My name has recently changed from Mommy to Mama. Something I attribute to EJ's yochien days. It took me a little to get used to at first but now it sounds right. I guess I'll always have a little Japanese twist on my name. 


We stumbled into this photo stop at Isetan on a trip into Tokyo.


 A little mother's day gift from the kiddos.

Avia got to mix, grill, and swish all manner of food on her visit to Japan. The garlic fried rice seemed to be a favorite. Garlicky goodness served in a sizzling cast iron pan that we mixed until the rice was crispy. A dish Avia says she will try to imitate on her return to the states.

It has been a week of change of commands for DaddyO. Here he is in front of the helo with the outgoing ship CO. A bit of history and thought went into his det logo.

DaddyO enjoyed a day along the Sagami River with the kiddos watching 1,200 koinobori flying overhead in  celebration of the Children's Day holiday.


The fish were hung the beginning of Golden Week and plenty of Japanese turned out to see them and enjoy a festival along the water.


 CJ got to see carp up close that the children released into the river later in the day.


They spent most of their time playing with the rocks as the koinobori fluttered overhead.


It is a great reminder of how much we have to be thankful for with our children.


 And also our parents.


Just another reason why we love Japan.

I had a dapper date at the Change of Command ceremony at DaddyO's squadron. Since DaddyO was in formation the whole time it was nice to have CJ at my side and good practice for upcoming events.

We arrived early and got to enjoy Zama's army band as we waited for the ceremony to begin.


CJ felt quite grown up.


The hanger door opened and the flight-line served as a backdrop as we listened to the Commodore, Commander Johnson and Commander Froelich give speeches.

At the end of the hour we got to see DaddyO.


CJ got what he had sat through the whole ceremony waiting for... a seat in the helo.

Strawberry picking is on our list of favorite experiences we want to share with Avia. Fortunately we had enough forethought to make reservations a while before her arrival. They go fast at our local strawberry greenhouse.


We were directed to the "A" house where our trays were filled with sweet milk.


Then we were directed to Row 4 and given thirty minutes to eat as many sweet succulent strawberries as we wanted.


While the strawberries are incredibly sweet on their own, the sweet milk adds a nice creamy element. Dip and enjoy.


There was no shortage of big juicy strawberries.

Avia flew in just in time to celebrate her son's birthday with us. DaddyO took the kids (all three!) on an excursion to the airport to pick her up and then I had an cream cake was waiting on their return.

We welcomed two furry friends into our house. The kids each got to make a trip with me to the pet store to pick out their hamster. CJ is grey which he named Matcha and EJ's is white and named Snow. The kids got right to work making them homes to explore.


We had a bit of fun with Snow the first morning home. She was much faster than EJ anticipated and we were searching the house for hours. We said a little prayer together and a little while later during breakfast I found a hamster nibbling at my feet.

CJ was in his element painting masterpieces at his friend's birthday party. Bubbles and cake were squeezed in between the brush strokes.

The Tokyo Toy Museum tops the list of CNN's "Best Kids' Spots in Tokyo". It's an old elementary school converted into a museum specializing in all toys wooden and natural. I was in heaven! We arrived when it opened and stayed until the doors closed.

The girls collected sakura blossoms before we went inside.


We started our visit with a class on making origami caterpillars.


Then it was upstairs to explore the rooms.
 

They spent the most time picking vegetables to stock up their store and house.


We enjoyed lunch outside and then returned for more playtime.


Nothing more simple or fun than a tub full of wooden beds.


The girls created forest scenes on a chalkboard.


CJ enjoyed the science table. He got to try all sorts of experiments.


Both boys were excited to find a tatami house just their size.


A fun day for all.