So, we went to the zoo because the baby never went before. Lots of People & sleepy animals. We had better luck taking pics with the animal statues that are placed strategically around the zoo. Lina loved the animals though, so it was all good.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Zoo
So, we went to the zoo because the baby never went before. Lots of People & sleepy animals. We had better luck taking pics with the animal statues that are placed strategically around the zoo. Lina loved the animals though, so it was all good.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pictures from the park.
It was windy & the sun was just not in the right place but, I thought I'd force the kids to take pictures anyway. Lina is so not used to it she kept looking away right when I had the perfect shot.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Happy Birthday Birthday Boy (see what a clever writer I am)
Early am pic before your flight. Thanks for stealing my camera that morning, I now have pics of you guys.Dear Little Brother --who is definitely not so little anymore-- wishing you the very best new year ever. Now that you got the big 3-0 out of the way last year, this year you can relax & enjoy your life. No big new decades to embrace.
It was so great to see you after so long, & I forgive you & Dad for snickering & sneaking around in the morning to take pictures of me cuddling a teddy bear. Shows me that you are the same silly boy that you've always been.
I also noticed that you are extremely wise & tactful with your words which is very refreshing after realising how blunt some of us other sibs can be.
Anyway, so I know you're not the blog-junky type but I hope you see this & I hope you know how great of a brother you are.
Beautiful Spring
It's been gorgeous lately. The warmth-- without the mosquitoes & heatstroke. I only wish I had more pictures of the kids to post. I'm not one of those people who love to line the kids up & force them to smile all day for pictures like some moms I know. hehe. But as a result I have no pictures, & pictures last longer than the memories of being forced to take them. (I guess.)
Another thing that I've been thinking is that Julie really needs to update her blog already. Seriously! We miss seeing little Violet, & we're all busy moms around here so we know you are tired but just for us, could you please take a little time & sacrifice to make us happy & post forcryingoutloud. xxlove you, Jul. And come to think of it: Now that she's back in the atmosphere, Mars should start a blog pretty soon, what with her new computer & all.
Lately I've been enjoying reading. I didn't read a lot of books while growing up (I wonder why). But it's been great discovering a new hobby for myself. While I'm reading I become so absorbed in all those BIG words that all the sudden I feel like I'm the king of the world & that I can be a writer too. All day long I start thinking of all the cool things I'd say if I were a writer. And even just walking down the street listening to a dog bark takes on a whole new meaning as I try to conjure up prose about the way the dog happens to be barking.
Seriously, what some pathetic bored people will resort to.... When I finally come down from my book-reading induced stupor, usually after reading blogs by certain friends of mine with writing talent that far outshines mine, I get all disillusioned with myself. The only way I can comfort myself for my lack of skill with word usage is by saying: "Aimee, you know, sometimes simplicity is best". Simplicity: The reason why I can't for the life of me figure out a cool title for my blog other than "Aimee's Blog".
Anyway, moving right along. Leila is so happy to be turning 6 in 9 whole days. With that much anticipation, I'm surprised kids are not totally let down when the day finally arrives only to find we are having cake & ice cream--again--and getting presents that they will be bored with in a few days. Maybe birthdays only start turning into disappointment when you are a teenager so I guess I have a few more happy kids birthdays to enjoy before the girls are teens & need a car to happy. I used to be so disappointed after my birthday when I was a teen & I never got a car so that must be it.
Speaking of teens & growing up, I realised that our little family of girls probably doesn't have to buy another piece of clothing again ever. Carole is not as tall as me yet but my clothes fit her pretty much. I have a lot of cut off pants (Capri) that fit her like real pants so I haven't had to get her any clothes. So, we can keep passing the clothes on to the next kid & when they get to be teens, they can wear my clothes & provided I don't get any larger, (fat chance...get it ,"fat" chance...hmm so much for being a writer) we won't need any more clothes. Yay!! -And the reason I'm happy is that we are saving up to move into a better house. So, like what if we just want to buy clothes because we are girls & we like shopping.....
Another thing that I've been thinking is that Julie really needs to update her blog already. Seriously! We miss seeing little Violet, & we're all busy moms around here so we know you are tired but just for us, could you please take a little time & sacrifice to make us happy & post forcryingoutloud. xxlove you, Jul. And come to think of it: Now that she's back in the atmosphere, Mars should start a blog pretty soon, what with her new computer & all.
Lately I've been enjoying reading. I didn't read a lot of books while growing up (I wonder why). But it's been great discovering a new hobby for myself. While I'm reading I become so absorbed in all those BIG words that all the sudden I feel like I'm the king of the world & that I can be a writer too. All day long I start thinking of all the cool things I'd say if I were a writer. And even just walking down the street listening to a dog bark takes on a whole new meaning as I try to conjure up prose about the way the dog happens to be barking.
