Ready for the sunny Saturday?

One of Yoshi's birthday gift was this cute sunglass (Thanks Andrew). We tried to teach Yoshi how to wear that, but he insisted to do it his own way.....have a good weekend.

Create your own track

(Thanks May ee for your birthday gifts, Yoshi has been playing with it all the time.)

Thank you Uncle Henry

Uncle Henry, this is a video for you. Thank you for the Anpanman (cartoon character) toy, Yoshi has lots of fun putting coins in and twist the capsules out from the vending machine. And the little musical instrument, he has no clue how to make sound out of it, still learning...^_^

Ding-ding-ding....

Our gift to little Yoshi this year is a bike or they call it a tricycle. We picked that up the day after the birthday party. It didn't take long for mechanical daddy to assemble it. Yoshi has so much fun with it. He doesn't know how to pedal yet, so in the meantime, it's an exercise machine for us, pushing and pushing. And for Yoshi, it's a riding chair with the ding ding bell on it. Ding, ding, ding, here he comes........

Happy Birthday Yoshi..

Yoshi's 2nd birthday party

So after few months of being the zoo keeper, the monkey party finally happened yesterday. We had so much fun spending time with 15 kids + parents. It was really hot, but we had a great time. Yoshi didn't seem to have a clue about his own birthday, but I had been singing the birthday song to him for the past few weeks, so in some way, I think he did enjoy a lot. He was just very excited having so many friends around him.

I really enjoy planning birthday party for Yoshi. I did little projects here and there starting from few months ago. I didn't want to pay much for buying decoration, so I did most of them myself, which I enjoy a lot. If anyone want a monkey/ ducky (from last yr) party, call me. ^_^

Today was a slow day here. Everyone was exhausted from the fun party. Without Nori's help (grass cutting, cleaning the deck, setting up the party....), I won't be able to do it all by myself. And of course, thanks to everyone who helped me during the party, it made things much easier to handle. THANK YOU.

Yoshi is still in the process of admiring and enjoying his new gifts. It's like another Christmas here.

I bought the chocolate ice-cream cake base, then decorated into monkey theme myself. Bananas are candies. Palm trees and monkey are not eatable... More photos from the party- (click "details" if u want to read some of the photo descriptions) http://www.flickr.com/photos/kambayashi/sets/72157618727248552/

How many times do I have to repeat myself?

Yoshi, my dear, how many times do I have to repeat saying the same thing to you? U are tired of hearing, and I'm VERY tired of saying it. U are almost 2, and I know u understand most of what I was saying. But how come u act like u don't?

When I tell u to change poopy diaper- u roll around on the floor refusing to stay still (even I know it's very uncomfortable on your butt)

When I tell u to eat meal- u just kept playing your toys and ignore me (until I ignore u, then u complaint like why don't I wait for u)

When I tell u to go up/downstairs- u just sat on the stairs, refusing to go up or down, or u would walk into a room and hide for few mins (until u realized I wasn't into your game, but waiting patiently by the stairs)

When I tell u to sit on the car seat and ready to leave- u would kick or twist your body from the car seat till u can escape and play with the wiindow buttons and seat belt (until I pulled your shirt and struggle to buckle up your seat)

When I tell u to get out of the shower tub- u would give me 'that' smile indicating "catch me if u can" and u would even laid down on the tub floor (until I closed the shower door)

When I tell u to stand- u would sit; when I tell u to sit- u would stand.

When I tried to talk to you after or during the fights- u would avoid eye contact & turn your head 45 degree angle.

Yoshi, mama doesn't want to be upset with you constantly, and I know u are a good boy for most of the other time. I would think after few days of our normal routines, u would know the "procedures". But somehow, u seem to prefer challenging my patience instead. Mama is tired of repeating myself, so now, I choose to only say once each time, and patiently waiting for your right behavior. So far, seems like it's working, but I REALLY need to have plently of time and be patient.

On the flip side, at least there are few routines that I don't have to say more than once:

When I tell u to go and sit on the couch while I was getting ready with your TV program- u would do it right away.

When I tell u to get ready with socks and shoes before playing at the backyard- u would sit down right away for me and get so excited.

When I tell u it's tea time for cheese and cookies- u would sit down on the couch right away and wait for me (or the food)

........................................

(Kung kung, Po po, thanks for Yoshi's birthday gift. He enjoys sitting on the new picnic table, enjoying his snacks and coloring with his crayons. Thank you)

Summer begins

This morning, we met up with few neighbours at the park. Weather was very nice, and it was HOT around noon when we left. We used to hang out together at each other's house during the winter. It's good to be outdoor, but it's very exhausting. Especially it didn't help when Yoshi was throwing a tantrum after we came back home. For that 5 mins, he was refusing to do anything I said, he was upset about something. So I finally sat down by the stairs, let him run around and calm himself down. I was just so tired that I don't have any ounze of energy to struggle with him (& it's useless, knowing he's just ready for nap). Now he's taking his nap and hope my Mr. happiness will be back when he's awake.

