Together 24/7

This week, Yoshi's school is off for spring break. So brother and sister are together 24/7. Laugh, argument, kiss, push, silly....everything.... but they truely enjoy having each other.....

Finding our little bonding time

Lately, I have been putting so much time and effort in preparing the upcoming fundraising event, sometimes I feel guilty in not spending enough quality time with family (everyone of them, including the young and old ^_^). I am trying to balance it. So today, after taking care of few things, while Kiharu was napping, I decided to pull out a quick baking time with Chef Yoshi. He was so excited in helping (& eating of course). Though it wasn't long enough, but it's a great day overall. (Otousan, we baked & saved some for you too, enjoy!!)

An exciting (& meaningful) project

After seeing all the news about Japan, it's hard not wanting to do something to help. Me and Mayumi-san has started this project together. After reaching out to so many locations, we have finally got a generous offer from Cincinnati Public Radio, Inc, they are donating a booth for us to set up fundraising event at the Kite Fest. Our theme "Make a donation for an origami", meaning, we will sell the origami for any amount of donation. All money will be donated to the overseas Japanese Red Cross Society directly, this way, we can ensure every penny is going to be spent for rebuilding Japan.

The past 3 days, we have come up with a great plan, starting our volunteer recruitment, hoping to get as many people as we can find to help folding origami within 2 weeks. There are still lot to do, but we are all very passionate about this, and we have a great team together. Now, we just need perfect sunny weather for the Kite Festival, hoping to reach close to the organizer's expecting 15000 attendees for the two days event. (April 9th & 10th).

We have a temporary blog site about our project- http://www.cincinnatiorigamiproject.blogspot.com/
If u live around here and would like to help out, contact me anytime. Or come over to the Kite Fest, spend some great family time and stop by our booth.

How does a 3 year old brain work?

Tonight's dinner menu: rice + chicken + daikon (Japanese radish) -all separate items on plate

Half way at the dinner, Yoshi told me he was almost done with the rice, only a few pieces of chicken and the daikon left (he didn't eat the daikon yet as I could tell)

Few minutes later while I was washing dishes, Yoshi suddenly ran out from his chair towards the couch "Stomach hurt...it hurt....". His reaction made me dried my wet hand immediately........ on the way to check on him, I spotted his dinner plate------everything was gone EXCEPT the daikon.....I thought to myself "is it that coincidence?

"Yoshi, are u ok?" ............. "My stomach hurt!!!!!" (he reassured by pointing stomach)

"Oh, then U can't eat orange" .........(OH!!)"hm.....yes I can" (uncertain facial expression)

"No, stomach hurt can't eat orange"........... (stand up right away) "I'm fine now, not hurting"

........................................................................... "but I don't want to eat daikon"

"Why?"............."I'm full" ................."if u are full, then u can't eat orange"............(OH!!!!)

...........................................after few mins, all daikon were gone, and we ate a yummy orange.

(So someone please explain to me how the toddler's brain really work??)

Messy......

Kiharu is a good girl. She is happy all the time (except if she doesn't recognize u, then it will take some time to warm up). The biggest challenge with her got to be meal time. I tried many methods to keep her in the seat, but nothing really works well.

Recently, I have moved her highchair to a "island zone", meaning no chairs or tables within her reach (when I say 'reach', I mean even she lays her whole body onto the table.) Then I would give her own little bowl and spoon for feeding. This way, I can eat my own dinner. But it's not easy watching this whole self feeding process.... She doesn't like wearing her bib, so everything fell onto her clothes & chair....I have to say, I tried so hard not to let that bother me.......maybe I should have her eat inside the bathtub......

Hand in hand

Indoor activities

Has been watching CNN live (& Japanese internet) every night, not much talking among me and Nori till bedtime....not much to write about the blog tonight, just keep watching news...let the photos show our indoor activities....Spring is right around the corner.... and HOPE is right around the corner in Japan too....I know there is....take care everyone.

Rockstar(s)

There are so many sad news on TV lately, hope the below rockstar (charity) performance will cheer u up. And if u like this, then make a donation to your favorite charity and help those are affected. Thank you.

(First attempt today.......wasn't what I expected, or looking any close to the photo from online receipe....But hey, when Yoshi saw those, he said "Anpanman"....so I guess I was half way success....^_^)

Building a brighter future

Thanks for everyone's checking on Nori's family, they are doing fine. They live further away from the main disaster area, with only minor earthquakes. But thank you everyone for your concern and care.

Watching the news, it's very difficult to imagne what the people are going thru right now. The simple things that we take for granted everyday- clean water, food, baby care, heat.... suddenly becomes precious. Though it's almost hard to think about future, but I'm sure with the unification of people's heart and help, time can slowly heal the wounds and build a brighter future.

Take care everyone in Japan....

A whole day of FUN

Yoshi's best buddy in class has to be Carter. He is also a neighbour, walking distance to our house. Last week, I had offered his parent to babysit him today. His mom dropped him off at 6:30a.m, before she left to work. (no, I am definitely not a morning person, but once in a while is fine). Carter arrived with his pajama, so cute. After 30 minutes, Yoshi woke up to a suprise, seeing his best buddy waiting for him.

Pajama party began at 6:30a.m

Rare holding hands moment after school

It's so fun to see and hear Yoshi switching into English channel today.
- "Carter, come on......"
- "Carter, u (have to) eat, no out (no getting out the chair)"
- "Shhh!! baby (Kiharu) Zzzzzz" (yoshi don't know the word sleeping, so he made the sleeping sound)
- (after Nori left to work) "my daddy work"

Though Yoshi has limited English volcabulary, it didn't stop him from trying to communicate with his friends. He's so eager to talk and even copying from others. The funnies part, when he tried to say something to Carter which probably didn't make any sense, and without any response, Yoshi would say to me "Carter couldn't hear" ^_^

Breaking news

Breaking News:::: She made her first steps on her own!!!

(I think she was very excited being able to walk like Yoshi......)

.....only if I could upload the video.......

huh.... after trying for an hour, I have to give up... no luck trying to upload the videos......(just when I wanted the most). Oh well, guess I have to post the "breaking news" another time then..

"Yoshi"

"Airplane" (upside down)

Mammut

Wonder what's MAMMUT? click here. (love IKEA, but they always have names that I can hardly pronounce....)

Anyway, for the past 2 years, the green Mammut were only being used as normal sitting stools in the house.... But now, there is new discovery of the name TUMMAM... (spell it the other way around)..............

The best part of this, they both play well together (& safely), so I can get my cooking and baking done. Money well spent.