Carpooling is fun!

Uncle bought us all some breads and soy milk from the chinese bakery this morning. NJ wanted the hot dog bread. But for some reason today he decided he wanted the bread without the hot dog. Then about half way through he decided he did want it and tried to stuff the hot dog back into the bread which was really weird. I'm not sure what was going on with him and his hot dog bread today, so strange. 

Photo op with Emmett.

Studying some books while the dads chose and made some mini figures. 

I really can't tell who's more excited, the dads or the five year old. They are really into the trading now! Let's see what other treasures they can find today.

We went out to meet the rest of our party when I ran into my book group ladies! Hello! What a sweet surprise that was to see and talk to them for a bit. Had to take a photo!

The boys... one held by his daddy. 

We got a huge chunk of cake during lunch. Someone was having a birthday for their kid, but didn't finish the cake and offered it to us. We sang happy birthday to Uncle Pete instead when he returned to the table since he didn't see that it was given to us. I ate a bite or two of  NJ's but that's about it. It wasn't bad, just tasted so sweet. 

The kids really wanted to go into the water, but I totally left his swim suit and flip flops in the car! How could I forget?! The kids didn't want to change anyway and we told them just to wade around. We had no idea they'd go right in! Oh well, it's a hot day so they'll dry off quickly! 

NJ is drenched and I didn't even have his towel either. Auntie Susan shared one of theirs. 

Ooh, a great place to cool off and look around. 

NJ was trying to touch the fish that was swimming around, but I told him it's to touch a star fish!

NJ had no hesitation picking up the unhatched shark and a sea snail or something that looked like it. 

Some parking lot trading going on. NJ is confused. 

We went to dinner for a friend's birthday and then went back to their vacation rental for a visit. 

We gave NJ a shower, brushed his teeth, and put him in pi's before the ride home. A little someone else got a bath too! 

Science Books, Hornets Nests, Instruments

I've been finding all kinds of stuff in random places with the move. My latest discovery is this science book set that my brother and I had growing up. Inside the date was 1965. I haven't seen these probably since we moved the last time. Oh well, now to find a spot for them somewhere. I was laughing at all the stereotypical mother and father roles demonstrated in the book. I wonder if NJ will have any interest. It says first through eigth grade or something like that. 

NJ wanted to join Baba and Uncle outside as they went to take down some hornets nests. We told him it's best he stays inside.

He watched front he front window. From our view it was kind of comical to watch and not hear what they're saying or really know what they were doing. 

Some long awaited Lego building time with Uncle.

Finally, we found some toys that baby E could play with. Baba dug it out of the garage, NJ and I wiped them down. He seemed so excited!

More stuff to unload from the house. NJ and Baba are hard at work. It's hot out today! We took a trip to the Japanese market nearby. I got stuff to make hand rolls, but we also picked up some ready made ones for lunch since we got so hungry.

NJ was happy about his california rolls. 

It took me so long to chop all the veggies and ingredients for the hand rolls. I had two little ones crowding me. Dotty was waiting for something to drop and NJ was waiting for handouts. He was eating the carrots and cucumber faster than I could cut them up. Good thing there was plenty so I had enough for the potluck later. 

Book group gathering/reunion/potluck. New babies again! Good food and especially nice to catch up on everyone's lives and pray for each other. 

Chili Night

We got a microwave! Wow, we hardly feel deserving of such a gift from friends! Thank you! Now we can warm up food if we need to. It's the perfect size for our countertop. Baba and NJ are setting the time on it. 

I made a crock pot full of chili and wanted to share! We all ate quite a bit and then the kids played games together. I love seeing them all get along so well. They also watched a bit of the Lego Movie after the ice cream. 

Neopolitan ice cream, yum. Thank you for bringing it! And thank you for always being so helpful!
Uncle Jason and Auntie Marnie also came by for a bit and brought some chili home with them. I got to have lunch with Auntie Marnie and see her after dinner. What a treat. 

