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Merry Belated Christmas, everybody!  And Happy Upcoming New Year!  Our Christmas was spent exactly as planned; just the four of us.  Lengthy discussions occurred beforehand on whether you have to leave cookies and milk out for Santa if you know he’s bringing you coal.  Or whether you leave out 9 carrots instead of 8, because as Big Mochi pointed out, if it’s not foggy, Rudolph gets to stay home.  Later, though, she announced that it might get dark up there and Santa needs Rudolph’s noselight to see his list.

It was freezing outside – rainy and windy and down in the 40s so we didn’t leave the house.  Baby Mochi opened one present, some Strawberry Shortcake dominoes, and was content with taking them in and out of the box repeatedly while she refused to open all the rest.  Big Mochi complained she was too tired of opening presents after a while.  We all got a lot of cool stuff and they played with their toys while I made banana pancakes for breakfast.  G made barbecued ribs for lunch after long naps.  Was great!!

Err… I mean a marathon consisting of mini baked goods. 

This would be 36 mini strawberry cupcakes for Big Mochi’s pre-school Christmas party (well, 12 for her party – frosted and sprinkled, and then we kept about 5 for ourselves and gave the rest to Baby Mochi’s daycare - no frosting or sprinkles because those are cupcakes disguised as muffins).  Then there are 8 mini banana bread loaves – and while they look and smell yummy, I used the recipe that didn’t call for the secret ingredient, so it’s probably very dry.  Sorry, guys.  Then those gnarly burnt-looking things are 12 mini pumpkin/chocolate bread loaves that are really NOT burnt.  They always look like that just because I don’t make the chocolate icing to make it all pretty cuz honestly, it tastes better without it.  Lastly, I used the pre-perforated Nestle chocolate chip cookie dough to bake 80 mini chocolate chip cookies!  Yay for me!!!

I narrowed my list down from last year and I only ordered 100 and had to cut some people out.  It’s kinda funny… my family has like 50 people on the list, and I send out exactly 4 to G’s family: his mom, his sister, his brother and his grandma.  In my defense, they do Christmas at his grandma’s house so everyone can view the card there.  I should find out where the parties will be in my family in Hawaii and just send one there.  I am late this year in sending them out, but they are on the way and that makes me happy.  One less thing to check off my list!

1. Deliver Secret Santa gift to my person
2. Wrap C’s gift
3. Send out holiday cards
4. Lunch w/ C and J
5. Mailing out remainder of boss’s holiday cards
6. Holiday baking:
   1. Strawberry cupcakes (yes, that would be strawberry-flavored pink cupcakes) with icing and sprinkles for Big Mochi’s class party tomorrow
   2. Mini banana bread loaves for my bosses
   3. Mini pumpkin/chocolate bread loves for my bosses
   4. Mini walnut bread loaves for my bosses – substitute w/ mini Christmas trees from TJs
7. Pick up mini Christmas trees from TJs
8. Wrap goodie bags for Big Mochi’s classmates
9. Write thank you cards to my bosses for their Christmas gift 

 37) It’s not a good idea to put your lip balm next to your glue stick.  EVER.  Trust me.

It’s one of those cold mornings where you can see your own breath – something I never get tired of since it’s something I never got to see until I was in college.  I am mailing out our Christmas gifts to people who live far away today so I got to warm up the car while loading everything in the back.  On the way to pre-school, Big Mochi tells me that her Francis (one of her buddies) told her Jesus is everywhere.  She is angry about this but doesn’t tell me why yet.  I don’t ask.  I’m wait for her to find the words, but she’s just sitting there glowering.  Finally she throws both hands up in the air and says that Jesus isn’t EVERYWHERE!  He’s in your HEART!

I guess as far as first arguments go, it could be a lot worse.

Have a Merry Mochi Christmas!

So I’m back.  At least for today.  And just to grumble, really.  What about?  Why, I thought you’d never ask…

- My Japan pictures have been downloaded on my computer and have sat there untouched, which is why you haven’t seen any pictures yet.  I’ll get to it, I promise.  I just can’t say when.  Oh, and the party pics from the last 3 birthday parties we went to, and the park pics, and the Halloween pics and probably the upcoming Thanksgiving pics, too.  You get the idea. 

