Pink!

Well, today shaped up to be beautiful. We decided to venture out. (OK, I basically said NO MORE! Time to go). I talked to the boys before we left and explained the reporters and their reason for being everywhere. I cautioned them to just walk with a wide birth and give them their space. If anyone took their picture not to smile. I think they understand some of what is going on but I don't want them to know everything.
We stopped at the Ramen shop and had a wonderful lunch (I could very well weight 300lbs before we leave here). After that I figured we should head over to the mall and see what was on sale. The boys still need summer clothes. Quarterback grabbed the first pink t shirt he could find and begged me for it. Heck it was 7 bucks so he got it. Pirate boy had to have one to. P just rolled his eyes and laughed. Before agreeing to part with my retirement fund for 2 pink shirts I made sure they would actually wear them. Quarterback says to me (in a matter of fact tone). "Mom, pink is just a color, it doesn't matter". I said OK, (in my are you really sure you will wear it voice). To which my 11 year old son says "geesh mom, who cares, it's not like I'm gonna get beat up for wearing a pink shirt". I now have long haired, hippy, pink wearing boys. Whatever makes them happy.
After the shopping trip (I managed to get tons of clothes for the boys at reasonable prices). We ventured down to the basement. Most malls in Japan have grocery stores, and food shops in the basement. We love to wonder around and gawk at everything. After 2 years we still get a kick out of all the sea life they sell here and claim it's edible. I was able to hit the bakery and get good rustic bread. While we were there a nice older gentleman came over to Pirate Boy and handed him a bag. He told Pirate boy it was a present. It was wonderful chocolate and vanilla bread. I got the feeling today that the people of the local community were trying to go out of their way to be nice to the boys. Welcoming them, hugging them, and giving them treats at every stop. While we were walking home the boys asked us about moving to Virginia. (it seems Quarterbacks best friend here is leaving in a few weeks, bound for VA). I asked what they wanted to do? Do they want to stay here or move. Neither said a word. When I pushed the issue, they both said almost in unison. Well, I don't know about living in America. Pirate boy says he wants to live in America but only if it's in NJ. Where he was born. (he was 9 months old when we left). Quarterback said, he wants to stay here because here he has more freedom. I think that is true. They do have a bit more freedom here then if we moved to a big city in the states. By the end of the discussion we had all agreed staying here was for the best. As long as we can rent a nice summer home on the coast of NC, take suitcases of books to read and veg out for 2 months a year...OK, time to head to work and earn that beach money.....