Halloween at School

I volunteered to bring Halloween themed sugar cookies for Sean's class, so baked about 60 cookies! They decorated the cookies today.

Ms. Hanson leading her students during trick or treating at school.

Sean found a pumpkin at the playground.

A group picture! Erik, Sean's buddy was also Buzz. We saw a lot of Woody, too.

Sean's class at Phantom Lake had a Halloween party today. Since the party was 3 hours long and I had to bring my three younger ones, we went to the last 45 minutes when the kids went trick or treating around school . We spotted Sean's class walking down the hallway with huge grocery bags filled with candies. He smiled big when we saw us and Aly ran to him exclaiming "Sean!! Sean!!" Noah and Saya sat on the double stroller and was mesmerized by all the costumes worn by both kids and adults. Sean by now is pro at asking for candies and he politely said "thank you" loud and clear every time he got some. He didn't take any interest in candies before, but things have changed now. He has better fine motor skills, too, and able to open and eat candies freely. I have to hide them from him and send them off to Japan before he eats them all! Sean was very happy today. I think Halloween is one of his favorite events. We did not go to Microsoft campus this year because I was sure to lose a kid or two in a crowd of little ironman, bumble bees and princesses. We are looking forward to the Halloween party tomorrow and let all the kids wear their costumes. I will not reveal what they are all going to be until the next post!

Nana's Visit and Half Marathon

Nana and Aly playing in the front yard.
Sean was digging his hole.

Big hug to Nana.

Mike with the marathon banner before the race.

Feeling a little nervous.

Going for a strong finish! Almost to the finish line.

He made it! Resting after the race.

This is my Daddy!

Post marathon feast at Goldberg's.

Sean playing with Daddy's iPhone.

My mother-in-law Jan, aka Nana, paid her bi-annual visit this weekend. She arrived on Thursday mid day and left late Saturday night. It was a short visit, but we jam packed it with lots of quality time together. Mike, Nana and Alyson went to Toysrus on Friday to buy presents for all children. Aly and Saya received cute little princess purses which they like to carry around, Noah got a Halloween themed book and Sean is now a lucky owner of Buz Lightyear figure. Sean hasn't let it go ever since he go it. I bought him Woody the last time he filled his sticker chart (he gets a sticker when he does something nice), so he now can play like Andy, the boy who owns Woody and Buz in Toy Story movies.

There is one another reason for Nana's visit this particular weekend. Mike had his first half marathon race on Saturday. She didn't want to miss it for anything even though that meant her flight back was a red eye.

Mike did great on the race! He did better than he thought and finished at 1 hr 49 minutes. The forecast that day was 70% rain. When the crowd of 200 hobbled off the starting line, it was a steady drizzle. By the time I got home to take shower, it was pouring. Jan, Sean and I went to the finish point an hour and half to the race and just as we were looking for a place to park, we spotted Mike running. We parked the car and stood by the path to cheer him on. He later told us that he was in pain and feeling miserable, but seeing us gave him a big boost.

It was an exhilarating experience for him and he is so glad he's done it. It was also inspiring for me to see all these people pushing themselves hard and winning the race (everyone's a winner!) There is no looking back in the Campbell's household. We are seeing more races to come in the future for both Mike and I.

Thank you, Nana, for coming. We are looking forward to seeing you again in spring!

Pampkin Patch!

Aly was afraid to climb up the hay stack pyramid.
Sean went all the way up and was jumping on the top!
I made Noah sit down and after many tries he finally sat and let me take his photos.

Saya at first wasn't so sure about walking out there. It was too bumpy for her taste, but soon enough she ventured out far.

It was a very bright day. Most photos came out overexposed...

Some pumpkins were as big as Saya.


105 - is the number of pictures I took during the annual visit to the pumpkin patch in Redmond. I needn't to say enough. The kids had a blast being out on a farm. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a good time. It was a challenge at times to keep track of all four kids wandering around at own will, but no one went missing. Sean remembered the visit from previous years and he obligatorily sat on a pumpkin and smiled at me for photos. I didn't even have to ask him. Unfortunately, his "smiles" were as real as velvetta cheese.