Green Weekend

Last Sunday, we were just in the mood of cleaning up the backyard garden. In the past 2 years, we were so lucky to have both grandpas setting up the harvest garden for us. And they helped taking GREAT care of the yard. So we had been having fresh organic homegrown vegetables in the summer. But this year, we are on our own. I had been dragging for a while in cleaning up from last summer's left over. So finally, we did it. Not only did we clean it up, we also got new vegetable plants to grow- green onion, eggplant, cucumber, squash, jalapeno & Shiso leaves. The other thing about this year, since Yoshi is walking, so it's easy to have him in the backyard with us, instead of holding him while watering the plant. But at the same time, Mr. Curious wants to get his hands on EVERYTHING.

While I was digging the soil for plant, he's digging the soil for fun (or even digging out the ones that I just planted)
After a long afternoon at the backyard, it's time to go home.

Someone is tired of walking Extra flowers for the front yard

I was taping a video of Yoshi, but he thought I was just taking photos only. So he sat down and post a smile in front of camera. "C-H-E-E-S-E". (Please excuse his drooling, he was just too excited and had been outside for a whole afternoon)

Video weekend

I realized it's been a while since I posted Yoshi's video. So here are few taken a while ago...

I was downstairs when Yoshi woke up from his nap. Normally he would either cry (his way of calling me) or just sit there playing (if he slept well). But this day, not only did he suprisingly calling "MAMA", but also waving his hands, almost like trying to get my attention...kind of funny. So I grabbed my camera right away.

The other night, Yoshi was calling grandma. He picked up the phone and started talking, except he forgot to dial the number first. The second part was him actually talking on the phone with grandparents.

Fashion disaster

It's time to pull out summer clothes again as weather is getting warmer (on and off). I had bought Yoshi few pants but after trying those at home, seems like 2T is still too big for his waist. But 18 months is like wearing capris. And when there are days that laundry is piling up and clean clothes are running low, even if the pant is too big, we just have no choice rather than naked. This morning, I was preparing breakfast, this is what I saw........

Just when u think that's bad.....oh no, I did something even worse to Yoshi-----

After his nap time, I let him out in the backyard to play. Of course, we need a hat, so I just grab the one that's available. (Ethan, does this look familiar to you? HOW COME u look more handsome with that? but Yoshi look more like a girl?) And the pant....it's a pajama, in fact, it was a bit hot, and all his shorts were in laundry basket, so that's the thinnest layer one I can find (hey, protect him from bug bite); And the long socks and shoes....well, the other day I took him for sandles shopping, but they don't have his size, so no luck..... oh well, it's just playing in our own backyard by ourselves....

Who's the kid?

This t-shirt is perfect for Yoshi.......(not just the size, but the wordings)

"Who's the kid?"- when we were in the toy store, Yoshi wants to sit on the 4 wheeler. Not only did Nori put him up there, but even went for few laps of test drive in the store....
"Who's the kid?"- didn't remember since when Yoshi started to show interest in toys at the store. Luckily, so far he would be willing to say goodbye to those toys and walk away. Hope this will stay like this for a long long time........

"Who's the kid?"- when we were in the mall, they have these riding machines. Not only did Nori let him sat on those, but he even went to get coins for the rides. (not ride, but ride's')

Other kids would be so excited when the machine started to move, but instead, Yoshi wanted to get off the bus.... the next kid in line jumped in right away & got a free ride.

Seeing friends again

After recovering from his cold, Yoshi (& I) can't wait to meet our friends again. Yesterday, we went to Susannah's house and hung out with the boys in the backyard. It was such a nice day (but only last for 1 day, this morning is cloudy and about to rain...)

Oliver, are u sure u are ready for big boy swing seat? because I took 5 photos of u, and u were just starring at the ground, not moving much....were u worry about falling? ^_^ (thanks for letting Yoshi sat on your usual seat though)
Susannah, thanks for the yummy pasta lunch. The highlight of the day for Yoshi must be the sandbox table. He was having so much fun playing with the sand (or I should say 'dumping' the sand....) I don't think I can handle having one of this at our house, because I can total see Yoshi will be bringing a bucket of sand into the house while I wasn't looking. So Susannah, let the sandbox be the biggest highlight in visiting your place then. ^_^ Thanks Nolan & Oliver for sharing your toys with Yoshi, he took a 2.5 hr nap right after the visit.

Walk by the lake