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Me: Oh, mom. I didn’t know Big Mochi would have a 3-week break in between summer fun and 1st grade. What am I gonna do with her?
Gramma: You should’ve told me! I would’ve come here instead of going to Vegas.
Me: I have an idea! Instead of going home from Vegas, we’ll fly you here!
Gramma: I can’t, we’re flying that special package. Where everything is taken care of, and we take that airlines that is exclusive to Vacations Hawaii…
Me: What airlines?
Gramma: You know, the one that starts with an M… shoots, I can’t remember.
Me: Mmmmmmmmmm-
Gramma: Ugh, you see, this is what happens when you get old.
Me: Mmmmmmmmmm-
Gramma: Omni!!!

The other day I was noticing how much weight I’ve gained as I took off my top. I grabbed the excess on my tummy and said, “Ugh, look at this roll of fat I never used to have.” I got a blank stare from Baby Mochi.

Then this morning I’m driving to work with a thermos of hot tea and I can’t really recall what I did, but all I know is that my cup was empty and hot tea was spilt all over my shirt. Since I have 2 little active kids and stuff like this happens all the time, I keep spare clothes in my car. So I ripped off my shirt and as I reached to grab my sweater to replace it, Baby Mochi yells, “Rolls of fat! Rolls of fat!”

Aww, thanks for remembering, Sweetie! *sigh*

We had friends over last night for dinner.  The conversation was rolling, the food was delicious, the kids were behaving, things were going well.  Then about halfway through, Baby Mochi runs to the bathroom.  I take the opportunity to announce that she’s finally potty trained.  Then she comes streaking without pants or underwear and is holding a little brown ball up and says, “Mommy look! Only one!”

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just about died. 

I cleaned her up, and then took a second to contemplate not coming out of the bathroom for the rest of the evening but decided someone might have sent a search party after me and discovered my mortified body curled up in a ball rocking in the shower stall and that wouldn’t have been good. Let’s save this one for when she grows up and brings a boy home!

The next night, we had an outing so we got home pretty late and the mochis were tired.  I told Big Mochi I’d write the letter to the Tooth Fairy if she dictated it, but she’d have to sign it. 

“Dear Tooth Fairy,

I left you my 2nd tooth.  Please sign this letter if you have time.  If you don’t, it’s okay.  Thank you.   Love, ‘Big Mochi’”

I asked her why she was asking for a signature and she said she wanted to make sure she came.  I mentioned that if she left a gift, that would mean she showed up, wouldn’t it?  “No, it might be one of her elves.”

One night when I asked Big Mochi to brush her teeth, I reminded her to be careful since she had a very loose tooth. In the morning, I went to wake her up to get dressed for school.  She stretched, got all excited and reached under her pillow for an envelope. “What’s that?” I asked. She felt around and her whole body slumped in disappointment. “The Tooth Fairy didn’t come!” I was stunned. Your tooth came out? “Yeah! And I wanted to surprise you and Daddy with what she left me!”

Aaaahh!! I scrambled and came up with, “But Sweetie, you have to leave her a letter or she won’t know if you’re ready to part with it.” “Oh, nobody told me that. Will you help me write one tonight?” *hugs* “Absolutely.”

Whew! Dodged that one!

The other night we were driving on the freeway and Hawaiian Gardens Casino had one of those giant spotlight-things spinning beams of light up in the clouds.  Big Mochi looked out the window and said, “Mommy, are they looking for bad guys in the sky?”

Big Mochi: I think I might make a good spy when I grow up.
Me: You want to be a spy?
Big Mochi: I’d make a good one. I’m asian.
Me: What does being asian have to do with anything?
Big Mochi (sighing at me): Hello? Secret Asians are spies!

Riiiight.

I’m reading my kindle on the couch minding my own business. Baby Mochi runs over and slams her Barbie laptop over my kindle and says, “Hmmph!” Translation: My fingers are in my mouth so I can’t talk but I want you to open this so I can play with it. I kindly remove her fingers out of her mouth and say, “Hi! Would you like me to open this for you?” I get a vigorous head nod. So I say, “Well say so!”

“So.”

This was Christmas Day, I think. We were in Vegas visiting Tutu and Papa and decided to check out Aria, the new hotel on the strip. It was pretty cool, very artsy, but the mochis had a much better time at the park later in the afternoon. Walking down the staircase, Baby Mochi was pretty enthralled with the decor UNDER the steps.

The other day she was lying in the middle of the livingroom floor, flinging her legs up over her head and pounding them back down, over and over, just laughing her head off. All by herself. Big Mochi and I sat there watching her and I said, “You know, we can learn something from that over there. Your little sister does whatever she wants, whenever she wants and doesn’t care the least bit what anyone thinks about her.” We watch Baby Mochi going crazy a few seconds more and Big Mochi looks up at me and says very seriously, “Is that a good thing?”

