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.

Filling In The Blanks

Clowning around at the Ripley Aquarium in Myrtle Beach.

The kids first try at mini golf.

Getting ready for take 0ff.

Bailey with his Build A Bear monkey, Firefly.

Sophie's Build A Bear horse, Princess.

A week full of fun, sand and sun.

We Made It

Parkin' It

We headed out a couple weekends ago to a newly opened park and let the kids run around until Sophie declared herself completely famished and unable to move another step. Don't worry though, after lunch and a nap she was ready to play again.

Family Day At Pre-School

Hmmm, maybe one of these days I will actually get the pictures to publish in the right order. Until then, in reverse, the finished project.

I love the look of concentration on Bailey's face in this picture. He really got into it- from the drawing to the hammering and all the little things in between.

In the afternoon, it was Bailey's turn. They broke off into groups to make a maze using crayons to make a pictures on plywood and then engineer a course from start to finish for a marble to travel through. Isn't that all perfectly muddy??

Bailey's class opened with a song followed by a prayer.

In between Sophie's session in the morning and Bailey's session in the afternoon, we had a little break for a lunch of sandwiches and. . . . .

rice balls.

Sophie, totally in her element, surrounded by her best friends. They had a lot of activities but Sophie opted to set all of them out on the sidelines with her pals.

A Day At The Aquarium By Bailey And Sophie

All of these pictures were taken by either Bailey or Sophie. Some turned out well and some turned out, well, . . . . . But that had fun taking them and I am really considering buying them each one of those kid tough digital cameras when we go back to the States.

Nothing Beats Free

Yesterday, we loaded up the kids and headed out to the local aquarium. Admission was free in honor of Midori no Hi (Green Day?) and so it was especially crowded. We waited in line for quite a while.

No day at the aquarium is complete without a photo of the kids posing as super heroes.

At the end of the day, tired but still able to muster up a little pose for the camera.

Finally, getting to ride the train around the park. I think we waited longer to get on the train than we did to get in the aquarium. Lots of waiting, but the kids were really good so it wasn't so bad.

All fished and trained out, we headed home under the koi no bori (carp steamers).

Snow Much Fun (A Family Ski Trip)

Bailey riding the ski lift with Daddy- goggles and all!

When Bailey wasn't trying to learn to ski he built a tunnel in the snow with his cousins.

I guess she thought that it looked like ice cream so she gave it a taste or two or seven.

Bailey getting ready for his first ski lesson from Daddy. You think Sophie thought it was cold?

Posing in the yukatas provided by the hotel.

Christmas Illumination