Made in Taiwan

2013-05-18T22:54:00.001-07:00

NJ watched me cut up a watermelon and couldn't wait to have some.

Some drawing and craft time.

Birthday party at the zoo with Baba!

Another birthday party at the bowling center! NJ's first time bowling! He did pretty good for his first time. I was worried about him dropping the ball on his feet, but he managed not to.

2013-05-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

Someone was still cranky through breakfast.

A little trip to the park

NJ pulls me over to his lego table and says, "Look Mama, I made them by myself."
I think he got tired of asking me to help, but I'm happy he was able to figure it out.

School End Fundraiser

2013-05-16T23:56:00.001-07:00

"You don't poo in the street!"

2013-05-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

NJ likes my little floating duck tea infuser. Mama's drinking some yummy tea from Auntie Evin.

"Sometimes your memory is bad. Sometimes my memory is bad."

(Someone is really excited to be playing!)

We went for a visit to see my aunt and uncle who are in town from Taiwan. Ah-ma is so happy to have guests.

We both tried on our gifts from Taiwan, NJ has an Iron Man tee and I have a cover-up thin jacket. How thoughtful, they didn't have to bring us anything! So nice to see them.

NJ showed me his building he put together. It also has car storage.

He wanted to ride his bike and trike for a bit.

He let me ride it too. I couldn't pedal because my knees were against the handle bars, so he pushed me back and forth a couple times. So sweet. He's strong! He also said that I'm heavy. Thanks.

"Hey Baba, your bike is so much bigger!"

The seat is almost as tall as he is.

A healthy colorful dinner, NJ did pretty good with his.

Ready for an after dinner stroll. NJ is excited, Dotty looks nervous. She doesn't like when he's at the other end of that leash. Poor girl. We had a nice evening walk. I love our quiet neighborhood.

"You don't poo in the street!"
NJ was talking to Dot Dot but I asked him, "Why were you planning to?"
He says, "Nooooooo."
Ok, good.

Busy, Busy

2013-05-14T23:20:00.000-07:00

From Mom, NJ, and HOPE! I've never gotten so much stuff for mother's day!

It's 99 today! We broke in the pool for this year with some guests. So happy to have them! The boys were so excited.

After going to my group and after the boys are in bed, I went to work with my best friend. I brought over our designed print outs so we can cut them out and put it all together. I love doing this stuff! So nice to do some crafty stuff and sit and talk too, one of my favorite things to do.

Baba picked NJ up from school while I headed over to Uncle Dan and Auntie Becca's to help with their new place. Would've been nice to stay longer and do more, but it was nice to hang out and talk too.

Home and going to bed a little later than usual, but it's ok! This guy is tired and so am I, we're ready to call it a night. I've missed him!

A Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T21:45:00.001-07:00

Ready for the sunshine and Sunday school.

Checking out Uncle Dan and Auntie Becca's new home! They just closed and got the keys this past week, so exciting! Baba is helping them with his experience from his former management and construction days. Can't wait to make new memories with them here.

Mother's day dinner with both moms (or should I say ah-ma's?) NJ was such a great eater, he was being a good sharer, and gave lots of hugs. It helps that he loved the food, he got to have his favorite soy milk, he had his two ah-ma's there, and he got chocolates from one of them! Feeling so blessed to be this guy's mama. Also really nice to spend time with our moms together (Baba's and mine).

Rummage Sale

2013-05-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today and yesterday were spent at HOPE working the rummage sale. It just happened to be in the 90's suddenly, so we were melting! But we were so blessed by everyone who donated their things to sell, who came to buy, and who donated just to donate. And it was really nice to just hang out and talk to everyone, it was time well spent. I'm exhausted, but so happy to do it.

Seeing NJ wear this shirt brings back so many memories. This was my brother's and I wore it too as a hand me down. That's what happens with an older brother, you wear boy clothes. It's ok, it made me stronger. My son, the retro kid wearing his Ah-goo's vintage shirt.

Wow, more mother's day surprises! We joined a couple other families to celebrate mother's day together instead of our monthly hang out at our house. The husbands all got us flowers. Baba got me some orchids, so pretty! And even more, I got a gelato scented candle that smells delicious and a purse hanger that I could use right away! Plus an ice cream cookie sandwich! I love it, this mama feels so loved!

Mother's Day Surprises

2013-05-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

This bag was all rolled up in this paper with a ribbon around it. So cute. I asked him if he put the paint on his own feet. He says, "Miss Sara did, it tickled."

