Yochien

This is where J goes to school. For the most part he is really enjoying school, they get to play a lot and they have some really fun stuff to play with.

Tokyo Disneyland

We had a great trip to Tokyo Disneyland while hubby's Dad and Nicki were visiting!

Disneyland castle with Grandpa and Nicki!

Our family.

S. seriously smiled like this for the entire day!!!

My favorite ride was Pooh's Hunny Hunt. S. loves Pooh and was captivated by the entire experience! This ride is specific to Tokyo.

Splash mountain.

Bento Box

Four times a week J takes a "bento" or box lunch to school. We called it cold lunch when I went to school. However, it is slightly more complicated here in Japan than the good old PBJ and a bag of chips and maybe some cookies. No sweets or snacks are allowed. The kids can have fruit for their dessert. Also they have to have a washcloth, which has a special container, a towel, a cup, a placemat, and special containers for the food. One that can be heated and the other for fruit or salad or other things you don't want heated. And don't forget the totally cool silverware and chopstick holder! For the first month or so I was always forgetting something. Luckily on Wed. he only has 1/2 day of school and he doesn't need a lunch.

Don't feel like J is deprived since he doesn't get snacks at school, after school for "oyatsu" or snack time at the park with friends people bring all sorts of cookies and chips and candy. Yup, I still have American kids.

Below are the three stages the lunch goes through to fit in that small school bag.

Also we've had a great spring, so hopefully I'll be posting again soon!

Flat Stanley Does Japan

J's kindergarten class in Burley asked that we do a flat Stanley in Japan.  So here it is, Flat Stanley in Japan.

Near Dad's school.

Cherry Blossom fun.

The Shinkansen!

Tama Zoo.

The subway museum.

GIrls Day

Hinamatsuri or "Girls Day" was celebrated in Japan earlier this month. Elaborate doll displays are traditionally set up. J's school had a beautiful display. At first J wasn't interested in having his picture taken in front of it, but when he saw little brother and mom getting their picture taken he relented and let us take his picture. Not one of J's favorite Japanese holidays that we have had just because he is for some reason against "dolls." Hummm...boys.

J and some friends from school at the Jidokan in Shibuya. They are dressed in Kimono's they have there for the kids to dress up in.

The beautiful Plum blossoms blooming this time of year even though it is still quite cold.

Trains

This is definitely J's favorite part of Japan!

Takao-san

B and J had a great time hiking to the top of Takao-san. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Mt. Fuji faintly visible in the background.