sayonara - part 2!

So in true Playgroup style, we had to eat more cake, drink more coffee and tea, have at least one happy birth announcement and one birthday party ............ and only then could we truly say SAYONARA Playgroup!

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS to Rie Sakurai who finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy this morning. we are all waiting eagerly to hear his name and to see him out and about in Komaba with his Mum, who we miss too much.

Happy birthda to Sakura chan, one of our "oldest" playgroup kids who is now 3 yeasr old!

This morning at Fuse Court Ikejiri, our Playgroup Mammies went all out and had obviously been cooking and baking all night long as we had a veritable feast. Chicken, prawn salads, miso cake, chiffon cake to die for, as well as countless other long-sonce devoured treats.

I was handed over some real treasures - a Japanese song book and CD as well as other really special omiyages..... which I will always keep.

Thank you all so much for arranging this party, for cooking all night long and especially for all the precious memories.

Please keep the PLAYGROUP going in September.

Sayonara............. & see you in the park:)

SAYONARA PLAYGROUP....

Can it really be the end of such a fun era? This morning, on another rainy Monday, Komaba International Playgroup celebrated in style the end of our colourful and unique Playgroup.

Miso Sensei braved the weather and abandoned poor Gen kun who fell sick at the last moment, to bring us the much anticipated "Magical Miso" - which was devoured by all. Akiko whipped up a great soup snack for us all. Thank you:)

Our kids yet again, showed how it is actually possible to eat EVERYTHING on the table in less than 3 nanoseconds and then come back asking for more. Kimiko's multi-lingual cake didn't stand a chance with Etienne and Daniel there.

Thanks to everyone who brought such great stuff to the buffet. We were spoiled with onegiri, wafers, veggy sticks for the miso dipping, fruit a-plenty and of course, lots of cake and cookies.

I have some really funny pictures of the "Graduation ceremony". My favourite is with Kent sleeping soundly in his mother's arms. Have a look at them on picasa:)

It was with much sadness that I announced our imminent departure from Tokyo. We've been here for three and a half years. Etienne and Daniel were born here and know no other "home". Komaba has become our home. And our neighbours and Playgroup buddies have become our friends. We will really miss you all:(

Please keep in touch and if at all possible, I'd love to see the Playgroup continuing. It's such a great group of people it would be a shame to see it end just because I'm leaving. You have each other's addresses, you see each other in the park all the time and you even have the CD. No excuses!! Maybe you could rotate the group and take it in turns to host? This is usually what happens with Playgroups of this nature. Go on..... Jump Jump Jump...... Dingle Dangle till your heart's content and most importantly, EAT CAKE whenever possible:)

I hope to see you all in the park when the weatehr picks up, so for now, it's "mata ne"... not "sayonara" just yet:)

Sayonara, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Weidersein, Ciao......

Eating cake and managing the mayhem...

I had planned a great 3rd birthday party for Sakura chan this morning. I made my now-near-famous yoghurt cake and had surprises galore. Alas the birthday girl got a cold after planting rice all weekend in Chiba and couldn't make it to Komaba. Too bad..... we ate her cake with gusto and not a morsel was saved.

I hope nobody had intended to start this week by vowing to go on a diet. Our Playgroup "snacktime" just doesn't lend itself to such restrictions! This morning we were spoilt by Maria who brought slimming-plans to a crashing end with her delicious carrot cake. I think it lasted 5 seconds...... even the crumbs were devoured and the plate licked clean by our mob of hungry toddlers. Thank you!! (I'll try and weasel the recipe out of the chef and post it on the blog for next time!)

Alas today is Maria's last day of Playgroup. Andrew will start a mini-summer-camp next week and will thus be kicking up a storm in and around Tokyo Tower for a few weeks. Good luck and thanks for joining all the fun:)

A very big welcome to Saori and Kazuki, who came along with Yukako and Gen and Joe today.

And so that was our last "regular" Playgroup session. Etienne and Daniel were being truly monstrous - I do apologise for that. But who knows what gets into the minds of two-year olds, eh? They got up this morning and decided to try my patience. And boy did they succeed!

