Mother's Day 2011

My family always treats me so wonderfully on Mother's Day. Sometimes too wonderfully. Cliff kind of overdid it last year, and I made him promise that this year he would reign it in. My favorite Mother's Day memories involve my kids taking the initiative to do everything on their own with their dad deployed (because he set such a good example while he was here). The gifts don't need to be extravagant.



We didn't do breakfast in bed this year. What can I say, I'm old and would rather have the extra sleep before church. But afterward, I got back into bed for the parade of gifts. I got a pretty good haul. Adding to the awesomeness, was having an 18 year old who can drive off base to take all the other kids shopping. Since Cliff got his gift while he was in the States, he didn't need to shop yesterday.

My favorite part was the cards. I love each of their unique messages. They are all such individual personalities. Some more sentimental, some hilariously dry. I love these kids. The gifts were great, too...



Two of my favorites from Jake. He knows me well.



And Troy knows he can never go wrong with a Yankee candle that smells like food. (No florals, ewww.)



I had just been eying this at the BX the other day. Patrick and Coree went in on it. Yussss!



But this one...Cliff went above and beyond.



Do you recognize that glorious crosshatch design? That's right...it's my favorite Dark Chocolate Key Lime truffle from Godiva. Never have I seen so many in one place. Thank you Fashion Valley Godiva for carrying my favorite flavor all by itself. No other flavor compares, anyway...it's all second best.

The question is, how long can I stretch this out? One a day? One a week? One an hour? And do I share? I'm leaning toward 'heck no' but would that be very motherly of me? On second thought, kids are happy with Hershey's for crying out loud...can their palates really appreciate such chocolate grandeur? I think not. Cliff, however...can have as many as he wants.

I will love that man forever, and not just because he brings chocolate. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Easter Traditions 2011

Easter was really late this year...and it's a good thing, too. It gave Jake and I a chance to get home to enjoy it with the family.


Flashing gang signs while waiting for the hunt.



Jake was worried how he was going to find his basket on crutches, so I went easy on him. Turns out the shoe basket was too easy. He found his first.



Coree was next...clever girl.



I'm pretty sure we do the dryer every year. 25% chance you'll find yours there.



Patrick over-thought his. Not that we haven't done the dishwasher, but he was climbing on counters and being ridiculous.



The coat closet was the last place he looked. OK, well...I guess that's true for any place you hide it.



Cliff was thrilled to learn he had a surprise Easter basket and hunted enthusiastically.



Charlotte was hoping for Whiskas. Bummer.



He was a little sheepish that he hadn't gotten me anything...



He needn't be. I was prepared with two of everything. ;^)



Easter basket hunt 2011: Success. Notice the utilitarian baskets? I got rid of the Easter baskets. They took up too much space. These work just fine and are useful more than one day a year.

Next on the agenda? The Jerusalem dinner! Here's some of what was on the menu this year:

lamb and barley
mustard glazed rack of lamb
flat bread
hummus
nuts and dried fruits
asst. cheeses and olives
grape juice

And since we didn't get any honeycomb from my dad this year, Honeycombs will have to do.

This is what it looked like.



The rack of lamb was new this year and it was a huge hit.



Even Coree ate some!



It was so awesome to sit around and listen to everyone rave about how this is their favorite tradition. You know, we try different things, and some stick and some don't...but I'm glad this one did. We don't do everything perfectly, we don't do near as much as some people...but I love the memories we've created...and I love this family so much.



And this guy? He's my hands-down favorite. I couldn't have done it without him.

Happy Hina Matsuri!

Due to a super-full schedule, we didn't do much to celebrate Girls' Day. I had fantasies of taking Coree to dinner, at least...but she went straight from an after school activity to a church activity...and I had my computer class. So, this cake will have to do. At least I thought of you, right, sweetie?

Happy Hina Matsuri, Coree. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful girl...and I pray for your health and happiness.

Anatomy of Valentines Day

It starts with chocolate chip scones...



Followed by the traditional Godiva truffle exchange. (Not actually planned...but do we know each other or what?)



Then Cliff broke the "don't spend too much money on flowers which are going to die" rule. But I still love him. {They are beautiful.}



I'd much rather spend a fraction of the money on beautiful shrimp, which will also just end up disappearing...because it's a much more delicious experience. {He is beautiful.}



That's what I'M talkin' about!

New Year Treats

In Japan, if you receive a gift...it's just an expectation that you give one in return, although it isn't necessary to give something equally matched, just something to show appreciation. We gave our housekeepers Christmas gifts...


And in return, for the New Year, we received special rice crackers...


And yummy, sweet treats! It was all delicious, and we had fun trying the different varieties. The packaging was beautiful and so detailed. I just had to share some pictures with you:





Even simple gifts are beautiful in Japan.

Happy New Year!

When we mentioned going to a shrine again this year, we got almost zero positive response. The kids wanted to hang out with friends. It was late by the time we relented, so Cliff and I decided to go it on our own, in search of a restaurant open late.


We ended up at our favorite Hawaiian restaurant...Tony's Honolulu. We had no intention of staying until midnight...



I just had this glorious, garlic shrimp on my mind.



But since it was New Year's Eve, the owner was offering free drinks to everyone. Lucky for us, he has a very large non-alcoholic selection, so we happily accepted his gracious offer.



At about 11:30, he brought out some electronic gadget, strung on a large cord to hook up to the TV on the wall. Something to do with satellite reception. When we saw what looked like the Tokyo version of Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve...we knew we had to stay.



I loved watching all the popular Japanese performing artists, even though I didn't know any of them.



This act totally cracked me up. They were like the Fruit of the Loom guys...only sushi!



I don't know the character being interviewed here, but it seemed oddly serious.



Then, at about five minutes before midnight, it switched over to a Tokyo shrine. Talk about a contrast. Instead of watching confetti fall and people in crazy glasses kiss, this was the somber way the new year was actually rung in. Minutes before midnight, the owner tried to insist we take some shots of whiskey. We had to be very persistent, but after about 3 tries (and us motioning that we'd be happy toasting the new year with our smoothies) he relented. He wasn't the last to try to get us to take it...but it all ended up fine. We were thrilled to be part of a local party.



Even though the wind outside was fierce (it's the worst right on the water, where we were)...



We still went out to the balcony with everyone to whoop it up at the stroke of midnight...



And watch the fireworks over Araha beach.



The owner also insisted we eat toshikoshi soba to end the year right. They are eaten for long life, and you need to slurp the long noodles whole (because breaking them would mean a shorter life, right?).

What a great (although unexpected) way to celebrate the New Year. Now maybe we'll have to try something entirely different each year.