Nara

In Nara the deer roam around like pigeons, flocked under the trees and meandering down the streets in search of good eats. Vendors sell very tasty looking deer crackers for them for about $1.50. The deer are never in short supply of tourists eager to fill their bellies. They are tame and docile for the most part, easy to approach and feed without concern. But every so often one comes along that is a little too pushy, nudging your elbow, sniffing your bag, and stealing a little taste of your shirt.

Before it is too late

Kizuki is already walking. She is ten months old. Her record, to date, is ten tiny wobbly steps from midair to me. She stands all on her own from a squat position with her hands up over her head. Her legs are remarkably strong. I will try to post a video of that soon. But before it is too late I must document about her unique way of crawling. Her knees never touch the ground. It looks like the yoga down dog in motion. She is fast too. Sometimes her legs move so quick they get ahead of her hands and she lands on her face. But for the most part, this is her preferred method of getting wherever she must go. Walking is still a balancing act she performs only for show and applause.

Octopus and edamame

Uta took these photos at the grocery store yesterday. Edamame so fresh it is piled up in a basket, roots and all. The octopus looks pretty fresh too, though I can't say I have anything to compare it to.

Origami Fairy

This morning Uta woke to discover that the origami fairy had visited while he slept. His mini red action figure had a brand new samurai hat!

Collections (3)

Paper bugs.

Collections (2)

Game center cards. (Purpose unclear to me, but Uta is obsessed with them.)

Collections (1)

Rest stop stamps on the road from Osaka to Tokyo and back.

Jiji-sensei