A Possible Resurrection

I know well that when someone posts to their blog after an extremely long silence, it's passe or boring or some kind of uncool to apologize or make excuses for one's absence.  Nevertheless, I have to note the hold up, if only for my own sake in posterity: we got a new computer.

One would expect that getting a new computer would likely lead to MORE posting, not less.  Erm.  That goes for people who know how to operate their sparkly machine.  Let's suppose the old one was a PC and the new one is a Mac and against better judgment, no help articles or manuals or anything that might actually explain what to do have been used.  At all.  Ever.

That is why I did not know how to resize a photo to post to the blog.  Though I'm sometimes pompous enough to rather enjoy my own blathering, I know better than to presume the same of you.  In other words, no pictures means no posting.

But now, ever so fortuitously and accidentally, I have discovered how to resize a photo.  And thus, I hope to revive this blog.  I hope.  I hope.  When I post next time, maybe I will arrive at informing you of Koji's school Sports Day, pictures above.  Wait for it.

LA LA LA Day 3, 4, 5

On Wednesday we stopped by at Jim & Cindi's new house to say hello and wash our clothes (thanks very much, Cindi, that was a lifesaver). There are many, many wonderful things about their new house, but this may be the one I like the best: it's a tatami room with a built-in kotatsu over a recessed floor. Maybe someday, if we don't ever move to Japan, and we have a lot of money that we don't know what to do with, we can build a room like this too?!


Izumi and I next to the fish tank built into the wall between the living room and Jim's office. It's a very cool tank with interesting, exotic fish in it, but you can't really see it here so you'll just have to take my word for it. I'm mostly inserting this picture so you'll know that I really was on this trip!


After our laundry was done, we went to spend a little time with Alex, Kristen Joy and Olivia. We had some take-out from El Pollo Loco (yum!) at their house, and then went for a walk to a park. Here's Izumi in mid-crawl in the foreground, with the rest of the gang behind.


There was no question "if" the kids would all end up climbing on Alex, it was a matter of "when"...


Next stop, Alex & KJ's favorite frozen yogurt shop; a necessity on a hot summer day!


Next up was dinner with Cat & Darren but they weren't quite ready to meet us so I took the kids on a quick trip to M & L Fabrics in Anaheim. I was transported back to the day Clehrence (Clarice) and I went there and ended up with some green fur that she made into a stunning jacket. On the other hand, I bought some quilted silver fabric and turned it into a hideous jacket; you can't win 'em all. Anyway, it was just as stuffed with fabric as I remembered, though it was a bit limiting to try and navigate the place with two little kids in tow (I say, as if there are many other places that aren't that way). In fact, I didn't even approach the flat fold stacks, which were much taller than me. I was afraid that I would find some fabric to love at knee-level and never get it out, or worse yet, start a fabric avalanche and crush my children. Fortunately, I discovered the bargain basement back room. Watch this space to see what that fabric will become! Getting to the subject of this photo, we met Cat & Darren at Niko Niko Sushi, which certainly wasn't super authentic but did give us an enormous bowl of edamame for three bucks, and had a really delicious carrot-miso dressing for the salad (note to self: try to make that dressing).


Then Cat & Darren took Koji swimming, and even invited Darren's nephew Dyson along for the fun. Izumi and I played poolside; it was a little chilly for her since she had a runny nose.


Here's Koji and Dyson, and the end of Day Three!


Day Four, we met Cat & Darren again; we went to a park in Brea to play with Dyson and then back to their place for lunch but I didn't take any pictures. Cat did, so maybe someday I'll backpost something, maybe. Then they had to get to a beach party, so we went back to Jim & Cindi's for a swim and dinner.


Jim, Cindi and Chibi, our great friends and wonderful hosts, too!


This was Koji's gang while we were at Jim & Cindi's: Jamee, who's five, Koji, who's four, and Joy, who's three. It worked out very nicely.


Day Five, we just couldn't get enough of Jim & Cindi so we went back to their house again! For hours, Koji and his posse, as introduced above, jumped in the pool and then climbed back out to jump in again.

Back in the day when I used to work for Cindi, Ali was still in high school but now she's a tennis coach AND good with babies, too. Thanks for giving me a break, Ali!

Nagashi Somen (A River of Noodles)

Koji's preschool knows how to host a party! On his last day of school, we all went out on the lawn for a lunch of nagashi somen. Somen is a type of noodle, a little thinner than ramen, if anyone is particular about noodle thicknesses. It's often eaten during the summer, cold, and after being dunked in a bit of cold broth (which probably sounds unappetizing but actually is quite refreshing and delicious). However, as you see below, we didn't just sit around dunking noodles: we had to catch them first!
Adults took turns sending the noodles down the water-filled half-pipe.

The kids waited next to the pipe with their chopsticks and cups of broth at the ready.

The adults' other job was to monitor the noodle level in the kids' cups and occasionally say, "Stop catching the noodles and eat a few!" Obviously, catching them was way more fun!


Fortunately, Izumi wasn't tall enough to get next to the pipe. She had just as much fun to trying to "catch" the noodles that missed her mouth when I scooped them in.


When everyone had eaten their fill, some noodles were left but I hadn't eaten yet, so I said, "hey, give me a turn!". Now I'm wondering if I should rent this contraption for our next backyard party?!

Koji is FOUR

A very happy day to our birthday boy, Koji! Our first celebration was a joint cozmic bowling party with Takeru and Naoki, two friends from school. Bumpers were in place, so things went pretty well. Come to think of it, we never had to call a bowling boy to rescue a stopped ball from mid-lane so Koji must be bigger and stronger than the last time we went bowling.

A couple of incidents from the party: sadly, one little friend fell and cut his chin open on the hole of his bowling ball. He was bleeding pretty profusely. Thankfully, Aogu was there with us and able to go off to the hospital to facilitate communication between his mom and the hospital staff. Maybe we should start praying now for no bleeding at next year's party so Aogu can stick around!

Also, I've been trying to teach Koji to do his own wiping up when he finishes with a poo session. Not wanting to deal with the aftermath lest he does a poor job, I've also instituted "checks," where he shows me his handiwork and I declare it good or not so. Alas, I've apparently failed to explain that "checks" should only be performed at home...while at the bowling alley, he decided he had to go. The men's room was right there and the ladies' was far away, plus, his slightly older friend had to go too. So I sent him into the restroom with his friend and then stood next to the door, feeling a bit of pride for my little son, so grown up that he can go and poo without my help.

My special moment was thoroughly quashed when he came waddling out of the restroom with his pants + underwear around his ankles shouting, "Mama! Check me! Check!"

Happy Birthday, dear son.