Hinamatsuri

Today is Hinamatsuri. That's Japanese for Festival of Dolls. But we call it Girls Day. It's when little girls like me get to do fun things like have little parties with friends for our special dolls. On Saturday, I dressed up in my yukata (cotton kimono) and walked to Izzy's house for an early Girls Day celebration. We ate lots of yummy Japanese goodies. Pink, green, and yellow manju with cute, little, happy decorations on top. We also had rice crackers, sushi, miso soup made by Izzy's Bachan, and nigiri (rice balls) shaped like stars, bears, and hearts!



For dessert we had a super cute Girls Day cake topped with candy versions of the Emperor and Empress. My friend Lily's Mommy and Izzy sang a Girls Day song in Japanese. We blew out the candles. Then we licked the frosting off the candles. Then we ate the cake. Because it's yummy!



Lily's Mommy shared her tiny Hina Doll set. There was a beautiful Emperor and the Empress. It's made out of glass and porcelain. So it's fragile. And fancy.



Mommy made a paper Hina doll set for each of us girls. I love Mommy, but sometimes she goes a little crazy with her crafts.



And the best thing about Girls Day? No boys allowed!

Happy Hinamasturi!

Inauguration, chapter 2

Day 2
January 18:
D.C.

Daddy woke up first. He made coffee and started to pack up our things. Mommy woke up next. She drank the coffee Daddy made. Then she started to gather up our things too. Then they woke me up. I was happily snoozing in dreamland. But then I remembered that today was the day that we take the train to Washington, D.C. Yay! I got up. I got dressed. Soon we were on our way.



There was a cab in front of our hotel. The man sitting in the driving seat was sleeping. Daddy knocked on the window and woke him up. He took us to the train station and we hung out there for a while. It looked very fancy there. I was really too tired to explore though.



After waiting for a while, we stood in line to get on the train. When the train came, we looked for a car that had room for all of us to sit together. We finally found one near the end. We got on and Mommy and I fell asleep. Daddy told us afterwards that everyone on the train was really excited about the Inauguration. He said one lady was at the train station the day before when Barack Obama took the train. Obama waved at everyone and everyone waved back. We took the same train as Obama, except we took it the next day.



We made it to DC and then had to take the Metro. It's another train, like BART. We took it to a station near Daddy's friend Cailin's place. First though, we decided to see the White House. I wasn't impressed. On account of I lost my stuffed Knuffle Bunny Baby that Mommy made me. I dropped it somewhere. I wanted to find it. So we went back the same way we came. And I found Knuffle Bunny! Yay! I was very relieved. I have lost two of my Babies on trips before. I never found them.



We made it to Cailin's house. Cailin is very nice. She also has a lot of yummy food. I specially liked the berries.

There were some other grown-ups at Cailin's house. We went with them to the Washington Monument to watch the Inauguration kick-off concert. Lots of famous singers were there... Stevie Wonder, U2, Beyonce...



Barack Obama talked. I saw him on the Jumbotron. That's like a super duper huge TV screen. Everyone cheered. Then everyone was quiet so they could hear what he had to say. Then one little girl, about my age, screamed "Obama!!" Everyone laughed. And then clapped and cheered. Me too!



There were so many people there! Daddy said there would be even more people for the Inauguration. I couldn't imagine. After the concert, we walked to a restaurant because we were hungry. It was too crowded. So we went to a grocery store to get some food. But it was crowded too. So we went back to Cailin's and munched on sandwiches and had a snacky dinner. Then we went to bed.

I'll miss you, Great Grandma

Great Grandma had been in the hospital for a little while. On Saturday, I spoke to her on the phone. "I miss you! I love you Great Grandma! I'm going to make you a picture!!" And she was happy to hear me even though she couldn't talk back. I painted a picture of her and me together. I gave her rainbow hair. We mailed it Monday, special delivery, over night to Utah so she would get it right away.

Great Grandma passed away late last night. That means her body no longer works.

This morning, Mommy, Daddy and I had a silent moment to think about her. I closed my eyes and thought. When I opened them I told Daddy and Mommy, "I thought about Great Grandma, Grandpa, and me all together."