Next week is our "Sayonara" party in which we will hopefully get to taste the "mysterious magical miso" of our beloved "Miso-sensei". So carrot sticks and cucumber will replace the calorific menu of today. I might have to make another cake just in case the party menu becomes TOO healthy! See you then, same time, same place.

Billy the Bear, Weekend tips for cool trips and the DAMN MISO!

Billy the Bear made his great return to Playgroup this morning. Our Playgroup kids hadn't forgotten their old favourite song of "Heads sSholders Knees and Toes" but that didnt stop them placing ears on noses, feet on arms or eyes on toes. Poor bear looked like a Picasso by the end of the morning!

A very big Welcome to Yukako's friends who joined us this morning. Hinako and Sora chan were busy making friends and playing all morning long:)

Akemi's spoiled us all with some delicious litchis. I think we managed to give little bags to everyone on the way home. If you missed out, Sorry! My gang have been devouring them all afternoon.

WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

Today's Eikaiwa topic was "Weekend excursions". Where have you been recently? Any family-friendly places you've been to that you'd like to tell our Playgroup Mums about? We heard about some really great spots. Here are the highlights:

Close to home

Setagaya koen - everyone seeme dot agree that Setagay park is a kids dream park. With its mini-steam engine, pedal-cars and grassy picnic areas, at only 10 minutes from Komaba, it got our Playgroup number-one vote:)

Inokashira Koen - at the end of the Inokashita line is this enormaous park which comes compelte with a zoo, a lake with swan boats, the Gibli Museum for Totoro fans and the best cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo.

Himonya koen - In Meguro ku, Yukako suggested we all take a trip to Himonya park where kids can do pony rides, boat trips and visit the petting park where furry rabbits and guinea pigs await:)


Todai - it might well be the bastion of Tokyo's up and coming intelligensia, but us Playgroup Mums are not shy. It seems we all know that Todai is great for a quiet walk, has several coffee shops and restaurants with terraces perfect for lunches with noisy kids and best of all is the Todai lake. Naoko assures us the "zarigani" there are easy pickings and so any child arriving with their bug-box will go home happy and laden-down with cray fish a-plenty:)

Mishiku no mori - At the other end of Awashima dori, behind Sangenjaya Roof Top Mansions lies the well-hidden Mishuku Forest park, which again is perfect for picnics, kids and ball.

A little further a field:

Hakone - The Black family swear by Hakone and its famous pirate ship which has a captain who walsk aroudn the boat posing for photos with the kids. Any little kids going through the obligatory "pirates are cool" phase (Kaizoku ha kakoiiiiiiiiddesu!"), will love it here.

Takao san - just one stop after Kichijoji lies the beautiful Mount Takao. Sora's Mum loved the mountain hike, the monkey park and the excellent views from the cable car.

Akikawa Keikoku - a little bit further west at maybe 2 hours from Tokyo, this huge park offers camping, BBQ areas, fishing and swimming. Sounds like a great summer place to hang out with kids!

THE MISO MYSTERY CONTINUES!

Damn miso. The mystery deepens. After a full three months in a warm, airtight container, the sticky beany-"ought-to-be-but-isnt-paste" remains unchanged. Naoko suggested that the "good bacteria" required to ferment the beans have died. Asako suggested throwing a dollop of supermarket bought regular miso into the pot, mixing it, stirring thus shaking up the dormant bacteria and see how it all pans out. Yukako reckons the bacteria in our pot are plain lazy and so she has brought "her baby" home to Ikejiri to work her wonders and do her magic. I still have faith that we can have a "Miso-Sayonara Party" on the 14th of June! Fingers crossed:)

I hope to see you all next Monday 7th for our last OTANJOUKAI and second last Playgroup session. Sakura chan is almost 3!

Frogs, senbei & What's your blood type??!!

It seems that every Monday morning brings the rain. It's not even officially rainy season! Well at least the frogs were happy:)

After our usual jumping, leaping, singing about ducks, Anpanman and Doraemon and the much-anticipated senbei feast, we had a really interesting "eikaiwa" topic. It is a topic that is truly unique to Japan. What is your blood type? And do you believe that blood types can influence or indeed dictate characteristics in a person. Here are our "findings".....

