Anthony's preschool had an event this morning at the Kyoto Kaikan convention center, a short walk from our place (the same location, you might recall, that President Bush spoke at during his big hubbub visit a year ago). Fumie took advantage of the occasion to invite a few of Anthony's friends and their moms over for lunch.
We didn't really know who might be able to come, but in the end, at least 10 adults and 13 kids came, so it was... how shall I say.... an “active” afternoon.
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 31mm — 1/90 sec, f/3.2, ISO 500 — full exif
Kana-chan drilling a hole in her mom's head
(while Anthony waits to finish her off with a knife... what are they teaching these kids at school!!!?)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/40 sec, f/3.2, ISO 500 — full exif
Moving In On The Next Victim
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/15 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — full exif
After more than half the people have arrived, can you guess which shoes are mine?
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/45 sec, f/3.5, ISO 500 — full exif
General pandemonium was the order for the day...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 23mm — 1/60 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — full exif
...although a plate of strawberries is good for a moment's pause
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/90 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — full exif
Some of the Moms enjoying a (relatively) quiet moment
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 55mm — 1/60 sec, f/4.5, ISO 500 — full exif
Anthony and Mizuki-chan playing nicely together
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/60 sec, f/4, ISO 800 — full exif
Mizuki-chan hitting the leftovers while Anthony crawls over her little brother
Mizuki-chan was the last to leave, and for the longest time, she and Anthony played exceptionally nicely together. Anthony pretended to be a cat, and Mizuki-chan pretended to be an elementary-school girl (that is, more or less an adult — remember, she's three or four years old). She prepared pretend food for the cat, and gave the cat walks, and such. They played quietly like this, by themselves, for a good hour. I'd never seen anything like it.
In case you missed the point of the 2nd-to-last photo above, here's the X-Ray version:
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 55mm — 1/60 sec, f/4.5, ISO 500 — full exif
Having a catnap (so to speak)
It was a bit crazy at times, at one point involving large quantities of blood gushing from Anthony's head, but with both a doctor and a nurse among the Moms present, the situation was easily handled. (Anthony was screaming wildly until we offered him a Popsicle, at which point he suddenly recovered. He's fine.)
It was a really fun day, and although it was crowded, it would have been even better if more of his friends could have come. Hmmmm, we'll have to have another party just to invite those that didn't get to join us this time!