Inauguration, chapter 1

Day 1
January 17
Philly

I woke up Saturday morning very excited. Daddy, Mommy and I got our bags that we packed the night before and put them in our car. Then we put ourselves in our car. Then our car took us to the airport.

At the airport, we checked in our big, red backpack. The one we take on our big travels. We kept the small, green back with us. That held my plane activities like my books, my babies (grown ups call them stuffed animals), some crayons.

We had breakfast at the airport. I wanted to have red and green jello, but Mommy and Daddy said that wasn't a good idea for breakfast. It seemed like a good idea to me. We had dim sum and shared a croissant and some juice.

On the airplane, I kept myself busy. I'm an only child, so I'm good at entertaining myself. Mommy and Daddy played some puzzles, but not the kind with the pieces that fit together. The kinds where you write letters or numbers in squares in a magazine. Then Mommy and Daddy took turns reading to me.

The plane ride was long. By the time we landed in Philadelphia, the sun was already going to bed. And it was cold, so, incredibly terribly cold. Brrr. I was not prepared for the cold. I told Mommy, "I didn't realize it would be so cold."

We rode in a cab to the hotel. Daddy asked the nice driver, "Is it always this cold in the winter time?" The Cabby guy said, "No. It's usually colder." Yikes. How do people not turn into popsicles here?


Uncle Woody lives in Philly, and he came over to our hotel to see us. Uncle Woody is nice. He grew out his beard to keep his face warm. He looks sorta like a bear with glasses.

We walked outside to get another cab. Daddy said it was less than 10 degrees outside. That must mean super duper wuper cold.

We went to place called Pat's for Philly Cheese Steaks. It's a sandwich with cheese and steak. The guy at the window where you order the food called Daddy a Butthead. I'm not sure why.



There is no inside eating area, so we eat outside in that super cold weather. Instantly my food turned not hot. I ate French Fries.



After we ate, we walked a half a block and ran into another restaurant to eat more food. The real reason was just to be indoors and warm up. But I decided that pizza sounded good so I had a slice.

Then we went back to the hotel. Singing in the Rain, my new favorite musical, was on TV. I watched it. Mommy and I sang and danced around and jumped on the beds while Don Lockwood sang and danced around on TV.

Daddy's friend from collage was visiting her parents in a place called New Jersey. Her name is Dee. She's fun. She came over to visit. She asked me to be in her wedding. Yay!



Then Uncle Woody and Dee left.

Then we went to sleep.

Details soon!

Here's a pic of me... I'll write more soon!

Yes we can, yes we did, yes we are...

...going to Washington DC for the Inauguration!

Tomorrow morning, Mommy, Daddy and I are going to fly to Philadelphia where my Uncle Woody lives. We're staying one night there in a hotel and then taking a train to Washington D.C. to see Barack Obama become president. Daddy says there will be millions of people there celebrating. I have no idea how many people that is, but it sounds like a lot. At least as many people as there are kids in my school. I'll have Mommy and Daddy take lots of pictures.

Yay!

Merry Christmas!

I'm famous on Knol

Mommy and I made some step-by-step holiday craft guides on the computer. My wreath project is featured on Google's Knol homepage today! Check it out!


I also made a step by step guide using crayons. Fun!

Wahh!

I have my bad moments. This one was from yesterday during my gingerbread house making activity at school. Mommy was no help at all.

Holiday Wish List

Hello. This is Yoshi's mom writing a guest-blogger entry. I know that some of you want to give Yoshimi something to celebrate the holidays, and although it truly is not necessary, there will be some who insist on giving presents. So this post is about letting you know what would be welcome in our household.

First and foremost, Yoshimi loves experiences. She enjoys running around outside, playing at the park, cooking, and climbing things. She has gobs and gobs of "stuff" that eventually just gets overlooked and overcrowded in her room. She is a very creative child (as most kids are) and can create an imaginary world out of ordinary household objects like wooden spoons and a cardboard box, and actually seems to prefer this to a store bought toy. Seriously, she needs no more toys. And if you give her a toy it most likely will be donated.

