curry

Yesterday I made curry for dinner. I don't make curry very often because twice a month at church the kitchen ladies make it for lunch and because of that the girls aren't excited when I make it at home. But occasionally I run out of other options so I make it anyways and just ignore the whining. Case in point:

I serve curry and everyone sits down

Emi: What? Curry? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Emi takes one bite

Emi: Humph. I like the curry at church better.

Me: Do you think Daddy likes my curry or the curry at church better?

Emi & Misaki together: Yours.

Misaki: Yes, that's because he doesn't want to break your heart.


Misaki is so adorable.

Emi

A conversation with Emi:


Emi: Can I help you with dinner?

Me: Not right now, I'm trying to get this done quickly.

Emi: Please, can I help you?

Me: Thanks for offering but not today, OK?

Emi: Please?

Me: No.

Emi: (exasperated) But, Mommy, I was *born* to help!!!


later that evening...


Me: Emi, can you get a diaper for me from the closet.

Emi: No.

Me: I thought you were "born to help"?

Emi: ... I'll get it.

that's also true

Yesterday Natsuki brought this DVD cover to me. I think she was trying to help clean up.



The Incredibles (or Mr. Incredible, as it's known in Japan) is easily our family's favorite movie. I pointed to Dash and asked...

Me: Who's this?

Natsuki: Dash.

Impressive since I didn't know she knew the names of any of the characters.

Me: Who's this? (pointing to Mr. Incredible)

Natsuki: Bob!

It took us a second to remember that Mr. Incredible's undercover name is Bob Parr. She was unexpectedly right! We are really enjoying the fact that she is talking more.

all the songs run together

While I was gone Natsuki's English vocabulary expanded. I have been surprised everyday by how much she can say that I actually understand. I think that when she's with me I already know what she's going to do or want so she doesn't bother trying to speak for herself. I'm going to be more careful from now on.

She also is singing more songs but they are starting to run together. My favorite mish-mash is "Running Over" mixed with "I Love You, You Love Me" from Barney. Here's how it goes.

Running over, running over
My cup is full and running over
Since the Lord saved me
I'm as happy as can be...
...With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me, too.

I'm trying to get it on video because there's actions, too! I even get a kiss at the end.

Natsuki's latest phrase

I have so many things that I want to write about but I just can't seem to get to the computer long enough to actually post anything. Hopefully soon...

In other news, the other day when I got Sakura and Natsuki up in the morning, Natsuki was all genki-genki but Sakura still wasn't quite awake. We went in to wake up Daddy and Natsuki cuddled right up to him and was talking away in her own special language that no one understands. I was holding Sakura and she was whining at me and I was thinking that it was going to be a long day. After a minute of this I realized that Natsuki was saying something over and over but I couldn't figure it out so I asked her.

Natsuki: ah, ah, ehhhhh. ah, ah, ehhhh.

Me: Natsuki, what are you saying?

Sakura: (taking a break from the whining) She's saying "What The Heck". (resumes whining)

Natsuki: wa, ah, ehhhhck. wa, ah, ehhhhck.

Oh my goodness. I know she learned this from Misaki who picked it up when we went home this summer. Fortunately no one here knows what she's saying so I don't have to worry about offending anyone. Although later in the evening when I asked Natsuki to repeat it for Chikara, he was a little offended. It's pretty cute, though.

Apple!

Today I had to take Sakura for a "test" at the preschool she's going to go to in April. The test is really simple and is mostly to see if they can understand questions asked and then answer them and basic words. I was worried that she would be too shy or burst into tears but she was very calm and focused (unusual for her!).

I have to share one cute moment from her test.

referring to a page of fruit...
Teacher: ringo wa dore? (where are the apples?)
Sakura: ...
Teacher: ringo wa?
Sakura: ... apple!
Teacher: suteki (that's cool) said with a little awe in her voice

Yes, for the first part she kept answering the questions in English. The teachers (and other moms in the room) were totally impressed with her pronunciation. Eventually she realized the teacher was looking for her answers in Japanese so she switched over but it was pretty cute!

me!

