Rainy Days and Mondays

It was raining cats and dogs all weekend so no monkeys for us. Instead we took a train to Kyoto Station and walked around a shopping monstrosity called "The Cube." It makes me think of the Borgs and Star Trek, but we were not assimilated. We ran into a crazy old man who was wearing a blazer suit jacket and ninja pants with a rope for a belt, he was half traditional half modern and was ranting about the new generation to us in Japanglish for about 20 minutes before we figured out how to politely leave. 

On Monday we went to a used bike shop and bought a car! Just kidding, we bought bikes and they've been great! It's cut the travel time to school down for Kevin by about 2/3 and he can leave a lot later and gets home super quick. This is the week he finally gets to start classes and choose his electives. He and one other person out of about seventy scored 3 on their placement tests. 5 is the highest, and they were the only two to get as high as 3. He's testing out some half classes today to see which ones he likes. They do credits differently and each class is one credit, per class period. So if the class meets three times a week it's a three credit class. He needs to take at least 18, and has ten already that are required. 

So cute riding along! Kyoto is supposedly one of the most bike friendly cities in the world and so far it's been an easy and quick mode of transportation. 

Alexander HATES his helmet, but is slowly getting accustomed. He is so cute in it even if he's screaming. The store did not sell any adult helmets, and I have't seen anyone over 8 wearing one which makes me really uncomfortable given the proximity to traffic so... I'm on a mission to find some and we will proceed to wear them and stand out like sore thumbs. Sore thumbs with safe heads.

For part of the orientation they took Kevin's class to City Hall. 

...and to a couple other attractions around the city. This is a view of Kyoto that was apparently amazing in person.

After a long Sunday we decided to go down to the park. Kevin asked me to get Alexander ready so I threw on a shirt and shoes. Good to go! I thought it was funny, Kevin not so much.

I was trying to take a picture of "The bump" and Kevin jumped in at the last minute to help. I'm feeling great. I'm 22 weeks today and well on my way to having a daughter. It makes me think of all the things I want to do for my kids and is giving me a bit of mommy guilt. That and maybe Pinterest has something to do with it. It just seems to go by so darn fast and I'm more aware of my attitudes and habits as woman. I want to be a good example to both my kids of course but especially Ellie. 

Alexander is still not talking. I don't think he's said his first word yet. He has no issue babbling up a storm but doesn't seem interested in talking yet. I'm not worried and I Know he understands me but it would be nice to hear him say what he wants instead of scream, grab or stomp. Also, he is addicted to bananas. I did some reading to make sure a toddler couldn't eat too many and we're well within the limits but apparently it's a very common toddler delight. 

That's it for now. I need to get some homework done while I can. We're back to one nap a day. I also need to find some decent hot plate recipes.