I have not posted in a while. The baby is 6 months old now. He is trying to crawl, but only moves backwards and he gets frustrated. Because he is frustrated, he cries a lot and wants to be held more. He is almost 11Kilos or 24 pounds! Takafumi will turn 5 next month! He is enjoying his kindergarten. They sing a lot and make arts and crafts. I just got done applying to the local university for a Master degree in TESOL. Toshitaka is still teaching 5th and 6th grade math.

Today I walked to the local jidoukan, or the place where children can play. They had a exchange of children`s goods. Over 100 moms attended. It was so crowded. I just quickly picked some clothes for Takafumi and left. It was super cold on the walk home.

 Rolling over on the tatami in the hotel.

 With daddy in the hotel before we went for a bath.

 Daddy and taka

 Our dinner.

With mommy.

On the way to the Onsen, we saw a full rainbow. When we could not see the rainbow anymore, Taka cried. At the hotel, during the night Hisanobu rolled over in his sleep. He seems to prefer to sleep on his stomach.

Japanese/Chinese

Tonight I went to an event for the friendship family program that I am involved. My host student could not come, but I had fun talking to some of the other students. A lot of the students were Chinese and their Japanese is very good. I always mess up on the self introduction that are so important in Japan. I forget to say my name, just blurt out the other stuff I want to say.
I would love to start studying Chinese, but I think I should master my Japanese first. I love to study the chinese characters of the Japanese language. I should start writing this blog in both English and Japanese. Good Luck to all of you who do not know Japanese....maybe you will learn something!

 This is a field where they plant sunflowers in the summer and Cosmos in the fall. It is across from a park called SunFlower Hill Park and a childrens center called Chaicom. We go to the childrens center just about everyday. It is a good way for Takafumi to blow off steam after daycare. I think in terms of childrens centers and places to play Japan is a good place to raise children. On the other hand, the fathers work long hours with many fathers never really seeing their children on the weekdays. It is the mother who basically raises the children even though there is a father present because of the working hours of the father it is like the mom is a single mom. Some moms are lucky to have their parents or in-laws to help out.

 Taka is getting good at taking pictures! Here he shows how I have not yet taken down the Halloween decorations.

It is time to keep the house clean as Hisanobu can now move around a little by rolling over.

On Saturday Hisanobu turned over by himself and keeps doing it now. Taka had swimming on Saturday. On Sunday we went to the Japanese class which my husband runs. I might start teaching one of the girls English. Not too much else is happening. I need to get a new book to read. Any recommendations? Otherwise  I will have to check out Goodreads on Facebook.

Today

Today I spent the day at my Japanese tutor`s house. Her daughter just had a baby, so the three week old baby, my 3 month old son and my other friend`s 1 year old all spent the day together. It is interesting how fast they grow and the older ones become the role models and the younger ones mimic the older ones (the one year old was mimicing her older brother by feeding the smaller babies).
Today for dinner I made chicken with red and yellow peppers. In general, Japanese eat many more vegetables than Americans. The veggies are the first thing you run into when you enter the store from one side. I like to eat spinach and okra here. I never really ate it back at home.

Lunch

Today my friend and I had lunch together. We had subway sandwiches and potato soup (that she made). She is translating my transcripts from university and I am forever grateful. I am applying to attend the university to get my Masters degree. It will mostly be in English, but I will have non-electives in Japanese. Wish me luck!