tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72041172024-03-08T03:01:10.462+09:00Illahee's blogMy life in Japan; American wife, American motherillaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.comBlogger1581125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-21257608557772205342015-07-29T20:16:00.002+09:002015-07-29T20:16:38.738+09:00fillersorry, i'm not very good at blogging any more. facebook takes up a lot of my time these days, though i don't post a lot over there, either. i'm afraid of sharing too much any more. afraid that things will just spill out and people won't see me as having it together. good life, happy family. what a laugh.<br />
<br />
i've been really stressed about finances lately. nothing i can really write about, you know? wouldn't be prudent. things are fine, but things could be better. so, here i am at the end of the month, hoping to earn enough next month to keep september going....<br />
<br />
the kids are driving me crazy. i've already sworn that i won't take them anywhere this summer, and we haven't even finished the second week of summer vacation. it's just as well, though, since i don't have a lot of extra money this year.<br />
<br />
<br />illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-83026416806670999592015-07-13T13:00:00.001+09:002015-07-13T13:00:50.174+09:00blog?i don't know if i'll post much more, but i do hope i can. i cannot share any photos, this computer has very little memory. i tried to get a memory stick, or flash drive, or, whatever, but as you can probably guess (since i don't even know what i'm trying to talk about) that didn't work out. i think i can blog from my iphone, and might be able to share pictures from there from time to time, but it's a real PITA to type on the phone.<br />
<br />
i can't tell if rainy season is over yet. we've had a pretty cloudy, but not very rainy, tsuyu. the past couple of weeks have had more rain than the previous how many ever there were....i think rainy season was officially declared for kyushu on june 2nd this year. still waiting for it to end....there are/were a few typhoons south of us making the weather very interesting here for us for the past few days. but, i'm ready for a sunny summer!<br />
<br />
<br />illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-90259004446503236392015-07-11T09:47:00.000+09:002015-07-13T12:56:42.611+09:00summertime bluesactually, summer vacation hasn't started yet, so we're not totally bored out of our skulls (yet). i have had a very disappointing month, so far (and it's only the 10th day in!) which doesn't bode well for when summer vacation actually starts.<br />
<br />
i haven't made a lot of plans for the kids and myself. we will go to the nakatsu gion festival as we always do (end of july), and we already have tentative plans for sasha's birthday, but other than a vague sense of traveling to oita-ken at some point, there's nothing really that we're looking forward to.<br />
<br />
besides payday. it will be nice to get paid.<br />
<br />
i'm afraid hiro is turning into a bit of a homebody. he doesn't want to go out and do things. we have to force him and of course, he has a great time, but the forcing him to go out and do things sucks. he's a lot like yoshi in this regard. video games, youtube channels about video games and minecraft do much to contribute to his want-to-stay-homeitis. *sigh* so, i am hoping to get out more during the summer. more beach, more pool, more picnics. or perhaps, more visiting friends. wish me luck!illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-86099736389544354412015-07-02T23:28:00.003+09:002015-07-02T23:28:59.942+09:00it's been a long timeit's true: facebook steals your blogging mojo. but i can't believe it's been almost two years since i last wrote a post. that's pretty pathetic! it seems difficult to start again. and i still have the same problems with computer memory, so i cannot share pictures!<br />
<br />
i have some new jobs, and that's nice, but that means less free time. the kids are all in elementary school now. can you imagine? where is the time going? soon it will be summer vacation and i will have to figure out how to keep them all entertained, and on their homework, while sticking to some kind of budget.<br />
<br />
the kids and i went to the states last winter, which was fun. but i'm not sure when we'll have the time or money to go again!<br />
<br />
now i have to go pick up my husband from the train station. i will try to write more soon.illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-79109396456668335702013-11-11T11:29:00.001+09:002013-11-11T11:30:17.165+09:00i know i know i knowi know! i owe you a blog post. but. it turns out i'm really busy! and, i haven't uploaded all my photos from summer onto flickr. i'm about to go out of town for work, and then i have an AFWJ weekend coming up, but after that! i should be able to do the big catch up. argh! when did life get so hectic??<br />
<br />
i have the blogger app for my iphone. i just might try it out this week. just wait! (i'll be going out near mt. fuji. i'll be busy, but if i get a chance, i'll try to write!)illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-12199128241236625252013-11-01T10:13:00.001+09:002013-11-11T11:30:27.083+09:00watch this spacehey! remember me? i've been meaning to write for ages, but i've been so busy. i can't believe it's already been more than five months since i last wrote. naughty naughty blogger (illahee). i will have to write some catch up posts to tell you all about our summer.