I remember thinking what it would be like this year when Saya's walking. She was only 6 month old last year, so stayed seated in the stroller the whole time. Saya was at first not sure about walking on the uneven surface of the farm and was crying wanting to be picked up. She got used to it very quickly though and wandered around patting pumpkins and picking up strings of hays. She was upset when we put her back in the stroller.

This is one of the few family traditions we keep. I wonder what it would be like next year. I bet Saya will be a chatter box and directing us which pumpkins to take home.

p.s. We didn't buy any pumpkins this year at the pumpkin patch. The line was too long. We'll buy one from the grocery store soon!

Amy's Last Day

Amy started working for us when the twins were eight months old. Now that the twins are two years and eight months, that means we've known her for two years - two years of chasing little feet, changing thousands of diapers, fighting with the clutter kids and I leave behind... It was so nice to have her swift helping hands and have someone to share the everyday happiness of seeing the kids grow up. She's found a substitute teaching position with the Renton School District, so last Friday was her last day. We are happy for her, but will miss her very much! Fortunately, she is willing to watch the kids on weekends occasionally, so we'll be able to see her then. Besides, her Mom, Chio, is coming to help in her place from next week. Thanks for all your help, Amy. I have a confidence in you that you will be the best teacher children could ever have.

p.s. After I wrote this, I got a text message from her saying she will be able to come this Tue and Wed. Lucky for me!

Saya and shoes

This girl cannot resist shoes.

I came down after taking shower on Tuesday to find little Saya wearing Amy's sneakers. I didn't expect it at all and I cracked up laughing. She looked like a little boxer in training with her hood on. Every time someone comes over, she puts on the shoes the visitor leaves by the front door. This one made me laugh though. Very cute.

The Bike Guy

Mike has been working out pretty regularly through out his adult life. He's always been muscular as far as I've known him and he was one of those guys that cast big shadow wherever he stood. He's never been overweight, just a big guy. He's gotten pretty fit when we lived in Australia because we had time to work out twice or even three times a day. Mike and I used to spot each other in the gym and we probably looked ridiculously funny, a skinny girl spotting a big dude bench pressing stick with rolls of 20 pounders. But he's always had trouble with maintaining the fitness level he wanted.

However, Mike is a new man today. He's become that bike guy you see cruising down the road in flashy tight outfit. He jogs almost every morning and commutes 6 miles to work on his bike whenever he can (yes, there are lots of hills). He eats sensibly and doesn't overdo like he used to. He's really changed his ways and this time I do feel for life. He's lost over 30 pounds and below 10% body fat! I am very proud of him for overcoming his eating challenges and being persistent about getting daily exercise. It's not easy to work out having demanding jobs outside as well as inside home. It is so easy to pass a workout with countless reasons (excuses) that are in your face. But he sticks with his goals everyday. His first half marathon is coming up in two weeks and I am looking forward to cheering him on and be inspired!

Alyson Starts New School

This girl who looks like four years old started a new class on Tuesday. We stopped going to the Kindering Center to join a Japanese school. The class she attends is 2 hours long and they have music lesson, writing and reading lesson in Japanese. She's gone again this morning and she cried the both time when I left. The teacher said though that she was fine after a few minutes and enjoyed herself very much. They said that her pen grasp is excellent and she is doing well in the class. At the end of the class, the teacher and student bow together just like in Japan and I saw little Alyson straighten herself up and bowed saying "Sayonara". She almost fell down doing so, but it was so cute! If all goes well, I might put Saya in the class, too, when she turns 2.

Saya's Latest Happenings

This little girl is going to be 18 month old at the end of the month. She is a funny and adorable little girl we cannot get enough of. Here are some things she does these days.

- She often calls for me "Mama?" and I ask her back "Nani? ("what is it?" in Japanese) and today I called her name and she came around the kitchen corner saying "Nani?".

- She likes to tackle Noah down. I tell her that is not nice because poor Noah whines when she does it. Maybe she's watching too much football, thanks to Daddy.

- She is the most responsive in our house. I ask something to other kids and here she is raising her hand and saying "haai! (yes in Japanese)" while my other kids ignore.

