Cousins

Tonight my host father's sister and her family came over for dinner. They have two girls, ages 10 and 7, and they live in the area. Satoshi, Shun and the girls all get along so well, it's always a good time when they come over! We ate pizza and then the kids all went into the ofuro together. These pictures make me envious of those who grow up with lots of cousins to play with.

Before I forget: This afternoon I went with Masayo, Shun, Satoshi and their younger cousin, Mana-chan, to a local Halloween event. As of three years ago (according to my host dad), Halloween in Japan has gotten really gained popularity. Instead of going trick-or-treating, however, the kids often have parades and dressing up is the main focus....plus getting candy, of course. We had a map of the neighborhood stores, with which we went to each one and collected their hanko (stamp). One is then able to earn a bag of candy. There was a parade in a local shopping center, all performed by the local preschool kids! I really wish I'd had my camera---I had no idea there was going to be a parade! The kids were all decked out in identical shimmering capes, party hats and flags. They paraded around once and then played some music---some kids on drums, others on cymbals, or pompoms. I was amazed at the precision that these little kids had; they must have practiced a lot! We also saw Spider Man and other characters I didn't know. Satoshi and Manami, on our way back home, contemplated whether Spiderman came (by helicopter) from Russia, Kenya or America (!!). All in all, it was a really fun day.


This is what happens when you have older cousins who are girls.

And then this.

Such a goof.

Mana-chan laughing about something (as usual).

Bubble beards for the ladies!

Satoshi

They were pretending to be dogs.

BUBBLES!! L-R: Manami, Shun, Misako, Satoshi