blame facebook. it's so much easier to update there, let me tell you....illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-51033415925632405462013-04-29T18:27:00.000+09:002013-04-29T18:27:19.803+09:00sailing in fukuoka
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691385206/" title="after our trip by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8691385206_d43dab9edc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="after our trip"></a>
<br />
<br />
you're gonna be shocked, because i am writing about what happened yesterday! <br />
<br />
the other day, a <a href="http://syalishan.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">bloggy friend</a> invited me and the family to go sailing. he is starting a new adventure in fukuoka city, sunset sailing! we didn't go in the evening, though, we started out in the afternoon, and were probably on the water for about three hours. it was sooooo amazing!<br />
<br />
i was really surprised and gratified that we were invited to go on a cruise. i guess you could say this is a pre-cruise, because we were not charged for our trip, but i did promise to blog about it, and promote my experience on facebook. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691340054/" title="sailboat by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8691340054_971ac7861a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="sailboat"></a>
<br />
<br />
we were busy in the morning, otherwise we might have got to the harbor earlier. but, it's still a bit cold at night, so it's still kinda cold on the water, so afternoon was probably better. the kids were really nervous about going on a boat, especially sasha, but i'm afraid that i was quite insistent, and forced them to go! even hiro started shouting after i parked the car (in front of the boat!) that he didn't want to go and that he would wait in the car.<br />
<br />
but, we all got on board, put on life jackets and then signed the passenger list. then it was time to go! Fu Kyo is a catamaran, so it was very stable and we hardly rocked at all! none of my family get seasick (as far as i know), but it wasn't a concern yesterday. the weather was perfect, the sea was so blue, and i took many many pictures! (i also shared a lot on facebook, i really love updating from my iphone!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691337588/" title="feeling nervous by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/8691337588_fa557d1ea5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="feeling nervous"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691337912/" title="heading out by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/8691337912_2f9477a438.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="heading out"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691337354/" title="suited up by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/8691337354_09deda1378.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="suited up"></a>
<br />
<br />
of course, i was in charge of my kids, making sure they didn't run, jump or be obnoxious in general. after their initial fears, they LOVED it! so much fun, and they didn't want the cruise to finish! and today, sasha said she wanted to go on the boat again. there are three beds on the boat, two (or three?) toilets, and a lovely central cabin if one wants to sit inside if the weather isn't quite as nice as it was yesterday. we brought our own snacks and drinks for this promotional cruise, but we were still offered tea and rice cracker snacks. it was very comfortable!
<br />
<br />
if you are in the fukuoka area, or ever visit and have the time, i recommend Fukuoka Sunset Sailing. you can find information on facebook here in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fukuoka-Sunset-Sailing-1/453355701398878" target="_blank">Japanese</a> and here in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FukuokaSunsetSailing2" target="_blank">English</a>. blog for Fu Kyo is <a href="http://fuukyo.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">here</a>. aaaaaand, picture set from our day on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/sets/72157633359730265/" target="_blank">flickr</a>!
<br />
<br />
you can see how much the kids relaxed!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691380260/" title="balancing by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/8691380260_da19c54e94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="balancing"></a>
<br />
(i took this picture from inside the cabin.)
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8690312247/" title="there? by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/8690312247_eabae1ea49.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="there?"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8690313349/" title="DSC_0548 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8690313349_086403705d.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0548"></a>
<br />
<br />
fantastic views of fukuoka from the water!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8690315101/" title="DSC_0553 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/8690315101_9872d97af6.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0553"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8690220331/" title="fukuoka tower by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8690220331_796cf0346b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="fukuoka tower"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691347886/" title="looking for jellyfish by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/8691347886_d89413a47b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="looking for jellyfish"></a>
<br />
<br />
although she said she hated boats, i think sasha fell in love with sailing.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8691379734/" title="from the cabin by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8691379734_6e087f2130.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="from the cabin"></a>
<br />
<br />
and me? i hope i get to go again some day soon.
