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.

Down time

Even little Boogah's need a moment or two alone--and usually that's all it is, a moment or two.

He's a fun guy!

We were lucky, we got a pretty good baby, fun-loving, good personality (so far so good), easy to love!

Julia got ahold of him for a bit, turned a bib into a hat

Wearing his new jacket from his friend Yuji

Playing on his toy mat with his favorite rattle

A bit of rest with his big sister

The big kids

It's so hard to get pictures of the big kids these days, they have busy lives, not to mention they don't like getting pictures taken.

Model tryout

Some pix I took of Julia for a modeling audition. She didn't get the job, but I was glad to get some cute pictures of her.

Renee and her boys

A soon as I said "Hey Renee, let me take a picture of you and your boys!", the boys took off in opposite directions and this is what I captured on camera.

BBQ with friends

Our friends, the Shibuya family, who live about 10 minutes away, came over for a Sunday evening BBQ in our backyard. We had lots of meat, some fish, a fantastic chocolate cheesecake, lots of beer and chu-hi, and of course, marshmallows! Yum!

Renee and her husband Mr. Shibuya

Art and Mr. Shibuya--or Shibby for short

Renee and I (me?)

Some of the boys--the girls hardly made an appearance, they were busy chatting online

The Little Boogah with Mom

Time in the sun

We took advantage of a sunny weekend to clean the outside a bit, Jordan helped by sitting in his Bumbo chair and keeping us entertained.

Q: What happens when...

...your 11-year old big brother changes your diaper?

A: You wear it backwards until mommy makes the next change.

Playtime

Jordan is just starting to enjoy his toys--this pony is not his present favorite, that would be a red plastic Chinese soup spoon which is great for sucking on--but he had fun with the pony for about all of 20 seconds! I thought the pony's hair style was similar to Jordan's before I got the buzzer and gave the kid his first hair cut.

Friends and visits...

An afternoon at our friend Patti's house!

Park playtime with Claire!

Claire's son Yuji, Jordan's eventual playmate!Walk under the cherry blossoms with Renee and Jo!

Julia's self portrait

I walked past Julia's room one day to see her sitting in front of the mirror, sort of gazing at herself. I couldn't figure it out, preening already?? She's just 9, a bit young isn't it? But later she brought me this picture she had drawn of herself while she was looking in the mirror. I thought it was a very decent replica of the true Julia, with a touch of Picasso or VanGogh. Hmmm, maybe I should keep this one for the day she becomes famous, hehe!

The Little Boogah--Jordan on the go!

Just a few random shots of the little guy growing up. It goes so fast! He was just a little squeeker not too long ago, now he's a big squeeker!

Hangin' with Jason!

Finding himself!

With Mom and Dad.

Attacking Jo!

Favorite resting place, the floor cusions.

At the park.

Cuddling with Mom.