Science Museum

Jesse is making a giant bubble around the girls. I had to take about 10 pictures because G kept popping them.

We spent Saturday morning cleaning (this is a ritual that has to stop!). Since I had been yelling at the kids to help (why do I bother?), we thought we had better do something FUN.

SO.....We went to the Science Museum. The kids ran around like mad. Made crafts, had fun with the hands on exhibits, and finished with a promised ice cream treat (thank you vending machine). The museum was relatively empty, but incredibly loud. We were SO GLAD that we didn't go on a weekday with billions of elementary school students. We were also glad that the museum has a contract with Coke and had Dr. Pepper in the vending machines (to stave off another migraine).

Plans were to go to another museum, but we spent an incredible 3 HOURS in ONE museum. WHOA.
One G is plenty for me.

Q-T

Here's to CUTIE PIE. The girls couldn't get enough of her. Except when they did. For kids who really want a sibling, they've got a few things to learn about babies.

More Sumo

One of our activities this week was to go to sumo practice. We found out that Minaminoshima is in our stake and loves to have people come to practice. He has family in Laie, so if you see him walking down the street, say hi. We got there a little late so didn't see as much as the first time. It was still fun.

Don't you love the picture? I'm getting so fluffy here (that's code for fat).

Mariko Wuz Here

Where do I start? We have LOVED having Mariko and Amaya here. We stayed up late talking, did an obscene amount of shopping, and an equally obscene amount of eating.

Last night, with her gone, Jesse and I read and hung out, but didn't really say much to each other. We are SO Boring.

And when people asked how we knew each other, it was too hard to explain. Our relationship isn't linear, more like a web. Friend to both of us. One time room mate. Wife of J's friend. Lives next to Pam. Hiking buddy. Confidante. Family.

Mariko willingly let me drag her around Tokyo. Which is no easy feat with a two year old. We went to museums, bakeries, sumo practice, Ginza, Shibuya, shrines and temples, and did I mention shopping?

For the rest of my loyal readers, you only have six weeks left to take advantage of our prime Tokyo location and subway/train expertise.

Feeling a little homesick

Two of our favoritest places in the world. Kaaawa Falls and Kahana Valley. Unfortunately, will be awhile before we make it back.Check out more of Adam's photo's here.

Engrish Sushi Crock

Too bad it's $200, or I would get all of you a making sushi clock.

Kappobashi

Finally made it to Kappobashi, the restaurant district near Asakusa. Who knew fake food was so expensive? Didn't make any purchases, but it made me wish we were staying longer and that some company was moving us back to the states.

What's on your ipod?

I could hear M singing softly to herself. Wondering what she could be singing, I stopped what I was doing to listen.
Imagine the sweetest child's voice singing:
"I fell down to a burning ring of fire.
I went down, down, down, and the flames, they grew higher.
And it burned, burned, burned, that ring of fire.
That ring of fire."

A little later that night:
"Hey mom, what's a sugar daddy? And what's Jackson?"

Jesse:
"You really need to put some primary songs on your ipod."

Kamakura

You just can't fake that kind of enthusiasm! G was amazing in the water. Ebullient. Her joy in the water only compares to Jesse's. I can't wait to see them surfing together (Jesse can thank the stars that she's a morning person).

Kamakura with Mariko and kids. Fun. Tiring. Dehydrating. A couple of shrines. (Is it just me or are they all looking the same?) My one regret: not liking ume boshi. One of the shrines had green plums in a bag picked from the trees on the grounds. They were only 300 yen, but I don't know how to pickle them. And I don't really like them, either. But they were beautiful.

Mim is always happy to see jizo. They're statues with red bibs and sometimes red caps on. Parents make offerings for their children's protection, or for their spirit if they've died. It's bitter sweet. I like how Mim relates to a god specifically for her and other children.

Iris in June

Muji fun

Finally, I brought my camera to Muji to photograph the beauty and order. And to show my child bouncing on the furniture. I do love an outing with kids.

Our friend Mariko is here and I'm having fun taking her to all the places I love best. Unfortunately, now someone knows how much time I spend shopping. We've been to the Salvation Army, Ikea, and now Muji.

Thank you for Cutie Pie

From G's prayer last night.

Hey Daddy-O

Father's Day is great because it's for fathers. And the daddy around here doesn't like anyone to spend money, let alone on him. I did just get him a $1.50 wall clock s he can see what time it is from bed. I think it will be one of his best father's day presents ever.

I made vanilla crepes filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, whipped cream, bananas and topped with strawberries. They were a touch decadent and the kids thought highly of them. The rest of the day was normal; we had dinner with friends. In a way, I don't think I could have planned the day better. Jesse got to sleep in, had a yummy breakfast, and hung out with friends (who love hearing him talk about Chinese, Japanese, and kanji (not kidding)).

And here's yet another reason why he deserves more days of appreciation. We went to Ikea today and while we were gone he cleaned THE ENTIRE house. I'm incapable of cleaning more than 2.5 rooms at a time. Granted, there were no kids there, but when I'm home without kids, I read.

