It's Tulip Time

Every year in Hamura City they grow fields and fields of tulips (where rice once grew). I try and try to get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling .... but as you can see with no luck. I've given up on Scarlett cooperating at all until she turns 5.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

... it's off to geocache we go. Here are a few shots of our hike around the river to the Shiromaru Dam. We didn't find the cache but it was a beautiful day for a hike. Along the trail we saw a group of older hikers who had on their bells and radio playing. If you check out the picture of the trail sign, you'll see why.

Ghibli Museum aka "Totoro Museum"

On April 7th, the Martyniak family joined the Elliott family and took the train to the Ghibli Museum. The main highlight of the day was the kids getting to play on and in a large cat bus (from Totoro) and throw big soot sprites. No adults were allowed in the cat bus area, only workers who supervised the kids. They kept trying to entice Scarlett in but when she realized mommy wasn't coming she started crying and left the play area. The museum itself was European styling and had many interactive displays for the kids to touch. Unfortunately, no pictures or movies were allowed so you'll have to take my word for it. I did take a couple pictures outside with Quinn and Jake. The last photo was taken on the train ride home. The elderly lady was very interested in the game Quinn was playing on Neal's IPod.

First Day of Megumi

On April 9th, Quinn started back at Zenrin yochien in the Megumi class. He was so excited to go back to school carrying his new Mario Kart bag with pride.

Geocaching Hanami Picnic at Ueno

Last Saturday we went to Ueno Park to meet up with all the geocachers and do a little cherry blossom viewing. It was packed with Japanese picnicing and drinking and eating. For those who have not visited Japan, the Japanese really know how to picnic....and I mean all day. They pack their tarps and carts with wheels and load up the sushi trays, noodles, sake etc. and sit and eat and drink and party all day and night.

We found the geocacher's tarp quickly but decided to go hit the kid's park first and let the kids ride rides and play a bit before going on the hunt to find "Tama Walker". He is the man that hides many of the treasures we have found and we have a debate about what he looks like in person. We were a bit shy going back to the geocaching group but they quickly greeted us onto their tarps. Before we knew it, we were taking pictures and drinking and eating and talking about GPSs, and caches. It was fun until at the end of the day we forgot our back pack at the picnic and didn't realize it until we were on the train ride home.

Easter 2010

I was awakened this Easter morning at 6:00am by Quinn emptying his Easter basket treasures; naming each one as he placed it on my head. It was a morning filled with children begging to eat choacolate, "more chocolate...PEEEZ!" (Scarlett's version of please). Then lunch with Kaho-chan's family for some yummy make your own "okonomi-yaki" Oiishi! And we finished up with some "hanami" (cherry blossom viewing.)

Our day with Kaho-chan

On Friday we played with Q's friend, Kaho-chan from Yochien. We headed to the bowling alley for Kaho-chan's first time bowling. I think she really enjoyed it. Next we headed to our house to make our famous bunny cake. (We missed you this year, Jack and Sam). And of course finished the day teaching her to play Mario Kart Wii. All around perfect day for Quinn.

Scarlett's New Kitchen

Lucky for us everything fell into place and we were able to have a play kitchen delivered to us via C130. Neal was supposed to be on a flight bringing a plane back from FL so we made arrangements to order a kitchen to bring back with him. He was pulled from the flight but the other guys on the flight graciously agreed to bring it home for us. Scarlett and Quinn both love it... which often leads to 2 kids hip checking each other to get to the sink or stove. Scarlett loves to pretend to wash her hands and mix with a spoon.

Easter Party at the Park

Last Saturday, we invited our Japanese friends to join us for an Easter egg hunt and outdoor fun at the sand park. It was the first egg hunt for Shintaro.