<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=fbf947c466&photo_id=8691326778&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=fbf947c466&photo_id=8691326778&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-41476492038946946602013-04-28T21:11:00.002+09:002013-04-28T21:11:34.008+09:00entrance ceremony and first day of school<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8687933542/" title="entrance ceremony by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8687933542_01b21f4601.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="entrance ceremony"></a>
<br />
<br />
sasha's entrance ceremony was on april 11th. it was a cold and windy, but clear, day. it was so cold that they had three very large kerosene heaters in the gym, where the ceremony was held! yoshi and i chose chairs near one of the heaters, it was just so cold!!<br />
<br />
hiro had the day off, but tommy had started back to kindergarten the day before. i had lost the paper which told us what time the ceremony started, so we basically left after tommy got on the kindy bus, just a bit before 9am. we were super early, though, because the ceremony wasn't starting until 10! that's all right, though, because we checked out the first grade room, sasha and hiro went upstairs to see the third grade room. eventually they had the gym ready for the ceremony, so we were invited to go in and wait.<br />
<br />
as soon as we entered, sasha was paired up with her sixth grade "friend", while the three of us found a place to sit. then hiro basically ran around, talking with his teacher, or his former teacher (now sasha's teacher.)<br />
<br />
the entrance ceremony was pretty short in itself, maybe an hour altogether. it was nice. after the ceremony we all went to the first grade room and the kids got their schoolbooks. then there was a bit of an introduction from the teacher, and then we were free to leave.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8686816675/" title="with a sixth grader friend by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8686816675_4f9ea7f254.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="with a sixth grader friend"></a>
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8687934354/" title="sasha's desk by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8687934354_e0bb75bf68.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="sasha's desk"></a>
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8687886619/" title="IMG_0655 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/8687886619_c758420a93.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0655"></a>
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8689005274/" title="IMG_0657 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8689005274_fa89324ccf.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0657"></a>
<br /><br />
after lunch, we went to a photo studio for pictures. for sasha and her starting elementary school, and for us to have a family portrait.
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8689005478/" title="IMG_0661 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/8689005478_551f010655.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0661"></a>
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8689005770/" title="IMG_0662 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8689005770_98cfc405bd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0662"></a>
<br /><br />
the next day was the first day of school for sasha, and she walked to school with hiro. yoshi went along, too, as far as the meeting point for the kids in our neighborhood. even zorro got to go along. now i only have one kid left in kindergarten, and two in elementary school!
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8687889385/" title="IMG_0671 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/8687889385_561bc5bc72.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0671"></a>
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8689008604/" title="IMG_0674 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/8689008604_8bfe99134d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0674"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8689008884/" title="IMG_0675 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8689008884_cbacb81eeb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0675"></a>illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-58327923232869109222013-04-19T11:45:00.000+09:002013-04-19T11:57:46.892+09:00ohanami 2013<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8624027728/" title="ohanami time by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8624027728_7c76e6abd5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="ohanami time"></a>
<br />
<br />
ohanami means flower viewing, usually it means looking at cherry blossoms. people gather together under the cherry trees while they are blooming, usually because the weather is warmer (but it's usually still quite cold, especially if it's cloudy or windy!) and have picnics. some people will drink, but this year i did a lot of driving, so i didn't!<br />
<br />
our first hanami was a bit of a last minute tack-on to an onsen trip we went on. march 20th was a public holiday (spring equinox) and yoshi booked us into a hotel in the middle of fukuoka prefecture. the hotel was really lovely, and the onsen was especially nice. i didn't get to enjoy the onsen as much as i would have liked to though, because the kids were horsing around and hiro hurt himself. somehow, he locked his knee and couldn't walk. the kids were very trying that day and i just lost my temper, and forced him to go to bed. i had to stay with him in the room, so i told sasha and tommy to go with yoshi. sasha refused to go without me, so she didn't get to go to onsen. when she finally realized there would be NO bath with mommy, SHE threw a temper tantrum which resulted in HER going to bed, too. ah, so much fun, so much drama. the onsen opened early in the morning, though, so she and i got to go to onsen.<br />
<br />
after leaving the onsen we went for a bit of a drive. there were lots of cherry trees near the hotel (which is on a riverside), so i suggested we go to a place i knew of in asakura-city, because i used to live in that area. first we went to a sakura park, which was ok, but not the place i was thinking about. we got some tourist information there, and i found what i was thinking about: akitsuki. very nice.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609866200/" title="IMG_0560 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8609866200_e3db677727.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0560"></a>
<br />
in amagi
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608762085/" title="IMG_0565 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8608762085_8a3daf6e96.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0565"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609869958/" title="IMG_1101 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8609869958_3a4432b9f9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1101"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8624029190/" title="posing with daddy by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8624029190_3d36fa6c40.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="posing with daddy"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608763695/" title="IMG_0572 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8608763695_74bd05f176.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0572"></a>
<br />
<br />
our next hanami was with kuri and her kids, at kokura castle in kitakyushu city. it was a cloudy and somewhat cold day, but it was nice to meet up with our friends, and the blossoms were gorgeous!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8655807031/" title="dripping with blossoms by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8655807031_4deaf28a94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="dripping with blossoms"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8655807401/" title="pretty blossoms by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8655807401_218dff5cbd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="pretty blossoms"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8656912388/" title="spinning by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8656912388_d56f5af4af.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spinning"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8656912568/" title="kokura-jo by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8656912568_f87af8eb1f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="kokura-jo"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8655808469/" title="kokura-jo and torii by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8655808469_a6f29b0dd1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="kokura-jo and torii"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8655845375/" title="lovely blossoms by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8655845375_ab333cc203.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="lovely blossoms"></a>
<br />
<br />
our next hanami was with kuri again, this time at uminonakamichi. of course, the kids and i went to the aquarium first.
