we have had a big day

K managed to get use out of her oversized hat today, as the sun finally decided to make a reappearance. Since it was the first day since the weekend that there wasn't rain around, I thought that we should treat R to a big walk. Usually we go for 2 walks a day. I try to make one of them a "big" one, of about an hour or so.

First off though, at about 9:30am this morning, we went out, K in the ergo on my back, down to the end of the street for R's little walk, you know, the "get the business outta the way" type walk. We walk right past a community kid's centre （児童館), and for some reason, I felt the need to go in an ask if there were any gatherings for 1year old kids. Turns out there was a group meeting at 10am this morning, so we cut R's walk little walk short, headed home and got ready to go back. It actually started at 10:30am, and it was just like a playgroup - so I joined up!

There are about 16 mums and kids about 1-2 years old. K was HYPER the whole hour of the playgroup. She was just running around the hall, trying to get into everyone's bags and drink bottles. Basically she didn't stop the whole time. I hope that she was just excited about seeing so many kids. K is definitely NOT a wall flower. She gets into EVERYTHING and is always trying to get everyone's attention (just like R, actually). I was sort of debating about whether we should actually join up the playgroup, coz if she is like this every week, well, they will probably kick me out. (lol) AND I was absolutely buggered at the end of the hour anyway, coz I ended up chasing her around the hall for the entire time. sigh. hopefully she will be a bit more interested in doing things next time?!

Once a month they have a volunteer come in and do some movement and songs and tell a story (today was it!) The other times they have the members take turns to plan a craft or thing to do for the day. Apparently next week is "going fishing" - we have to take along crayons, scissors and sticky tape to make the fish and the poles I guess?? Anyway, I am glad that I got up the courage to go in to the community centre and ask. And now we have something to do on Thursdays, and the other mothers, although I didn't really get a chance to talk to them, seem ok. A bit of a mix, some youngish mums, all done up like they are going shopping in Ginza, a few more mature mums but generally most of them looked very down to earth and friendly.

After the playgroup, we got home and K had a big lunch (obviously all that running around made her hungry) of rice, with tuna and veges stew that I had left over from her dinner the night before. Then she slept. And so did I. Only for an hour though. But I managed to get K back to sleep for another hour after that, though.

Then we headed off to the river after K woke up from her afternoon nap. I made her avocado sandwiches,2 slices of bread rolled up to make "pin wheel sandwiches" which she devoured most of before we even got to the riverside. and it is only a 10 min walk away! lol.

Along the river, there are 3 walking/cycling roads. The "high road", which is bitumen, the "low road", which is like a dirt road, but pressed down dirt, so it is smooth, and easy to walk along, and "the middle road" which is 砂利, a real dirt road with pebbles, so it is really bumpy, especially in the stroller. Poor K, she just about had the sh*t shaken out of her as we walked along the middle road.

Also they are actually at three different levels. I have to cross the road, and go up the embankment to get to the high road, then go back down the embankment to get to the middle and low roads. There are a few places along the river that have slopes that you can take your bike up and down the embankment, but they are a bit steep for the stroller, so I usually use the slope that is more stroller friendly. But today, I decided to cut to the chase, and head down the grass! straight down!! R was pulling us, and the embankment was a bit muddy from the last few days of rain. I am lucky we didn't go R over Z! I think I will stick to the proper slope next time, even if it is a bit out of my way.

At the riverside, we ran into another Jack Russel terrier. I think we have actually met them before at the river, coz they knew R's name. But I couldn't remember them. Sometimes I wish dogs had meishi (business cards.) Also chatted with the owner of an Italian Greyhound. All the dog owners gather at the end of the golf course at 4pm I think for a doggy playgroup?! (lol). We didn't go though.

So after our big 1 hour walk plus, we brought R back home, then headed straight out again with K to the shops to get some milk, and bananas. It was 5:50pm by the time I actually got home. So then it was a quick grab some things out of the freezer for K's dinner (chicken-tofu burgers, with peas, carrots and corn and mashed sweet potato) followed by a quick throw together whatever I have in the fridge for my dinner (bacon, red capsicum, long onions, asparagus stir-fry with rice, and natto!!). J is away for work, so I am trying to use up lots of left overs and bits and pieces for my meals.

I have rambled on enough -I think the excitement of the day has made me hyper too!! I think I am gonna put the kettle on for a cuppa. there are still a few "coconut sable" biccies left with my name written all over them.