Playgroup 101

As promised, here are some thoughts after my first playgroup session...

Benjamin was the only man in the room. No kidding. There were 4 mommies and three daughters. I was the odd one out by far. The little girls were all about the same age, 2 years or just getting there. So they were into really girls stuff like setting the table with the crockery and cutlery, putting food on the table, etc. Along comes my little tike who lunges forward with great vigour and swipes all the dining ware and playfood off the table. The girls are naturally horrified and run to complain to their respective mommies. What am I left to do but to attempt some bowing and mutter "sumimasen, sumimasen". I shake my head in dismay and tell Benjamin that that is not the way to go about impressing girls. Fortunately, the mothers are understanding (one of them having a total of 4 children).

During the times when Benz wasn't so destructive, I got a chance to talk to the other mothers about potty training, childhood accidents, career vs stay-at-home moms and other domestic issues. All in all, it was a pretty good session and I think it was a nice way to spend 2 hours. Will probably attend next week's session. Now if only Benz could be a bit more civil with his play and not embarrass me so...

Thank you for your birthday wishes, Wenya. I'm most touched that you remembered. Definitely no need for any present. As for my standard of Japanese, I can only sigh and say that I would score myself on a negative scale. There is little time to learn on my own and very little chance to practise. I hope to do better once Benz grows big enough to go to playschool.