Hiroko's Hitokoto

After breakfast and check out at hotel, we dropped kids at Kuwabara family's apartment for play date. We, adults, went on to 艋舺龍山寺 (Lungshan Temple), paid our visit to many gods there, had some ice tea, watching senior people hanging out in the area. Then 華山1914文化創意園区 (Huashan 1914) to check out art stuff. After picking up kids, we headed to 梁記嘉義雞肉飯 for chicken rice for lunch. It was packed with locals, and we made our order to go in bento, and had lunch at a park nearby. It was delicious, making us wanting to come back again. Fun time flies fast, it was time to say good by to Kuwabara family. It was wonderful meeting up with all of them, and definitely we'll be back! Photos here .

We headed to 高三孝碳烤吐司 for breakfast of melon bread sandwich papa saw on magazine. Took MRT subway and it was behind 南門市場 (Nanmen Market). Crowded, off course, only Chinese menu available, off course, though the guy spoke some English so we managed to order what we wanted. Papa was happy with the melon bread sandwich, and their coffee was great! Check off on the list of things to do in Taiwan! Checked out 南門市場 (Nanmen Market), and we took MRT again to 臺北兒童新樂園 (Taipei Children's Amusement Park) to meet with Kuwabara family. Kids went crazy, took all kinds or rides there, younger ones' couldn't ride some because they were not tall enough, though, with EazyPass on hands for paying for ride, we let them go freely. Then we went to a next stop, where my kids saw huge slides and wanted to go. 花博公園 (Taipei Expo Park) was this and Farmer's Market was there that weekend. Kids kept going up and down the slides, rented mini cars and drove around for good 3 hours or so. Pare...

After breakfast, we bought our EazyCard at Family Mart, went to MRT subway station and charged those cards. It was easy as the machine had both Japanese and English screens. First stop was Taipei 101 , which is the tallest building in the world. Mo and papa went to the observatory, Ton and I stayed on the ground, wondering around the supermarket. Had lunch at food court. Oh you have to be very aggressive to get a table.... Took some walk to an open art area, but couldn't find the entrance, so gave up, went to Ice Monster for break instead. Off course there was a waiting line, mostly Japanese, but we could get in shortly. Huge shaved ice we couldn't finish. Joke is, they have shop in Tokyo, too. We met up with a family friend for dinner at Hangzhou Xiaolong Tangbao (杭州小籠湯包). Long line outside, obviously family friendly, took your own spices, drinks, and appetizers, and there steamy dim sum arrived.  After stuffing ourselves, we head to Ningxia night market (寧 夏...

Family trip in Taipei during spring break. Started at Haneda airport, playing flight simulator and slot car, we took Hello Kitty flight to rainy Taipei. Checked in Aloft, a newly opened stylish hotel which could make some of our friends jealous. Headed to the world famous xiaolongbao restaurant, Din Tai Fung, ate like pigs! Kids loves it so much wanted to come back again for breakfast. Everybody was tired, grumpy, especially Mo, could be because of his wiggly teeth, which had been bothering him when eating.  Photos here .

We were on that flight!

While boys found an entertainment while waiting for our flight. 1 2

He was not happy because I had to take him with me all around the city to run errands.

A family friend used to live downstairs from us, now live in Taiwan, was back in Tokyo. We happened to meet them unexpectedly and kids started playing together. What a nice surprise!

Cheap yet awesome street food.

They're visible from the street....

Mimosa and tulips in full bloom.

Very sakura mochi.

One of the kids at kindergarten has a dad who is a professional street performer, and he gave his performance for kids after graduation. They know who he was so couldn't take it seriously in the beginning, though they loved his balloon. Thank you very much, Yakopa!

Mo's graduation of kindergarten. Some moms already had watery eyes even before the ceremony opened. He'll have some of his friends going to different elementary school, and some with the same one which is right next to the kinder. Congratulations, Mo. The new adventure awaits you. Photos here .

Home made marshmallow, too good she doesn't like it because it's not like the ones in package.

Catching a breath...

Mo's happy with his second order of margarita.

Picked up lunch from kindergarten as we couldn't join the party to thank teachers and staff at kindergarten, as Mo got type B flue. Good lunch!

Soooo good! Can order online from here .

Tiramisu called "Momma Hero" and "Lemon Hero" from Tiramisu Hero. Originally from Singapore, now they have factory in Japan.

Saka, one of the teachers at their preschool invited Ton & Mo to join this workshop, and we made it. The most of other kids were younger than them but they enjoyed the class, and table tennis afterwords. Than kyou Saka! Photos here . Cookie recipe: Maple Syrup Cookie Whole wheat flour 140g Almond Powder 60g Coconut Oil /Walnut oil 65ml Maple Syrup 65ml 1. Beat the oil and maple syrup together in a bowl untill it changes into milky colour 2. Mix flour and almond powder in another bowl. 3. Mix 1 and 2 together. 4. Divide the dough into 16, make small balls and lightly push each ball to make flat circle cookies. 5. Bake in pre-heated oven for 15 min at 180 degrees!

Tried a new brunch place, 2 stops away by subway. They have bread buffet which you can enjoy fresh and variety of bread in small sizes, which kids enjoyed so much they couldn't finish their own meal. Photos here .

As part of social study, Ton's class had an open class of using SHICHITRIN stove, a charcoal stove, from setting fire using match. We too Mo with, and he was busy taking photos of the event, and joining mochi grilling part, too. Photos here .

 "Living creature duty group". Ton is in charge of taking care of Betta, fish they have in the class. Ton’s calligraphy of “light”.

 Yummy beef bento lunch from Yonezawa, Akita Pref.