Tori Beach Festival

Wow!! This was the event of the year for the boys...they got to meet Spiderman!! They also got to meet Hulk, Batman, Superman, and others. But Spiderman took the cake. Just to prepare, I had to actually write a real list of questions...just in case Elijah forgot one, I could remind him. Heaven knows if he remembered later that he didn't ask him a certain question, it would not be good. They asked him: where do you live, who are your friends, are you going to marry Mary Jane, what's your phone number, can you swing from your web for me...and many, many more... but you get the picture.

This is some of the kids waiting for Spidey to come out. Remember!! Before you press play, turn off the music!

Spidey answering their questions. He's probably explaining to Noah right now that he can't take his mask off so he can meet Peter Parker. Suprising enough, Noah didn't ask why.

Posing tough!!

I thought this was cute. Noah is standing on the wheel of the ice cream cart so he can be as tall as everyone else.

Pirate Monster...Elijah is saying: "'Arrrrghh, matey"

Batman wouldn't fly for us :(

The Japanese fire department was there. They gave us a ride in the firetruck too. But they wouldn't do sirens.

Noah wanted to know why in every Hulk picture he had the same face...what would you say?

Superman!!!

Hey!!

Having fun!!

The live entertainment was a Japanese band playing American 50's music. These people were hilarious. Elijah and Noah loved to watch and listen to them!!

Our Weekend Getaway to White Beach

It was a beautiful weekend...what better way to spend it than outdoors doing tons of cool stuff. I swear the kids are on permanent vacation and fun over here in Japan!!

Our first stop: Katsuren-jo site Castle Ruins

Our friends came up to the castle site with us and it was very neat. Lots of history and lots of fun for the kids. Although at one time they were playing in a "cave" and a Japanese lady came up to me and pointed to a sign that said "sacred shrine" and started talking in Japanese...almost like she was scolding me...oops. Needless to say, we left the cave and went on our merry way!

After we walked up the long, steep cobblestone driveway, we then headed up the stairs...

Elijah A.K.A Spidey

The kids fighting off the bad guys...

My peace sign and his spidey power....

Say, "Cheese!" and I will give you some M&M's....yes, that was the only way they would do it!!

View from the top...

Noah A.K.A. Iron Man...

Now onto White Beach...just the 3 of us!!! We stayed in a suite, played on the playground, played putt-putt, went on a nature hike, played video games, ate lots of junk food and fell asleep watching a movie together. The next morning was full of more fun and games. White Beach was hosting a "Spring Fling" full of bouncies, jet skiis and banana boat rides (both of which, :( ,the kiddos were too little to ride), train rides, clowns, Japanese live music, picnic food. It was hot enough to go swimming in the ocean but I didn't bring our swim suits...

But before the festival began, we decided to go exploring. There is a sign offbase about a nearby island and I have always wanted to check it out. We got halfway over the brigde and I turned around at the rest stop because I was afraid I would run out of gas...and I didn't have any yen to buy Japanese gas. Oh well, maybe next time. We still got to check out a pretty place off the bridge:

Now, on to the festival!!!!!!!!!

Noah jumping around like a monkey...

Elijah pretending to shoot the bad guys....

Noah climbing up one of the bouncies...

"Cheese!"

Remember...turn the music off on the side of the blog to hear the videos!!

Now for the clown show!!

Elijah's act with the clowns...

And, yes, I still took the quick picture...then I ran up there to get the crying little guy.

Okay...so maybe I should tell you why Elijah is crying after he literally begged me to be able to go up on stage with them. (And when it was time for a volunteer from the audience, he didn't even wait to be picked. He just went up there!!) Okay...so there were 2 shows. Noah went on stage on the first show and he got a balloon and Elijah didn't....so he was bummed. But another act in the first show was an adult male from the audience on the stage. The clowns blew up balloons and made a hat with ears, a belt with a tail, a nose, handcuffs, and a leash(remember all made out of balloons) Then the clown walked him by the leash to the picnic tables and blew up another balloon and tied him to the table. During the second show, after Elijah's act, the clown started making a hat and another balloon for Elijah. It was supposed to be a King's crown and a sword, but he thought he was going to be handcuffed and tied to the table!! Yes, sad....but funny too...lol...poor little guy...

Noah's act with the clowns....

(This is about the 5th attempt...)

It definitely was an awesome weekend...sure wish Tim was home to spend it with us. White Beach is where his ship docks. I kept looking down the empty pier and it made me miss him soooo much!! Kids kept asking when we were going to pick him up. Glad this is a short tour...

Easter 2009

" He is risen!!"

We decided that since Tim was going to be out to sea on Easter, we celebrated the "Bunny Day" the weekend before. The Easter bunny came in the middle of the night and left a basket of goodies and candy for the kids, and they got to go on an Easter Egg Hunt with their friends. On actual Easter, we went to church. It was a beautiful service. I explained the real meaning of Easter to the kids...over and over. I think Elijah finally has it now...Noah, not so sure. He thinks Jesus is the one that brings the candy now...

Us at the church on Easter Sunday...

being goofy...
The kids in their new outfits Grandma Rosie got them...
Easter Egg Hunt day at the Comprehensive Park...

Coloring eggs, using a magic crayon, using super hero tattoos, making a mess, and coloring our fingers and hands. It was a blast!!

The kids Easter play at school...enjoy these videos. And remember to pause the music up at the top right of the page!!!!

(Uuummm...yes, that's Noah crying in the background. Not sure why...probably because he can't have anymore candy until after supper???? LOL...