10 suitcases

I brought 10 suitcases up from the storage room today and it exhausted me -- and I started wondering how we'll feel lugging all of those to Japan. But with five people and three seasons (it's still warm there now, and will be fall for Oct. and Nov., and apparently will start snowing A LOT in early December), we have a heavy load whatever we do. One suitcase is packed full with diapers (214 as the girls are still diping up at night and we will be gone about 110 nights) and two cases of Annie's macaroni and cheese for those moments when the newness of Japanese food is too much (one box every five days by my figuring). The good news about the diaper and macaroni suitcase is that we can load it full of wonderful finds from our time in Sapporo when we come home. And yes, I know they have diapers in Japan -- but I want to spend my money on items that are unique to our soon-to-be-home, not something I will be disposing of every morning.

The kids are SO excited, but I wonder how much they really understand. We picked up little backpacks for them today at CAA (the Canadian version of AAA) for them to take on the plane, and have shown them where Sapporo is on maps and the globe. Kate and Liv will tell anyone who asks that they are going to "Pan" and we have been going to Japanese restaurants every few weeks to try to expand their culinary horizons. But I still think we're all in for a pretty wild ride!