10 Years

After four states, two countries and two babies, we've reached this incredible milestone! What a wonderful gift we've been given! Eileen and Senia, thanks for the greetings.

I Dream a Run....

T and Senia, thinking of you guys today. I went out for my last long run on my abridged marathon training program. Sound familiar, Terr? Tokyo in two weeks!

Friendship

Friendship enters a different dimension when you're close enough to help yourself to your friends home. That is what we did today.

The children had a great time playing outside, while I soaked up the warm sun on the playground bench. I know I should be playing with them but that is not possible after a 15 mile run.

Oh, A's new thing is wearing these ruby slippers from her Halloween costume. She refused all other shoes lately! I should start wearing my red crocs...If you can't beat them, join them.

easy like sunday morning...

We had an easy day this last Saturday of January; Played, painted and read books. That's about as good as it gets....I'm going to pull out more painting projects for Liam and Alexis. Like true artist, they would paint for a spell, leave and return to it later. Painting is a big summer thing in our house. I need to make it a big winter thing...

A Tantrum

Alexis had the mother of all fits today. It's been awhile, but she reminds me that she is still a three year old. It's so hard to take because she's so wonderful most of the time and she is very persistent. This old picture of her is the same look she gives before she works up tears...

G- Girls

Here is an old pic of the three of us. Can't wait to take a new one when you guys arrive!

The Far East

This is for Tia Nini and Tia Senia to get you excited for your trip out here! We are too thrilled!!

Alexis Modeling

Yes, Alexis went to her first modeling job in Tokyo. She did amazingly well considering how leery she is of anyone she hasn't known her entire life! She has a tight circle of trust that is shared with precious few people.

She didn't smile for her first shot, but by the second round of wardrobe, hair and makeup she was smiling. People doting over her helps. She does love attention...It also helps that I never leave her side.

These are backstage shot with her friend and pre-schoolmate.

10 Year Celebration!

Yes, we celebrated 10 years this past weekend A bit early, but fun nonetheless! Being childless for the weekend, we made grown up decisions like eating dinner after 5 PM, having drinks after dinner and then dancing until 5 AM! It was liberating to do it one more time. Since having children, this is only the second time we've stayed up past 2AM.

We had a great dinner at Wellingtons! After that, we went to the Absolut Ice Bar in Roppongi. It was rather ironic that we paid for the privilege to hang out in a freezing cold bar. We could have done that for free on the streets of Tokyo! Ahhh, good times with the one I love!

a hawk, a drill and kindergarten politics...

It was a normal afternoon, until a hawk attacked! Yes, Alexis was accosted by a very large, Japanese Hawk. After living with them for so long, I let my guard down. Alexis was running around the grass eating Nutter Butters (yes, I let them eat junk food occasionally).

The hawk swooped down when my back was turned. I just heard her shrill cry. There was nothing I could do to console her. Alexis isn't quite sure if the hawk took her cookie, but I do know that it scratched her left hand and index finger.

After a lot of hugging and consoling, she flatly stated that she would never eat anything outside. I think she may have issues with picnics as an adult.

After the hawk excitement, we called it a day and went inside. Liam was in chatty mood. He proceeded to tell me about the "bad person drill" they do at school. They learn what to do in the event of a bad person in the hallway...just knowing he is conscious of this, is a little upsetting. I sound old saying this, but childhood seemed much simpler.....

Afterwards, he explained kindergarten politics. There is a clear hierarchy on the playground. There are teams (read, cliques) on the playground. Liam explained he had his own team but wanted to join the all boy playground team, so he disbanded his own team to join the other. To be part of the other team, he had to prove that he could run fast, jump, play war and battle, and not play with girls.

I guess he proved his mettle because he has a coveted spot on this team. After he became a member, he was told that if he left for another team, he could never rejoin...hmmm, this is all so interesting to me on so many levels....he said it's not done in a mean way...according to him, this is just how the boys play....he's learning something here about peer pressure, acceptance and friends.....

....after all this,he broke the news to me that he wants to start his own team again....

Princess Bed

Alexis is in a full bed! In reality, she outgrew her toddler bed a few months ago but we kept putting off the transition. Her bed's life began six years ago with my first pregnancy. We purchased a convertible crib, with the intent of making it a bed one day. At the time, that day seemed so far off. The last vestiges of babies in our house are disappearing. This reality is not lost on us.

Panda in the Bamboo

Alexis loves her new panda hat...you almost don't recognize her...

Vacation Memories

T's vacation is down to the last hours. We had a great time with Tom and Coll. I feel like we had an extended vacation since the children went back to school a week before T!! Every morning, we told them Daddy had a late morning meeting. We had no choice. If they knew the truth they would refuse to leave the house.

I can't believe we're already halfway into January....We had such an amazing 2007! We can only be thankful for the past and look optimistically to 2008...we have a lot of great things coming down the pike...i'll keep you posted

Visiting

Our first official CONUS guests arrived! The cool thing is we get to enjoy all the great things about Japan with family. Our life here is only fully understood firsthand. Really, it's too hard to put into words....it's the experience of life here...

Who Are These Strangers??

Goofing around in a store in Harajuku! They are so silly sometimes.