When I Grow Up

Daddy: When you grow up, Yoshi, do you think you want to be like Mommy and Daddy?

Me: No, I want to be like Yoshimi.

Neck

Mommy calls it a cowl. I call it a neck coat.

Inauguration, Chapter 3

I bet you probably thought I forgot about my trip to Washington DC for the Inauguration. This update is overdue, which means that books are late to the library. It also means that my story about DC is late.

I last left of finishing day Two of my trip. Here we go.

Day 3
January 19th
National Zoo

We spent Monday hanging out with Mommy and Daddy's friend Dan and his oldest son Isaac. He's three years old. Isaac, not Dan. Dan is much older because he's a grownup. Isaac's family lives in Germany and he knows how to speak German, English, and French. He also speaks 3-Year-Old, which I luckily can understand since I speak a very similar language of 5-Year-Old.


Isaac has a nifty wooden bike with no pedals that he brought from his house. He let me borrow it as we explored the National Zoo.



There are lots of neat things to see in the zoo. But it was very cold so many animals were not outside. I saw a fish frozen in a pond.

I did see a 9 day old baby gorilla and its Mommy. The baby looked cozy being held by Mama. I also saw a chimpanzee throw up and eat its own barf. And then his chimp friend did it too because it looked like so much fun. Animals are silly that way.

My favorite animals were the tiny hippos. They are much smaller than the regular hippos. But still too big to fit inside my bag to take home.

Here are some animals I saw:



After the zoo, we had a big group dinner. Dan's sister had a fancy ticket to the Inauguration and she let us look at it. Mommy wanted to steal it, but I told her that taking things without asking is bad.

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!