Miwa

Miwa’s Graduation

May 17, 2014 By Misono in Family and Friends Tags: ceremony, college, commencement, Fairfax, George Mason University, GMU, graduation, Mio, Mirei, Miwa, Patriot Center, university, video

Today, we attended Miwa’s graduation ceremony at George Mason University’s Patriot Center! She had her department graduation ceremony on Wednesday evening, and this ceremony on Saturday morning was for all the graduates of spring 2014.

The girls and I waiting for the commencement ceremony to begin.

The graduates entering... — The graduates entering…

Mirei in the Ergo Baby, looking up at me. She was well-behaved and quiet during most of the ceremony!

Mio also did pretty well, though she did start getting restless halfway in.

It took us a while to figure out exactly where Miwa was... can you spot her? — It took us a while to figure out exactly where Miwa was… can you spot her?

Mirei looking rather grumpy... thankfully Daddy did a great job calming her. — Mirei looking rather grumpy… thankfully Daddy did a great job calming her.

Congratulations to all the graduates of 2014!

Group picture after going out to lunch to celebrate Miwa's graduation. — Group picture after going out to lunch to celebrate Miwa’s graduation.

Mio and Obaachan. I realized we actually have few photos of Mio with my parents… have to remember to take more!

Congratulations, Miwa! Can’t believe my baby sister is now a college graduate — so proud of her! â™¥

An Enchanted Tea Party

December 23, 2012 By Misono in Family and Friends, Mio Tags: Mio, Miwa, nursery, tea, tea party

We’ve been trying to find ways to keep Mio entertained indoors during the cold winter days when it’s too chilly to play outside. Last week my sister Miwa, fresh off her fall semester, planned and set up a tea party for Mio in her nursery! It was so sweet and magical. Here are some pictures.

Miwa setting up the table — My sister Miwa setting up for the party.

A teacup for Mio — A mini teacup for Mio! The play teacup set was a birthday gift for Mio earlier this year from our dear friends Sonya & Sofia. 🙂

All of Mio's friends came! — All of Mio’s friends came!

Mio's invitation to the tea party — My sister had even made invitations for Mio and I that she delivered the night before.

Mio handing Miwa the invitation to enter. — Mio handing Miwa the invitation to enter the party.

Mio arriving at the tea party. — Mio was in awe upon arriving at her party.

The guest of honor! — Mio was the guest of honor, and she knew exactly where to sit without being told.

Our little Alice in Wonderland — Dressed in a blue dress, she was our very own little Alice in Wonderland.

Toasting with Auntie Miwa. Mio loves doing “cheers!” so we must have clinked teacups 30 times or so during the tea party.

Mio enjoying her tea. — Sipping (or rather, chugging?) her tea.

Mio trying to get her bear to drink. — She insisted on making sure all her friends had some tea, too…

Feeding her doll — …and that they were well fed. 😉

Mio giving me a kiss! — Mio loved the party so much, she gave me a kiss!

I love this girl — My little sweetheart. I’m so glad she had such a fun time!

Sweethearts. — Of course, the actual one to thank was Miwa, who orchestrated everything and made it such a lovely afternoon for all of us! Thank you Miwa â™¥

Mio seemed to really love the tea party, and it seemed like she knew she had to be proper and well-mannered during such an occasion, because she was on her best behavior! We’ll definitely have to do one again now that we know how much she enjoys it…. 🙂

Gingerbread House Time-Lapse

December 18, 2012 By Misono in Creative Corner, Seasonal Celebrations, Videos Tags: gingerbread house, Mio, misono, Miwa, time-lapse, Trader Joe's, video

My sister and I built a gingerbread house last night! We had made one last year for the first time in years, and it was so much fun that we had to do it again. This year, we decided to make a time-lapse video to document the process, because we had so much fun making the tree-trimming time-lapse the other week.

We bought the gingerbread house kit from Trader Joe’s, and we really liked it for its unique look, all the materials it came with, and its unbeatable price — only $7.99! It’s imported from Germany, and while we have yet to eat it, the gingerbread was pretty soft and thick coming out of the box, compared to the rock-hard gingerbread you find in most other kits. It looks and smells delicious! I just love everything Trader Joe’s sells, especially during the holidays!

Here is the time-lapse video of us assembling and decorating the gingerbread house! Special thanks to Dan for setting the camera up and editing the video for us. 🙂

Some additional photos…

Our completed gingerbread house! — Miwa and I with our completed creation!

And Mio’s reaction to the gingerbread house? She saw it this morning during breakfast and broke out into a huge smile!

Pointing at the people — Curiously pointing at the people and the dog.

Maybe next year, Mio will be able to help build one with us! 🙂

National Harbor

November 21, 2012 By Misono in Family and Friends, Local Gems Tags: Dad, Maryland, Mio, Miwa, National Harbor

My father, sister, and I took a trip out to National Harbor on Wednesday and we had lunch together and strolled around the harbor and stores. The weather was beautiful!

The Awakening statue at National Harbor — There is a sculpture at National Harbor called “The Awakening,” of a 70-foot (21 m) statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself. It’s a little unnerving to look at.

Fearless. — Fearlessly climbing into the giant’s mouth.

We are loving being near our family and getting to spend so much time together during this holiday season! 🙂

Meadow Lane Park

November 20, 2012 By Misono in Family and Friends, Local Gems, Mio Tags: Meadow Lane Park, Mio, Miwa, Mom, Vienna, Virginia

On Tuesday, the girls in the family went on an outing to Meadow Lane Park in Vienna! Mio loves this park because there are so many fun things to ride and play with. It was extra fun for her that day because her Auntie Miwa and Obaachan (grandmother) came along!

Posing with Auntie Miwa in the car, on the way to the park.

Mio is so happy to be on the swing! — The swing is always one of Mio’s favorites.

On the slide with Obaachan. — Getting some help from Obaachan on the slide.

It's definitely autumn at Meadow Lane Park — It’s definitely autumn here!

Cowgirl Mio — Mio was so excited about the rocking horse!

Stylin' in her jean jacket. — This was Mio’s first time on this spinning ride.

Mio was having so much fun at the park that we knew it was going to be an ordeal to wrench her away when it was eventually time for her to go home. Sure enough…

This is what they call "the ugly cry." — If there was ever something called the “ugly cry,” this would be it.

Sweetheart. — But then, she quickly forgot about why she was so upset and started posing for the camera.

Now you're just being silly... — Now you’re just being silly…

Thank you Obaachan and Auntie Miwa for coming along with us to the park! 😀

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