Another set back..

Life throws a lot of things at you..and well, sometimes you feel a little overwhelmed, tired, sad, frustrated, confused...and it's all normal to feel those things. But once you accept it, I guess you have to decide "so what are you going to do about it?". Well, my family got one of those setbacks again yesterday when my mom returned from the doctor's office.  Health issues are back and it's gotten worse.  I feel like "ok, what are we going to do about it? what can I do to attack this disease? how can I help?". I really want my family to live long and it's hard not knowing what will happen. All I can do is keep going, keep pushing, keeping hoping for good things. And keep praying.

Kids are back at school

Summer break came and went! But we definitely had a really nice summer! We did alot and went to a lot of places! And saw lots of people too! I was really happy with how the kids are growing up and have so many interests now! They are so close with playing with each other and taking on more responsibilities.  Daichi saved up doing chores around the farm/house and he saved up to buy his own 3DS and games.  Mika saved up too and she just got her 3DS and a couple of games! They are really doing well and I'm happy about how things are going with them. I hope the teachers feel the same!:)

back to school!

Summer's almost gone, and soon the kids will be going back to school?! The summer just flew by and fall will be coming! I've gotta do the kids back to school shopping next week. I'm planning on visiting my good friend Sharlene in Milton next weekend. She's inviting us all down to her house for lunch get together! I am really excited about that! So, before heading down there I need to get all the things for Daichi and Mika! They need new clothes, shoes, lunch bags, cups, pens/pencils, binders, gluesticks, paper, erasers, etc.,..

We are planning on getting a rental as our van is getting old and we're still on the look out for another vehicle. I like the SUV size, but my husband thinks another van type is more practical for us.  We definitely could use the space.

Daichi will be grade 5 and Mika grade 4.  I have to check their bus schedules too to make sure the times and bus numbers that they will be on this year.  Time is just flying by!

Wonderful trip

Our trip was so much fun! We had a great time and even manny kept saying "so where are we going next year?!". Emi loved all the animals and just being with Daichi and Mika! She's getting so big now!

We ended going to Niagara Falls Marineland. We stayed a few days at the Sheraton hotel. The kids loved the hotel and the swimming pool. I was so proud that Daichi's doing much better in swimming.  Mika is still trying to swim, and Emi had her first time in a swimming pool.  She went in with me and I supported her in the water and tried to get her to float and kick her feet. She did very well.

Marineland was really cute. The kids loved the King Waldorf show. It was a really cute show with dolphins, beluga whales, walrus and sea lions.  The trainers were really nice and were so friendly. We were on the red team and we were all screaming and clapping our hands cheering on our team.  The kids loved the rides too. Emi went on one ride and after that she kept saying "no more ride..scary!". So, she stayed with me, or was running wild through marineland.  Daichi and Mika went on most of the rides and had a lot of fun. Daichi loved feeding the carp fish and looking at the bears and whales.  My husband Manny and Daichi went on a really high up ride together.  That's the FIRST ride he's been on in like the 15 years I've known him! It was awesome:)

Gift shop was cute, but like any gift shop it was full of stuff that we just don't need! The kids got two things each and even picked something for the grandparents! Daichi got a fish toy and a turtle, Mika got a dolphin and clownfish, and I got Emi a marineland cup and dolphin bubbles.

The trip went by really fast and it was really fun! Manny's planning for next year already! He wants to go to the ROM in Toronto. If my sister Mari comes next year, we'll probably plan for Toronto Zoo again because the kids love it there! We'll see!

Vegetable garden

We've been finally getting more vegetables from our garden! I've been enjoying the snow peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet banana peppers,  parsley, zucchini, eggplant, and kale.  So many more vegetables to come but I'm worried they won't due to the wet and cool temperatures we had for the most of the summer. I put down a lot of straw/bedding in the garden, grass clippings, and goat, chicken, and sheep manure.

Fall vegetables are being planted and I'm looking forward to japanese radish (daikon), hakusai (Asian cabbage), and japanese greens. I'll be making lots of jars of pickles again this year. The brine I make is usually 10 cups vinegar, 3 cup sugar and about a tbsp of salt.  It's nice to make a lot as I can give to family and friends !

Jurassic world

Jurassic world was awesome! My husband manny and his friend joe were going to see it together for joe's birthday. Then Daichi and mika wanted to go, too. And then manny was like "come with Emi too". Mika and Emi wanted to see the "minion movie" and it was playing at the same theatre and at the same time, too. So we rushed to pick up joe and drove to tillsonburg to see it. When we were about to go through the doors we saw a huge poster up saying "minions movie sold out!" Mika was so sad and so I decided that we all go to see Jurassic world. I definitely wanted to see it!

I've seen all the Jurassic park movies! I loved dinosaurs when I was a kid and even dreamed of being a paleontologist. Well Emi loved it! She kept saying "dinosaur walking!! Grrr!" Mika was kinda scared at some parts cz the hybrid dinosaur did have some scary parts for kids. But I loved Chris Pratt in it! He did such a believable part in it and the raptors were cool! Loved it! Sorry for sharing about it late!

Packing for trip

Our end of the year trip is in a few days! I enjoy doing this for my kids, but sometimes just the packing and preparations for a trip are overwhelming! I pack everything needed and prepare everything (directions, maps, snacks, etc.,...). I hear it's supposed to be very hot Wednesday to Friday so I have to make sure the kids have lots of clothes and stay cool! My list of things to bring is so long! Some of the things I need to pack are: snacks, clothes, sunscreen, asthma medicines, Tylenol, pull-ups, wipes, contacts, glasses, stroller, camera, charger cords, etc.,..

I wish my sister and her two kids could come with us! I miss her and the kids a lot! They will come next year and we'll prob stay in Toronto for a while and maybe I'll visit my friend sharlene and her family in Milton! I am planning on visiting Sharlene in a couple of weeks with the family.

Lots to do! Will it all fit in our rental car? I hope so!!