Still, if you feel compelled to get her something, please follow these guidelines:

Please do NOT get her anything that...
-has licensed characters (including Disney, My Little Pony, etc)
-is electronic, makes a lot of sound or uses batteries
-is made in China (we've had to toss a lot of things due to lead recalls and just poor craftsmanship)
-is made with a lot of sugar (even the fake sugar) or artificial ingredients
-has a lot of plastic
-is arts/crafts related (she got a slew of crafty supplies for her birthday)
-is a video or computer game

Please DO consider:
-supporting local shops (not the big box stores) and artisans
-giving to a charity/non-profit (like Toys For Tots) in Yoshimi's name
-donating to her elementary school (email me for more info)
-giving something that has a lot of meaning
-donating to her college fund
-simply spending time with her


Further, there are some specific things we know she would enjoy:
-a visit or membership to the Academy of Sciences
-a visit or membership to the Exploratorium
-finis swimming goggles
-flowers
-art for her walls
-your favorite childhood book
-something hand made by you (art, baked goods, sewing, knitting, woodworking, etc.)


And although small, Yoshimi is a growing child. Clothing is always welcome.
-She wears a size 5
-Shoes (she plays hard, so durable shoes are much appreciated): kids size 10.5 or 11
-Socks that aren't thick. She's a fan of kneehighs in funky patterns.
-Underwear
-She doesn't wear jeans or clothes that are stiff ("crunchy" as she describes them) or scratchy.
-She likes skirts and dresses that flair out when she twirls around.

Her favorite clothing stores:
Tea Collection (this is a local SF-based company that I have done work for)
Zara Kids (there is a store located at 250 Post St, in Union Square in SF)
H&M Kids
Gap Kids

Believe me, I know it's hard not to get sucked in to the consumerism of the Holidays, but let's remember that this is not the season of celebrating stuff, but rather celebrating life and love. So think hard about the gifts you give. Not just for my daughter, but for everyone you give gifts to. They say it's the thought that counts, so let us all put thought into the gifts we give to represent the true holiday spirit.

Many thanks. And happy holidays to you all. May you and yours be healthy in mind, body, and soul.

Read-a-thon

Would you like to help me and my school? We are in the middle of a read-a-thon at my school. It's called Snuggle Down and Read. I like snuggling. And I like reading. If you want to sponsor me, please email me your pledge. You can do as little or as much as you want. It's tax deductible too, whatever that means. Email me and I'll give you the details.
pinkrobot AT gmail DOT com

Thank you!!!

Me at the zoo

Bangs: A video story by me

When Mommy and Daddy are rocks

Not yesterday, but before that, the day before, Mommy and I drove down to have breakfast with Jichan and Bachan because it's Jichan's birthday. In the car, I decided to talk about the future with Mommy:

me: Mommy... when you and Daddy die, I'm going to go to your funeral!

Mommy: Really? That's so... nice?

me: Yeah, and then when you and Daddy become rocks* I'll go and visit you.

Mommy: Yay. That would be great.

me: And your rocks will be close to where I live so I won't have to drive there.

Mommy: That's a good plan. Will you be sad when we're dead?

me: uh.... a little bit!


*Grandpa is now a rock because he is dead. The rock is at a park with a bunch of other rocks. All those people are dead too. These rocks are flat and have their names and some numbers on them.

Go Speed Racer!

One of my birthday presents was from Uncle Ed and Auntie Misa. They gave me a plastic card. I got to use it like money at a toy store and get a whole bunch of goodies, not just one thing. I got Lincoln Logs. They are tiny wooden logs used to build all sorts of neat towers and houses. Yay! I also picked out a princess book. I also got a toy puppy for the bathtub. More yay! But this is my favorite:



Thank you, Uncle Ed and Auntie Misa!!!! Yay yay yay!

Boo! Boo! It's Halloween!