- The 5 recent fires covering Southern California left the skies smoky and everything covered in ash.  Even though the fires are contained and you can’t smell the smoke, the effects on Big Mochi’s asthmatic lungs lingers.  I cannot begin to tell you how much it sucks to see a tiny little person struggle to breathe… particularly when it’s YOUR tiny little person.  And to add to it, she’s not docile.  She is one active mochi.

- The day started off great.  Baby Mochi did NOT wake up before 5:00, which was grand.  Big Mochi got up and dressed herself in a timely manner without complaint.  But then at 9:30, I was informed that Baby Mochi had a fever and needed to be picked up from Aunty’s.  A mochi sleeping in = upcoming fever.  It never fails.  So we came home and thanks to Tylenol, the fever never came back and she proceeded to tear up the house.

- My house is so unbelievably messy, the task of clean up so daunting, I shut down and climb over everything and go to bed each night in hopes that the cleaning fairy will pay us a visit overnight.

- G is working far far away for the next 3 days, which means I get the mochis to myself each night.  That’s always fun, except for the cooking, cleaning, bathing, bedtime routine, followed by laundry, bills, and making the climb over the clutter.  I considered looking for a machete so I could create a safe passage to my bed, bathroom and front door.  Anyone know where I can find one?

- Let’s talk about dinner.  Tonight’s dinner was simple.  Peas, chicken, and rice-a-me (roni).  Opening the can of peas, I can do.  I warmed them, put them in a bowl, and sent the mochis off with their appetizers while I finished the rice-a-me.  Chicken katsu is fried chicken with panko.  That’s Japanese bread crumbs conveniently packaged in a non-baby-resistent clear package that actually explodes when opened by a 2-year old.  That being said, dinner was delayed an extra 15 minutes while I chased 2 mochis away who thought a panko-sprinkled kitchen floor was very cool and snow-like.  I improvised with crushing some Crispy Rice (that’s Ralphs brand Rice Krispies) in a Disney Princess ziploc and used that instead.  I think it actually came out better.  

- Did I mention that while I was cooking, someone was coloring my off-white carpet with bright blue crayon?  And one of my dining chairs, which is covered with off-white fabric?  And my off-white walls?  And the tan diaper changing table?  Well, that one we don’t care about, but the rest?!?!?  COME ON, MAN!!!  Cut me a break!

Anyway, I’m exhausted, and I don’t even want to start with the Barry Manilow’s new CD coming out that’s a tribute to the 80s that includes Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up…  this painful day just needs to end.

So I’ve been gone a month.  I’m back now.  And one day I’ll get caught up on the 886 pictures and videos that I brought back from Japan and start posting them.  For now, I’ve got bigger things to accomplish!  Baby Mochi’s duck costume, for one!  And carving an amazing pumpkin (again) – IF I can find a decent thing to carve this year.  *sigh*

But just so I have a plan, here’s what you’ll get over time:

• My Japan trip recap, which I have split into 4 categories:
  • 1) The tour and the sites
  • 2) The daily life
  • 3) The food
  • 4) The return
• Halloween

In the meantime, I have to make a critical decision to make right now.  I have a kiwi fruit, an apple, and a Reese’s peanut butter cup on my desk.  One needs to tie (tide?) me over for an hour when I go to lunch.  The logical decision would be the fruit, because it is healthy, supplies energy and fiber, and goes bad after a while.  But on the other hand, the Reese’s will give me a boost of sugar and energy and by the time it wears out, I’ll have eaten lunch and gained some nutrients back.  Also, Big Mochi is allergic to peanuts so I’m doing her a huge justice just by getting rid of it.  So there you have it, I’m doing it for the kids!!!!! 

 36) Procrastination is a nasty habit.  When you have something to do (like vacation photos to organize or Halloween costumes to make or pumpkins to carve), finish it quickly!  And don’t be a hypocrite!  And practice what you preach! 

