100YEN Heaven

I My 100YEN loot from today! I visited a new local store that is owned by a different entity. It was like the Nordstrom of 100YEN stores. Everything still $1

I grabbed a deep plastic bin to organize the bathroom (Gotta start making some space so mike has some counter space for a toothbrush in a few months), a plastic jar for my M&M stash, a cute small bowl/colander combo for the kids fruits/snacks, an onion mesh sack which hangs perfectly inside my kitchen sink door, and a cooling necktie sleeve and gel insert pack!! 

Thrifty Shopping

Today my friend Cyndi and I got a sitter and went to the local shrine sale close to the base, which is the US equivalent to a yard sale! Very fun! This location has one once a month!! While we were there a woman was performing a Hawaiian dance! 

USS George Washington

A glance into Mikes days at work! 

And how everything including our mail is delivered to and from the boat. 

Teeth!!

Her new tooth next to the front one is FINALLY starting to grow in!! I feel like it's been an empty gap for 3+ months!! 

Yoga

I thought I'd share a glimpse into my Wednesday mornings here! I joined a few of the ladies in our squadron and started attending their weekly Power Yoga class they attend on base! 

I've never been a Yoga fan before, but I am now a believer! At least from more of a workout/stretch perspective than meditation.....I am not one to focus inward....just doesn't work for me. But the stretching and sweating speaks wonders and my body loves it! 

Shabbat

Last Friday the girls and I attended Shabbat services at the chapel on base!

This is the first time ever that there has been a Rabbi here at this base and we joined with a small group for Friday night services. The girls loved it, and can't wait to go back! 

They even sat with these complete strangers through the entire service, refusing to sit with me at all!

Guess they might be getting a little burned out with Mom.......the feeling is mutual during a summer especially combined with a deployment!

Abby Swims

Abby finished her first swim lesson session here tonight, and concluded with a great freestyle swim that I caught on tape! So excited with her progression in these last two weeks, and next week she starts the next session in the next level! Stroke development and diving! I think she finally found something she loves!!

Maddy Learning with Songs

Our library has these plug-in devices for educational items and books on tape!

Maddy was excited to plug in and start learning her states and capitals!

Abby at Cheer Camp (last month)

So thankful for the wonderful programs they offer on base to keep the kids busy all summer!

Worms!!!

All the rain here brings out a plethora of worms! And not just average worms.....HUGE worms! Then the sun comes out and they all fry on the sidewalk! Yuck!! 

Abby loves all bugs and crawlers and Maddy despises them all! I'm just lucky Maddy smiled and looked at the camera--win win!!

Japanese Treats

My wonderful Japanese student who I speak English with once a month brought me these goodies today for our meeting!

Green tea cookies (like Oreos), Green Tea Beer and Mochi treats!! 

I baked banana waffles with homemade whipped cream for her! American treats! She says the Japanese don't own waffle makers and she is envious of my Keurig coffee maker--another thing they don't have! 

It's a HOT one

Today was the HOTTEST day so far! Bring on summer!! 

Maddy got to splash behind our yard with friends after school today! 

Sunday Outing

The kids and I ventured out Sunday to a new mall we hadn't been to! It was HUGE!! I like to shop and this place was excitingly overwhelming!! Shops EVERYWHERE, 3 levels and multiple wings off each level!!! We had a great time exploring and the kids got to make their own snow globes! The malls here in Japan are unique--you will walk in randomly and find different events being hosted. Today was the last day for a make your own snow globe craft event to buy into. You choose the items to put in your globe, glue them in, choose your glitter "snow" color, and voila!! Personalized snow globe. Abby made hers a dinosaur Jurassic Park theme and Maddy did Dolphins kissing under the sea--both totally unique, from their minds--not like anything that was on display or being done by those around us. 

Of course they were sucked into the Hello Kitty store

Their snow globes completed!! Oh, they even give you plastic to bend and glue down to make your items appear to float/fly!! Genius!! That's a flying Terradactyl! 

We went for lunch at the mall! 

