It’s been almost two years since we attended a MarlMarl party, back when we were just a family of three.



There’s four of us now, and life has definitely changed. Not only is it harder to get out of the house with a baby and a young child, it’s harder to do almost anything with the ongoing fear of COVID19. 

When Aio was little, we had a busy social life, going to classes like music, swimming, baby sign language, yoga, or we met friends and ate at yummy cafes.



And while we’ve been lucky in Tokyo to avoid any major COVID restrictions (unlike many friends and family overseas), we try to avoid public transport (especially during peak times), we wear masks constantly, and spend a lot of time outside in the fresh air. 

Last Saturday afternoon, we set off across town for MarlMarl Connect.



My image of Toyosu is a grey, concrete jungle, but once we left the station area, we found a scenic pathway along the waterfront, passing people fishing and having BBQs, riding their bikes and even a man playing trombone under a bridge.

It was a cute walk that led straight to a huge, open space where families could play and bask in the sun.

For the kids, there was arts and crafts, a merry-go-round, swings, bubbles and a nursing tent, and for adults, there were food & drink stalls and a digital quiz/stamp rally. 

To top it off, there was a wildflower garden and plenty of green grass (such a luxury in Tokyo!).



Aio immediately took off his shoes and approached some children with an "遊ぼう?” (“Let’s play?”). He quickly made friends.

Then new friends. Then even more friends. Together they ran and climbed and rolled.

Even with all the fun things to do, simply being there, on the grass, in the sun, was all we needed and more.

Liz 

@aioeneko