Furoshiki tutorial

Ugly
Pretty


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.