Yukako, Kazumi, Riae and Yolande are all blood group B. People with this blood type are meant to be "my pace" kind of people. Thats is to say a little self-centred and they often like to be alone. On the plus side they are also extremely well motivated and will try hard all the time to achieve their goal.

Yumino and Ai and blood group O which supposedly implies "ozappa", details are not important to this group. They are an outgoing and friendly bunch and very adaptable, helpful and passionate people.

Reiko was our only AO type which should also mean that she is "ozappa" but extremely sensitive, details are important to this group.

I though this was a really fun topic until we really delved deeper - it just got better and better! Do our Playgroup Mums ACTUALLY believe in the theory that character types can be predicted by knowing someone's blood type? Some do believe. Some don't.

I'm sure you all know the famous women's magazine "Anna or Hanako". What you probably didn't know is that 1. Yukako used to work here and 2. the workplace is divided up according to Blood types!! In other words, you will not find any bloody typeO on the editting team as they are not attentive to details!

Also, relationships can be "perfect blood matches" or out and out disasters. B & O is a good match (like Yukako & Mr. Satou). A & O is OK, an A woman & O man is an OK match while an A man & O woman is said to be make the perfect couple (like Reiko and Hiroo!).

Anyway, I'll email you all the article that I saw on the BBC website. It really does make for an interesting read:)

I hope Fumiko chan is OK after her tumble this morning..... we missed your cool dancing!

See you all next week and please please please, BRING THE SUNSHINE!

Happy Birthday, happy announcements, happy tadpoles, the Miso-Mystery of Komaba & lessons in multi-tasking!

Monday morning with lots of cake, wibbly wobbly jelly, tea, coffee, miso and cucumber...... what more could a Komaba Mum ask for, eh?!

Today we celebrated Kyoka's 3rd birthday party. In spite of having lots of "help" with blowing out the candles, she remained calm and cute as ever. I wonder what a three year old wishes for....

Naoko san shared her happy news with us too. Sakura chan is to become a big sister:) Naoko is due in December and joins our "ever-growing group" of "ever-expanding" Mums. Congratualtions:)

Our little two-legged graden friends caused quite a flurry of excitement as well. The tadpoles all have 4 legs and hopefully be "ribbitting" and leaping about the garden by next week. Anyone want one???? I didn't honestly think that 29 would survive to this point!

And finally, our beloved Miso-sensei took centre stage again. However, knowing what a disastrous history our Playgroup miso has for showing any sign of changes, she came armed with her own batch of home-made stuff too. The beans that were soaked, boiled, mashed and fermented in Yukako's house have done what they were meant to do. They fermented and became yummy miso. Beans from the same batch, which were also soaked, boiled, mashed and fermented and then brought to my house however, did not. They have defied the laws of science and have remained exactly as they were 3 months ago. We moved the miso-pot three times in search of the perfect temperature and conditions but still no change! Something is afoot..... Zenzen wakarimasen:) Any ideas??

When the PG ladies started yelling for cucumbers today, I was filming the miso-tasting with camera in one hand, changing Daniel's pants with another, serving tea, coffee and cake with yet another, thus demonstrating remarkably well how to "multi-task". But you got your cucumber eh? Hope you liked them:)

Thats all for now - see you next Monday for Playgroup or more than likely, in the park between now and then:)

DOMINO-STYLE CHICKEN POX!!

Monday 17th May Playgroup cancelled due to CHICKEN POX!!

Now that Etienne & Daniel are better, Cian, Sophie and Kate are spotty demoons.
They're probably not infectious anymore, but just to be on the safe side.

Let's meet Wednesday instead, the 19th May - same time, same place.

And dont forget, its Kyoka chan and Yuki kuns birthday:)

Golden Week adventures....

After a nice Golden Week break, it was lovely to see you all back at Playgroup this morning. Fumiko chan is still the best dancer in Tokyo, Sakura chan takes "pretty in pink" to a whole new level, Daniel still the grumpiest two year old on the planet and Kyoka chan still throwing excellent poses for the camera:)

Our snacktime eikawa topic was "Golden Week Adventures". Where did you go? What did you do? Any recommendations fro the group? Our Playgroup really is the BEST source of "day-trip" advice I know: So here follows a brief summary of our trips and trots about Tokyo and beyond.....

