Chris and Kim Otto

It has been years since I carved a pumpkin! Well actually, Chris did all the carving but Sakura and I cleaned out the seeds. She was really fascinated with reaching her hand all the way in and putting out the seeds.

She kept three seeds aside to "play" with later. It's amazing how long three seeds can keep a child occupied - line them up in row, move them from place to place, etc.

The seed roasted up deliciously!

A couple more shots of Sakura enjoying the Halloween party. She wasn't too happy about taking an early nap since the party was during her regular nap time but hopefully it was worth it!

Saturday was the annual Halloween at YC&AC. Sakura got all decked out in her Tigger costume and enjoyed some treat-or-treating. She thought it was pretty awesome that people would put stuff in the little bag she was holding. She even tried to eat the candy through the wrappers!

On most Tuesdays, Sakura and I join other moms in the park to let the kids run around and play. It used to be that all of the other moms got to sit around and chat while the babies crawled around on the picnic mats and I chased after Sakura. Now the dynamic of the group of is really changing with former babies venturing off the mats and beginning walkers improving their skills.

Sakura really enjoyed walking to the top of this gentle slope and running back down. It was hilarious how her cheeks would jiggle as she ran!

I'm beginning to think this is the only way Sakura will wear a hat. She is constantly taking off her sunhats outside but ever time she finds a baseball cap around the house she willingly puts it on backward.

Sakura seems to be learning a new word everyday. However, a couple of her favorites are "feet" and "shoes".

I always tell her to go get her shoes when we are going out and she complies by bringing back a pair of shoes. From this she has learned to hint that we should go outside by bringing me her shoes.

She also likes to try on every pair of shoes she can find. Here she can be seen walking around the kitchen in Grandma's shoes. You should see her in a pair of heels!

I will post some more pictures from our trip this week but wanted to post some recent pictures from our visit to Hakkeijima Aquarium.

Sakura and I returned to Japan at the beginning of Obon which is one of the major holiday seasons in Japan. Chris had a 5 day weekend so we decided to take Sakura to the Aquarium.

Unfortunately, everyone in Japan decides to get out of the house during Obon. We got going early so we only had to wait 30 minutes to park and were able buy our tickets and walk right into the crowded aquarium. The line just to get in the door was huge by the time we left.

Sakura had a great time looking at all the animals and fish. She thought the penguins were especially cool. She was squealing and yelling above all the Japanese children.

Pictures from left to right: Sakura making herself at home in front of the giant two story fish tank; Chris and Sakura riding up the escalator in the middle of the giant fish tank; Sakura enjoying the marine mammal show (she thought it was great when everyone clapped)

We had a fun time despite to crowds and incredibly hot and humid weather.

Wow. It has been a long time since I posted any pictures!

Sakura and I spent most of July and half of August in the US visiting family and doing lots of shopping. She definately has enough clothes for the winter and quite a few for next summer.

It was great having so many people around to entertain Sakura. One thing she loves to do is sit on anyone laying on the floor. It only took a few seconds for her to climb on Jerry after he laid down. Somehow she got her hands on his wallet and preceded to empty it. Another of her favorite activities - emptying wallets.

She had cash in one hand and a credit card in the other. I tried to convince her to take me shopping but she was having too much fun bouncing up and down.