Head Up

We found a beautiful park nearby!  It was a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon.  And I got some great family shots!

In typical Beijing style, there was no proper parking around the park.  From all we could tell there was one road going in and out, and it was only wide enough for one way traffic.  So of course everyone just parked along the side of the road leaving no space to drive by.  So this one road, that was only wide enough for maybe a car and a half, became the car park, the road for in-traffic, and the road for out-traffic.  Needless to say it was dangerous and frustrating trying to get out.  Which sucks!  Big time.  If only it were easy!  We would probably hang out there once or twice a week!

The Fort

The fort.

Fish Go Blub

Mads was in the Grade 2 Circus!

Here we are in the cafeteria beforehand, putting on make-up.  I didn't mean to make him look scary!  But he said he liked looking a bit scary.

This circus thing is a big deal.  They work on it for months.

Here he is jump roping.  He also walked on stilts, and pogo sticked.  They also did a dance to "What Does the Fox Say".  Oh my gosh, it was hilarious.  And Mads rocked it.  He was totally into it, and he did the moves better than anyone. 

This is another song and dance at the end.

Mads and his fans!

We went to Baskin Robins to celebrate.

Why Did You Come To Japan?

I was lucky enough to go to Tokyo with a friend for a few days.

We took a subway right out of the airport to where we were staying.  This is the first thing I saw after that trip.  We had a little walk ahead of us, and it started snowing!

That night we went to the temple.

This guy was just hanging out.

We made lots of stops at the 7-Eleven.  I bought my kids all kinds of sour candy, which they loved, and I got some "double nut chocolate".

Bridges.

Sweet potatoes.

This is a temple too.  A different kind. :)

Memorial for babies.  Some of them had little toys sitting by them.

These vending machines were everywhere.  So clean!  So orderly!

And then we had sushi.

Best sushi ever.

Seriously.  It was so good.  It was nothing like anything else I have ever had.  We liked it so much we went back the next day.  I'm pretty sure it spoiled me for sushi forever.

Imperial Palace.

Here's where we had Japanese curry.  We ordered by vending machine.  You push a button, put your money in, and then the waitress brings your food.  Very Japanese.

Here we are!

We were lucky and got to see a wedding procession.

Shopping.

We were amused by all the gadgets you could buy to make your face look different.  There were gadgets for everything.

I hope I can go back with my family someday!

When Kelli and I first arrived, we were walking around the airport looking for somewhere to eat.  A lady approached us with a microphone and started asking us questions.  She was closely followed by a man with a camera and another guy who was telling her what to ask.  They asked us what we were doing there, and what our plans were.  We told them we were just two moms on a quick weekend getaway.  Apparently they thought we were pretty interesting, because they wanted to follow us around and put us on their TV show!  We said that was cool, so they hung out with us while we ate (udon noodles) and then found our way to our accommodations.  The whole time with the camera rolling.  It was a long train ride and a little walk.  They kept the camera on us like we were celebrities!  They even miked Kelli!  When we got to our place, we told them our plans for the evening were to go to the Mormon temple.  I guess they weren't sure what to make of that, or they thought that would be boring, because when we called them, they told us they decided to not follow us anymore.  It was fun while it lasted, but it was probably better that way.  The name of the show is "Why Did You Come To Japan".  It's on youtube.  I wonder if I can find the footage?