Wow. As if the first home cooked meal on the day of arrival was not enough, the family pulled out all the stops for the grand clan gathering — sashimi, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu. It was great to see Kai playing with his cousins — an event sure to be repeated. And while it was a bit old-school, it was relaxing to sit at one end of the table with all the fathers to have drink and food and try to translate English jokes to Japanese (in general, miserable failures but fun trying anyway).
Life with Kai keeps getting better. Already helping with the groceries.
I had been training Kai for days trying to get him ready for happy birthday, but it was his mommy who had the magic touch to capture him this morning (she is definitely more musically talented than me).
We had a very enjoyable day. Kai’s present was sleeping until 7am. We casually prepared and left for the zoo around 9, leaving a bit of extra time to pick up some fresh juice, coffee, and pastries our local shop. A few hours at the zoo, and we moved on to a magnificent brunch at a Movenpick restaurant. It was in fact too good — the food was excellent quality and variety, so much so that one could not help but eating much more than one should. But all for a celebration of a great cause — the mothers.
It’s amazing how the perception of travel has changed. Previously, a trip traveling back from Japan was something to look forward to. Duty free shopping. Snacks and drinks in the lounge. Watching new releases and old favorite movies. Reading magazines and books. Having a beer or cocktail in the middle of the day just because you didn’t have any responsibilities.
No responsibilities… How that has changed. We were worried about our experience on the flight over to Tokyo. The screwed up seat assignment. The breakdown halfway through the long flight… But fate shone upon us. First, we got upgraded to business class seats (although not the food — somehow Finnair still likes to separate the cattle from the front of the plane). This even included the bassinet — so Kai could have napped. That is if he hadn’t fallen asleep at take-off, and then slept for 4+ hours. A good thing yes, but Chika’s left arm was unfortunately trapped under Kai. But we made it through the long 10 hour flight + 1 hour delay relatively unscathed.
The second shorter flight was a bit harder. It basically took off at midnight Tokyo time, meaning we were all quite tired. Kai started getting fussier as well. But at last we made it, and how good it felt to be back in our own place. It wasn’t long before the 3 of us were happily asleep in bed.
While Kai intently watches us eating, he is still not ready for cheesesteaks or the like. But in Japan, there is a traditional eating ceremony or okuizome which symbolizes the hopes that Kai would never worry about food in future.