3.28.2006

The Formal Photo

J's class Posted by Picasa


Can you find J, S or me? These are the kids and parents from J's homeroom. L took the photo while we were posing for the school photographer.

J's Graduation

J and friend at graduation. Posted by Picasa

L's Graduation

L and his dictionary. Posted by Picasa


L couldn't wait to open his graduation gift from the PTA. The three previous graduates received the same dictionary so when I was VP of the PTA I got together with the other moms and proposed that we update the selection to an easier to read, more fun version. This year's PTA liked our selection so now we don't have four copies of the same dictionary.

Extended Family

M and Cousin's daughter at Oedo Onsen Monogatari Spa Posted by Picasa

Spring Break

L graduated from kindergarten on the 17th and J's elementary school graduation was held on the 24th so we are well into spring break. The cherry trees in the park near our house bloomed yesterday morning and will probably shed their petals in tomorrow's predicted rain so we're going to spend the afternoon there today.

Yesterday I left a pot of curry for S and the kids to eat with rice from the rice cooker for lunch so I could take the train downtown and meet two very pleasant women from Caz for a morning strolling through the Meiji Shrine compound and gardens. It was very enjoyable to get out and about. I even got to do a little shopping in Harajuku as I didn't have 4 kids to worry about in the spring break crowds of young people shopping for the latest fads and fashions. My purchases? Two handkerchieves from the Japanese equivalent of a Dollar shop.

3.16.2006

Last of the worst

Well, I had the last of the "debilitating" CEF chemo treatments on Tuesday and am still glad that they haven't been debilitating. In three weeks I start the second half of the regime, 8 sessions of Docetaxel, once every 2 weeks. I danced successfully on stage with 15 other moms in front of 65 6 yr olds, 49 moms and 20 teachers and staff from the kindergarten at the formal pre-graduation "Appreciation Ceremony" and didn't lose my wig. L's graduation is tomorrow morning.

S's brother and his wife will be in Tokyo from Sunday to Tuesday to visit their son and his family. The son and his wife were here with their son to help out at the "Welcome to Japan" Intercollegiate Judo Tournament, Rice Dumpling and Japanese Drum Extravaganza. Now they have a 3 year old daughter and a 6 month old daughter in addition to their 6 yr old son. On Sunday afternoon we'll visit them with banana bread (exotic food baked by the foreign wife) to say hi to the in-laws from Kyushuu and probably treat everybody to dinner in an inexpensive restaurant as we couldn't possibly all fit in the nephew's apartment. I'm hoping for good weather so the kids can all play in the park in front of the nephew's place.

3.06.2006

Monday's Here

L is down to his last two weeks of kindergarten and J, her last three weeks of elementary school. I've been practising a song and dance routine with some of the other moms for the kindergarten early evening pre-graduation formal party and have dug out the proper shoes from the back of the closet for my fancy purple dress. I hope it isn't too cold because my down jacket definitely clashes. In a pinch, I guess I could wear the gold lamee and sparkly brocade outfit which is warmer. Then I'd have to dig around for more shoes...aaugh!

A foreign wife friend called to invite me to first dibs on a pile of practically brand new clothes before she took them to an international church in Tokyo for their annual bazaar. She likes the same colors I do and is my height (or a little taller as she has excellent posture) and size so I really lucked out. I came home with a large shopping bag of clothes appropriate for the upcoming graduations and entrance ceremonies. This is good because, as a representative of the building management committee and a member of the local town planning association I received an official invitation to sit in the "VIP" section instead of with the riff-raff - er- other parents. I will probably sit with the riff raff anyway because none of the other VIPs will have 6 and 8 year olds with them and S will be busy videotaping and may not be able to handle the hyperactive duo. M, as a 5th grader, will be assisting at the function, probably playing music on her recorder.