New Year's Eve at the Beach in Enoshima

After learning that our New Year's Evening plans had fallen through, we jumped in the car (thanks to my newly acquired driver's license) and headed for the beach.  It was the perfect way to spend the last day of 2014. What is it about the beach that just makes your soul dance?

Lyla spent the the fist 20 minutes at the beach screaming her head off and trying to run away from us because she also wanted to wear her mittens and I wouldn't let her.

 

Pancake Breakfast with Snowmen and Christmas Trees

Merry Christmas!

Santa made it to Japan no problem.  Merry Christmas.

Christmas Cookie Party and the Day I Got my Driver's License!

After taking my driver's test 5 times, I finally past!  I was so relieved to hear my invigilator say, "Amanda-san, perfect," when I was done. Seriously, failing 5 times can take a toll on one's confidence, but receiving a perfect score...well, let's just say after I went through, I earned it!  What better way to celebrate than with a Christmas party with our best Tokyo friends.  We exchanged presents and decorated gingerbread and sugar cookies.  Then we ate them...all.  Unfortunately, the celebration was a bit lackluster, since instead of preparing for the party I was at the testing center from 8:00 am until 2:15, and not home until close to 3:30 because the trains were slow.  The party started at 4.  Luckily Jonathan was there to help things run smoothly in the kitchen.  We made gingerbread men and decorated Christmas cards for a sick girl in America.   The whole day really helped me get in the spirit of Christmas!  

Little Lion and The Advent Calendar from the Prep and Landing Elves

The Prep and Landing Elves came last night to check out our tree.  They said it was missing a few essential ornaments so they left this advent calendar for Sawyer and Lyla to open each day until Christmas.

Oh Christmas Tree

If you don't mind paying import fees, extra-taxes, delivery and removal fees, and of course, a foreigner's premium, you can buy the perfect Christmas Tree for your home even here in Japan.  This is gaijin privilege and the Christmas spirit at it's best!  Merry Christmas all the way from Tokyo.

Happy Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday instead of Thursday, since Jonathan didn't have the day off. I am proud to say that I spent the entire day in the kitchen.  Like from 7 am until we at at around 4.  It felt like some kind of right of passage.  I made an entire Thanksgiving dinner by myself, from scratch.  Well, by myself, except for the little boy version of Julia Child you can see in the photo below.  We invited a family, The Barrows, from Sawyer's youchien to join us as well as our friend Shannon and her son Hiro.  I wish I had taken more photos, because it was really a very, very fun time.  The kids ate first, and then played and watched Christmas movies while the adults enjoyed a leisurely dinner.  After we played hide and seek and the Japanese version of red light, green light, until all the kids were crying from exhaustion.  I know that I felt very, very grateful.

Sunday Best

Thanksgiving Trees!

Sawyer, Lyla, and I have some really good friends here in Tokyo.  Sonalie and Tyler are in swim class with Sawyer and they have all really hit it off.  Luckily, I also love their mommies.  Oh man,  Tania and Ai-vy have seriously saved my life here in Tokyo.  We hang out often.  Today, we are making Thanksgiving trees.