The Little Graduate

Ariana "graduated" from the Blue team yesterday, complete with a diploma and class photo. Actually, we had an early ceremony since we will be in Florida when the official one happens next week. The kids sang songs and then the director called Ariana up and gave her the certificate. She seemed less than thrilled as if she already knows that a diploma from the Blue team is only the beginning of a long a frustrating journey through kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school and then college and grad school, if she is so inclined.

We are off tomorrow for Florida - and then up to Maryland to see Jed graduate and meet more of baba-san's family. Ariana will be meeting cousins she hasn't met before - come to think of it, we will all be doing that as long lost cousins will be joining us for a celebratory lunch. It is very exciting.

The 13 hour plane ride is not so exciting, but we are staying overnight in NY and will be getting a visit from Ariana's Godmother, who Ariana enjoys very much.

I will spend this last day getting last minute gifts and attending yet another May birthday party for Ryder, one of Ariana's friends. Luckily, the timing coincides with the time we must be out of the apartment due to some electrical work being done on the building. And most importantly, packing. Trying to get a month's worth of stuff for Ariana and I into one suitcase is always a challenge. It's not so much the clothes, but all of the other little things - wires and chargers, cosmetics and swim stuff. And shoes, shoes, shoes............

Picture Update

The computer is back. Only in Japan would the delivery man show up with the computer unannounced and when asked to come back in a half an hour, giving me time to run to the bank to get the money to pay him, would agree. What a country!!

I am busy getting ready as we leave for the US in a week. In Lieu of a long entry on what we have been up to, here are some pictures to keep you busy:

Ariana had the week off from school so we went to visit her old playgroup. She has decided she likes various types of head gear, preferably worn together. We call this picture "Porky, the pig train conductor, carry purse".
Baba san and I registered voters at one of the international school festivals. Can you tell who we are voting for?? (note to nanna and gramps - I swear, I did not influence him in any way!!)

Ariana now likes to carry every stuffed animal she can hold to school.......
My first attempt at Ikebana - Japanese flower arranging. I like this because rather than buying plants that are sure to die under my "black thumb of death" and feeling guilty, these flowers are supposed to die at some point anyway...

yes, Ariana can fall asleep standing up...at least part way......

China

As you know, the earthquake that hit China has been devastating. Months ago I sent out an email asking you to vote for Jenny Bowen as she was entering a contest to run with the Olympic torch in China, where she lives. She made it and will be running in June. She is a wonderful woman who runs this organization and needs your help. Please take a minute to go on line and make a donation.

It's Gone...

My computer left today for a hopefully brief vacation where it will be gently massaged back into working order. In the meantime, baba san and I will be sharing his - I get to use it while he is at work and whenever I can pry it out of his hands on weekends. I will also get to do other things on my "to do" list, like clean out closets, start crocheting again and of course looking for butter.

Yes, for all of those wondering, we did feel the earthquake very early this morning. It seemed to go on forever, shaking lampshades, nudging drawers open and toppling pictures. We laid in bed wondering if it was serious enough to get up (we are getting jaded), finally getting up and standing in Ariana's doorway, with her in my arms. She was not happy, the "dead to the world" sleeper that she is. When it was all over, she moaned and whined as if to say "you woke me up for this!!", but settled down fairly quickly. I on the other hand took awhile to fall asleep, listening to Tess, who apparently was not having an easy time getting back to sleep. I kept thinking that since animals have a special sense about these things, perhaps she was sensing another one and I should stay awake just in case. That lasted only a little while as it was after 2 in the morning and I was tired.

Walking Tess this morning, it was as if nothing happened. That's the funny thing about earthquakes here in Japan. As breezily as one would ask "how are you?", we ask each other "did you feel the earthquake last night?" - we actually have them every couple of days; some barely noticeable and some, like last night, definitively earth moving.

what fun....................

Butter???

The phone rings.
"There's butter at The Garden" Celine says, apologizing for not letting me know sooner. "I was there yesterday and got 5 - they don't have a limit". "Ariana" I yell, "get dressed now, we need to go out". We rush down to the store, but no luck, they are all out. I have already scheduled a trip next week at the same time - hopefully, I'll be able to get some then.

Ariana and Violette playing

eating cupcakes at the disco
watching her friend Ezra do a dance on his mamma's knee
she and I dancing...ok, so she is checking out the other girl's outfit...
"Baba, you are not John Travolta, please put your arm down"
bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.......