Shinjyuku Chuo Park (新宿中央公園）

I always thought that it is difficult to find good play ground in central Tokyo. Of course, considering how expensive the land cost there, it is understandable that is really hard to find.

But this time, we found really close to ideal one, Shinjyuku chuo park. It is only 10min walk from South exit of Shinjyuku station, but is so spacious with many play equipments in three different area.

There are various types of play set for different activity needs. Some are more challenging than the ones in other parks, and there are also some for very small kids.

Shinjyuku chuo park: http://www.city.shinjuku.tokyo.jp/foreign/english/aramashi/burari/index_2.html

Toyosu Park (豊洲公園）, Toyosu, Yurakucho line

Many of you know of BorneLund, but I suppse many of you did not know that they produce public parks and/or day care centers--I didn't!

This Toyosu park operated by Koto-ku is produced by BorneLund, and sure enough, their outdoor equipments are so unique and fun!

There was a little house inside of sand pitch, and Ken just didn't wanna move from there.

This park is located by La La port Toyosu, so is good for moms in love with shopping, too.

Toyosu Park (JP blog with good pictures)http://blog.goo.ne.jp/myring/e/14361fb01302d7d8bb332756a75e6edc

Travel Cafe, Shinjyuku:Southern Terrace exit

Hi, there. The heat’s finally gone, and the weather is just right for us to hang around outside. We went to Shinjyuku gyoen last Sunday where Ken ran around chasing bubbles and balls with his friends.

In old days, kids got tired and fell asleep on strollers around the time when adults were ready for a cup of coffee. But now days, they can get so hyper and don’t need any nap, and we often have to pass our coffee.

This time, Rachel took us to this nice little café, called Travel cafe by Southern terrace exit at Shinjyuku station.

They have wide open space with many outside seatings so kids can happily run around there while we enjoy our coffee. Yes, we do have to go and grab them once in a while as they can run so far…

See this dancing Sof...

For those familiar with Crispy Cream doughnuts in Shinjyuku, this café is the just a little further down in the same arena. Coming out from the station, you pass crispy cream doughnuts and starbucks coffee on your left hand side, and Traveling café is all the way down on your right.

Travel Cafe: http://www.travelcafe.co.jp/shop/shinjukust/index.shtml

Animal shaped seaweed (動物海苔：doubutsu nori)

Tokyo Mothers Group has launched the new project.... Making a survival manual for English speaking moms in Tokyo/Japan! My friend, Lara is in charge of this project, so why not help her, right? Then, I decided to volunteer my time to do some research, and the first asignment that I got was..... the food for baby/kids.

Good, I just got this animal shaped seaweed from my friend as souvinier. Let me start with this.

What: Animal shaped seaweed (doubutsu nori) or Cut nori

Price: 180yen-380yen

Where to buy: Takashimaya/bigger supermarket chain/some zoo & aquarium shop

Characteristics: Kids just love them!! I know some moms who give them when kids do not want to eat thier rice. You will not use them daily, but give them when you want to boost thier appetite. (Ken do not need these to boost his appetite.... I give it to him as last treat without rice when he ask for more rice:)

Some moms use these type of seaweed/nori to make obento like this picture for their pre-schoolers. 

More to follow (maybe...)

Still in summer break...

...still enjoying the summer of 2009. Will be back!

IKEA

I loved IKEA as a student.

But now I learned that it is a good place to hang around with a kid especially in a rainy day. Space for them to run around, little kids space for them to play around and food court for us to munch.

I thought it will be too far to get to, but it wasn't too bad if we use free shuttles from Denenchofu.

But, remember, it will be packed during weekends, so it would be better if you can get there during weekdays.

IKEA http://www.ikea.com/jp/en/

Fun in the States

Ken had sooooo much fun in the States.

Riding on a horse, getting on a cayak, playing a baseball, eating authentic American food etc....He also got to go to daycare for a week while I was at work!

Here are some of the many photos......

     

No jet lag????

yes, I must have been having jet lag.... Long time no see

We went to the States for 3 weeks and Kochi for a week, and in between I was working so hard to catch up with my work to pay back these days off. Finally, things are a little bit better now.

Flying with a kid is always difficult. The doc I know as a friend who visit Japan frequently always blags about this pill called No-Jet-Lag. He had horrible jet lag experience in his first visit, but ever since he start to take this pill, he  said that he has been so productive while he stays in Japan.

So, this time, as I flied back with Ken from the States, I decided to give a try..... hoping I can find it at the airport. BUUUT no, I did not find them. The only closest one that I found was this.....Jet Lag Formula.

The result was.....??? I would not say none, maybe, it was less than usual.  I did not take as directed (I usually take a half dose when I take American meds as my bodyweight is far below their targeted body weight), and it might have been the reason. so anyway, it is inconclusive at this momment.

  I gave my left over pills to my friend, Harriet, and will find out how she did it when she gets back.

Ken did so well in a plane; slept well, ate well (ANA served Haagen dazs icecream for dessert, yummy!).

No-jet-lag: http://www.nojetlag.com/index.html

Jet Lag Formula: http://jetlagformula.com/   

TMG fundraising picnic

I know that it is a while ago that Tokyo Mother Group had a fundraising picnic in Shinjyuku Gyoen.. but I would like to write about it now to congratulate the coordinators of TMG for their success on their event. We got there late, but there were so many new and old moms with their friends and family. These can happen all because of the volunteer work done by coordinators.

I made good friends through this group, and really recommend those who want to make friends to get involved with the group as a volunteer. The group is working on voluntarily basis, and I hope everyone takes time to pay back what you get out from there.

What a shame, I only got photos of Ken & Sofia from this picnic….. But you can see how much fun they had then.

They will be having another picnic at Shinjyuku gyoen on 31st of May. Come and meet new mothers for some fun before rainy season gets here.

Tokyo Mothers Group: http://www.tokyomothersgroup.com/

Visit to Kochi....

Sorry for not keeping up with this blog. We've been having sort of busy week.

Ken had a good time visiting his grand parents in Kochi where he enjoyed harvesting Shitake mushroom, onion, bamboo shoots, carrots, broccoli and celery out from thier farm. He also had a fun playing with crabs from creek nearby.

Where his grand parents live is so rural, but surprisingly movie crews visited thier village recently to shoot a movie called Harimaya Bridge. The producer/director, Aaron Woolfork spent his time in this remote area as ALT from JET program in 1992, and it insighted him to chose this area for his movie.

If you are former ALT from JET, why not check out what your pal accomplised after the program? It will be on show this June at TOHO theaters.

Harimaya Bridge: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902982/  http://www.harimaya-bridge.jp/