The Dynamic Duo

Sunday, Jan 4
Today UltraDad and I ventured out unattended and walked nearly down to Zushi Station. I was a little nervous, but he assured me he knew where he was going. No, come to think of it, that isn’t strictly true. He actually told me repeatedly, while wearing on his face an insufferable look of amused condescension, that we were hopelessly lost and it would be up to me to guide us back home. When most signs around here on streets and buildings are in kanji, it can be a bit challenging to find landmarks, but corner 7-11 Stores (or more correctly here called “7-i holdings”) help out. It was about 9 AM, and we passed many bikes, scooters and purposeful walkers. The play-park was mostly empty; later in the day it will be full of moms and toddlers; in another year, Linc will be playing here. On the way back, we went into the local 7-i holdings to pick up some more camera batteries and to snag a couple of Chinese dumplings. Not remembering the flavors, I just pointed to two different kinds. Mine was a delicious curry, while UDad ended up with a black bean paste filling, which I find a bit nasty. He said he was fine with it, but I noticed he fed a lot of it to the carp/koi, pigeons and crow that congregated near us at the canal edge.
Soon after we returned, UltraBob carried down a smiling Linc, all ready for some quality playtime, which UltraMom and Dad took full advantage of. It was UltraDad who fed Linc his apple and yogurt during the heated-up thanksgiving leftovers dinner. While we cleaned up afterwards, Linc played happily in his bouncy chair. This apparently was the longest bouncy-chair session yet: he ‘played’ his piano and jumped in time to the music as he cooed and explored other toys. Linc is big on jumping, especially when standing on UltraMom’s knees. He is changing and accomplishing new ‘firsts’ before our very eyes. We have seen a couple of small fits of, apparently unprecedented, temper recently, and he seems to be trying to crawl, though the end result of his efforts for now is movement backwards.(not unusual in crawling’s beginning stages) This genius baby actually put a large toy coin IN the toy cash register a few moments ago for the first time, though judging by the following sequence of flailing, destructive baby arms, that may have been an act of randomness, rather than one of intention. The most fun, as far as UltraMom is concerned is a game where she steals kisses on those chubby, baby cheeks from behind as Linc tries to anticipate the direction of the next attack. Sometimes he responds to this game by leaning into the kiss and laughing, other times, with quite forbearance.
I think later today a hike around Zushi is planned, but for now, let me go back in the past………….

Friday, Jan 2
Today would be our turn to reciprocate for the delicious meals we had eaten at the Suzuki’s. We carefully planned our menu based on tradition, expedience, difficulty of ingredient procurement, and…………..on what UltraBob likes. Our daily walk led us, as it usually does, to the grocery store to procure last minute ingredients to accessorize the star of the show: the 12 lb butterball turkey from Costco (yes, Costco in Japan) thawing in the Ultra fridge. Back home, UltraMom, with her trusty ingredient slicing helpers, (UltraBob and UltraDad) got busy making the stuffing, green salad, taco dip and mashed potatoes. With intermittent playing with Linc and while male members of the household napped, UltraGirl and UltraMom pulled out a perfectly cooked turkey (with popout timer popped out) about 5:30 pm; the guests would be arriving around 6:00. This was actually kind of funny: UltraMom was sure the popout timer in the turkey was telling us a lie because if the turkey were REALLY done, the legs should wiggle easily. While attempting to remove the stuffing, she realized the legs were firmly held in place by a wire When that was removed, the legs wiggled MORE than easily; they practically danced a jig.. UltraBob sliced salami & blue and Camembert cheeses and set them out with crackers and sliced French bread as appetizers. Motijo, Yuri and Mitsu and Tomoko were seated on the floor around a low table in the living room, while the westerners used the table and chairs. The meal turned out beautifully and was a great success, judging by the appetites of the guests (and inhabitants). After dinner, Yuri and Motoji soon put the kitchen to rights and served a yummy fruit salad with strawberries, apple and yogurt.
That night, UltraMom got to do the bathing Linc honors, which was great fun. Afterwards, while Tomoko took Linc upstairs for a little bedtime snack, UltraMom and Mitsu, while looking through Linc’s new toy box, came upon three giant card games. UltraMom and Dad had brought them for Linc to play when he was older. Mitsu and UMom, it turned out, were old enough to play them now. Now I don’t like to brag, but I was the consecutive winner of 2 games of GO Fish and 2 games of Crazy 8, even when UltraBob joined in. It took Yuri to end the ‘reign of terror’, taking UltraMom down in a game of Old Maid.
Tomorrow (Or Jan 3) Karaoke and Pumpkin House Station! Stay tuned!

(Check back: pictures will be added soon)