Making mochi

I was invited to make mochi, rice cakes, at an elementary school that doesn't get an ALT very often, so they invited ALTs from all over the area to come play. The kids were really sweet and it was fun making mochi. I have made it before, so it wasn't too much of a wonder for me.
The first step is to steam some rice until it is a sticky mush. Then you pound with wooden mallets in a wooden basin. You pound it until there are no grains of rice left- it's just one mass. Then it's taken over to tables were it's split into small pieces and you roll it around in your palms until it is round and smooth. The kids aren't very good at this part. But it always reminds me of the scene in Disney's animated 101 Dalmatians when the dad rubs the sick puppy in his hands until it comes back alive. Is that weird?

The day also had a great taiko drum performance and lots of play time! Very fun day!