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!