On Thursday nights my in-laws come and take the older three girls out for the evening so it's just me and Natsuki. I look forward to this time because Natsuki is really relaxed and playful. This last Thursday as I finished dinner I turned to her and said, "Are you ready for dinner?". She was standing by the couch and she said yes, but then she put her hand straight up in the air and said "Me!". I laughed since obviously there was only her but she wouldn't come until I acknowledged her answer. I've got another strong little girlie on my hands!

me teasing Misaki - just a little bit!

Every night before we go to bed we pray together with the girls. In recent years, Emi & Misaki have prayed by themselves and this years Sakura has started being able to pray by herself too. When it comes to this point in our bedtime routine, we'll ask the girls who wants to pray. For the most part, they all want to pray but sometimes they don't and that's OK.

Last night, when we asked the girls who wanted to pray, both Misaki & Sakura said they didn't want to. Following is how the prayer time went.

Me: Go Emi.

Emi: (prays a sweet prayer)

Me: Go Misaki

Misaki: Dear Jesus, thank you for today... WAIT A MINUTE! I didn't want to pray!

Me: Oh, sorry, go Sakura.

Sakura: Dear Jesus (followed by a sweet little prayer in a little tiny voice that we could hardly hear!)

Me: Go Misaki

Misaki: Dear Jesus... NO, I said I didn't want to pray!

Everyone: (laughing)


We laughed so hard. I wasn't trying to make them pray, I just wanted to see what they would do if I prompted them anyways. If it had been Emi, for sure she would've said something right away, but Sakura just prayed anyways and Misaki started praying both times and then realized what had happened after the fact.

But one other thing that is different between Emi & Misaki is that if this had happened to Emi, she would've been mad that we had all laughed, but Misaki just laughed along with us. She's a sweetie-pie!

TGIF?

Friday was a busy day. I know I sound like a broken record, but lately it seems that everyday is busy in it's own way and yesterday was no different. On the menu for Friday, in addition to normal daily activities, was an open house at Emi's elementary school and an open house at Misaki's preschool. Fortunately, Chikara was able to get the day off, but he had work to do at home so he wasn't going to be able to go around with me, but he would be able to watch the younger two so I wouldn't have to take them with me. That in itself was a huge help.

So I got up with Emi at 7:20 and helped her get ready to be out the door by 7:55. Natsuki woke up in the middle of this so I also nursed and fed her during this time. At 8, everyone else got up and we had breakfast and then Misaki got ready for school. The two of us walked to the bus stop at 8:55 and just after 9, I was back home and the morning rush was over. Usually this is when I sit down with a cup of coffee and check my e-mail, but today I jumped into the shower in an effort to make myself presentable. I know this is not really necessary but since Natsuki was born I haven't been making much of an effort at all and knowing that is a chance to make a good first impression with a lot of people, I primped. A lot. I put on my fancy Mac make-up, straightened my hair, and spent more than 1 minute picking out my clothes! I should've taken a picture but there was no time.

At 10:40 I was out the door to go to the school with the other moms on my street. As I stepped out the door, they all looked at me in surprise. I didn't ask why but I'm sure they were surprised at my appearance. We walked to the school with our slippers in hand and me with my camera. Just me. My neighbor and I had been talking the day before and she told me that elementary school is different than preschool and that no one brings cameras. Hmm. Obviously that was some sort of big hint. I talked with Chikara and he said that there is too much peer pressure, even between parents, and that if I wanted to take my camera then I should go ahead.

