First Boy's Day (Children's Day)/(Hatsusekku)

Recently, this holiday changed names so I got confused again.But I suppose it was unfair to girls so they changed it to Children's Day. Anyway, I remember walking around my neighborhood in Zengyo seeing these beautiful carp stremaers floating in the air off of flag poles. Of course, I love flying flags myself but I had never seen beautifully colored fish kites! I was amazed but wondered what they were for. Of course I later was told they represented boys of families who wanted them to grow up strong and beautiful, like a carp swimming up stream.
So, when my wife and I had a son of our own I was so happy to be able to celebrate this holiday with Leo. My mother-in-law took the time to buy us a really luxurious carp streamer, and in addition, a small samurai armor and helmet (kabutokazari) set that was also VERY expensive.
I felt like, wow, my son is a samuri and has his own armour and helmet, that is the coolest thing ever!
We celebrated by taking him shopping, then at night, giving him a bath with a green plant in the water (shobu) to guard against future illness. I had never seen or heard of this plant before, and I really like hot springs so this was a great discovery.
Then we my wife folded a paper into the shape of a samurai helmet and we put it on him for photos.