Super fun English speaking children's dental clinic Shirogane, Tokyo

I had to post this today. I took my 2 year old son to the dentist this morning. I was bracing myself for a meltdown but I was more than pleasantly surprised when he walked out smiling from ear to ear.

At first glance, Kodomono Haisha looks like a daycare. It's filled with toys, bright colors, and loads of Disney decor. Kids can play with toy trains and Mr. Potato Head while they wait.

I love that the dentists don't wear white. They dress in colorful pink uniforms.

Everyone is bright and cheerful. Kids can even watch Anpanman cartoons during their treatment.

My son didn't like the XRay part since he had to bite and hold a chip in his mouth, but the doctor tried to make it pleasant with a smiley face lead apron and colorful designs in the room.

At the end of the appointment, he got a toy, a must have after an appointment.

We had Dr. Uchimura, a cheerful English speaking lady, who was very considerate and friendly. There are other English speaking doctors as well.

If you need dental care that isn't scary. One word sums it up: Kodomono Haishasan (The Children's Debtist)

Nearest station: Shirogane Takanawa, exit 4. Right in front of station, across from Starbucks Coffee.

http://kodomo-shika.in

Mother's Day

What a wonderful treat to wake up to my three wonderful children and a Mother's Day table setting.

Today is a day to celebrate MOMS! It's a beautiful day.

Thank you to my family. Thank you to my husband who is such a great father and husband.

And today, I am thinking a lot about my mom who continues to set the perfect example of what a mother should be like. I have a lot to live up to.

My Mom raised five kids, all very close in age. She ran her own bakery business from our basement so she could help support the family, while still working from home. She woke up very early and went to bed very late.

She ran her own business, kept our house spotless, managed to drive us around to our many activities: soccer, dance, piano, hockey, track, tennis, cross country, rock climbing... With five kids, three of the boys, there was a lot to be done.

Then and now, she continues to remain cheerful and optimistic. I have never heard her say a negative comment about anything or anyone.

If a neighbor was grumpy or unfriendly, instead of complaining, she would wonder if they had a bad day and bring them cookies.

She made best friends with an old man in our neighborhood, living alone and lonely, Mr. Gronwald, who grew apples. She's find the person who needed that extra cheering up and make it her priority to visit.

How she was able to care for our neighborhood, work, city council, PTA and a big family, is beyond my comprehension. She even made our clothes!

I guess I just need to sum it up as she is from another planet.

Even though she woke up at 4AM every morning, she would not hesitate to stay up past midnight helping me make posters to run for Student Body office. She never saw anything as tiring if it was for family.

Her mottos are:
'Family first' and 'no one can ruin your day unless you let them.'

I look up to her as my best friend, someone to confide in, someone I want to be.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

The perfect baby boy shower

I just attended a shower for my friend who is having a boy.I had to blog about the too cute theme of "mustache" for a baby boy.

Mustache shaped cookies, sandwiches, milk to make 'milk mustaches', mustaches on cups and straws...

And the baby clothes line was adorable.

Check out these photos.

How to feel beautiful now

So, having 2 kids still in diapers, I average 20 diaper changes a day. My seven month old son still wakes up every 2-3 hours every night. When he wakes up, he often awakes the other two and then I have three screaming little ones at 2AM.

I wouldn't trade this for the world. I love them all so much. However, when I look in the mirror and see the spit up on my blouse, my hair a wreck, and vibrance gone in my skin, I don't feel pretty. At all. I need to...crave to find something beautiful about myself.

It may sound shallow, but looking at my perfectly shaped and decorated nails instantly gives me the little boost of confidence I need. It reminds me that I can still be beautiful amidst the hectic day.

With this in mind, I am proud to present JoliArts Nail Salon. A place I can relax and know I am in good hands of very talented nail artists. My kids play in the downstairs playroom with a caregiver, while I get pampered upstairs. I watch them through a camera and feel good knowing they are having fun and I am getting cared for after all the caring I do day in and out.

www.joliarts-salon.com

Enjoy the Photos of hands of other hardworking ladies.

