We had a great Christmas and even though some of us caught the cold over the New Year, that was good too. Every Christmas we have an unwritten rule that no matter how busy we are, we have to make time to go out for dinner together on the 25th and this year was no exception (even though Aya and Setsuo were working, Kana had school and Keita baseball) and we also had Mum and Dad and Daisuke (Aya's boyfriend) with us so we were a party of 9. We booked the restaurant for 7.45pm so it meant Aya had to come straight from work but it gave the rest of us time to get ready. Having Daisuke there brought home the fact that it will never be just the 6 of us again which is nice in a way but at the same time a bit sad that the kids are no longer kids!

After the meal and a change of clothes for some (we'd eaten too much and they were starting to be uncomfortable!) we went down to my classroom where the presents were under the tree. Again because of work and school, we have always opened brithday and Christmas presents in the evening when everyone can be together and it no longer feels 'strange' although I think M & D found it a bit odd.

At New Year we had intended to go out to the Temple in the evening but because M and I were suffering with the cold, we scrapped that idea and just stayed at home with our bowl of noodles. This is the first year that there has been no need to make 'proper' New Year food which meant I could sleep a bit later. I did make the special soup and some of the dishes but only the things that we all like. In the afternoon, we left M&D and while Setsuo went to Kyoto to his mother's grave, Aya, Kana, Keita and I went to see Oji-chan (Lisa couldn't get out of her bed). I'd worried about him being in the home over the NY period but he didn't seem fazed and was delighted to see the kids.

While M&D were over, we didn't manage any big trips but it was nice to see them again and hopefully they enjoyed their days out even if most were just to shopping malls, restaurants etc. One good day was at the Noodle museum nearby - we all decorated out noodle pots and then chose what flavours and toppings to put in them - all for the grand sum of 300 yen each! There was also a floor where you could make your own noodles but we we got there too late.

This is my 2nd week back at work but I'm taking most of the days slower than usual and trying to stay out of the office most of the morning.

Photos on the next post.