Early last week, I was out at the backyard watering the plants and checking on the growing squash, they were still small size. Then after 3 days of occasional rain, Nori came too me: "HAVE U SEEN THE SQUASH?" Not until I saw those myself, that I believe his words. WOW!!! They taste good, I have never seen these huge size of squash in the grocery store before....
Eggplants are coming out
Nori's special jalapeno
This past Saturday, Yoshi was invited to his friend- Sarah's big 2 birthday party. Her parents were really brave to invite everyone to their house, as they just have a 1 month old baby girl- Nadiah. It was a fun day, Yoshi got to spend time with his playgroup friends (Andrew & Kara) and Nori got to meet them for the first time too.
More photos on http://www.flickr.com/photos/kambayashi/sets/72157620740789778/ (well, I managed to narrow down the uploads from 150+ to 60 only)
(tonight) Nori: "Did u know u haven't update the blog since last Wed?"
Me: "Yeah........."
4 days went by so fast. too fast that I can't even catch up with all the photos that I had taken, to be specific, there are 212 photos.....OMG. (well, this includes a birthday party that we went, and I went crazy in capturing every kids fun moment, and certainly I had gained the party photographer title of the day). Well, below is just a preview, more to come when I get a chance to sort those out (i.e. during Yoshi's nap time).
Weather had been really hot these few days, so what's better to do than staying in the water. Last Friday, we had a playgroup at one of our Japanese friend's house. After lunch, we hung out at the baby pool (1 ft deep) right next door. This was Yoshi's first pool experience, and he LOVED it. Pictures tell all...
The weather forecast for today was HOT, so I had invited few neighbours to come and had a fun water playday at our backyard. With some of the water toys that we all had, stations were being set up for the kids. We even had a lunch picnic at our deck. We were out there for about 3.5 hrs, the kids had so much fun playing with the water, and our grass was definitely fully watered (perfect!) What a fun day we had.
Yoshi was having so much fun "swimming" in between the pools.
What a 'cheesy' smile he gave to the little girl...haha...
Water table, it's amazing how long kids could just keep on scooping and dumping water in there. (Natasha, thx for borrowing this)
Yoshi was copying Katie laying in the pool, relaxing...haha. Parker, u should have gone in the pool too..maybe next time. I know u like water!!
Of course every boys want to be driving the car. But obviously, both Grant & Colton were desperate to be in there at the same time....Grant's leg sticking out was so funny, and Colton can't even close the door...
Kids took turn to hold the magic wand- "water hose"
What a fun morning, thanks for coming everyone.Today we visited our friend Nora and her little girls- Sarah & baby Nadiah. Right at the front door, we could already hear Sarah calling "Yoshi". Sarah is going to turn 2 years old tomorrow, maybe Yoshi can sing the happy birthday song to u on this saturday birthday party. (but no guarantee that he will be singing with his own name though)
Curious little ones...
Baby Nadiah is only 1 month old. When holding her in my arms, I already forgot how Yoshi used to be that light weight and fragile. 2 years have definitely gone by so quick.....
On Sunday morning, our gift to Nori was a big breakfast (with all his favorite choices) and a new golf shirt.
Since we had a fully packed fun birthday last weekend, this week was more relaxing. We had dinner at Dewey's Pizza per Nori's request. It was yummy. (Yoshi was eating his own rice + a pizza crust for snack)
Guess what, today (Mon) we even got to have lunch with Nori, Yoshi was so excited. He kept his cheesy smile the entire lunch hour sitting next to Nori. Thanks Otousan for meeting us..^_^This morning, Yoshi's cold seem to have greatly improved, so I was looking for places to go out with him. The weather was hot, too hot to be at the park, and I don't feel like going to the mall either (which would turn into another stroller struggle incident). So after a long wait, I decided to take Yoshi for a mini trip- a 1.5 hr drive up north to Columbus, Ohio. Our purpose- visit a Japanese grocery store and bakery (which we don't have Asian bakery cafe here), and also to have lunch. Not that I can't get any asian grocery nearby, but since we haven't been up there for a while, let's go.
After a long drive, it's time for lunch...