Seriously, what some pathetic bored people will resort to.... When I finally come down from my book-reading induced stupor, usually after reading blogs by certain friends of mine with writing talent that far outshines mine, I get all disillusioned with myself. The only way I can comfort myself for my lack of skill with word usage is by saying: "Aimee, you know, sometimes simplicity is best". Simplicity: The reason why I can't for the life of me figure out a cool title for my blog other than "Aimee's Blog".
Anyway, moving right along. Leila is so happy to be turning 6 in 9 whole days. With that much anticipation, I'm surprised kids are not totally let down when the day finally arrives only to find we are having cake & ice cream--again--and getting presents that they will be bored with in a few days. Maybe birthdays only start turning into disappointment when you are a teenager so I guess I have a few more happy kids birthdays to enjoy before the girls are teens & need a car to happy. I used to be so disappointed after my birthday when I was a teen & I never got a car so that must be it.
Speaking of teens & growing up, I realised that our little family of girls probably doesn't have to buy another piece of clothing again ever. Carole is not as tall as me yet but my clothes fit her pretty much. I have a lot of cut off pants (Capri) that fit her like real pants so I haven't had to get her any clothes. So, we can keep passing the clothes on to the next kid & when they get to be teens, they can wear my clothes & provided I don't get any larger, (fat chance...get it ,"fat" chance...hmm so much for being a writer) we won't need any more clothes. Yay!! -And the reason I'm happy is that we are saving up to move into a better house. So, like what if we just want to buy clothes because we are girls & we like shopping.....
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Just a bit of "Corn" for you
Now I don't usually post stuff about work. There are confidentiality agreements involved quite frequently. But here is the ad (CM) I sang the day after I got home from the hospital after delivering Lina.
This is a cell phone ad for Europe. You can always count on youtube to have your work posted.
A Beatles cover. (FYI: Ads are meant to be corny)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0z8F6jUzVc
This is a cell phone ad for Europe. You can always count on youtube to have your work posted.
A Beatles cover. (FYI: Ads are meant to be corny)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0z8F6jUzVc
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sick little puppies
Whenever the kids get sick, I realise how spoiled I am because they are usually so healthy all the time. I don't really know how to react to my kids being sick. It sorta comes at me from left field. I'm like, "oh yeah, that's right, I should bleach the dishes & we should wash our hands more often & buy yoghurt & bananas, that's good for sick tummies, right? (racks brain)"
Well, little Lina & now Leila are quite sick with some kind of tummy "wiirus", as they say here in Japan (virus). I'm tired because I've had some nights of interrupted sleep washing out gross sheets & pillowcases...steering the kids to get sick in the bucket or the toilet & not the bed. TMI.
The kids also don't know how to react to all the attention & sweet little nothings & cuddles that we shower upon their poor sick little bodies that they just feel they need to whine & be spoiled long after the sickness is over. "Mommie, I'm so sick I need 3 ice-creams", "nice try".
Lina is better now but she's still acting all fussy just to get attention. I guess a little extra love never hurt anyone. But it's kind of getting on my nerves.
Well, little Lina & now Leila are quite sick with some kind of tummy "wiirus", as they say here in Japan (virus). I'm tired because I've had some nights of interrupted sleep washing out gross sheets & pillowcases...steering the kids to get sick in the bucket or the toilet & not the bed. TMI.
The kids also don't know how to react to all the attention & sweet little nothings & cuddles that we shower upon their poor sick little bodies that they just feel they need to whine & be spoiled long after the sickness is over. "Mommie, I'm so sick I need 3 ice-creams", "nice try".
Lina is better now but she's still acting all fussy just to get attention. I guess a little extra love never hurt anyone. But it's kind of getting on my nerves.
Leila's Musings
One morning we were going through the usual frantic routine of getting the kids off to school. You know, having to remind everyone for the zillionth time to "wash your face after breakfast", "brush your hair", "don't forget your school bag & 'safety alarm bell'", "stop playing DS instead of getting your jacket on", etc.
As I was about to take Leila to Kindergarten she says: "Mom, when I grow up I don't want to be a mom. Kiki can be a mom & I can just be an auntie. I don't want to have kids" I felt sad & thought that it was about me nagging so much. I asked her why & she said "because kids are like us!"
I had to be all "oh, but I love you guys anyway & it's better than having no kids at all". I thought it was funny & insightful that she all knows that they are quite naughty sometimes. I never realised how much mom did for us & how rascally we were until after I had kids of my own.
