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What Mama and Papa Are Up To

We're a few days into a new morning routine I initiated where instead of the boys coming downstairs and immediately heading for the TV remote, now they do their English app on the iPad, then eat breakfast, and then if they have time they can watch some TV.

So far they never have time for TV.


Apparently taking reptiles to school is a thing. Eito-kun is a huge bug enthusiast and Kenzo looks up to him for his passion and knowledge. I do too, actually. When I need to know the best bugs to catch to feed to lizards or mantises Eito is better than Google. The last couple of summers I've spotted him creeping around behind our house collecting cicada exoskeletons from after they molt. By September he has a trough of them in the garden in front of his house.

Kenzo took one of his lizards to school today, too. Apparently there was drama because all of his friends wanted to touch it and play with it. Kenzo is quickly learning lessons about the practicalities of having nice things and sharing them.

I took the afternoon off and walked over to the drivers license center to renew my international drivers license. I still have that American mindset where I assume the DMV will take forever. International drivers licenses are a particular piece of bureaucracy, but I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. And the lady behind the counter was polite as could be. Even after all these years it still takes me by surprise.

After that I headed downtown on the subway to see my psychiatrist and get my anxiety medication refilled. I have to go every three weeks. I keep trying to get that interval extended, but the doc wants to keep tabs on me apparently.

It's good though. It's a chance to get some good walking in, especially in and around the lush parks around Hirosedori and Kotodaikoen Stations. Great people watching time, too.

Eri took the boys to the sushi place for dinner. Kenzo got to use his own hard-earned money to get a premium jackpot toy. Three hundred yen is a little too rich for my blood, so the boys don't even bother asking me anymore.


So far Kenzo seems okay with his money disappearing on stuff like this. I'm trying to figure out how to increase the stakes for him without making it contrived.


Eri and I were at the dining table discussing matters and having a glass of wine after the boys went to bed. Kenzo came down, as he often does, asking for a glass of water. I know he's really just curious what mama and papa are up to.

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