What is your mom really good at? - Making pancakes

What does your mom do to relax? - Watch a show

Where does your mom like to shop? - At the shopping store

How old is your mom? - One

What do you love most about your mom? - Watching a show with her

If you could buy your mom anything what would it be? - Ice cream

What does your mom do while you are at school? - I don't know

So to summarize... I watch tv, shop, eat ice cream, and do nothing all day!

What a life. His teachers must think I'm the laziest bum! At least he thinks I'm young. We hardly even watch anything, but maybe that's why he talks about it since he doesn't get to as much as he wants. And I'm surprised he didn't say Target as my shop or yard sales.

I also got some chocolate covered strawberries from Baba and NJ. Yum! I'm so blessed with such thoughtful loving boys.

"Mama drives slow"

2013-05-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Poor NJ was up at 5:00am with a tummy ache and throwing up. I put on some shows so that he'd lay and relax and rest.

Craft time for the household...

Baba made his lanyards, Mama made magnets.

We'll be fundraising Friday and Saturday at HOPE for the Japan mission.

NJ seems to be as good as new. He even helped a little with dinner. You wouldn't know he had any tummy problems with the way he ate his salad, chicken, and then ice cream. After dinner he told Baba and Auntie Nicole about how Mama drives: "Mama drives slow. The other day she took me to school and it took for soooo long. She keep getting out and going in the house a lot." Oh man. He was quite talkative with Auntie as our guest, lots of fun!

2013-05-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

A stop at the park on the way home. He tells me, "I asked Zak to come to our house and Noah and Nolan." I asked if they're coming over, he says yes.

NJ wanted to bring his lunch box to the door via tricycle. Dotty was there to greet us.

You like Mama's cheesecake? NJ says, "Yes!"

2013-05-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Making some morning pancakes.

On our way out of the garage he tells me, "Don't hit my bike so it breaks and I can't ride it." I told him that I'm backing up, not going forward. So he says, "Ok, when we come back, don't hit my bike so it breaks and I can't ride it." I'll remember that! We pulled over for a firetruck when we were out and he asks a lot of questions: "Why you have to stop when the siren is on? So you can get out of the way? So the truck can go? If they use the hose then people don't stop. If they use the ladder people don't stop." Nope. Also on our drive he asks me, "Where's Jesus?" I was surprised and had to think about that one! So I said, "Is Jesus in your heart?" He says, "Yes." Awww... Then I said, he's everywhere and he asks if he's in the trees.

2013-05-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

Yay for cake and nachos! There was quite a feast of food for cinco de mayo in the church lobby. Who needs lunch? Not me.

Dinner and hanging out with Auntie Francie. Finally NJ meets Auntie, they had lots of fun.

We made a ton of magnets together as we sat and talked for the evening. So fun and relaxing, can't wait to sell them this weekend!

2013-05-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

Family lunch with Baba's side. NJ got the special treat of cake and ice cream!

NJ was glued to Uncle Dan, even asking for him to come back to the house to build more legos.

"I'm the front runner"

2013-05-03T23:12:00.001-07:00

Parent Picnic

2013-05-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

"But I'm still hungry"

2013-05-01T20:56:00.001-07:00

When I got up he already dressed himself and was complaining of hunger. But first he showed me what he colored.

An after dinner family game time. NJ won by a lot, he's a lot better than we are. And we were trying to win! He'd laugh so hard every time we'd pick up the wrong one when we thought it was the right one. But he always knew where it was.

He asked for a snack saying, "But I'm still hungry." Everyday, after every meal... Why?! My only offer to him was strawberries. He said yes after trying to ask for so many other things. I had to chop them up for our morning yogurt anyway.

"You don't eat salt by itself"

2013-04-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

Tee shirt, collared shirt, and sweats... Did you dress yourself today? He says, yes!

During dinner he tells me: "You know sand is glass? Noah told me."

And: "You don't eat salt by itself. No you put it on something. You have to put it so food taste better."

Interesting.

When we tuck him into bed he says, "make it square". Which means, make the blanket straight, not bunched up. I even catch him turning his light on and then off after we've put him to bed. When I ask what he's doing he says, "The blanket's not square, I need to fix it." Oh my.

2013-04-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

NJ helped himself to my yogurt, fruit, and granola this morning. I was too lazy to make another one so I had left over pizza instead. With coffee, not a good combo for my heartburn. NJ gave it no thought and enjoyed my yogurt thoroughly.

NJ asked for toast, but it was the last piece and it burned around the edges. I left it and didn't do anything with it. Before I know it I hear him crunching in the kitchen. He was eating the toast, burnt, hard, and plain. He must've still been hungry!