<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=52041057f6&photo_id=8662341288&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=52041057f6&photo_id=8662341288&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />
at the park, we rented bikes and went around that way. there were some gorgeous trees along part of the way.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8662341562/" title="spring in uminonakamichi by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8662341562_f10a93bf0a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="spring in uminonakamichi"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8661243063/" title="on the bike trail by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8661243063_0b6d0b6828.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="on the bike trail"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8661243313/" title="sakura by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8661243313_125593c1ba.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="sakura"></a>
<br />
<br />
our last hanami was with one of my japanese classes. the blossoms were nearly finished, but it was a nice day for a picnic!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8661245517/" title="IMG_0633 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8661245517_3bd07cfc21.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0633"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8661245755/" title="IMG_0634 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8661245755_d7d7a49bb3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0634"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8661245999/" title="IMG_0635 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8661245999_6db165e5be.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0635"></a>illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-76710812731497953892013-04-06T14:03:00.001+09:002013-04-06T14:03:14.079+09:00kindergarten graduation -- sasha!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595139388/" title="sasha and her teacher by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="sasha and her teacher" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8595139388_6d36579a8c.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<br />
<br />
i'm a little lost as to where i am in this whole blogging thing! so, before i start writing about spring break, i'll write about sasha's graduation.<br />
<br />
it's a little weird all the graduations the kids go through before they even hit high school! mostly i find them annoying and boring and such a waste of time, BUT! there's nothing i can do to get out of them, so....<br />
<br />
anyway, sasha finished up her third year of kindergarten in march. soon she'll be starting first grade! here are photos to compare:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/4519877465/" title="pretty sasha by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="pretty sasha" height="500" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4010/4519877465_ef12ab5f54.jpg" width="375" /></a>
sasha on her first day of kindergarten
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595138230/" title="ready for graduation by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="ready for graduation" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8595138230_77ed6b695c.jpg" width="334" /></a>
sasha on graduation day
<br />
<br />
i know just about everyone says this, but i can't believe she's starting elementary school already! time just flies by. *sigh* i couldn't tell if sasha understood that she wouldn't be going to kindy any more. i guess that because tommy will be in after school care once a week, we'll be going to the kindergarten and she'll see the teachers then. she didn't even cry on graduation day. she is getting nervous about elementary school, though! hopefully she'll have a lovely transition and have a great time at school.<br />
<br />
(another comparison, then more photos)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/4520514302/" title="cute! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2782/4520514302_f95d1e16b0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cute!"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595138410/" title="hiro and sasha by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8595138410_4c0ff74c96.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="hiro and sasha"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595138722/" title="hm... by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8595138722_4545dceaf0.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="hm..."></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595139078/" title="me and the kids by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8595139078_393a83e922.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="me and the kids"></a>
<br />
(this is why i am never in photos, my husband cannot take photos well!!)
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595139242/" title="sasha and her second year teacher by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8595139242_1a469d4a4e.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="sasha and her second year teacher"></a>
<br />
(sasha and her second year teacher, she will be leaving the school to try to have a baby.)
