What a great big brother, giving little sister a ride.  I wonder if this is a glimpse of responsible 16-year-old Max giving 13-year-old Hazel a lift. 

Hazel is so anxious to play with the big kids at the playground, but with all the scooters and bikes whizzing by, I haven’t let her down to just crawl.  And apparently, the stroller just feels too lame.  A friend let her take a spin in his wheels and she OWNED that playground.    

We explored a new hill in the neighborhood Friday.  Hazel tried to charge the hill behind Max and took a tumble but wasn’t bothered by the fall in the least.  She was covered in grass and leaves, but tried again and again.  She rolled a few feet back each time; “nevertheless, she persisted”.  Love her.  

Max found some good material for his tree house after scouring the “mountain”.  

I love these little people.

And a typical weekday morning in the life here.  Mornings are best when they are slow.  Breakfast, play time, teeth brushing.  

I’m trying to capture all the “lovely” little details of this house (like the tiled bathrooms and kitchen) so I’m super thankful for the next house.  ;). Mostly, I just want Max and Hazel to have a mental picture of where they lived and what life looked like so they can “remember” through pictures.  

Max went to the Daiso and made his first ever independent purchase this week.  He did many jobs, including folding laundry, loading/unloading the dishwasher, sweeping, etc. to earn 110 yen (about a dollar) to purchase a miniature power strip (or plugger, as he calls it).  He saw one at a friend’s house weeks ago and has been saving up ever since.  He was thrilled to receive a bag and a receipt and 2 yen change back from his purchase.  The next morning, he asked to use the computer.  He is seen above, “budgeting the receipt from the plugger” he bought.  

Happy ten months, dear Hazel!  You are fun, fun, fun.  Always up for an adventure and a slobbery kiss.  

You crawl at surprisingly fast speeds and look like a little doll with your perfect coordination.  You can stand with only one hand holding on to the furniture and I think you’ll start practicing standing independently soon.  You babble constantly and I hear dada dada and mama mama sounds from you often, though it’s not entirely clear if you are addressing us or not.  You follow your brother around like he’s your hero.  

Your greatest ambition is to get inside the pantry to play with the broom, or to escape the gate and climb the stairs.  You like to dance and bounce and sing and laugh.  Your temper is still a force to behold, but those frowns are always quickly replaced by grins.  

You’re back to sleeping through the night and usually take two solid naps a day.  You love to eat and we have started ordering you your own dishes at cafes.  You went to the nursery at church for the first time today, and I think it was harder for mama than you.  

I can’t overstate how much joy you bring to us, baby girl.  Our life with you and your brother is rich and sweet.

The many faces of Max.  He’s finally started showing annoyance at my camera always pointed at him, and is reacting with goofy faces every time I try to take a picture.  It was bound to happen at some point.

We had a fun cafe date on the ocean with friends this week, then took a windy walk along the seawall.