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Remember that Japan is all about presentation.

Sumo

I'm not sure why it's so magical. But I love sumo. We got up early and made it to Ryogoku by 8:30. The early bouts are younger unranked wrestlers, so no one is there (except a mom or two). We sat on the floor near the ring (the kids were too crazy for that, so we had to move). But I was able to get this shot. It's fun to see the wrestlers close up. We took a break and went to the Edo Tokyo Museum which is next door. Had a great lunch with a great view on the seventh floor. We made it back to see the Juryo wrestlers enter. As the day went on the matches got better and better. The absolute best part was watching Asashoryu and Hakuho, the two Yokuzuna get defeated. They were both injured, and after being thrown out of the ring, I think they might have hurt a little more. After Kotooshu defeated Hakuho, the zabuton were flying all over the arena. People in the front rows took their zabuton and covered their heads with them.

Sad that this is our last time to go to sumo. There is an exhibition tournament in LA. I might just have to go when we get back.

Zoo part Two

On Saturday, FUN MOM made another appearance and took the kids to the zoo. By herself. Now that's fun. Jesse had yet another campout with the scouts (an organization I'm sure to appreciate more if/when I have boys).

We were saddened to find out that LingLing, Japan's own panda has gone to the bamboo forest in the sky. The kids ran around the zoo stopping at store kiosks with stuffed panda bears saying "they have these because the real panda bear is DEAD!" I'm glad we went earlier and got to sniff Ling Ling poo, and take a gander at the animal. I did want to hear the docents say "Ling Ling" over and over. That was fun.

We went on some rides this time, got shave ice, saw the rhino pacing in front of us (scary), and went to the petting zoo. After the petting zoo the kids fanatically washed their hands. An eerily proud moment for me. I just loved how grossed out they were by animal secretions on their hands.

We didn't ride the monorail (FUN MOM is Cheap and doesn't like waiting in lines). But we did get the photo op and stamps which is as or more important than the actual ride. The monorail connects the two parts of the zoo and is designed to hang from a rail. "That's Amazing" was Gigi's reaction to seeing it go by. Sesame Street's word of the day is working it's vocabulary magic on our household.

FUN MOM was so tired when we got back. The kids played with the neighbors. I made cheese omelets for dinner (we had eggs in a nest the night before). And then Magic Daddy appeared at 6:30. Whew. More fun to come on Friday when FUN MOM and MAGIC DADDY join forces to take the kids to SUMO.

1st Tooth

After just 3 days of being loose, Mim lost her first tooth. It popped out on the way to church; I conveniently had a little ziploc in my church bag. She's thrilled as can be. I've heard the tooth fairy around here gives 100 yen per tooth.

I'm a little stunned that it's finally happening. I'm amazed at how old she's getting and therefore how old I'm getting.

I'm pretty excited about my first try at fairying tonight.

Choco Cro

Mrs. Fuji had a lot to say about the Choco Cro. Though I've never lived in France, and have nothing to compare them to, I love these and try to stay far away. Pain au chocolat. Oishii!

This is how Miffy eats her onigiri

Gigi pointed these out at Akachan Honpo today. Loved them, had to buy them. Can't wait to make the kids onigiri.

Teabox, part 2

The last part of my birthday I made this. I'm so happy because I love the colors. I can't wait to get back and decorate my whole house around these colors. Maybe I'll start now and change my blog colors to these.

I'm also happy because the corners are nice and even. Inside of the box looks nice too, not slapdash like the first one.

32 candles

My birthday dinner. Yum. Went to lunch with friends, so fun. Forgot the camera so no picture of my ginormous naan. Jesse gave me a coupon book with lots of fun offerings: dates, a new car, a guided hike, and my personal favorite 1 awkward item shipped from Japan to California no questions asked. I love how thoughtful he is.

Okaasan no hi

Mother's day was fabulous at our house. Jesse was extra solicitous. Jesse and Gigi made french toast. Isn't it gorgeous? I still had to do music for the primary kids and the visiting teaching conference in RS (vt coordinator as well as primary chorister. Joys of small wards.). We had dinner at our friends' home. Perfect day.

