Christmas 2008

We do not really celebrate Christmas like New Year, but I like an atmosphere of it, so have decided to grill chicken wings, cook vegetable soup and bake strawberry cake. It is just a small meal, and just for the family of us three, but the cake, some Santa dolls my husband had bought in Germany, and beautiful candle light on our dinner table created an atmosphere of Christmas.

[chicken wings and some veges about to be in the oven]
chicken wings were soaked in Japanese sake, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper for one night, and rosemarry and thyme adds a beautiful flavor.


As for Christmas presents, I bought a trouser press for my husband because he has been longing for that fancy machine for more than two years. Now his deam has come true, I bet. He bought me a PORTER's shoulder bag, made of leather. I like shoulder bags because my both hands are free, and it is convenient especially when I go out and have to grab or hold our little son. Lastly, Secret Santa Clause gave our son Gen, a cute GAP knit hat.

Gen is too young to know the knit hat was from Santa Clause, but hopefully he may prepare cookies and hot milk for him next year. Before going to bed, I read Eric Carle's "Dream Snow" for Gen, one of his favorite Christmas books.

"Merry Christmas to All " and we pushed the botton, Good night :)

Feverish

After my husband left for Germany, Gen started to look flushed. I was so worried because my husband wouldn't be back for about a week. Gen started to look worn out, and I took his temperature. Gosh, 38.8 degrees! It was too late to take him to the doctor's, but I was ready to take him to an emergency. After all, he slept all night, so I took him to the doc's in the next morning. That was a very tough and long night for me.



Gen is usually very lively, cheerful and active, but he looked so worn out during the five days when his fever went on. It was really long and tough days for me. I stayed close to him, feeding him (luckily he could eat and drink well), reading his favorite books, singing to him, and watching his favorite DVDs together. After the fever was gone, he regained his guts to do his usual "work."

Gen is now doing so fine, and I truly thank for his being healthy and lively. I should be careful not to let him catch a cold again.

By the way, HIB vaccination was not officially approved in Japan, but recently the Japanese government approved it, and the shots came to be gradually available in Japan. The number of them is very limited, so I asked a nearby hospital to put Gen in a waiting list. I hope he will get the shot soon.

Book reading

Gen loves to read books.

But... honey, isn't it a bit too difficult for you?!

I am wondering...

how this machine works.

This part may have some secrets?

mmm.... it's still a mystery.
Gen's quest goes on.

Look, mommy!

I am helping you!

He watches me carefully and wants to do the same thing as I do.

Good time at Christmas Party

Gen and I had a very big adventure today.
We went to Hamamatsu-cho all the way from Machida
to attend a Christmas Party.

We met new friends there, and had an exciting time.
Gen loved a story time, and enjoyed dancing to the music,
but not really craft, he was eating a crayon :<

This was the first time for me to feel the real necessity

to use English since I had come back from Hawaii.

I am sure Gen felt something special and thrilling in this atmosphere.

I thank the coordinators for this beautiful event

and mothers who kindly spoke to me.

By the way, Gen was really a good boy on the train.

He was so helpful. I love this sweet dude.