NJ really wanted to help me with making lettuce wraps for tonight, but it was all chopping and then cooking on the stove. He helped me with throwing stuff away. He asked me what I was making. When I told him it was lettuce wraps he was so, so excited! It made me happy that it made him so happy. 

He wanted to see the bracelets I made and he wanted to take one to give to his friend. I refused and said he should give it to someone in the family. 

NJ wanted to pose with the card he made for Auntie. He said that it was me and Auntie with coffee cups because we're drinking coffee together and talking. Ha, ha. He knows us well. 

NJ and his cousins, so cute! We were all with one boy until one got a little brother. And now we also have a girl cousin, yay! How sweet to have them all together for the first time. Now there are six little ones. And a surprise visitor of Ah-goo. He was so excited about seeing him, it was very sweet. 

His first free dress day. It's going to be hot today! 

NJ is helping Auntie Becca with preparing dinner by opening almost all the cans. He was very helpful and wanted to learn. Auntie taught him how to use the can opener and he did it quite well. It took me a long time to ever figure it out myself or even have enough strength to turn it. He is much stronger than I was when I was little. 

He and Auntie did some looms together. She hardly remembers because it's been a while since she's loomed with her niece. I laughed and joked about how we're two years behind the latest trend. Ha, ha. Just like Baba and I are finally watching the show 24 about ten plus years later. We're not exactly up to speed on the latest and greatest, but we're ok with that.

We had a delicious dinner together of taco soup. When the food settled Auntie and I went for a dip in the pool and then to the jacuzzi. It felt really nice after a hot day and really nice to relax and talk just the two of us. Baba and Uncle Dan watched Ratatouille with NJ. He's never seen it and thought it was funny, I'm glad he liked it. The boys had fun and so did we. 

Someone's excited to press the button for shaved ice. It's time for dessert! 

Mmm, shaved ice with fruit. It feels a bit like old times except that NJ is not a baby anymore. It's fast forward four to five years. Looking forward to hanging like we used to more often. We always laugh a lot and have good deep conversations all at the same time. 

NJ took a fall at the bell of second recess. He said he was running and he fell on the concrete and some rocks. Poor guy was a crying mess at pick up. All the way home, during his shower, getting his cuts cleaned up by Baba, and even during homework. How did it ruin his day so much? 

As he was finishing up his homework and another worksheet, he was cheered up instantly by a visitor. Auntie Becca dropped by on her way home from school and it was a treat to see her. 

Mmm, homemade wonton ramen noodle soup. We felt very loved to be invited to a meal they made and have time to hang out a bit. 

We left there with his teeth brushed and him wearing pajama's. And just for this reason, he's knocked out in minutes before we even get home.

Ready for school and walking with Ah-ma joining us.

We went to a sale to get some supplies. Paints were buy one, get one and canvases were buy one, get three. Couldn't pass that up since I'm running low. The smallest canvases were 8x8 when I always use 6x6, but it will do. I got all the primary colors to mix whatever I need hopefully. The rest of my paint I've had for so long they are drying up. I can keep them for the kids to use, they can mix it with water since they (mainly NJ) tend to over squeeze anyway. I'm excited for new projects! Feels good to be settling in. 

Haven't been here in years! Reminds me of when I lived here and come here with Baba. My goodness, that was at least fourteen years ago already. Lots of good memories. 

Baba said we need to be super asian today because that's just how hot it is outside today!

Some homework,

Workbook,

And reading.

He got this yesterday at his first chess class at this school. He loves it.

He asked to play with Play-do and I finally kind of organized all of it.

Ah-ma made a bunch of ruffly scarves and gave me one. NJ was having fun wearing it around and playing with it. 

We got to face time Ah-gong and Ah-goo tonight, that was nice. They can see each other and talk and show each other stuff (like Legos). 

We enjoyed a nice date night together thanks to our sweet friends who gave us tickets to tonight's performance (Thank you!). It's been a very, very long time since coming out to the Hollywood bowl. The last time was with Raechel, Rebecca, and Dan. It feels so long ago. I miss the time we had together. It was a treat to go out and have time together. Mom came to stay with NJ. He had his first chess class today so by the time we picked him up, showered him, and made dinner for him and mom, I barely had time to get ready to go. It was worth it to get away, be outside, and hear the beautiful music. 

Sometimes we wonder how he can be so messy with his writing or coloring. But then I see the other kids homework while they line up for class. And then I think we're too hard on him and our expectations are too high because we don't have much reference. 

NJ was helping Baba with storing my wedding dress in the closet.

We hosted a very last minute dinner. It was nice that we could share a meal and pray together. A lot seems to be happening to everyone, we all need to be more prayerful. 

"Good for you, Mama."

We stayed after the second service for Baba to take photos of the children's ministry team. I was talking to a friend so by the time I got there NJ was there with Baba and everyone was getting their lunch already. I figured it would be quick, but everyone was eating and of course NJ asked for some too. We gave him a little, but I felt bad after hearing that all their kids were waiting for pizza. I should have waited with NJ someplace else to let Baba work. 

NJ made two bracelets that he's modeling. One for each of the twin girls in his class. So cute. 

I asked him to make me one too. He said I could make it myself if he teaches me. 

NJ tells me, "I can start it for you and you finish. If I teach you, then you know how and you can make your own."

I asked because I was hoping he'd want to, not tell me to make it myself. Well, I did make it and enjoyed it! Ha, ha. I like the bracelet I made too. He chose a heart for me as a charm. When I was done he said, "Good for you, Mama."

NJ was picking off this sticker from his book and making this face. He wanted me to read it to him. 

I knocked out on the couch for a while and woke up to NJ making train noises. But his trains are in his room so I was wondering what he was playing with. When I went to get up, NJ ran over to guild my feet where to step. He told me not to step on his train. He said, "The blue one is unstable, it breaks." 

I've never heard him say unstable before, I wonder where he got that. Maybe from Baba. 

I love getting help from both my boys. I used Baba's strong arms for spinning the salad and rolling out the dough. Everything is much faster and easier with help. 

Dinner is ready! He's not the only one that's excited. We are all hungry and it looks and smells great.