Get ready for the hot summer days

10a.m playing at the water park, that's really early for us. But for the kids, I got to do it. It was actually a lot of fun, we met up with few friends. Yoshi had so much fun, love seeing his laugh. Kiharu had conquered her initial fear of water park experience, but NO to any kind of water splash yet, let's do that one at a time....^_^

Kiharu & Nadiah were wating in the side line.....absolutely had NO interest in getting themselves wet...(or even being splashed)

Yes, finally got my swim diaper worth the money back

When we left, Yoshi said "we will come back with Otousan next time" (so Nori, get ready..)

"Arigatou"

We have been teaching Kiharu words here and there. The first word she said was "gou gou"= brother (Yoshi). She understands a lot of words, but not yet able to repeat. Recently, her new word is "Arigatou" (=thank you), or maybe it sounds more like Ari?????

Tried to keep them occupied while preparing dinner- all you need, a large piece of paper (use both front and back) + crayons.

This was their first time drawing together, Kiharu was laughing about Yoshi's quick sketch work... silly kids....^_^

Same bike

Felt like it was only a short time ago when we bought the little bike and Yoshi's first ride 2 years ago ....

It's still the same bike, same Otousan pushing it, same street, just different driver and now we even have a "bike stop" with someone waiting in line....

Steel Drum

Last week, Yoshi attended a week long summer Steel Drum session. It was about 1.5 hr every each day (only for a week). He had so much fun. Parents were not allowed inside the classroom. But the last day of the class, we were being invited for a 15 minutes "concert" performance. Yoshi truely loves music. I hope he can join this again someday, but it's far from our house.

"S-U-P-R-I-S-E!!!!"

Last Saturday, I had secretly invited some of our friends over for a SUPRISE 40th birthday party for Nori. This was planned about a month ago. One of his friend invited him for golf outing in the afternoon, while Nori thought I was meeting up with friends for playdate. While he was out, I took the kids to make many stops, picking up balloons, cake, food.... We had such a short time for all of these & decoration. I was planning 15 mins interval in between all the stops. Yoshi kept wondering if we would ever go home.

The plan went so well (& secret) that Nori truely had a suprise when he walked into the house. How fun!!

"SUPRISE!!!"

(Nori was carrying food inside the bag, I sent him to pick up carry out food after golf, so to make sure everyone arrived before him)

"Party favors" for adults- nothing more fun than scratching lottery cards.

Thanks everyone for keeping the secret, it was a lot of fun. (of course I couldn't tell Yoshi either, otherwise, he would spill out the secret message)

Photo of HER

Just a photo blog day of our Ms. Curious (a.k.a. trouble maker)

Can't believe at 1.5 age, she knew how to pull a small chair next to me, then stood on top to watch me washing dishes.........

Our happy family (in the eyes of Yoshi)

Finally, the first family portrait drawn by Yoshi. And it's Kiharu's first appearance (so little....cute. ^_^) Once again, Nori is the daikon and I'm the cucumber. And we all have legs now. Did u see, we all got BIG smile too. ^_^

Happy (40th) birthday Nori

(Every year, I made a photo birthday card for Nori, click HERE to see.) And for this year....

Yes, it's Nori's big 40th birthday today. We took Nori for a tour at the Reds ballpark (baseball stadium). I'm not a baseball fan (at all), but it was fun to do something different with the kids. Now, we just need to get tickets to see the game next time. (can we sit at the VIP session with air conditioning indoor?)

(someone wanted more cake........)

Great friends

Today we had invited a group of great friends over for lunch. Yoshi, Sarah, Nadiah & Andrew have spent the last 2-3 years together, always had a lot of fun.
Sarah gave this to Yoshi today. "Sarah & Yoshi, with a purple HEART on top, between them". It's so cute....Yoshi's first love letter received. ^_^ Thanks Sarah.

Hot summer day at the backyard

We had invited Yoshi's school & neighbour buddies over for playdate, last minute thought- let's pull out the backyard water toys.

(little girl with big cautious)

I guess someone was not liking any splash of water.....(over dramatic though...)

Though it was only 2 hours outside, but with the heat (& koala Kiharu = not letting me go), I was exhausted. This was just the beginning of the summer..........

Jr & Sr (Junior & Senior) Golfer team

So what did we (Nori) got for Yoshi's birthday this year? ........

(we told Yoshi to cover his eyes while bringing out the gift...he was TOO excited)

A while ago, an electronic store had a funny TV commercial- the parents bought a flat screen TV for their 3 year old son as birthday gift, they were so excited when he opened the gift, because it's actually for them instead.

This wasn't exactly the case for our birthday gift to Yoshi this year, it's truely for his latest favorite hobby. Seeing how much Yoshi loves golf, it's time to replace those plastic golf clubs with the real thing (only for outdoor). Nori had been researching that since few months before Yoshi's birthday. He was just as excited in getting that for Yoshi. Now, they are like father and son team, going to driving range EVERY weekend. Yoshi loves it, Nori loves it even more, because he can "officially" add golf as part of the family schedule activity.

(Maybe we should get a helmet for Kiharu, as she tends to walk around the driving range, interrupting the golfers, being nosey.......)