1. Kowaba mura in Gunma ken - where you can "foster" an apple tree and take care of it for and entire year. For your pruning troubles, you will be rewarded with its juicy fruit, which of course you should pick yourself. Everyone seemed really enthusiastic about this place. SO have a browse through the website for contact details of 川場村りんご園
http://itp.ne.jp/contents/kankonavi/gunma/mikaku/gun_mik07.html


2. Kasai Rinkai Park 葛西臨海公園
Built on reclaimed land, this enormaous plark features a bird sanctuary, an aquarium and a ferris wheel. There are man-made paddling pools but you can "fish" for shellfish. And best of all, its only twenty minutes from Komaba in the car. If you take a wrong turn, the worst can happen is you'll find yourself in Disneyland (it's one turn before Disneyland!). Eitherway, you and your kids will have blast!
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index026.html



3. Yokohama's Hikawa Maru 氷川丸 & Chinatown. This 12,000 tonne boat anchored in Yokohama harbour at Yamashita Park, was used from 1930 to 1960. Kids can clamber about and "steer" the boat from the Captain's cabin. And a trip to Yokohama of course wouldnt be complete without some tasty Chinese snacks. Gyoza and Nikuman...OISHIIII!


4. Shimoda on the Izu peninsula. Long before Yokohama, Shimoda welcomed the first American ship to Japan. This lovely seaside town is only 3 hours from Tokyo, it has postcard-like torquise blue-green waters, white sand at Shirahama and of course an excellent "floating" aquarium for the kids. Have a look at this website and you'll want to go!
http://www.izu.co.jp/~p-boo/



And thats all for now...... I'll look forward to seeing you all next week for Kyoka chans's brithday party. We are planning on having (and eating!) LOTS of cake:)

Tadpoles, frogs, miso & sunshine:)

Finally a bright and sunny Monday morning! I think Spring has finally arrived....

Today we had some very special guests to entertain our little folk. Yesterday, Cian's poached a batch of tadpoles from the a murky pond in Yoyogi koen. He has been taking great care of them in our hastily converted home-made "pond". In fact, he has been checking on the hour, every hour for signs of legs. Alas, no signs of "frogs" yet. There are about 30 tadpoles in there though. If they don't chew their way out of the "pond", we're hoping to see at least 1 frog survive!

Keeping in theme, we had fun with our new and very silly "Speckled Frog Song". Again, all colouring credits must go to Cian, Sophie and Kate:)

And at last, Yukako got to peek at her Miso. However, her "mixing plan" had to be abandoned as absolutely NO fermentation had occured. It just shows how cold my kitchen is. I swear in the winter time, it feels colder in there than being outside. I've moved the Miso upstairs, found a nice sunny spot and so I hope by the next Playgroup we should see at leasta vague resemblance to th magical miso we are all anticipating:)

I dont know if anyone realised it was actually Jyoji's birthday today? He's been having parties all month long though so we kind of let it slide without much fuss. Alas, it was also his last visit to Playgroup as he'll start Nishihara yochien next month. So "Bye bye" Jyoji, but no doubt, we'll see you in the park.

I hope everyone has a fun Golden Week. See you afterwards for our final few sessions of Playgroup. Keep checking the blog for schedule updates. Ciao.

Koinobori :)

Finally, a sunny Monday morning! As ever we had a full house of bouncy, genki kids. But today, they had to work hard for their senbei.

To celebrate the 5th of May "Children's Day", we made our very own Koinobori (carp streamer). Some of the kids were delighted to have their hands smeared with paint, but there were some who put up a brave fight. Sakura chan was confounded by the choice of colours available. She finally was convinced to participate ONLY for pink. In the end, it took three of us to hand-print Fumiko chan. She's really strong for such a little thing! But it was Aurora's refusal that endured. She even had her poor Mum paint her hand. Aurora watched carefully. Smiled. And then absolutely refused to get in on the action. Aki kun roared his disapproval. Kento snarled in disbelief. Only little Lui was mellow about it...... he didn't even wake from his nap!

