All in all the show was great. We left the base at 2:00, got there a little after 3 and walked around a bit. The show started at 4:30, was over by 7 and we were home with Jackson by 8:30. It was interesting to watch, but I wish I had read the synopsis before we went so I knew what the story was about. Everything was in either Italian or Japanese. There were a few lines in English, but nothing significant to the story. Anyways, it was still a great show and I can't wait to see another one. Mike told me today that there is a Beatles Cirque du Soleil in Vegas. We are DEFINITELY going to that someday! The acrobatics and tricks and such were truly amazing.
Then on Sunday we went to a mall. It was an open-air mall and was a lot of fun. There was a stage in the middle and the guy singing only had one arm. Which Mike didn't notice the first time we walked past. So when we walked back by he asked if I knew the guy didn't have one arm and I was like, "um, yeah I saw it the first time." So he took a picture.
There were some white dome-like things similar to the ones we saw at Showa Park. Kids running all over and bouncing off them.
They had a lego store but the only thing age-appropriate for Jackson was ~$60, so it was out. It did however have a huge lego tiger that Mike was SURE was a bengal.
We went inside a "mall within a mall" type area. It had a thing on the floor that was like a video of balls bouncing around. But if you put your foot down the balls "bounced" off your foot. It was pretty cool and once Jackson got the hang of it, he had a good time. Then he spotted the camera and all bets were off.
We continued strolling around and came across a little kids' play area. I forget what it was called, but it looked cool. It was 500yen to get in for 30 minutes. So not a bad deal. Jackson was starting to get sleepy so I don't think he had as much fun as he would have had if he'd been in a better mood. But still had fun. There were a few merry go rounds that were motorized but went slow enough for him to get on and off on his own.
One was bigger and had animals to sit on on it, and the rest were just little spinning things to stand on. There was also a waterbed-type thing that they could play on.
Above that was a caged-in area with balloons and fans going to blow the balloons around.
Since Jackson is obsessed with air movement (wind outside, my blow dryer, etc.) I thought he would love it, but it scared him a little. He was okay as long as I was in there with him and he could sit on my lap if he wanted to.
There was also the standard ball pit which he wasn't thrilled about, but started to warm up to.
Then some kid jumped in and landed weird and kind of kicked him. It was totally an accident but it freaked him out and that was the end of the ball pit.
Then there was the hamster-like wheel. He was on it briefly but then laid his head down and realized if he sat in one place too long he might fall asleep.
He was also interested in sitting on the benches for the parents. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain him.
All that playing wore him out so we walked around for about another 30 minutes but didn't find any of the things we were looking for. Then we came home and he and I took naps before dinner. We went out for dinner off-base to a ramen (they spell it rahmen) place. Luckily the waitress quickly offered us English menus. Those are always a lifesaver so we don't have to go off of pictures and just point. They didn't have high chairs, so Jackson had his first booster seat experience, which Mike got on video.
All the restaurants around here give the kids those plastic bowls with a toddler fork and spoon. I guess they figure even Japanese kiddos can't use chopsticks from birth. =)
After dinner, we stopped at a house on base to pick up a couple of play items for Jackson. They're used, but still in decent condition. We got a plastic slide and a fish rocker.
He LOVES them both. We had to put a folded towel at the bottom of the slide for padding. He had a little trouble at first, but is rapidly figuring out the slide. We have to keep the blinds closed, because if he can see the toys he wants to be out on the balcony with his new playground ALL THE TIME.
Great pictures and videos. Looks like fun times were had on both days.
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