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:)
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!
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