Library Playdate

Library playdate! Or as NJ pronounces, lie-burry. Baby had a music class so we tagged along to read and check out books. NJ picked out some fun books that I read to him. Then I told him to go find one that he could read himself. He read, Are You My Mother? It took him a while, but he read through the whole thing. He loves this book. We have a few Dr. Seuss books, but I don't think we have this one. I have yet to figure out where his three tubs full of books are. Somewhere in the garage probably. We can make our own little reading area in his room. I'm so glad he loves books and reading. Hope to keep that going. So far so good. 

We took a stroll around the mall afterwards too. The kids played a round of hangman. 

Too cute, they are all trying to entertain the baby with peek-a-boo! We couldn't stop laughing. So nice to have a fun and relaxing playdate together. 

Spot It! and Hangman

NJ and Baba trying out the new game, Spot It! NJ did a great job and we really like it. It's fun and it's great for working on identifying things quickly. They had so much fun.

NJ and Cameron played and they both got pretty good at it.

Even Connor joined in with a five second head start. He did great! 

Now for some hang man. They switched off guessing and creating words. I love these games! I got them today at my appointment. It ended up being so long! First I met with my cousin for some tea and we got to catch up. It's such a treat to meet when we finally get to, I love being able to talk. After that, I went to my afternoon appointment at UCLA. The doctor was running an hour behind. This is why I never choose anything but early morning stuff because everything always runs behind, but this was all they had. So after a painful wait and appointment, they found out my son was waiting with my husband. They gave me a bag full of toys to choose from. I really thought it would be toys from the dollar store or something. These were really nice! I picked two that were games and in a tin. Made it a little more worth it. By the time I was done the traffic was so bad it took us so long to get home! By the time we made it home, we didn't have much time to rest. We met Auntie part way at a Phoenix to see each other. And I also needed to pick up a keyboard from her. So kind of her to give it away to another friend of mine who needs one. Love how that works out! So thankful and happy we could spend some time together! I'm missing living closer to her. 

HOPE-filled Sunday

It's a good morning, we're off to HOPE! And the best part? It only took us five minutes!! What a difference. Usually NJ is driving us nuts asking why we always have to take three freeways and how he doesn't like how long it takes. No more complaining, before we knew it we were there. What a great feeling to be so close again. Since last week we didn't make it, it's our first official Sunday at HOPE after the move. We're so excited! We felt so loved when we were greeted by the pastors, leaders, and friends who were all so excited for us to be back. It's so sweet and heart warming to have felt so welcomed and loved by so many. We're excited about what God has for us with our family, with serving, with so many aspects of our life. Feeling so blessed yet again.

NJ drew this picture in his class today. This morning as we pulled out of the driveway he said, "Maybe I can make a sign that says NJ's house that points to our house so our friends know where to go when they come over."
I said that was a nice idea to help people find our house, but probably not good to put your name on something identifying our house. He showed us this picture he drew of the three of us and Dotty. And it has an arrow sign with our house number and his name on it. He was really thinking about it I guess! 

We had invited some families to come bring lunch over to hang out to celebrate our first Sunday. Our tables and chairs were all full and it was great! A full house.

The kids and dads all went out to ride their scooters and bikes up and down the driveway, play four square, hand ball, throw the football, and frisbee. We closed the gate and everyone ran around until it was too hot. But what a joy it was to see them play and enjoy themselves. So great that we can do this. 

After a while it was only the boys outside. I thought it seemed pretty quiet and I figured out why when I looked out the window. They were all on (or looking at) devices. We thought it was such a funny sight. They're outside, but on their phones. I guess it just got too hot and they decided to take a break.

The boys lounging on the couch together. So cute! They were trying to entertain baby. 

NJ couldn't stop giggling, he said baby was tickling his neck. 

Tofu game challenge by the dads! I don't know who won, I was laughing too hard at their seriousness. 

More Lego building with Uncle Jimmy. I guess everyone was having so much fun, it was practically almost dinner time! How did that happen?