By:
On:
In: Japan, Parenthood

Yesterday was E’s elementary entrance ceremony and it was a big deal. You know it’s a big deal because Jason went out and bought a suit and tie for this event. Anyone who knows Jason would tell you that him wearing a suit for anything is an event on its own. Anyway, back to the entrance ceremony… In Japan, it’s a big deal when your child enters grade 1. It’s like the end of their carefree days as a small child and the beginning of what will be their academic life as they go down the road towards becoming responsible adults. Everything changes when theyRead More →

By:
On:
In: Japan, Parenthood

School hat… Check! Randoseru (Japanese school backpack)… Check! Gym shoes… Check! Slippers for parents… Check! Bag for outdoor shoes… Check! All necessary forms filled out and prepared… Check! Daycare extended hour care for K… Check! Jason’s suit ensemble… Check! Nice clothes for me… Check! E’s outfit for the entrance ceremony… Check! All we need to do now is make sure we wake up and get there bright and early and on time for the elementary school entrance ceremony tomorrow!Read More →

By:
On:
In: Life, Parenthood

It’s hard to believe that in one week, E will officially be a first grader. I’ve started pulling together all the bags and school stuff she will need from next week on. It feels a little weird to have to retire this bag that she’s used for almost 2 years and replace it with her brand new, yet-to-be-broken-in school bag. We’ve got one more week. One more week before she starts “real” school. No more snack time. No more park time. No more home lunch. I just hope she’ll adjust quickly or it’s going to be a long year ahead of us.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Parenthood, Photography

“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.” We had a friend from the US visiting Tokyo for work so we met up with him and another friend last weekend for lunch and dinner and to hangout. The kids got free balloons from a new shop that opened up and was entertained by them while we waited to be seated at the Eggs ‘n Things in Odaiba.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Life, Parenthood

This week was E’s last week at her school. We ended our time here by taking part in the annual school science fair and the spring picnic. First was the science fair, which happened earlier this week. This year, E’s class did a presentation on their class turtle, Alex. It wasn’t as exciting as last year since the kids didn’t actually do any science experiments but they did well talking about the turtle as a group. Like last year, E and I did a science experiment after the kids’ presentations. This year, we did the coloring milk experiment. The kids loved it when the dishRead More →

By:
On:
In: Parenthood, Photography

“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.” This one is from when we were in Hong Kong. The night we arrived, my grandmother was so happy to see us and have us stay over that the minute we entered her home, she fed my kids Oreos and milk. All this at 10:30 at night. The kids were thrilled and tried to eat as many as they could while I was getting settled in at her apartment. I finally had to cut them off at 7 Oreos. Still, they were so happy to eat that much sugar this late at night.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Life, Parenthood

Can you believe that 6 years ago, E was this tiny? (She’s technically a month old here) This little baby who changed Jason and my world forever turns 6 today. Six!!! Sometimes I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. She’s grown so much these past few years and is very much an explorer of her own world. She’s full of curiosity and is always observing the world around her and questions things she sees. Her imagination is so vivid and amazing and she is so articulate when she describes them to me. She’s also very shy and hates being at the center of attentionRead More →

By:
On:
In: Parenthood, Photography

“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.” They were best friends when we first got on the crowded bus. They even held hands and giggled together over silly things. Minutes after this was taken, there was scream, yelling, and crying over who gets to hold which one of mommy’s hand. It was a very long bus ride after that. We were in Kyoto this weekend with Jason’s parents, who are visiting us in Japan this week. The trip was a rough one since K’s terrible two’s reared its ugly head everywhere we went. I’ve wanted to go on a familyRead More →