Kai's Debut at the Royal College of Art! Bravo!

Kai's school had a fund-raising event earlier this month, where pictures by the students were auctioned off to raise capital for under-funded public schools (yes, the problem exists here, too...). It was pretty cool to see his painting hanging on the wall of a real gallery.

This was the venue - a huge gallery near Hyde Park.

The place was absolutely packed with people... I could barely move, and the crowd blocked the pictures.  You'd think this was a Monet exhibition or something....

Narrowing in on Kai's work - can you guess which one it is?

Here it is!  Kai's painting - a jubilant fencer. Your's for only $500,000 (just kidding, but it's worth it).

Visit from Mom and Dad in April

Hiking in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex with the Coopers. Ashdown was the original "100 Acre Wood" created in the books of A.A. Milne.  Kai has spotted Eeyore.

Mike and Kathy Cooper! Providers of wonderful hospitality (Kathy, I have dreams about your sherry trifle) and great friends to Mom and Dad, and now to us. Hip, hip, hurray!

Hiroko and Kathy taking a break on our Ashdown Forest walk.

Getting a taste of Mike Cooper's "Country Squire" lifestyle. It's exhausting - no joke, you should see Mike wrangle the sheep. Dad, however, is probably just sleeping off lunch.

At Leeds Castle in Kent.
This was a really fun trip for all ages, we all had a blast.

"But.... but... oh, man..."  
Kai learning that sometimes life is unfair.

Mom and Hiroko on the grounds of Leeds Castle. 
(Try to spot Kai...)