During our time in Japan, the very top of our bucket list was sakura season. We knew we wanted to capture the arrival of daughter and the arrival of a once-in-a-lifetime spring all at once, so we waited to take professional photos until our second year in Japan. And boy, was it worth the wait….
What to do in Winter in Japan
Growing up in Florida’s endless summers, I’ll admit that my current all-encompassing love for the changing seasons was hard won. I moved from Florida to California, living blocks from the beach, and did not own a pair of closed-toed shoes until I made the unfortunately timed decision to move to Virginia at the tail end…
Teaching a Pre-Schooler to Read for The Washington Post
During an observation day at my son’s yochien, my friend translated for me that the teacher was splitting the kids into two groups: those who could read, and those who were still learning. Much to my surprise, my three-year-old American son fell into the first group. MBH and I were delighted, and more than a…
It’s Fall Y’all!
I am a sucker for lists. Life lists, bucket lists, travel lists, reading lists, I love lists to organize everything I want to do, and see, and experience during this life of mine. I especially love seasonal bucket lists, which help me to make the absolute most of the quick changing of the leaves and…
Beaches & Elephants in Thailand
After a whirlwind trip through Vietnam and Cambodia, our family arrived for a few days of relaxation in Thailand. We’d deliberately structured the trip this way, with our intense sightseeing and city-hopping packed into the start of the trip, and the final few days set aside for some pool lounging and beach bumming. It worked…
My Kids Don’t See Me Work… But They Do See Me Drive – Washington Post
I spend a great deal of time traveling with my kids, taking them to incredible locales, on amazing adventures, and generally choosing to take our chaos on the road as often as possible, then writing it all down. Throughout our adventures, I’m usually the one driving them around. MBH is often elsewhere for work, and…
Cambodia – With Kids!
Our time in Cambodia was a magical whirlwind of temple exploration, discovery, and
We Took a Baby to Vietnam & Lived to Tell the Tale. Barely.
Our trip to Vietnam was – by far – one of our family’s favorites. We loved the culture, the food, the vibe of every city we visited. Before our trip, we were a tad worried about bringing a two-year-old and a three-month-old along. I was especially concerned about vaccinations, given our daughter was too young…
My Best Productivity Trick for TODAY
MBH likes to call me the laziest productive person he’s ever met. It’s true. I do love me some naps. Fiercely. I’ve also learned studied two languages, written four novels, traveled around the world, launched a popular travel blog (it’s this one!) and am raising two wonderful kids, who are still little enough that when I…
Thoughts at POPSUGAR on Moving Back to America
The Washington Post reported — two years and an unbelievable 101 school shootings ago — that many American expats in Japan are reluctant to return to the possibility of gun violence in the United States after experiencing its absence. I’m definitely one of them. Our time in Japan was marked by such amazing people, wondrous…
Kate Has Thoughts 