Alpha-WHAT?

This past week I heard singing coming from the kids' room:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G

(Pause)

A-B-C-D-E-F-G

(Pause)

A-B-C-D-E-F-G

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Patrick?"

"What comes after G?"

Oh, dear!  I think someone's little mind is on overload!

Between Japanese Kindergarten and American homework, I try to temper our schedule with some mid-week sightseeing on Patrick's early-release day. The kids, having spotted it from our recent excursion to Asakusa Temple, have been asking to go to Tokyo Skytree, the tallest free-standing tower in the world. (What is it with my kids and heights?!) Japan is justifiably proud of this achievement, completed post 2011 disaster, and we weren't the only people thinking a visit to the Skytree would be an interesting idea that day. After approximately two hours zig-zagging through  seemingly endless lines, we finally made our way to our final destination: Tokyo at 450m.  Particularly memorable was the sight of Mt Fuji, blanketed in layers of pink and orange by the sun as it slipped away for the night. Not a bad first introduction for Patrick and Evelyn!

Patrick and Evelyn enjoy the view at 350m
before insisting we go all the way to the top!

Quirky fun at the Skytree

Sleep tight, Fuji-san!

Parting Gifts

I had been wondering when it would seem like fall in Tokyo.  I believe I received my answer this past weekend.

Tokyo Makeover

Of Temples and Rock Walls

Our weekend included some sightseeing at the Asakusa Kannon Temple.  Completed in 645, it is Tokyo's oldest temple.

One of the guardians of the temple

 The Shichi-Go-San Festival
(7-5-3)
This November festival celebrates girls who are seven, boys who are five, and girls and boys who are three. This girl has come to pray and make an offering at the temple with her family.

Patrick (6) celebrates being old enough to climb 

the rock wall set up near the temple.

A Smile and a Wave: No Translation Required

Starbucks was crowded that day.  Evelyn and I were rewarding ourselves with lattes and hot chocolate and a few lunchtime treats after a busy morning of trains and school shopping.  We stood with our loaded tray looking awkwardly around for an empty space in the bustling cafe.  We had already made the mistake of moving toward a seemingly empty table, only to discover its future customers were holding the coveted spot with their smartphones.  (Isn't it cool that you can do that?) "Well, this is embarrassing," commented Evelyn.  

And then.  

A wave.  

From across the room.  

A mom with a young son was clearly smiling and beckoning us to their table, wasn't she?  We jostled our way through the maze of smartly-dressed 20-somethings on their lunch breaks.  "We'll be leaving soon," she explained.  Thinking it polite to wait, we stepped aside.  "No, please join us at our table."  So we did.  And that was that.  I have a new friend! She is eager to work on her English, and I am eager to work on just about everything. It's a win-win.  :-)

That was Tuesday.  By Friday we had our first play-date - a trip to a play park where the kids ran and played until their faces were pink.  As you can see, Evelyn had a ball!

Our First Month Of Sundays

Celebrating our 23rd anniversary at Mercer Brunch,
right around the corner from our church.

Evelyn eagerly awaits her worth-the-wait French Toast!

Hachiko!

The kids begged Chris to take them for a spin around the pond at a nearby park this past Sunday. The pond is full of ginormous fish who like to stalk your boat, eagerly awaiting any bit of food you might throw their way, even though you're not supposed to throw food their way.  If you're patient, you'll also spot some turtles...all the way from the Mississippi River! Forgive Evelyn's outfit.  When your dryer is the sun, your options are sometimes limited!

Danger Park*

*Not its real name

Who doesn't want to try their hand (and foot) at 40 different obstacles in the fun and exciting (and not just a little terrifying!) Heiwa no Mori Koen Field Athletic Course? 

Good to Know

I should know better than to pat myself on the back.  

