3 months old

Kaki Gori (Snow cones)

Using it at school all day, Kellan's Japanese is pretty good. He and Jolon both have very strong Hiroshima accents (think lots of "ya'lls," "you betchas," "fixin tos," and "yes maams.") One English word that he does use at school and has apparently taught his whole class is his favorite color, blue, or "bloon," as Kellan pronounces it. Thanks to Kellan most of the kids use the English word, "blue" rather than the Japanese word "aoi." Testament I guess to how often he insists on having the blue block, the blue car, or bragging about his blue shirt. Anyway, when they were in their new small groups last week, they spent some time discussing what the new group name should be. It was no surprise that Kellan's group decided on: Blue Kaki Gori han (the blue snow cones)! I'm not sure if it was connected to the group name or just a day when they made some food while playing house, but Kellan came home with something looking like a real snow cone. The kanji his teachers drew on the cup is the symbol for ice, which is also the symbol on the flags beside any festival stall selling snow cones.

Jolon and Esme

He loves holding her and in the last few pics, he'd actually changed her diaper and dressed her all by himself.

another scrape

Poor Kellan has so many cuts, mosquito bites, and scratches at the moment. Seems as soon as one heals, two more pop up. The latest one worthy of a picture was two weeks ago and I can't even remember what happened to his nose, but whatever it was, he kept picking at it and we were afraid that he wouldn't sleep well, so Jan bandaged it up. And Kellan, when you're reading this one day....I love you very much.....please don't hate me for posting these pictures.

esme talking and singing to daddy

Click to Play

this one is for the grandparents. everyone else is allowed to switch it off after 30 seconds.

cold season has arrived

First Esme came down with a high fever (103) on Friday afternoon. The fever was down by the next morning and she was never lethargic, in fact she nursed well. Sat. afternoon Jolon started running a fever and throwing up. Jan and I have had terrible headaches, which Jolon is complaining of as well. Sunday morning and Jolon still can't keep anything down, fever coming and going. But Esme's fever is gone and she seems to be fine. Still waiting to see if Jolon just a has a regular virus or if this is the dreaded flu. Meanwhile Kellan is EXTREMELY ENERGETIC and is happily running the show around here.

Making art before 7:00 a.m.

Kellan woke up early and on his way to the toilet, got creative with some shoes from the genkan (foyer).