The quake

I'm sure you've all seen the news of the huge earthquake here in Japan. It was far north of us, we just got enough of a jiggle to make us seasick. The footage on the news is scary though. The girls and I are just fine though, no need to worry.

Red Alerts, or, Mask Time at Elementary School

Flu season has struck the LotRS, and struck hard.  At one of my schools, the entire sixth grade, almost 100 kids, was sent home to prevent a further spread of influenza B.  There have been class and grade closings scattered about the other schools as well, and this may just be the tip of the iceberg.  All those images one may have of Japanese folk wearing surgical masks on trains and while shopping?  All true, and I am now a masked man as well.  Can't afford to get sick, and really can't be responsible for bringing the flu home from school with me.  Prep for surgery!

Had a nice weekend skiing up in Gifu prefecture though.  The weather was great, the snow was good, and the hot spring bath was sublime.  I recently picked up a pair of twin tip freestyle skis (Salomon 1080s), and this was my first chance to use them.  They were great in the bumps and powder, fun on the flats, a bit scary on the ice...all in all a fine purchase.  Whats more, they allow me to do full spins, which I practiced till I was dizzy.  Big fun.

We have a three day weekend this weekend, and nothing on the books...which is nice too.  Play with baby time!

A New Pleasure

Samantha had a big weekend.  We did some napping, some shopping, and went to the beach.  The beach was not my finest idea ever, but Samantha got to see the sea and stomp around in the sand.  When she hunkered down and went to digging about in the sand we called it good and fled back to the car.  We also had a sunny walk in the park, but the highlight of her weekend was the display case at Baskin Robbins.  Bright colors, a mirror, and adoring onlookers had her in full on charm mode.  Still didn't get any ice cream tho...

Daddy's new job

Samantha has been getting very fussy in the early evening recently, and we have learned that this is because she is (duh!) sleepy.  When Mommy is around she will futz and play, but the slightest aggravation will set her off on an exaggerated crying jag.  When I step in, she fusses for a bit, then zonks right out...down for the evening.  Thus my new job...every evening we snuggle up in the kotatsu (a heated table/blanket contraption) and she falls asleep in my arms while watching the Daily Show.  She's a big Jon Stewart fan, but is usually asleep by the time the guest comes out.  Smart sleepy girl.

Or would you rather drive?

Jiiji is offering free lessons!

A walk in the park

A pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll with our favorite one year old.

at the festival

Samantha and I went to the Tsu festival today. We both enjoyed it, and K enjoyed some valuable mommy time.

Drop

And give me twenty!   Samantha hasn't got the crawling thing down yet, but she does a mean pushup.

My girl

My, or rather our, Samantha turned six months old today.  She even got a birthday cake, despite the fact she lacks the motor skills and enzymes to digest it.  So we helped her out.  What are parents for?

Present for you featuring Samantha

One of her new tricks. Almost six months old!