Mommy and I went to Hatsumode, first shrine visit of the year. We had to go without Daddy since he was at work. He even went to work yesterday even though it was the day after we got back form Hawaii. Don’t worry Daddy, I prayed extra at the shrine just for you.
I love all kinds of vehicles, but I am quite into trains these days. Some of my favorite videos to watch on YouTube are train videos. Everyone in Grandma and Grandpa’s house quickly learned my sign language for trains meant that I wanted to watch train videos, especially Shinkansen videos. I had seen them before in videos and books, and I even have a toy Shinkansen, but I had never ridden one before. That is until today!
We went to visit Baaba with Obachan and Mommy’s brother, who is my Ojisan, and when we don’t go by car we have to take the Shinkansen. It is only one short stop away, but I really enjoyed the ride!
Both to and back!
I’ve met Ojisan several times and I’m starting to get used to him and familiar with him. We went to visit Baaba and he joined us since he is visiting from Tokyo. I don’t cry with him anymore. We are starting to figure out how to interact with each other. It may take a little more time but we are moving in the right direction. I want him to know that the trick is to give me food. That way he’ll instantly be on my good people list!
I missed my toys while I was gone. I only had about a week with my Christmas gift from Mommy and Daddy before we left for Hawaii. It is nice to be able to play with it again. Also my cars from my Hot Wheels advent calendar.
Now what do I play with next?
Well, we’re back in Japan. After such a long day traveling and going to bed so late you would think that I would sleep until noon, but no I didn’t. I woke up maybe just a little bit later than my usual wake up time. I was well rested and in a good mood, not jet-lagged at all as far as I can tell. I’m happy to be home but I already miss Hawaii. One thing that doesn’t change no matter where I am is my appetite. I had a very good breakfast and was ready to start a brand new day in Japan.
I was very excited for our last flight home. I don’t mind flying at all and I don’t even mind waiting for flights. That just gives me time to look at a lot of airplanes!
While waiting, Daddy took me to the gift shop and let me pick out a little toy because I was behaving so well. I first chose I huge set of airplanes, but it was a bit to big to take with us so I settled for a nice little airplane which I instantly loved! I started to play with it immediately at the gate. And even when we got on the airplane. I played with that little airplane until I got sleepy and nodded off. I don’t remember much from the last flight home.
Our flight landed safely and all of us had taken a nice nap on the airplane. We got our bags, hopped in a taxi and headed home. We got home safely and after a quick snack and bath I was fast asleep in bed. I had wonderful dreams filled with the amazing memories I made on this trip. It was the best trip ever and we had an incredible time! Thank you to the whole family for taking care of me and entertaining me and teaching me. I love you all so so much! I can’t wait to see you all again! But for now it is time to sleep and hopefully readjust to Japan time. Good night!
We were ready to take off and I wanted to make sure that everyone was here. Mommy and Daddy were on the flight, but where were Maimai and Tata? I misunderstood when they said they were going home on the same day as us. They were taking a different flight to their home, not the same flight as us to our home. That’s too bad. But I made some great memories with them and look forward to seeing them again!
Why do people often complain about airline food? I think it tastes pretty good!
After eating I played a bit. I played with my sticker books, the little cars I brought with me, I watched some videos on the monitor, and I chatted with Daddy. (Mommy had the first nap shift.) I was very well behaved and did not cry at all or cause any disturbance. I was an excellent traveller! After a while I started to get tired and I climbed up and Daddy and he rocked my while seated until I fell asleep. I had pretty good nap. Then I played some more, this time with Mommy as it was Daddy’s turn to take a nap. He woke up to see that I was still being a very good boy and that I was having fun playing with Mommy!
We had a small snack before we landed which I really liked. I knew we had one more flight but wasn’t sure how much time we’d have so I ate while I could.
We were lucky that our next flight’s gate was very close to our departure gate. So we were able to make it there on time. Actually, we had just enough time for all of us to have a snack. I had my Anpanman biscuits and Mommy and Daddy had a sandwich that they were going to eat on the plane.
Then it was time to board our next flight.
When we were settle in our seats, Mommy and Daddy started to eat their sandwich, and I stole a few bites.
Now with a full tummy I was ready for our long flight back to Japan.
We safely got on our first flight and I was very excited to be on an airplane again! I love flying and was having a fun time pointing out all the airplanes at the airport. Then we got some of my vehicle stickers out so I could enjoy other vehicles instead of just airplanes. This first flight just flew by.
We had a bit of a hiccup when leaving Kauai. We arrived at the airport to find that our flight had been cancelled. We had to stand in a long line to get a new fight. It was a long wait and I ended up falling asleep in my baby carrier. I think all of us were secretly hoping that everything else would be cancelled to so we would have to stay on Kauai a while longer. But, the Hawaiian Airline team worked very hard and got us a new flight that would make it in time to catching our international flight.
So it was time to say good bye to Grandma and Grandpa. We had a such a great time! Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for everything! We’ll talk again soon. Love you!
Playing with Lauren to the very last minute before we have to leave.
I found out that we are heading back to Japan today. I heard that we were going home but I thought that meant Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Oh. I’m not sure I’m ready to head back.
We had a New Year’s Day party at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and I was happy to see a lot of familiar faces from last night’s New Year’s Eve party. They are family friends and get together every year. It has been a tradition for years, more than a dozen years at least. I’m glad to be a part of it.
Once again we had a lot of fun! So much fun that we forgot to take pictures. I was well behaved and mingled as much as a little toddler can mingle. I was around and among everyone but did not directly interact with anybody except for family.
Our friends were impressed with how big I was. We were all surprised to find out that I was nearly the same weight as one of their little girls who was nearly four-years-old. They asked if I was a good eater and everyone answers with an emphatic “yes”!
After dinner it is a tradition to play some games. I tried to participate but because I didn’t understand I kind of got in the way. But I did my part because my game card was lucky and Mommy won quite a bit off of it.
Daddy took me to the other room to watch some videos so that I wouldn’t mess up anyone’s cards.
I had a great time being around everyone and wandering around the house and observing people. But just like last night, it was getting late and I had to go to bed. So I said goodnight to everyone and headed into the bedroom. But not before a couple of pictures with Mommy and Daddy. It was the last even of our trip and my smile showed how much fun this trip has been. I had the best time ever! It was a great end to 2022 and a wonderful start to 2023!
I went to bed, but wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep. I eventually did fall asleep with many great memories of my first holiday trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Hawaii!
We leave tomorrow, so I wanted to play in the backyard one last time. We had a ball just being silly!
After I woke up from my nap Mommy and Daddy were getting my snack ready. I took the opportunity to have some one-on-one play time with Aunty Chris! It seems like she loves cars just as much as I am! Or maybe she just loves me so much that she can make seem like she loves cars. Either way, I’m so happy!
I woke up from a very good nap in a very good mood. So instead of crying out for Mommy and Daddy I decided to just go and find them on my own. So after sitting up in bed for a while to fully wake up, I slid out of bed and headed straight to the door. I was very happy to see Mommy and Daddy outside the door waiting for me.
I’ve been having such a great holiday here in Hawaii. So much so that I get very excited about Christmas trees. Look at how big this tree is and look at all the pretty ornaments.
I was in such a good mood that we figured that it was a good chance to take a few family photos.
