I realized today that I haven’t been posting as often this trip as I did last time. At least it doesn’t feel like I am (I’m not going to check) because we’re not going out and exploring as much as we did last time, and I think it comes down to a couple reasons.

1. Our apartment is bigger this time. It may be only a little bit bigger, but it’s enough that we’re not all on top of each other. Last time, if we couldn’t get out of the apartment it was … (I’m trying to not resort to hyperbole) not good. We all got cabin fever on a daily basis. This time we all have enough space to breathe, and the girls have space to play. The result is that I don’t find myself saying, “Get your shoes, let’s go find something to do!”

2. We know we’re coming back. Last time there was the possibility that this was it, that we needed to see all of Tokyo that we could. This time there’s not that pressure, so I’m not so exacting about getting us out to see everything that we possibly can.

3. We’re in Daikanyama this time, which is not on the Yamanote train line. The Yamanote line is a blessing from God. OK, so maybe that’s hyperbole, but it is a beautiful circular train loop that goes to all the wonderful places you might want to go. Last time, when we lived in Meguro, we were 5  minutes from the station, and from trains that would take us straight to those wonderful places. This time we’re 3 minutes from a station, but that station is a 3 minute ride from a station that you then have to walk for 10 minutes to get to the other side of to get to the Yamanote line. And if the place you’re going on the train is half an hour away, then you just made that a 45 minute trip. The other option is to just walk from our apartment to a different station that is 10 minutes away and is on the Yamanote line, but again, that’s adding at least 10 minutes to the trip- and usually 20 on the way home when little legs are tired.  Not that I’m complaining, I LOVE the trains here. They are a thing of beauty and a joy forever. But it does add a hitch to heading out to see the world.

ANYWAY.

This was not supposed to be the point of this post. I was going to share what we did today, on just a normal day, doing normal things. And so I will.

We got up around 7:30, after the girls lounged in beds for a while reading. The girls had breakfast (yogurt, which they were thrilled about- the store we usually go to doesn’t have the kind they like, cereal, and bananas), and got dressed. B and I did the same, and he left for work around 8.  The girls played with Lalaloopsies and My Little Ponies while I worked out (that part of the day is not normal, and was painful), did breakfast dishes, and did some cleaning.

Around 9:30 we got on the train to Shibuya to meet B at his office. We needed to get pictures taken for our visa applications, so we went to a little booth that takes such things. After many shenanigans because such booths are not really designed for very short children, we got pictures taken of everyone. After dropping B and the pictures off at his office again and hanging out for a bit with the girls’ good friend, the President of McAfee Japan, the girls and I left to go home. Part way to the train we had to turn around because they needed something additional from us at B’s  office, so we went back and met some more of his co-workers who very much enjoyed the girls’ cuteness.

On the way back to the train, we decided to pick up some treats from a waffle store. Waffles full of whipped cream and fruit. YUM!!

A short train ride and we were back home. We had some lunch (cheese sandwiches), and then it was school time. We’ve recently moved school to the afternoon from the morning after Z completed a learning preferences assessment wherein she indicated that she has the most energy in the afternoon. And whattayaknow, school is going SO MUCH BETTER. Anyway, we did math ( a combination of a computer game practicing addition and subtraction facts for accuracy and speed for both girls and a worksheet adding multiple multi digit numbers for Z), a spelling test for Z, reading lesson for Tiny, science- which consisted of predicting how many seeds were in different fruits and then cutting them open to see, looking inside the seeds to see the different parts, and discussing what constitutes a fruit. For history we discussed early inhabitants of the Americas and their mythology and use of animals and the difference between their resources and those of the people in Greece/Persia/etc. Have I mentioned that I love homeschooling?

After school we went to the grocery store to pick up rice, apples, and bread. We have to buy bread ALL. THE. TIME. Almost every day.  I will be so glad when I have my bread maker here and I can just make bread when we need it.

The store is just around the corner, so that only took a few minutes and then we were home again. The girls got to play their DS games, and then played more with their toys and imaginations while I put in my time on Rosetta Stone. Slowly but surely. Did you know that the symbol for the sound “to” (which sounds like toe) looks like a toe with a nail sticking up? It does!