We arrived at school in time for 3rd period and watched the teacher interact with the kids and teach them about the hiragana character "u". He was very energetic and the kids really responded to him. Before we knew it, time was up. All the kids went to watch a video while the teacher talked to the moms. He had to be nervous as there were at least 25 moms and just him. He started off by telling us a little bit about himself. He is 27! Chikara and I are 32 so he's 5 years younger than us. Wow. He has taught at this school for the last 3 years for the 3rd grade, 5th grade and now 1st grade. He told us that for the events they've had in the first two weeks that our kids have behaved appropriately. Cheering for the 5th & 6th graders when they put on a show for them, listening quietly during story time and following instructions when on a school tour. He told us his plan for the next year, etc. In the middle of this, I realized that it was time to pick up Misaki from the bus. I half-ran/half-walked (I am so out of shape!) and made it just on time. She came back to the school with me for the last part.

When it was finished, the three of us walked back home. I fed Natsuki and then left her with Daddy and took the other three to lunch at a local ramen store. As we sat down I realized that I have never ordered ramen by myself. I couldn't remember the name of the ramen I wanted or how to order gyoza so I did my best. The right food came so I guess it was OK. The girls were well behaved, which was good since I was already tired from the morning.

We were home by 2 and I put Sakura and Natsuki down for their afternoon nap. Emi went outside to play and Misaki and I went to the preschool for her open house. I had heard from a friend that the first part was really long and boring so I had planned to go a little late. This year the preschool has made a lot of changes. There is a new principal, a lot of new teachers and a new philosophy. All of it is OK, but one of the changes has me a bit confused. If we want to cancel school lunch for the kids we have to call two days before or we will be charged anyways. What are you supposed to do if you kids get sick suddenly? Do you still have to pay for lunch? Hmm. The only reason I went was to meet Misaki's teacher because she's new so after an hour-and-a-half of talking, they finally let us go to the classroom. Misaki's teacher seems really nice and mature (not old, but really together). She told us that one new thing they're going to do this year is work with the 3rd year kids on their characters. Also, the principal wants the teachers to help the kids work on their manners, especially how they ask questions and respond. This is going to be so good for Misaki. We've been working on this at home so it'll be nice that it is reinforced at school too.

During these two hours, we had to sit on the little chairs that the kids use. My butt hurt so bad and I was really glad when the whole thing was over. As I left I stopped to say "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" to the teacher and she told me I was *pretty*. Although I appreciate this since I spent time in the morning especially to make a good first impression, somehow I was also a little bit offended, although I'm not sure why. I had a strong urge to tell her that I was smart too.

I was home a bit after 4 and while I was nursing Natsuki, I told Chikara all about the day. As I was talking about Emi's teacher, I told Chikara that I really liked him and Misaki piped up and said, "Do you want to kiss him?". We all had a good laugh about that and I clarified that I liked him "as a teacher" for Emi.

By this time I was tired, too tired to make dinner so we went out to a restaurant near us for dinner. They have a new kid's menu so I had to take extra time to pick. One of the new menu items is a "Make Your Own Sandwich" plate for kids. I ordered three and the girls had fun making and eating their sandwiches. When we got home it was 7:30 and the kids were cranky and tired so we went right to getting ready for bed and by 8 all the girls were in their beds. I ran to the store to buy more diapers for Sakura, came home, nursed Natsuki and put her down to sleep. At 9, I made some popcorn, opened my Dr. Pepper and sat down to watch "The Core" on TV. I love Friday nights because they show movies in English on TV. I'm kind of at the mercy of whatever they pick but for the most part it's fairly entertaining which shows how low my standards have become!

It was lovely to fall into bed and I was out within 5 minutes. I had weird dreams about meeting the two comedians of Downtown and trying to take a picture with them. Very weird.

From Monday, Emi & Misaki will be starting school lunches and be in school until the afternoon. My house desperately needs attention and hopefully life will get back to normal, whatever that is!

keep it in your heart!

Lately Emi & Misaki have been fighting over who will get to set the table. I have absolutely no problem with this and they are usually able to amicably decide who will get to do it each day.

The other day Misaki came up to me early in the day to ask if she could set the table...


Misaki: Today can I set the table?

Me: Sorry sweetie, Emi already asked if she could do it today.

