Paper Dolls

The girls don't have very many toys here, but they do have paper and crayons. I'm so proud of M and her creativity. Don't you love the anime inspired eyes? The girls tape the head, arms, and legs to the dresses. I designed the two dresses on the right, but M's is on the left. I'm sad that when they get toys for Christmas, they might lose interest in some of these more creative outlets.

Holidays

For me, they mean Christmas, birthday, birthday and birthday. And don't forget New Year's/birthday. But this year, since I'm a little low on responsibilities/expectations/social engagements, I've done a lot of shopping and seem to be almost done with the gift buying portion of Christmas. And since I can't show you after Christmas, here it is now!The kids are getting Tokyo, Paris, and NY in a bag from Muji.


G is getting Popo chan from me and my mom. She picked out another doll, but I really like Popo chan and she has some classic outfits that just can't be duplicated in the states. And M is getting a backpack for school next year. It's not this leather one, but a bit like it. It's also from Muji and the cheapest on around at 9900 yen. You can calculate that into dollars if you want to. I prefer just not thinking too much about it. She will be using this backpack for the rest of her life.


Of course there's more, but must save some for later!

Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park

J & M at the shrine Heart detail on a door Lots of sake for thirsty gods



self portrait w/ bicycle seat The fam


I think I got some decent photos, but I still can't figure out how to rotate them on image capture in a way that Blogger can tell they're rotated. The autumn leaves are so delightful. I really can't get enough, even though they are littering our genkan and I find bags stashed throughout the house. I also love wearing TWO wool sweaters at the same time.

Be Our Guest

We are thrilled and delighted that we will have HOUSE GUESTS!!! Jesse is taking this opportunity to organize the kitchen (bless him). I'm using our upcoming guests as an excuse to throw out art projects and various cardboard boxes that have accumulated in the kids' room. We're so excited to be tour guides. I'm so excited we live in such a cool place. I can't wait to explore with Amy. And I can't wait to ask Yuki every question that I've been to embarrassed to ask anyone else. For instance there are complete aisles in the grocery store where I have no idea what anything is. How do I get a point card at Tokyu store? Is there any possible way I can earn the Miffy water bottle at Lawson's through their point system? Exactly how lame do I appear to the moms at youchien? Do you know how excited I am to have an adult to talk to for hours for 3 consecutive days (that's not my husband)?

Bento IV

It's December and at M's Youchien that means we've switched to the two tiered obento box. The teachers heat up the rice for the kids. Of course I got it at the 100 yen store. They're about 1000 at Akachan Honpo for the cute Miffy double bento box. I love Miffy, but not that much. Today's obento looks good, but as I suspected, M didn't eat the cherry tomato or the dumpling. For some reason she doesn't like them, though they add variety and color in my opinion. Theh quail eggs are a recent addition that Uta's mom told me about. She only ate half of the rice, but she says it's because she prefers her rice cold. Umm, how do I explain that to her teachers? Do I even bother? G insisted we take a picture of her lunch today. She usually eats it around 10 because she doesn't eat enough of a breakfast. The picture of her obento is fuzzy, so I'm not going to post it.

If I Could...

I'd post pictures of beautiful autumn leaves and our last few outings. But...Someone who will be named-Jesse- messed with my iphoto program and is now inoperable. And I'm not really, how do you say, competent in any other program. Oh right, and aforementioned Jesse also turned on Raw feature on camera, so pictures are in too large format for lay folks such as myself.

But as I love him and have committed myself to our partnership, I've forgiven him. Though he is to never do anything on my computer again. I just wanted my huge readership to know why I've not posted in a bit.

The Yerba Mate Diet

Though I don't have my own gourd, I bought some mate teabags at the store. It's so dang cold, and I love my hot beverages. And Paulie says it's good for you. And I swear its an appetite suppressant. It's really wild. I'm super squishy (not exercising), but thinner. Go figure. Go Mate!