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8595139526/" title="saying goodbye by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8595139526_7ed1509cb4.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="saying goodbye"></a>
<br />
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-62806388346863847912013-04-02T06:20:00.000+09:002013-04-02T06:20:00.038+09:00valentine's day 2013<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608705751/" title="DSC_0402 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8608705751_ef667c90d0.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0402"></a>
<br />
<br />
still playing catch up!<br />
<br />
so, for valentine's day, we met up with friends at <a href="http://cishii.blogspot.jp/">kuri's</a> place. we all brought food to share, and i brought some cupcakes and sugar cookies to decorate. the icing i made for the cookies ended up having too much milk (so, we couldn't decorate the cookies), but the cupcakes were a big hit!<br />
<br />
as usual, the girls played dress up, and the boys ran around playing with all the toys. i think the kids had a great time!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609813804/" title="DSC_0403 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8609813804_91338068f1.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0403"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609813368/" title="DSC_0401 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8609813368_b79e3094b4.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0401"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609814630/" title="decorating together by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8609814630_2ba0788c16.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="decorating together"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609814808/" title="sasha's cupcake by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8609814808_db3e6a7b22.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="sasha's cupcake"></a>illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-42776330688097611762013-04-01T17:59:00.001+09:002013-04-01T17:59:34.732+09:00school musicalin february, sasha and tommy had a musical at school. tommy's group (not his whole class) did a dance to a j-pop number, and sasha's class did 'the sound of music'. sasha had the role of maria; she was actually one of four marias! it was long and boring, but also a bit cute, so i am sharing some photos here for you!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609039028/" title="maria in the sound of music by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8609039028_3b5d5d351a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="maria in the sound of music"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609038814/" title="musical costume by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8609038814_77d4f158bd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="musical costume"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609505056/" title="starting in the dark by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8609505056_891c4c3cee.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="starting in the dark"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609505438/" title="waiting by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8609505438_73555e95af.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="waiting"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608399955/" title="YAH! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8608399955_f91a6e1904.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="YAH!"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609505974/" title="on stage by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8609505974_e20d02efea.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="on stage"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609506338/" title="oh dear... by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8609506338_1a61b4e2f0.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="oh dear..."></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608402337/" title="singing by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8608402337_5e90c3c824.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="singing"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609508092/" title="singing by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8609508092_a61ec56e24.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="singing"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608402845/" title="singing by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8608402845_8a84fd08b8.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="singing"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8608403661/" title="the end! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8608403661_f3c641f533.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="the end!"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8609509420/" title="tommy in the group by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8609509420_e6b3f63ebe.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="tommy in the group"></a>
<br />
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-10569248477715457672013-04-01T14:23:00.000+09:002013-04-01T14:23:00.666+09:001/4 coming of age dayin january, there is a holiday celebrating all the 20 year olds who have become adults in japan. at the yochien my kids go to, they have a 1/4 coming of age day for the five year olds. it's quite cute, the boys dress up in little tuxes, and the girls wear fluffy dresses. last january was tommy's chance.<br />
<br />
during the ceremony, each child goes to the mike at the front of the stage and makes a little speech. basically they say what group they are in, their name and what they want to be when they grow up. most boys want to be ultraman or pokemon. most girls want to be a worker in a cake shop, or a member of AKB48 (*vomits*). my son, however, wants to be funny. that's my boy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=81faf10b7c&photo_id=8607923095&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=81faf10b7c&photo_id=8607923095&flickr_show_info_box=true&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-6418632671807902512013-03-22T10:26:00.002+09:002013-03-23T09:57:46.722+09:00spring!ok ok, i am getting tired of the christmas post, too! sorry, it's been a crazy few weeks. so much to do these days!<br />
<br />
sasha has 'graduated' from kindergarten. so unreal! soon i will have two kids in elementary school. it's kind of a relief, really. we are nearly ready. i want to make her some bags, for her sports clothes, library books, mask and maybe a bento bag if i have enough material left over. i also need to get her name on her sports clothes, but everything else is pretty much ready. hm, that reminds me, though, that i need to find her pencil box and get her pencils and erasers ready.<br />
<br />
i had an easter party for my students here at the house. it was QUITE an adventure. i certainly learned a lot, what NOT to do next time (if there is a next time!) classes are going well, otherwise, and i have a couple of new students starting in april.<br />
<br />
sorry that i don't have any new photos for ya. i can't find the nikon, i guess i better ask yoshi where it is.illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-14533989818158967822013-03-03T08:54:00.000+09:002013-03-03T08:54:01.815+09:00christmas fun<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493291605/" title="house by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8493291605_9e35419240.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="house"></a>
<br />
<br />
