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His Own Vision

Our extended family has a new member.


We got the news yesterday morning via text message that Eri's sister had safely given birth to a baby boy. Her poor husband couldn't be in the hospital due to covid restrictions. Their daughter was born right after the pandemic hit so he couldn't be in the room that time either. He's an awesome guy and makes up for it by being a model husband and father. 

Kenzo and Osamu are of course delighted to have a new cousin. Last week they had so much fun when we visited and played with cousin Emika. Eri's dad even called us the other night out of the blue because he forgot to tell us that he observed Osamu being especially sweet to his little cousin, tossing the ball gently to her and telling her to be careful.

Kenzo has been particularly sensitive recently. The other morning as I was getting the boys buckled into the car he got upset and even started to cry because Osamu was wearing his coat hood with earmuffs. He was indignant and just went on about how you're not supposed to wear earmuffs if you're gonna use your coat hood. Osamu didn't help the situation. He was telling Kenzo it was good, which was just fanning the flames.

Today was another no nap day for those guys, so Eri fast-tracked dinner. Curry udon, by the way... mmmm. I got the bath going and told the boys "chop chop" and "ABC - always be cleaning," to which Osamu responded, "ABC - don't be cleaning" as he and Kenzo picked up their toys and put them away and straightened up the living room and got their pajamas out.

It was Kenzo' turn to choose a story and he chose a Japanese storybook from the library book bag. We have sort of an unofficial policy where I only speak in English and Eri speaks Japanese, with pockets of English when she feels like it. I could see Eri was tired and I don't know the story Kenzo chose. When they choose Japanese books I prefer to read them ahead of time so I can tell it in English. So I said, "Hey dude, let's choose another one."

Boo. Ding. Incorrect response. Kenzo started to sob. Luckily I caught on quick. Sometimes I miss the signal and waterworks ensue. I gave Eri the look and she defused the situation by announcing she would be reading the bedtime story tonight.


Kenzo has pretty much dismantled all the Lego sets he has and reconstructed them the way he likes. Even though I have spent many many hours with him and the instruction books putting together airplanes, race cars, trucks, and various municipal buildings, I love that he has his own vision.


It got up to 15 degrees this afternoon. When I was walking at lunchtime I was awestruck by the view of Mt. Izumi from one of my favorite parts of my walking course.

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