- So far, she is an excellent listener. When I tell her no, she stops. Today, she was found playing in the cat's room downstairs, taking something out of a drawer. I asked her to come out from the room and she marched right out but turned around and went back in the room. I was ready to ask her to come out again until I realized that she went back to put the item away in the drawer.

- She says "gochiso samadeshita (thank you for the meal)" whenever she wants to stop something. I guess she thinks it means all done. For example, when she is in the stroller and wants to get down, she repeatedly says "goshisosama" with hands clasped together.

- She likes it when I pretend to eat her belly. Her belly is super soft and snugly.

- She likes to say "oh-ohh" when ever she drops something.

- I can have a real conversation with her because I tell her something, she nods and says "yeah" or "un (yeah in Japanese)". Grandpa the other day asked if Saya could use a high ball and she nodded in a serious face saying "yeah".

Good Bye Farmer's Market

Mexican American farmers from Watapo, WA. They were my favorite as their veggies and fruits were the best and the cheapest.

Last Tuesday was the last day of Crossroad Farmer's Market. Now I lost my go to place for fresh fruits and veggies till next spring... I wish my parents lived close because my Dad is an organic farmer. He sells his veggies at his own farmer's market stand near my house in Osaka. I hear his produce is the best around and it's so ironic we can't enjoy them!

Sean and Aly liked coming to the market with me. I give them a bag and they help me put the veggies and fruits in it. They like to carry it around until we get home. One time I gave Sean a bag with huge cucumbers and he was grunting while hugging it in his skinny arms. He almost made it to the car, but he had to ask for help because it was too heavy.

The end of farmer's market season means it's the rainy season again. We are hoping to get a little more sunshine until we pay visit to the pumpkin patch. We are just waiting on a dry weekend to hit it.

To Fremont and Ballard

Alyson enjoying the GFCF chocolate cupcake from Flying Apron bakery in Fremont.
Sean liked it, too.

Sean was pretty happy!

Salmon at Ballard Lock salmon ladder. We had salmon sashimi that night.

Saya at Ballard Lock park wanting to be picked up.

Saya with cute expression.

Kids had a lot of fun running up and down the hill. You can see all four kids plus Mike in there. Aly was scooting down the hill and her bottom was brown. It looked like she had a huge poop mess and people were staring at her while we walked back to the car...

At the botanical garden by the Ballard Locks.

Sean was being goofy.

On Sunday, we went to a GFCF bakery in Fremont and Chittenden Locks in Ballard. I heard about the bakery through Aly's classmate's Mom who has celiac disease. There are a few gluten free bakeries in the area and we are planning to try all of them eventually! The cupcakes were pretty good. It had a nice fluffy texture and the frosting was creamy and not too grainy like some non-dairy kinds. It passed Sean's test, so it's good enough for me. Of course, Sean is a sucker for cupcakes so it would be hard not to pass his test.

After the trip to the bakery, we drove over to Ballard to check out the Chittenden Locks. I've been wanting to go to see how they open and close the locks to let the ships go by. It was a big hit. The kids enjoyed watching the boats and the dam. We watched how they raise the water level in an enclosed area so that the boats can go through the dam. A bonus was that they had salmon ladder, too, so we got to look at salmon again. I've lived in Idaho for 10 years plus lived near the sierra in California, but this is the first time I saw salmon migrating. I don't know how that happened, but I am sure it would be a seasonal favorite for us from now on.

Salmon Days

Today, we went to the Salmon Days in Issaquah with Jen's family. We'd gone there once when Sean was about 7 month old with Nana. Sean was tucked into the infant carrier back then and I remembered it being slightly cold. Today was a little warmer and cloudy. A good weather to be out about. I did take a bunch of pictures of us eating, kids in stroller etc... but I just want to post the photo I took of the salmons in the river. You see the cage looking things in the back? The salmon strong enough after their journey from the ocean leap in there to get to their final destination to lay their eggs and disseminate their sperms. There are still several obstacles after that point as well and their final bits of their journey can be seen behind the glass display area. I was very moved to see their strong instinct that drive them to do what they do - fighting through fear, pain and exhaustion to preserve their specie. Sean was very curious and was watching the salmons in the river for a long time.