Sam's new happy place

I met a new friend here in Japan through Goldy. Her name is Weng and she's a wife of a Japanese entrepreneur. She's been living in Japan for 2 years. She's 7 years younger than me and she calls me and Goldy, Ate. 

She can speak some Nihongo.

Once or twice a week, she's inviting us (and Goldy and Mavin) to come along with them to the indoor play place in Hatasho - a town near Echigawa, Shiga (where we live). Her husband usually fetches us at one in the afternoon.

She's really heaven-sent.

Two years ago, Sam and I were only confined inside the apartment. We were not so closed to the mall, we didn't have a car, I had a part-time job. Sometimes, we're going to the old, poorly maintained playground across the apartment building. But after Sam and I fell from the swing, I nearly had a phobia.

And now, there's an angel fetching us to a play place! Shin, Weng's husband, even helped us with the registration - filled up the forms (Japanese characters, you know. Hehe...), wrote our names on the tags and introduced us to the staff.

Now, Sam has a happy place where he can play to his heart's content. (Unless a kid grabs his favorite alligator!) He can play with legos, go swimming in the pool of balls, slide head first, build a castle, slice fruits, fish and veggies without cutting himself, have a tea party, cook udong and his favorite dishes, read books, write on the wall and play with lots of toys!

Psst, I'm enjoying the toys too! Never had I experienced this during my childhood. Hihi...

(Mavin is not in the photos 'cause he's sick.)

The mommies?! It's the perfect time for some chitchats! We also met a Japanese mom named Kaori and she's nice, friendly and really good in English.

And the play place is actually FREE! Tambay kami lagi from 1 to 4PM and it's FREE! Life is really good! Haha!