"Otousan, だいじょうぶ(大丈夫)?"

Yes, Nori is (was) sick....Yesterday (Sunday) morning after breakfast, he felt tired, so he and Kiharu took a nap while me and Yoshi went out. But then he felt sick afterwards.....he got some kind of stomach flu/virus perhaps. (no need to go into details... in case any of you are eating while reading this blog). So he spent the entire Sunday resting in bed. Yoshi understood Otousan was sick, he tried to be quite. Whenever Nori came down, he would ask "Otousan, daijobu?" (are u ok?)

So for the first time in 9 years with his job, he took a sick leave today, which was much needed. So glad to see him recovering & ate much better this evening. Yoshi was definitely the happiest one to see Otousan around, he was as much worry as me.

Nori, take it easy tomorrow at work. We will be waiting for you at home. Ganbatte!

3 of THEM eating similar congee (soft rice), but in variety of flavor.

Here is a video of little Kiharu...she is a happy little girl for most of the time. The best part is seeing her and Yoshi laughing with each other, almost like copying each other...love (& laugh) is in the air.

Busy Thanksgivving holiday

We are having the Thanksgiving holiday here, so we have been busy hanging out inside the house, had a wonderful fondu dinner at the Giezendanner family, went out for blackfriday shopping experience at 5:45a.m (yes, it's A.M.), had dim sum lunch with our friends, busy cooking a holiday dinner for our friends.....so much had been going on....it's time to sleep.

p.s- of course Nori did a few home improvement project (with little Yoshi's help & his own tools..)

p.s- Yoshi also had his first sashimi (raw fish) on Thanksgiving night at home. He seems to like it a lot (Hamachi sashimi).

M-u-f-f-i-n-s

Yesterday me and Yoshi baked 3 + dozens of mini pumpkin muffins for his school's Thanksgiving party. I'm not a fan of pumpkin flavor dessert, but Yoshi doesn't seem to think that way. He's been eating mini muffins whenever he could. So now, instead of asking for his favorite fruits after meal, he said "m-u-f-f-i-n-s"....

Holiday conversation

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Chocolate fingers

Thanks grandparents for the yummy treat & great memories from the trip this past summer in Hong Kong. Yoshi is enjoying these chocolate fingers everyday after naptime. As for little Kiharu, Yoshi sure is willing to share.........but only.............see the video yourself....

Her room

After 10 months sleeping with us, we have finally moved Kiharu into her own room. This is sooner than expected, but much needed, as she had been waking up few times per night. Perhaps she was ready earlier, but it was more of me that's very attached to my little girl. No matter how exhausted I was after a long night, but seeing her big smile in the morning was like a sunshine in the room.

So far, she did well in her own room. Still wake up once at night, but it will get better soon I think. Yesterday, with Yoshi's help, we put up the wall decal in her room, now it's more like a little girl's room and she seems to enjoy seeing the owls too.......goodnight my little girl, sweet dream.

Well, when Yoshi was 10 months old, there wasn't really any TV time except during my shower. But for Kiharu, it's harder to avoid having an older sibling around. I try to limit TV time till I prepare dinner. Lately, I found that Kiharu is sitting patiently on the mini couch (thx uncle Henry), watching TV...so cute....^_^ Nori, I think they both have your TV gene......

Shichi-Go-San (七五三 - Seven-Five-Three)

Today is "Shichi-go-san" festival, which is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys. Usually kids would go to the shrine for ceremony and photo taking later on. Although there isn't anything like that here, but we wanted to do something special for Yoshi. So I took him to library, ate his favorite chicken nuggets, prepared his favorite dinner and a cake, Otousan came home early..... He didn't really understand what's going on, he probably thought it's his birthday (because of the cake), it didn't matter, as long as he's happy & healthy, that's what matter the most.

So what's a 3 year old Yoshi up to lately?!----
- he understands me, Nori and his school teacher all speak different languages. He would switch back and forth during the conversation. Teacher said during the class, Yoshi would copy his classmates in speaking English.

- he eats breakfast & lunch fine, but would sometimes spend an hour during dinner. His favorite food include chicken, sausage, FRUIT (almost any fruit), yogurt (a must snack after nap), cha siu bao.......

- he still LOVES music and dance along

- he still LOVES trains, more of Shinkansen trains

- he is very into reading books, so visiting library became the highlight of the week. I would translate and read in Cantonese. 2-3 books before nap and bedtime. Great bonding moment w/ Yoshi.

