Grandberry Mall

Chris had Friday off, so we took Adam back to Grandberry Mall (he'd been begging to go visit Thomas for months!). First we stopped at the dog store to see the puppies. Lottie and Adam could have watched the puppies run around all day. I took a picture of a particularly awesome doggie outfit - a halter top and denim miniskirt with matching brooch. There was even a doggie dressing area.

Plus a doggie toilet - a patch of Astroturf. That would confuse Nani.

Then we went to ride the Thomas trains. Lottie is old enough to ride now, but she still needs some help hanging on. Adam is a great big brother and always rides behind her and holds on to her. She is making choo choo noises as she rides!

Our last stop (besides the boring stop at the Gap Outlet where we scored some boots for next year for Lottie for 100 yen!) was the Lego store. Adam and Lottie loved playing with all the Duplo blocks.

Sibling Sakura

Adam Sakura

Lottie Sakura

Family Sakura

Kabuki-za

On Wednesday, we had a modeling audition (our first after almost two years in Japan!) for both kids. Calum and Tate also had auditions, so we took the train together. The audition was near the Kabuki-za (Kabuki Theater), so we decided to try to see a show. The theater is being torn down in the spring of 2010 (to be renovated), so everyone is flocking to see the farewell performances now. You can buy tickets to see just a section of the all day show for only 800 yen. We took all four kids inside, and they were great. Except for when both babies made a few (not very loud) baby noises, and the Japanese usher came over with a card in English that asked us to take the baby out. She just stood there, smiling, waiting for one of us to take a baby out (before she even came out, both babies were quiet). So I finally just walked out with Lottie still breastfeeding, which seemed to satisfy her. I'm not sure why this was so important, since apparently, a Kabuki tradition is to heckle from the cheap seats, so we weren't the only ones making noise. Oh well. It was an experience!

Adam and Calum (well, mostly Adam) weren't sure about the "monsters" during the play.

Only men are allowed to be Kabuki actors, so even those "women" in the poster (behind the boys) are men.

After the Kabuki, we had a few minutes to kill, so we walked around and found a little park. It had a foot reflexology station where you could take off your shoes and walk on all kinds of bumpy things to stimulate/relax the feet and body. I tried it too - it hurt!

The good news is that Adam got his first modeling job for a kids' clothing catalog. Lottie didn't get the job, but we still think she is cute!

Sakura Walk

On Tuesday, the cherry blossoms reached their zenith. So we went for an afternoon walk to take pictures and enjoy the sakura. Adam had a great time walking Nani.

Adam and Lottie enjoyed the sakura.

The day before they all started blowing away. Cherry blossoms only have a day or two for optimum viewing, then their petals start blowing away in the wind. It's like snow, only pinker and not as cold.

Hawaiian Easter Egg Hunt

Last Sunday, our Hawaiian neighbors (on both sides!) invited us to the Hawaiian Club's Easter egg hunt under the cherry trees. Chris was still gone, but we had a great time. Here Adam is preparing for the hunt with his buddy, Ben. They have a standing play date every Monday afternoon.

There were 1200 eggs all over!

Adam got a lot of eggs, and this year, Mommy didn't have to help him.

Even Lottie got to hunt eggs. She was actually pretty good at scooting around and putting eggs into her basket.

There was also a pinata, but no rope to hang it, so the kids took turns kicking it open. Here's the aftermath. Our Japanese guests just stood back and had no idea what was going on. Poor Japanese kids just aren't brought up to scramble around for candy - but they got the hang of the egg hunt!

Ichigo

At the festival, we also saw some candied strawberries (ichigo). Of course, we had to try one. There was so much candy on the strawberry, Adam had to eat it like a lollipop. Of course, Lottie saw it...

...begged for it...

...WANTED IT. This face says, "Where's MINE?" I had to placate her with some baby snacks, but she's probably still dreaming sweet baby dreams about candied strawberries.

Zama Cherry Blossom Festival

Today was Camp Zama's Cherry Blossom Festival. The blossoms have been slow to bloom, due to the unseasonably cold weather, but the past day (yes, just one day), really helped them open. Our blossoms at Sagamihara are a little behind these. Adam insisted on Mommy picking up any blossoms on the ground so he could collect them.


The booths (food, games, and toys) were set up for maximum cherry blossom viewing. I love the little girl peeking out from behind her dad's legs. As always, the Japanese were going crazy for all things American. We cheered for our friends who ran the 7 K run, then headed to get some food. We chose some nachos with homemade pico, a crepe with strawberries, azuki bean, and whipped cream, and some peanut butter fudge. So healthy! We ate with Amy, Jesse, and Kerri, since their Daddy was also gone. We also got chatted up by a friendly Japanese man looking to practice his English.

After the feast, the boys (Adam, Jesse, and Calum) were promised ONE kiddie ride. They chose the cars that you could drive yourself. Adam had a great time, but spent most of his time driving right into the curb. I spent most of my time attempting to lift the car and right it, since it only went forward, not backward.

Posing in front of some sakura.

After a nap at home, Adam insisted on going back to the "party." We got some dinner (doner kebabs), and watched the American band perform (Fools and Horses, from the Virginia area). Adam danced along, then got a free CD and posed for a picture with one of the singers.

After the concert, we had to try the sakura ice cream. It was good, but different.

Adam really wanted to jump in the dinosaur, but Mom wasn't willing to pay the money (and he just barely wasn't old enough - you were supposed to be three to jump, darn it!). Instead, he posed like a dinosaur in front of the dinosaur jumper.

Mom did allow him one ride - the train. Since the festival was almost over, he was the only child riding it. Best party ever!