100 Yen Shop

The road of sakuras on the riverback right by our place is in full bloom, so almost every day is a picnic lunch for Sota.

Sakura's really have a special power to make everyone happy!

Anyway, with the warm weather and longer days, we brought out the kite we got last year and to my surprise Sota was able to control it on his own.

And looking at all the stuff I was carrying, made me realize that Sota's ball, kite, jump rope, shovel/sand toys, our picnic sheet...all the outdoor toys were from a 100 Yen shop! So cheap but good quality...which will make any mommy happy!

There's a lot of 100 Yen shops but personally I would reccomend DAISO.
http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/

Recommened Train DVD's

kaito loves to watch train related DVD's and after having rented a bunch, kaito's favorite is"Norimono Daisuki! HiVision NEW Tetsudo Special 100"!

As a mama-tetsu (mommy's that love trains...usually from the influence of their kids), "Ressha Daikoushin 2011" was a DVD that looked interesting. It has 200 different trains and lots of trains that aren't included in the "Special 100". It can't be rented so it was a great purchase.

You can also chose the type of narration so kaito always watches it with the kids narration. The "Special 100" also explains the trains so both of these DVDs are reccommeded for trains lovers.

You can get both on amazon.
"Special 100" is 892 Yen and "Ressha Daikoushin 2011" is 2400 Yen.

Today was another day for mama-tetsu to build the plarail

Here's kaito standing in the plarail tower.

Cheese!

Putting together the plarail is so much fun for mommy!

KID-O-KID

We went to KID-O-KID.
The reason was cause kaito is obsessed with plarails that I wanted to see if he'd be interested in other stuff and wanted to get him a new toy.

But....

even at KID-O-KID he was glued to the train section...Now that I recall it was the same situation at Pierette too.

Other areas have puzzles, wooden tools to play with like daddy, a ball pool, etc.


Compared to Pierette, KID-O-KID (Tama Plaza) is smaller. Pierette has a sandbox, circuit, a cafe but KID-O-KID is great cause it's in the shopping mall connected to the train station.

Pierette is 600Yen/30 mins (if over 110 mins. the flat rate is 1400 Yen)
http://www.pierette.jp/
KID-O-KID is also 600Yen/30 mins (or a day pass is 1500 Yen)
http://www.bornelund.co.jp/asobi/kidokid.html
Adults are also charged at both places

It's too cold to play outside so places like these are great.

BTW, kaito's new toy

even since we got home, it's been keeping him busy.
FYI, if you want new toys, toys at Bornelund are gonna be on sale from Jan. 22-27

Surgery Doll ERWIN

kaito has a new friend Erwin

But he's not like any other doll cause you can take-out his organs.

It's a doll that will get your kids interested in the human body. kaito keeps taking out and putting away the parts but of course the heart, lungs and other parts aren't in the right position (LOL).

Each organ(heart, intestine, lungs) is a different color and there's a color-coded velcro strip to tell you which parts are connected.

Of course, it's still too early to understand the organs or even say the names but he's just happy to carry him around for now.

You can get it here

http://www.bornelund.co.jp/ec/detail.php?category=5&category2=05006&id=4842

BOOK-OFF SUPER BAZAAR

We recently went to the newly opened BOOK-OFF SUPER BAZAAR in Kawasaki Minatocho.

Unlike the store name BOOK-OFF, it's not only books but alot of other used stuff.
The stores are limited but some have kids clothes, baby supplies, toys and of course kids DVDs, CDs and book.

Even though it's used alot of the stuff is in good shape and of course cheaper than the original price. They have pretty much everything from baby strollers, bath items, hats, shoes, baby carriers and etc.

Kids grow out of their clothes and items so fast so why not get it for cheap or sell the stuff you don't need anymore.
Check the site to see which store close to you sells/buys kids clothes and items.
http://www.bookoff.co.jp/buy/reuse.html#kids

The BOOK-OFF in Kawasaki Minatocho is right next to Ito Yokado so after an afternoon of shopping,

we had lunch and let the kids play in the game center.

LEKUE Ice Cream Molds

Even though summer is over,

kaito is always saying "ice, ice".

Unfortunately, they don't sell MUJI'S 100% fruit ice which he loves so

I bought Lekue's ice cream molds It's 3500 Yen for a set of 4
which they don't sell at stores (cause it's out of season)
but luckily I found it on the net.

kaito seemed confused at first but loved it.
It's easy to make and great cause you can use 100% juice.
So even though winter is right around the corner our freezer will always be stocked with kaito's favorite ice.

Crayons for the window

I was recently introduced to Kitpas crayons which can be used to draw on the window (or white board, glass & alot of other stuff).

Sota loves to draw and uses up a whole pad of paper when he's "in the drawing mood".