one of our planned activities at christmas was making a gingerbread house. i don't remember if we were going to bake the house pieces ourselves, but once our trip was cut by a week, my mom just got a kit (from wilton, i think.) it didn't get done until after christmas, but one day while my mom and i were out getting last minute things bought and finished, my sister and the kids made the house. it also had a star cookie tree. i think they did a really great job! so pretty.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8494391810/" title="tree by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8494391810_afe56b1700.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="tree"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8494392164/" title="snowman by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8494392164_2dc82dbc98.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="snowman"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493291951/" title="window by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8493291951_f3605bea90.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="window"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493292305/" title="deco by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8493292305_c3ae052686.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="deco"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8494392850/" title="roof by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8494392850_dac228dfc2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="roof"></a>illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-20667145355668226452013-02-23T16:00:00.000+09:002013-02-23T16:00:01.393+09:00a couple of lunchesso, we went out to eat quite often while in the US. we at a lot at home, too, but my mom just happened to have a gift certificate for olive garden, and then on one of our trips to seattle, we met my brother and his wife and baby, and my sister, for lunch at a funky diner (which had tater tots on the menu, YUM!). these are pictures from those two lunches.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492860617/" title="IMG_1024 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8492860617_664493ca33.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1024"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493961206/" title="sasha and katie at olive garden by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8493961206_970d3e1a93.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sasha and katie at olive garden"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493961644/" title="sasha and hiro at olive garden by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8493961644_7ab29def78.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sasha and hiro at olive garden"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492861481/" title="tommy and katie at olive garden by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8492861481_18a951ba0b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="tommy and katie at olive garden"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493977142/" title="yum, blue cheese! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8493977142_2e07a35ea0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="yum, blue cheese!"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493975626/" title="loves aunt katie by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8493975626_351bd516b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="loves aunt katie"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493975908/" title="sasha and me by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8493975908_42b7936e0f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sasha and me"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492876231/" title="so funny! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8492876231_01a60702c2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="so funny!"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493976604/" title="cheeky! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8493976604_7efc9144b9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cheeky!"></a>illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-31585740292264587142013-02-23T12:58:00.003+09:002013-02-23T13:01:23.839+09:00trip to the US for christmas<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493958936/" title="ferry to seattle by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="ferry to seattle" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8493958936_7dd0f320e4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
so, as you may remember, <a href="http://blackcatgirl.blogspot.jp/2012/12/a-wrench-in-works.html">our trip home was cut back by one week</a> because of chicken pox. this was heartbreaking because we didn't leave until christmas eve, and so arrived on christmas eve morning, and the kids (and i) were pretty exhausted and with spending the week sick with chicken pox (which is no fun) then flying, then meeting people two of them have never met before, and the other never remember meeting, well. part of the magic of christmas is the anticipation, and preparation, beforehand. we didn't even get to decorate a tree! *sigh* anyway, all in all it was a fun trip home for christmas.<br />
<br />
there was so much that we did! we went to seattle three times, which meant three ferry trips. we went to see the ballet, then we went to the city for shopping (mainly for me!) and then we met my brother and his family for lunch, which my sister joined, too.<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=94dd0bc190&photo_id=8493966814&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=94dd0bc190&photo_id=8493966814&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="300" width="400"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />
we had a lovely christmas at home and opened a lot of presents. we got to try all sorts of american food and the kids came away with a new appreciation for corn dogs. we went to the seattle aquarium and spent oh so much time there (and got hiro's omiyage for his class), which the kids really enjoyed. we spent a lot of time with my family, which was really nice. the kids were really excited--and excitable--and were very very noisy at times, which was very aggravating for my parents, and for me. but we were sad to say goodbye when it was time to go. the kids especially liked my sister. hopefully we'll be able to meet again soon.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492860033/" title="IMG_1021 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8492860033_597c662f0f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1021"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492860427/" title="IMG_1023 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8492860427_9122efaf08.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1023"></a>
<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=afc13287f5&photo_id=8493972640&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=afc13287f5&photo_id=8493972640&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="300" width="400"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492878063/" title="touching pool by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8492878063_d01f578dae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="touching pool"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493978360/" title="jellies by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8493978360_8f519842a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="jellies"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492874151/" title="loving the ferry ride by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8492874151_9430e1dc86.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="loving the ferry ride"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492874513/" title="happy tommy by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8492874513_4c55cdd20b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="happy tommy"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492874879/" title="IMG_1050 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8492874879_e8cff60e0d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1050"></a>
