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 :)

Lori Ikawa's Baby Sign Class :)

March got off to a flyng start this morning with Playgroup welcoming Lori Ikawa from Nakameguro, along with baby Mika. Our much anticipated 'Baby Sign Class' (or more correctly A.S.L Amercian Sign Language) packed out the house with 35 people signing, singing and having fun.

We sang Lori's original 'Where is Bear?' and learned signs for 'where', 'feelings', 'hungry', 'cold' and 'happy'. And little Mika demonstrated all too clearly how little kids ask for milk in sign! Then we even managed a great rendition of the ABC song to sign - and all this was before snacktime. My gang were still humming away to 'Where is Bear' when I put them to bed!

For our spur-of-the-moment grand finale, Eric Carle's 'Brown Bear Brown Bear, What do you See?' demonstrated how it's not just Playgroup's new favourite kamishibai. It is also simple to sign it. Click on the video link below for a refresher and for a good laugh at us doing the 'monkey impression'!

I know many of you had heard of Sign Learnning before this morning, but it wasn't it nice to see how easy it is in practise? A very hearty THANK YOU to Lori for making the trip this morning. Anyone interested in continuing Sign Learning with their little ones should contact Lori directly through her website. http://www.lori.jp Lori has a variety of learning materials for Sign Learning including DVDs, books and flashcards. She has generously offered a discount on materials for anyone connected to today's Playgroup:)

*** REMINDER*** Just a reminder for new members: please bring along a photo of your child so we can add them to the Birthday Train. It seems like ages since we've had a Playgroup Birthday Party! We usually have a small birthday celebration for all the children born in the same month.

*** NEW RESERVATION SYSTEM*** Due to increasing numbers, I've had to introduce a "Reservation System". If you plan to attend Playgroup, please email me the day before to let me know. Similarly, if you cannot make it, please email me and let me know as that way another Mum can join for the day. With limited space, I think it's best to keep numbers small so that we can all enjoy Playgroup activities to the full. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation on this one:)

*** MARCH SCHEDULE *** Please continue to check this website for changes to March Playgroup schedule. My kids have lots of holidays coming up (Cian's French School holiday and also Yochien's end of term break). Josie, my super-helper, will also be away for a while. So I won't be able to manage a full house, my five monkeys PLUS hosting Playgroup activites single-handedly. I'm sure you understand:)

Meanwhile, have fun. Enjoy the Springtime. Practise you Sign. And see you in the park!