Nature Park in Shirogane/Meguro

If you're in the mood for tranquility and some fresh air, I would recommend the Institute for Nature Study nature park. It is filled with various plants and trees, flowers and so many birds and bugs.

The closest stations are Meguro and Shiroganedai.

You will be given a guide with names and pictures of bugs to look for. The kids love that.

There are several picnic areas as well. I suggest bringing lunch.

It's free during Golden Week and just a couple hundred yen on normal days.

Toshimaen Amusement Park (a quick 20-30 minute drive from central Tokyo)

So, we bought an annual pass to Toshimaen Amusement park.

When my daughter went to Disneyland for the first time, I thought she'd be more excited. Instead, she ended up being a bit grumpy. She didn't like the lines.

Well, Toshimaen is not as glamorous as Disneyland to look at, but it more than serves the purpose.

There's no Minnie or Mickey but since there is a costume enthusiasts club in the park, there are people dressed as Kamem riders and Anime characters.

Also, even on a bright and sunny weekend, it is not very crowded. They have every kind of ride from rollercoasters, bumper cars to water logs and tea cups.... haunted house ride, pirates ship...

They even have two versions of most rides: A small kiddie version and a 120 centimeter plus version.

Aside from the rides, my younger kids enjoy the bouncy land, which has 5 huge bouncy tents. My 2 year old loves the balloon room, where balloons are flying everywhere. There is also a massive outdoor sports and jungle playground, as well as a big indoor jungle gym.

The little ones under 3 can enjoy the Anpanman ride and balloon room.

There is a fish farm (small) and a beetle museum, which has a beetle petting area! The beetles are the size of mice and children can hold them in an open play zone...

My kids love the mini petting zoo, with dogs, mice, chicks in spring, a big lizard, ducks...

In the summer, there is a HUGE swimming pool and waterslide park. At night, in the summer, there are illuminations. Also, there are various character shows (for example: we are going to see the Purikyua show today), two days ago, there was an Ultraman show and this weekend there is Doraemon and Kamen Riders.

General admission is 3,900 yen for adults, 2,900 yen for kids. Admission only (pay by the ride) is 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for kids 3 and up. The kids ride admission is 2500 yen for adults and 2000 yen for kids.

Note that the special booths charge additionally to park admission fee (most 300 yen). If your child is under 110 cm, it's best to pay by the ride (300-400 yen per ride) since a lot of the little kid attractions are not included in general admission. There are a few rides designated for 90 cm. plus.

The beetle zone (300 yen), petting zoo (500 yen), balloon room (300 yen), fishing (600 yen/30 min), bouncy area (500 yen/30 min.), and giant slide zone (300 yen/6 minutes) are not included in general admission.

There's a special now for half off admission on Mondays.

If you will go three times or more a year, I recommend an annual pass.

An annual family pass for 4 is 33,000 yen, which we will get good use from at the big water park in summer.

In short, if you want to avoid the crowds and are in the mood for a classic type of fun-park, visit Toshimaen.

Access: Toshimaen station (located right next to it)

Oh, and bring the dog. Dogs are welcome and there is a large dog play park area as well.

Is there a tooth fairy? Tell me the TRUTH. My 5 year old asks.

My five year old daughter asked this to my husband last night.

"Daddy, is there a tooth fairy?"
She was very deep in thought.

How can you answer this? When is the right age to be honest about these things? My husband answered wisely, "What did Mommy tell you?"

"Mommy said that she is real. I know Santa is real because I saw him. I also know the Easter Bunny is real because I found his eggs. Tell me the TRUTH. Is there really a tooth fairy?"

I don't want to break the parent-child trust, but I want to keep the imagination and magic alive still. She hasn't even lost a tooth yet.

I'm going to have another talk about this tonight, but for now, I'll continue to answer her questions with more questions.

"What do you think?"
"What does the Tooth Fairy do?"
"Why is there a Tooth Fairy?"
"What does she do?"
"Do you want her to be real?"
"Let's draw a picture of her."

I'll kind of skirt the subject for the time-being and focus on imagination building.

I'd love to hear any comments or personal experiences on this one!