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-85233704794307240672013-02-21T12:32:00.002+09:002013-02-21T12:34:53.346+09:00tommy's 7-5-3<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492807495/" title="front by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8492807495_a7f8cae7f5.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="front"></a>
<br />
<br />
so, this is a holiday usually celebrated in november, but like many things, it seems to be heading towards more commercialization. seriously, there's the regular 7-5-3, 7 year old girls now have the option of hakama (usually worn by boys and men, and 20 year old women, if they so choose, at their coming of age ceremony...anyway) and i also found some 7-5-3 wear for the new year! i'm sure if i looked right now i'd find 7-5-3 for spring. ah well....<br />
<br />
when hiro was five, we bought a hakama set, with the intention of using it for tommy. which we did. i couldn't find any of the dvds of instructions on how to put on the hakama and kimono, but luckily i found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0vLvTjNLfE">some videos on youtube</a>! i did a practice run a couple of weeks before we visited the shrine. i also shleped that thing across the ocean to have some professional pictures taken when we were in the US. today's photos are from our visit in november.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493910980/" title="funny tommy by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8493910980_b6b3733c69.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="funny tommy"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8492807253/" title="back by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8492807253_37b11ef138.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="back"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493908100/" title="playing with the fan by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8493908100_9b8f10e26e.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="playing with the fan"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493908704/" title="three kids by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8493908704_86034288da.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="three kids"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8493909432/" title="walking at the shrine by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8493909432_9e141fac64.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="walking at the shrine"></a>
<br />illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-50532872846687151102013-01-29T09:11:00.001+09:002013-01-29T09:11:17.951+09:00where to startwell! a whole month and nothing done! more than a month, really, sorry about that. i've been so busy. i didn't really have access to a computer when i was in the US, and blogging from my phone is NO FUN. i'm not sure that many people read my blog any more (pauses seem to lose a blogger readers for some reason!! LOL) but i want to try to post more often. maybe go for a 365? lol maybe if i do it month by month...<br />
<br />
i haven't even looked at my cameras since i got home. i didn't take a lot of pictures, that's one reason why. another is that i have been so busy! we got home late on a monday night, then hiro had to go to school, i had to teach, and then the rest of the week sasha and tommy had half days! i've been trying to cross stitch, finish up a crochet afghan and unpack my bags (still haven't emptied all but one of them. bad housewife, bad.) i guess things are starting to slow down, but will pick up again soon as it's nearing the end of the school year, and sasha will be starting first grade in april! yikes!<br />
<br />
so, as soon as i've sorted out the pictures i should have something new posted here. i hope there are still some readers around here!illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-6752750563239390672012-12-17T20:23:00.000+09:002012-12-17T20:23:24.965+09:00a wrench in the worksa little over two weeks ago, sasha came down with the chicken pox. i was worried--about hiro. i was worried that he would get the chicken pox right before we had to go to the US. i wasn't so worried about tommy getting them, because he goes to the same school as sasha and (probably) had already been exposed.<br />
<br />
it was too late to isolate sasha and hiro (or so i thought), because they had been sleeping in the same bed before she got sick. and she timed it really well, showing spots late on a saturday, so we couldn't take her to the pediatrician on sunday!<br />
<br />
but the boys didn't get sick and stayed spot free, and i thought we were gonna get lucky but then! last friday! tommy started getting spots. i took him in to the pedi right away and got the anti-virals to hopefully get him through it in time. but then hiro complained of a stomach ache on friday night and i just knew...and it was probably too late. i took hiro to the doctor the next morning and yes, he has chicken pox, too.<br />
<br />
so we roll into today and it's not quite out of the contagious stage. and we were grounded. i reacted as you would expect someone who hasn't been home in seven years would react--not well. we had to get a letter from a doctor saying when it would be safe for them to travel. our usual pedi wrote that it would be next monday! christmas eve! this was unacceptable and i cried and cried. i was looking forward to going home, not only going home but home for christmas. home for baking cookies, for shopping malls, for visiting santa. now we don't have time for those things, and it makes me sad.<br />
<br />
but! we went to another hospital and the kind doctor there wrote us a letter saying we could travel on the 21st, friday! however...the airline (which was being helpful) couldn't book us again until the 24th! ah, a wasted trip to the hospital. well, at least we tried.<br />
<br />
the kids were sorely disappointed, and i was shouted at a lot. that didn't help improve my mood at all. i seriously wanted to drop one off at the nearest corner on our way home, but of course we didn't do that!<br />
<br />
now i have a week to fill, and a couple of sick kids to entertain. i'm not going to send sasha to school, mainly because it's half days and not really worth it, but also because they all think we're gone, anyway, and it will be embarrassing to call the school and ask if she can go! i think we'll bake cookies, and do some filler ohsouji (house cleaning for new year's) and see if we can find a little christmas spirit. hopefully we'll be boarding a plane next monday! wish us luck!illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-21769521518745200992012-12-15T21:03:00.001+09:002012-12-15T21:03:57.088+09:00not gonna make itso, i have been trying to catch up, but i haven't even made it to november yet. perhaps i should try to do 365 in 2013!!
i never even wrote about it here, but the kids and i are going to the US for christmas! we leave in 2 days, and i have so much to do!! so, november was pretty quiet, and december has been a rush so far. soon i will have to travel a long, long way with three kids to see my parents and my cat. wish me luck, i need to get a lot done before monday afternoon!illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-78403296745899585612012-12-11T07:00:00.000+09:002012-12-11T07:00:14.017+09:00halloween at the hard rock cafe<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250898229/" title="dressed up for halloween at HRC fukuoka by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8250898229_0a8a84b003.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="dressed up for halloween at HRC fukuoka"></a>
<br />
<br />
so, the week before the birthday party, we joined some AFWJ friends at hard rock cafe in fukuoka for a halloween party. even though it's quite noisy, it's great to have a party there! and, because it was the boys' birthday month, we had the staff sing happy birthday to them, and bring them an ice cream dessert!