The problem of precocity

From G:
"I know the truth. Mom doesn't know the truth."

and

"I know everything"
J: "Really. You know everything?"
G: "yeah"
J: "ok, I'll give you a quiz so you can prove you know everything."
G: "ok. What's a quiz?"

(picture note. We suggested she put up a peace sign. She thought holding up three fingers was more appropriate as she is three. Logic.)

Free Haircuts by Bekah

Did you know I was a hairstylist? I am. You know those "free" haircuts you can get by students. I've had my fair share of those, ending up with a sore neck TWO HOURS later. Each time, I think "why did I do that? Why didn't I just pay for a haircut?"

The good part is that while the stylist is getting haircutting tips, I am too. I've listened and watched and now I have my own little hair models. I have to work a little more quickly, like 20-30 minutes. But with a movie on, I can get the kids to sit fairly still. So here's the result:
Mim's head is tilted, the hair cut isn't as crooked as it looks, promise.

Shoes

I've been thinking about shoes. Probably because I haven't bought a pair since I crammed my feet into my Muji boots. Size 25, the largest shoe size readily available, roughly 8.5. One full size smaller than my feet. Anyway. I'm looking forward to some new shoes when I get back to the states. I'm looking forward to leaving my kids with my mom and spending hours at Ross.

I've been inspired by the fashionable footwear I see on EVERYONE here in Tokyo. I feel like such a putz with my dorky shoes, but what's a sized 9.5 gal to do? Did I mention my feet are super wide, too? Right. So sexy slinky footwear is a joke. But that doesn't mean my toes have to be so boring. I love making a fashion statement with footwear. Probably because I dress fairly conservatively. I do love my Born sandals, but would love something less chunky, more feminine. Since heels are pretty much out of the running, I think fun and funky flats are the way to go.

Saturday

Yesterday in Tokyo was Saturday. After cleaning the house, we went on another adventure. First, we checked out the Crafts Gallery, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. The building was pretty, the gallery was small, it was the perfect size for our tired grumpy children. The museum is adjacent to the Kitonamaru Park which is adjacent to the Imperial Palace. The park was amazing, with a fun little forest, tiny stream, and get this: GRASS!! We sat on grass. Because the park is really in the center of the city and it was Saturday, it wasn't very crowded. (Check out the awesome picture on the left where G is trying to get M out of the frame. Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.)
Then we walked to Jimbocho, land of books. Mostly in Japanese. Jesse browsed. Mims oohed and aaahed over the free wedding magazine I snagged (for her). I chased after G. It was nice for pictures.

And, Jimbocho is on the Mita line which is also our line, so I didn't have to change trains (this is always a bonus).

Too funny

Last night Jesse had a young men's activity (steak and cake, why does the vegetarian have a steak party???) So I got Down With Love at the video store (all 180 yen for 7 days). Watched it by myself and thought it was pretty funny.

Jesse came home and we got in bed pretty late. All that steak made him sick. We're in bed and I hear something. Is it the neighbor? Is someone in our living room? I go and check the living room and see something, turn on the light, and there's Mim with her pants pulled down sitting on one of the dining room chairs in a puddle. The best part is that she's pulling the houseplants out of the containers, thinking it's toilet paper. I'm so glad she was asleep because I was laughing SO hard!! "Stop laughing and help her!" was Jesse's input. It was a total mess. There was potting soil and pee and uprooted plants on the ground.

Jesse won't let me tell her yet, and I don't think she'll ever think it's funny. So that's why I'm telling all of you!

Winner

Wow! That was fun. Brandy, you're our winner. This is pretty exciting because you're the only person who reads my blog that I don't know! Shoot me an email at bekahtanoatgmaildotcom and I'll get your package in the mail.

Gee! What should I put up for next week?!

Mom, does this outfit look good?

"I thought the jewels on the pockets would match the jewels on the shirt."

I have a feeling she would love Xanadu (the movie, not the poem).

Giveaway

I'll keep comments open until Tokyo time Saturday at 9pm. Good luck, so far you have a 25% chance of winning!

The Olympic Buzz in Tokyo is only going to get louder in the next year. Tokyo was just shortlisted as one of the four finalists for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

I've loved seeing the lapel pins, signs on buses, signs everywhere advertising the bid. I can't wait to see the signs around Tokyo now.

My very first giveaway

It's been rainy and windy here in Tokyo. So in an effort to get over the blues I'm making packages. And you all are the lucky ones. This week it's washi. If you're interested, just comment. Up for grabs is 4 quarter sheets of blue, purple (from the teabox), and red sakura washi. I've also included a sheet of coordinating gold. Look at the links for pictures.

I'm feeling better already. I can't wait to find out who wins!

Ward Matsuri

Our ward had a matsuri for the closing social. Jesse made the inarizushi I said I would make. He's nice that way. The girls looked great in their kimonos. I bought yukata for them after the matsuri, so I'll post those at the next matsuri we go to.