I hope you all get the irony of all that…

It’s not even the end of September and the stores are filled with not only Halloween and Thanksgiving decor, but Christmas craziness as well!  It’s not fair!  We just got through with summer like what… yesterday?  Sheesh, people, give me a little time to breathe!  Pumpkins (Baby Mochi calls them pockins) Patch isn’t even open yet!

Anyway, if anyone noticed, my blog has been pretty quiet for the past week or so.  I go on my vacation in count them – FIVE DAYS!  So my time has been spent preparing for my leave.  That is preparing my house for my mother-in-law to stay with G and the mochis to help out for 2 weeks, get my backup and bosses up to speed so work continues smoothly in my absence, and of course, my general household since my brain is filled with responsibilities that only I am gonna take care of… like making sure Big Mochi’s tights are washed every week so that she can put them on for her Tuesday morning dance classes; so that she is dressed in sturdy dark-colored clothes on Wednesdays since they play in the sandbox that day; that weekly tuition checks are turned in; that we constantly have milk in the fridge; so that Big Mochi remembers that on Friday she has to bring in something that starts with the letter C, that the bills are paid and the auto-EFTs have actually worked and our bills are not late; that we have a full stock of toilet paper and diapers and wipes and shampoo for everyone at all times; and that all medical prescriptions are filled and dispensed properly.  And this is just the beginning!

So I need a break.  Mom comes in in 2 days and I need to pack!  Not to mention I still need to find non-drowsy dramamine for the trip.  That should be my final purchase for the trip!  See you back in mid-October!

Last night I was on my laptop and my W key felt smooshy when I hit it.  So I tried to peek under it to see if some lint was under it and the W popped off.  After a bit of frowning, I realized I had no idea how it worked or how to get it back on.  I was dismayed because I was in mid-IM conversation with my sister-in-law.  I asked her to ask her husband, geek of the world, how to put it back but was told that he was exercising and was wrapped up in House and wouldn’t give her the time of day.  Later he told me to look it up online.  Thanks, man.

Anyway, I did look it up and holy cow, not only did I find it, but I was able to do it all by myself!  I’m not a very mechanically-inclined person so I I’m very proud of myself!  Yay, me!  So if your IBM Thinkpad ever loses a key, click HERE. 

Baby Mochi woke up with a runny nose this morning, no doubt from Big Mochi’s new cold that she caught from school.  She wiped her nose with her hand.  She stared at her fingers and rubbed them together noticing the “water” there.  Then she holds her hands up to me and says, “Oh no!  Nose crying!”   

I love my job.  I love it when it gets busy.  My day flies by and it’s the greatest!  I like it when I get stuff, I return it completed in a timely manner and relief shows on the faces of the managers that one more thing has just been crossed off their very long list of things to do before their deadlines.

At home, this doesn’t happen.  I get woken up about 6:00 am to a low constant, “Mommy, mommy, mommy…” that has the potential to escalate into a louder more frantic sounding wail if I don’t hurry.  My day starts and doesn’t stop until my last good night kiss in the evening.  Some days start earlier than others.  Today was one of those days.  The car alarm for my next door neighbor’s teenaged son’s car is set to very sensitive, and since they are the corner house, every time a booming car or bus passes by, his car chirps right outside the mochis’ window.  This morning the street sweeper came by at 5:00, waking up Baby Mochi.  Since it was so early, I did the dishes that I neglected the night before, I took out the trash that G forgot for the first time in the 7 years that we’ve lived in this house, and then I prepared dinner.  Tonight we had tacos so I chopped up the onions, tomatoes and lettuce and browned the beef with the taco mix.  Washed those dishes, too.  Gave the mochis breakfast, dressed them, put up their hair, brushed their teeth and got me put together and we were off.  I dropped them off at school and daycare, went to work, had my busy fun-filled day, and came home to my pre-prepared dinner and was bummed when my morning efforts went unappreciated.  I feel badly for my poor mom who did the same thing for me growing up and we rarely said thanks.  So fishing for a compliment, I asked G if he noticed I took out the trash (I knew he did because he brought the cans back in) and he goes, “Ya, I can’t believe you did it!”  Still no thank you.  *sigh*  Tomorrow is mabo tofu night.  Maybe that’ll go better.

