50% off today at SigingTime.com!

OK, so I'm not one for posting sales but this is too good to pass up.  It is a great time to buy gifts for some of the kids on your list!
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Go to: http://signingtimeacademy.com/heidi and shop your heart out!!!
Let me know if you'd like a product recommendation to get you started!

Friday, Nov. 26: 50% off purchases over $50 
Saturday, Nov. 27: $15 off purchases over $50 
Sunday, Nov. 28: FREE SHIPPING with purchases over $50 (*within the U.S. only)
Monday, Nov. 29: 20% off all collections, bundles, and sets

Please keep in mind that the sale dates are based on the date in the U.S.
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This is copied from:
(http://signingway.blogspot.com/2010/11/shopping-deal.html)

Exploring the Senses

The time has come to enjoy the new smells of the season.  As December arrives the smell of yuzu once again returns to brighten up the winter.  Little Lady had a chance to explore and play with a yuzu this week.  She smelled it, rolled it and licked it.  Even at 3 months old it was clear that she enjoyed being able to learn about yuzu in her own way.
Soon she'll get to learn about apples!

Japan Vaccination Information

Did you know that the vaccination information book for Japan is avalible in English as well as many other languages?

 Here is the link:
http://www.yoboseshu-rc.com/index.php?id=8

The first link in the line of downloads are at the bottom of the page is the English copy.

My, How the Children Grow!

This past week has been filled with much thankfulness as we celebrate the health of our kids.  Both kids had check-ups at the health center and in church last Sunday we a special Children's Blessing at church.  It is a Christian response to the Shinto 7-5-3 (blessing on children). 

 Since we are always thankful for the kids, no matter their age, all children are welcome for the church blessing.  Our two little ones were being shy at church that day (very strange!) so we didn't make it to the front with everyone else!

Here's how they measured up at the check-ups:

Little Guy

102 cm / 40 in. tall, weighs 17 kg / 37.5 lbs

Little Lady

62.5 cm / 24in. tall, weighs 6 kg / 13.2 lbs.

Both are healthy and a little bit ahead with milestones for their age.  For that we are very thankful!



Gingerbread Man

Run, run as fast as you can.

You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread man!

I love to have a birthday party with a theme but detest the overcomercialized brand name parties in a box.  A theme can be inspired by something as simple as a balloon or as involved as a story.  Last year it was the Bremen Town Musicians. 
This year the theme was taken from one of our favorite books - the Gingerbread Man, also known as しょうがパンぼうや or Der Lebkuchenmann.  We started out with reading the story.

After the book we decorated gingerbread people.  A few of them were tasted right away just to make sure they were good.

This homemade pillow was a gift for the birthday boy.  He loves making it run when we read the book!

Of course no party would be complete without a birthday cake.  I made this gingerbread man and served him on an oven tray just like the one in the story.  This one didn't have a chance to run away though!