Safety Patrol

I have to admit one of the huge perks to raising children in a country like Japan was safety. Kids walk alone or with friends down the street, go play at a park, go to the store and take the train from the time they are really young –– like FIVE-years-young.  The biggest worry we had was if the local inoshishi (wild boar) would chase our kids home (Don't judge me. Those boars are mean!) or if Family Mart would be out of corn dogs and the kids would come home disappointed.

One of the worries we have with repatriating is that our children have grown up in a "bubble", meaning everything and everyone is good and safe. Sure, we traveled to some very "non-bubble" places, but that was just a blink of an eye in comparison to our 4.5 years in Japan. We have talked over and over with Sami and Chris about safety, talking to strangers, taking things from people. However, no matter how much we preach, they still slip back into their "bubble".

Last week Sami rode her bike to school with some friends for the first time. I may or may not have followed behind them for a while and then dashed to the school to make sure they got there safely.  After school she showed up with a popsicle in hand saying the "nice crossing man" gave it to her. I am sure the "nice crossing man" is a very nice, sweet crossing man, but the whole concept of taking things from people we do not know and when we are not with mom or dad went out the window.

Yesterday Matt and I ran to Costco and Home Depot. Upon our return Sami is waving to us as a SUV pulls away. Apparently Sami's little school friend came over, asked if Sami could come swim at her house and Chris thought nothing of the fact that we have no idea where this girl lives, what this girl's name was, or who were her parents. After Matt and I picked our jaws up off the floor Chris's response was "I told her to be home in 30 minutes". Both kids looked at us dumbfounded when we explained the safety concerns behind just letting Sami run off to who knows where with who knows who.

I am in no way saying the United States is this big scary place full of people just waiting to prey upon our children. What I am saying though, is we as parents shouldn't live in a "bubble". It's important we teach our children everything we can about keeping themselves and their friends safe. We can't afford not to.

Crazy People -- The Bus Ride –– Episode 2

The next installment of Crazy People is up!  Sami says "Enjoy!"

How to Make Onigiri -- Sami Style

Onigiri is a staple food in the Japanese diet. An onigiri is a white rice ball (although it is usually triangular shaped), sometimes filled with some type of tuna, salmon, plum or other salty or sweet treat. Onigiri is often wrapped in nori (seaweed) or mixed with beans and/or mushrooms. You can walk into any convenience store and find a wide variety of onigiri. While we Americans would typically walk into a convenience store and buy a candy bar, a Japanese person would buy onigiri. 

Sami loves onigiri. She doesn’t like the ones with fish in them, but she does like the ones with plum, mushrooms, plain or with sprinkles. Someone suggested for me to buy Sami an onigiri maker set for her birthday.  You can find ones in all different shapes for kids. She was so surprised when she opened the box. 

She begged us tonight to let her make onigiri for her lunch. How could we resist? 

 First, you scoop the rice into the onigiri mold. 

Next, smash the rice down and pack in as much as you can. 

Press down the lid and hold for a few seconds. 

Press the little button in the back and eject the onigiri onto your plate or in your bento box. 

Lick your fingers when you think mom isn't looking. 

Our family likes the gomashiro (sesame seeds and salt) sprinkles so we added it to a few of the finished onigiri. As you can see we have the traditional triangle, bear, star, flower and heart. 


There you go. How to make onigiri –– Sami style!

Dear Santa

I love when kids are just learning how to spell and write. Sami gave me her Christmas list last night for Santa and I couldn't help but smile.

Can you figure out what she is asking for?

barbys
baby clos for my Jopones doll
mecopset
puleqla dolls
herstof
more books
dresup kloos
hello kite kemora

This is my translation of her list. Good thing Mrs. Santa was a communications major.

Barbies
Baby clothes for my Japanese doll
Makeup set
Some Japanese cartoon (have no idea how to spell it myself!)
More books
Dress up clothes
Hello Kitty Camera

So her spelling isn't all that great, but hey. She is only 6! I think I will miss the day when I no longer have to decipher what she is writing.

"We're in it Together"

Disclaimer: Some of the contents of this post is meant to be funny and poke humor. No harm is intended.

Today Sami brought home her first big project from school. She is learning about people and their jobs and has to interview both Matt and I about what we do and then has to submit and oral and written presentations (yes 1st grade people!).

Both parents must be interviewed, so I wonder what grade Sami would get if I answered the interview questions as followed:

1. What is your name?
Alexis

2. Where do you work?
Jacobs-san no Uchi

3. What is the title of your job?
I have held various titles over the past 14 years. Some titles include maid, chef, butler, chauffeur, nurse, babysitter, personal shopper, life coach, cheerleader, mediator, creative director, travel agent, wet nurse, chaperone, dry cleaner, shrink, and teacher.

4. How many years have you worked there?
Four years part time before going full time for the past 10 years.

5. What kind of traveling do you do in your job?
I have traveled all over to many exciting places... schools, baseball, soccer, football fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, doctor offices, urgent care, grocery stores, Toys R Us, parks, friend's houses, playland and of course, my favorite, Chuck E Cheese.

6. What is your favorite thing about your job?
The bonuses received in forms of hugs, kisses and I love you's.

7. What would you like to change about your job?
Homework sharing, fighting between the subordinates, constant cleaning of areas that just were cleaned, and the necessity to repeat oneself over and over and over.

