I love...

Spring!

Now, does anyone know if these are Weeds or Flowers or a Weedflower. LOL I don't know! They were growing just randomly in my yard.

Date Night [April]

So, this months date night was spent w/ out Ej!
He was Camping (in the rain) and i took myself up to Yokohama for a Relaxing dinner.
Tammy & I went to El Toritos Again! Click Here--->Check out This Blog (twards the bottom) for the views of El Torito's on a PRETTY day... and more pics of the restaurant, and food! :) <---Click There.
And, it was DELISH, and just what i needed.
2 Margarita's! LOL
We had reservations (made earlier that day) for 7 pm.
We got there JUST in time, and skipped about 10~15 people in the hall waiting for a table, NICE!
We arrived about 645 and did a bit of walking to the Sky Tower in the underground shopping area[btw, is pretty darn big!]. We have been there before, WHY did we get all turned around and lost? We dont know! haha!


Finally, we found our way!

Whats the 1st thing i ordered?
PEACH!!!!

Hey, when you find whats good, stick with it!! [in some cases]
This is a Combo Platter, for 1450Y (14.50$) and It's so gooooood!

A Mango Margarita came with my meal, at no extra chage!!

As you can see, from the Rain and such, there was NO view on the 28th floor.

After dinner we went for some shopping and then Coffee & Dessert!
We picked this Quaint little Italian place, that looked like a Outdoor Cafe', only it was inside!

We both got the same... it was about 1700Y or 17$ for our shared bill.
Not bad!
It was a Wonderful cup of coffee and that dessert was over the top... so much i could only eat 1/2! We SHOULD have shared! (in this photo, i have not even had one bite!)

After our NICE Evening... we headed home on a PACKED Train.

Golden Week ...

Here is our Koinobori actually, both of them. Koinobori (鯉幟), meaning "carp banner" in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate (端午の節句), a traditional calendrical event which is now a National holiday; Children's Day.

Kath & Tim went to Asakusa this week, and so kindly picked up these for the kids.
I know it sounds silly, but i will keep these and remember they bought them for the kids, in Asakusa.
Thank You Guys!!!!
I am still on the search for a Medium sized Koinobori for use every year.
&&Fingers crossed&&
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク), also known as Ōgata renkyū (大型連休) or Ōgon shūkan (黄金週間), is a Japanese term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:

April 29
Showa Day (Showa no hi): April 29 is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989.
Until 2006, Greenery Day (on May 4) used to be celebrated on this day.
May 3
Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi): On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect
May 4
Greenery Day (Midori no hi): Until 2006, Greenery Day used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Greenery Day, May 4 used to be a national holiday due to a law, which declares a day, that falls between two national holidays, a national holiday.
May 5
Children's Day (Kodomo no hi): The Boy's Festival is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. This is Generally a Girls AND Boys day nowadays. Although there is a "Girls day" Celebrated March 3rd)

Many Japanese take paid time off on the intervening work days, but some companies also close down completely and give their employees time off. Golden Week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs. Golden Week is an extremely popular time to travel. Flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked despite significantly higher rates at this time.

(My 2 links... as sources... Link #1 Link #2)

We wont do much Traveling/Exploring during this time, as the trains will be super packed.
But, we will do 'something' to celebrate Children's Day for sure!
We are not Japanese so this will be a reg ole' week for us, :).
Maybe we will do the Spring Cleaning and BBQ'ing... but 1st we will need a New BBQ as we left ours in the states.

Yokohama Children's Land

Olivia and I went on a School Field Trip yesterday to Children's Land.
It was fun, and a perfect day at the park!

The name of the park is Kodomo-no Kuni (Children's Land).
The link to the park is found --->HERE<--- and --->HERE<--- and ---> HERE<---
One this is for sure, I cant wait to take Ethan and Evan to this wonderful Family Park in Yokohama!!




This is at the Entrance to the Park. The Entire walkway had Chalk Drawings/Names... Plenty of Chalk everywhere... COLOR... have FUN! What a Great way to say... this place is For Kids and Kids at heart!

Look at all the Flying Fish or Koinobori (鯉幟 Koi-nobori?).
These Flying Carp are strung up around Childrens Day all over Japan.
If you want the learn about this holiday, or the the Flying Carp, click --->HERE<--- and
--->HERE<---

These "Roller Slides" are SO FUN. It was Olivia's Fav part of the day.