35) Say thank you.  It’s a formality that is probably not practiced enough, but gets noticed by the receiver.  I know this.

I went to this discount luggage store today during my lunchbreak.  I was trying to find those TSA-approved toiletry kits with the empty 2-ounce bottles and containers for taking on the plane.  This store was HUGE and had an amazing assortment of really cool luggage and accessories.  I found what I wanted, and as I was browsing the rest of the store, there was a nice display of travel underwear.  I think the package said 17 weeks, 6 cities, 1 pair of underwear (or something to that effect).  So you get 1 panty (or brief or boxer) for $15 and I guess you can wash it daily and it dries super fast and is made of super .  Okay, cool concept, but wouldn’t you rather have that luxury on an outerwear item that would take up more space?  Cuz I dunno about you, but my panties don’t take up THAT much room!

G had to work today so I was left with the mochis doing laundry and attempting to clean (unsuccessful).  Big Mochi was drawing pictures and doing all sorts of chores and then she’d stop and say, “I picked up all of the magnets and put them back.  Proud of me?”  “I picked up all the crayons from under the table (a whole boxful) and put them away.  Proud of me?”  This went on all day and I was grateful for her help.  I wish I could’ve given her some great snack to reward her but we were low on all food as it was grocery shopping day, and generally our snack supply is pretty lacking.  I made a mental note to take her somewhere fun next weekend. 

While preparing dinner, which is usually throwing something in the microwave, I usually give Baby Mochi a small bowl of peas, green beans, or edamame as an appetizer to tide her over until her real food comes.  Tonight she asked for peas.  I gave her a bowl and she took to eating it.  She came and asked for some more and I gave her a little more.  Then she ate a few and then dumped the bowl upside down on the counter.  Peas everywhere, me staring back at her stunned into silence, she gives me the biggest grin and says, “Pow me?”  (Proud of me?) 

• Big Mochi: Mommy, can I eat this candy?
• Me: Uhh, no.  You know the rule, no candy in the morning.  You just had breakfast.

I turn to strap on Baby Mochi’s shoes.  When I turn back, Big Mochi has the box of candy tilted back, pouring Nerds into her mouth.

• Me: Okay, what’s that about?  You know that’ll cost you a Time Out; right?

Big Mochi instantaneously explodes into a very loud wail.  She’s a big 4 1/2 year old girl.  I’m not a very big person.  I cannot physically lift her and put her on the Time Out mat like G can.  So I’m pointing at the mat yelling at her to GO NOW!  She’s flopping on the ground screaming NO!  Baby Mochi stands next to me, careful to look at my stance and models me pointing and yelling GO NOW! TIME OUT!  Since Big Mochi is already ON a mat, I tell her that THAT is her Time Out mat and she is to stay there until the microwave timer runs out.  So she’s sitting there wailing and Baby Mochi is staring at her, then looks up at me and says with worry, “Oh no, *Big Mochi* crying.”  I explain that she’s in time out for not listening to Mommy.  So she stares at her for a few more seconds, then walks over to her, studies her, sits down in the exact same position next to her and wails (without tears) alongside her.  After a minute or so, it gets old and she stands up and comes back to me, hugs my legs, then turns her face up to me, reaches and says, “Up.”  I pick her up and we stand there until the remaining seconds of Big Mochi’s 4-minute time out is up.  By then, Big Mochi has stopped crying and is giggling at Baby Mochi, who is now making fish lips at her (I’m always amazed at how quick Big Mochi’s turnaround is).  Even though she’s over it, I do my part and ask her if she understands why she was put in time out.  She answers Yes, cuz she didn’t listen when I said No Candy.  I said I love her and she said Ya I know, I love you, too.  We hug and that is the end of our drama.  Meanwhile, I check in on Baby Mochi, who managed to voluntarily experience the points of view from both sides of the event.

It’s rough being 4, but man, it must be exhausting to be 2.

Big Mochi has been dancing to KC & the Sunshine’s Band “Shake Shake Shake” for almost 3 years now.  She’s got it to where she’ll bend her knees, stick her little butt out and wiggle it every so often while she dances.  It’s the cutest thing to see. 