Now the girls are watching Leapfrog shows and I am listening to Lady Gaga (one of my few guilty pleasures- I do feel guilty about it) and posting this. It’s about time for me to make dinner for them. They eat between 5 and 5:30. After that they’ll have showers and get their pajamas on. At that point I pin up the blankets in their window that block out the light so they’re not up at 5 in the morning and get out Tiny’s futon.   B gets home somewhere between 6:15 and 6:30, and he and I either eat then or after the girls are in bed. Around 6:30 the girls get into bed and I read to them for a half hour (we’re currently reading Magic by the Lake and they are LOVING it). Then Tiny stays in bed and Z gets to come out and read for 1/2 hr. If B and I have already eaten then we hang out and read with her, if not then she hangs out with us and reads while we eat. Then at 7:30 she heads into bed.

Then B and I have the evening for Doctor Who or Community or movies or reading.

And that’s a normal day for us in Tokyo.

Today we went to Toneri Koen with some friends. It took about an hour to get there, but it was worth it! The weather was beautiful, and the park was green and gorgeous. And it was nice and warm- perfect for playing in the water!

Soon after we got to the park, we caught sight of this beautiful little fellow. I’m fairly certain it’s a Blue Triangle, otherwise known as Common Bluebottle, but this guy doesn’t look common, does he?

The park has a number of areas where you can get wet, and the kids jumped right in!

A little while after we got to the pool area a little boy toddled out a little too far and went off the edge of one of the steps, face down into the water. His momma, bless her gorgeous heart, went right in after him, fully dressed and with suede and leather boots on. She stayed remarkably calm, and kept him calm too- I was super impressed.

There is a lakey/marshey kind of area where kids use their nets to catch bugs, crawfish, and fish.

Water lilies!

Z climbed a tree.

We went past a group of people doing a piggy back race- which is just what it sounds like.

And there was a playground, which made the kids super happy.

Isn’t this play structure insane and awesome?

Z really wasn’t sure about it, but was brave.

There’s another area where you can slide down a hill on sleds- we didn’t do it because the line was insanely long.

We picnicked here.

It was a glorious day!

Today is a National Holiday in Japan- Greenery Day. It’s supposed to commemorate Emperor Hirohito’s love of nature without directly mentioning his name.  (The day used to commemorate his birthday each year when he was alive.) Since parts of his reign were controversial, this is the compromise.  I find this totally fascinating. But anyway, the day is intended as one to commune with nature and remember your blessings. We’re totally on board for that. We decided to go out to a park in Denenchofu that is down the street from where we will be living come July.

On our way to the train station we saw the Fashion Service Car truck. For all your Fashion Service needs, I suppose.

Here are pictures of the park where we picnicked.  So very pretty.

Look closer at the row of rocks. Do you see them?

8 turtles.

Tiny, looking adorable.

Z was given a school backpack by the daughter of one of B’s co-workers. She’s in high school now, so she doesn’t need it any more.  (She’s used it since 1st grade and it’s still in gorgeous condition.) Z has wanted one of these since we came here the first time, and I told her she was probably never going to get one, because they are REALLY expensive. She was so thrilled to get this one, and was so excited to use it today to carry our lunch.

The girls on a “good luck path”. The other day, at a different park, the girls declared a stone path like this one a “good luck path”. If you walk on it, it gives you good luck. As we were walking, Tiny turned to me and said, in all seriousness, “Legend says that if you don’t walk on the good luck path for a long time, it will disappear.” I almost died. Legend, huh.

This area of Denenchofu is full of crazy huge houses.  (Very ritzy people live here. We live just outside this area, and our house is not so huge, though it is big.) This is a house:

After we got home, Bruce kept the girls at home while I went out to explore Daikanyama. The girls usually really enjoy going into stores, but for some reason they rebel against going into stores in Daikanyama. So I went today and explored to my hearts content.

I love this next picture so much.

This sign says, “We stimulate your “5″ senses. The Brisk.  Vintage New THRILLING STUNNING EXTRAORDINARY Unique and high quality selections of Vintage pre-owned and new clothes.” How in the world can you say no to that kind of enthusiasm?

I got a new lightweight scarf (not at The Brisk). I couldn’t resist the color.