This park REALLY Reminded me of Okinawa! the park areas actually.
This concrete slide in particular.
They had many of these in Oki, and it brings back many memories!
The FLEW down this slide, for sure!

FUN FUN!!




Kelley, Remember these from Oki!?!?



There was an area of this park that look Enchanted. Olivia LOVES Harry Potter and Narnia Moves, me too... and these trees sure made us feel like we were in the movie!

For 100Y the kids could take a Roller Coaster ride, they thought.
Little did they know it was part Roller Coaster part BIKE!
OMG! FUN!!

How, this was called a HeliBike. So, we knew it was bike. But ALL bike!!! PETAL!!!!





These big 'stuffed animals' were actually coin operated...200Y per side.

There was so much to offer at this park.
Many things we did not get to, but one area we did not pass up was the Farm Area... with Cows and other animals.

Ok, i should not have said that O's fav part of the day was the slide. It was FUN... but her 100% fav part was the Bunny & Guinea Pig Area.
OMG, she is BEGGING for a Bunny Rabbit.
It does NOT help her Daddy had one as a Indoor Pet as a child, and now wants one too! UGH! LOL
Anyways, she was not afraid, or anything. She could have spent the ENTIRE day in this area!
She is in LOVE!








This Sign CRACKED me UP!

This is the Petting Area.
This Area of the Zoo (including other petting areas) cost 170Y per child, 200Y per adult.





Mrs. Julie and myself had 5 girls between us (the class was split up among the parents who came). We treated, on us... ICECREAM for everyone, includng us! MMMMmmmm
What a GREAT Treat for the kids.



I just loved loved the Tall Tree's here. It reminded me of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo a little.



End of the day Class photo. They were all worn out for sure!

CUTE pic, but... whats up with the hand? LOL
Ask Olivia!!



We got out of dodge JUST in time, see the 'front' moving in?


I hope u enjoyed looking through our Field Trip Day! :)

Friday Night...

..... We helped Daddy get ready for his Camping trip.

He got home from work about 515 and was out the door again by 6.

Wow! Quick packing! LOL

Good think I am 'good' and already had everything laid out for him. ;)

We went w/ Tammy & her girls to Club T for dinner.

Evan was good :):):) and i had a REALLY nice dinner.

Olivia and her friends sat together in another table.

We came home and Olivia & Evan played Wii. ;)

Nite!

Going to Club "T" on-base.
Olivia and Erin & their 'girls table' (Alisha (9) also sat w/ them).
Olivia & Evan playing Wii before bed tonight, Cook'n Mama Cook-off.

Not much...

... going on.
With Ethan doing a BS Camp out we don't have much planned for the weekend.

Maybe we will just kick back and Relax!
It's looks Gloomy and Overcast today. I kind of hope it rains, honestly.
I am in the mood for a Rainy Weekend.
:)

Maybe we will go Bowling tomorrow afternoon...
I think tonight we will have a easy dinner out, and let the kids do a movie before bed.

Update: I just looked out the window and it's RAINING! :)
I am super excited now!
Although, Ethan's Camp Out wont be so 'nice'. :(

Ok! Well stay tuned for "what we did this weekend photo story".

Just a Random Update of sorts.

So, today is Tuesday and a Rainy one at that.
I am a-ok with rain, as i love it.
Today was a nice day. I had a doc appt (and next week i have another one, as i am getting a 'spot' frozen off of my left arm), went NEX shopping and had lunch w/ my hubby (and Evan too).
While on base i picked up a new pair of shoes for Olivia, Evan and Myself!
Olivia's

Evan's

Mine

Lets see, this week has been a bit low key.
Not a lot to report honestly.

I added new photo's to my existing frames--->




Oh, and i cleaned and organized Olivia's room--->




You know, Ethans job is nothing i want to talk about, as it's a sore subject.
He is not happy with his job, and thats no secret.
We have talked about him asking to terminate shore duty, and see if he could go to sea duty here. Honestly though... i dont think it will happen.
We have been REALLY Enjoying him at home, especially the kids (me too!)
I think he just needs to find his groove, and 'place' KWIM??
All in all this picture proves how much the kids & Ethan are really enjoying their time together. :)
Daddy carrying the kids up for bed-->


I will end this update w/ a few cute smiles. :)