"Don't say thank you Mama. I'll do anything for you."

NJ saw me wrapping stuff with bubble wrap. He tried to bubble wrap the roll of paper towel. He kept saying, "I can help too Mama."

He's pretty strong, this was one of the larger and heavier frames we have. He insisted. 

The first shift with Uncle Jimmy clearing the garage. NJ was finding every excuse to go out to see and talk to him, he was so excited about him being here. So funny. He wanted to bring out water, lemonade, grapes, and asked to help. 

Time for a needed pool break. Baba's been outside working and I've been inside working. Even in the a/c we're sweating and hot. NJ's been playing so nicely, helping, and already watched the Lego Movie. He was asking to go in the pool and it sounded like a great idea. He wanted to use his new spiderman swim toy. I thought it was funny that he was holding it like a trophy. 

Second shift with Uncle Peter. NJ went outside even without excuse to see him and see what was going on. He wouldn't stop pushing the dolly around. He tried to help and Baba and Uncle let him with what he could. It's so sweet how much he tried to help and how much he did help. I love his kind heart. We had a snack after we swam and I said, "Thank you for all your help with wrapping the pictures. You're so helpful and did a great job." 

NJ: "Don't say thank you Mama. I'll do anything for you."

M: "Oh so sweet, baby. I love you so much!" 

Baba and Uncle loaded the truck with our paintings and photo frames. We have a lot more than it seems since they are usually on the walls. We are so amazed at the amount of work we got done today, couldn't have done it without our friends (thank you!).

Red White and Boom

NJ got two yellows (small prize) and a red (jumbo prize) tossing ping pong balls into floating cups. Baba and I also each got a yellow. He chose the big blue one, it was bigger than him. He was so proud and we were proud of him too. He didn't want to carry it for long though, none of us did. It was extra hot with that big furry thing on us. Eventually we couldn't take it anymore and just checked it in  to get it later. 

"Hey, it's Wyldstyle!" 

Had to stop to see it again.

Cool Lego liberty hat. He eventually sweat through it. The paper got soggy and broke. Ha, ha.

Studying the city book page by page.

Now to study some boxes too. 

Pretty cool glasses, NJ.

We tried to be ahead so we could make a quick exit. We picnicked dinner sitting from our trunk and watched the fireworks.

We left during the finale and watched while we drove away. NJ was so excited he said, "That's what I'm talking about!"
That made us laugh. Never heard him say that before! We had no idea that we'd see at least twenty plus firework shows on the way home too. As we got close to home we also caught the fireworks from Angels stadium, Disneyland, and Knott's among many others. 

Lots of work to be done. Working tirelessly and it's pretty hot even with the a/c.

NJ and Auntie Susan had a california roll eating contest and a lot of conversation. We had lots of fun together. Our hang out continued at home, it was really nice to catch up. 

NJ chose a shade of blue from some swatches we gave him. A part of me is proud of him for choosing one so decisively. A lot of them seem similar to most, but not me. I've had to paint tons of shades of every color. It's not just all blue. Or maybe he just wanted to pick something to get on with playing again. That's probably it. 

Show Auntie Nicole what you're building. What a mess.

NJ insisted on opening these containers himself. I thought he was going to hurt himself by the look on his face, the way he was shaking, and grunting. He got them open.

A friendly game of Chutes and Ladders. NJ went to bed a bit late, but once he was down Auntie and I stayed up to talk. I loved having the great conversation and catching up. What a sweet friendship we have. 

Lunch, Daiso, Pop Rocks

So nice of Auntie to give NJ a fun Planes activity book and buy our drinks! And for coming all this way to visit us and spend time with us.

NJ asked me, "Mama, you want some water?" 

"Yes please, how nice!"

He brought back one for me and one for himself. I think it was because he was eyeing it and watching other people fill their cups.

How sweet, getting one for his mommy too.

What helpful boys! It's great that they wanted to help, but also that they worked together to do it! No fighting or complaining about who would do it, they just both picked it up and walked together. Amazing, what gentlemen. 

NJ bent down awkwardly just to carefully put the tray away on the shelf. So silly, he looked like a little old man. Ha, that's what I used to call him when he was a baby. 

Aww, holding hand through the store and across the way to another one. 

They each got to choose just one thing. Ooh, what to get?! Cute to watch them browse, talk to each other, show each other stuff, and just see their excitement over the smallest things. I love that, I don't want them to lose that. Such great stuff, it made for a hard decision of choosing. 

The boys played with Lego's on their own stuff and also together. They both seemed to be having a great time. It's so great how well they are getting along. 

Thank you Uncle Jason and Auntie Marnie for my first Pop Rocks candy. 

Needless to say, he liked it a lot. He's been begging for it for days, but there never seemed to be a good time to give him a package of candy! By request we recorded him eating them for the first time. I was hoping for more of a reaction, but that's NJ.

HOPE Beach Hangout

Uncle Jason, Auntie Marnie, and Joshua let us tag along with them after church to the beach! Actually we first stopped for lunch and then a store since I forgot to pack his flip flops! Ugh, I hate wasting money unnecessarily. Oh well. NJ had the back seat to himself. 

It's been a long time since we've been to the beach. Our first beach trip of the summer! 

NJ had the best time just digging and playing in the sand. 

The water was actually kind of warm, that almost never happens. Usually the water is toe numbingly chilly. It was a pleasant surprise that the temperature felt great. Not only that, but the sun wasn't too strong or hot. At times, it was a bit overcast which made it even nicer. 

Lots of people here! It's no wonder since it's such a beautiful and perfect day for the beach.

How cute the boys are building something together. It was nice of Josh to help NJ and play with him in the sand.

I had capris on too, but they got so soaked with water that they were heavy and falling off. Should've brought something extra! 

Took him a while, but he finally wanted to come out to the water with us. Well, he had his own agenda usually. Like washing his sandy truck or filling his bucket with water. 

The boys took off to play football with the rest of the boys. Even NJ who was too little to play, but he wanted to stay with Baba to watch. While the boys were occupied, my friend and I took a nice stroll along the water. It was so nice! I can't remember the last time the beach was this great! Usually I am trekking back and forth to bring NJ to the bathroom, it's super scorching hot, it's sticky, or windy, or something! If I could predict perfect beach days like this I wouldn't be so reluctant to go most of the time. Lots of people would love to be near beaches, but here I am complaining about it. Maybe I should give it more chances throughout the summer. 

Sharing some shaved ice together. 

The two hungriest boys finished it off easily for us!