Good point.

Oops, my bad.  I totally got that last story wrong.  That was G when he was 4 or 5 and he asked HIS grandma how old she was.  It wasn’t Big Mochi.  Or maybe he asked his mom?   Oh my goodness, just ignore me.  Cute story but I have no idea where it came from.  Just know that Big Mochi is smarter than that because she knows numbers never end. 

When Big Mochi was around 3 years old, she asked how old Grandma was.  When Grandma answered, it prompted the next question: Is that the last number?

This morning I asked Baby Mochi to give me a kiss.  She smooched me.  Then I asked for another and she said, “No.  Only one.” 

Just got back from Big Mochi’s (and my) very first parent-teacher conference.  It was held at 1:10 pm so I ran over during my lunchbreak.  I was so excited and anxious to hear how she was progressing.  I mean, I know she’s doing great just by all the homework we go through each night, but to hear it officially from the teacher was new ground!

She started off by mentioning how great a child she is overall – that other teachers have commented the same by watching her on the playground, interacting, etc.  She thanked me for being such a great parent because she believes the child is a reflection of us.  While I sat there, my grin started to fade when it popped into my head that meeting Baby Mochi would definitely elicit a complete opposite response.  Apparently Baby Mochi has a lot to live up to!

Anyway, she is passing all her tests with 100%s all over the place.  Her artwork has always been superb, but now it’s being recognized by others, which is a great confidence booster.   Not that she needs it; her confidence was clearly displayed in her self-portrait drawing.  It portrayed a giant planet earth in the center of the page, with her standing on top of it smiling widely in a purple dress accessorized by matching purple shoes and a matching purple bracelet.  Now THAT, my friends, is ONE FABULOUS MOCHI ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

I couldn’t be prouder of Big Mochi.  She only cried for a minute after I left on the first day and after that, she was an old pro.  That professionalism didn’t go unnoticed.

Baby Mochi stops on the curb this morning before we walk into Kid’s Club and tells us, “No crying today, guys.”  Then after I do the seamless drop-off, we’re walking back to the car and she pats me and says, “Good job.”

I just wanted to add that Big Mochi had SUCH a great day on her first day, she was pretty anxious to go back this morning.  No tears!  So proud!!!

Aaaah!!!!

First day of school… I meant to drop off Baby Mochi at Aunty’s house so I could focus on Big Mochi, but when we were all ready to go, it THEN occurred to me that I still had her with me.  Ha… lame. 

We packed up and went to Kid’s Club, which is the before- and after-school program at Big Mochi’s new school.  She walked in bravely and even though tears welled up, she was fine.  She sat at the table and colored while she periodically glanced around at her new digs. 

Later, we walked over to her new classroom across the playground where her teacher was absolutely awesome.  Oh wait, let me back up.  Outside, Big Mochi ran into 2 of her buddies from pre-school.  They reunited and were so happy and relieved to see friendly faces.  They are all placed in different classes, but met up during recess.  Talking to a mom, one buddy is going to Kid’s Club after school, too, so that worked out perfectly! 

The bell rings and the kids line up to go into their classrooms.  Big Mochi’s teacher had them line up and as they walked in, the kids were handed a card with a picture on it.  In the front of the classroom was a giant rug with giant circles on it.  Each circle had a corresponding picture that they had to match their cards with so they knew where to sit.  Isn’t that awesome?  Big Mochi goes in, finds her spot, and has a seat.  Then her teacher – let’s call her Mrs. C – is sitting in front of her new class with all of us parents crowded in the back and there are camera flashes going on like crazy while she announces, “Okay, it’s a big day for you all, and even though your moms would probably stay here all day if they could, they have places to be, so let’s all turn around and wave bye and blow kisses to them.”  That was our cue and Big Mochi’s face crumpled and I had to run out.  Out there, I was bawling and a bunch of moms came out to comfort me as they cried and the dads stood back with their arms crossed and their eyeballs rolling upwards mumbling, “Come on, guys.” 

And Baby Mochi in my arms, ever so nurturing, says, “Stop crying, Mommy.  You making my dwess all wet!”

Yesterday I got a phone call about mid-morning from Big Mochi’s school.  This is never good.  They never call and say, “Hi there!  Just wanted to let you know your kid is doing GREAT today!”  I recognize the voice and I am not mistaken.  There was an incident.  Big Mochi has run into the wall… with her nose.  It’s bloodied, her clothes has been changed, it stopped bleeding, she has stopped crying.  So I ask to speak to her and when they tell her I am on the phone, she starts crying again and is unable to speak.  They assure me she is fine.  I call G to report what has happened and as expected, he will leave work, pick her up and take her home.  I call the school and tell them he is coming.  A few minutes later, G calls me from the side of the freeway where his tire is shredding.  He has attempted to change it and the lugnuts are stripped or something along those lines.  I’m not real sure, but he needs to call AAA to get a tow to the nearest tire store.  The school has told her someone is coming so if I don’t go get her, she’ll freak out more and let’s face it, it’s already been a pretty tough day for her.  I get her, grab some crayons, a Nintendo DS and some snacks and bring her back to work with me.  It just so happens it’s my boss’ birthday and we have decorated his office with balloons, streamers, batman paraphernalia and confetti.  We are also having ice cream cake and doing the whole singing bit.  Pretty darn good day to show up to mom’s work. 

