This past week was hot and this weekend was no exception.
Saturday was Tamie’s last day of maternity leave and we wanted to do something together as a family. Her company shifted their weekend to Thurday/Friday instead of Saturday/Sunday to try to help balance power consumption in and around Japan. That meant it will be our last weekend together for the next few months.
We decided to go to Yokohama, a place we’ve often enjoyed in the past, to spend the day together. There’s a small zoo nearby that we thought sounded like a good way to spend a few hours before heading off to high tea. It wasn’t until we actually climbed up the hill to the zoo and started walking around that the heat made us rethink our plans. It was Tamie who suggested bailing on the zoo, so if the heat is bothering her you, it must be hot! On the way out, we got Layla some kakigori (かき氷, ie. shaved ice)
We headed back to the train station and changed from the planned high tea to a short stop for gelato. We weren’t the only ones with that idea as the gelato place was packed. Regardless, it was the best idea we had all day as we all enjoyed the Italian treat.
Sunday, Tamie went to work and I got the day with the kids. Luckily, we all survived. I ended up getting Layla on her bike and taking the girls to the park nearby where we spent most of the day. Layla played on the jungle gym while I sat and played with Julia in the shade. We went to toss a ball and frisbee together, but Layla eventually wanted to go back to run and play on the slides and such. She did meet some new friends and didn’t want to leave so I sat with Julia and let Layla have her fun.
When we finally came home, Layla was so excited after such a good day. She wanted to go to her favourite restaurant for dinner and I, of course, agreed. We sat on the couch with Julia and read a couple books before Layla decided she was too tired to read a book and went to lay down. I put Julia on the floor to play with her and she promptly rolled over, struggled to reach for a toy that was just out of her grasp and then she too dozed off.
Around 19:00, I had to wake up both kids so we could go meet Tamie at the restaurant. That’s when the waterworks started, both kids trying to outcry the other. I thought if Tamie walked in the door at that moment she’d think I must have had a pretty rough day. Layla did calm down enough to get her shoes on and by the time we were walking to the restaurant she’d started laughing again. Julia was cranky until her Mom showed up, bringing a big smile to Tamie’s face.