As I was about to take Leila to Kindergarten she says: "Mom, when I grow up I don't want to be a mom. Kiki can be a mom & I can just be an auntie. I don't want to have kids" I felt sad & thought that it was about me nagging so much. I asked her why & she said "because kids are like us!"
I had to be all "oh, but I love you guys anyway & it's better than having no kids at all". I thought it was funny & insightful that she all knows that they are quite naughty sometimes. I never realised how much mom did for us & how rascally we were until after I had kids of my own.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Freaks of Nature
Well, it seems like everyone in school got a new teacher except Carole again. They bumped the 3rd grade teachers up to 4th grade, so this is the third year in a row for her to have the same teacher. I have no idea what to do about it. Carole is very disappointed. I was trying to cheer her up & said "well, at least she isn't mean" & Carole's like "she IS!" & I'm like: "well, am I mean when I get mad at you for bullying the little guys?" & she said "yes, you are". So I guess kids think that all adults are mean.
Today Mac sneezed the wrong way & really hurt his back. He can barely move & hold little Lina.
Yesterday the water meter lady came by & asked if we were using tons of water at that moment & we said no, so the water guys came over & found that out whole house foundation was flooded & they had to drain it & find the broken pipe. Apparently water has been leaking excessively for a whole month & the water bill was up to about a million yen. Luckily we won't have to pay since it was an accident.
Today Mac sneezed the wrong way & really hurt his back. He can barely move & hold little Lina.
Yesterday the water meter lady came by & asked if we were using tons of water at that moment & we said no, so the water guys came over & found that out whole house foundation was flooded & they had to drain it & find the broken pipe. Apparently water has been leaking excessively for a whole month & the water bill was up to about a million yen. Luckily we won't have to pay since it was an accident.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Back to School
So, I just got up early & saw Carole & Kiki off to their first day of the new school year. Carole is now in 4th grade & Kiki is in 3rd grade. Today is a special day because they get to find out who their new teacher is. Here in Japan, every year, they mix up the teachers between grades & even schools. So, for example the 3rd grade teacher this year might be the 6th grade teacher next year or teach at a different school all together. I find it very difficult to get to know every one on the school staff & keep up with all the names, etc.
Last year by some freak of nature Carole got the same teacher she got the year before. An older lady who is nice but quite slow-paced & not very challenging. So, today she had her fingers crossed for a more energetic teacher.
Leila doesn't start Kindy for another day, but the kindergarten moms decided to steal our last day of freedom for a kindergarten classmates sakura picnic. And, anyone who knows me will know that I am not a fan of these type of "get togethers". So, I guess right after this post I will attempt to make a fancy picnic lunch for the kids because I often find that at these types of functions the Japanese moms are very curious about me: "Let's see what the gaijin mom is giving her kids for lunch."
"Sorry ladies. Hate to bore you, but I think I will make onigiri too, like you, & fried chicken & cherry tomates & strawberries, & bring mugicha for the kids to drink".
Which reminds me of something else I have to rant about. Japanese doctors & moms will be all "tsk tsk" that you give your kids juice to drink instead of mugicha (tea), all the while they allow their kids to eat so much candy & sugary sweets. I just don't get it. How could 100% apple juice possibly be worse for the teeth than candy?
Anyway, so it's back to the grind for us today. I hope y'all are enjoying your spring!!
Last year by some freak of nature Carole got the same teacher she got the year before. An older lady who is nice but quite slow-paced & not very challenging. So, today she had her fingers crossed for a more energetic teacher.
Leila doesn't start Kindy for another day, but the kindergarten moms decided to steal our last day of freedom for a kindergarten classmates sakura picnic. And, anyone who knows me will know that I am not a fan of these type of "get togethers". So, I guess right after this post I will attempt to make a fancy picnic lunch for the kids because I often find that at these types of functions the Japanese moms are very curious about me: "Let's see what the gaijin mom is giving her kids for lunch."
"Sorry ladies. Hate to bore you, but I think I will make onigiri too, like you, & fried chicken & cherry tomates & strawberries, & bring mugicha for the kids to drink".
Which reminds me of something else I have to rant about. Japanese doctors & moms will be all "tsk tsk" that you give your kids juice to drink instead of mugicha (tea), all the while they allow their kids to eat so much candy & sugary sweets. I just don't get it. How could 100% apple juice possibly be worse for the teeth than candy?
Anyway, so it's back to the grind for us today. I hope y'all are enjoying your spring!!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Disney Land with Daddy
Goofballs
With Grandpa
Popcorn
Waiting in line
Outside the gift store
The girls & Mac's cousin
The kids
The rides
Disney LandMac & Grandpa took the kids to disney land with Mac's cousins & Aunt who visited Tokyo. Mac's cousins are the same age as our kids. They had to stand in line all day--poor things-- they were so tired when they got home.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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