2013-04-28T23:17:00.001-07:00

It's a lovely sunny sunday morning!

Love our group squish hugs!

"May I have some cheese too?"

"May I have some of your o-live?"

He made this necklace for me in his sunday school class. It didn't fit over my head so I wore it like a tiara until he put it on himself.

NJ asked to use my paper punches plus paper and scissors. This occupied him for quite a bit of time.

Dinner with the boys. While mommies worked on some designs, and daddies watched basketball until going to the hardware store together.

Baba the handyman. Yesterday and today our key kept getting stuck in the lock. When we came home after church we couldn't even remove the key from the lock. So out with the old and in with the new. Except the new required a bigger hole which Baba is drilling. We had to take off the old seventies lion door knocker. I don't think anyone's going to miss it, although we did get a lot of comments on it.

"You have to give me some so I don't cry."

2013-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think he wants to color these just so he can wipe them down and clean them.

"I'm strong, I can open it for you." We both couldn't, even when we tried together. I told him he had to wait for Baba to open it. I should have known that he'd ask endlessly when Baba was going to come and help open his jar of vitamin gummys. He even said, "You have to give me some so I don't cry." Sorry, can't open it, nothing I can do!

"Mama can I clean my toys pleeeeeease?" His new thing is begging me for disinfectant wipes and cleaning his toys. What have I done?

NJ happily and easily finished his lunch until he was off to make more track with tape.

"Vitamins are good for every boy and every girl"

2013-04-26T22:40:00.001-07:00

I got up to NJ helping himself to his pre made yogurt breakfast. I couldn't get mad since I know he wakes up so hungry. At least he went for the good stuff and not scrounging the cabinets which took so long to break him of.

Time for some creativity...

He describes this as Ah-ma's house with two people there. When I asked him who they were he says, "It's pretend Mama."

This is another house and the library.

Never seen him to this with his dominos before, but it only makes sense I guess!

Puzzle time. He takes his time to put all the pieces away just perfectly. Oh my, he's turning into me.

A little trip to the grocery store. Just a few missing ingredients to grab.

More drawing as we wait for stinky tofu... two orders! Ha, ha. Plus some other yummy Taiwanese food.

Baba gave NJ a chopstick wrapper and a challenge to be creative. Didn't think it would work, but it kept him busy. He made an arrow and what he called a snake.

Ah-ma liked the balloon and plant we picked out for her. I'm surprised she didn't already have a lavender plant already. She has nearly everything planted somewhere in her yard. It smells good.

NJ insisted on getting her a balloon, but we all know what his real plan was.

Picnic dinner and play time at the park. :)

Mr. Cranky

2013-04-25T19:48:00.001-07:00

Playing and watching some playoffs with Baba.

Sloppy joe's and salad for dinner. NJ had seconds on both!
His name should have been mr. cranky today, he was either really tired or in a terrible mood. We called it an early night so he could rest and calm down. Tomorrow is a new day, hope to see the usual happy boy in the morning again.

2013-04-24T20:53:00.001-07:00

"Mama, can I help?"

"I finished my strawberries, may I have another pancake?"

"Who gave me this puzzle? Ah-goo?"

"No not like that, you have to put it back like this in rows..."

"I want to go to the post office with you."

"I don't want to go to the post office."

"Why I got a sticker?"

"What does this do again? Can I try?"

"What are you making?"

"What are we watching for movie night?"

"My tummy will be bigger. Yours too!"

2013-04-23T20:44:00.001-07:00

NJ loves giving Dotty treats. He had a carrot or two left over in his lunch so I had him give it to dot dot.

I was pleasantly surprised how much he liked the couscous I made. He had two bowls full. So did I. He tells me, "Mmm... it's so good I ate two bowls. My tummy will be bigger. Yours too!"

The weather's been so nice we finally made it out again for a walk around the neighborhood. We even met some more neighbors. NJ insisted on holding the leash and now he's strong enough to hold. It used to just fly out of his hand as soon as Dotty pulled a little. He had a good grip on it and held my hand too.

NJ wanted to take out this whale to play with. This is one he'd play with as a baby, we got it while in Taiwan.

At bed time I was reading him today's devotional and he asks me, "What if Jesus is not in your heart?" Such a grown up question.

2013-04-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

Our sweet boy all dressed and ready to go already.

This guy has so much energy.

So much energy that he was being his silly self. He went in circles with his head on the seat. Oh dear.