Grandma Hiroko

I can't believe that it will be eight years this February since my mom has passed away. There are days where it felt like just yesterday I was eating her yummy food and going shopping with her.

The thing that breaks my heart more than anything is that she was not here long enough to meet Mackenzie and Dylan. They would have brought her so much joy! Although neither children have met her, they always talk to her when we go visit her at the cemetery. It's very sweet to hear them. In the beginning it used to bring me to tears, but now I can sit and listen with a smile.

There are days when I really miss her. I wish I could get a recipe, or eat some delicious Japanese food she made. Days when I want to ask her "Was I like that when I was little!!?!?" And days where I could just drop them off to be with their obaachan! But most of all, I would have loved to witness the true love between an obaachan and her grandchildren.

I miss you mom! Thanks for making me the person I am today. Your legacy will continue on.

Reindeer

While out on our shopping adventures, the conversation turned to Santa's reindeer. The kids were naming the reindeer and Dylan had trouble remembering Cupid's name. So the nice sister that Mackenzie is gave Dylan a trick to remember his name. . . she tells him, "Just remember the s word we can't say - you know. . . hmm-pid" (as in stupid for those who are wondering). And without missing a beat Dylan replies "Oh yeah, it's Cupid!" Well I guess they have their rhyming skill down!

Lunch

We were shopping today and the kids were getting hungry. Of course they wanted McDonald's and I said, "No fast food today!"

So, while we were shopping Daddy called from work and Dylan wanted to talk to him. He was telling him where we were and where we had been and then I hear (in a very woeful voice), "Mommy won't let us have fast food today. Yeah, I know . We have to eat slow food today." Mackenzie and I were laughing so hard and of course he wanted to know what was so funny. Out of the mouth of babes!

Piano Recital

Mackenzie has been asking to take piano lessons since she turned five and I had been putting her off - feeling she was a little too young to make such a big commitment. After all, you do need a piano to practice on if you're going to take lessons and continue to play - and pianos are expensive!

Finally, after almost a year of asking I made the leap and enrolled her in piano lessons. She started taking lessons in June 2009 - just shy of her 6th birthday and LOVES it. She goes once a week for 30min. to Mrs. Olsen's studio. We also broke down and purchased a piano of our own. (Thanks to Papa who paid for half of the piano as one of Mackenzie's birthday gift).

Mackenzie had her first piano recital on December 19th and La Vida Real retirement home. What a great venue! The place was gorgeous! She was nervous leading up to it - as many of Mrs. Olsen's students are older and have been with her for years. Mackenzie is the youngest student and had only been playing for 6 months.

She was nervous playing for a crowd and indicated she wanted her teacher to sit with her on the bench prior to the recital - but when it came time to play, she took the bench and did well. What a brave little trooper. We're very proud of you and love you to pieces! We can't wait until you can play great pieces for us and serenade us during dinner!


Her teacher Mrs. Olsen Some of Mrs. Olsen's students

Christmas Traditions

For those of you who know me, Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love all the hustle and bustle, the shopping, the eating, the baking and the traditions.

Here are some of our annual Christmas traditions we follow:

1. We are decorated by the day after Thanksgiving (if not earlier).
2. Making and decorating gingerbread houses.
3. Looking at Christmas lights.
4. Buying an ornament each year that represents what each child is into.
5. Advent calendar counting down the days to Christmas.
6. Annual family Christmas pictures
7. Visiting Santa at Santee lakes
8. Children's Christmas party hosted by the Sheriff's Department.
9. Christmas dinner with the Sippels

And our newest tradition . . .

Jolly - the Elf on the Shelf

For those who are not familiar, there is this wonderful kit that comes with a book and an elf doll. The book explains how Santa knows if you have been good or bad everyday. He sent an elf to come and live with us to watch over the kiddos and every night when we are all asleep the elf disappears to tell Santa whether you should be on the nice or naughty list. When the elf returns, he never ends up in the same spot and you must hunt where he has landed every morning. The story also explains how upon Santa's orders, the elf can't talk, but he can listen very well. So, children are encouraged to talk to the elf and let him know their wishes for Christmas. It also explains one very important rule - NO ONE can touch the elf, or he will lose his magic and won't be able to go to the North Pole to give his report.

So we adopted the elf (complete with adoption papers and registered him with the North Pole registry) and the kids named him Jolly.

Mackenzie loves the idea and talks to him quite often. Dylan was unsure the first day or two and was worried that he may appear in his room one morning. He was not afraid of the elf - but was worried that the elf would really see that he's been kind of naughty lately (LOTS of whining and pouting) and Santa wouldn't bring him anything!

Every morning the kids wake up and the search is on. They love looking for him and finding the silly places he hides. They also LOVE to tell every adult that steps foot into our house that we own an elf who was sent to us by Santa.

This by far has been the best tradition (www.eflontheshelf.com - great website). They love Jolly and the kids are sad that Jolly has to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and won't be back until next year. So if you ever visit us over the holidays, you'll hear about Jolly! Just remember - hands off! All ready to decorate gingerbread houses! Dylan decided he had done enough decorating and dove in - literally!
DSA Children's Party