Feliz Navidad

Apparently the boys came across the song Feliz Navidad at kindergarten. I think one of the teachers who was dressed up as Santa Claus on the school bus was singing it or had it playing.

I could not be more pleased. One, because it's not Last Christmas. Two, and most importantly, it's one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time and I love that Kenzo and Osamu have had it stuck in their heads these last few days.

This morning at soccer club Osamu was singing it the entire time, much to the confusion of the coaches. Plus, when he sings it the words come out kinda muddled. He's trying to sing "Feliz Navidad" but it sounds like "please namida". "Namida" in Japanese means "tears," as in the crying kind. I just shrugged my shoulders when the coaches looked at me.

Last night and today we had Jose Feliciano playing in the house quite a bit. 

After soccer we just relaxed in the living room and did puzzles and played and looked out the window at the cold, windy, sometimes drizzly day. Kenzo learned what was sleet is today. The ride home from soccer was very sleety. He was curious what you call it when it's not quite rain and not quite snow.

After nap time I popped open my homemade eggnog. It's been cooling in the fridge since last night. Eri had a little. I poured a good full glass for myself. Osamu requested some as well. Kenzo declined, but took a sniff just to see what it was like. I sprinkled a little cinnamon on top after adding a little bourbon to mama's and papa's glasses. Eri said it tasted like Christmas, even though in Japan "tastes like Christmas" isn't really a thing. 

Osamu ended up having a few sips and said he'd have it later. However, later he said papa could have it. 

I fell asleep on the couch watching Home Alone with the boys, and when I woke up it was dinner time. Eri prepared a feast. Pizza and fried chicken for the boys. Tomato chili motsunabe for the grown-ups. One of my absolute favorites. This was our first time having tomato chili though. 

Eri's not a huge fan of motsunabe. She made it because she knows I love it and we rarely have it. I get it. It's basically tripe hot pot. But oh sooooo good.

After we ate most of the goodies from the pot she dumped in fettuccine noodles and cheese and I cannot tell you how amazing it was. We were both stuffed and completely in awe of how delicious it was. When it came time for Christmas cake the boys ate it but Eri and I passed. We were in a state of post-feast lethargy and completely immobile. 

Kenzo and Osamu are of course very excited for Santa to visit tonight. Before bed, though, they got to open one present each, and they chose presents from grandma. 

Story time was one of our favorites with a Christmas theme. Stick Man by Julia Donaldson. Santa Claus appears at the end and helps the hero of the story get home. We read that story any time of the year, but on Christmas Eve it's especially touching.