Friday after Thanksgiving in Tokyo

Our first full day in Tokyo had us sleeping late and then hanging out at the hotel a bit while our baby sister napped and our Daddy got depressed over the Texas Longhorns finishing the season with a losing record.  We darted out of the gate around 1:00 in the afternoon, ready to take on Tokyo!

This is in front of our hotel and was the pretty view we had from our room. 

The area that we walked around had a ton of embassies, so we felt quite safe!  Mick told us that generally the embassies are in quite nice areas of town.  Across the street from the hotel was the French Embassy and residence. 

We walked and then walked some more and then walked some more.  It was a beautiful day!  An absolutely perfect fall day.  The Japanese dress warmer than us Midwesterners as exhibited by this ear-muffed woman on her bike with her face mask. 

It really is funny the large amount of Japanese who wear these face masks!  And as long as I'm stereotyping, let me go off in another tangent.  I saw Audrey's social studies teacher outside after school today and she was wearing a puffy winter coat.  I asked her where she was from and she said, "California." and I said, "I KNEW IT!  This is almost short-sleeve weather."  I'm such a snobby Midwesterner! ☺

We happened across this fruit stand and bought a snack.  I have found that fruit and vegetable shops like this are the only place to buy produce.  A huge bananas were only $2 and those beautiful raspberries were $5. 

Raspberries at the end of November?  We were in heaven!

Our destination for the day was Arisugawa Park which is described in that link as one of Tokyo's most enchanted green spaces and in my vast three day experience, it ranks right up there!  There were several phases to the park.  Some embarrassing statues,

Gigi's looking at it like, "What the hell?" and Olivia is giggling because I just told her, "That's what a boy looks like."  Audrey is trudging over, begrudgingly to pose for a picture which I'm not (YOU'RE WELCOME!) posting. 

some scary playground equipment,

Don't let this picture fool you.  Mick, Gigi and I were hanging out on the other end of the park when I saw Claire ascending the 1970's (in the U.S.) jungle gym.  I ran over there to at least try and catch her when she fell. 

 and then some cute, but safe playground equipment.

My little daredevil! 

Gigi has a large amount of pictures with her tongue hanging out of her mouth.  A future Michael Jordan perhaps?

Love the laughing smile!  She can't wait to be BIG!  ☺

Pointing out the Japanese ladies in the background with their coats on. 

Sisters are FUN!  ☺

We loved the seesaws!  :)

Just a swinging!

We thought it was done, but we went down a hill and there was a beautiful pond and gorgeous, gorgeous trees and more trails and bridges. 

And a gorgeous girl amongst the gorgeous trees!  :)

Not sure what that statue is, but it was shiny!

Some of you may notice that I realized that my sling clashed a bit with my orange "Lucky Mom" shirt, so I reversed it to the solid brown.  ☺

Tree hugger!!!!!

Normally I'm against photos without people in them (while Mick is pro), but this is too pretty not to share!

We finally emerged from the park a few hours later and sauntered into Roppongi, which is famous for its nightlife and shopping.  We had one goal in mind, TGIFriday's, but took in the atmosphere.  

Not only does Japan still have cigarette machines, there are beer vending machines!  ☺

 The next several photos are just us, looking around.  ☺

After our delicious dinner at TGIFriday's, we hopped on the subway for home!  We got a little confused at the turnstile and it was rush hour (on a Friday, no less) and a Japanese man actually growled at me.  Mick said, "I would have too."  ;-)  

Gigi loved playing on the handlebar thingys.

We had just a short walk back to our hotel and stopped momentarily in heaven on our way.  ;-)

Couldn't pass up the photo op!

And then ended up where we started many hours before.  A little less energy in us, but good memories of a nice day in Tokyo!

Alright, alright.  We posed for one last picture and yes, the lights are pretty....now can we go to the pool?

 Yes you may!

It was a fun day!  

Thanks girls for being such troopers!!!!!!