999 Torii Gates

Well, actually it is 1,000 Torii gates, but who's counting?  It was just up these stairs.

And over the bridge...first us.

 And then the grandparents....

We've been wanting to get to this place forever, and with Rachel's parents in town we had the perfect excuse to strap the kids in the car and take a drive.  Half of the adventure is navigating the confusing directions.  One thing about this place, it makes for a great race.  They should have filmed Chariots of Fire here.

 I know you are wondering what the tradition is behind these 1,000 Torii gates.  I'll tell you.  I don't know.

  I obviously was tempted to count but then got too scared.

 Can somebody count the gates on this picture as see what they get?

This place was quite interesting.  Not only did it have a bunch of gates, it also had a bunch of statues of dogs with bibs. Mina wanted to get on their back and ride them. 

 But had to settle for this gargoyle that we hope isn't sacred.

 

 And then we went to a random mall and ate dinner and Rachel and Marie both said it was their best meal in Japan.  And that was the weirdest part of the whole day.

First Day |of Kindergarten

 

Marie was so excited to go to Kindergarten! It is so great having the school right up the street so Brett could also take the time to walk her to school. Here she is all-decked out and ready to party!

 

Off we go to Cummings Elementary school.

   

Everyone asks, “Did you cry?” Well, I will say I almost got a little teary eyed while walking to school, but I didn’t to freak Marie out. In fact, I didn’t see any other parents getting emotional so I sucked it up and tried to be a man.

 

Mina has missed Marie all week. We’ve had some good bonding time, but having 2-4 doctors visits every week this month I have not gotten as much time with her as I thought I would. I was hoping September would be a “boring month” but so far we’ve had to fight pretty hard to get things to calm down. Mina sures loves her Marie though.

 

After Marie’s first day of school she complained that, “Mina doesn’t seem to miss me.” I had to reassure her Mina talks about her all day long.

 

I think Marie is doing really well so far. She seems very confident, a little sassy, but still my sweet baby. I think having her friend Lilianna in her same class has helped. They are quite the sneaky silly pair.

She of course never really wants to talk about her day right when we get home, but by the time Dad gets home she goes on about every detail for at least an hour. Of course, he does ask all the right questions.

But the truth is I definitely cried this week. My baby is turning into a school girl. She will always be a little girl in my heart but it’s hard not to see her as much. Even if I am dragging her around on errands with me all day. School has been so good for our family. Getting up earlier and enjoying the time we do have together. The girls didn’t use the IPad one time this week! That is HUGE deal for us. And almost no tv…. hey, what can we say, we like our shows.

I did Marie’s hair in a heart braid.

It’s the simple things ya know?

Marie convinced us to make Peter Pans “Wendy’s Molasses Cookies” I kept asking her if she was “sure” she just didnt want to make something like chocolate chip (you know, something good), but she was sure. They actually turned out pretty good, the girls loved them. Here we are spilling the molasses of course. (I guess you could also count “Baby Millburn” in the picture below).

It’s been a week of change, that is for sure. Love my little family!

Home Visit

We got a home visit from Marie’s new teachers! Ms. Janet on the left is the class helper, and Ms. Nett is on the right. Marie will have a great time in school!

 

Later that day we were visit by our wonderful Minako. She brought the girls matching bags. Oh how we love our Minako!

Mommy Daughter Trip to Korea

Can you tell I’m going to miss Marie when she goes to school? I decided that she and I (and some of mommy’s grown-up friends) would go overnight to Korea. There is a “hop” that goes on Monday and comes back on Tuesday. Military perks at their best. 

It was a simple but great trip. And holy-cow is it easy to travel with a 5-year-old! She loves to fly and loves to shop so we were in heaven. I hope this is the first of many great girl trips.

We found a candy machine on-base that sells full bags of fun size candy bars. Good to know if you run out at Halloween.

Some might think its a bad thing that McDonalds is in every country. I’ve found it a huge blessing. I could go without the cheap toys, but its good to know I can fill my kids up and get “happy kids” in the end.

We shopped up and down the Korean streets right off-base. We picked up Grandparents some solid Christmas presents and Marie got this headband and a doll for Mina. She was so proud of herself for picking it out for mina and buying it for her. And by buying it, it means Mommy bought it, but hey- when your five it’s all the same right?

That’s my girl!

Summer Snippets

This summer has been lovely. Last September I declared “it would be the Year-of-Marie” knowing she would leave me for kindergarten next year. As that day is just a few days away I thought I would reflect on how we spent a few of our summer moments.

 

We started another illegal garden. In Vacaville we claimed a little spot across the road in a vacant lot. They tore out the lot before we ever got to “harvest.” Now, in military housing we are not allowed to plant food in the soil, but I started a “pallet board” garden and we’ve been growing cucumbers out our ears. Marie enjoys picking the tomatoes and the few peppers and zucchinis we could grow with little soil. Marie also wanted to grow a watermelon. With one pot of soil we were able to grow a melon about the size of a cantaloupe. We haven’t picked it yet, but once I convince Marie we cannot actually turn it into a jack-o-lantern we will pick and eat it.

 

We’ve said goodbye to some sweet friends. Temple has moved on to Canada.

“The Twins” will move to Travis AFB in two days. It was great to have a couple sleepovers with them.

This summer we also waited in some pretty long lines….   like this one to get into Kenji World.

We went there 3 years ago and had to come back before they closed it forever. Marie was in tears when we told her they were tearing it down. She was convinced that was a very “stupid choice.”

  

 

And we tried to get a little more culture. Here is Misawa city parade.

The problem with Japanese floats is that the longer it goes the scarier the floats get. And trust me, this one was from the beginning of the parade.

Nobody gets Marie like Keaton. When they first met they were barely two, hardly talked and still wore diapers. They are inseparable, the best of friends.

K

Here they are, along with a pantless Mina-chan infront of the Air Base.

It was a great summer all in all. Laid back and full of fun.

Marie’s Birthday- 5 Cute Years

Marie turned five and it was a serious cute-fest. We started this new rule where you only get a BIG birthday party every 4 years (at 1, 4, 8, 12, &16- all the “biggies”) but living far from family we can’t celebrate much unless we invite a few good friends.

She picked the theme- “Hawaiian”- of which I am proud. Also it may have to do with I found a huge box of leis at church when they were clearing out closets. Marie also baked and decorated her own birthday cake! This one is called “Beautiful Hawaiian Sunset.” She cut out fondant flowers and spray painted the outside. Can’t wait to let her do this every year.

She loves her older friend Tamzin. And we love their whole family.

 

Need a good laugh? Because apparently this what I look like when talking to children. Oh boy.

Here from L-R: Tamzin, Marie, Keaton, Tristan, & Temple

Pinterest can be fruitful on occasion. Who can really justify spending $20 on a pinata and then $15 on the candy that goes inside. Instead I used materials I already had, poster board and tissue paper, to create this punch-pinata. Much organized fun was had.

 

 

Wild Mina glories in her spoils.

And I won’t name all her presents but this was the year she got “Hungry Hungry Hippos”- best game ever!

  Also we love all the books we get from the Smiths! This book is right up Marie’s alley.