First week of school is done, yay! We're still having a hard time getting up, but we love the walks. Nathan likes his teacher, he says she's really nice. And he's told us the names of his friends and who he plays with. He's excitedly talking about how nice they are. No homework yet, no supplies list, and no packed lunches needed. We had to buy a few plain white, red, and blue shirts. He mostly had enough already from our friend's son who's school color also includes navy blue. We're happy he is happy! He adjusting well and loves school, what a blessing. 

NJ has the daily job of feeding Dot. He takes his job seriously and always asks, "Is this ok?"

referring to the amount of food. I drew a line with a sharpe but he still asks. 

Finally the rest of the kitchen is clear and we have our little eating table again. Much better clear than cluttered. 

We ate dinner at the small table despite resistance. NJ wanted to eat at the big table. But I didn't work up a sweat putting everything away just for it to not be used. I let him open the window shade to let in light. We had a little dinner just him and me. Baba and his friend were helping someone move. 

NJ wanted to take a photo of Dot. I told him he should never take photos under a table because it's not very appropriate. But I knew he was taking one of Dot and I told him not to get me in it. Looks like my foot still made it in.
We made it a routine that when he comes home from school he takes everything off and gets a shower. Right now it's because he's so sweaty and dirty. Come winter, he'll probably have all kinds of germs on him. It's been working out great. He gets the dirt and germs off and he's all clean and ready for bed when the time comes. Besides brushing his teeth and devotions, but it cuts down on the bedtime routine. I've been putting extra lotion so his skin doesn't get too dried out. 

Another rushed walk to school. NJ has been taking so long to eat. And Baba and I are not used to waking up early, so waking up even earlier seems impossible still! We'll get used to the routine, it's only the first week.

NJ wanted to watch something and asked both of us. He hasn't all week and he did well at school today so we agreed. The teacher said he was a good leader again today. He also said how much he liked the snapea crisps I put in his snack bag. I'm so glad. Baba doesn't like them, he made a really funny face. I think they're ok, but I like weird stuff. 

We all shared some leftovers for dinner. And I gave him his own cup of strawberries that he enjoyed. 

Congratulations on the house, Auntie!

Trying Uncle's glasses on. We told him not to open his eyes so they wouldn't hurt. But I took a photo so that he could see what he looked like in them. So nerdy, but cool. Ha, ha.

It's been quite a day of visits. This morning as we were taking NJ to school we had a visit from the guy who owned and built this house we live in. He visited with his son who we've only seen for maybe the second time. The first time he was still a toddler and now he's a teen! They came in and took a tour while we caught up for a bit. After that, I left to bring lunch and visit my cousin and their baby. So, so cute! Wish I could have stayed longer, but couldn't get caught up in traffic. I missed NJ's pick up, but got to rest a little. Then we were off to visit our friend's first day of their first home ownership. And another friend's birthday, two things to celebrate in one. It's been a long day, but worth it.
He told us today that two of the kids he played with were Vincent and Joy. We asked him yesterday to try to remember the names of friends he meets or kids he played with. We asked him what he had for lunch and he told us an apple, yogurt, muffin, and milk. When we asked him what main thing he ate, we had to explain what that meant. He said he didn't have anything else to eat. How is that possible? They just let them pick what they want without any main dish or real food? We'll have to figure that one out. He also said that the teacher told him he was being a good leader in class. When Baba went to pick him up, NJ said he found money in the classroom. Baba walked him back to the classroom to give it to the teacher. It was seventy-five cents. She gave him a sticker and complimented his honesty. She told Baba that he's a good kid and that he was quiet at first, but is starting to open up. I hope he continues to be a leader and is helpful and honest. So cute, wish I was there. 

We're taking Dot with us today. She was so excited she kept stopping to sniff everything. We had to pull her along so that we wouldn't be late. On the way home we let her take her time. All the kids loved her. Baba heard one kid say, "Aww how cute, the legs are only two inches!"

He made a crown today with the letter k on it. He told us about his lunch, a turkey sandwich and milk. He said he made some friends, but didn't remember their names. He likes the teacher a lot. He repeated the rules they were taught. He's all about rules and repeating them. 

We made our first trip to Sam's club and stocked up on stuff. He would have loved coming with us. We did a lot of errands today! He's excited to have the benefits, we got lots of good food for us. 

First Day of School

All ready for school. He has jeans, navy polo, sun block on, and spiked hair. He has his backpack, water, snack, lunch, some hand sanitizer. He's had a good long night's rest and a good breakfast. 

Our new morning walk to school. This will be a good daily exercise walking back and forth. 

So cute. He's such a big boy, but still so little.

Bye NJ, have a great day, we're so proud of you! 

NJ's first day of school and I had plans to go out with a friend. Instead, we all went to walk around together at their city's old town. It was nice and relaxing.

Surprise! Ah-ma came in time to come pick NJ up with us. He was excited to see her. It was thoughtful of her to come out to visit. First time since we've moved. She said he's been asking and asking about when she'd visit. 

He didn't finish his lunch so I warmed it up for him to finish. 

Giving Ah-ma the tour: "See my room Ah-ma?"

I gave him the job of looking for every piece of the Lego City game. He got grandma to join in on the search. It took quite a long time. 

Time to bake some cookies. NJ's been asking and waiting. It's been hot and I've been lazy, but I got a request and wanted to fulfill it. I tried a cookie recipe from my book group friend. Yum! 

I packed almost all of it into different bags for the girls tonight. But I let NJ have just one small one. 

Dinner, cake, cookies, and balloons for a small celebration for our friend's graduation.

Feeling great and super excited about building something right now! He kept breaking out in song and it made me laugh every time. I tried to record it, but he always stops by the time I get to it. He's still singing one of his favorites, "One way! Jesus! You're the only one that I could live for!"
It's somewhere between singing and shouting. I love the enthusiasm. A couple of times I heard him sing some VBS songs too. He seems to really enjoy singing. Sometimes when songs he knows come up on the Pandora station he'll sing those too. It warms my heart to hear him sing praises. 

Busy, busy with his building. 

While he was lost in his Lego world, I was lost in my own world of cleaning. I was inspired by my friend talking about her cleaning lady spending at least two hours in their kitchen. Yikes, I wonder how many hours it would take for ours. So I attempted to wipe everything down and do some scrubbing too. Felt great! Lots of people call me crazy, but I find it very satisfying to clean. Just wish my energy level held up to my own expectations. Next up is the floors. 

Quick dinner for mr. "I'm starving!" 

Made some noodles with some leftover beef, cut some cold tofu, and gave him some cold cooked spinach. He cleared every bowl. 

We made sure to each pray for his first day of school tomorrow... For good sleep, a restful night, focus for good listening and following directions, be aware of others around and what's going on, look for opportunities to be kind and helpful, make some new friends, have fun, be safe, have a great first day of school... We're very excited for him and he is very excited too! He's been telling everyone this past week that, "My school starts Monday!"
What a difference a year has made. Last year I was an absolute mess with anxiety over him starting school. I'm at total ease this time, I feel like I know what I'm doing. I think! At least I have the experience from last year of the routine, the homework, the projects, making lunch, emotional drama, proper uniforms, all that fun stuff. We're praying for an even better year now that we all have been through it together. We're so proud of him already with everything that he's already learned with academics and emotionally and socially this past year. It'll also be nice to get back into a routine again. I think he's getting bored of us!