Groundhog Day

What a Groundhog Day it was! Lots happened, beginning with Hiroki's first pair of shoes. The little guy has been walking so much, Michiyo decided it was time to protect his feet. He seemed perplexed yet amused at the new material on the two parts of his body farthest away.

He spent a few minutes looking at them and touching them, trying to comprehend the additions.

Then he looked right at the camera for a nice pose. He and Mommy had a play date to get to!

While St. Louis is not exactly a bastion of transplanted Japanese folks, Michiyo has been able to build up a solid network of friends here. Everyone is in a different situation (sort of like the JET Programme, where Every Situation Is Different), from mixed couples who have settled here to families that are here temporarily for a year or two or more. Generally, these families have been transferred here because the Father is doing some medical research at Washington University, or something similar. Generating these friendships has really made our life in St. Louis a lot more comfortable, especially for Michiyo. Of course, getting together with these families produces scenes the cuteness content of which would be hard to top.

From left: Hiroki, Maya, Yuki, Aoi, Kouta (boy with Mom), Shyota (little guy), and Keita (smiling boy in front).

Unfortunately, the reason for this "play date" was the sayonara-party for some friends. Hiroko, her husband, and their two kids Maya and Keita, are moving back to Japan tomorrow, which explains the empty room in the picture. We will miss them very much, but both of our families will now have friends to visit in the future!

After the party, Michiyo and Hiroki stopped at a nearby park to take a picture of the incredible snowman we worked on for hours!

Just kidding, I WISH! This picture is not an optical illusion. Some ambitious folks in Maplewood, using ladders, put this amazing creation together. I learned about it earlier in the day and insisted Michiyo go see it. Hands down, it's the most impressive snowman I have ever been aware of in St. Louis. (St. Louisans, in case you're wondering, it's the park several blocks North of Manchester and Sutton. Go see it before it melts!)