railway-museum

If you have a child that is really into trains, perhaps check out the railway museum. In the museum you can ride the trains on display, see trains on the railway, buy the eki-ben(lunch boxes) and eat while watching the trains.
They also have a section where you can pretend to drive the train, study the history of trains, and lots more.

It's 1000 yen per adult and free for kids under 3.

http://www.railway-museum.jp/

Fireworks

Seeing fireworks is a Summer must-do!

So, earlier today Sota went to see his first fireworks.

It was a small display of 5000 fireworks in our neighborhood but is quite popular amongst the locals. (It's been held every year on August 15 for the past 24 years.)
If you go to the main venue, there's booths and live jazz followed by taiko performances from 6pm...but we wanted to avoid the crowd so relaxed at the riverbank right by home.

It started from 7:30 and lasted for 40 minutes. It's short compared to famous fireworks but if you're with kids, local fireworks are enough to please them.

There's still lots of fireworks going on so might be fun to check it out.

Here's an English site that listup the famous fireworks:

http://gojapan.about.com/od/japanesefestivals/tp/tokyofireworksfestivals.htm

Ehime

Went back home to Ehime, daddy's hometown, for Obon.

Prepared a bunch of snacks and new toys, books to keep Sota busy on the plane butluckily he fell asleep both to and from Ehime.

Stayed in Matsuyama(with g-ma & g-pa) and in Oda(with relatives).

It was a summer vacation full of first experiences like...

Cutting our own Bamboo and carving the insides

to do Nagashi Somen,

rode the Yumbo,

did some hanabi (fireworks),

Suika Wari (Breaking the watermelon).

We also wanted to visit the Tobe Zoo and see the Anpanman trains but didn't have time so maybe next time.

Tobe Zoo:

http://www.tobezoo.com/English/InformationTobe.pdf

Anpanman train info (Japanese only):
http://www.jr-eki.com/aptrain/index.html

Disneyland

Sota went to Disneyland for the very first time!

Didn't know what to expect from a day trip to Disneyland with a kid so didn't plan anything in detail but to simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Luckily, we got to see all the shows and parades

and go on a lot of rides

and even got to meet Mickey and Minnie!





The whole day, Sota's eyes were sparkling with excitement until we saw Captain EO

...since it's only til next June the adults wanted to see it but it was pretty scary that afterwards, I felt bad for dragging Sota along.

Other than that Disneyland is such a happy place where dreams can come true.
It's free of charge until age 3 (age 4-11 is 3,900 Yen) so if you're worried that your kid might not be able to enjoy it yet...nope, they'll love it. Adults is 5,800 Yen.

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/index_e.html

And if you're there to celebrate your B-day, tell the staff and they'll give you a sticker.
You'll feel special all day long with the staff, Mickey and friends, telling you Happy Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sota!!

Sota's B-day party today was an Anpanman themed party!

Handmade invitations,

decorations,

drawings on the shoji door,

and ice cream cake.


Funfilled day of splashing around in the pool,

eating lunch,

singing Happy Birthday & eating cake,

opening presents,


blowing bubbles, playing outside and lots more!

A day of laughter totally worth mommies hardwork preparing.
Happy Birthday, Sota!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Here's Sota singing Happy Birthday to Anpanman and Melonpanna!