Leg warmers

This weekend I heard a visiting American comment that she loved that in Japan she can wear leg warmers, something she hasn’t done since Flashdance. It got me thinking that a revival of this tubular knit hasn’t happened yet in the States. Here, where there are pantyhose, there are leg warmers. A few weeks ago while on a quick trip to the shopping area of Shibuya, I snuck into a stocking shop to replenish my own toe sock, ankle warmer and leg warmer collection. Like leggings, I go for the basic variety in either brown or black. Leggings? Of course! What else do you wear with leg warmers?

Teacher Appreciation

Thursday was Teacher Appreciation Day at Roo's school. The parents managed to surprise the entire staff with a buffet feast fit for this hardworking ambitious bunch. The food covered flavors from around the world. The display was splendid!

Spa Resort Hawaiians

This past weekend we traveled with two other families from school to the town of Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture. Our destination, the Spa Resort Hawaiians theme park. Built in the mid 1960’s to bring economic vitality to this previously prospering coal town, the resort is a massive indoor complex. It was two warm days filled with pools, water slides, raft rides, and hot springs. Dressed in the hotel issued attire, we attended the evening show which featured amazing dancers, beautiful costumes, flame throwers and a live Hawaiian band. The kids, two boys and two girls, played great together. They kept us parents busy going from area to area. As one parent put it, “it was the most tiring relaxing weekend I’ve ever had”. Despite the required effort to take it all in, it is a fun get away for families.

This is the European style family hot bath. There is a separate area containing the traditional Japanese hot bath that replicates the style from the edo period, however, since men and women are separated, we opted for the "swim suits on" family option.

Our group dressed in the hotel issued evening attire.

Roo loved the current pool that moves your float along.
Ryan entertained the kids for most of the 2 1/2 hour train ride home.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

In preparation for today's program at school, Roo has been practicing his "fa la la la la". However, instead of Deck the Halls, Roo's class sang a more knightly version in tune with this month's theme study of the country of England.

Girls: A princess lives in the tall tower,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la,

Girls: I always drop down lots of flowers,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: I need a Prince to break the spell,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Who will save me time will tell,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Is there a brave Prince in these lands,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: I wish he'd take me by my hand,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Boys: I will save you Princess fair

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la

Girls: Not right now I gotta wash my hair,

Boys: Fa la la la la, la la la la .

Cookie Exchange

This morning we had a Christmas cookie exchange with parents from Roo's school. When I originally suggested the idea at a class parent meeting, I was surprised to see blank faces. Apparently, the cookie exchange concept is distinctively American. Today I was happy to host eight willing participants from various countries, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Argentina, and of course Japan. We now have an array of cookies to enjoy!

Skidmark

On the way home from school yesterday, it dawned on Roo that in the movie Transformers, there is no autobot that takes the form of a 3 wheel scooter like he rides to and from school. Working out the details on the scooter ride home , as soon as he walked in the door, he went to work drawing his creation. "Skidmark" is an autobot that transforms into a scooter. "Prentend he has an engine". He looks like this:Hmmm... maybe I should submit this idea to Spielberg? With a passion that borders on obsession, Roo is fascinated by Transformers. He's perfected Megatrons cry of agony at the end when he calls for help from "Staaaaar Screeeeaaaaam". I'll admit I'm relieved we've moved on from Max & Ruby. And, after all, Optimus Prime is not such a bad role model of leadership. At least that's what I tell myself.

Christmas is coming

Our tree is up and around town things are decorated with Santa and "Happy Christmas". Grocers display flyer for ordering Christmas cakes, and everyday Roo mentions his Christmas list. For now, the idea of Santa is fathomable. Because minds switch abruptly on December 26th from Christmas to New Year celebrations, the season starts even earlier than what I remember at home.