Gifts for Jordan

Renee made this really great toy-bag for Jordan--it was perfect timing cause I was just about to go buy him one! Thank you Renee! What would we do without you!
PS. You can't really see clearly, but it says 'Jordan' on the bottom!

Disturbing News

I read this headline today on Yahoo News:

U.S. "deeply troubled" by N.Korea missile firing

Hmmm--what about somewhat FREAKED OUT!

We have had N. Korea filing random short-range missiles in our direction for years now, I believe this is the 3rd or 4th incident since 9/11. Considering my extreme close proximity to N. Korea, I am deeply troubled as well.

One of my Favorite Boy Bands

Maroon 5 will be in Osaka for a concert in a few days!! FUN!! Too bad I won't be going, but with a baby and all.... My kids can hardly believe I've NEVER been to a live concert, maybe when they grow up and have money of their own, they'll get their old Mom a ticket to Maroon 5, or Dave Matthews, or Nickelback, or ....

Playing Hookey!

Here we are with Dad, on our way to see Spiderman3--and what fun it was!

The Bride and Groom!

Here they are, the bride and groom on their very special day!

Natural Fertilizer

So, you may have noticed I put some ads by google at the top of my blog. Feel free to click them anytime, hehe!

But I just noticed an ad for natural fertilizer and thought it funny cause just this evening I was throwing a bunch of peels, coffee grinds, tea leaves and whatever scraps were around into the food processor for my own little garden. Now that I have 3 vegetable-bearing plants, and even a few flowers, I want to nourish them thoroughly and economically, so I've been saving up egg-shells, bread crusts, banana peels and anything else that comes my way, mixing them together and throwing them into the pots.

I'm just worried about smell, now that summer is upon us... can't be worse than the cat's corner though!

Congratulations Baby Sister

My baby sister Anique has finally tied the knot. Last Saturday she said "I do" to Michael, and she is now officially 'taken'. As soon as I get some pictures I'll put them up here. Love ya baby sis!

The squirt she was!

The squirt she became!

Morning at the hydrangea gardens!

Renee invited Jordan and I to a picnic at a nearby Hydrangea Garden, it was quiet, peaceful, we were the only ones there, and most of all, we had sun! Everyone who has ever lived in Japan should know that sun is hard to come by in June which is Japan's rainy season.

Bouncy Jordan

A short video Dad took of Jordan a couple of months ago, enjoy!

Gardening Attempt

I told the kids that whenever I walk into a gardening store I can hear all the little plants crying out "Don't buy me, don't buy me, please don't buy me!" I've killed my fair share of plants, but I wanted some fresh basil and parsley, and thought I should attempt some sort of vegetable something. So here's my miniature garden...

Some basil and in the back is a parsley plant, there used to be a cilantro bush, but it promptly died on me...

And here we have a tomato plant, with two healthy growing tomatoes, an eggplant bush with one eggplant, and a cucumber vine, which will be repotted soon, they have all survived my garden for 2 weeks now!

Not really a part of the garden, but we bought a small Christmas tree to mark Jordan's birth, and so far it is doing fine--phew!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, it was my special day last week, and with the help of friends and family it was a great day!

We had a small gathering at Patti's house..

Renee came over with her boys (but actually, that one is my boy!)

Jordan getting tummy-kisses!

Kids had fun playing Game Cube together

Jordan had fun watching Game Cube

The Birthday Feast!

Renee and Patti who put it together!

Janina is here for the cake!

And what a WONDERFUL cake it was--courtesy of Patti and decorated by Emma!

The First present--wonder what it is!

Oooh--a stash of chocolate! How did Julia know??

The next present, a box of flavored teas from Patti...

And a hand-made tea-cozy--Patti's heard me wishing for one--she finally put me out of my misery!

Jason got me a couple of key-chain accessories--what a great son--it really is the thought that counts!Next was a delicately crafted box from dad--made in Persia out of camel bone! J

And then I got a surprise Christmas present!! For my birthday?!--from my dear husband.

An awesome present--a new flute!! It's been about 22 years since I played flute, at this point everyone is covering their ears and running the opposite direction as soon as I pull it out of the case--hmmm!

Finally, a nice spa-set--ginger and white tea--from Renee! I hope it's not a hint or anything.

Patti didn't even try to fit 38 candles on the cake, bless he heart, and Janina in her eagerness to eat the cake helped me blow out the candles.We enjoyed the cake, ice-cream and food ...

Not sure if Jo did, or maybe this is the 6-year old 'cool dude' look?

Patti's daughter Emma, who is in the basketball club at school so we never get to see her anymore!

Thank you friends and family who made this a very wonderful birthday!

I got phone calls, emails and notes from those not close enough to join in the celebrations, and my birthday carried on for a few more days!

Four-month progress

The little guy can sit up now for about 30 seconds by himself, before he takes a nose-dive to the ground.
He often sits in his bumbo in the kitchen with me as I prepare dinner. You can't see it so clearly, but he just ate a baby cracker and is covered in goo and drool--yuck!
I finally found a small enough cap for him, most of the hats available in the stores have silly little ears on the sides, or big huge rims, sort of dumb looking for my son!
But I thought this hat from our friend Renee was adorable for sitting out in the back-yard sunshine.