The Year of Hotpot

New Year’s Eve is one of the only two nights I would stay up for (the other is Oscars). We don’t do anything grandiose.  Dinner is simple and easy.  Kids are tucked to bed on their usual bedtime. The TV is on for the New Year Countdown in Time Square and Nathan Phillips Square. It is one of those moments I want to be awake for - the split second when one year ends, and another begins.

This year is our first full year in our new house (we moved on December 2012).  And a full house it has been!  Between March and July we have had a revolving door of guests, enough to forego the housewarming. One batch at a time, some overlap, and basement renovation in between.  While at it, we are getting on with the daily humdrum and also getting settled-in the new home ourselves.  It’s been very hectic but it was my pleasure to open our home to family and friends.

Our office also finds a new home, which cuts my commute by half. Though I miss the airport view, it has now been replaced by the very inviting shopping hub, Heartland Town Centre. I could easily make a quick stop on my way home – grocery shopping, buying dinner or “just looking”. So, pray this danger zone doesn’t scream my name whenever I drive by it, or Sorry, Mr. Hotpot! 

I still rise early each morning to make bento for my boys. They are now in the after-school program while I go back to full time hours. Although this has loosen some pressure at work, life took over on the home front.  My blog has gone to backburner.  I have not taken and shared as much photos as I had, but I have just as much special moments worth capturing, saving and sharing.  On the flipside, I have lived and relished in those moments as they are taking place. Check out my Instagram, for snippets of my everyday life. 

We took a raincheck on a big trip this year, but we’ve been out and about.  We’ve been to Mountsberg Maple Towne for maple syrup making, StonehavenFarm for pumpkins and corn maze, Crystal Beach, High Park and Niagara-on-the-Lake with our guests, Burlington Waterfront with my family, the Shrine Circus, Toronto Centre Island with friends, and Riverwood Conservancy for hike, among others.  I have taken Sashimi on his favourite train and subway rides in Toronto to a Jays game, Sugar Beach, ROM, and the new Ripley’s Aquarium. Sushi had a different birthday experience at the Raptors Game with his BFF. Meanwhile, Sashimi's favourite outing was the plane-ride to New Jersey. A nice 5-day break for me from the daily mundane to go eating and shopping with my sisters.

Back home, Dad is battling stage 4 cancer and has gone through 6 rounds of chemotherapy.  While this is to us terrifying and depressing, Dad is in good spirits.  Thanks to family and friends who are keeping him company regularly.  It is a good way of celebrating his life while he is still with us.  I am so grateful that he was able to visit me this year with Mom and my brother.   And I am going to see him in February in the new year.

This year marks our 10 years in Canada.  I am on the same job for 6 years.  Sushi turned 9, Sashimi turned 5, and I, another year older. In the winter I tried ice-skating for the very first time. Fearless like I was 5. And in the summer I was biking, with the determination of a 9 year old. One is never too old. And it’s never too late.  

I shall carry this on into the new year and there will be no deterent to try to new things. Be bold. Dream big. Believe I can.  Do something out of the ordinary. Go places I've never been. Take a different route to work. To the mall. Or to the gas station. Enjoy the drive. The everyday commute.  Because it is every day.

I will make new friends.  Be something to someone. Build extraordinary relationships. Love unconditionally.  Say thank you to the office cleaning lady. Or to the bus driver. Hug my parents.  And my kids.  Every day.  Live everyday like there’s no tomorrow.  Because life is short. And unpredictable.   

I will not sweat the small stuff. Rather, pick my battles. Take it easy. Appreciate the little things. Look at the sky. Wait for the rainbow. Marvel at the trees.  Stop and smell the roses. Value the ever day ordinary. 

“Write it in your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Wishing you a good Every Day in 2014!
From the Hotpot Family

Dear Sushi,

You are turning 9 this month, but most times when I look at you, I still see that little baby that you once were. I still remember your first solids, first laugh, first swim, first steps… all your firsts. I never seemed to have missed any of it.

I was worried when you started talking late, but today you just wouldn’t stop. You can talk about anything from baseball statistics to U.S. Presidents, topics that bore kids. That’s why you love being with grown-ups who know what you’re talking about,

Even if it’s the first time you met them,

And even if you’re the only kid at the table.

You will read anything (that also bores me) - Time magazine and such.

You will read anywhere as long as there’s light - at a concert.

I was afraid you’ll be a nerd (like me), but not after I saw you shoot hoops,

And pitched a baseball at 32mph.

My favourite moments with you are when you are being silly with me,

Chatting in our hikes,

Sharing our birthday ice cream,

Sitting at the back row of the car, even if we both feel carsick, guessing if Roar or Royals made it to the Top20.

You thank me if I make sacrifices, and so you would always give me the best part, or the last piece, of anything. This is up on our wall at home because of you.

Your kind words surprise me, and your hugs for no reason. Oh, the privileges of being your Mom.

