We missed Daddy!

We're ready and waiting for Daddy to return tonight (and with homemade cookies in hand)! You can probably tell by the lack of posts since he's been gone that it's been a quiet week. (Ty really ups the fun factor around here!) PS Mimi and Aunt Tiff--the kids love their new clothes, can you tell?!

Under the Sea

Well, our under-water photos didn't turn out as pretty as we'd hoped. Maybe it was the overcast weather. Maybe the $10 camera! Anyway, here are a couple of shots we could salvage. Mason has really turned out to be quite the snorkeler. When we're at the beach, he spends far more time under the water than above. I often get nervous because he and Ty will stay waaay out deep snorkeling for so long--with nothing for Mason to hold on to. But he always keeps up and asks for more!

Packed Bags

Here's a sight the kids and I don't like to see... Daddy's packed bags. We just found out he's leaving tomorrow for a week-long trip to Korea. We know the week will pass quickly, though, and we'll be happy to have him home for Labor Day weekend.

Birthday Wishes

We want to send out lots of "Happy Birthday" wishes to Gaga today! We've been thinking of you, Mom, and wishing we could be there to help you celebrate. Hope you're getting all the hugs and kisses we're sending. Love you, love you, love you!

Homemade Sushi Rolls

Last night was our first attempt at making sushi rolls at home. (Our first attempt? Who am I kidding? Ty may have made the origami, but I made the sushi!) I've surprised myself by craving sushi quite frequently--although, we mostly eat the tame versions with tuna, salmon, shrimp, etc. I think they turned out pretty good for a first attempt!

Rainy Day Activities

Have you ever wondered what Ty does in his spare time? Heehee! It's funny because it's true. I bought an origami kit for the kids and it was too complicated for me. As it turns out... Ty has a surprising knack for the art of paper-folding! And it was a good weekend for it since it rained nonstop here.

Beach Play

Just sharing a couple of cute pictures of the kids at the beach yesterday. We've had some very windy weather lately due to a couple of typhoons that have--luckily--bypassed us. We went down to the beach to watch the surfers and wind boarders. In just a couple of minutes Mason had an elaborate "camp" built under the brush. And Alaina was busy with her own pretend game. Our cove is such a wonderful place for little imaginations!

The Eisa Dancers

The parade we watched Sunday was a festival of 10,000 Eisa dancers. Traditional Eisa is a dance performed to welcome deceased ancestors back to visit the homes of their families. It is performed during the three day holiday called Obon. It was very entertaining. Mason was especially enthralled since he saw many boys & girls performing that looked just about his age.

Parade Spectators

Today, along with these pretty girls in kimonos, we watched a parade of 10,000 Eisa dancers! I'll post pictures and more about Eisa dancers tomorrow. Right now, we feel just about like this little parade spectator looks--hot and exhausted!

Temptation

I have resisted the temptation of the lovely blue-and-white Japanese china for months. I kept telling myself "it wasn't in my color-scheme" and "I have too many dishes already." But my resolve weakened--and I apparently didn't care what myself had to say! After all, each piece costs less than a dollar. And do you see how cute it looks to mix and match all the different patterns? And I have white everday china that goes so well with it. Do I need any more reasons? No! I now pick up a piece or two every time we are in the 100 Yen store (aka dollar store). The Okinawans seem to have a "natural recycling" program with glass items. They all end up in the ocean. (Broken dishes, bottles, etc.) Thus the lovely sea glass we find on the beachs--and the pretty pottery shards you see here. So this is actually kind of a "before" and "after" shot.