Misaki: oh...

Me: But you can do it tomorrow if you'd like?

Misaki: Yeah, I'll do it tomorrow...

as she walked around the corner, she suddenly popped back

Misaki: ...keep it in your heart, okay.


I can totally deal with this cuteness!

sweetie-pie

I don't know what came over Misaki today...

At the bus stop when I picked them up from school, Misaki came off first and she stopped on the last step and looked at me and said "I love you" and blew me a kiss!

And halfway through dinner Misaki looked at me and said "Thanks for making spaghetti, it's really yummy".

I don't know where this came from but she was really sweet today and it is these kinds of moments that make all the hard work worthwhile!

Also, she has finally stopped picking the owie on her arm! In October 2005 she fell and got a little tiny scrape on her right forearm. She sucks her thumb and I didn't realize that she'd started picking it as she was going to sleep. I don't think she even realized she was doing it. Then she got chicken pox so I really didn't notice one little owie as compared to the rest all over her body. Then I found out I was pregnant and had morning sickness so I wasn't really paying attention to anything.

About April 2006 I realized that she had had this same owie in the same spot for 6 months. I put a bandaid on it and thought that would be the end of it but I totally underestimated how uncommitted she was to stopping!!! About June I started a campaign to help her remember to stop picking it. She got a sticker everyday that she left her bandaid alone and if she got a sticker 7 days in a row then she could go out for ice cream with just me. I took her out twice so I thought I was finally getting through to her. But then I got near the end of my pregnancy and again I wasn't paying enough attention. About September I realized that again she had picked this little owie apart.

At this point I decided to just leave the whole mess alone. I wondered if she was continuing to pick it because I was giving so much attention to the situation. But no, she just kept picking away. I know it's really not a big deal but I don't want her to be 14 years old and get mad at me because she has a scar on her arm. Plus this is one thing (not realizing that there are consequences to her actions) that I see in Misaki that I think I need to help her change before she gets older and into elementary school. She doesn't really think through stuff before she does it. I don't know how many times she's fallen off a chair because she's leaned too far over but turned around and done the exact same thing again a week later! It'd be funnier if it was someone else's kid!!

But somehow since she had her birthday last week she's realized that she's growing up so I guess she's decided to try harder. She is very proud everyday to show me that she hasn't touched her bandaid. I'm very proud of her, too.

I'm still trying to get the photoshow I made of her birthday onto this blog. There's some problem with the program so I'm trying to work it out. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!

she's learning something

Me: Are you finished with your juice?

Sakura: Yeah, I'm all done.

Me: Can you bring it to me?

Sakura: No.

Me: Yes, you can, bring it to me.

Sakura: No, I want to leave it on the table. (she says with a smile - isn't she clever!)

Me: No, bring it to me now.

Sakura: OK... (and then as she's picking up the cup), GOSH!



Also,

Happy Birthday Daddy!

conversations

I haven't written a blog about Sakura yet. It's hard to capture her in words because she's changing so much everyday. But everyday does turn out interesting conversations so I decided to write those and once Sakura grows up a bit more then I'll do a Sakura blog.

Me trying to teach Sakura how to say her age in English.

Me: How old are you?
Sakura: nisai desu. (Japanese for 2 years old)
Me: No, in English, how old are you?
Sakura: ...
Me: You say, two years old.
Sakura: Two years old.
Me: Yeah, How old are you?
Sakura: How old are you?
Me: No, you say, two years old.
Sakura: Oh, OK.
Me: How old are you?
Sakura: How old are you?

This isn't a big deal except that I don't want people to think she doesn't speak English when we go back to Canada/US so I keep trying. Did you know the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? I'm going insane.


Sakura requesting a snack.

Sakura: MOM!
Me: What?
Sakura: chee... (voice trailing off)
Me: What?
Sakura: chee...
Me: Cheese?
Sakura: Yeah, cheese.
Me: How do you ask nicely?
Sakura: May I have some cheese, please?
Me: Sure!
Sakura: And chocolate.


