We decided to celebrate Christmas on December 29 morning. So, after arriving home late December 28, Mom and Dad went in the apartment first to hide Santa's gifts that he left on December 25. Then, once all the kids were asleep, we put Santa's gifts back out. So, on Thursday, we were awakened at 7am by 3 gorgeous kids wearing pajamas and huge smiles. We spent the morning as we would any Christmas morning, opening presents, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, and just lounging in our home.
Canadian Academy does not start back until January 10, so we still had several days to just hang out and play. The boys played at CA every day, finding other kids and additional dads to play along with them. Jacob and Matthew got their fill of XBox too. Jessica chose to play mostly indoors games, dolls, and with friends.
We spent New Year's Eve with our friends Pat and Tracy Carruthers, Sean and Nicole Brown, Darren and Katrina McCleery, and Nic and Lizzie Constantopolis. Jacob took all the kids to the Browns' apartment to watch movies. It was just the way I like New Year's Eve - very low key - talking, laughing, playing games. I also really like the commute home. Just 9 floors up on the elevator.
Given the college football bowl schedule as well as our time zone difference, we celebrated New Year's day on January 3. (Yes, I know, we have our holidays all mixed up. But, hey, holidays are all about family!) We watched football on ESPN3 and Slingbox, ate chili, and played outside.
On January 9, we took the train into Osaka to watch the Docomo Red Hurricanes professional rugby game. Our friend Andrew is the Senior head coach now, which is a bit more like a GM than coach on the field. We sat with our friend (and Andrew's wife) Cassia. The boys all watched the game, while Jessica took off with Isabella right away to play. The games are very fun and action packed. The teams are owned by companies (eg. Docomo, Toyota), and 4 to 6 company employees sit in front and then stand up to wave big flags and lead the cheers.
After the game, we decided to find a restaurant in Osaka. We found a very cool place that was like a buffet to choose your food, and then you cook in the oil at your table. So fun. We had soups, noodles, chicken, fish, tator tots, all kinds of vegetables, and then .... a chocolate fountain with fruit and cake for dessert.
We then decided to walk from the Osaka Namba station to the Osaka Station. I am not sure how many miles, but it was about an hour. Of course, we just leisurely walked, held hands, talked, and admired the beautiful city. It is about the size of Chicago, but yet it is so clean and safe. Once at Osaka Station, we took the train home. As we got off, Jacob realized that his iphone had fallen out of his pocket on the train. I took Matthew and Jessica home while Phillip and Jacob worked with the agents at the train station to find his phone. No worries. It is Japan! About 30 minutes later, Jacob sent me a message that he had his phone.
January 10 was a big day for our family: The BCS National Championship game. Everyone showered and got ready for school. However, kick off was at 10:30am. So, we watched the game as a family, jumping up and down and shouting. We ordered Pizza Hut for lunch. After the game, the kids quickly packed up and headed to school... at uh um... 2:00pm! :) Yes, my children stayed home from school to watch football. But, it is Alabama football! We had gotten advice from a couple of teachers and were honest with everyone about where the kids were. Watching Alabama win its 14th national championship was a big day for our family. I am so happy that we could share it together.
Phillip's work group came over on Friday, January 13 for a new year's party. They requested that I make a turkey, so I did. The turkey and potatoes were good, but my gravy? Not so much. We had a lovely evening though.
Jacob's CA middle school basketball team got to play before the Hyogo Storks professional basketball game on both Saturday (January 14) and Sunday (January 15). They announced each player individually on the bench, and then the starters got to run out to mid court when their names were called. While they won one and lost one, the atmosphere and overall experience were so cool.
Matthew has been given the opportunity to train with the Middle School soccer team. However, on January 18, I got a message from a coach asking if Matthew could play in games on Friday and Saturday. Really? Of course he can! Matthew did not stop smiling all weekend. He played great and had 3 goals on Saturday. Jacob also played well at goalie especially Friday night where the local Japanese team got lots of shots on goal. He made some great saves. Then, he was excited to also get to play in the field on Saturday and got a couple of goals himself. (He got an assist from little brother to make that first goal!) It was such a treat for Phillip and me to see the boys on the field together. That may not happen again given the 3 year school year difference.
Matthew scores a goal.
Jacob scores a goal.
I love the bowing before the game.
Great save Jacob
Matthew has your back Jacob! :)
Matthew also then scored 2 tries and helped his team win 4 rugby games on Sunday. The disappointing thing that day was to see 2 of the best players on the team pass around Matthew rather than to him at least 3 times. Was it because they wanted Matthew to block? Was it because they wanted to pass to their friends? Was it because they didn't want Matthew to score? Was it because they don't see Matthew as a true teammate given our nationality and the language barrier? We will likely never know. Matthew noticed it and was a bit hurt, but he kept playing hard. These rugby guys are all very nice to Matthew, but they simply do not speak the same language. Nonetheless, it was a great sports weekend.
The rest of January was spent doing homework. Well, that is how it felt, especially for Matthew. Fifth grade has been a huge step up in school work. He is doing a terrific job, but it can be very challenging and frustrating at times. I suppose it is all part of growing up.
Until next time....
Peace and Love,
Tina
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