8. Why is your job important to the community?
To support the bon bon and soap opera industry of course!

Don't worry I really won't answer the questions like this... maybe. If I knew someone could use a camcorder on her presentation so I could see the teachers face it would be tempting.

**BREAKING NEWS**

Sami has lost her first tooth. Sorry the picture is crappy but all I had with me was my cell phone.

Happy Birthday Sami!

I am so behind in my blogging (and reading- sorry!) that I haven't blogged about Sami's 6th birthday! So...

Happy Belated Birthday Sami!!

Sami had two items on her birthday list –– a bottle of orange Fanta and a Samantha Thavasa purse. Yes my 6 year old asked for a $400 designer handbag for her birthday. Needless to say she only got the Fanta. She also got an adorable Japanese doll (complete with a Kimono and school uniform) and roller blades. Can you tell which gift she liked better?




Sami had the girls in her class over for a princess party. Everyone had a fun time playing games, running around outside and eating yummy lunch and treats.




I can't believe my baby is 6!

Chop Chop

Sami was in desperate need of a haircut. She hadn't had it cut since September, and while we loved the length, it needed a trim. However Sami had a something different in mind. She begged me to let her get it cut to her shoulders. I really was hesitant but in the end I gave in.

Before


I think "Billy" the hairdresser was so excited to do a little girl's hair that he decided to play around and so a funky up-do twist after he cut Sami's hair. It was so cute that I may have to go back just to get it done again.

"The Twist"


After

So this morning we took out the twist, washed and dried her hair. He wound up taking off 5-inches and then adding in some long layers. I was nervous, but I love it.

Couldn't she wait just 6 more days?

Sami fell asleep in my lap during Emily's gymnastics practice tonight, then decided to start puking. Luckily she made it to the bathroom. Then the poor thing fell asleep with her head in the bucket when we got home as she said she still had "more puking to do".

Six days and the kids are all Matt's. Maybe I will book myself on a plane to las vegas nv. (A girl can dream, right?) In the meantime, I just pray Emily and Chris do not get it. And even more so myself. I don't know how I would manage to drive down the street with a bucket in my lap.

Eyes, Eyes, Eyes

Sami had her eye appointment yesterday. I have to say she did amazingly well. A five year old and a two hour appointment with no tears was a complete surprise.

Sami had been referred to a pediatric eye specialist because of some issues on the eye exam at her physical for our move to Japan. As it turns out Sami has a slight issue with her right eye turning in that the doctor feels will correct itself as she grows older and doesn't cause for alarm right now. The more surprising part is that she isn't nearsighted as kids, teens and young adults usually are. Instead she is farsighted. The doctor said she thinks as her eyes grow this will change and for right now she just wants to watch it and see what changes her eyes make in a year. Most likely Sami will need glasses down the road, but for now we are safe for another year.

Here are a few pictures of Sami taken with my camera phone. My favorite by far is the one with her "movie star" glasses.

Walking with Sami to school

Sami standing at our front door before heading to the bus stop.


Sami walking down our house sidewalk


Sami and Chris before heading to the bus stop


Sami walking down our street to the bus stop


Sami and daddy walking to the bus stop together


Sami at the bus stop


Chris being the awesome big brother and helping Sami across the street. Good thing because otherwise she would have made a run for home.


Almost home!


Sami had an awesome day and couldn't wait to get home and tell mommy all about it.

5 Minutes for Mom - Summer Fun Photo Contest

I used this picture a few weeks back for a Wordless Wednesday post, but now I am going to use it for a summer fun photo contest over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

And since this isn't Wordless Wednesday I can explain this photo. While on vacation this summer we celebrated our neighbor's son's birthday with a silly string fight. For Sami, it was all fun and games until she got hit. And if you know my daughter Sam, that should not surprise you.

Wordless Wednesday: Pouty Face

Look Who's 5!

Sami! I cannot believe she is five. Some days it seems like yesterday she was waking me up every hour to eat (she never slept through the night until she was over 2. Can we stay I wanted to ram my head into a wall?) and we were wondering if she would ever crawl and other days I can barely remember her as a baby. It is amazing how much she has changed in 5 years.

Five is a big birthday. Goodbye toddlerhood and preschool days and hello kindergarten. Soon she will be losing her first tooth. With each step she will be needing me less and leaning upon her own knowledge and understanding.

The past five years have been exciting and yet, at times, bittersweet. I can't see where the future takes us. With Sami, anything is possible.

Happy 5th birthday Sami. We love you!

Sami Through the Years. June 4, 2003 - Present

Sami in the hospital. She had a few problems breathing due to being 4 weeks early so she had to goto the special care nursery for 24 hours.
Sami at 6 weeks. This was one of my favorite outfits.
Sami at 10 months.
This was the picture on the front of Sami's first birthday invitation.

Sami at the beach for her 2nd birthday.
Sami & Emily in May, 2006.
Sami at the beach in June, 2006.

Sami and her best friend Hannah (sniff sniff) playing dolls during a visit in July 2007.

Sami & Noah (another sniff sniff) doing what they do best during a visit in July 2007. Aren't they too cute?
Sami & David (Who will be 5 on the 18th!) at a camping trip in Virginia, Oct 2007.
Sami at Jesus' birthday party December 2007.
Sami posing before kindy orientation May 2008.