Gift #304- Sitting on the bus with Sam and Macy

Sarah, Macy, and Sam with the deer at Miyajima

Mrs. Miller's First Graders

Macy, Sarah, and Kento

 Being silly

Today was Sam and Macy's final field trip of the year.  They asked their mom to join them and I quickly agreed.  I might have been stretching the truth a little a few posts back.  Josh wanted me to go on his last field trip with him, but he didn't want me to sit with him or talk to him much.  That was ok.  Sam and Macy totally made up for it today.  They saved me seats and held my hand and laughed at my jokes. All of this in front of their friends!  If you are going on a field trip with one of your children, choose your first grader!  You will not be disappointed.

Gift #303- Winning the Championship Game

Picture It.  The championship playoff game.  We are down by two.  The score is 9-7.  Top of the final inning.  We are at bat.  Not only do we need 2 runs, but we need to hold 'em off at the bottom of the inning.  We have 2 outs and a player on 3rd.  Jack Walker steps up to the plate.  Full Count.  Here comes the final pitch.  This could be the game.  Jack swings and it's a HOMERUN!  And the crowd cheers.  And Jack smiles at his mom as he rounds 3rd.  And she yells "way to go baby" and her heart is so full. We are back in the game.  We hold 'em at 9-9 at their at-bat and the game goes into overtime.  After 3 very stressful overtime innings, WE WIN.  And the boys throw up their gloves and jump into their coaches arms.  And if you are a ball player between the ages of 10 and 12 in Iwakuni, Japan then you feel like you just played the final game of the world series.  And if you happen to be wearing an orange jersey, then you just won it all!  And life is so very good.  And on the way home in the Monster Van we give thanks to the Lord for allowing us the victory.

Gift# 302- A Ride on the Shinkansen

A few weeks ago, I went up to Yokosuka Air Base near Tokyo for a doctors appointment.  Check out my ride!  The kids are really hoping to catch a ride on the shin before we leave Japan.  It is a bit expensive, but I think that we might just have to pay the price and have the adventure!

Gift #301- Air Conditioning

This was an email that we received from the base housing office a few days ago! Base housing turns the cold air off in early fall and it stays off until someone flips the switch!  

The switch got flipped and it is good! 

Family Housing Residents,

We are happy to inform you that the air conditioning will be turned on today, 22 May. Contractors are going to each area to turn on the a/c system.

Please make sure the control panel is switched from warm to cool.  This should be done for each control panel.  Please remember to close all windows and doors when using your air conditioning.

If you feel the air condition is not cooling properly, please call the Trouble Desk at 253-3131.

Enjoy!

Family Housing

Gift #300- The Pool Is OPEN!

The outdoor pool on base opened on Saturday at 11:00.  The Thomas kids were ready!  We had a nice afternoon.   The water is still a bit cold for Hank and I, but the kids jumped right in.  We shared a can of boiled peanuts during one of the pool breaks.  It was the last of the cans that I brought home from my trip a few weeks ago so we ate slowly!  We look forward to long afternoons at the pool when school gets out in a few weeks.

PS-  that "last can of boiled peanuts" part was written shamelessly yet purposely to elicit some sympathy in the hopes that someone might feel sorry for us and send some our way.  :0)