Happy Birthday, Emi-chan!

I'm taking a little break from chronicling Emi-chan's adventures this past week to write about her birthday!  She turned 4 years old!  Time has really flown by.  

This morning, after she woke up, Emi-chan opened some birthday presents and got a call from Grandma and Grandpa.

Later in the day, we helped Unca Jeff out and Emi-chan opened more presents.

The cute little bear family was from Unca Jeff. 

 The Mater Firetruck was from Uncle Ted, Auntie Yumiko and Mi-chan.  

 Then we gave her a cupcake and sang her "Happy Birthday."  She loved the icing on the cupcake.  

Hanging out with Grumpy Bear

 Her favorite toys were the least

expensive ones...it figures

We hope she has a healthy, joy-filled, wonderfully blessed year.

Emi-chan's Excellent Adventure - Part II

On Monday, I took Emi-chan to Happy Hallow Park and Zoo.  Partially because Rick and I promised her a trip to the zoo if she used the potty 30 times and she finally did last week, and partially because she was driving me bonkers cooped up in the house.

On the way down, she kept talking about animals (giraffes, elephants, etc.).  The funny thing is this particular zoo doesn't have those animals.  Mostly animals like parrots, cows, goats, and lemurs.  Oh, I think they have a jaguar.  Once we got there, she wasn't interested in seeing the animals.  She just wanted to play and run.  

 The only animal she wanted to see: a parrot

 On a rope bridge

 I'm on top of the world!

Emi-chan went on a bunch of rides, even the ones I was sure would freak her out. 

She liked the ladybug ride this time

She loved the car ride

 Here's Emi-chan screaming,

"All done swing!"

 

Emi-chan's Excellent Adventure - Part I

On Sunday, we decided to go to Half Moon Bay and visit tide pools when we got a last minute invitation to have dinner with some friends in Monterey.  We quickly changed our plans and headed down for some seafood for dinner and to visit the tide pools down there.

We hung out at Uncle Vince's house until some people showed up and then headed to Pacific Grove to check out the tide pools at low tide.  I guess during the spring and summer the low tide is pretty low and the sea is mellower.  

When we went, the tide wasn't very low and the sea was pretty angry.  But we persevered and checked out the pools.

We saw a lot of hermit crabs and sea anemones.  And I didn't knowingly step on them and destroy the poor sea creatures.  Emi-chan had a great time looking at the hermit crabs and throwing rocks into the tide pools.

We finally called it quits after about 40 minutes or so because it was getting dark and it was so COLD.  Emi-chan was the only one who wasn't affected by the cold.  We'll come back, when it's warmer.   

Valentine's Day

We had a low key Valentine's Day.  I made a salmon dinner and ate it myself because I was too hungry to wait for Rick (sorry, Papa).  Then Emi-chan and I made chocolate brownies.  She did a good job mixing the ingredients, sprinkling the sprinkles, and eating the batter.  

W

After the brownies were done, I had a great idea of cutting them into heart shapes using a cookie cutter.  Cute idea but I had trouble making them look cute.  Oh well, the brownies still tasted good.

 

Sick, sick, sick

We're all sick at the Yoshida Shire.  First, Emi-chan caught a cold and got over it.  Then I caught the flu, then Emi-chan caught it from me a couple of days ago, and now, Rick is feeling pretty blah.  *Sigh*  So much for hoping and praying for a healthier new year.  

Happy New Year!

I'm so far behind in posting.  It's pitiful.  One reason why is that we were all sick until recently.  Emi-chan was the worst off.  She had an awful cough and her nose was running constantly, but we were still able to do somethings together.

 Practicing riding the tricycle

Push faster, Papa!

Crafting

 Perfect!

 Swinging on swings

Stomping on her friends

If you look closely, you can tell her cheeks are RED.  That's because Emi-chan kept rubbing her nose and face with her shirts and refused to blow her nose in a tissue.  Another issue we have to work on.

To The Zoo

We went to Happy Hallow Zoo on Thanksgiving weekend.  This was the third time for Emi-chan and I, and the first time for Rick.  We had a good time despite it being FREEZING the whole time we were there.  It was so cold that most of the animals were either huddled around the heat lamps or hiding in their dens.  That was alright because Emi-chan spent most of her time riding the rides she didn't get to go on the past two times we went.  

 Yaaaah!!

(I'm grinning so I won't scream)

 Emi-chan's favorite ride,

Danny the Dragon

 The view from behind 

Danny's head

 Fake pandas

 The 3 Little Pigs

 Yeah, I can handle this...

 Hey!  No!  Wait!

Get me off this crazy thing!

 Oh, Papa, stop being so silly!

