FINALLY

What a great snow day! We finally took the kids to Mt. Laguna for a day in the snow. It was absolutely perfect. There was easily at least 3 feet of snow on the ground. It snowed the entire time we were there - beautiful white powder. It was serene and breathe taking. I would have loved to have a cabin there and spend the night. Something about being in the quiet mountains and watching the snow fall. Just entering Mount Laguna.


You should have heard the squeals in the car when they realized it was snow that was hitting the windshield. Mackenzie kept asking if it was real and wanted to pull over the minute she saw it. I think she was afraid it would disappear before she had the chance to touch it! She kept saying, "I think this is a good spot to play."

Once we got all the gear on (which I was glad I did not have to do on a daily basis) and I let them out of the truck they were like wild animals. Romping around squealing and laughing. The kids had a blast and lasted much longer than I expected in the 29 degree weather with a windchill. It was so fun to watch them. They tried so many things. They laid in it and watched the snow fall onto their faces, they stuck their whole heads into the snow, caught snowflakes with their tongues, tried to make a snowman (snow wasn't wet or hard enough) sledded, rolled down the hills, ran down the hills, and any thing else you could imagine. They loved it all and were so sad when it was time to leave. No one complained once about it being cold!

On the way out of Mount Laguna we also stopped in Pine Valley for a little more snow. There wasn't as much there, maybe 4 inches or so, but they didn't care!

I was glad I took the day off to go play with my kids and see their big smiles. It was so worth it! Of course we all want to go back for some more!

Snow

For the past two years Mackenzie has been begging to go play in the snow. We keep telling her we would take her, but it truly depended on the weather. Bottom line - it has to snow! We are all ready to go as soon as the temperature drops and precipitation happens! We have snow boots, bibs, winter jackets, scarves, gloves, sleds, and hats! Now if it would stop being 80 degrees and act like winter we'd be in luck!

I've even called Big Bear Lake. I am willing to take the 3 hour drive to Big Bear just to let these kids see snow and build a snowman. But, they don't have any fresh snow either! Just the hard packed man made stuff that's not fun to play in.

To make matters even worse, the other morning she woke up with the happiest grin and said, "Mommy I had the best dream ever! We had a new house right by this mountain and guess what? There was pink snow everywhere and we played and played!" (Of course it's her dream so the snow is pink!)

So . . . . . if you have a moment watch the video clip and join in on the snow dance the kids made! Maybe that'll help????? Keeping our fingers crossed!

Balloon Parade

My kids have been to a lot of places and many events. However, they had never been to a parade (aside from Disneyland). Mackenzie had been asking me to take her, but the thought of the traffic and crowds always seemed daunting to me. Well, I finally took them to the Holiday Bowl Parade this year - and we had a great time! Thanks to Tiffany's expertise - we took the trolley from Fashion Valley to the Santa Fe station downtown and walked to Harbor Blvd where the parade was. It was so easy and painless! The kids loved the trolley ride and the parade. I may have to do this again next year!
Trolley ride with Lady Ga Ga - I mean Casey!
I thought these guys were hilarious!
The kids were excited they won free Padre hats.

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