10

Friday, March 27th--Christopher turned 10 years old yesterday, but because Raymond had class from 3-10 p.m., we couldn't do his birthday dinner until tonight.  He had me making a lot of food!  He asked for a full-on Japanese meal with meat, meat, meat.  He must be a Boyer.
We had yaku niku (beef), karaage (chicken), and tempura fried shrimp.  Along with the shrimp, I also made tempura veggies and rice. 

It was an awesome meal, everything was really yummy!  All the kids ate to their heart's content, and Christopher enjoyed all the meat that was on the table. 

We made a chocolate cake for his birthday, and we came up with the idea to use the samurai armor displays that the boys got in Kyoto for decoration.  Chris wanted to decorate it himself, so I bought some treats that he could use to create hills and bamboo trees and let him go to it.  He created a great samurai battle scene that he was really proud of. 

We sang the "Happy Birthday" song as only we can--most of us chose an opera-like voice this time.

With the candles lit up, his cake did look really awesome!

Next came presents.  I haven't been able to find wrapping paper here, so plastic bags are our wrapping of choice.  We played Heavy, Heavy Hangover. 

Christopher wanted a samurai sword set for his birthday, but getting it home through airport security was going to be an issue.  We opted to order it online and have it shipped to Grandma in America.  Samurai swords are not cheap, so that was pretty much all he got for his birthday.  He did get a bag of chocolate candies all to himself.  He obviously was very excited about them!

These candies are like bon bons in America, and they are dang good. 

Christopher also got his tea set for his birthday.  When I first picked it up for him, he wasn't that thrilled with it.  Now that his has experienced more of Japan, he really likes it.  It is black with a Japanese scene done in gold on the side of the pot and each of the cups.  It reminds us all of Kyoto.  It's very elegant and very masculine. 
Happy Birthday, Mr. Christopher!!  We love you and are so glad you are a part of our family!