Yes, Emi-chan went on the roller coaster and the lady bug rides.  She really wanted to get on.  I doubt that she'll want to be on them again any time soon.

Christmas Photos

We've been trying to take a Christmas photograph of the family on and off for about 4 months, but to no avail.  Usually, we would forget to bring the camera when the weather and Emi-chan were co-operating.  Or we would be running errands and by the time we're done, Emi-chan would be napping.  

Finally, we were able to try a couple of times with my Bro Jeff being photographer.  Needless to say, things didn't go quite as planned.

 Too Far Away

 Emi-chan looking away,

plus Rick doesn't look right

 

Too fuzzy,

and lighting is wrong 

Emi-chan going for the nose

Emi-chan eating her hair

and I look like a fat giantess 

 Emi-chan is looking at the camera

and smiling, but 

Rick and I look pretty bad

Poor Jeff had to put up with us for a couple of afternoons and we're not going to use these photos.  

Bionic Woman

Hmmm.  Something is odd about the microwave.  What is it?  Something is missing from the microwave.  What is it?  Why can't I open it?

 And why is the handle of the microwave laying on the range?  Hmmm.  Could it be that Linda broke off the handle while microwaving a burrito?  Could it be?   

If you answered: Linda broke it, then you are correct.  And yes, I was microwaving a burrito.  Rick said I needed to be careful whenever I used my bionic arm.  

Happy, Happy Halloween!

Rick and I spent quite a bit of time the past 2 to 3 weeks getting Emi-chan ready for Halloween.  Last year, she had a very hard time dealing with walking around in the dark, strangers, and weird costumes and decorations.  She had a much better time this year around because of 1) videos and TV shows that explained Halloween in a very gentle, child-friendly manner (thank you Sprout and Nick Jr.!) and 2) maturity level.  She was able to deal with the strangeness much better this year.  

 There were quite a few events we took Emi-chan to this year.  First was to a small pumpkin patch by our home.  There were jump houses, pumpkins and Arrgh! an inflatable pirate ship she was fascinated by.  I wasn't surprised that she wanted to try out the jump houses.  I was surprised that she, at least at first, wanted to try the giant slides.  She did fine the first time she went up to try the slide, but the next 2 times, she chickened out.  Emi-chan did well, but she was soon overwhelmed and had a tantrum when we left.  

Hello me hearties!

So many punkins!

Last week, there was a Harvest Festival at her preschool and parents and family were invited.  It was cute seeing her classmates march around the school in their costumes.  There were at least 12 princesses and a bunch of Iron Men.  Emi-chan had changed her mind at least 6 different times when it came to what she wanted to be for Halloween.  A pirate!  No, a ladybug!  No, a fairy princess!  No, a ballerina!  No, a pirate!  and on and on it went.  Finally, she decided to be a ballerina.  Then, 20 minutes before we had to leave for school, she had a little tantrum and said no to the ballerina.  So, she went as Abby Cadabby, which she went as 2 Halloweens ago (thank goodness the costume still fit!)

 The parade is about the start!

 Making pumpkin prints

This afternoon, we went to a different pumpkin patch and we had a blast.  The jump houses were much for little kid friendly and there was a small petting zoo.  Emi-chan was in heaven!  She loved the baby chicks and the ducklings.  She was fascinated by the turkeys.  She also spent a lot of time in the jump houses, jumping.  She even wanted to try the hay ride, so we went.  I think Rick was stressed out, though.  

 Hello duckies!

 

 Wheee!

Tonight, we decided to take Emi-chan trick-or-treating in our complex.  Surprisingly many people were home waiting for the trick-or-treaters.  Because there weren't many kids out, the people were very generous.  A couple of people gave Emi-chan handfuls of candy.  We went to only about 10 homes, but her bag was about 1/3 full. It was a very fun day. 

Birthday Parties

Emi-chan was invited to 2 birthday parties recently.  The first one happened late last month, for twin boys, and the second one was for Little Girl A.  

The first one was for a family we recently became friends with.  They had the birthday party for the boys at a local park.  Other than the family, we didn't know anyone else, but we had a good time.

Emi-chan's lunch was a huge chocolate chip cookie

(see evidence on her shirt)

 

 Boo!

The second one was for Little Girl A.  She just turned 3 years old and is a HUGE Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go! fan.  There was TONS of people at the party.  Emi-chan did great considering how many people were there.  She didn't participate in all the activities, but she did in a couple and had a ton of fun.

 

 Parachute!

 

 Petting Zoo

Emi-chan was in heaven

 So, do you want 

chicken katsu or chicken kara age?

The happy birthday girl

(I think she's tired of smiling for photos) 

 Gasp!

Emi-chan ate frosting and cake!

At the same time!