A Princess And A Knight

Tuesday the kids had a festival at preschool and while I helped out at one of the games, Hubs took the kids around to collect stamps so that they could get a candy necklace prize. They also made their own princess and knight costumes at another booth.

On another note, the camera just seems to be getting worse and worse. Pictures taken inside turn out grainy and pictures taken outside don't turn out at all. Guess I ougtha ask Santa for a new camera. Maybe I can it in time for Bailey's birthday next week???

Not That I Plan On Making It A Habit. . .

While the kids were doing this,

I was in the kitchen working on these. I figure every once in a while, it is OK to "dress up" the kid's lunches but there is no way I could do this everyday. It would absolutely drive me nuts to have to came up with something like this on a day to day basis. For just this one, I spent a few days browsing web sites and books looking for something to inspire me or something at the very least that looked doable. I settled on this and it made the kids happy so I guess it was worth the effort.

I Don't Wanna Know. . . . .

what the kids are doing the living room, but nobody is fighting or screaming or hitting so I would say all is good.

I just heard Bailey say to Sophie, "I killed it, you can come out now."

Sophie's reply? "Bailey, you are so cool!"

"But, it might have bitten your leg, so you should get a shot."

"I hope we can get an appointment," Sophie sighed.

:::::::
It is amazing what kids pick up on. Just yesterday I had a conversation with a preschool mom in which we were complaining about not being able to get an appointment for the flu shot (the regular flu, not the "NEW" one) while the kids played hide and go seek around us. Just when you think no one is listening. . . . . Makes me wonder what else they heard??

There were three confirmed cases of influenza (not sure which type) on Monday morning at the preschool, so it was decided that the school would be closed for the rest of the week. Maybe I should have enjoyed Monday a little bit more.

A couple of Moms are of the opinion that we should keep our kids at home and not venture out. I, on the other hand, have taken the kids to the store for groceries and to the convenience store to pay a couple of bills. We aren't painting the town, but we defiantly aren't being hermits. The kids show no signs of being sick (I am still taking their temperatures every morning like the school asked us to do) and while I am avoiding indoor play places, I figure a little fresh air from a walk or a trip to the park can't hurt.

Guess I gotta go figure a snack playing has some how turned into yelling and crying about who gets to give and/or receive the shot.

Sporty Spice

Getting ready for Sports Day held on October 4, Sunday. It was supposed to be held on Saturday but got rained out.

Sophie marching in with her class.

Sophie and me during the parent dance.

Run, Bailey, run.

Back home, sweaty and tired.

Bit The Bullet. . . .

and uploaded the pictures on to the computer. I weeded through them and found the ones that were the best and even those aren't very good. Just a few weeks ago we had to buy a new rice cooker, is a new camera somewhere in the near future?!?!?

At the park, we met up with some friends from preschool by accident, but the kids had a great time playing together.

In the summer this becomes a wading pool complete with a few fountains, but for now the kids enjoyed climbing on the rocks.

A lot of playing and a little bit of eating- we all came home tired and dirty, but happy.

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night. . . .

As I type, the most magnificent thunderstorm is going on right outside my window. The thunder was so loud that I gave up on watching TV. Good thing the kids are sound sleepers.

Lots has been going on since the last time that I updated, but I will be darned if I can remember half of it, but I will give it the old college try anyway.

*The kids had their sport's day the first Sunday of this month. It was originally scheduled for the first Saturday but got rained out.

*Our camera is being moody. Sometimes it works and sometimes all you get is a blank, white screen when you turn it on. It makes me a little leery of plugging it up to the computer, so no pictures until we figure out what is going on or I get the courage to plug it in and see what happens.

*The whole apartment building is being "maintenced" and will still be being "maintenced" well into the new year if I read the notice right. Our building is draped in scaffolding and canvas tarps that make it hard to tell if it is morning or night or cloudy or sunny. Because of all the scaffolding they had to take down our satellite so no more Ugly Betty or Grey's Anatomy for a while. I wish that the video store was in walking distance.

*Last Thursday we went to a friend's house so I could help her daughter with some English homework. Monday morning I got an email from that same friend telling me that her daughter had come down with the "New" flu and that I should take the kids to the doctor at the first sign of a fever or cough. So far, so good.

*The cooler weather gets me in the mood for cooking and baking. There has been a lot of good (if I do say so myself), comfort food cooking going on around here. I even tried my hand at from scratch curry last night and for a first attempt I would say I did alright.

*I just recently started wearing my wedding ring again. I stopped wearing it not because of any ill feelings towards my husband, but because I was forever having to stop and take it off to wash dishes or help Sophie get dressed (the ring scratched her face once when I was helping her put her shirt on) so I just went without it. Not that that is so uncommon here. Out of all of my friends and family here I can think of only two people (one male, one female) that actually wear wedding rings. Hubs wears his everyday. I don't think that I have ever seen him take it off. I wear both my wedding band and engagement ring something even rarer here in Japan. So, I wonder, for those of you married and living in Japan, do you wear your wedding and/or engagement rings?

*The storm is starting to let up, so I think I will head off to bed.

Captured

A silly, smiling Sophie.

A new way to go down the slide.

Bailey's monkey face that always makes Sophie laugh.

A flying shoe.

Captured, a beautiful fall day.

Whatcha Been Doing?

Wow, I spent the morning recovering from Silver Week (a five day weekend with Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox thrown in for good measure) and I still have no desire to do anything whatsoever. But, the show must go on and so the laundry is done, the dishes are washed, the pizza dough is rising and now to update you all. This picture cracks me up, Sophie reflecting on the awesomeness of nature and Bailey doing some kind of River Dance inspired number.

We visited Anderson park and there were so many fun things to do- both inside and out- origami, a mini train to ride, bicycles built for two or three or four, an athletics course, a super long slide and paper cutting (which the kids are doing here).

Candle making. It was really easy for the kids to do and Sophie even enjoyed it. Basically, they gave you a pre-formed candle and five small sheets of wax that could be shaped at rolled like clay or play-do. Bailey chose a blue candle for his base ans Sophie a pink one. After they were finished decorating them, they were dipped in glittery wax and allowed to dry.

We also went to a blessing for Hub's younger sister's new house.

A few weeks ago was cousin E's field day. The schedule was condensed because of rain and we were able to leave before lunch. We wound up eating the lunch that MIL had made at her house. Bailey and Sophie's field day is going to be on October 3 and I still have to make a crab hat for me to wear and a monkey hat for Hub's to wear to show support and I have to come up with a lunch menu. I usually do the same old, same old karage, taco-san weiner, rice ball, yakisoba and some fruit thing but I wanna do something different this time. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.