John's Kindergarten Class

This is John's class today at recess. Everyone under the age of 25 is loving the snow!

John is in the back row, center (directly under the "R" in "Elementary").

Spending Time Outside

November, 2010

The kids' current obsession is playing in the trees in our backyard.  They've convinced several other kids on our street that it's the coolest place to be.

John doing the limbo

They love climbing the smaller trees and a few spills out of the taller branches have kept them careful.  For my risk-adverse kids, this has been a great adventure.

The official "Club Tree" which holds way more kids than it should.

Trick - or - Treat

October, 2010

As always, the kids were excited about costumes.  Our creative options were limited a bit by our distance from the nearest Michael's and JoAnn's, so we urged the kids to think inside the box this year.
                                         
John wanted to be Ringo Starr (circa 1964 - no mustache) which would have been so fun and such a reflection of his random passions in life.  But, like I said, inside the box was more what we were looking for, so we easily talked him into a Star Wars character - Boba Fett.

John - Boba Fett, Star Wars Bouny Hunter

Abbie chose Cleopatra, the Egyptian princess.  She was enthralled by a story Dustin told her about Cleopatra once letting herself be bit by a snake... Anyways, she is all about the tough, powerful and beautiful chick thing.

Abbie, taking her role as Cleopatra seriously

John Takes Matters Into His Own Hands

October, 2010

After years of requesting a "loin cloth" on birthday and Christmas lists, talking about the Native Americans and Pilgrims at school this Fall pushed him to take matters into his own hands.

Keep dreaming Son.

Pumpkin Carving

October, 2010

The kids had fun carving pumpkins this year.  Is it weird that they both referred to their pumpkins by which member of the Beatles' head they looked like?  "I want that one that looks like George's head," John said.  "I want that Paul one," Abbie says.   Weird, right?!?! 




Abbie was ok with the dirty work.

But John got a little grossed out.

And our annual Make-the-Same-Face-Your-Pumpkin-is-Making photo:

Statue of Liberty Park

October, 2010

We went with some friends to the nearby Statue of Liberty Park.  Yes, that is a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the background.  I thought it was really random, but then someone explained that it is on the exact same parallel as the one in NY...so I guess it kinda makes sense. 

There are a few things we are loving about parks here in Japan.  Our main attraction to them is that they have crazy slides that the US would never allow.  The kids love this super long roller slide, and they get a good workout running a quarter mile back to the stairs when it's time to go again :)

And they love the danger of falling into the pit of mud below the zip-line rope.

Just Say No to Drugs!

So the other day, Abbie comes home from school and is working quietly on a craft project.  A little while later she comes in to show me a bonnet she was wearing made from pink tissue paper.  "Wow", I say, "you look just like a pioneer."  She looks at me and says "Yeah?  Well pioneers don't have this" and she bends her head down so I can see her writing on top of the bonnet - "Drug Users are Losers".  
Classic Abbie.   Someone's been paying attention during Red Ribbon week at school :)