I caught the last subway home last night and walked home very slowly. I was pretty tired and full and consumed a lot of craft beer and the sleet and snow had stopped so I felt no reason to hurry. The heat pack in my coat pocket was just starting to wear out, though. That was unfortunate timing. The package says it's supposed to last for 16 hours. This one did not.
So this morning Eri took pity on me and let me sleep in. However, about 8:45 she had to lay down the law and asked me if I was going or not.
Oh riiiight. I was the who announced a few days ago that we should do a family trip to IKEA, mostly just for the kids play area and because I was in the mood for Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and throngs of impulse-buying couples who hold hands and walk slow.
The boys were basically ready to go so I hopped to it and got dressed and grabbed a piece of gum because I was pretty sure I still smelled like truffle pizza. I was right. As we were heading down the Sendai bypass to Nagamachi Eri told me I stank. Truffles are one more example of a food that is delicious but man the odor stays with you and it's really unpleasant for people the next day who weren't there to enjoy the culinary experience with you.
Also I probably just stank in general.
While the boys played Eri and I did the IKEA thing, walking serpentine through a maze-like warehouse of stuff that all has funky Swedish names. I picked up a wireless phone charger called a Livbog. One day after purchasing the Livbog I already feel regret. It seems to only kinda work.
Finally lunch came. The cafeteria was slammed. It's the Sunday before Christmas at IKEA. Kenzo was fine playing on his own in this little simple play area waiting for Eri to come back with the food. Osamu was not. He was as livid as I've ever seen a four-year-old and was threatening to go get mama and telling me, "Papa, this is too long! You go sit in the car!"
The snowy, slushy season has started, so shoe washing has picked up a bit. Kenzo and Osamu have new snow boots, too. I like seeing their shoes lined up to dry.
It makes me automatically imagine those shoes getting bigger and bigger over time, which both scares and delights me. I know it's normal to want your kids to stay little forever, but I kinda don't feel that. I am enjoying every moment with my boys and I know I will be just as happy as I am now when they're 15, 20, 30, and beyond. I want them to grow and live amazing lives. After I'm gone I want them to have tons of great memories of their childhood.
The boys know when they're being filmed or photographed, but they rarely realize when they're being audio recorded, which is why this is my favorite form of capturing moments with them. I recorded about fifteen minutes of dinner time tonight. When they don't know they're being recorded you can get a feel for their wacky, natural flow.
Eri is in it too. The boys were as loquacious as ever.
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