Snuggle Time

I have no idea what special something is in the air, but I like it!


Stefan came home and joined me for some snuggle time. He is a good snuggler, albeit bony...


When Eric got home, he was graced by some unusual snuggles from Dougie. They sat together for a good half an hour. Just hanging and chatting about the origins of his name "Douglas Alexander".


Thank you boys for the snuggle time.  They become less frequent and more truncated. These are the moments that are savored and cherished.  




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location: Yokosuka,Japan

Busy Day, Busy Boy

Ian and I had a busy, fun day. I put away laundry (busy) and Ian told me, "Mummy, I play Legos!" (fun)




We headed to the Fraser's to drop off Maggie's birthday present. Have I mentioned that I am sweet on this girl?!?

So kawaii Mags!

Showing Hula Hands

Ian dug up some bling of his own - total Rock Star.

And then he took to his steed. Ride 'em cowboy!

Jack asked if my boots were cowboy boots. When I said they were riding boots, he told me I "need to ride a cowboy". Yup. Fully expected "horse". Laughed way harder over the cowboy... Thank you, Jack!!!


Off to pre-school we went. A friend of ours who is here TDY has organized a co-op preschool for a number of the other TDY families that also have young kids. Carlyn is amazing and the kids love it! The moms do to, proven by the fact that some of them were put in time-out :)

We made Mardi Gras masks

Showing off their masks 

Ran an obstacle course (Ian LOVED this!)

In the tunnel - then up over the bench - and around the island

We then picked up Jaye for lunch. We enjoyed some Thai Erawan and caught up. Love going to eat with great friends - especially when they like good food as much as I do!


Ian HAD to visit the potty before we left, making us quite late. I missed Dougie's bus. So grateful to Gina for grabbing him. Turns out they can only drop him at his own stop, but took pity. I am so grateful. Though, I have to say, I have never had them make me sprint down street to get Lindsey (Gina's daughter) when I am picking her up... Again, so grateful!


By the time we got home for the final time, Ian had passed out cold. He didn't even flinch when I got him into bed, stripped him of pants nor when I put a pull-up on him. Not even a twitch. He looked like the body that should get outlined in chalk...

Daddy Long Legs

It was a busy day. Ian was a busy boy. I tried NOT to be a busy-body...


It was a well deserved slumber!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location: Yokosuka,Japan

Wanted: Job Opportunities

The Tooth Fairy is still out of work. Teeth are rattling all over in Stefan's mouth - one tooth has even come IN. But none have come out...










The Tooth Fairy is requesting a thug come and knock out Stefan's 3+ teeth that are rattling like Chic-lets in a partially empty box!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Yokosuka,Japan

Stranger Things Have Happened

I have found amazing things in my laundry before. I can tell you which brand of facial tissues will not break down when you blow just by how they perform in the washer and, subsequent, drying. I have seen a pack of tissues reduced to a pulp and adhered to the inside of a pocket. Treasures found on the playground and stashed in pockets for later admiration. BBs. Lots and lots of BBs... Rocks of varying size, shape and consistency. Pens... A thermometer. MONEY!!!! Chapstick :(

And, although stranger things have happened, I found my treasures elsewhere today...

The dishwasher:



No, the picture is not distorted. It is an empty egg case that Ian "put away" for me.

In the sink:



The three little rock turtles Grammie gave to the boys were "swimming" all in a line at the bottom of the sink. Dougie had doled out the white one to himself, the "dirty one" to Stefan (orange one), and the "partly dirty one - just dirty in spots" (spotted one) to Ian. Maybe he was trying to wash them...

And at my front door:



The stroller. It came back from Hawaii, re-bagged and tagged the Japanese way. It was beautiful! I was a little surprised that they hadn't washed and repaired the stroller prior to delivering it. I could tell from our doorbell video monitor that they had attempted delivery at least four times today. The fifth, and final, was at 7:30 tonight. We were finally home!

As a friend put it, "If it is a Japanese delivery service, it will eventually find its way to your door."

Well stated!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Reading and Roosting

"Did you know that Cocoa Pebbles and Fruity Pebbles are Gluten Free?!!"

 No, I did not...

"This French Toast Casserole I have never had. But I would like to. All you have to do is..."

Maybe he will just make it for us!!!

"OH, COOL!!! You can get Burger King Stuff! It's just BK Stuff... Feature November 18th! 10 toys in all! Join the BK program. Cool, huh?!?"

No. Not cool.

My five year old can READ these advertisements.