And after the mall we made a quick stop at neighboring IKEA!! Abby picked out a cute IKEA doll living room set to add to her Barbie dream house. 

Friday Pool Day

Yesterday afternoon I took the kids to the pool! First sunny day after two weeks of constant rain! 

Abby had fun watching the big kids jump off the diving board in the attached pool! There are slats between the two pools under the water and she swam down and detailed the cool jumps the boys were doing. 

July Parents Day Out

Another parents day out at the base childcare center. And today I went back to Asakusa with some ladies from our squadron! And got my 2nd temple book stamp! 

It was a gorgeous (and hot!!) Saturday!! At least it wasn't raining! 

Girls Night!

Last night I went out for a girls night to celebrate someone who is leaving our group. We went to a Yakitori restaurant--my first! So the whole meal is served on little sticks! 

I have been in Japan only 2 months....but I've known these ladies for 8-10 years!!!

Cyndi (in patterned shirt) and I have known each other the longest-- her husband and Mike were winged together in Norfolk in 2005!! And now we are neighbors here too! 

Blue sour Sochu! Best drink of the night. It was an all you can drink meal with a set menu! I think we had 12-14 items on sticks served to us! 

This was the fried cream cheese with syrup

And these places pull out the entertainment! Everyone picks a mask/wig! 

Tuesday Fun

Abby had her second day of cooking class making noodles! She was asked to wear an apron the rest of the week--I sent her in an apron I used to wear at my Grandma Fran's house baking 30 years ago!! 

We also made a Costco run today! And I treated Abby to a pineapple smoothie at the food court. Summer fun with mom!!

Rainy Sunday

We had a relaxing Sunday this weekend. The girls giggled playing video games and watching movies, and I got stuff done around the house! 

BONUS: I got snuggle time with my girls!

I love that my almost 6 year old still loves to climb in my lap to have her back tickled 

Swim Lessons

She is in the class to learn beginner strokes! For kids who already are comfortable in the water and can "swim". She just needs some structure and focus! 

Cheer Goggles

Abby was getting ready for her swim lesson tonight, and Maddy was busy playing dress up and needed a pair of goggles to add to her ensemble! 

She wore the outfit to her sisters swim lesson! 

My Little Chef

Abby had her first day of Japanese Cooking class this week. It's a FREE hour long class daily for the week, and they cook a new item daily! 

She came home SO proud of herself it melted my heart. And we gobbled up her Gyozas!! Yum!! 

Happy 4th of July

We enjoyed a fun neighborly BBQ this afternoon while the rain held off!! Rainy season is in full swing and you can't predict what each day will hold! 

The kids all enjoyed some good outdoor time! 

This is our first ever 4th of July in a different country! 

Miss Independent.....

Came downstairs to these two this morning. 

"Look Mom, Abby made me breakfast"

Enoshima Aquarium

Today we went with friends to the Enoshima Aquarium! It was a fun outing....3 moms and 7 kids!! And we met some other friends/neighbors there too, so nice to see familiar American faces when out and about. 

We took advantage of an American weekday Holiday off from school to venture out---MUCH lower crowds than the weekends!! 

Their annual membership is amazingly cheap....the cost of two visits.....it's no Monterey Aqaurium, but it's nice and not too far! And right on the beach, so on a sunny day it would be even more fun! 

We will be back!! 

Our first stop was the dolphin and seal show. There was even some kind of small whale in there too! 

The stadium borders the ocean--neat view 

Final Cheer

Abby finished cheer camp today! And Maddy went off and played soccer with the older brothers of the cheer girls!

She's definitely our tomboy at heart.....in a pink skirt and purple boots!! 

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Boat Life

A great photo that the boat posted today! A Hawkeye getting lined up for takeoff, and a jet coming in for a landing!! 

Cheer Camp

Abby has been at a Cheerleading camp all week! 

Maddy and I have been on the sidelines....and today Maddy challenged a brother of one of the girls to tic-tac-toe!

Each strategic move she made was followed by a "blocked ya" statement!