Football Bleepings

Kids watching football with Daddy.

It is boiling down to the Superbowl now and we had some exciting games recently.  Seahawk's loss in the playoff game#2 was disappointing, but it was the kind of game where both teams played hard and us spectators were left with clenching fists until the last second of the game.  We lost, but I was satisfied (no wonder my Chiro today said I have lots of tension on my shoulders). 


Football on television is a grown-up show.  The commercials are geared towards middle-aged males with trailers for violent movies or sexually suggestive beer ads etc... We usually fast forward the commercials but Sean catches them every once in a while.  He would say "look that man just punched a baby!" and giggle or "wow, how come the whole building exploded??" trying to make sense out of the crazy images he see.  I am not an overprotective parent but when the kids see something disturbing to them, they keep asking us why many many times.   Too many times and that drives us crazy. 

I have to watch my language while watching football also.  Yesterday while we were watching 49rs vs Falcon's game, I said to Mike "wow, that guy looks like a bad ass!"  As soon as I said it, I regretted.  Mike looked at me and then little Sean sitting next to me.  I looked at Sean and his big adorable eyes were staring at me.  "What's a bad ass, Mommy?" he asked with the most innocent voice (it almost sounded purposefully).  I said "oh, oops that is a grown-up word that is not good to use.  Don't say that ever until you are a grown-up!" but he didn't seem convinced.  "Here Sean, I have an invisible eraser and I will erase what you heard" and rubbed his ears.  "Nope, it's still there!" he contently said with a gainful smile.  We shall see if he brings home a note from teacher.

Sean Cold#1

Aly was a good girl and behaved nicely while staying inside all day long.

Miss Saya, too, was pretty good considering.

Noah attended therapies and school as usual. 

The flu epidemic in America is making its headlines on news and Spiritridge Elementary wasn't spared this week.  The front office lady at school told me eight students from Sean's class and the teacher, Ms. Lowy, were out sik on Monday.  "So far so good at my house", I told the lady and she quickly knocked on wood on my behalf.  Well, Sean developed low-grade fever on Thursday night and it hasn't gotten better.  We kept him home from school yesterday (Friday).  He is cranky because he HATES having stuffy or runny nose and is whining all day long.  The other children are fine, but it's just a matter of time.  With four children, they share.  I just hope I don't get it myself.

The Girls and Kindergarten Night

At the Crossroads Mall on Sunday night.

Foggy morning walk at nearby demonstration garden.

Of course, they had to fight.

Saya the lion.

Aly herding Saya who wasn't following us.

Sisters Love

Ever since Alyson came back from Japan, the girls have been inseparable.  At first, Sean was giggling with them together trying to keep up with their Japanese and girly choice of play, but he decided he rather not be part of pink bunnies and princess dress ups after a short while.  I think he is a bit jealous of their closeness and asked me why his brother does not talk and play with him.  I told him he is a good big brother and someday he and Noah can play together and be the best pals. 


Alyson was the only child in the household while she lived with my parents in Japan and grandparents are not the ones to discipline their precious grandchildren.  She has become quite a determined little girl who wants things her way.  That doesn't work for Saya who has just as strong personality.  As a result, two of them fight quite a bit and if I observe them for a bit longer, it can turn into a wrestling match.  When it comes to physical strength, Miss Saya with her strong arms wins the fight.  I probably should stop their disagreements to develop to that level of intensity, but it is sort of amusing to watch them "settle" things.  They are very loud trying to stand out and again, I am mesmerized by their sense of rivalry. 

Yet, they are best friends.  They are so cute together in their pink tutus and cat hats.  Occasionally I see big sisterly side of Alyson and a little sister who thinks her big sister is the coolest person on earth.  I look forward to seeing them grow up being the best allies, rivals and counsellors to each other. 

Alyson is adapting to her life back in America pretty well.  She started going to the Japanese school she used to go to before she went to Japan twice a week.  Saya also studies there, so she feels comfortable being in there.  She cried hard the very first day, but she hasn't cried ever since.  Her English is coming back slowly.  She started to speak it here and there and does not complain about watching American TV shows or reading books in English anymore.  She is not ready yet to go to American preschool as she feels quite anxious, but we will send her if we feel she is ready.

I went to the Kindergarten Information Night at Noah's preschool today.  With Sean, I had no doubt he would end up going to the regular kindergarten, but Noah will be attending a specialized school for children who need more assistance.  They call it Functional Lifeskills Center Program and the sound of it terrified me.  They explained that the center focuses on life skills such as self-care and learning skills necessary to get a job etc... and that was a slap in the face for me.  At the end of the session, I asked the teacher if they also would push academics as well and she said yes, however I feel like Noah will be on the track of not meeting his potential and live a life in a bubble.  He is only four and I just cannot accept that.  We need to shift the gears and help little Noah's intelligence shine.  Something has to work.  We MUST find it.

Starting the New Year Right

On the New Year's Day, we went to visit a temple in Redmond to Hatsumoude, to give prayers for a good year and fortune with the whole family.  It was a very cold morning with frosts covering the passing landscape like fuzzy blankets.  We decided to visit this particular temple since it was closer than the one we went last year and it does not sit right by a beautiful yet enticing swimming pool, a frigid river, Noah might want to jump in again.  As soon as we got out of the car, Noah wanted to touch everything at the temple.  So, we made the visit short and sweet.  We walked to the main building, prayed and left immediately.  The place was very small and awkward, it reminded me how far I am from my home country.  It was a beautiful drive anyhow and kids enjoyed listening to the new kids music CD grandma brought from Japan. 

As my friends and family make impressive resolutions for the New Year, I was left behind pondering every conscious minute what I ought to be doing this year.  I am going to be 41 and my youngest is going to be four.  It's time to get serious with things, I thought, but I didn't know for what and how.   One thing I know is that I have been consumed with the enormous list of chores and tasks I have to complete everyday to run our busy household.  Yet my frenzied daily schedule is not giving me the intellectual simulations I need to function properly.  You could picture me as a car with tires spinning furiously in mud not getting anywhere  I definitely need to find something to give me the grip I need to remind myself of who I am.  I have a couple of ideas which might work out, but I will share them later with you when they become more solid.  I am excited and can't wait to start working on them :-)

Happy New Year 2013!!

I am remembering last year when I posted my final post of the year not knowing what the new year would bring us.  I am happy to say we had a very good year with tons of positives.  Alyson's journey to independence in Japan ended on Dec 23 and we are so happy to have our little girl back in our house.  My Mom is a staple now for Christmas and New Year and so is our wonderful Nana.  In the world full of joy and misfortune, we are moving forward steadily in our own pace.   I am thankful for all I have and do not wish for anything more!

Happy New Year!! May the year 2013 bring you joy and happiness!

Love Us

Here are some pics from the recent happenings:

Daddy of four!  At Spiritridge Elementary

The presents were piled up, it was a bit much...

Sean got exactly what he wished for! Go Santa!

Alyson was so happy to get so many new toys.

Noah joined the morning chaos this year.  It's getting more fun for him.

Saya loves her my little pony tent!

Animal hats from grandma Marie.  The girls love them.

Grandma!

Saya "fishing" at a nearby pond.  We came to feed the duckies and they were out.