I got a kick out of her asking me if had naptime already.  But the best was this morning when Baby Mochi told me her sister’s nose was dirty, that she had blood.  I said yeah, she ran into a wall, but she’s fine.  She stared at Big Mochi until she got yelled at and ran off.  Later on when I was dropping off Big Mochi at school, Baby Mochi’s yelling at her, “Don’t run into the wall!!!” 

Not funny, I know.  But yeah, it kinda is.

Tutu is moving this weekend.  G drove to Vegas yesterday afternoon to help them move.  He is taking Big Mochi along.  He says it’s because Tutu will want to see her, but unadmittedly, he can’t bear to be without her for an entire weekend.  That’s fine with me.  I got the Beast the entire weekend and we’ll have some nice mommy/beast bonding time going on. 

Walking to my parking structure after work, I call G.  I hear Big Mochi singing along to Gwen Stefani in the background.  They’re stuck in 5-mph hour traffic because they shut down the 15 at Baker (halfway point from home to Vegas).  What would normally take a little under 4 hours took him almost 8, but they made it safely.  He sounded so exhausted, I didn’t bother to ask how he entertained Big Mochi in the car for all that time.

Meanwhile back at the homefront, Baby Mochi is wondering where her sister and daddy went.  So I told her they went to Las Vegas to visit Tutu.  She repeats my answer in question form (I love that) to confirm and when I agree, she says, “Oh, no!  They forgot!”  So I ask, “What did they forget?”  And she says, “Me and Mommy!”  Awww…

But after the traffic G had to endure, I’m soooooo grateful we weren’t in that car.  I’ll save THAT story for another day…

When Grandma comes to visit, the first thing she does is stock the house with food (cuz you never know who might stop over).  That’s all fine and good, except that she stocks the house with food for the entire neighborhood to last the entire year.  Then we eat out most of the time and she leaves in 3 weeks and we’re gorging ourselves before all the perishables go bad, and then have to be creative to figure out what to do with the 11 cans of tomato soup, 22 snack-sized cups of mandarin oranges, and 3 pounds of bacon. 

One night I walked in the house and said, “Somebody yell out a letter!”  Big Mochi says “P!”  So everything we had for dinner that night had to start with P.  We started off with peas (you gotta start off with the veggies while they’re hungry), microwaved some pizza, drank some punch, and grabbed a handful of pretzels to go with it.  At the end, Big Mochi is giddy and scrounging around in the cupboard and yells, “Mommy!  Can we have some Papplesauce?!”   

Creativity will take you places!

It’s that time again.  I was packing up the old clothes and toys to set out for donation.  You know, they leave those big fliers with the hole so it fits over your doorknob attached to a flimsy plastic bag telling you what date they’ll drive around to pick up your old stuff?  So we got one and I decided to get rid of some clothes that neither mochi will wear anymore, and some toys that they have lost total interest in.   At least, you THINK they lost total interest in it until you start packing it up and all of a sudden, they want to play with that toy NOW because hello?? It’s their favorite toy (even though it’s been lying there untouched for the past 9 months). 

So anyway, I was being grilled by Big Mochi, “Why are you putting those toys in a bag?  What are you going to do with it?  Where are they going?  Is it broken?”  I calmly explain that we’re donating it to charity.  That means giving them away to another kid who might not have toys like these.  Surprisingly, my response was totally acceptable and she went on her merry way. 

A couple of hours later in the car, she brings it up again.  When she’s 10 years old, will we give away her toys to charity that she played with when she was 8?  Yes, probably.  And when she’s 12 years old, will we give away her toys to charity that she played with when she was 10?  Yes, probably.  Do other kids give away toys to charity?  Yes.  Not all, but I would assume a lot do.  Again, satisfaction.

Then later that night while I was giving the mochis a bubble bath, we were talking about what we should do this weekend.  Big Mochi brightens up and asks her little sister, “Hey, do you want to go to Charity’s house?”

Happy Birthday, Baby Mochi!  And G, too! 

…though G is well aware that he gave up birthdays the second she was born! 