…almost as cute as Baby Mochi following her lead doing the same dance and singing, “Shakerbooby!”

1. If Big Mochi is in a public area, looks around and doesn’t see G or I, she will immediately burst into a very loud wail.  In a public area, Baby Mochi could care less where we are.
2. You know when kids don’t want to leave somewhere, and when you say, “Bye!” they immediately panic and come running?  Big Mochi does that.  Baby Mochi waves and says, “Bye!” right back at you – then turns and runs in the opposite direction.
3. When I use my Starbucks gift card to try to enter my work building on off-hours, nothing happens.  When I use my work badge at Starbucks instead of my Starbucks gift card, nothing happens there, either.  I found both of these things out this morning.
4. While I think those monkey backpack harnesses are degrading to babies (because they are LEASHES), I wouldn’t judge you if you have one on your child.  I understand completely.
5. I cannot stand Dora the Explorer, yes I find Kai-Lan completely appealing, even though she is named after broccoli.  Baby Mochi looks like Kai-Lan, yet she loves Dora.
6. Paradise Bakery Cafe (you can find one at the food court in Main Place Mall in Santa Ana) makes THE BEST oatmeal chocolate chip nibblers, and they’re very inexpensive for the quality!  While you’re there, you should check out Popcornopolis and Beard Papas for cream puffs!  Hurry because I bet neither of the latter 2 will last very long there.  The last few times I’ve passed by, no one’s in there. 

34) Learn to use chopsticks, learn how to swim and learn how to grill.  Essentials for survival!

So today 2 exciting things happened:  1) Big Mochi had her first dental consultation and she did so well, they did her cleaning in the same appointment!  The hygenist said she wishes she had more patients like her.   

2) I got my 3 pairs of shoes from Zappos.com already!  Free shipping to and free returns and you’re able to try on the shoes in multiple outfits – in your underwear if you like!  How cool is that?  So anyway, 1 was too big, 1 was too small and 1 was not bad, but I like the one that was too small better.  Sadly, they don’t carry it in a half size bigger so I had to return all 3.  Still… I found my shoe (the one on the left)!  Just have to get it from shoes.com or shoesonline.com and I’m all set!  Yee ha!!!!!  And yes, I am aware they’re not the most attractive things.  These are for the miles of walking we’ll be doing on tour in count them… 25 days!!!

Today Big Mochi got a new teacher, a new classroom, and a new lesson plan.  She was excited when I dropped her off and didn’t cry.  She was excited when I came home and told me she was taught to recognize her name.  She could do that before, I pointed out, but she’s never seen her name in GLITTER GLUE before! 

Meanwhile, I got tired of visiting every shoe store I can find and not finding anything so I ordered 3 pairs of shoes from zappos.com and within minutes of placing my order online, got a response saying they expedited my shipping and I should get it before 4-5 days.  Yay!

I was scheduled to be at work today so G had the mochis.  I got home early since no one needed me and actually went on to attempt to rid our home of some of my beloved clutter.  I tackled the clothes, mine and the mochis’.  It’s amazing how much accumulation 2 tiny little bodies can bring.  I ended up tossing out a trash bag full of clothes that both outgrew and that are just too worn to give away – and this doesn’t include the bags of infant clothes that have previously been given away.  Then I got 2 more trash bags full of clothes that both have outgrew (if you’re counting, that’s 3 total) that I can give away.  Then I have another bag of clothes that Baby Mochi will fit into that Big Mochi has already outgrown.  And then I always keep a small handful of clothes from each mochi because one day I’d like to quilt a memory blanket.

Then I went to my room and got rid of a bunch of my clothes.  G’s turn!  That should be fun!  He’s got hundreds of t-shirts and recycles the same 5 with holes all over the place.  I’m tired.  Maybe we’ll tackle that next weekend.  This week, we’re dealing with Big Mochi’s pre-school curriculum, new teacher and new class! 

