Sakura - in Japanese means cherry blossom

Noah and JiJi at Noah's calligraphy exhibition/contest. Silver medal! He looks very happy about it doesn't he?

happy birthday Noah - 7 today

Our halloween/birthday party for Noah

Bonjour Nana

I am relaxing, surfing the net, drinking lattes while the child is put to work. Overseen by the elderly grandmother. It's a real sweat shop!

The lookout

Tyler was so happy there were no other kids around this morning. He got to have the binoculars all to himself.

The view was out to sea: Kansai Airport. Planes taking off, a jet ski, boats and a windsurfer.

It was hot but a nice breeze was blowing in today.

Pool Fun

Summer has hit in full force. We spent the day at the pools. Tyler was so tired he conked out right under the shade sail. Noah was fearless on every single slide. We had a great time.

Happy 2nd Birthday Tyler

Thanks everyone for all the cards, emails, texts and presents. He had a great week.

So far we have had several terrible twos tantrums. Last night I worked out why he's been such a grouch - a very sore throat.

Hi over there!

Water Play

While I am doing the housework Tyler has got himself set up with a water game. He can say "water" now and "one more".

It's very hot and humid today but not sunny so that's a relief.

Sunday Drive

The adventure was so much fun! We went to the garden centre to get fertiliser then took a drive past the Country Club up in the mountains.

Brrr It's Hot, he said

It's nearly summer

We've spent the afternoon in the back garden, relaxing, playing with water, chalk and bubble guns.

Just the three of us. Our new camera has a timer.

Shelling peas

We had a picnic last weekend in the back garden. We had some new trees planted. That's Noah's friend in the background. And of course Tyler.

Balancing Act

Here's another picture from yesterday. He likes balancing on this little ledge in the garden. His plastic dinosaurs live there.

Looks Like Rain

I noticed the sky clouding over so we dashed out to bring in the washing. Tyler had to make a quick stop on the way. He thought Noah's umbrella might come in handy.

Tyler bakes

I suggested to Tyler that we do some baking. He quickly started pulling the chair over to the bench. We decided that chocolate chip biscuits would be nice for a rainy day. His first attempts turned out very delicious.

Noah's first day

He's at school now. Sara's dad went with them since he was on his way to work. They both looked very excited. They'll be home at 11.20am.

Noah's first day

Tak's mum came to look after Tyler while we went to the opening ceremony of Noah's new school. She's really taken it in her stride now - even got Tyler to take a nap!! He woke up just as we got home hence his sad little face in the picture. Looks like Babu let him play dress-ups, he's in Noah's old Bob the Builder vest. I like this picture even though it is not very clear because I think Noah looks more like me with his big smile on. Not like the grimace below.


Noah is in class one, his teacher is Mrs. Suzuki (easy to remember). She's the oldest and most experienced teacher. Noah's best friend Hitomi is in his class and one other girl from his kindergarten who we don't know. The teacher already knows Noah's name since he was the only kid to put up his hand and answer two questions. He's going to be fine.

School starts properly next Wednesday but with a few half days till they get a bit used to the new routine. There are 155 new entrants this year divided into five classes. Each class has about 31 kids, an even balance of boys and girls. Noah's friend Sara is in a different class but they will still be walking to school together since she lives a bit further down the road. They'll be walking by themselves (!!!) as is standard. They have had a few practices, it takes less than 10 minutes and they have only three small side roads to cross. Still I will be waiting at the gate I expect.

Noah at Universal Studios Today

I saw Hello Kitty too but didn't get a good shot. We spent most of the day in Snoopy Town and Oz. That was the least crowded area. It's spring break so it was pretty packed with wait times up to two hours for most rides! Noah went on the roller coaster in Snoopy Studios. We both went on an awful raft ride and got WET.

The latest Noah pic

Here's Noah sitting on our front deck last weekend. He's wearing some trousers that I made for him. Unfortunately he's almost grown out of them already. Luckily it's almost summer.

That's our neighbour's house in the background. And I just noticed today that the grass is shooting up green sprouts. It renews each spring.

Tyler's hair

Everyone who knows me knows that I have the finest straightest hair known to man. Now look at Tyler! Where on earth have these crazy curls come from?

He also loves dressing up. Today he came walking out of the kitchen wearing Tak's glasses (and his pyjamas).

Tyler is about 20 months now. His list of words include:

Hello
Bye Bye - to Japanese people and Bye to me
Wow
Whoops
Oh Oh
Yes, please
No
Yogurt
Banana

Of course none of these are said very clearly but they are definitely identifiable. He also knows a few Japanese words.

The boys off to the library

I thought they all looked really handsome today as they are all dressed in grey and navy. They have gone to the library.

Noah with his skipping rope

Noah has to practice skipping for his gymnastics club.

My model

Hi everyone, Happy New Year

I've been really really busy. I've started a little sewing business. Here's Noah "modeling" an apron I made on the weekend. I'm in serious need of a decent camera, a photography course and a proper model. That'll all have to wait.

My shop is called Mee a Bee, derived from our surname. Take a peek. It's mainly on the Internet but I've had some orders from friends as well. It's lots of fun.

*

{Merry Christmas}

We are off to Guam for the holidays.
Takeshi will be home if you want to get in touch.

xxx

Happy Birthday Jac

Out for dinner for my birthday.

Happy Birthday Noah

He loves his camera from Nana and Gran dad. It's really cool. Thank you.

Noah with his cake from Babu and Jiji.

They took him shopping and have ordered a school desk, and the leather school bag for next year.

The theme for the party yesterday was Scary and Spooky.

I made the Mummy cake and Ghostly cupcakes.

We played Zombie Tag, Wrap up the Mummy, Bat Treasure Hunt, a Tug of War, Dress up Relay, Pass the Parcel. It was great fun.

The weather was brilliant so everyone was warm and happy.

Noah received a fantastic Lego set from his friends.






Noah the Mummy with his friend Akihiro.

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and presents.

Can you believe our boy is SIX?