So now that we have the Kitapas crayons, he can draw & erase, draw & erase on the window as many times as he wants. (Great for mommies cause it saves $ and paper)

And it makes it double the fun, to think you're drawing on something you're not really allowed to draw on.

It's about 1000 Yen for a box with 12 colors.

http://www.rikagaku.co.jp/items/kitpaskids.htm

(Japanese site only)

Chopsticks

If you're looking for training chopsticks for your kids,

Edison Chopsticks is recommended!

We've tried combi's chopsticks which was hard to use but Edison chopsticks were easy. Just place your fingers thru the rings and then you move your hands and you're guided to grab the food.

From the 1st time he used it, Sota was able to grab food and was so proud each time.

It's about 1,200 Yen and they have chopsticks for lefty's too.

http://doctorpeople.jp/goods/hasi_one.php

bicycle

Finally bought a bicycle that I can ride with kaito.
Angelino's Posh Assista↓
http://www.angelino.jp/angelino_posh/posh_assista/index.html









When pedaling, it's really light and easy cause it has the assist feature, but the actual bicycle is a little heavy. Eitherway, kaito seems to enjoy riding it.












His helmet is of course a CARS helmet from Lazer.
It can be adjusted inside so it'll be good for a few years.
http://lazer.jp/kids/index.html













This "Hamax" is kaito's friend Haruto's ride.
http://www.hamax.no/default.aspx?CatID=1166








Looks cool but after much consulting, I was told that the rear seat setting would be ideal after 3, when you child can talk more.

Can't wait for the weather to get cooler so we can go cycling.

Wind Valley Farm

Our first delivery from Kazenotani Farm arrived!
It's a farm in Saitama-shi that grows all their vegetables naturally.
This delivery included pumpkin, okura, burdock, 2 kinds of ginger, potatoes, basil, etc.
and kaito seemed to really enjoy all the vegetables... I used the okura to put in Somen, potatoes to make french fries, pumpkin to make pottage, etc.

Kazenotani Farm BOX (7-10 items) is 2100 Yen
You can chose if you want the delivery to be every week or once a month.

These vegetables make you feel really happy and warm.
If your interested in ordering too, check the site below.
http://wvfarm.exblog.jp/

1st birthday party

1st B-day's are extra special

so why not create a happy atmosphere with "1st Birthday" party goods.

①coordinate with balloon design

②big banners and a 1 shaped balloon

③"1st birthday" paperware, tablecloth, and even mints.

④B-day hat

⑤Melon and Watermelon b-day cake

⑥candle w/ balloon design


kaito's stuff was sent from a friend in the States

but you can get similar stuff on this website:

http://www.mm-party.com/

Shaved Ice

Summers in Japan = shaved ice!

Just one bowl and it cools you down & it's fun to make with your kids!

Not to mention...very cheap!

You can get a shaved ice machine for about 800 Yen and the syrup, condensed milk for cheap too.

So far Sota and I have been eating it everyday!

We bought ours at the neighborhood supermarket but there were a few sites that sold them with free shipping.

If you're a family with a kid, a shaved ice machine is a must have!

Make your own photo album

kaito is almost 1 so I made a photo album for him

There are so many sites that create photobooks
but Photoback has good taste and is really simple

There are 3 types starting from 1890 Yen
This one is BUNKO - 72pages
Many different layouts and you can write words too

It was so hard to chose photos to use from the 1000's we take
but it will become a great keepsake

One is so we can enjoy looking at it and touch it all we want

and the other (still in it's plastic)
is a present for when kaito turns 20

Sugao Soap

Sugao Soap.
A handmade soap with all natural ingredients.

Sota started having skin trouble (I think from the humidity and hot weather) so I was given this soap to try.

Unlike soaps sold in stores, sugao soap melts easily so instead of using the whole block all at once I was told to cut it into small pieces and dry the soap after each use.

It may sound a little troublesome but try it cause it worked wonders for Sota!
http://www.sugao-soap.com/
(Japanese site only)

Costco's Tricycle

I've been looking around for a cheap, yet simple & nicely designed tricycle for Sota.
While searching online and not finding what I liked...I read in a bunch of blogs that Costco sometimes has tricycles for really cheap.

Since I'm not a member I joined my friend today who is a member. And lucky us, they had a new stock of the Radio Flyer tricycles for only 5250 Yen! Depending on when you go, it seems that the brand is different or they don't have any at all, but if you're looking for a tricycle def. check Costco.


I always joined my friend to stock up on the food, laundry detergent or just to have that slice of pizza but I realized that not only do they have food from the States but in the middle section where I hardly look, they have great English kids books and other toys/clothes for good prices too.

http://www.costco.co.jp/eng/index.htm

H&M

H&M is finally here!
But kids clothes is only available at
Shinjuku, Yokohama's Landmark Tower and Lalaport.

http://www.hm.com/jp/#/Kids_spring_2010/