Ice Cream!

The Roppongi Sakura-zaka Residence that we live in is owned by the Mori Building Company.  One of the perks of living in a Mori residence is that they offer monthly special events for residents.  Every month we get a newsletter detailing the events going on and so far it has included things such as advance tickets to a Harry Potter exhibition, cooking and art classes, lectures, and this month an event for kids sponsored by Cold Stone Creamery.  If the demand for an event exceeds the spots or tickets available they use a lottery to select names.  

I was very excited when I received an email that we had been selected to attend the Cold Stone event, because Lizzy asks for ice cream on a daily basis (in addition to McDonalds).  It was being held on the 43rd floor sky lounge of a nearby Mori apartment building so I was also excited that I would get to see what a luxury high rise looked like from the inside! 

Taking the elevator all the way to the top! My ears were popping on the way up.

We arrived and checked in - I was relieved to see that both girls were on the list since I was worried that I may have only reserved one space.  Mass hysteria would have erupted if only one girl got to participate in anything that involved the creation and consumption of ice cream.  We ended up being the only non-Japanese people there - since the entire event was conducted in Japanese, a very nice Cold Stone employee translated for Annie and Lizzy during the presentation.

Checking out the menu! They got to pick ice cream flavor and 3 mix ins! 

One of my favorite parts was when a woman told a story with a giant picture book -  I understood it to be about ice cream's journey from machine to bowl.  She was using different voices for the different flavors of ice cream - the yellow ice cream was sniffling and crying about something at one point, very hilarious. I have a video... how do you upload on this thing? Can't figure that out.

Story time!

Next, they brought out crayons for the kids to color an ice cream picture and circle on their sheet which flavor and toppings they would like to make. All the text was in Japanese and they were nice enough to write the English translations for us.

Next, everyone started to get up and our interpreter informed me it was time to "dress up in ice cream clothes!" i.e. a Cold Stone apron and visor. I highly doubted Lizzy would go for this but when I asked her if she wanted to put on her ice cream dress she enthusiastically said yes. 

Lizzy has been doing a new trick where she sticks her hands in her mouth when sad/angry/nervous. And every time it's time to clean up her hands after meals.

Ready to make some ice cream!! I think Annie got it, but pretty sure Lizzy had no clue what was going on at this point. 

View from the lounge! It was a beautiful (hot) clear day.

Waiting their turn.

My little sleeve monster looking tough with her candy heart tattoos. 

The kids took turns in groups of 3, and after 2 rounds it was Annie and Lizzy's turn! Lizzy was so excited for ice cream she actually let a stranger pick her up and set her on the cooler behind the mixing slab.  The Cold Stone employees sang a song to the tune of "Hi Ho" from Snow White while the girls "mixed" their ice cream... a.k.a. stood there motionless holding 2 giant spoons. 

Not so good at mixing, but very good at scooping and dumping sprinkles!

Needed just a little help.

I love everything about Lizzy in this picture. Annie, on the other hand, is all business. 

Proud of their final creations and ready to EAT!

Finally getting their reward for being so patient!

Can't believe she was still wearing the visor at this point.

After all the kids finished up eating (no ice cream was offered to the parents....  still crying wondering if they just threw away all the unused toppings..... waaaaahhhh) they were called up one by one to receive a certificate and a laminated membership card which entitles them to free sprinkles every time they visit Cold Stone. Booyah!

It was a great event - this would be such a cool thing (although I'm sure very expensive) to have at a children's birthday party or gathering. All the kids (including my girls!) were very engaged and extremely well behaved.  Needless to say there were no naps to be had after that morning's sugar high, but it was worth it!