Baseball game

 Today was special for Yoshi & Nori. They went to watch baseball game (Cincinnati Reds) for the first time. It's such a great bonding experience for them. I can tell they had a fun time, because they returned with a new baseball cap + a left over cotton candy (Nori said I can eat the left over...but seeing this photo below, I think I can skip it).

They went to the game with our very good friend- Ito-san and his son Yuya, whom Yoshi (& Kiharu) loves to play with and look up to.  Yoshi cannot stop talking about him before and after the game.

Just another update

Yes, as the title said "just another update". Sometimes when I haven't update the blog for a while, Nori would said "you still haven't update yet?". ^_^ (no pressure huh....)

 A typical moment of my backseat passengers- sunglasses and boxes of raisin (with pop music radio)

Every Friday evening, Yoshi is doing attending T-ball class. He enjoys a lot. The first few days, he would spend half of the time kicking or scouping sand So we told him, if he continued to play with sand, then we would leave class and go to playground instead. Since then, he has more concentration on hitting the ball. Fun...

Team shirt with their last name at back.

 Well....second day of Japanese Language School, I still have energy and interest to make character obento box. Luckily there are so many references on internet.  But after school, Yoshi's teacher suggested me to make smaller portion of lunch, because Yoshi ate so slow.......

This past weekend, Chef Nori made a rare appearance in kitchen- German cuisine. Bratwurst + sauerkraut + pretzel bread + potato salad. It's yummy and filling. Wonder what & when will be the next cooking show?!

"We are young" by Fun (& Yoshi & KIharu)

Since Yoshi & Kiharu were little, I always turn on either CD music or radio to have music around us. I do play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, ABCs.... but when we are in the car driving, that's "MY" own little world with "MY" music. It's nothing wrong about that. Of course, I switch station when I don't feel it's right for them. Maybe that's why Yoshi loves music. Recently, one of his favorite is "We are Young" by Fun. He has no clue about the lyrics, but he catches few words here and there. Funny thing, even Kiharu is mumbling....

(this is the original song)

(this is their version)

(May EE, maybe you should change your ringtone for us to call you again)

First day at Japanese Language School

Today is Yoshi's first day at Japanese Language School. It's also his first lunch at any school ever. Earlier, I was only thinking a regular obento lunchbox for him. But then a week before, Nori said "no, you should make a character obento box for his first day, he would be so happy".....he's right.....but that got me a bit worry.

I enjoy crafting with scissors and glue, but never prepare "character" lunchbox before.....After talking to Yoshi, he picked Shinkansen train theme. So I have been researching on internet. Luckily, I have lots of friends here who gave me great ideas and encouragement.

Back in the working days, I would sometimes have a hard time sleeping thinking about project deadlines, pricing structure, quality control..... but never thought oneday becoming a stay at home mom, that all changed due to obento box. I woke up few times last night, worrying I might not hear alarm clock, and ran out of time to prepare my first big lunchbox project.

I have to say, after doing the first one this morning, I felt much easier for the upcoming school year. I think it's not that bad. The hardest part was cutting the seaweed without breaking, and sticking it onto the rice without falling.

I showed Yoshi the finished lunchbox before leaving to school, because I wanted to see his reaction, and also worrying the train shape might not be able to last till noon with the lunchbox being tossed left and right. Seeing how excited he was, and getting the compliment from Nori, is all well worth my efforts.

Ice cream too cold

Yoshi: "Mama, ice cream taste good. But it's so cold....I want to eat them warm or hot, just like the hot chocolate milk you heat up for me....."

(Sorry Yoshi, it's not going to work, unless u want a hot milk shake.....^_^)

The new beginning at Japanese Language School

Starting from this month, Yoshi will be attending kindergarten at the Japanese Language School here every Saturday. (school year starts in April http://www.jls-cincinnati.edu/ ) It's a whole day program from 8:45-2p.m. I will be packing obento lunch box for him. Yesterday was the entrance ceremony event at school, everyone had to dress up. Yoshi was SUPER excited dressing up in suit, because he said he looks like Otousan. ^_^

He looked a bit mature on this photo....

..... but somehow he looked like a little kid with his blue sunglass ^_^

They didn't have class yesterday, but only little playtime during parent conference.

Yoshi's "family protrait".....so sweet. XOXO

Yoshi, I can't believe how much you have grown up already (though u are only 4 yrs old). I know you will have lots of fun at this school, and I'm very excited for you too. But somehow, I also have a mix emotion realizing you are growing up so fast, we will be spending less time together (yes, though it's only a day). This is just the beginning of a very long education journey for you. Mama & Otousan will always be by your side. We love you. xoxo.

T-ball game

Today, Yoshi had tried out his first T-ball practice game. T-ball is just like the beginning baseball. Yoshi had been playing inside the house with Nori with the plastic toys. Finally he got to be in the real baseball field. With Nori able to come and watch, made Yoshi felt extra excited. There will be one hour practice every Friday evening. Then in May, they will be having game against another tball team... it will be fun to watch.

(he was holding the baseball glove with wrong hand at the beginning of the class...^_^)

Water

What a difference in temperature today. Short sleeves, water toys.....& finally, she is letting me tie her hair....

She was wiping her feet in the MIDDLE of the playing....I guess wet feet bother her....^_^

Big boy's bike

After having the new bike in the basement since Christmas, Nori finally put it together last weekend. So now Yoshi and Kiharu have their own bike team together. Uncle Henry, very soon, they will join you biking around HK.....

(Thank you 公公婆婆 for the bike ^_^)