Early Summer 2013

First, I have to begin with talking about the sweet thing my sweet daughter said tonight. She says a lot of really really sweet things, and I need to get better at writing more of those moments down so I never forget. Tonight, after I laid them in bed (remember, they sleep in my bed when Steve's gone) and walked out, Avery said "Noah, do you want me to tell you a story about a truck? Ok! Once there was a truck named little blue and he met mrs. blue, etc. etc....." Noah said something about wanting mommy up with them. Avery said "Yes, but it's a good thing mommy kissed us because now we both have kissing hands to remember her." We haven't read that book (The Kissing Hand) in forever, but she remembered. She really is so smart and she never forgets anything. Also, she takes after Steve when it comes to directions. She remembers how to get places better than me. She's the first one to tell me if I've missed a turn, and she always knows which direction our house is no matter where we are on the island. It's amazing. I'm glad she got that skill from Steve, because I just don't have it.

After Avery graduated from preschool at the end of May we began to really enjoy a super relaxed summer schedule. We didn't have anything scheduled until Avery started swim lessons in mid June. Noah tried gymnastics, but it didn't go too well. He enjoyed it, but he's not quite ready for a class like that yet (he's not the greatest at listening, waiting his turn, etc.). In hindsight, maybe I should have let him try it again, but he hasn't asked about it since, so I think we're good. Avery starts gymnastics in July!
Anyway, he's some tidbits of what we did when summer began:

Lots of beach days of course!

My mom made Avery's adorable dress! Seriously, so talented!

Avery and I had a "coffee hot chocolate party."

Doing some exploring at Comprehensive Park. This is right before Avery started panicking because she saw a HUGE spider. Well, thankfully it wasn't a spider, just a big black crab, but it was scary looking!

We found the waterpark we kept hearing great things about (no Wyandot Lake or The Beach from back in Ohio, but it will work!). I promised to take them that weekend.

His long hair...

More exploring....this is when a man showed us a baby octopus. It was tiny! So cool to see!

The neighbors brought us to an animal park in Naha.

The most exciting part of the park....the train ride! Noah was actually nervous at first which surprised me.

They loved it!

We fed the fish and ducks from up here.

Looking at fish.

Noah loved feeding these animals. He didn't want to stop.

Just sitting on a big tortoise!

Then we went to a resort hotel for lunch! Overlooking the water of course. Love this window!

It was yummy!

We went back the next weekend with them and brought our swimsuits so we could use their pool and beach area.

Avery graduated from MOPS!

The only picture I took at the waterpark. We stayed for 4 1/2 hours!

Sushi go round has become our go to eating out place. We love the california rolls, cucumber rolls, tuna salad rolls, shrimp rolls, salmon rolls, and their salad.

Each plate is only 100 yen, so we can eat for about 10 bucks.

This is the first time they've been able to ride the teeter toter together without my help. Noah must be catching up to Avery!

This is what I get to wake up to.=) Unless Noah wakes me up first.;)

New floaties!

It happened...I turned....30......Avery wished me a happy birthday all day long...even first thing in the morning and she sang to me to. She wanted KFC for dinner, so that's where we went. Noah slept in the stroller as he was worn out from the day we spent at the beach. Even though the anticipation of turning 30 was a little rough for me, it's not so bad. I am beyond thankful for everything I have. Great family, friends, my health...I feel great...it's going to be a great year!

A Little Bit of Everything

Warning...lots and lots of pictures coming up. I'm basically going to highlight March - June. Ready?

My kids LOVE going to the zoo. We probably go once a week. There's also a fun museum inside the zoo which is nice when it's too hot or rainy.

I was watching my friend's son and successfully took three kids to the zoo! Of course, it helped that he pretty much stayed in the stroller the whole time.=)

Flower Festival with our Japanese neighbors

I brought cupcakes to the pirate park for Avery's 5th birthday. We just had her three best friends there. It was nice. I can't believe my baby is 5!!

Avery being Santa Claus in the bubble bath=)

Watching the Bachelor is my guilty pleasure! Ironic there's glass of wine there. That is the only glass I've poured for myself in the past 6 months (maybe longer) and I didn't even finish it all. The tiniest bit of alcohol gives me a headache (thanks, dad!).

Noah is super into to building - blocks, legos, and trains

me and my boy

First time at the beach for the season! (I think this was back in March)

"here you go, Mommy." so sweet!

New caps from aunt Leah! They love them!

Avery had her first ballet recital. She's really come out of her shell a lot this year. She's becoming a little ham! She loved being on stage, and totally rocked her little "solo" at the end.

Face painting at her school's Spring Fling.

Japanese outfit from our neighbors for her birthday.

Rainy season means lots of splashing in puddles!

Avery drew me this for my birthday. Adorable. Melted my heart!

Hard core puddle splashing at the soccer fields.

Nice evening weather means more dinners upstairs on our patio.

We just love it up there.

We couldn't miss the princess dinner this year after how much fun Avery had last year.

Avery's friend Aubrey (our neighbor)

This picture cracks me up. Noah was scared of the characters and I caught him screaming and running away.

Then he decided they weren't so bad and posed for a picture.

Avery played soccer this year! It's funny because she got put on an amazing team! They won every single game by a lot! In fact, I can't recall them ever being scored against. Avery mainly played defense so she didn't see much action. Which was just fine for her. She loved going to soccer, but I'm not sure she quite grasped the whole concept yet. She is SUPER girly and doesn't like to be aggressive, fall down, etc. As of now, I believe dance is more her calling but you never know! She really did make strides as the season progressed.

Our Easter was low key and relaxing. We ate bunny pancakes, went to church, came home and dyed Easter eggs, had and Easter egg hunt, and watched the movie Hop on TV. Oh, and the kids discovered their Easter baskets first thing in the morning.

This is for you mom. Me in my beautiful apron that my talented mom made me. Avery has a matching one now! (she didn't at the time). It was essential in dying Easter eggs.=) I love it!

It happened...Avery graduated preschool. We were so pleased with the school she went to for the last 5 months. She LOVED going every day. The teachers only had great things to say about her. She is very well behaved and polite and she knows all her letters and sounds (Let me brag here a bit and note that she has known all her letters and sounds since before she was 2....absolutely no clue how). She loves reading and playing in the kitchen area. I am so proud of her.

Avery and her teachers.

Me and my girl

And finally, as the weather gets more hot and humid we LIVE at the beach and pool. Here's a couple pictures of our first trip to the beach to swim (early May).