Though I have nothing but happy memories from our sunny trip to the fields for Sweet Potatoes Digging this past Tuesday, there is still a small twinge in my lower back - a not so happy reminder that there is still so much to learn!  My backpack, cumbersome and heavy on the crowded trains, was easily twice the size of some of the other moms' packs, and I couldn't help but notice I was the only one on the trip with such a burdensome load.   I had plenty of time to puzzle over this during our 40 minute walk to the farm from the train station, and it occurred to me as I looked around that these mommies were clever enough to share the load, so to speak.  Each one of their children was carrying a backpack with their own food and supplies.  Why hadn't I thought of that?! Instead Patrick and Evelyn marched merrily along, pausing now and then to wonder how much further?

The second mystery to the moms' tiny satchels was revealed as we were all preparing for our picnic lunches.  I jauntily reached into the great expanse of my backpack to extract my victory item of last week's treasure hunt at an 8-floor department store: my leisure sheet.  As I proudly unfurled this hard-won picnic blanket I realized with some surprise that I was the only one unfurling. The kindergarten children had already pulled from their packs small, towel-sized plastic tarps, bright with colorful Disney characters.  While I was still smoothing corners they were industriously setting out their bento lunches.  Leisure sheet, huh?  I was crushed!  That's a leisure sheet?!  My leisure sheet says leisure sheet right on it!  Sure, it's bigger and bulkier, but it was hard to find, making me all the more ready for some leisure! Where in the world had the other mommies acquired these darling, child-sized personal leisure sheets for their kids' picnic stashes? I mustered the courage to inquire of the mom next to me, "Where did you buy this?" Typical of many Japanese women, she smiled and instantly covered her mouth with her hand.  With the slightest giggle she cheerfully explained, "Not buy!  Kentucky Fried Chicken!"  Of course...of course! Why hadn't I thought of that? :-)

It's okay.  It's not the last mistake I'll make here.  And the twinge in my lower back? It will be gone any day now...I just know it!

Staying Afloat

It's posted on our refrigerator.  Big, bright, and beautifully-lettered, the November calendar is posted right where I can see it.  I have no idea what it says, but I know that things are happening in Patrick's kindergarten.  I don't know what things, just that they are happening.  

Were it not for the kindness of so many people - the head teacher, the kindergarten teacher, and so many mommies - I might do something preposterous like take Patrick to school tomorrow when everyone knows it's a national holiday, or show up for regular 2:00 pick-up on Friday when dismissal is at 11:45, or completely miss his first field trip - an excursion to a sweet potato farm on Tuesday.  No, so far I haven't made any of these gaffes, saved only by handouts passed to me at dismissal with English notations nestled among the katakana, or elaborate drawings with lots of labels to explain the weekly schedule, or moms shyly approaching and explaining something in tentative English, apologizing the whole time about their poor skills. (Poor skills?!  They haven't heard my Japanese!!)  Oh, I couldn't be more grateful for these little buoys tossed our way...they're truly what is keeping us afloat.

And that is how I have come to find myself on a treasure-hunt of sorts to prepare for Tuesday's outing to the fields for "Sweet Potatoes Digging".  This is probably the U.S. equivalent to visiting pumpkin patches in the fall with required items perhaps limited to some rain boots and a permission slip. But no fewer than three people have stopped to try and explain the finer nuances of our excursion - one mom even taking it upon herself to retype in English the 12-item 'what to bring' handout. Thank goodness for that!  Even with the translation, I am sometimes at a loss as to what I might be searching for or where it might be found. Sumimasen, (excuse me) but where do I find a leisure sheet?!  But a leisure sheet I did find, and our picnic will be that much more comfortable thanks to this small but important victory.

Off to the potato fields! :-)

Just an example of one of the buoys sent our way.  Cute, huh?

Tokyo in 360

Mommy!  The people look like ants from up here!

Tokyo Tower in the heart of the city was our recent destination after a doctor's appointment found us conveniently located right across the street. Tour the tower?  Why not?! We arrived as the sun was starting its goodbyes for the day and the city was in sparkles below. Loved the views, the music, and late afternoon ice-cream from our sky-top perch. Just what the doctor ordered!

Not your typical Halloween...the kids enjoyed this fairly elaborate dress-up corner during our visit to the tower. What an unexpected and welcome surprise for two kids missing a certain American holiday!