Tokyo's Metropolitan Children's Hall

Yesterday we went back to Shibuya (my new fav area of town--how can you beat it--so much for children, a huge Starbucks, Lush, Gap, Disney Store, Uniqlo, etc. and SO much for a toddler). We went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Hall. Another mecca for fun and discovery for children and this one is free. They have so many programs in theater, art, music, classes, etc. The roof here is more for older children with cycling and inline skating. They had two huge toddler areas though and Savannah had so much fun. The music room was incredible with so much for children to experiment with. There truly is an early appreciation and exposure to music here. Most of the children we saw can tickle the ivories on the piano and play a little tune, not just bang. We love that. Music is so important in our lives and both of our children seem to really have an affinity for music. There was a lot of art here, but most of the projects were for children a little older than Savannah (paper mache, cutting, gluing, etc.), but she had fun coloring with creamy crayons. She had a ball with hopscotch, hula hoops, playing in the soft climbing area, and especially with the dollhouse and in the kitchen area. She also did some puzzles and read some books in Japanese. We made up the words from the pictures. After playing (the place was closing in 20 minutes when we left and they were definitely cleaning up), we went to Conrad's Cafe which was all in a New York theme. It was a really nice atmosphere. Savannah ate....spaghetti (shocking)! Then we went to the 3 floor Disney Store and had fun there and Mommy bought some things. We are planning to go back to Disney today or tomorrow since Seth has to go get his passport. He won't be back until Saturday, so Savannah gets some one on one time with Mommy and Daddy and we get to finish up our touring because when Seth comes back we are leaving for home in one week. This week we are going back to Disney, to tour the Imperial Palace and we may go to Mt. Fuji. Fun times ahead and soon we will be a forever family of four. This time is so precious and what we have had so far is such a blessing and a BONUS to see our son so young and spend this time together. A few Seth and Savannahisms... 1. Seth is one month now. 2. In certain angles and positions, Seth looks so much like Savannah did at 4 weeks it is uncanny. You look fast at him and are taken back to 3 years ago like no time has passed. 3. The other night we were in Wolfgang Puck and many times here you are only given one menu. The people at the table across from us were sharing the menu and the propped it up on the table. All of a sudden, Savannah says, "Peek-a-boo. Where are you?" 4. Last night I said to Savannah it was time for her bath. She said no. I told her that dirty girls cannot go to Disney. She starts to take off her shirt and says, "Bath, yes." I did not realize she understood that logic. That can be powerful negotiation now. 5. Seth is starting to smile and has a dimple on one side. 6. We have cuddle position--Seth likes to face inward and lay vertically across your lap. He likes to be held 24/7. If you just stand and sway him and hold him in cuddle position he would be the happiest baby on Earth all the time. 7. If you ask Savannah if she has an attitude, she says, "Tude, yes." with one hip stuck out to the side." 8. Savannah is now combining 3-4 words. If she wants to be picked up and you say, "How do you ask, she says, "Pick me up, please." 9. Garbage is separated here into combustible and non-combustible. Savananh throws out her yogurt container and says, "non-bumbustible." 10. Seth is very verbal. He makes lots of sounds and noises--all night long. He likes me to sing to him when he is fussy, just like Savannah did.

What do baby brothers do while their big sisters are playing? Eat and sleep of course. Can you tell Daddy was feeding him. Future marathoner? Mommy and Savannah playing dollhouse.

Wave to Daddy and Seth

Savannah serving the food she just made in the kitchen

What a nice meal

Savannah serving

Hula Savannah

Mommy needs to be an active participant in all we do.

Mommy showing Savannah how to hula hoop

Mommy and Savannah trying to hula hoop together

Savannah playing in the soft play area.

Climbing up the soft steps

Takign a break on the soft pillows (she would wear her I am the Big Sister shirt everyday of she could. She always picks it)

Doing some art.

Perfect for our jumping bean

Again, Mommy needs to take a "turn" as Savannah says. Come on and grow up baby brother so Mommy is off the hook and you can play together.

Can you tell how much she loved this?

Hop, jump, skip

Puzzle time. This girl loves her "Suzzles"

She is so serious and exacting.

Can you see how intense?

Almost there and she did it herself and it isn't easy.

The triangle is her favorite instrument at her music class at home

. Shake, shake, shake

Move over Phil Collins--here comes Savannah on the drums. She loved this drum set.

Whenever she rings bells or hears bells she says, "School" It is so cute.

She tried out all the instruments. No instrument left behind.

She loves to put her face in these now. A few months ago she wouldn't go near one.

Peek-a-boo

Seth at Conrad's Cafe. We get a booth and put his blanket down and let him sleep. Savannah then says, "Baby, sleep, blanket, couch, shhhhh."

Savannah at Conrad's

Shibuya 3 story Disney Store

Welcome to the Shibuya Disney Store. In the US Disney Stores and Starbucks are closing. Here they are the biggest thing--crowded and thriving.

Savannah playing peek-a-boo with the sales associate at the Disney Store.

Where are you Savannah? Sales associates in stores will actually acknowledge and play with children. They love children here. Tokyo is very child friendly in stores and restaurants. Children are welcome everywhere and catered to.

There is a Nordstrom like department store called Siebu. They were having a jewelry promotion and had tons of jewelry set up outside the store and Savannah loved looking at the necklaces and trying them on. Again, nobody minded and they let her try them on and look in the mirror.

I love how carefully she is choosing what to put on. She is such a girly girl.

We were walking back from the bus in Roppongi Hills and this Olympic Rings in flowers is brand new for Tokyo being a candidate city. It is gorgeous and we will take another photo durign the day, but we had to capture it in case it is gone before we get back to that spot.

Rich put the rattle in his hand and he actually held on and shook it a little bit.

Our baby boy is one month and he is starting to reach, grasp, and social smile.