A couple days ago, it was Halloween. It's a silly day where people dress up in costumes and pretend to be all kinds of things. It seems like little kids like to be princesses and superheroes. And at night you go up to all sorts of houses and hold open a bag and ask for candy by saying "Trick or treat!" You cannot do this every night. There's only one special night a year you can do this. And it could very well be the very best night of the year. It's spooky too.

A couple days before Halloween, I went to my friend Kiely's house to carve a pumpkin. Then the next day I got another pumpkin from my school. I carved that one too! We roasted the seeds and ate them. So yummy!


On Halloween day, I had a parade at school. I was a ghost princess bride. Here I am with my friends J (she's dressed up as Belle) and X (she's a Tinkerbelle Fairy):



This is me from the back:


And then at night I decided to be a ballerina fairy.



And Mommy took my ghost costume:


I had such a fun time. I got candy and toys and played with my friends. It was the best Halloween ever!

I'm Five!

Today is my fifth birthday. If you were to ask me how old I am, I could hold out one open hand and show you all my fingers. There are five. That means I am five years old. Yay!

This morning I had yummy tiny pancakes and baked apples with cinnamon and sugar. Daddy made them. Then we all prepared for my birthday party at the big park near our house. I put the sprinkles on the ice cream cone-shaped cupcakes.

I got a lot of presents. I didn't even ask for them. I have never seen so many presents for me before. They are all lovely. I got stickers and art boxes and books and clothes and so much good stuff. A lot of my friends drew me really beautiful pictures. I have a great collection of drawings now.

My friends in my class made a book with their drawings for my birthday. It's very special. One of my friends can draw a dragon really good. He must practice a lot. I keep that special drawing book with my other special drawing book that I got for my third birthday at my first preschool. They are both very special to me.

Mommy asked how I feel being five. I had to be honest. "I'm sick. Today is my birthday and I'm sick." I'm coughing a lot, my throat hurts a lot, and I might stay home from school. I don't want my friends at school to get sick. And shhh, don't tell, but I kinda like hanging out at home.

I do like being five though. I'm a big kid!

Guess my _iddle

Sometimes Mommy and Daddy don't know what I'm saying. I say one thing and they hear another. Daddy also mumbles something about a "Three's Company misunderstanding."

So the other day, I came up with a great game. I come up with a lot of games. All of them are super duper. This time I decide to let Mommy and Daddy play.

me: Hey, wanny play a game?!

Daddy: Sure!

Mommy: I wanna play too! Just give me a minute to finish up in the kitchen. (I have no idea what Mommy is doing. I can tell you she is definitely NOT making cookies.)

Daddy: Okay, Yoshi, let's start and Mommy can join later.

Me: Okay! This is called, "Guess my wih-dul."

Daddy: Guess my what?

Me: Guess my wih-dul!

Daddy: Widdle?

Me: No! Not, Widdle. Wih-dul!

Daddy: Letter?

Me: Wih-dul!

Mommy: Little? Guess my little?

Me: NO!!!! GUESS MY WIH-DUL! (I'm really getting annoyed with them)

Daddy: Riddle?! Is it Riddle!

Me: Yes!!!! Guess my Riddle!!

Mommy and Daddy together: Ohhhhh.... Guess my riddle!


Okay, so I have some trouble with my "R" sounds. I'm working on it.

Anyway, we play the game and have a great time.

Storytime!

This story is called: Happy Birthday, Little Bunny! (It helps to read with the pictures of "The Tale Of Peter Rabbit")

Once upon a time there was 4 little happy bunnies.

Four little happy bunnies.

The one wearing the blue sweater, tomorrow was his birthday!

He was excited.

Then one day it was tomorrow. It was the cute little happy bunny’s birthday.
He said “Mommy, Can I go and find something good to do?”

And the mommy said, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

And so he hopped off in the woods in a happy place.

When he found his friends, his two sisters and the brother. He went off again. His cute little sisters and brother decided to pick some blackberries.

But the naughty one wore his blue sweater and went where his mother told him to NOT go. He went into Peter’s garden.

He went under the fence and ate some yummy food and he picked some radishes, carrots.

