supposed to eat it this time of year or something about celebrating it or a festival. Or I don't know maybe I should have asked. She also told us that some have mushroom and the others had egg, but we didn't know which. I guess it'll be a surprise then. 

NJ went to stay with Ah-ma since I have a very, very early morning appointment. I got an email with this picture from my mom. She's getting high-tech on me. She took this with her iPad and sent it by email. I got a call from Mom telling me that Dad had taken NJ to the toys r us. I thought: Oh no. Did he ask to go or to be taken there? Was it my dad that wanted to and offered? Did he ask so he could get something? What did he ask for? What if he asks for something expensive?
We called Dad to thank him for taking him. He called back to say that he wanted to take him, he was good, and didn't ask for anything. He did pick out a set that he wanted to buy and intended to pay for it. Dad said NJ took out his wallet and money and everything, but didn't have quite enough. So Dad paid for it. It was sweet to hear my dad tell the story, to hear him talk about NJ and laugh and say how cute he is. He was impressed by how he didn't ask for anything and tried to pay. I only wish I was there to witness this cuteness, but at the same time it made me so happy to know that my dad and my son spent time together. I think that's the first time my dad's taken NJ out by himself. Me, Baba, or Ah-ma is always with him. I love to hear my dad talk about NJ and to see him with NJ. It always makes me smile. 

Some brunch, shopping, and coffee. 

Now for some quality time with my little guy. A game or two of guess who - star wars version. He kept winning because it was hard for him to understand some of my guesses. He doesn't know who the "good guys" are verses the the "dark side" ones. And when I say, "Is it a person?" Some that look like people actually aren't. I can't let him watch it yet for him to understand all these things, but someday he'll be a pro. 

NJ asked Baba to build some trees with him. He wanted me to take a photo of the tree cluster he made.

So cute in his "new" robe from one of his friends.