Things sort of started yesterday when we were both getting haircuts. While he was waiting for my cut to finish, I suggested that he go to a nearby bakery to pick out some bread for himself for today's breakfast. He'd never gone out like that himself, but it was just a minute away, so I gave him some money and sent him out. He accomplished his task well, and was proud.

So, he had his bread this morning, but I didn't have any for myself. I thought to build on yesterday's achievement, so suggested that he run to the nearby [...]

Anthony spent the weekend at a "ski camp" with the Kyoto YMCA. I put "ski camp" in quotes because over the course of the entire weekend they spent only two hours on skis.

The real point of the weekend, as it is with all YMCA events, is the overall experience that fosters "Caring - Honesty - Responsibility - Respect" (as per their logo). Still, getting on skis was certainly the highlight of the sleepover weekend. It was held at a small ski area an hour and a half north (Hakodateyama Ski Area), and I scooted up on Sunday morning to [...]

Anthony has taken to playing with my camera (the huge combo of Nikon D700, usually with an MB-D10 vertical grip and a Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 attached), which is fine with me so long as he doesn't drop it.

I found the picture above on the memory card. He took it the other day when I wasn't around, of random stuff on the dining table, including a half-built paper Wall-E and a lacquered spoon.

Here's a shot he took the previous evening while we were working on the paper Wall-E...

Later that day, he wanted to take my picture while [...]

I like to post about Anthony opening and playing with presents he receives, both because I like to keep it as a happy memory, and to share the joy with the gift-giver. It's been more than a month since Anthony turned six years old and it's been on my mind to share some shots of when he opened the presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

We opened just the one on one night, then the rest the next night. On the second night, the combination of fluorescent lighting above and an incandescent lamp to the side made for some pretty odd [...]

Zak invited us to join him and his family for some fun at the BørneLund here in Kyoto. It's a combination kids play area and toy store that we'd been to a few times, but until today, only for its store. (It's where Anthony picked out his birthday present when he turned four.)

It was much more fun than I would have expected.

BørneLund is a Japanese company whose primary business is the import of expensive toys, mostly from Europe. Their name looks like a Swedish name that apparently means "nickel and dime you to death". Their shop has a [...]