He hopped along the fence and started singing, “I am a happy bunny! I am a super happy bunny. You know why? It’s a super special day. Happy birthday to me!”

He hopped along and kept singing over and over again.

Someone heard him singing. Can you guess who it is? Peter!

Peter started chasing. He didn’t want to be made into Bunny Pie like his daddy.
He started running away and Peter started chasing.

He kept running and running along, bouncing and bouncing as fast as he could. He got stuck in a net. Hurry hurry! My buttons are stuck! He pulled his jacket off and started running and hopping again.

Bunny went fast! He went into a little house. He hid in a watering can. It was nice and wet for him. He thought it was a nice place to live, but not just his family can live in there. Everybody in his family has to be small to live in there. But he didn’t want to live in there forever unless Peter finded him.

Peter looked in each flowerpot. And bunny sneezed and he runned out and Peter was too tired to chase so he didn’t chase. And when he went back to work, Bunny found a locked door. He asked the mouse but he didn’t answer.

He saw a cat drinking water.

He climbed into the wheelbarrow. The first thing he saw was Peter. The second thing he saw was the gate! He didn’t know how to get out of the gate.

So he quickly tip-toed and he got outside of the gate and Whew! He was safe.

And he got home. Mother poured tea in for the bunny and went straight to bed. And then the other ones had been eating yummy dinner.

THE END.

Me!

And me again!

Duck Duck Goose (a chapter story)

Chapter 1
Once upon a time, there lived three ducks—three family ducks: a mommy, a baby, and a big sister. So one day a Daddy came walking by and then there was five. No, four. Don’t write five!

Then they were playing Duck, Duck, Goose. They were playing until Duck, Duck, Goose. The person who’s goose gets to chase the guy, chase, chase, chase until the person who says Goose gets to steal the Goose’s spot. And if they get the goose, they sit in the middle and they put food on it and eat it. But not for real.

And then family was like, “I don’t want to play.”

Mommy, can we play Duck, Duck, Goose?

The baby sister said Duck, Duck, Goose on her sister, the winner.

The sister went very slow, so the baby went very fast.

They did Duck, Duck, Goose until they played and played until a big storm came. And then something happened. The storm came coming down harder and harder and harder and harder. Until it came down super hard that it rained and everyone was like, “Everyone run for your lives!”

The birds said “Caw! Caw!”

And they flew into the house, shut the door, lock it!

And even the family. “Yay hah! We saved ourselves! WE did it! We did it! Bubbles! Music!! People! People! People! Pizza! Pizza! Pepperoni! Pepperoni! Pepperoni! Salami! Salami! Cucumbers! Rice and Nori!

And everyday they played Duck, Duck, Goose all day and all night inside their houses.

End of Chapter.

Chapter 2

Once upon a time there lived people. The kids writed “This is my chapter book” And the mommy writed, “This is my chapter book”
And the daddy writed, “This is my coffee.”
And the baby writed “This is my hot cocoa!”
And the mommy writed, “This is my tea.”

And every day they writed “This is my… This is my… This is my…”
And then there was a big thunder light. Boom boom boom boom booom

It got everyone up and down and up and down and bouncy bounce bounce
Bouncy bounce bounce

Until the ground cracked and there came out a little turtle.
Bur bur brr, nom nom nom
“This is my cozy home” lalalalalalla loooooollllooooooo

End of Chapter.

Chapter 3
Once upon a time there was a little turtle family
“pa pa pa pa.” This is my home because it’s cozy and warm and toasty in here. I take lots and lots of food because I like to eat it. I eat so much because it’s slow. I like food that’s slow b/c I get to eat it all when it comes.

I like to wait for a long time. I don’t like to wait for a short time. For a looong time because it’s my favorite thing in the whole wide world. I don’t complain because it’s such a beautiful day and it’s summer.

I watch lots and lots of cartoons because there’s one that is my favorite and all of them are the rest of my favorite ones. The favorite one that I like is also in a book that is the same amount.

The doctor tells everything that you are missing. But not everyday you could do it. One day at a time. The doctor tells you everything that you need to do.