I got a balloon today when I got my haircut.  I love playing with my balloon!  Walking around with the string in my mouth is fun, too!  I found a pen!  Hmm, there’s nothing to write on.  Oh wait, yes there is!  Yeah, baby!  I’m an artist!  Yikes, Mommy’s making weird noises.  Why is she grabbing a wipe?  My diaper’s not wet.  Hey!  She’s wiping all my artwork off my arm!  What’s up with that?!  Sheesh.  *sigh*  Ooh, there’s my Abby Cadabby puzzle!  I love this thing!  I’m going to dump it out and put it back toge… Hey!  What does Big Mochi have?  That’s my toy!  “Mommy!  Big Mochi’s not sharing!!!”  So what if she had it first?  It’s mine!  Yes, I was playing with this puzzle, but I want that now!  Hmph.  No fair.  If I yell loud enough, sometimes Big Mochi gives it up.  “YAAAAAHHH!!!!”  Darn… didn’t work that time.  It just made Mommy’s face get all scrunchy.  I know that look on Mommy’s face.  She doesn’t look happy.  Sometimes if I smile that scrunchy face disappears.  Haha!  It worked!  She’s smiling at me.  Whew!  Okay, I’ll just stand over here – and spin around.  Whoah!!  Hahaha!  Oops, fall down.  Dizzy.  Again!  Here I go!  Hahahaha!  Big Mochi’s spinning with me now!  Whee!!  Oh hey, she dropped my toy!  Yee ha!  Hey, toy, here I come!  Look, there’s my blankie!  I’m going to sit here and chill with my blankie, just like Big Mochi likes to chill with her Bunny.  Where is Bunny, anyway?  I can make Big Mochi’s face get all scrunchy if I get Bunny.  There he is!  See, she’s yelling just because I’m holding her Bunny.  Wow, she yelled LOUD, too.  What, I’m just putting him in a safe place.  Isn’t the refrigerator safe?  Why is Mommy yelling at ME?  She’s the one yelling?  Sheesh.  Can’t do anything fun around here.  What’s that over there?  It looks like a bracelet.  How pretty.  I wonder what this star tastes like.  Kinda like a button.  There’s a string that tastes interesting.  Geez, doesn’t Mommy ever get tired of saying NOT IN THE MOUTH?  Fine, I’ll just lay in my tent and chill with my blankie where no one can see me.  I’m going to sing now…

It’s my first day back from my short-but-exciting trip to Boston where my best friend Lisa graduated.  Oh, excuse me, that’s Dr. Lisa to us mere mortals.  Anyway, my point is, I’ve been traveling and having fun and even though it’s only a 3-hour difference, I am pooped out. 

At work, I have to play catch-up, so at 10:30 am when my phone rings and I notice it’s from Big Mochi’s school, I immediately groan.  Usually this means she threw up or something and I have to pick her up.  Not today.  I am told she didn’t order a hot lunch and doesn’t have a cold lunch with her.  I almost yell back, “Yes, she does!  I know she had it in the car with her!”  Maybe it’s still in the car?  Baby Mochi was crying so I might not have been as reliable as I would’ve been on any other morning.  Ugh, so much for my lunch plans.  I tell the school I will deliver her lunch before 11:00.  When I get to my parking garage, her lunch is not in the back seat.  I call the school back and speak to Big Mochi:

• Me: What happened to your Lunchables?
• Mochi: I ate it for breakfast.
• Me: But Sweetie, what was that giant plate of noodles you had this morning before we left the house?
• Mochi: Leftovers!

Sometimes it feels like I’m feeding the tapeworms that must live in her tummy.  Oh well… at least we had a fun lunch at McDonald’s together!  Except that now the school thinks we must have so many issues.  First we’re getting divorced and G’s moving out, now we don’t feed our kids – cuz no doubt she told her teacher she didn’t eat breakfast, but failed to clarify that she DID eat.

This mama bird decides to build a nest in the corner of our patio.  Then it lays eggs and they hatch.  Baby Mochi says hi to them almost every morning.  The birds just stare, unblinking, silent.  How rude.

I gotta say, being a mom is pretty darn great.  Along with those wonderful tantrums, the frequent anxiety attacks caused by babies diving off furniture, or foreign objects being steered into tiny mouths (or noses), there are spontaneous grins, joyful contagious giggles and those peaceful angelic faces as they snooze quietly after a long loud day. 

Without even trying, motherhood teaches you that life flies by.  Each time you blink, your little ones are bigger, faster, and exposing you to new challenges you never imagined would turn up in your life.  Who ever thought throwing away something would be reason to celebrate?  Or timing it just right so that the pink blur whizzing by can be scooped up and have your underwear removed from its grasp before exposing her findings to company.  Or over-excitedly pointing out a jar of pickles on the right so that those sharp eyes don’t notice the other kid with the cotton candy passing by on the left.  And once they learn to talk, making sure you distract them before they ask a little too loudly why that guy has makeup on and then having to explain that it’s really a lady.  It’s all really worth it, I promise.  Gray hair can be covered with dye, after all.