Tonight we went to dinner with a friend that I haven’t seen in over 12 years.  We had a blast.  I loved his wife and his adorable 9-month old daughter.  They came to our house to visit for a while after dinner and the mochis had a blast playing with this new little baby that they’ve never seen before.  Big Mochi kept saying how cute she was and Baby Mochi was showing her how all her toys worked.  It’s funny when you’re young and single and don’t really think about what your life will look like 12 years later… married with kids in careers you never imagined with the cars and morgage payments.  So much responsibility compared to back then!  Who would have ever thought that we would ever become responsible for kids of our own when we couldn’t even decide where to have a meal back then?

Today I got my itinerary for my Japan trip in a few weeks.  So exciting!  The travel agency gave us a whole bunch of cool little things and reference guides along with our jam-packed schedule.  Within the reference magazine were tips for travelers.  Some included a few customs I have never heard of, like the fact that it’s impolite for women to blow their noses in public.  Instead, it says the proper thing to do is to politely sniffle until you can reach a restroom and then you can blow your nose.  It also said that the proper way to eat sushi was to dip the fish instead of the rice in the soy sauce (which I knew), but what I didn’t know was that you were supposed to eat the sushi upside down where the fish is on your tongue so you can savor its taste.  Now I don’t know about you, but I have been eating sushi for a very long time and I have never seen it eaten that way.  

There is a list of things I’d like to do while I’m there, like go to a foot-cleaning spa using fish who eat your dead flesh.  Hahaha!  Yum!

So the other day as I was leaving the house, I noticed the computer was still on.  I went to turn it off and realized it was taking way too long to get to where I needed it to be so I figured it was frozen and held down the power button until it shut off.  (I apologize to the bunch of geeks cringing at that last statement)  Yes, I realize it’s not the best thing to do with a potentially running computer but I had 2 mochis with shoes on ready to leave the house for school and if I had waited a minute longer, they would’ve lost their focus and I’d have to start chasing them around the house.  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

So later that night G tells me his computer crashed.  I hide my reaction  and run to my phone to call the master geek of them all, my brother, and after running through a few unsuccessful boot-up attempts, discover that he needs a new hard drive.  Fortunately C&K are coming down tomorrow so we can get that taken care of – hopefully.   

Big Mochi is going back to Aunty’s house for a day because her “big-girl school” is preparing for the school year that starts next week.  Two of her friends are also leaving for big-girl (and boy) school so we made treats* for everybody!

Couple things, though… I think the New York fudge-filled patties are seasonal (boo!) so I could only get the peppermint ones, so I’m guessing the kiddies will enjoy the visual effect more so than the taste.  I would’ve loved to have used Keebler peanut butter patties but then I’d be sending my mochi straight to the ER.  

*Thanks to JustJenn for the recipe!

Cool:

• - Dancing mochis
• - Baby Mochi being able to assemble a 26-piece alphabet puzzle all by herself with great confidence
• - Big Mochi being able to draw our family (to scale) riding rollercoasters next to a tall giraffe eating apples out of a tree near her house with flowers growing in the garden under a smiling sun in a blue sky
• - Having someone close to the ground constantly picking up abandoned money everywhere we go.  I swear, sometimes she finds enough for a full lunch!  Piggy banks weigh a ton!
• - Baby Mochi bringing me footwear when we are about to go outside
• - Knowing why a mochi is crying because they are telling you with words instead of you guessing

Uncool:

• - Still not being able to find the remote control to the receiver after a year due to that “put things in the trash” phase
• - Trying to comfort a crying mochi about something beyond your control, like the weather or a broken soft serve machine
• - When cribs are able to be climbable
• - Big Mochis who mysteriously appear in your bed each night – and the only way they are discovered is because you get an elbow in the eye or a heel dropped on your belly
• - Crashed computers with downloaded and erased pics of your mochis

Today is one of those days where I surrender.  I would like to trade in Big Mochi for a day or two – for a goldfish.  Something quiet and obedient.  I mean, how ornery can a fish get?  “Stop staring at me!” hahaha!  Baby Mochi has been exceptionally good, so it’s been nice.  But then today Aunty told me she threw a fit at daycare today and wouldn’t eat or sleep.  Just great!  I give up!