And then the baby turtle was sooo cute because they had lots of pictures when she was a cute little baby and she’s still a cutie. But now she’s a little big. She’s like a sister. She’s going to have a baby when she grows up. So nice and cozy that she likes to be happy.

The End.

First day of kindergarten!

Today I start Kindergarten. Mommy, Daddy and I all woke up early. Before 7am. Daddy makes pancakes, cut up fresh fruit, put fresh whipped cream on top. It all looks so good, but I am too nervous to eat. "My tummy is nervous!"

Mommy and Daddy say that it's okay if I'm not hungry. I help make my lunch. I wrap my salami and cream cheese sandwich in shiny foil. I put in my sandwich with my Bento box of cheese and carrots. I even put in a cookie that we made last night. Special treat! I make sure my favorite water bottle is filled up.

We all put our shoes on, I make sure I have my lunch bag attached to my backpack, and then we walk to school.



I see other kids walking to school. Daddy tells me the guy holding the Stop Sign with a handle is the Crossing Guard. He guards very well.



The sun is still not all the way up in the sky. Our shadows are very long. I wish I was as tall as my shadow. Except maybe not flat. I like being roundy.



I see school buses.



The walk is long. Even though the day is early, it's warm out. I'm sweaty already. I get tired walking up the hill (it's hilly in San Francisco!).



I take my vest off and put it in my backpack. Daddy gives me a piggy back ride up the last block to school.



With that extra energy saved up from Daddy carrying me, I am able to play on the brand new playground.



My favorite are the monkey bars. It's in a circle so I can go around and around.




I meet my teacher. She is nice. She already knows my name. I introduce her to my friend J who went to preschool with me. We are in the same class!! And speaking of class, I go in my classroom and see my name under the "Y" with a yo-yo. Neat! I put my backpack there.

I sit on the carpet with my friend J and some other kids I met a couple weeks ago. I am already having a good time.



Soon my teacher kicks out the parents. Some of the kids cry. Some of the parents cry. Mommy and Daddy are happy. So am I.

"Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!" I give them a hug, kiss, nosey, and they leave.



I like it here. I think I'll stay for a while.

Storytime!

