Take THAT, Negative Nancies!

I've decided (very typical of my sickeningly optimistic and positive nature) to help us all smile a little bit with my post today. A bit tired of the phone pole, there was a more momentous event last week. 100th day of school at Bob Hope Primary School.

This kindergarten celebration is off the hizook, people. As mentioned earlier, a t-shirt was made. I joked about the partying, but little did I know it really was a much bigger deal than I had anticipated.

On the morning of the event (this past Friday) I grabbed my camera with my 16-35mm (wide-angle) and smiled as I noticed the SUN - what?! YES SUN! IT was a STUNNING day, and I quickly regretted putting a long-sleeved shirt under Mia's t-shirt.

I got out of the car at school and saw this:
HOLY SCHNIKIES! (Ok, can I just say that Craig saw that over my shoulder and doesn't know what "holy schnikies" is? Somebody rent that dude Tommy Boy....) See the black boxes by the banner on the awning? Loud-speakers. Blaring music. Tables with games are set up all over the place, a tricycle track with 10 trikes, 2 bouncies... I was blown away. And highly disappointed that I wasn't there when the buses arrived and Mia SAW this insanity for the first time. I asked her about it when I saw her later and she said, "I almost screamed my head off it was so cool!"

So first it was time to take a picture of the entire kindergarten class and all the teachers for the yearbook. What more perfect day than 100th day? Here's the "Where's Waldo" (if you're good, you can spot Mia and maybe even Logan, her boyfriend):
As you can see, there were many cool banners, shirts, hats, and very very happy kids.

After this picture, I had to shoot one of the 3rd grade class, so I missed the parade. But afterward I headed out to the carnival of 100th day fun. This mom was all dressed up for the occasion:
Each kid had a list pinned to their shirt, they had to do each activity available, and as they did them the activity was crossed off their list. Like lick a lollipop 100 times, jump in the jumpie 100 times, run a 100 foot dash, hula hoop 100 times:
Make 100th day glasses:
tricycle for 100 meters:
Color 100 spots on a dog:
Get your face painted (you could pick any number, but almost everyone chose - you guessed it...):
So, as you can see, I was snapping away on a beautiful day - the gorgeous kindergarten kids were just having a blast. I ran into my friend Joelle and she had her camera out; she was taking pictures for a local magazine they sell on the bases called "This Week" and I told her I'd share if she wanted. She told me she had to leave, but that some Japanese kids were coming to celebrate and could I take pictures of it. Of course!

Now, mind you - we were in our PoR at this point, so I thought this was going to be extra awesome - show people how well the children can get along - despite any language barrier - and that it's fantastic for all cultures to spend time together here. (Americans can throw one humdinger of a 100th day party, yo.)

At 10:30, I heard an announcement for Japanese moms to head over to the buses. I turned around and saw this:

A friggin' cat and dog BUS! Filled with Japanese kindergarteners! Oh yes. And when the bus drivers beeped the horn. Yup. BARK and MEOW. I kid you not. I think I need to be a bus driver now. For Japanese kindergarten children.

2 of the Bob Hope Primary School classes had made t-shirts for the visiting children so they could join in on the fun:


The students filed off the bus, lined up boy-girl, in their gym uniforms. Look how excited they are! JUMPIES! TRICYCLES! LOLLIPOPS! Look at all this space.....our school is in the city, dude. LET US AT IT!

The kids had a delightful exchange of t-shirts, and the Japanese kids quickly pulled them on over their shirts. Then the kids were paired off to go play together with the help of the bi-lingual moms & children.

The biggest hit was definitely the tricycles:

This is so sweet.... I seriously couldn't take a bad picture all afternoon. There are a lot here, but I pared it down from about 100 pictures.

I love this kid. His funny little dimples. His striped tights and differently striped socks. I realized I took about 6 pictures of him. But I really wanted to take him home. With my limited Japanese, all I could say to these kids was, "Is that delicious?" and "One, two, three, SMILE!" - and of course, thank you.

In return, the Japanese children made artwork (really cute collages, see below) for the American students:
Just before the students said goodbye, Ms. Hobbs (acting Principal) handed out goodie bags to the kids. I seriously was teary-eyed the whole time.
I'm sure you're all familiar with "All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten". I think some of the grown-ups around here could learn a lot from these kindergartners. I had almost as much fun as they did.

Sunabe Telephone Pole - Installment III

I'm editing what I've narrowed down to about 120 pictures from the 100th day celebration at Mia's school. I got there and there was music blaring and it was like a huge carnival! Bouncies, game booths, lots of parents, and even a visit from a Japanese kindergarten class - the cutest thing EVER. Pictures after I sift through the heap.

For now, a 3rd installment of what's sure to become a big series this weekend - the telephone pole. I was kind of joking when I posted it, but after 2 emails telling me they were looking forwad to the series - who am I to disappoint? This is kind of fun too. (Thanks for the compliment, Katherine! I hope I can give you a few ideas for your pictures..haha!)

