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Incredible and Heartbreaking

There was a little bit of time before we had to leave for soccer so I took a brisk 15 minute papa walk and Eri took the boys on a leisurely little boy walk.

When I got back I noticed that the bug catching net and box were gone so it seems the boys parlayed going for a walk with mama into more than just a morning stroll. Right then Eri called me and said they were at the community center looking for lizards and could you come and pick us up?

Saturday mornings.

We were about to take off for soccer but Kenzo got really upset because he didn’t have his jacket so we went back to the house to get it, even though it wasn't cold so he didn't really need it, and dropped off Eri and off we went. He calmed down pretty fast when I said we would look for lizards and bugs while Osamu played soccer.

And we did. I told Osamu that Kenzo and I were gonna go "for a walk" so don't be worried if you don't see us for a little bit. He said he was fine. When we got back to soccer club after combing the park across the street for lizards Osamu was hustling like crazy, running drills and practicing shooting goals. I love shouting "Osamu!" and "Kenzo!" during soccer practice. The Japanese parents don't really do that. My goal is to inspire more cheering of one's children. Why not. It's fun, it costs nothing, and when your kids grow up and commiserate with their friends they're gonna remember you shouting and cheering and caring. 

Watching Kenzo play scrimmages with his elementary school soccer group reminds me of... me. He’s not really aggressive and kind of shys away from getting into the action with the ball. There are a couple of other first grade boys who are really good and obviously have athletic skills and I am trying to figure out how to help Kenzo so that he doesn’t get too intimidated by that. I want him to enjoy playing but not feel bad about not being as aggressive or as athletically skilled as some of the other boys. He's oblivious to all that so far, but it's a matter of time before he becomes aware of what he's good at and what he's not good at.

I can't speak for humanity at large, but raising little boys, as a man who used to be a little boy and sort of remembers what it was like, is equal parts incredible and heartbreaking. I know it's just gonna get more of that.


Kenzo and I had a quick snack while Osamu finished up his soccer practice. Then it was Osamu's turn to hang out with papa while Kenzo played. He got a little upset after tripping and falling, though.


After soccer was... more soccer. Eri got tickets for the Vegalta Sendai match versus Montedio Yamagata. Last year we went to three matches. I love it. The boys love it like they love everything - in their own little boy way. Osamu was looking forward to having shaved ice from the concession stand and Kenzo likes jumping off steps and wandering through the stadium.




About halfway through the second half the boys were kinda done. Osamu started a solid tantrum because he wanted a Vegalta souvenir doll, which papa was not buying because 1) we don't need it, 2) stadium merchandise is crazy expensive, and 3) I'm the papa and I said so.


Kenzo found a Vegalta themed bouncy house.



We split up after the game. Kenzo and I took the bus home because he wanted to check on his two lizards. Mama wanted to do a little dinner shopping, so Osamu went with her and calmed his legendary tantrum with a milkshake.


After all of that, my next order of business was a community center meeting. No better way to spend a Saturday evening than with old dudes going over the neighborhood association budget for fiscal 2023.


I always peek into the boys' room at night to check and see if they're too hot or too cold or need anything.


Tonight they were conked out hard.


I need to take a page from their playbook and get some solid sleep.

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