Another Video

Tanabata

Tanabata originated more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale called Kikkoden. Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they were playing all the time and forgot about their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on July 7th. This is why tanabata is also known as the star festival. It's believed that Orihime and Hikoboshi can't see each other if July 7th is rainy, so people pray for good weather and also make wishes for themselves.

This is the entrance to a park we visited yesterday - the trees are so pretty with all the wishes tied to them.

Walker

We were in a playcentre yesterday and I spent an hour just turning this walker around when Isla got to the end of the room so she could go back the other way. Have you heard how loud those ducks are, think people might have been glad when we left?

Second Attempt

This batch went down a treat. Increased the white flour, decreased the wholewheat flour and made buns rather than a loaf. Look at that last picture they are actually fighting over it! Next step - rye flour. PS Last jar of marmalade - arghhhhhh

Magazine Rack

I made from another kit I bought and made at home - I LOVE the red and black washi paper. It is amazing that is has been made the same way for years and years.

Box Making

Last week on my "day off" I went and made boxes in Asakusabashi in a place called Sakurahorichi. Asakusabashi is the area to go for all your hobby and craft equipment, the shop I went to has been in the same family for many years. You go and pick your kit, then your handmade washi paper, then a nice lady explains how you put your box together - in Japanese. I did not understand her but for pretty much two and a half hours she kept up a conversation with me! All I could say was "hai" and "kore wa dochira des ka". Great fun and I LOVE my boxes. Can't wait to go back.

A playdate

We now have a couple of little groups that we join regularly for playates, Isla and I hosted one of them at our place on Wednesday - it was great fun. The Mum's had coffee and brownies and Isla, Louis and Matty chased each other up and down the hall and generally wrestled toys from each other. Louis and Matty are both about 14 months, but being boys are not quite walking yet so Isla can keep up with them, and hold her own on the toy stealing front. PS the pictures are blurry as they would not keep still!