- he loves and protects his little sister, but sure there are moments of "don't touch....NO...."

- after 3 years, he finally picks on his nose, yikes... (who knows where he learned that)

Yoshi, happy 3 years old. Sometimes I have to remind myself you are only 3 years old. We love you so much. xoxoxo. Hugs and kisses..

Where were the guys?

Yesterday, me and Kiharu had the girls outing, it wasn't like any grocey trips or running errands, but a fun relaxing eat and shop event, which was very rare. We met our friends Nora and Mitsue for lunch, then walked around the mall to kick off the holiday season (can't believe x'mas is right around the corner).

So where were the guys?

While I was hanging out with Nora and her little girl Nadiah in the mall, our husbands and older siblings (Sarah & Yoshi) were rocking at the off roading trip. Yoshi couldn't ask for a better buddy to ride in the back seat together, they had so much fun. Maybe they should do this more often.................. so me and Nora can enjoy our wine and dine..... or more like dessert and dine....

Autumn is almost over....

Last week, we were wearing coats and almost hiding inside the heated house. These few days, the weather were much warmer that we can even enjoy picnic lunch in the park. But I have a feeling that this won't last long. Santa Clause and snowy weather is right around the corner...

(Thanks Ethan for the wonderful afternoon in the park, Yoshi had lots of fun playing with you)

A boy who likes R-E-D.

If you ask Yoshi what's his favorite color, not sure if he understands the concept of "favorite" yet. But if you let him pick a crayon, definitely r-e-d. Not only does he like to draw in red color, but he also remembers the word red / aka / 紅色 the most. I can't help to wonder, aren't boys suppose to like blue, green or brown?!

To move or not to move

To move or not to move....no, I'm not talking about our house, but the little Kiharu. I have been debating whether we should move Kiharu to her own room.... Yoshi didn't sleep in his own room till after one year old. But recently, there were nights when Kiharu woke up 2-3 times. Not necessary because she's hungry, perhaps just getting some attention. Many friend told me it's time to move her to the other room.

There were many mornings after having rough nights, I would tell Nori we should move Kiharu very soon (have to disassemble her crib before moving). But some nights when she slept great, then I would tell myself, it's ok for few more weeks perhaps... Not till recently that I realized the reason why I am so undecisive, because I know this is........
- the last time we would be having a baby crib in our room...
- the last time I would wake up with a baby smiling next to me.....
- the last time I would go to bed with a sleeping baby next to me.....
......................I know I know, her room is only right next door, and we would both enjoy the quality sleep eventually.....it's just the little holding on feeling inside that got me so undecisive perhaps....

Goodnight my dear little girl and boy, sleep tight. XOXOXOXO

Chef Yoshi's FIRST video (cooking) class

Welcome to Chef Yoshi's (cooking) class -

Today's menu: Flatbread (thin pizza) with ham, onion & tomato (quick lunch)

Preparation time: 10 mins (his speed)

Cooking time: 7 mins

Result: Yummy, easy & tons of fun.

(I didn't have pizza sauce, so I used ketchup + Japanese Mayo, perfect!)

Finally, here is Chef Yoshi's FIRST video (cooking) class..... in multi-languages....yes, he's trying to expand his (first) cooking class globally.....^_^ (only if u can understand without subtitle)

Busy B

It's been busy lately here, at least that's how I feel. On the days when Yoshi has school, we are always rushing out the door, then rushing home for lunch. Other days, we would either go grocery in the morning, or meeting friends. If I'm lucky, kids would take naps around same time. otherwise, my days would just go on like the Energizer Bunny till the end...

Since Kiharu starts her solid food, kitchen is never close- breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner, baby food, toddler food, adult meals.... Many days, I felt like I'm so behind with all the houseworks, cleaning, ironing, organizing....Time to update blog is harder to come by, but I do enjoy doing so, it's my way of communicating with the outside world.

In between all the basic needs, I tried to make quality time with the kids. Reading books we borrowed from library, doing craft projects with Yoshi, crawling around with Kiharu.... I almost forgot how much creative activities I used to do with Yoshi when he was little.....just like the "cushions tunnel"........ winter is coming, it's time to switch on my indoor creative mode.

Hello Monkey & ladybug (where was Kiharu?!).... it was a very cold trick or treat night....