NL25 2 hands, help my friend

[Nonfiction]

I'm talking with a friend who is playing Nl25 and is posting me some hands to look at while I am at work. He believes he played both of these hands optimally pf, I disagree. Obv results don't matter (he won both), as its pf I'm discussing.

His argument in this hand is that he is raising small with 3 limpers here in order to "build the pot if he hits a set," and if he misses he doesn't lose much. Please explain to him whether or not this is optimal, as he won't listen to me.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.10/$0.25 Blinds - 5 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter)

SB: $11.30
<font color="black">Hero (BB): $46.25</font>
UTG: $21.20
CO: $25.00
BTN: $20.15

<font color="black">Preflop:</font> Hero is dealt 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (5 Players)
UTG calls $0.25, CO folds, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.75</font>, UTG calls $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, SB calls $0.50

<font color="black">Flop:</font> ($3) 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (4 Players)
SB checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $3.00</font>, UTG folds, BTN calls $3.00, <font color="red">SB raises to $6.00</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $12.00</font>, BTN folds, SB calls all-in for $4.55
Uncalled bet of $1.45 returned to Hero

<font color="black">Turn:</font> ($27.10) 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 All-In)

<font color="black">River:</font> ($27.10) 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 All-In)

Pot Size: $27.10 ($1.30 Rake)

SB had J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (a pair of Jacks) and LOST (-$11.30)
Hero had 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (three of a kind, Fours) and WON (+$14.50)

2nd hand, asked him why he was even completing with so many limpers with a9o, and he said that he was usually getting paid off with people limping with weak aces.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.10/$0.25 Blinds - 6 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter)

<font color="black">Hero (SB): $27.55</font>
BB: $15.75
UTG: $37.30
MP: $9.15
CO: $5.45
BTN: $9.95

<font color="black">Preflop:</font> Hero is dealt A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (6 Players)
UTG calls $0.25, MP folds, CO calls $0.25, BTN calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.15, BB checks

<font color="black">Flop:</font> ($1.25) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (5 Players)
<font color="red">Hero bets $1.00</font>, 2 folds, CO calls $1.00, BTN folds

<font color="black">Turn:</font> ($3.25) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
<font color="red">Hero bets $2.00</font>, CO calls $2.00

<font color="black">River:</font> ($7.25) T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players)
<font color="red">Hero bets $2.20</font>, CO calls all-in for $2.20

Pot Size: $11.65 ($0.55 Rake)

CO had 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] and LOST (-$5.45)
Hero had A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (two pair, Aces and Nines) and WON (+$5.65)