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Is This Japan?

Kenzo will officially be a first-grader on the 10th, but today being April 1st and it was the first day of soccer club for the "new year" he had his first day of soccer with the big boys. Which means soccer club is two hours now - Osamu from 10 to 11 with the preschoolers and Kenzo from 11 to 12 with the elementary school kids.

Kenzo is so excited to be growing. Even though some of the older elementary school kids who are in 5th and 6th grade are pretty big compared to him, he's loving the challenge. The coaches separate the little guys and big guys for scrimmage time, but even just watching the big kids play is amazing for the boys.

While Osamu had his soccer club Kenzo and I walked over to the Yamazawa supermarket to pick up some snacks. Then when Kenzo had his time Osamu and I went to Yamazawa to pick up food for lunch, which we were taking to...


... Ogameyama Forest Park. It was our first time. It's not far from our house and just a 15-minute drive from soccer club. 


The boys made some friends at one of the playgrounds while I ate french fries and fried chicken. Some boys were shooting their mom with water guns and she was yelling, "My bottom is all wet you little jerks!" which is loosely translated from the Japanese but captures the spirit. She was a nice lady and stared at Kenzo and Osamu. I think she may not have ever seen half-Japanese kids before. 

The boys shared their snacks and the other kids shared theirs. Kenzo had beef jerky for the first time and loved it. It was the soft kind, like a tiny Slim Jim.


There was a little girl about the same age as Osamu who was climbing on the jungle gym and was afraid of crossing the log bridge. She was kinda frozen while her nice mom and dad encouraged her to go across. Kenzo and Osamu were climbing and running past her and shaking the log bridge. I caught the boys and told them that little girl looks scared and we should try to help her. Kenzo did his part by walking across the bridge without shaking it too much. He looked back at the girl to make sure she was okay and went about his play. Osamu went up to the girl, touched her shoulder and held her hand and walked her across the bridge.

The girl's parents were dumbfounded. I was so proud. They thanked Osamu and we talked a little and they called him a prince. Osamu was very proud that he had a chance to be a super helpful boy.




I had the good sense to put our sled in the back of the car, which was a great move because we made good use of it on this turf hill. The boys took turns sliding down the hill and at one point Osamu drifted sideways and fell off the sled and got a little bumped and very dirty, which he didn't like. He quickly recovered and announced loudly, "I'm okay, I'm a tough boy!"


Kenzo loved walking through the woods. He and Osamu kept asking me if there were any Gruffalos in the woods. I said Gruffalos don't live in Japan. Osamu asked me, "Is this Japan?"


Our morning started with opening spring gifts from grandma. The boys were so excited, mostly for the candy. They have completed their training to be American by learning how to eat Pez from a Pez dispenser. 

We practiced the fine art of reading the card first. Eri was enamored as always by the greeting card element, which isn't really a thing here. 


The boys took a brief nap and Eri went to the supermarket and I poured a little late Saturday afternoon wine and stared out the window.

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