Shimonoseki Fish Market

We started out Fletcher's birthday weekend by driving to an amazing fish market in Shimonoseki.  The highway tolls in Japan are outrageous, so we rented a car from base because the rental includes toll vouchers.  It's really worth it if you're traveling more than two-ish hours. The market used to just be a place where people could buy different types of seafood, but it has turned into a sushi lover's dream.  It's very similar to Seattle's Pike Place.  The market is located right on the water, with a boardwalk and dozens of vendors.  You can get all different types of fresh sushi, whole fish, fried goodies, snails, octopus, etc.  It's super cool and we had the opportunity to try a lot of new things.  My favorite was fried scallop on stick.   Jesse's favorite was, of course, giant piece of raw salmon.  After checking out the vendors, we cruised down the boardwalk and saw a dancing monkey on a leash (slightly sad).  We were going to check out the aquarium but it was super expensive.  Also, when we went into the lobby, there was a whale skeleton with an explanation of how they captured and killed the whale (#wearen'tinAmericaanymore #where'sthebobbarker).

Before going back home, we stopped at the Kintai to check out the cherry blossoms again.  Pictures really don't capture how beautiful they are.  After seeing the Japanese cherry blossoms and going to Hanami parties, I feel silly for getting so excited about the DC cherry blossoms.  We ate a few snacks, had a few drinks, and of course got Fletcher some ice cream.  I can't remember if I blogged last summer about Japanese ice cream but it's SO GOOD! The park is beautiful and it's fun watching Japanese kids play tag and run through the fountains.  It was the perfect start to a perfect birthday weekend!

Fletcher's March Madness

March was a pretty exciting month for Fletcher.  He seemed to turn from a baby, into a little boy, and really started to enjoy new activities and playing.  

We found a new indoor play space that he absolutely loves. The toys there are really great, and they have a large gym where the kids can run and ride cars.  He hasn't figured out how to push the car along yet, but he's quick to inform me that I need to push him.

We couldn't let pi day(3.14) go by without making a pie.  I have a thing against warm fruit, and since I'm in charge, I voted for a chocolate pie. 

 Fletcher didn't object.

 The weather has been warming up and it feels like Spring has finally arrived! We should get a few nice weeks before the rainy season hits.  I'm happy Fletcher still lets me carry him in the Ergo.  We enjoy getting out and going on hikes, but that wouldn't work so well if he insisted on crawling.

New favorite toy: Tricycle

New favorite activity: Brushing teeth

Additionally, Jesse came home! Fletcher was pretty excited, as was I. I must admit, I had visions of Fletcher running towards Jesse, but the crawling had to suffice.  Neither seemed to mind :)

 

 It was a super day (even if Jesse went right back to work)!

Our most favorite park is at the Kintai, and they just turned the fountains back on.  I have a feeling this is where we'll be spending a lot of our summer!

Fletcher has also started to really enjoy the parks on base.  They're significantly more safe than the Japanese playgrounds, and it's an easy place to meet up with buddies. It's also where most birthday parties take place. 

 (he stole the pinata)

 

A few weeks ago, I was running past the Sake brewery down the street from our house, and I noticed they were doing a tasting. The Japanese men invited me in and gave me a bunch of free samples! I promptly ran back home and grabbed Jesse. Oishi!

 

Last weekend was gorgeous, so we ventured out to Oshima Island. We were looking for a strawberry farm but we couldn't find it.  We stopped on the beach and let the kid eat sand for awhile. The water was crystal clear! Now that the weather is getting nice, Jesse is just itching for water sports. He tasked me with figuring out how to rent a boat, but I haven't had any luck. The Japanese don't get a kick out of anything water related, unless it's commercial fishing. It's unusual, and it feels really weird to live on the water and not be able to take advantage of it.

I suppose I need to revert back to updating the blog weekly.  Monthly posts are slightly disjointed :)