Today is the beginning of Golden Week, a week chock full of Japanese holidays. A lot of Japanese take the whole week off, since Monday, Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday are all holidays. Today is Showa Day, and per Wikipedia, it is: “is a Japanese annual holiday held on April 29. It honors the birthday of the Shōwa Emperor (Hirohito), the reigning Emperor from 1926 to 1989. The purpose of the holiday is to encourage public reflection on the turbulent 63 years of Hirohito’s reign.” A lot of rough stuff went down during his reign, so it became controversial to celebrate his life, so instead it’s a day to reflect. I think that’s fascinating.

B had the day off, so we had a little adventure. But before we get to the adventure, I have to share what’s on offer at the bakery down the street.

Do you see them there, next to and below Big Apple Pie? Robert Redford and Brad Pitt are both available here.

For our adventure we went out to Senzokuike, which is where our church building is located. Near the church is a lake, and you can rent paddle boats and rowboats and go around the lake. The girls always want to get a boat, but that’s not something we do on Sunday, so we always tell them that we’ll do it another day. Well, today was that day, and they were thrilled.

The view out of our boat.

Z wanted to take a turn paddling. She found that standing up helped.

Our lovely swan boat.

The ticket machine.

The park around the lake was filled with the most beautiful flowers.

The girls had fun climbing around this tree.

I love this little shrine.

Tiny is crazy.

The girls played at a playground, and I loved the look of this peeling paint.

Tiny, the ice cream lady, is ready to take your order.

All in all, an awesome day at the lake!

Today was a gorgeous day in Tokyo, and after lunch we decided to head out to Tamagawa. It’s an area one stop away from where we’ll be living in Denenchofu, and it has a large river that runs through it. B rides the train over the river when he goes out to Yokahama for Aikido, so he thought it would be a fun place to go explore. We found the most wonderful park and explored to our hearts content, then found a playground, where the girls played happily for quite some time. They even gained a little follower- a little Japanese boy (probably about 2 1/2 years old) who followed them around and wanted to play where they were playing. At one point Tiny just ran around in circles and he followed her. It was awesome.  After the playground we went down to the river side, where there were people fishing, relaxing, and practicing instruments. There were people practicing trombone, saxophone, and trumpet- all in different areas. I guess if you live in a small place you can’t really practice at home!

Not a great picture, but an awesome butterfly! ( I believe this is an Old World Swallowtail.)

This grandpa was swinging with his grandson, and the little boy was so utterly delighted by the whole thing, he was doing this giggle from his gut (different than a belly laugh) that was just so wonderful.

Playing baseball in Japan

Another butterfly. We saw so many today- made me wish I brought my actual camera, not just my phone.

Today we went out to Ginza to pick up a couple things from Uniqlo. Uniqlo is kind of like the Gap- basic clothes for decent prices. We didn’t come prepared for cold rain, (warm rain, yes), so we needed to pick up some tights and leggings.

After we hit the Uniqlo, we stopped in at the Vermeer Center. They have a Hokusai exhibit up right now, and while Tiny was initially opposed to going to a museum, she was instantly intrigued by the pieces, and really enjoyed them. Z was interested from the get go, and was extra excited when she recognized a print of people threshing rice that she saw in our studying about rice the last time we were here.

This was the flooring in part of the museum. I would pay good money to have this on my floor.

This is what it looks like outside at noon. Grey and lowlit and beautiful.

Oh, Takeshita Dori, how we love thee.

It’s where you go if you need flowered pants:

Tutus and legwarmers for everyday wear:

Where Claire’s looks exactly the same as it did when I was in Jr. High:

Where you can buy insanely intricate Gothic Lolita dresses and shark backpacks, all in one block:

Or intricate costumes year round:

Need to be a pirate? I do!

Where you go for all your obsessive Tamagotchi shopping needs (It’s the girls’ favorite store, though we rarely actually buy anything there):

Where you can find awesome girly Batman school supplies:

and a wide selection of really weird cell phone covers. (This one is some kind of unholy mix of My Little Pony, bubble gum, Twizzlers, and Cthulhu):

Where people will line up for hours :

to buy caramel popcorn:

Where tights have built in tattoos:

and people walk around dressed like this on purpose:

and these shoes exist:

Where you can hang out in a beautiful rooftop garden:

decorated like a circus in honor of being in business for 1 year:

and enjoy this view:

Never change. Never change.

(PS. The rooftop garden isn’t actually on Takeshita Dori, but it was in the same visit and I’m taking artistic license.)

You’d be excused if you were confused.

Not that I’m complaining.