Ok, Ernie - here are da boids.

Taken at ISO 400 this morning, 35mm, f3.2, SS 1/80

I used a couple of black & white actions. I have some Kubota actions and Totally Rad Actions (the Boutwells, married photographer couple, are brilliant!) and love them.

100th Day of School

The kindergarten kids at Bob Hope Primary School count the days of school until they get to 100. Tomorrow (Friday, February 22nd) is the 100th day of kindergarten. There will be a huge party, a parade, snacks, candy, music, dancing, strippers, booze, and possibly illicit drugs - but I doubt it because we are on a military base, and they do drug tests.

We were tasked with making a shirt with 100 items on it. (Notice I don't say "MIA" was tasked because we all know that in kindergarten it's really Mommy homework.) After less than enthusiastic thoughts of buying Sharpies and drawing 100 whatevers on a shirt, Craig had a fantastic idea. We bought iron-on transfer paper for our computer printer and I could put 100 pictures of anything on a document and print it off and iron it on! Well, Bob Hope is the home of the Pandas, so, I give you the 100-panda 100th day shirt (there are 50 on the front and 50 on the back):
The kid is going to FLIP when she sees it tonight!

I'm Back - Much To Say!

I still exist - really I do! More pictures for you from the last - jeez, almost 10 days? Sorry.

We went to Kurashiki Dam the weekend before last, which was very cool. It was WINDY (as you will notice from our kid's wild hair in the pictures. The signs have pictures so that they're universally understood. We realized they were also very funny, and our witty child with the sharp sense of humor was posing up a storm when we said, "Do something funny".


Don't you dare leave your doggie poop here!
Ok - so she didn't pose like she was holding a fishing pole...
Having some fun in the middle of the street. Yes, I did have to move from my lying down position in the center of the road several times during these shots.


This was my fav - TOTALLY Mia's idea. (the "no swimming" sign in the background)

Holding back her hair because of the wind:

The bridge out to the mystery building in the middle of the water next to the dam (you can see the dam on the right):

Some pretty water lilies on a pond next to a croquet course (they call it lawn golf or gate ball!):
Headed back across the dam/bridge:

I like this one - just some lone interesting tree on a green green lawn.

Ok, so some stuff has happened since then, but nothing I've photographically documented. Mia's parent/teacher conference was this week. Not surprisingly, she's thriving in kindergarten and is a real leader in her class. She has a strong personality, but avoids conflict with other strong personalities - so that's encouraging. We are very happy with her progress and her development. We were talking, and even in the past 5 months we've been here we've seen a real change in her. She's growing up - she's oh so smart - she is just a great kid. We're very happy and VERY lucky.

On that note, I want to mention that not everyone is as lucky - my friend-by-blogging, Edith, and her husband Trinity are now in Hawaii after only a brief time in Okinawa. Their son, Diego, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia this week, and they immediately left to begin treatment at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu. We are praying for all of you, you are at an amazing care facility and I'm so very glad that you found out when you did.

Edith is so incredibly brave, honest, and helpful to others - she is blogging the experience on her site: http://senoritamommy.blogspot.com. I was in tears reading her post today...any parent probably would be, but I'm so very happy that he's getting such great care and so much overflowing love. And that his mommy & daddy are there to be with him and hold his hand, sweet baby boy. Edith, I am here to do or send anything - ANYTHING you need. Just say the word. Please let me know what would make things easier for your family. Craig, Mia and I wish you all the best and hope this story continues in every positive way it can.

Last but not least - the 7th Communications Battalion USMC Birthday Ball was last night. We got ourselves all dolled up and schlepped up to Camp Hansen for a 650-person party!


Thanks for taking a couple of pictures, Anne. I don't have any from the ball itself because I brought my small camera and it took pathetically blurry pictures. Suffice it to say we had fun enjoying the company of friends/coworkers, and decent food. Not great, decent. The ceremony was mercifully short. The drinks at the cash bar were mercifully cheap. And not so merciful was the amount of people that someone saw fit to put into this ROOM! We were packed like sardines in there. Craig said they're the biggest battalion on the island - and it showed. I had full body contact with the people on either side of me at my table. I had to squish my arms together to cut my meat. It was rather crazy. We left at about 9:30, got back and had a drink with the Neatherys who were watching Mia, and then came home to crash. Very very fun.

Kadena Fire Station

I was one of 8 moms who chaperoned a trip to the Kadena Fire Station yesterday. Mia's class of 24 children walked from Bob Home Primary School to the Kadena Fire Station - I'm not sure how far it was, but it was a decent walk to make with that many kids - with the company of 8 moms, the teacher, and her aide. The kids are so darned cute & talkative, it was such a fun walk. And as you can see, it was "almost" raining all day, so the kids had umbrellas & raincoats with them just in case.