Tomorrow is my first day of kindergarten. Tonight I read Mommy a story. The book is called "Make Way For Ducklings," but tonight I call it "Ducklings Go To Kindergarten."

~~~~
Once upon a time there lived two birds. One was named... it was a boy. He said, "Look it! That's a nice pond we should live in." But the mommy duck said," No, no. It is certainly wrong. We should live somewhere else. But i've been there and there's foxes and turtles."

"We should live there on the island so we can have babies and they could go to kindergarten."

"Yes, that's a great choice, mommy duck."

So they went in and they got some food at the bottom at the pond. but not much because not a lot of people throw peanuts for the ducks. They don't see them a lot. So, they offered peanuts when they saw the birds. They threw and they ate and ate and ate for a long time. It was a huge breakfast. But they didn't have babies and the babies didn't go to kindergarten.

Then they got out and didn't know a bike was coming and was coming super fast. He wanted to run over the birds and kill them and not be happy and say sorry if the came alive. And then something came and riding riding riding fast. Can you guess what it is? What's that noise? It's an airplane! No, it's a helicopter. No. It's a blimp. No it's a car driving on the street.
Watch out! You'll get runned over!

"Oh no! This is not good. You're right. Next time we have to punch the guy on the butt."

"Now we can fly somewhere else."

"This doesn't have a big enough pond."

"It's only tiny enough for ants."

"There was no where we could ever find this stuff for anything. No way. I'm impossibly right. No water here also. And we want to go to kindergarten for our babies."

"This is good! Now we can stay here at the Charles river, not too far from Beacon Hill."

"Well, okay. And we can get the peanuts."

"You're certainly right."

"Yes, this is nice. I got my nest all ready. Well, soon I will have eggs."

"Okay!"

So we should just have names for the babies. So now we are getting peanuts for the rest our life. People love us, but not the other birds. They're scared and mean to us. Not us.

Now, I have my eggs. Now should be done at any moment.

Our babies are born! aren't they cute?

Oh yes! They're playing a little.

Bye bye bye bye bye bye.

This is how I do it.

No no no, you can not have an answer, Daddy.

Okay. Bye.

Come on, come on, we could do it.Follow me! This is how I do it. So come on children. We have to follow in a line. We should always be together. If we lose all of them and only have one, that baby will not have any friends to play with. So you guys will never have to get lost.

Okay, mommy!

Let's march along and go to kindergarten really soon. Tomorrow.

This is how you go to Kindergarten.

And you have to make sure the last one will keep up.

Okay, mommy.

Come on, let's swim along. This is what they're going to do in kindergarten

Yes, mommy.

Okay, we need to keep going.

Okay.

I'm starting to get love.

Now this is why I'm turting you, like Turtles. They're the best thing ever!

Look at those cars! All these are birds. Honk honk!!
Now if you hear those cars you have to honk loud and say when you are kindergarten. "Dada! get away! go away cars! go away go away go away!"

But the cars kept honking and honking.

I guess we can't do that.

Okay, mamma!

Hooo hooo hooot! THis is not how to happen.

(singing) yayayayayayayay look at how we do it! look it how look it how look at how.... Do the wiggle dance! Your bootie singing!!! (end singing)

Point your finger at the beddena, like your beds now head and your head points yeah!

Look at all those ducks. There are so much things that we can do with them.

Okay, Mama.

Those are strange people. We never saw people like that before. Those guys never saw what we did.

These police man are okay now. We should thank them now for doing all this stuff. Now we're safe crossed. We can say 'Bye' to them whenever they leave.

Okay, Mommy.

Bye-bye! Bye-bye! Now we are supposed to be to find daddy. Look! There he is there he is. Yes, yes.

We're bigger and bigger. Now we can circle to kindergarten.

When you're done doing the lessons and you already know what the rules are.

Okay, Mommy!

And when you have your children and you're a grown up you can teach them what the rules are.

And now, when we got to the island, there's daddy duck waiting for us. And now we can play with Daddy!

Yes we could!

And they lived happily ever after.

The end.

Ella's Back!

My bestest friend, Ella, moved away to Israel last year. Israel is far, far away. It's on the other side of the planet. The planet that we live on. When I'm having breakfast, she's having dinner. When I'm sleeping at night, she's at school. I don't like having her gone. We talk on the phone sometimes. And sometimes we chat on the internet. And we have videos of each other. When I went to Hawaii, I sent her a postcard.

Now, Ella is back! She's on vacation with her family here in America for 3 weeks. We already had a sleepover. Even though we were apart for a year, we played together like we were never apart. She's my best friend. I love Ella.

Swimming!

I asked Mommy and Daddy for swim lessons. I've been asking them for over a year. Maybe even more than that. Finally they listened to me because a couple weeks ago I took my very first lesson. It was so much fun!

My swim teacher lets me borrow goggles. Goggles are kind of like glasses (the kind you wear, not the kind you drink from, silly). But goggles have a stretchy band that goes around your head. And the goggles kind of stick to your face like a suction cup. Not that I put suction cups on my face.

My swim teacher also puts these funny, flat, floppy fins on my feet. They are kind of like shoes, but for swimming instead of walking.

I can hold my breath and swim underwater.

I can climb out of the pool without using the step-stairs.

I can sit on my bottom and jump in!

I can swim to the bottom of the pool and pick up a toy.

I earned a green ribbon for learning things! I am now learning more things to earn my blue ribbon.


The swimming pool is toasty and indoors. The building is close to the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. I can see the old jail on the island. It's called Alcatraz. I heard that some people swim from the jail to the shore. Maybe I'll try that when I learn how to swim gooder.



I can't wait for my next swim class!

My favorite doggie is named Sami

This is Sami. Sami is Uncle Eric and Auntie Wendy's doggie. Sami is a nice doggie. Sami is a hot dog!


She knows how to beg for treats.



When she stands on her back legs and puts her front paws up, it's called "pretty."


We love playing together!