He is not immune to the very looooong talons of the marketers.

I suppose that is the point...

Diatribe: Dougie's while reading and roosting.  Thoughts: mine.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Passports are Safe(d)

Tonight was our last night.  A very bittersweet night.  Great to be in Hawaii.  Great to be with Grammie and Pop.  We are so incredibly blessed and we are so grateful!!!

We brought in a babysitter (who was fabulous!!! Thank you Miss Vicki! Happy Kids Nanny Services) and the four adults went to The Beach House for dinner.  We had a great dinner, a great waiter, a lovely sunset.  We had no kids!  We had no kids :(

The Beach House (The Beach House) is incredibly busy, especially at this time of year as the sun sets directly outside its windows.  It is on a really beautiful section of beaches. The only reservations were for this night.  The food was great!  My fave was the coconut sorbetto!  We talked "business" - 'tis tax season and the house needs to be re-painted.  And, I suddenly remembered where I had stored our passports - they were in the safe!  At the previous condo we stayed in...

So relieved it was before bedtime!  After a call to the KBR, the fabulous desk clerk asked the new tenants of the room if they could open the safe.  Of course they could not - the key was in my pocket...  So he got maintenance to open the lock box and, VOILA!  Five passports and one wallet.

If you, the fellow working at KBR last night, ever read this:  MAHALO!!!!!
If you, the new tenants of B-4 ever read this:  I am sorry for interrupting you tonight and MAHALO for your patience!!!


Phew, passports have been safe(d)!  Mahalo Nui, Dad & Mom for going and picking them up!

As I am sitting here, wide awake, at two o'clock in the morning, I am getting this overwhelming sense of sadness.  We have a wake-up call in for four AM, leave at 0630.  I miss home.  Both WA & Yoko.  I miss my friends in Japan.  I miss my friends in Washington.  I miss my parents.  I miss my in-laws.  I miss my brother/SIL/niece/nephew.  I. Am. Offically. Homesick.

It is an easy enough feeling to assimliate while I roll with the day to day in Japan.  I am not alone.  I have friends.  GREAT FRIENDS.  Being here has been such a joy.  But a few days ago, my canary started to droop.  He stopped "singing" and started looking listless.  His overall demeanor could only be described as "sad".  I am pretty sure Stefan is feeling the same things I am, but speaks it in his body language.  Eric and I have had a number of concerned exchanges as we watch our perceptive and sensitive child expressing his own version of homesickness.

So, when we were leaving for dinner tonight, mixed in with the fun of going out without kids, Eric and I both had a feeling of regret.  Regret that we weren't spending one last night in the pool getting utterly waterlogged.  Regret that Grammie and Pop did not get to put the boys to bed one last time.  Regret that tomorrow we leave Paradise.

I am getting the tissue boxes ready, for I think tomorrow morning will be one filled with tears.  Especially from our canary.  It is so touching and so painful to see your kids mourn and grieve.  And that always makes the adults cry...

A lot...

Eric, Myself, Mom (Grammie) & Dad (Pop) at the Beach House Restaurant

Swimming Lessons

Kicking with straight legs

Sneaky breathing

Had a blast in the pool. Grammie gave swimming lessons to Dougie - best lessons EVER! Best price ever, too. A hug and a kiss XOXO

Ian had been very concientious about that "last step" because it was "too deep". He stepped off last night, had to be rescued. Started to cry. Then kept on crying because he wanted back in. Got right back on that proverbial horse and made the discovery that "too deep" was a lot of fun!

Today, he is launching off the side and "swimming" his way to the catcher. He no longer uses caution, but will jump with abandon. He is now a very, very cute and dangerous "swimmer".

You swim too, Ian

Check out Grammie's bling!

I can do ya' one better, Grammie!

Stefan still prefers underwater to above. He has made a couple of friends - really, really nice brothers that like to play in the water (and don't drown others). They made arrangements yesterday to meet up today. They have been swimming together all day after an invigorating game of Sorry!

When Stefan was sunned out (is it possible?!?), Stefan went to make a frame to take home. He sure enjoys projects!!! He made the cutest frame!

Putting the frame together

Adding some shells

Asked Grammie how to spell Hawaii.  He spelled it out in shells across the top of the frame :)

So glad our last day is sun-filled. The boys are playing in the water all day and have a fun babysitter lined up for tonight (adults are going out). Ian is taking a snooze after lunch and life is pretty good right now.

Racked out!

Thanks for the drink, Pop!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Poipu Rd,Koloa,United States