Seishin and Tenjin

After my dad left for Finland, we spent time doing the things I've mentioned in the last two posts of Yurigahara koen (work and plan). 

We had a heat wave pass through, which was amazing and horrible at the same time (lol). 

The lilacs and wisteria began to fade, the dandelions were puffballs and everywhere was covered in willow.

Beautiful to watch it fall from the trees like snow. Hard to capture though!

Seishin riverside park has really grown in and become so lush!

 

After Seishin, we decided to eat lunch at Tenjin-yama koen. Another favorite park. 

The red maple and the orange and red rhododendrons are so intense it's hard to even describe. Or take photos of!

Elisabeth entertained us as we ate. :)

 

...and then she fell asleep and we meandered around the park looking for quiet spots to shit and chat and give her a chance to snooze in peace... harder said than done!

We went and explored a quiet shrine tucked away in a corner of Tenjin-yama. 

The road was lined with blooming lily of valley. 

 

Also, this little variety of iris. 

 

I love how she was sleeping...

The little prayers at the shrine.

 

We sure ended up missing that weather! (it was followed by about 10days of rain!) ick.

Tuesday's arrival

On Tuesday, Elisabeth and I caught the 13.10 JR line train from Sapporo station to New Chitose airport to pick up a special arrival, Paappa! :)

After getting back to our apartment and drinking a cup of coffee and settling in, Kevin came home from school and we decided to head out for an evening walk to show my dad our new favorite view. 

We enjoyed an onigiri and the guys drank Sapporo beer. :) 

 

The weather the whole day wasn't too great, but as we were up there in the park, the clouds parted enough for a gorgeous golden sunset! :)

 

We walked home and took the route through Seishin riverside park. The sun was setting further and we were enjoying the trees in the pink light. 

 

What a great first evening for Paappa! :)

Mother's Day

Sunday was my very FIRST Mother's Day! 

We spent the beaaaaaauuuuutiful day outside doing what I like doing best: visiting parks, taking pictures, and walking around. :)

Warning: Cherry blossom pictures ahead 

(I can't get enough!)

After a lazy morning breakfast of toast and eggs, we finally got out the door and headed to Tenjin-yama park. It looks a lot further on the map, but it's shockingly close to the Seishin park that Elisabeth and I frequent. Now that we've been to Tenjin-yama koen, I'm kicking myself that it took us this long to get there. The views were AMAZING as the park is up on a hill!

 

Elisabeth was napping at this point so we found a quiet and shady spot under a birch tree and laid out our picnic blanket and enjoyed coffee from our thermoses. 

It was the perfect spot viewing the mountains south of us, my favorite view.

One of the big crows woke her up so we decided to head further up the hill since we saw a lot of people coming and going from that direction. We were not disappointed with the views! 

 

Further up the hill, is a Japanese garden with pond and waterfall (lots of people there and not stroller friendly), as well as probably 50 yaezakura trees in various shades. 

 

 Yet to bloom. :)

After much oohing and aahing, we headed back down the hill.

More maple admiration...

The shade of red when the sun is shining through the leaves is truly indescribable.

After seeing what Tenjin had to offer, we decided to catch the subway from Sumikawa station to Nakajima koen, my second favorite park. Before we did that, Kevin ran to take some photos of a shrine we passed.

On the walk to the station, we passed a little side street with a row of tulips in every color. I had to whip out the camera for it!

 

Some of the later stations on the Namboku line we use are above ground. I love this tunnel look. The stations downtown look nothing like it. 

 

At Nakajima koen, we enjoyed a break with some onigiri at the Japanese garden part, which is my absolute favorite section of this large park.

 

From Nakajima koen, we walked downtown to Sapporo station. We wanted to check Bic Camera's used camera section (I've been hoping to see a heavily discounted Canon 5D mk iii in good condition) and then to Lavi soup curry in Esta on the 10th floor. 

  

We saw a group of people dressed as Mario characters driving around in carts. :D I love it!

People were taking pictures of them like crazy and snapping photos. Fun!

 

After the soup curry, a Sapporo only dish, we took the subway home and walked the long way home, passing by our playground park. 

 

Kevin did some stroller tricks which make Elisabeth laugh, and that makes me laugh. 

How can you not smile at a face like that?!

 

Ooooh and chunky legs in tights! Cute!

 

It was a really wonderful first mother's day. :)