Kokochi

Birthday party Callaghan California style

Dav's half-sister Colleen and her hubby celebrated their birthdays in style this past weekend. It was a lovely warm day, and their backyard was full of decor, a buffet of food, and a circle of drums. Colleen is part of a drumming group, and this was my first time to see a snippet of what it's all about.

There is something special about drumming...any human can relate. Aila was smitten and smacked drums and tried all the accompanying array of instruments laying around. Oh, and the dancing. Best part was just seeing kids with their cousins and family. Aila is a bit oblivious - just happy being with Gran Marie - but Tesla gets that she is part of this fun-loving family. I grew up with a small family so seeing her with this giant extended family, so comfortable and happy, is pretty special.

 

 

By the way, Aila dressed herself. Colorful! 

 

 

 

Hinasama 2013

A tad belated, but Happy Girl's Day! Now I'm seeing how fun it is to take the same pic every year...and get to see the gals growing up. I love this first picture; shows T and Aila's different personalities. 

And thank you to my mom for gifting us these gorgeous hinasama dolls. First row when T was born, second when Aila was. We will put them out every year, and treasure them.

Hinasama 2012    2010    2009    2008

 

 

Tesla all gussied up!

Tesla was Marilyn Monroe in her after-school program's annual performance. I was asked to curl her hair, which I knew would require skills and tools I didn't have, so I took her to a salon. 

The after-school program staff decked her out in a dress and put make-up on her. I recalled the very first time Tesla performed, when she was in pre-school in the same program, she was in the middle front wearing a bear suit, and for the whole performance, sucked her thumb. It was cute, but clearly she was bewildered about the whole stage experiene. Well, this year, Tesla rocked it! 

 

 Aila eager to give flowers to her sister.

 

Changing Aila

Aila will be 3 in May...definitely out of babyhood, but I can also begin to see her post-todderhood girl face emerging. 

 

Wearing earings Tesla made:

 

San Francisco Children's Art Center

Tesla took a few art classes at the SF Children's Art Center in Fort Mason when she was about two and a half. She loved it, and I loved seeing her enjoy it, and getting a stack of art at the end.

Now, Aila is taking the same class. I still can't believe she's already at this age. Following the steps of her bigger sister, but delighted in her own way. She loves the play doh part of it. I take her Friday mornings, and cherish this time where I still get to be mommy bringing her to her special activity.  Once pre-school starts, Aila will enter a whole new world apart from me.

  

Recently at home, she drew this. It was the first time we spotted a clear face. It's a cat, and we think the blue puddle in front is a shadow since Aila has been fascianted by her shadow lately. And I see a 0 1 2 3!

Aila, already a part of Rosa Parks

On Wednesdays and Fridays, I take Tesla to school, and bring Aila with us. Both gals love this. Tesla loves to show off Aila and be big sister, and Aila loves to feel part of the community, which she really is. Even the school principal knows her! With Tesla's friends, Aila gets to be the center of attention.

First, Aila makes sure to bring her backpack. In this case, it's filled with her blankie, a toy car, and small stuffies.

As her posse gathers around her, Aila gets to share her goodies.

I love how the gals make Aila feel so special. And to think in a few years when Aila enters kindergarten at Rosa Parks, these gals will be in 5th grade. What a nice connection to have.

One (somewhat) rainy day

We have a drought looming since during winter, we should have many rainy days, but instead, we have summer-like weather. While we enjoy it, I worry that this is just going to get worse each year with climate change. 

This weekend, it finally drizzled. Barely enough for trees and grass to soak up much, but Aila was delighted and begged to go out so she could wear her raincoat and use her umbrella. Tesla was happy staying indoors; yet another example of how these gals are so opposite.

So while Dav and T stayed cozy at home, Aila and I walked around the neighborhood. By then, the drizzle has stopped. We found no puddles but Aila was still fascinated by anything slightly wet, and loved walking around with her umbrella.

A bowl

This is what just happened:

For me, it was a big deal. I splurged on this lovely bowl when I first lived on my own in Tokyo making my own living. I truly treasured it. Tonight, Aila climbed up on some shelves, and mistakenly broke it. No need to chastise her other than let her know I was sad, and not to climb up where she shouldn't. Neither T nor Aila could understand how my treasure had been lost. 

Truthfully, it was more than just a bowl; it was my statement to me about what I digged that I could buy with my hard-earned yen. Mama wanted to wail, but having my gals there, nope. Not the model I should be. But getting hugs from them...alright, I can get over it.

 

 

How Aila wakes up from a nap

Texted to me by our awesome nanny Sarah:

"She just woke up from her nap looking like this. I found your make-up bag in bed with her!"

I see she added her plastic toy shoes and her fav butterfly wings. She loves that strawberry dress, so as soon as it's washed and back in her drawer, she picks it out to wear like she did today. She's even got a pose! This is 2.5 year old Aila in all her spunk and glory. 

Learning to write

 A bit of a catch-up, as this was before winter break, but here's Tesla's 交換日記 (exchange diary) with her teacher. T shares how she finally was able to do the splits upside down (on the monkey bars, I presume, where she passes all her free time at school), and that she's trying to teach her friend too.

Then Arunan-sensei replies with a full page response. Really, teachers are the bomb. They are busy enough as it is, and I'm so impressed. His replies make her want to write more.

Thank you, Arunan-sensei at Rosa Parks!