Three Little Leg Warmers

I have been having serious dark circles under my eyes

Like a Panda Bear

And I have been a panda bear

With serious dark circles

Who sips coffee all day long

Because I have been knitting three little leg warmers for my girls

As stocking stuffer

And since they are for Christmas

I had to hide and knit late at night

Which really tested this night owl

When we were awaiting the birth of our children

The only thing that mattered

Was

They grow old happy and healthy

And

We hoped to be that wise parents

Who can teach them what's important in life

But

"Keeping up with the Jones"

Always sneaks into our mind

And sometimes we do too much

And take away

Something precious in life

Is giving coolest toys for Christmas really that important?

Should the amount of toys make us proud or sorry as parents?

Sometimes I want to ask me

Me in 1999

When we were soon to be parents

We had just a simplest wish

To be a happy family

Not from having many things

But having many invisible things that make life special

So as I knit and sew

I am hoping to go back in time

And

Be me with the simplest wish....

Who would laugh out loud for such a silly dilemma...

Who would also tell me...

Love is all we need

Picnic

We have been having warm weather

So when we set out to have a picnic

And take some pictures for Christmas cards

There was no way I could dress our girls in layered clothes

They might do it if they were professional models

And getting paid

But they are not

So I ended up dressing them in summer clothes

Paired with winter accessories

And red cheeks for being too hot

It has been too warm

We don't even have golden leaves...

They are all leafy with really green leaves...

For our Christmas pictures...

And when it takes 30 minutes to get there

Little one is sleeping happily in her seat

And she won't be running like those two

She will either be held for pictures

Or
If I put her on the ground

She will hang on

To Chloe's hat

And circle around

To make a point

So we'll go again next week

Hoping it gets a little cooler

So they don't have to dress in summer clothes for our Christmas cards :)

Thank You Girls

It was Kanon and Lauren's Shichigosan

Shichigosan means 7 5 3 in Japanese

They celebrate kids aged 7, 5 and 3 in November

Because too many small kids used to die before reaching those age long time ago

So parents put their kids in little kimonos to appreciate

And celebrate the milestones

So we took the girls to a Japanese garden

To take pictures

And remember

How lucky we are

And when we dress two girls in kimono
There will be one who says
I wanted to...
So
We celebrated
Our girls
Aged 10, 7 and 3 :)

Thank you girls...
And I love you...

Happy Thrift Friday

Hello Friday :)

Happy thrift Friday :)

I went to Salvation Army sale today

Yes

Even thrift stores have sale day

Like everything 40%off sale day :)

And no sales tax ;)

So I got this thermos big enough for our family of five

For $1.50 :)

And those candle stands for 98 cents each :)

Yes, I have gazillions of candle holders
According to my husband
But life without candles...
I just don't know how I can make dinner time special without them
And a quiet winter night...
Can be so special with good books, warm blanket, candles and some sweets

That is the reason why
I ran to Trader Joe's last night
And bought 4 boxes of chocolate

Well
I had 6 in the basket
Until I was questioned by that someone
"Aren't you going to eat them all ?"

...Yes
...I was

But I am trying to be better
So I thought eating 6 boxes of chocolate
Won't be that great

...4 will do

So we'll curl up with books tonight
Because we are a family of bookworms
That loves wine and sweets

And quiet Friday night :)



What's your Friday night like?
Wish you a warm and special night...

Cookies

Picture of me a few months ago

As a bear

Which Chloe took for me

Made me think

I need to be a mother

Who is not goofy all the time

But a little bit more serious

So I went to get a new pair of glasses

From our lovely friend Amy who opened her new practice

I almost never wear glasses

But keep a pair with me just in case

Our children believe

All the kids with glasses at school

Are smart kids

Now you know where I am going with this

Yes

I can look smart

With glasses on

Without stressing myself out to be serious :)

At least in my children's eyes :)

Now their mommy looks smart

And serious ;)

With new glasses on

I finally got my small white Christmas tree this week

But I went to a lot of thrift stores

Before I found one at Wal Mart for $35

I know myself

I might not see the small white Christmas tree after this Christmas

Until many years later

When I decide that will be the tree again

So I went to a lot of thrift stores

To save some money

Not knowing a small white Christmas tree was waiting for me

At Wal Mart

For $35

But in the meanwhile
I bought stuff
...Many stuff

Here are some of the stuff now in my possession :)
Old silver cake tray...$3.99
Glass Cover...$1.99


I even baked cookies Wednesday night
To keep some in there
Just like those all American families in magazines

...But I am a good cook
...And have problem of
...Stopping myself from eating too much sweets
...So by Thursday morning
...they were
...all gone

...I really need to grow up

Happy Friday!!
And stay warm :)

Happy Birthday

Today is my lovely husband's birthday

My favorite Japanese book said

Birthday is special

Because it is the day your special someone was born

So it is the day to thank

"Thank you for being a part of my life"

Because without the day of him being born

My life would have been less special

So this day is very special for me

....Not because we get to eat out :)

....Or we get to eat a cake without feeling guilty :)

But gives me a chance

To stop

And appreciate

My life

Happy Birthday!!

Taxidermy

I found lovely taxidermy on Etsy
I've always had fear of taxidermy
Because we had one at home
When I was little
It was displayed at our foyer
And it really scared me
Every time I opened the door
But some people are just so creative
Even I who is scared of taxidermy
Think
They are so lovely :)

(image 1.2.3. from plushinator on etsy
image 4 from girlsavage on etsy)