Here's the story: We bought a little plastic trike for G when we first got here. Then it got cold, so we left it downstairs with the other bikes. First mistake. Second mistake, we didn't write our name on the bike. It went missing.

Then, about a month ago, we noticed the neighbor kid riding it. I didn't know what to do since he doesn't speak English. Jesse and G made me promise to talk to the mom about it. I finally did today, though a bit reluctantly. The kid loved the bike, but it is G's. And now he's outside our house crying.

There's a whole cultural and language difference, and really I didn't want to say anything. I offered to keep it outside so both kids can ride it. But G doesn't want to share it. I have a feeling she's afraid she'll never get it back. I'm sure it will blow over, but it's too much drama for me right now.

Happy Mother's Day 2008

A New Yorker Mother's Day to all those who Mother. Click here to see the rest of the slideshow.

Teabox

Here's the teabox I covered in washi. It looks good, but don't look too closely, it's not so nice inside or on the corners.

More Washi

I had an appointment, so while I was out I decided to go to the washi store. I forgot my camera, again, but did come away with some new prints. I love the dragonflies and the sakura. The plain blue is to go on my other teabox around the rim.

Fabric fun

Gigi and I went to Shinjuku to check out Okadaya again. Always a treat, though I wish I had gotten some yarn as I'm learning how to crochet. The dots are on a chocolate brown background and I can just imagine a fun skirt. I loved the giraffes, so I got 2 meters. I also got some oilcloth. The dessert print was a remnant and only $3, so I had to get it. The other print will make a fabulous bag. I can't wait to start sewing!

Shake, shake, shake

If you read about the earthquake here in Tokyo, you needn't worry about us. The kids and Jesse slept through it. It woke me up, as they always do (we have one about once every 3 weeks, that I can feel). This one was quite a bit bigger, enough to get me to organize the top of my closet in hopes that it doesn't all come falling down on me in case of a bigger quake. It's only when I'm in Asia I have the earthquake sites bookmarked.

Economic Stimulus Package

It just showed up in the bank. Whee. First transaction: Donated to Red Cross cyclone relief efforts in Myanmar. Do the same here.

Happy Boy's Day/Children's Day

Park Day

Gigi and I stopped by the park after the doctor yesterday. Don't you wish you had a giant squid at your playground? And this is the first time I've ever seen a koala to ride. G kept yelling "faster! Faster!" Every mom's favorite lunch. Onigiri with salmon inside. Yum.

Ooh baby, one more try.

Actually, it's about three more tries until we're back to the states and crappy/nonexistent health insurance. This month the drug cocktail gets more exciting. The pills (52), the shots (3), the intrusive ultrasounds (1). Good fun. Jesse and I are thinking that if this doesn't work, we'll have to resort to the tried and true method. We'll go to Prom. We're not sure which is more effective though. Hotel room or back seat of a car.

Tanazawa ( I think that's where we were)

If anyone ever wondered, Jesse would have been a great pioneer. I would have been a bad pioneer. With our friends watching the kids we went backpacking for two days. I just carried the camera. What a wimp.

The first day we hiked up, up, up. It was like being on the stairmaster four hours straight. The second day was down, down, down. At least we could talk since I could breathe that day. We spent the night in a hut with 40 other people. One of whom was a champion snorer. We awoke to the sound of obentos being wrapped. Not completely unpleasant, except for the time- 4am! We started hiking around 4:30 since there was nothing better to do. We could have hung around and inhaled another pack of second hand smoke, but decided against it. We caught the sunrise and several lovely views of Fuji-San.
crazy tree and Mt. FujiThe sunrise (4:50am). That night was vaguely reminiscent of nursing a newborn.

In retrospect, the trip was fun, but lacked the privacy and conversation of my version of the ideal overnight getaway. I've been hobbling around the last two days, and trying to catch up on sleep which also puts a damper on things. I think our next overnighter will involve more sleep, less nature, and less muscle fatigue.