Goodies from Kuwait

Y&Z's grandpa was in Tokyo for business, and I went to pick up those goodies at his hotel. Kids were very happy, says those T-shirts smells like them! Thank you very much!!

Veggie ramen at Sora no iro, Tokyo station

It was more like pasta than ramen, to me.

Breakfast with Uncle Evan

Men in town for biz, breakfast at City Bakery as usual. He was damaged the night before, a bit jet lagged, etc. though still in good shape.

Chef Mo

He wanted cook sea bream for acqua pazza. He knows what he was doing.

Mo's Entrance Ceremony to Elementary School

Beautiful weather, cherry blossom in full bloom, today was the day for Mo to join the elementary school. Dressed him in shirt and nice pants, which he had a little drama trying on at shop the day before, and we showed up to school.

He could sit during the ceremony, could respond when his name was called, and could manage the group photo at the end.

In the class room, he was placed next to another boy who went to the same kindergarten, another hyper kid. I smell troubles...

Congratulations, Mo. You can proudly say you're 1st grader and can go out all by yourself!

Photos here.

Playing under cherry blossom falling

And a video of mo catching cherry blossom petals.

Late lunch at Maison Landemaine Tokyo

Inuyama Festival Day 2

After a wonderful breakfast at hotel's executive lounge (Yey!), we bought some lunch and food to share, and went back to Inuyama again.

Walked around, kids played some games on the street, bought some snacks, went to look for Lilo's dad who were pushing the YAMA. After goofing around, checking Lilo's cousins, we moved on to elementary school's playground so that kids could release some energy.

Unfortunately rain started later in the day, and the night festival was cancelled. Then everybody came back home, started partying.

We had 8 pm shinkansen reserved so said good-by to them and headed back to station.

Thank you very much for Tanaka family for your hospitality and kindness. We'll see you in Hawaii in summer!

Photos here.

Inuyama Festival Day 1

One of my friends from work many years ago, now living in Hawaii, was back at her parents' near Nagoya with her daughter. As the first weekend of April was a festival weekend in her home town, we planned a short trip to meet them. Took 8 am shinkansen to Nagoya, after a quick breakfast at Dean&Deluca at Shinagawa station, then switched to local train which took us to Inuyama City, in total of 3 hours.

Met friends and her daughter, Lilo, at the station, we took walk in the crowded street, food venders and games only opens during the festival stood next to each other. Kids went crazy, tried everything they were interested, off course.

Eventually we arrived at her home, which is an important cultural property in the area. Her husband was also visiting, just to join the festival. We've met her parents a few times already, and things went kinds of what it was like back at my home, too: men drinking, slacking, smoking, etc.; women cooking, serving food and tea non stop; occasional cries from babies and kids; frequent visit by relatives and friends.

Went outside, streets were filled with people, where you usually don't see anybody  around. Walked toward the Inuyama castle, which has Haritsuna shrine at the bottom of skirt. This festival is for this shrine, and festival itself is national important intangible cultural property. Total of 13 YAMA, 3 stories float, each has mechanical doll on the top, unique to each own town.

At night time, they light up lanterns, real candle light, and make turn at corner by lifting front of float, and turn the rear wheels. It's called DONDEN. It might be difficult to see it on the video but they lifted 5t weigh float and made turn.

It was late for us by then and we left for Nagoya to check in at hotel. Good night. 

Photos here.

Soba dinner on TGIF

 Tempra soba for boy

White soba for girl

4th Day in Taipei

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.

3rd Day in Taipei

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.

Parents got tired and it was getting colder, we started walking to a restaurant, 欣葉 (SHIN YEH) which serves Taiwanese dishes. It was very crowded, and we could see how popular this restaurant was. Kids inhaled the first plate immediately, and the rest of the foods were amazing! Highly recommended.

We walked back to the hotel, had a short park time after checking out a night market nearby. Thank you very much Kuwabara family again! 

Photos here.

Videos:
宇宙迴旋(輻射飛椅) Rotating swing
This car plays music
Mo giving ride to Ton

2nd Day in Taipei

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 夏夜市) by MRT. Kids played some games, hit a small park on the way back, enjoying meeting with friends again. Thank you very much Kuwabara family for hanging out with us.

Photos here.

Videos following:
Choo Choo Train in Taipei 
Mo playing game at Ningxia night market

1st Day in Taipei

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.

Our flight take by Kuwabara mom from their apartment

We were on that flight!

Waiting for our flight at Haneda

Slot Car Racing at Haneda Airport

While boys found an entertainment while waiting for our flight.
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Ramen lunch with grumpy Mo

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

Dodgeball with Kuwabara brothers

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!

Fish taco from 440 Broadway food truck

Cheap yet awesome street food.

Boys in their hiding spot at park

They're visible from the street....

Vegan ramen at Afuri

Green tea flap for Ton

Sushi lunch with Mo

Spring flowers at Roppongi Hills

Mimosa and tulips in full bloom.

Sakura Mochi flavore popsicle

Very sakura mochi.

A pro street performer on site

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!

Graduation gift from kindergarten

Mo's Graduation at Kindergarten

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.

Very last lunch at kindergarten for Mo

"Sky Mint Marshmallow" from City Bakery

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

Latte at Dean & Deluca

Catching a breath...

Pizza dinner at Pizzeria Fantasista Due

Mo's happy with his second order of margarita.

Lunch boxes from gratitude party at kindergarten

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!

Amazake jelee

Soooo good! Can order online from here.

Tiramisu Hero from Singapore

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

CooKie Sunday Kids workshop at Just Another Space

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!

Nrunch at Tavern, Nakameguro

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.

Shichirin stove class at elementary school

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.

Random Ton's stuff from school

 "Living creature duty group". Ton is in charge of taking care of Betta, fish they have in the class.

Ton’s calligraphy of “light”.

"Beef Dojo" bento

 Yummy beef bento lunch from Yonezawa, Akita Pref.

Look, I made a face!