The grocery store, bakery store and restaurant are all in the same shopping area. After about 1.5 hr stay, we were on our way back home. And this time, my backseat passenger slept thru the whole trip. This was our first mini trip just 2 of us, it's not the food that matter the most, but our fun bonding time together that meant the most to me. Thank you little Yoshi.Two years ago, both grandpas had helped to set up the garden area in our backyard. Last year, my parents were here during summer and were able to provide us with great harvest. This year, we are on our own. After a month of planting, vegetables are finally growing (& growing...I think we were a bit over agressive in our little garden space....). We actually didn't realize some of the plants would be that huge....
This is a video of Yoshi from a while ago when he first got hold with the water hose. He was more like a fire fighter instead (oh my water bill). He is now doing much better in controlling the hose and aiming at the garden, he has so much fun each time (& got himself completely soak)First of all, I want to thank everyone for the kind words u have left on yesterday blog subject. Your support and sharing have given me strength. Thank you.
Anyway, the challenging relationship with Yoshi continues today. Earlier this week, he has caught a cold again. (if u visit this blog often, u probably is wondering the same as mine- "how did he get the cold again?! I have no answer. Except I have already made a call to the doctor's office, checking to see if there is any allergy blood test he could do, we will have to wait for next wk) so, I have to cancel the playtime with Yoshi's friend- Ethan at the last minute (sorry Ethan, we will meet soon...I was so looking forward to your grandma's homemade dumplings too). I did took Yoshi out to a few stores today, but it didn't help much in easing our tensions....let's not go into details...................
But, in between these face off, sometimes the best way to handle is to find my own inner peace by sitting at the corner, not letting the frustration get worsen, especially when I'm trying to deal with a 2 yr old, who seems to have every previlages and priorities upon anyone else. I don't grow up with the concept of 'time out chair", my parents never use this method before (well, the house in Hong Kong aren't big enough to create any spot for that purpose.....), so I have not yet implement that on Yoshi either. But I do find this concept much more effective for myself. The spots definitely give me a moment to calm myself, and perhaps even a little time to think of something else.......
I discovered this spot (sitting by the lower stairs) while waiting patiently for Yoshi to come over and go upstairs for bath or changiing diapers. There are many times he would ignore my request, so I just sat there until he realized I was not within his sight. Then he would come over. During the waiting period, I was able to calm myself or even think of the dinner menu. And if it took long, I might even be able to catch a super power nap by leaning against the wall....
I wasn't sure if I really want to write this topic, because I don't want people to think Yoshi was a bad kid. But it's part of every child's development, and just want to share my thoughts.........
Lately, I have noticed when Yoshi doesn't get what he wants, he would hit his hand on table or something, showing signs of upset. Everytime, I would starr at him, letting him know it's not acceptable behavior and talk to him about it. I tried not to react strongly because I don't want him to think it's a way of getting our attention. I can only patiently teach him everytime he did so.
Today, he was pushing the stroller in the mall, until to a point where it became crowded, so I took the stroller away, he was very upset. I knee down to talk to him, then he hit my head once. I was furious (& embrassed). So I put him into the stroller right away and rushed outside to the parking lot. When we got to the car where no one was around, I started talking to him again. I just felt the need to reinforce the teaching action each time when he misbehaved, regardless whether he is hearing or not. I can tell on his face, he knew what it's about, he knew I was upset. I'm trying to teach him to say 'sorry' when he did something wrong, but it will take a while for the conversation part. Perhaps hitting with his hand is his way of releasing frustration, just trying to let us know how he felt. But that's not what we encourage at all. Me and Nori have never hit him in any situation. So by talking to him, we hope to show him we care about his feeling, and he just need to express in a different way. I know it takes time, just like teaching him how to crawl, walk.....but each time when he hit, especially on me, it upsets me.
Anyway, after writing this out, I feel better. I guess everyone just need to release their emotions once in a while....
(p.s.- don't worry, he doesn't hit anyone else, not to any other kids. Even when other kids took away his toys, he would only stand aside observing, but he never hit anyone. .....I guess he hit me because he loves me. ^_^)