We got there, and the kids got a tour of the whole fire station, including the ambulance and a fire truck. They got to climb through - big fun. Is it my imagination, or does it look like she's giving this "hey there, Mr. Japanese Firefighter dude, you're cute," look to that guy?

Then - my personal favorite part - they got to hold the hose and each kid got a turn to control it and knock over a cone in the parking lot. BIG fun. I wanted to do it too, but I held back and just took pictures.


Finally, the group returned with found goodie bags within the fire station to Sparky.
I'm proud to say I think I can name almost all of these kids after yesterday. Good thing too because I'm taking pictures for their intranet and helping Ms. Robin upload them. Gotta go - more pictures there soon for those who have the user name & pass word.

Quick side note - I'm listening to the Dems debate while on the computer. Lots and lots of Bush bashing - particularly by Hillary - and a general feeling of - Juliani as an opponent? Awesome! Bring it ON!

Just heard the statement "do away with No Child Left Behind" and I could NOT agree more.

Ok - off the political soapbox now. That's not what this blog is for. And heaven forbid, Big Brother or someone might find out that my left-leaning self married a Marine and - well, let's just say there's a good amount of people here whose opinions are different than mine.

Great Day!

New stereo sounds fabulous (especially after changing the AWFUL blown-out speakers) - thank you, hubby. Finally my TUNES!

The kid had a fabulous first day of school, she said "nothing was bad...everything was.. GREAT!" I guess the bus ride in particular was fantastic, as was music class.

We didn't get many more details, but she could've given a full account of every second and we wouldn't have been satisfied. So - that's done! One more "first" is out of the way.

All the pictures from this morning can be seen here.

First Day of Kindergarten

There were tears - they were all MY tears, but that's ok. She was so excited.

The bus monitor was so sweet - he personally escorted each kindergartener on the bus first. Mia did great, she supported me the way I needed to be supported. Here are the last moments - now I'm off to get my new car stereo put in.


The movie was filmed in HD, that's why it looks "skinny" - sorry about that.

Here she is walking toward the stop from our house:

With our neighbor's daughter, Zoe (also in kindergarten, different teacher):

Backpacks!

Showing the monitor her bus pass (LOOK at all these kids! I swear, they filled the whole bus!):

See ya!

An Evening Out & Kindergarten Orientation!

Our lives are just jam packed lately. This is a busy couple of weeks! So last night (Sunday) we decided to go out to the east coast near Awase Air Base and try Sam's By the Sea. This place was hilarious - like a Hawaiian tiki restarant inside of a ship with exotic birds (real ones) and the most attentive staff EVER. (For the money, they should be...) Here's Mia out front by the BIG tiki when we arrived:

And here is Mia's fruit punch - that kid freaked out when it arrived. Can you blame her?

Our food was delicious - Craig had a steak and I had a baked seafood dish. Mia had chicken and actually ate a pretty good amount of it, for a change. (It had sauce on it - the nerve of those people.)


TODAY, Monday, at 9am, we went to Mia's kindergarten orientation. The rest of the kids started school today - the kindergarteners start next Wednesday, the 5th. So we met her teacher, Ms. Robin, and the TA, Ms. Karey (who's actually leaving on 9/21, so she'll be replaced with someone). Both of whom are delightful.

The run a tight ship! We went to Mia's new classroom - a delightful room with cubbies, 6 computers, a play area (dress up clothes, kitchen, etc), a reading area, 2 bathroom stalls and sinks, and of course, several tables with chairs. Pretty typical. There is a play structure outside, and it's very nice - though it'd be nicer if it were in the shade. There are 23 kids in her class. There are 8 classes. This school is BIG - the kindergarten rooms have their own wing!

Yes - I was "THAT Mom" - here's a picture of the kids on the floor while Ms. Robin was talking:

We got a big packet full of great info, one page of which was the list of supplies. Here they are after our trip to the PX today:
AND - how STOKED am I (and everyone else in our family) - there's a website for the school:
http://www.bob-hope-ps.pac.dodea.edu/
AND and the bottom of the page is an intranet link for which I'll be given a password. Ms. Robin will post pictures every day on there and puts out a newsletter every other week on Fridays. It'll be like having a web cam in the class! I'm so happy. Mia loved it there so much, she whined and cried when we had to leave. She's going to be just fine. I'll be a mess.. but she'll be fine.

Funny story of the morning....
Ms. Robin had the kids sit on squares on the carpet (as pictured above). She got everyone's attention, and said she was going to call roll. So raise your hand high in the air.

"Charles Abrams!"
Mia raises her hand high in the air. The WHOLE room full of parents laughs hysterically, as does Ms. Robin, who chuckled and said, "Sweetie, I'm pretty sure you aren't Charles." And I'm laughing hardest - though my face was in my hands. Well - she followed directions, she raised her hand high! She didn't say she had to call her name first....