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The Entire Pot

There was no soccer club today so we played inside most of the morning. The boys' snow play gear is at school and Osamu decided he didn't want to play in the snow without his proper gear. I helped the boys with their trains and paper crafts while Eri was sewing kids bags that her customers ordered online.

Eri texted our neighborhood friend Kimura-san. She's a super nice old lady who lives about a five minute walk from our house with her semi-retired and also extremely friendly husband. They have had us over for dinner and drinks many times over the last few years. We haven't seen them yet this year so Eri sent a happy new year and long time no see message. Of course they invited us for lunch.

Eri and the boys went. I had a barber appointment and I also just wanted to have some quiet time and do a few things around the house. I vacuumed the ceiling corners and scrubbed the toilets. It relaxes me. 

I took a circuitous route home from the barber. The air was cool but the sun was warm and the snow was melting fast. I wore my sneakers and they got a little soaked. I don't have anything in between sneakers and polar expedition boots, so I went with the former. Maybe I'll treat myself to some waterproof walking boots soon. Eri's been telling me for years I need some.


I was heading up the hill to our neighborhood and I texted Eri and said I'd be home in ten minutes. She texted back and said they were still at Kimura-san's house. The boys love playing over there and Eri really enjoys talking with them. They seem to genuinely enjoy us as well. Mr. Kimura cooked his amazing spaghetti, which made me a little jealous. 

When they got home the boys announced they wanted to do playdough, so I got them set up with the playdough we got from grandma in America. The boys can tell the difference between Japanese and American playdough and they seem to prefer American kind. Maybe it's the scent. I had to remind them again that even though it smells good we do not eat it.


No nap time meant Kenzo and Osamu, and mama too, faded fast in the evening. I declared I would eat dinner fast and get the bath ready, but I ended up eating the entire pot of oden and then got pretty sluggish. 


I fell asleep on the living room carpet putting my pajamas on after bath time. When I awoke about twenty minutes later and ran upstairs to belatedly tuck the boys in, they were already in sleepyland.

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