I'm not exactly sure what this is, beyond that it is a 'heron' type of bird. I sometimes see a similar one (but grey) and I might guess that would be an egret, but I think this white one is probably a 'common garden' heron (heh heh ... common in my garden, anyway!)

I have learned not to even bother trying to go outside to take a proper photo. The instant I turn the doorknob and begin to open the door, no matter how quietly, he is off. These photos are snaps taken from the preserved webcam footage.

As for our second visitor ... if you have watched that video, you will have heard her (little) voice, as she talked to her mother ...

Yes, this is one of those "We knew this was coming," moments! When Tsushima-san showed up this morning, she brought her daughter with her. Because of a very slight fever, the girl had been 'rejected' from the day care center, but as Tsushima-san is part-way through one of the colours on the new year print, she decided to pretend that this was 'Bring your daughter to work day'! When she arrived, she wasn't quite sure how I would react, but ... hey, what are you gonna do ... :-)

I made space for her; spreading out a mat on the floor near the heater, and making a quick trip upstairs to get some toys out of storage.

But Tsushima-san wasn't able to work well, as of course the child kept coming to her for attention, making it impossible to keep a steady work rhythm. So she called Ishigami-san (our other new printer, who was 'off' today) and she came over to do a little child-minding while Tsushima-san finished up that colour.

I think it will be a very long way in the future before we are big enough to have a dedicated 'day care room' for the employees (and the very tight regulations on such things here in Japan will probably make it impossible anyway), so we'll just have to play it by ear as these things happen ...

"Mom! Let me try!"