Sakura playing house with Misaki.

Misaki: Mommy (referring to Sakura)
Sakura: ...
Misaki: Mommy
Sakura: ...
Misaki: Mommy
Sakura: JUST A MINUTE!!!

Where does she get this from?


Sakura and I going shopping.

Me: Do you want to go shopping with mommy?
Sakura: Yeah.
Me: OK, let's go.
Sakura: Yeah, walk.
Me: No, we're going in the car.
Sakura: Um, how 'bout bicycle.
Me: No, we're going by car.
Sakura: NO, BICYCLE!
Me: NO, CAR!
Sakura: Oh, OK.

She's 2 so everything is a war of wills.

kisses

Our normal bedtime routine is to have the girls change into their pajamas, Emi & Misaki will go potty while one of us changes Sakura's diaper, we brush their teeth, pray, everyone kisses everyone and then the three of them go up to their beds and go to sleep (usually!). If it's not too late we'll read a book together in the middle somewhere.

Although this routine is usually uneventful, lately the kissing section has taken on such a life of it's own that Chikara and I are never sure if we'll actually make it through. Why? Well, Emi kisses all of us in a certain order (anyone surprised?). She has kissed all of us in this order for at least a year - Misaki, Daddy, Mommy, Sakura and now Natsuki. The problem arises for her when Misaki decides that she doesn't want to kiss Emi (sometimes there is a reason and sometimes she's just being a typical little sister). This throws off Emi's order and she won't kiss the rest of us until Misaki capitulates. Misaki doesn't have an order, she kisses us as she feels like it. Lately Sakura has realized that there is a drama going on and she doesn't want to miss out on the excitement so she'll lay passively on the couch or refuse to turn her face towards her sisters or something along these lines which irritates both of her older sisters much to her delight.

Yesterday as we got to the kissing part of our routine, amazingly Emi and Misaki managed to keep the drama to a minimum but Sakura would not go so easily "into that dark night" so she sat in the corner of the couch and made each of us come and kiss her in turn. Finally it was Chikara's turn but he was holding Natsuki so he couldn't bend down which meant that Sakura would have to stand up to kiss him. She tried at least three time to strain her head up as high as she could with her little lips pursed for a kiss but when she realized it was futile she let out a sigh, rolled her eyes and said "Gosh!". Then she stood up and kissed Chikara, bounced off the couch and walked up the stairs as if nothing had happened.

One day this melodrama will end so I'm writing it down so that we will remember these sweet moments!

my quirky girls

Thank you for your e-mails and phone calls with your guesses about the last post. Following are the correct answers. Drumroll, please!!

Misaki said: Will you buy me plip-plops for Christmas?
Translation: plip-plops = high heels! She calls them plip-plops because that's the sound they make as you walk!

Sakura said: No, I'll get my own hello!
Translation: hello = pillow! No matter how many times I've tried to tell her that it's really "pillow" she won't believe me and continues to call it "hello"!

No wonder I never know what they're talking about!!

quiz

Lately the girls have been coming up with their own pronunciations for words. See if you can guess what these words are supposed to be?

First up is from Misaki:
Will you buy me plip-plops for Christmas?

Next is from Sakura:
No, I'll get my own hello!

If you have a guess you can make a comment but otherwise look for the answers in the next post!

cute stuff - part 1

Sakura (as I'm getting lunch ready)

Me: Are you my pretty little girl?
Sakura: No, I'm hungry!


Misaki (talking to Grammy on the phone)

Me: Tell Grammy you have the mumps.
Misaki: Grammy, I have the mumbles!


Emi (helping me decide what to have for lunch)

Emi: I want wiggle bread.
Me: Wiggle bread? What's wiggle bread?
Emi: You know, the round bread you buy at Costco.
Me: Oh, you mean bagels.
Emi: Yeah, bagels!

I called this post "cute stuff - part 1" because I'm sure there will be more!