Comfort food

Saltine crackers with Skippy Creamy Peanutbutter, and a glass of milk. I have been eating this since I was little. When I was in high school, my Mom still packed lunches for me. This was usually in it. I am pretty sure this costs more to eat here than it does in Spokane. But, it is amazing how good something familiar tastes and it is worth every YEN.

A day in the life...

This is Miyo looking happy, of course. We took her to Disneyland Tokyo. The lines and the people were a bit overwhelming. I do not think it was as busy the last time we went. After 6 hours, one ride, lunch, and numerous lines...we went home.

Nanae is pretty good at walking now. She walked to the neighbor's to play with the toys that were left outside.

I am making ocha, or tea, all the time. I have decided that I love it more here. I was drinking green tea in Spokane. Cold brewed, of course. But, everyone is drinking this here. I think it is because the water takes a bit like chlorine. I put one bag into my container of choice, and I brew it for 99 minutes in the fridge. It is pretty much heaven.

This is what my freezer looks like. I had a huge compost bin in Spokane. Two of them in fact. I am too scared of cockroaches to attempt this here. I am now, freezer composting. I have no idea if this even exists. I might just be crazy. I am planning on saving this in the freezer, the loading it into a compostable bag and then throwing it in the trash. At least if it is all together and in a biodegradable bag it will do it's thing in the landfill and attract the damned gokiburi there and not in my apartment.

We got our second package from Spokane. I cannot tell you how nice it was to get a box with an Out There, Inlander, Lucky Charms, Tea Tree oil, Desitin, holy crap, much more. I had no idea that it would be impossible to find diaper cream. I guess these babies here do not get diaper rash. Thank you for the package. I love you!

Awesome necklaces

This is Nanae wearing her new favorite necklaces. Every 14 month old should have light up necklaces. These came in an awesome package with other awesome things. Notice, she has a new hair style. I had been just clipping her hair to the side. We have lost many clips since we got here. She pulls them out and tosses them, no joke. This hair style was a favorite with my sister, Hannah. Keeps the hair out of the face if you are putting off that first hair cut.

The pooding post.

I would love to send this to my Dad. My Dad loves flan. In Japan, they call this pudding. I think it tastes just like flan. This BIG one costs ¥120. I was enjoying it, and so was Nanae. Then she dumped it onto the floor. When we first got here, we were eating too much pudding. Now, we only get it once in a while. But, darn, it is good.

Found

Japanese spider

Very close to actual size. Found everywhere. Not poisonous but looks pretty mean.

Food shoveling sequence.

The key is not to laugh while doing it.

Well done.

Sisters.

On walk to grandparents house this morning. They're growing.

I really like Nanae's leg in this shot.

Insert photo here...

I went to write only my second post here, then realized that I did not have any pictures to include in the post. I realize, this means I fail. Today I went shopping with two of the other moms here in the apartment complex. We went to Costco. I am exhausted. I could barely talk after the trip while the other two moms split up our purchases and divided what items we were going to share. Fun? Totally. Coffee before the next trip? Obviously. Will I remember to take pictures...OF COURSE. But, while I have you here, I would like to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading our blog. Patrick is a pretty good writer. And I love his pictures. So, those are some big shoes to fill and I promise I will try! Just in case you wanted to know, the cheesecake at the Pajan Costco is the best I have ever had in my entire life. It is worth a plane ticket.

Good Monday.

Baikin-man

Today

Today was a good day. Sunny and warm, fun all around, Elissa got some Facebook chat action and I road a bike and drank some beer. Everyday should be like this.

サーリー ペーサー

Finally found a good used bike in my size. Road it home about ten miles. Road great. Very happy with it so far. Has super duper road bike gearing. Really small range 10 speed in the back, 39/53 front. Sucked going up hills but cornered great and went fast. Leaving the 32mm tires on it now for now but already got 28mm Grand Bois Cerfs for it.

I liked the handlebars. I think they're called bullhorns? Never road with one before. It felt like drop bars without the drop. Looks weird but was fairly comfortable and helped get great leverage on climbs. Might swap out brakes at some point. The black foamy bar wrap craps gotta go too.

On a side note, Elissa made deviled eggs and took a picture of it. Had black sesame seeds on it to give it some Asianness flare. Things are starting to become a little more normal around here.

Graveyard night kitty.

Witnessed on ride home. 

Nov 10 school day 3.

From the vault.

Morning @ Swan Lake

Walking

Nov. 8th school day 2.

A bunch more shots from day 2 at Miyo's school. Getting the routine down. Miyo napped with the other kids and stayed til 3:30 pm. Another good day.

No vegetable stand today. 

Got her own box to put crap in.

Teru teru bozu. 

I really love their kitchen. Always smells good.

Where the kids get their food.

Hand towels.

Sumire-chan. Same age as Miyo.

Miyo's school. Vintage building.

Elissa joined the walk today.

Don' need shoes or socks on the slide.

Today's teaching material: Acorn.

Haruto-kun.

My favorite pic of the day. Sumire-chan offered to
hold Miyo's hand on the walk home.

From the vault.

Miyo - Age:awesome.

Poprice

Not popcorn but pop rice.

First day of school.

Miyo had her first half day of school. We found a great place nearby called Tatsunoko that offers an awesome alternative to the normal kindergarten. They go on walks all the time, eat simple organic Japanese style meals and require parents to watch/help with the classes.

I'm hoping that Elissa would benefit from her time helping out at school too. She can get involved with communicating with the teachers and kids, hopefully picking up a bit of the Japanese language and make some friends.

We walk by this vegetable stand all the time. This old lady sells stuff out of her small farm everyday. Very fresh and very cheap. Surprisingly, in our neighborhood there are still a bunch of small farm plots. Very prolific too since it doesn't get too cold around here.

Couple of kids getting ready for a walk.

Nickname MaiMai. 

Sakurai-san is Miyo's teacher. Infront of the school.

Discovering cute bugs.

Name tags on front door.

Kid's origami decoration.

Everyone has their own peace style. Her's is "scrunchy face" peace.

Lunch time.

Getting ready for a nap. We left right after this.

Classroom.

I'm very excited for Miyo and looking forward to having fun with her and the people at the school.