First week down, many more to go . . .

Well, we have been here for a little over a week and all of us are adjusting well.  We've already been to Toys'R'Us twice so Callie is well stocked with toys.  At least for now :)  The weather is starting to get warmer which is so nice.  When we arrived it was in the 40's and 50's which isn't too cold when you are just getting in and out of your car to go somewhere.  But when you have to walk to get pretty much anywhere, it's pretty chilly.  Today the sun was out and Callie and I were both in short sleeves and loving the sunshine!

These pictures are from a couple of days ago.  We got this little car for Callie at Toys'r'Us and she just loves it!  We have to hide it in the hallway because anytime she sees it she says "car, car" over and over until you get it out and push her around :)  She also really likes to play with the strap and tries to clip herself in :)

Callie really felt like she needed to take her Barrel of Monkeys with her on this car trip.  She held onto it the whole time, but never took any of the monkeys out.  Too funny :)

We've been on a couple of adventures the last few days.  We drove over to Universal Studios in Osaka to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.  That's right, I said drove.  We rented a car, actually a mini van, this year and it is so nice.  Instead of a one hour train ride to the Hard Rock it is just a 20 minute drive.  So great!  It was a little nerve racking being in the car with Scott driving for the first time, but we made it there safely :)  (For those of you that don't know, the Japanese drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car)  This week I will try driving . . .  I'm sure there will be a future post dedicated to it!

At the Hard Rock Cafe.  They don't have high chairs, only booster seats, and Callie did a great job sitting in hers.  She looks so big in this picture!

Scott had an off day yesterday so we went Ikea!  It was a really fun trip and Callie liked picking out all sorts of stuff.  We got her a great little table and chairs, for only $35 and a little train set, plus some other things.  Ikea had these great little "kid centers" throughout the store too.  I can't remember if they have them at Ikea back home, but Callie had a ton of fun playing with them.  This is a great thing about Japan.  It is a very kid friendly country.  In bigger stores there is usually some sort of kiddie play area, plus they have huge changing/nursing/feeding areas in most stores.  It's been a real help when we are out and about in places we don't know.  There is usually a place where Callie can sit and play and we can relax :)

Playing with Daddy at Ikea

Our grocery store has also made some great improvements.  Last year there were two small grocery stores on the bottom level of our apartment building, and then half way through the season one of the stores closed.  It was great to get here this year and see the changes they made.  The one grocery store was turned into a pharmacy/household goods/clothing area, and the other store was turned into a large grocery store with many more food options than last year.  They also have these great carts now!  Since Callie is now crazy about cars these are perfect :)