<br />
<br />
before the party, the kids and i walked around the hawks town mall. there is a 'trick art museum' there, which we tried for the first time. most of my pictures from that day are from that!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250894097/" title="DSC_0111 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8250894097_c23c577346.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0111"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250895505/" title="DSC_0126 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8250895505_f4ffc24fbd.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0126"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8251965972/" title="DSC_0144 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8251965972_f3078208ea.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0144"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250897017/" title="DSC_0146 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8250897017_45e9b4b0dc.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0146"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8251966716/" title="DSC_0152 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8251966716_25729f08c3.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0152"></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250897563/" title="birthday boy by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8250897563_281fbbf4e0.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="birthday boy"></a>
<br />
<br />
hiro was dressed up at iron man, sasha as cinderella (disney) and tommy as....nothing! lol
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250898083/" title="almost there by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8250898083_6a3da578fa.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="almost there"></a>
<br />
<br />
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-11659033389564779392012-12-08T11:43:00.001+09:002012-12-08T11:44:53.088+09:00halloween birthday<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250899029/" title="birthday cake and christine by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="birthday cake and christine" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8250899029_ebcebe5927.jpg" width="375" /></a>
<br />
<br />
so, every year the boys have a halloween birthday party. this is good for us because there's only one party, and we get to celebrate halloween! yay!<br />
<br />
everyone except tommy got dressed up in halloween costumes. i made an orange and black cake again this year and it was fabulous! the cakes were from mixes, but i made the frosting myself.<br />
<br />
for their birthdays, hiro got a DSi and tommy got a bike! i think they were well pleased with their presents (although hiro was asking for a 3DS almost right away....*sigh*)<br />
<br />
as always, pictures!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250898371/" title="face in my cake! by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="face in my cake!" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8250898371_882e7e6da4.jpg" width="375" /></a>
<br />
<br />
when i pulled the cake out of the oven, it looked like a face!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8251967862/" title="cupcakes by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="cupcakes" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8251967862_37d8473d4c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
cupcakes, too, as usual!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250899091/" title="showing the cupcakes by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="showing the cupcakes" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8250899091_2a5e0fa1c9.jpg" width="375" /></a>
<br />
<br />
which the kids decorated! fun!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250899391/" title="amy's cupcake by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="amy's cupcake" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8250899391_c4c5fbc90d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8250899913/" title="mummy 2 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="mummy 2" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8250899913_855ffc70a2.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
we also made pastry mummies that bled when cut open! so much fun!illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-26475054496966042752012-12-07T09:32:00.001+09:002012-12-07T09:37:51.441+09:00pia came home!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8105045286/" title="pia came home by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="pia came home" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8105045286_7e6a891636.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
in october, pia came back! she was super skinny and her poo showed that she had been eating nothing but twigs and branches, but now she is home and she is loved. she is really fat now! i am so happy she is back. even if she occasionally dances across our heads in the middle of the night!
<br />
<br />
she ran off <a href="http://blackcatgirl.blogspot.jp/2012/06/under-weather.html">last june</a>, so she was gone for almost four months. i wonder what she was doing....<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=57612dd9ef&photo_id=8075611742"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=57612dd9ef&photo_id=8075611742" height="300" width="400"></embed></object>
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204117.post-60941114631649103852012-12-06T06:26:00.000+09:002012-12-06T06:26:22.789+09:00cosmos in october<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247337473/" title="DSC_0110 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0110" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8247337473_0df5deb21b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
sooooo so behind! life is busy!!<br />
<br />
so, of course, i took pictures of cosmos this year. i think the pictures pretty much do all the talking!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247311139/" title="DSC_0001 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0001" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8247311139_56ff72bee8.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8248379970/" title="DSC_0004 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0004" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8248379970_d09ef1d9bd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247313305/" title="DSC_0013 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0013" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8247313305_bb64baf501.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247313979/" title="DSC_0015 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0015" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8247313979_ba2e907334.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247314167/" title="DSC_0016 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0016" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8247314167_79e587278c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247314469/" title="DSC_0017 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0017" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8247314469_5cb1f18e89.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247315561/" title="DSC_0025 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0025" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8247315561_5c1f1ec381.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247319919/" title="DSC_0041 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0041" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8247319919_eb1a85470d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8248389920/" title="DSC_0045 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0045" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8248389920_2cf21e9a2d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8248391454/" title="DSC_0050 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0050" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8248391454_4088893921.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247323605/" title="DSC_0054 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0054" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8247323605_30a5a026ff.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247324555/" title="DSC_0063 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0063" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8247324555_50d4fe83a4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8248393356/" title="DSC_0064 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0064" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8248393356_5a31874f1a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/8247334595/" title="DSC_0093 by illaheebaby, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0093" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8247334595_815e73a518.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
and, you can see more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/illahee/sets/72157594322744516/with/8248405210/">here</a>. newer pictures at the end.
illaheehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109064612619771372noreply@blogger.com2