It makes me proud when I see you hold the door for the kids in your school. I trust that you will take care of Shoti with the same kindness.

Please don’t ever stop wanting to learn.

Keep on being helpful.

Go on with your reading - whether to a crowd

Or alone, and even until you wear glasses.

Don't be too serious.

Keep playing and enjoy being a kid!

I love you to pieces... to infinity... and beyond....

 XOXO, Mom

“The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born…. Your life, as you know it... is gone, never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.”
- Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola

Happy Halloween!

 

Since we have more family now here to celebrate Halloween with. I hosted a Halloween party. We have also opened our door to trick-or-treaters. This is our first in our new home.

 

 

 

Roar!

 

 

 

 

 

It's Hang Time!

Sashimi is so into superheroes this year. So for his birthday, we invited his school friends over and a special guest.

 

 

I got these balloons from the Dollar Store for $2 each.

I like how these balloons stand on its own. Instant party décor and went with the loot for the kids.

I didn't go big on decorations.  The paper plates and cups dressed up the table so easily. I only put out black and red fruits, gummies and chocolates.

Kids are hard to trick these days. They knew right away it isn't the real Spiderman.

Sashimi gets his Spidey cake as well.

Sushi is nowhere near the party. He thinks this is a children's party. What are you, Sushi?

 

I'll do anything for you, including get Spiderman to be in your party.

Happy Birthday, my little web slinger! Love you lots!

Back to School

My dear babies,

Each year around this time I get butterflies in my stomach.  Another school year begins for you.  I would constantly remind myself that I’m not the one heading back to school.  It’s you, my two mini-me’s.  You are very much an extension of myself, and so I can’t help it. It’s challenging for Mom to release you each new school year, but I am confident that you will thrive well – socially and academically.  Enjoy school.  If you should come home with ripped pants and worn-out shoes from having way too much fun, that’s okay. In fact, that will make me very happy.

XOXO,
Mom

P.S. Daddy said good luck to me. I asked, what for.  He said he knows who's going to cry on the first day of school and it's neither of you. Dang!

To Buy or To Make

I was given the choice to order school lunches/snacks for the kids for a couple of days each week.  Yes it will spare me from crazy mornings.  But no thanks.  Besides the price tag, I refused it because I wanted the kids to bring to school something prepared by my own hands. Nevermind the topsy turvy.

 

This is Sushi's lunch bento.

This is for Sashimi.

Spam sandwich with Laughing Cow cheese spread, and grape tomatoes.

 

 

 

 

Dear Sashi

Dear Sashi. Thank you for constantly reminding me that I could stop whatever I am doing and just listen to you. Even if it's again about airplanes and airports. Even if it's just for a while. It's always my pleasure.  XOXO, Mom.

Sushi's 2013 Resolutions

 

 

 

Adjustable Shower

While Sushi is in training to bathe on his own, I thought the shower system with adjustable slidebar will do the work for my ever growing boys.  It can easily replace the basic showerhead in the bathroom.  Best part, no drilling for Mr. Hotpot!

Surprise!

I picked up my boys today from school. Sushi surprised me with this - “Since I’m turning 8, I already made plans for my future. So I can be a step ahead of my friends, I have decided whom I want to marry.” That someone who doesn’t even know the word “crush” has certainly crushed his mother. *fainting*

He talks about this girl every day (and night). How he plans to tell her that he wants to marry her, even if “she might think I’m crazy.”

Borrowing Sashimi’s new line – Seriously?

Please don't grow up too fast.

 

 

 

 

Last Day of Camp

We're inching closer to the start of another schoolyear.  Sushi will be in Grade 3, while Sashimi will be in Junior Kindergarten, joining his big brother in the same school. I am about to have anxiety attack!  I will be making bento for two.

Today is Sushi's last day at the Interactive Learning Camp. It also happens to be a field trip to Ontario Science Centre.  This is his bento.

Sandwich with bologna and cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Goldfish crackers, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes and black grapes

To My Boys

Dear Sushi,
Today you asked me what I do at work. To satisfy your curious mind, I went into detail about education plan, college, degrees and occupation. I know that’s way too advanced for your age. But I know you understood them. You’re only 7 but you talk like your 18 and insist you’ll be a “different kind of teenager.” You know now that life is not all about you, and that there’s a bigger world out there that you have yet to discover and explore. You make me proud.

Dear Sashimi,
Every time we pass by the Purolator building, you say that is your office. You’re only 3 and you already want to go to work.

Please don’t grow up too fast.

XOXO,
Mom



Express Yourself

As much as I want to keep everything spic and span at home, we let the kids express themselves by mixing & matching and cutting & pasting. We see tidbits of these in all corners of our space.

Sashimi's has turned his placemat from this

Into this

While Sushi took the liberty of picking the World Map for his placemat, even if it doesn't match my colour scheme.

But he loves geography and he learns while he eats. Why not?