Back seat passengers

What was Yoshi pointing at?

"Lion....Lion..." we spent the last full day in Toronto visiting African Safari Zoo with Auntie Sandy & Winnie. It was a really interesting experience, we were able to drive our car into the zoo and looked at the animals up close (real close). (of course Nori wished he was allowed to drive thru the mud and grass in between the animals instead of following the paved driving path)
The highlight of the self driving tour must be seeing the monkeys. Yes, those active and curious monkeys. I think they were more curious to see the visitors. Check out Yoshi's reaction when he saw the unexpected visitors on our car.... This was what left behind on the truck's roof rack..... The other part of the zoo had lots of animals encounter by train and petting zoo. Choo choo....
The next day, we packed our stuff and started heading back to home to Cincinnati. Yes, Auntie Sandy and Winnie were once again our back seat passengers, they are now here with us for few days visiting. Yoshi totally enjoyed so much during the long 8 hrs road trip back. - snack time...

music time......

sleeping time.....

A day at Wasaga Beach

Weather had been raining for a few days till this morning. But we were determined to explore around Ontario area, and spend some fun time outdoor. Thanks to the luck, rain stopped after we arrived at the Wasaga Beach (an hr drive). Yoshi had lots and lots of fun with the sand and (cold) water. Photos tell all......

(check out Yoshi's "V" signs...I think he learnt during the Japanese playgroup) Let's take a look at Yoshi's "click...click...click...cheers..." self protraits. Last night we had dinner with my aunt and cousins. It's always great spending time with relatives, especially living far apart. Thanks for the yummy dinner and all the gifts for Yoshi. And thanks for entertaining him as well.....(u were really lucky to see Mr. super happy mood that day...) I think Kevin & Kenneth (Yoshi's cousins) were wondering..."who is this little kid full of energy (& dramatic)?!"

Well....here was the unexpected story ending....

Yesterday was the big wedding day of William and Bess, which was the main reason for our trip. So after the nap, we got Yoshi ready at the hotel. (we had to wake him up after 1.5 hr nap, thinking that's a good rest before the big event. But someone seemed to have wake up at the wrong side of the bed, his was not a happy guy at all)

Nori was putting a tie on Yoshi, but Yoshi was not in the mood for anything around his neck....

Well.......here goes the unexpected story ending ~~ when we arrived at the venue, it was pouring rain, so Nori had to drop us off at the front entrance first before parking. Once Yoshi saw Nori drove away, He refused to walk, insisted to go and find Nori. And all these crying tears happened right in front of everyone (though we arrived much early than other guests).....huh......long story short, this little ring barrier (flower boy) just wasn't in the right (normal) behavior. So plan changed, instead of walking during the ceremony with flower girl, Yoshi became a spectator. Me and Nori felt very bad about this, we totally didn't expect this will happen right on the big day.....I guess at the end, it's better than happening at the big 'moment'. Anyway, this tells us nothing can be well planned if involves a 2 year old.......

The ceremony was very nice. Yoshi enjoyed watching the whole event, and even clapping hands along with others. He was back to his good mood very soon after warming up with few of my friends & few of the little treats. Hi-five were exchanged constantly.
(I think the light was a bit bright right above him....) Hi Cynbia (flower girl)....."sorry Yoshi didn't get to walk with u, but glad u both warmed up pretty soon and had some fun together." My friend, Winnie (it's her little brother, William's wedding) After a long day, they were finally hugging each other (I think it was more of Yoshi not letting Cynbia go when we told them to give each other hugs) Congratulation again William and Bess. Thanks for inviting us. (& sorry about the little unexpected incident.)

p.s.- the last 2 days, me and Nori could feel Yoshi was having the parent separation anxiety...meaning when one of us walked away, Yoshi started to get P-A-N-I-C, kept calling us (even one of us were with him). We wonder if this was because we are now sleeping with him on the same bed at the hotel, that got him so attached to us. In some way, it's a good thing, but on the other hand, it's exhausting being out......but we shouldn't be complaining. We are on family vacation, and besides this little anxiety side effect, we are truely enjoying the quality time together. Hope weather will be good in the remaining days so we can do more outdoor activities. (It's raining today again)

Toronto, here we are!!!

We are finally here in Toronto, still can't believe the long waited trip is happening right now. So far, it's all about EAT, EAT, EAT....I think there are times when I'm over agressive in ordering, so there are many left over. u know, the menu is huge, too many choices, too many things we (I) wanted to eat & crave. Tonight is the wedding of William & Bess, Yoshi is now taking a nap, hopefully he will be in super happy mood to walk in the ceremony with the flower girl Cynbia.

(recap)- On Thursday evening, we started our 3 hours driving up north, and stopped by before Detroit for a night. Yoshi was SO EXCITED- for both being with Nori and also for being on the road in Nori's huge rover truck. He was just busy looking at the trucks drove by.

One of the toys was a music book, where he can tap on the buttons to create music instrument sounds. He was just so happy and kept us entertained.
Since Yoshi was born, we have always put him in a crib to sleep, never really been sleeping with us together. Just that it was kind of dangerous when he was little, then when he's a bit older, it's more dangerous for me and Nori to get midnight kick. So during this trip, all 3 of us are sleeping on the same bed, he seems to really like it. There are times he would wake up and say "mama" "Otousan", then gives us kisses. Of course, that might be a compensation for the sudden kung fu kick on my face and back the night before as well.....

Friday morning, we continued our 5 hrs driving up to Toronto. Mr. Driver. We stopped by McDonald for a quick lunch, and it was Yoshi's first time eating a hamburger. Take a closer look at the bread, he was biting in a circlular direction. He didn't really finish the whole thing, but it was an interesting experience for sure.

Here is a preview from yesterday's wedding rehersal- flower girl Cynbia(1.5 yrs old) & ring bearer Yoshi. Let's see if they will walk together with the bridemaid tonight (in front of a crowd...) ^_^