Matthew vs. the Shi Shi Dog

We went out for dinner on Saturday and got to see a little Taiko drummer/Eisa dancer show afterward. These dances often involve a big shi shi dog dancer in costume.

The drummers and dancers were all kids and the performance was really fun to see. They drummed and danced to modern Japanese dance music, rather than the traditional Okinawan music, so it was very upbeat.

It was all fun and games until the shi shi dogs came out...and one of them tried to eat Matthew's head...

...this one.

He was a small one (the little boy inside the costume was no bigger than Matthew), but still quite terrifying. Kids other than Matthew were screaming as he roamed through the audience looking for a victim. He honed right in on Matthew and I and walked right up to Matthew, who completely froze. The little shi shi dog then proceeded to put Matthew's head all the way inside his giant mouth. Matthew was too afraid to do anything, but after it was all over, he started to cry and said he wanted to leave. Anna tried to tell him that it was ok, that the dog just wanted to smell him, but he would not be consoled. On the way back to the car, however, Matthew got his revenge.

How does it feel shi shi dog?
I think that made him feel better.
*note: it was my idea for him to do that - he is not really a vengeful little boy :)

Earlier in the night we had gotten some dinner at the sushi-go-round.

I pulled some eel off the belt for myself and the kids both wanted some, so I let them have it (it was cooked, not raw). After eating it Matthew said, "I like this chicken." Scott and I looked at each other and smiled. Yes, chicken...muah ha ha. They also ate their usual choices of rice, shrimp and egg. Very tasty. Anna also tried crab and some other things. She is a very adventurous eater...for a toddler.

And after dinner we got some frozen yogurt. Tasty. Matthew kept telling me he wanted watermelon for one of his toppings, and I was very surprised to see that they had it. I guess he remembered it from last time. He also got one green gummy army man. A little nod to Toy Story?

Not a drop was wasted. It was a nice Saturday night and we were glad Scott didn't have to work!