Underwater Basket Weaving

This one I made for my Mother for Christmas (yup, our yard in December)

Well, not really underwater.  I have taken up basket weaving.  It is a craft that I learned while here in Okinawa.  We joke that we don't usually see a Japanese woman under the age of 50 using the baskets, but those of us that have started weaving are totally hooked.  It is something different for most of us.  So far all of the bags I have made have been about the same size.  I usually figure they will be used as a church bag.  It can hold scriptures, lesson binder, I-pad, and a few other things.

One for my Mother-In-Law

One for my Sister

I am currently trying to decide on a bag for another sister and doing 5 Easter baskets for the 5 monkeys.

Boys and Valentines

This year Grahm asked to give a special Valentine to a classmate.  If he had asked me I would have vetoed that immediately without giving it any thought.  He is only in second grade.  I guess that is why kids have 2 parents.  When the question was asked they were grocery shopping and Jason allowed him to bring home a heart shaped box of chocolates.  I was not over joyed at the thought of my second grader giving special Valentines out or how I would feel if that was my daughter.  Then the questions silently came into my mind, what is the right age?  When should a boy start to learn the art of wooing a girl?
With my varied experiences in dating, I would answer the last one - that my second grader should have started years ago.  So, if you have a second grade daughter receiving special valentines please don't freak out or be upset.  Let the boys learn how to do it right.

After that, I set out to do what I could to encourage my 5th grader to give one out as well.  He warmed up to the idea and the next time we were at the store he wanted to pick out a heart shaped box of chocolates.  Now, that I was on board I decided that he need tips on how to pick the right chocolates and not end up giving yucky crap.  Hopefully, I will have boys that will know how to gift well!

Speaking of good gifters, Jason has recently purchased some great pieces of furniture for me.  However, he thought he still need to do something great for me.  He ordered pizza (the gift of no cooking with my tired back and legs!) and he gave me 12 Ichigo Daifuku.  This is my absolute new favorite.  It can make a bad day great.  And he brought home 007!  Awesome Valentine.

Modern Aged Kiddos

Today as I was winding up doing some mindless time wasting Internet surfing- a.k.a - facebook, pinterest and e-mail, my 5 year old starts telling me what to google.  She wants me to google Monster High Doll Princess, to see if there any princesses.

 Its a different world!

5/6 people know a google..... That's pretty good... If your a kid and you know it... Raise your hand,... 1 OUT OF 1!!!  (Kid History - Babysitting Episode)

Elephants for Nursery?

So, lately I have been debating about using elephants in the baby's bedroom.  I still have about 6 months before he will have a room, but trying to decide what to do.

I like the circus, but circus elephants make me sad.  I don't think Dumbo is a happy movie.  I also think elephants have a tendency to look very sad.  They can look powerful and majestic, too.  I just can't decide.  If any ones has any ideas on baby boy rooms, let me know.  My colors are Grey and white with a pop of something - to be decided.

Here are some fun pictures of elephant items from pinterest.

                 

Source: lauraleeburch.com via Micah on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Micah on Pinterest

Source: svpply.com via Micah on Pinterest

Source: plasticashop.com via Micah on Pinterest

 

Source: dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.ca via Micah on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Micah on Pinterest

Source: grandpins.com via Micah on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Micah on Pinterest

Random Photos

If you are having trouble eating with your chopsticks, use them as a fashion accessory.  The more you have the better!

Grahm drew this picture of us to illustrate how I am always so mean.  I am saying no and he is saying sorry with tears.  

This is an awesome Lego ring that he made me one day.  I loved it, just wish I had a place to keep all of their Lego creations.   Next house, next house...

I caught my girls snuggling their Dad one afternoon.  I think nap time was over, but just getting started for Jason.  I don't think he got a nap.

Kindess 2013

Many of you may have seen this graphic.  I found it on pinterest (if you follow me on pinterest then you saw lots of kindness quotes getting pinned).

Our family goal for 2013 is to get a whole lot better at being kind, especially within the 4 walls of our own home.  We have noticed a serious lack of kindness going on at home, it starts at the top and trickles to the bottom.  We hope to spend 2013 really focusing on using kind words and serving one another.

I found some free printables for a Kind Kids Club.  The packet includes some coloring pages and room for defining what being kind means and how to be kind.  It also includes cards to print off with acts of kindness on them and some blank ones.  I printed a bunch of blank ones off and every Monday they get a new card with a way to be kind written on it.  They have a week to accomplish their kind act.  For kind acts I included things like: say thank you, give a hug, make someones bed, do a chore for someone else, do a chore without being asked, write a letter of appreciation, etc...

I grabbed the Scatter Kindness graphic and used my vinyl cutter to make a sign to stick on the wall to help us remember.  I hope 2013 is much kinder.

Ringing in the Year of the Snake

Charlotte and her friend are hanging out by a Japanese New Year decoration outside of Naritasan Temple.  Do you see the snake in the middle?

We decided to spend New Years day following a Japanese custom called Hatsumode.  Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the year.  We grabbed our friends and we headed to Naritasan Temple to enjoy the festival atmosphere.  There were people visiting wearing kimonos, buying charms.   I love the little girls in kimonos.

Naritasan is also supposed to be lucky for couples who are hoping for a bundle of joy (lucky for us!).

While we were there we ran into friends from church who shared their cotton candy with my vultures.  Oops, I mean children.  I also had fried mochi for the first time.  I am so in love, I will be making some soon.  Of course we had Taiyaki, the fish shaped cakes filled with sweet bean paste.

Happy New Year!

Christmas = Peace on Earth (at least at our house)

Christmas Eve we really slowed things down and spent time together and with the Christmas story.  It was amazing.  We talked about giving Christ a gift and had everyone write down what "sin" they wanted to give up this year and give it to Christ.  The story that inspired this is found in the Book of Mormon, Alma 22:18.  The gospel is being taught to the King of the Lamanites and he believes and wishes to give up all his sins to know Christ.  After we wrote them down we put them in the tree.  We enjoyed a quiet evening together.

(We tried for a family pictures, but it was windy and chilly so this was my favorite.  We will try again in a few weeks)

However, the best part came the next day.  It was the most peaceful day I think we have had in years at our house.  There was no arguing, raised voices, unkind comments, disrespectful attitudes or words, etc...  We had a perfect Christmas (except we miss family).  The children showed gratitude for their gifts and of course their excitement for receiving.  I hope we will be able to enjoy more days like this again.

As usual Jason can only run one camera at a time, so all pictures are later in the day when we are just enjoying Christmas.

Jason purchased a few shotguns for himself for Christmas.  I think he is getting ready for all the hunting opportunities next year.

It was a Good Day!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to Teachers!

The teacher gifts are finished and out the door.  I thought I would share what we did this year.  We made coasters using this tutorial from Shanty-2-Chic.

I love this saying and it works awesome for male teachers, if I had access to better fitting blank merchandise I would have made a shirt or a ball cap.

Merry Christmas to all the Good Teachers out there!  Thank you for teaching our children.

Our Final Installment

The final installment to our family will be.....

A BOY!!!!

We are excited and looking forward to his arrival in April.