We managed to get 17 prints in all and then a little later, my gang joined in on the fun. Have a look next time you pass by the house. It looks really cool! Next time, can someone teach me this song????

屋根より高い鯉幟
大きな真鯉はお父さん
小さな緋鯉は子供たち
面白そうに泳いでる

See you all next time then, Yukako's magical miso will be making a star appearance!

The biggest birthday cake in the world.....:)

That makes three Mondays in a row that we've been rained out, right? April weather is so unpredicatable in Tokyo. Yesterday I got sunburn in the blazing heat of Setagaya koen and today, it's back to woolly jumpers and central heating.

Anyway, the kids didn't care either way. They jumped, bounced, whinged, fought, sang and ate like troopers. A very big THANKYOU, MERCI BEAUCOUP and ARIGATOUGOZAIMASU to Yolande and Huge for sharing the world's biggest birthday cake with all your playgroup buddies. We all really enjoyed it. How many okawaris were asked for?! Also THANK YOU to Kimiko who brought another cake which we didnt even get to!

I'm going to go see Rie in Toho Byoin tomorrow and bring her the lovely card we made. I'm sure she'll like it. There are some very cute drawings there by the kids:)

And finally, as everyone was getting ready to leave this morning, I was given the very best Japanese lesson. I've often heard the term "ishokenmei" and seen the kanji (which my computer can no longer type:() but I didn't really understand the meaning. Today, Joe kun was battling with his zipper (see the photos on picasa!) and Yukako said "ishokenmei"...... Bless him, he was struggling for ages and ages. Now I get it:) Yoku Gambatta ne..... but even more so. Thank you Joe sensei:)

See you all next Monday and let's hope the rain stays away as I want to make a big KOINOBORI. See you then.

April showers....

We just haven't been lucky these days with the weather on Playgroup days, have we? So much for our "hanami picnic" again today. Thats' two weeks in a row that we've been rained out:( Though I'm sure many of you passed the weekend in and around Tokyo, gazing at the sakuras, hanami-ing to your hearts content, so we won't worry too much. Cian assures me that tomorrow the rain will stop. He is CERTAIN of this fact because apparently his buddy Sei-kun told him so - therefore it MUST be true:)

As ever, our bouncy, genki kids didn't let the rain dampen their spirits. We danced and jumped and leapt about until snacktime, when yet again, literally thousands of senbei were devoured at a speed that quite frightens me.

A very big welcome to our newest member, Kazumi Thoms and Aurora chan. I hope you'll make it back next week to join the fun:)

And it was great to see Kyo-chan and Gen-kun back too. Most of you missed their impromptu piano recital at the end of class today. They were both amazing. We'll have to invite them back and have the Sato-duo perfom a duet or a mini-concert one day. Really, they were great.

And to Rie san in Toho byoin, we're thinking of you:) Take care....

See you next Monday (no Playgroup on Wednesday!)

Happy Birthday Kento & carrots galore :)

It might have been a dull and chilly March morning, but our Playgroup kids made up for the weather with their dancing, singing and all-round "genkiness":) Jump jump jump, up, up, up and Dingle Dangle Scarecrow, as always, being the class favourites.

Kent kun turned one this week so we had a little birthday party. The yoghurt cake lasted about five seconds. I think Yumino san liked it:)

And finally, a very big welcome to Fumiko-chan's Grandma Suzuki Keiko san who came this morning for the first time. Rie san has been taken into Toho Ohashi hospital. We're thinking of you:)

A very big THANK YOU to Naoko san too for the great organic, home-grown veggies. I'm sure we'll all be having carrots for dinner this evening:)

No Playgroup this Wednesday 31st March. See you all next week for "hanami Playgroup on Monday 5th April".

Saint Patrick's Day Playgroup - part 2!

All the pregnant ladies showed up for our Paddy's Day Playgroup - part 2:) Green and gold felt badges were cut out and stuck and then promptly forgotten amidst the usual senbei fiesta. What is it about Playgroup snacktime that makes our children capable of eating SO many senbei??? We sang our silly songs again, Leprachaun Stew & There was a Little Leprachaun - much to the delight of Etienne and the old favourite petit escargot even got Hugo humming along too.

