Gift #310- My 7th Grader!

Jack didn't want to pause for a picture for mom, but I told him that no one would believe that he was smart if I didn't get a picture of his awards!  He got an award for having a GPA of 3.5 or higher.  And another one for having the same GPA for both semesters.  You are an amazing kid Jack.  You make your dad and I proud every single day.  Stop growing!  Your mom can't take it.

Gift #309- My Little Piano Virtuoso

Macy had her very first piano recital on Saturday at the base chapel.  She played Ode To Joy and played it very beautifully.  She bowed to the audience as she went up to the piano and then again as she sat down.  She looked like such a big girl.  She said that she was a little nervous, but you couldn't tell as she smiled the entire time she was playing.  We celebrated with Baskin Robbins!  Great job Macy girl!

Gift #308- Getting Along

Yesterday, for a brief moment, all of the kids were laughing together and getting along so beautifully.  So what if they were playing Minecraft on the XBox.  And so what if they were throwing around phrases like "did you get infinity with that bow and arrow" and "can someone help me find the potion of invisibility."  That type of nerdy talk might cause a mother a tiny bit of concern regarding the socialization of her children.  But I sure did enjoy watching the four of them have fun together.  Besides, I have always had a thing for nerds.  Right Hank?  ;)

Gift #307- Berta

This is Berta.  Berta is my neighbor.  She was one of my very first friends here.  We talked one afternoon on the street corner and she said to me "hey, I like you.  We should be friends."  And that was that.  The very next day when I saw her, she called me "Ames"- like we had known each other our entire lives.  I wish that it was always that easy to make friends.  Berta moves away on Saturday.  I will be very sad to see her go.  But I will take the advice of the late great Dr. Seuss-
 
“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

Gift #306- Bringing Home the Bacon!

Josh started his new job today!  He has his very own paper route.  He delivers the newspapers around our neighborhood on his skateboard!  We are proud of you Josh!

Gift #305- My Little Student of the Month

Sam was chosen as student of the month for June.  He was chosen for his good citizenship.  This made me smile.  Sam might try to skirt a rule or two and I might just find him sneaking over to the mid-rise apartments to buy a soda from the vending machine, and he might forget to wear his bike helmet from time to time, but he tries so very hard to be a good little citizen.  Dad and I are so proud of you Sam.

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)