Yolande kindly invited the Playgroup Mums and their husbands to the ADIWA annual dance. (African Diplomat's International Wives Association). It takes place on the 10th of April from 4pm until 10pm at the French Lycee in Iidabashi. As well as some African cuisine and the promise of good music and dancing, be forewarned. You'll have to be a little creative and recite your own poem to your man as part of the after-dinner entertainment. Any haikus in the making??? Gambarimashou ne:)

Next week we're having our own well-earned haru-yasumi break. No Playgroup Monday 22nd or Wednesday 24th March. See you all for Monday 29th otanjoukai and the hana-mi in Komaba Koen. Don't forget to bnring your bento!

Miso mixing & St. Patrick's Day fun :)

It might have been a little bit early to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, but that didn't deter the ever-genki little folk of Komaba International Playgroup. This morning we got offto a flying start with some old favourites. Koki was looking particularly happy as he 'jumped jumped jumped':)

Most of you missed yesterday's parade on Ometesando where there really were an amazing number of leprechauns. They were the inspiration behind our special Paddy's Day features: the funny poem "Leprechaun Stew" and then the song "There was a little leprachaun".

Yukako san (hereafter known as Miso Sensei) was in great form today as she got to open up her miso-mix. This amazing concoction has been fermenting in the underground cellar of the kitchen here for the past month. Have a look at the little video clip to see what semi-fermented boiled and mashed soya beans look like!

A very big Thank you to Kimiko for the doruyakis which didn't last long once the kids saw them and also to Asako san for the yummy cake. Everyone is asking me for the recipe! You'll have to write it down for us next time.

And finally, a very big Thank You to the Momo-gumi girls who did a cracking rendition of "Okiku nattara nani naru". Again, check the video clip below for Sophie's "Irashaimasen". Too funny:)

Next Playgroup will be this wednesday the 17th (the REAL St Patricks Day!). After that, Monday 29th. And immediately after the 29th session, we'll all head to the park for our hana-mi. Bring you bento and lets hope its a nice sunny day.

International Women's Day surprises galore :)

Well well well.... no-one could've planned our 'International Women's Day' Playgroup session better than it turned out. Not only did Yolande and Hugo rejoin us from their very long sojourn in Gabon, but three extra surprises were in store.

First Yoldande brought back her won very special 'omiyage' from Gabon. She's already 2 and a half months pregnant. Next in the door was Yumino san - who, bless her - is still reeling in the shock of being told it's twins. Not bad going eh? That'll be four Ushiki kids under four years eh??!! And finally, Reiko arrived and stunned us with her happy news too. So out of a group of 9 women, including Rie san, four of you are pregnant. I'm sure this is statistically interesting or bizarre or an anomoly of some sorts. Isn't Tokyo's birth rate supposed to be in the downward slope?? Well apparently whoever came up with this theory hadn't visited Komaba International Playgroup. Congratulations to you all - and before you ask, NO! There is nothing special in the water here, nor did I spike your morning tea with ancient Irish fertility herbs:)

Our Snacktime English task of "The two best things about being a woman today" was an interesting one after all the early morning revelations. Giving birth and wearing cute dresses seems to be what ou Playgroup ladies are into. (I'll show you the fruits of your labour next week and put all your little gems into a collage of some sort.)

Ryunosuke and Jyoji joined the girly-themed day, throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the spirit of things by donning high-heels for the entire class - much to the amusement of Sakura chan who now an old hand at heels, was instructing them on how best to negotiate that tricky tatami-room step.

Eh voila. What more can I add to such a lovely morning. From here on, I'll be pestering you about taking your iron and folic acid supplements, serving only decaffenated beverages and insisting you eat LOTS of chocolate.

See you all next week for Saint Patrick's Day fun and silly games.

*** Don't forget: no playgroup on Wednesday 10th due to Yochien's Parent-Teacher meetings.
*** Click on the video link below to see your favourite Jump Jump Jump song :)