Growth

Lottie had her 6 month appointment today, which means growth check and SHOTS! She's 17 1/2 pounds, 26 1/2 inches, about 75th percentile for each. She's a big girl!

Train Tracks

Adam got some new train tracks from Grandma and Grandpa. He didn't even want to stop to eat dinner. Lottie got in on the track action too.

Where's Grandpa Go?

After a fun couple of days, Grandpa finally left for his trip to Korea. Of course, Adam has been asking for Grandpa all day, even though he got to see him get dropped off for the bus to Narita. After his nap, "Where's Grandpa go?" When he heard the door open in the afternoon, "Grandpa!" When he went by the guest bedroom, "That's Grandpa's bed." He, obviously, had a great time with Grandpa.

Sagamihara Park, Revisited

We went back to the park to see if we could get Adam on a horse. Turns out the zoo was closed for the day, so we checked out the huge obstacle course instead. Adam is big enough now to do some of the obstacles, like this climbing wall.

Climbing through the rope tunnel.

On top of the fort (Grandpa helped him climb!).

Poor Lottie didn't get to climb anything. She just hung out in her seat.

Another picture on top of the fort.

Hanging by his feet. Grandpa wanted him to let go with his arms, but Adam was too scared. Trust issues!

Adam got to ride the zip line many times, first with Mommy and Grandpa, then all by himself.

Videos from the Park

Sagamihara Park

Adam tried some new playground equipment. Daddy helped.

Lottie practiced her new talent, sticking her tongue out (ALL THE TIME). I think it feels interesting against the new tooth.

Grandpa helped Adam on the rings.

Lottie can even smile with her tongue out.

Pumpkin Dance

Dear Mom, I can't believe you and Dad embarrassed me like that. Love no longer, Lottie

Hanging Out with Grandpa

Lottie enjoys her apple hat - to match her apple outfit!

Wot wot? Got a copper, gov'ner?

Dressed like a jackolantern for Halloween Bunco with Mommy.

Grandpa

Grandpa Chlapowski just arrived on Friday night for a quick visit on his way to Korea. Today we went to Machida. Adam wanted to take home the giant teddy (and the giant ice cream cone).

Lottie is enjoying playing with Grandpa. Grandpa can rest and play at the same time!

We found a group performing at a department store when we were walking back to the train station.

Halloween Party

Joy School had a Halloween Party on Friday. The kids paraded out in their costumes, then performed a few Halloween songs.

Then, they had cookies!

Here they are, singing, "First You Take a Pumpkin."

Sitting Pretty

Lottie is finally able to sit all by herself for long periods of time. Yay!

She is also all about the toys. She always wants Adam's toys - it's starting already!

Nap

Daddy has always been the boring parent. Both kids have a really hard time sleeping on me, especially as they get bigger, but Daddy is always good for a nap!

Static

Adam and Calum went crazy at Dewey Park on all the slides. Check out his static hair.

Pumpkin Picking

Since Japan has no pumpkin patches (or at least ones you can visit), we make do. We were letting Adam pick out a pumpkin at the commissary, and he tried to choose the giant display pumpkin. We did NOT go home with that one. It just wasn't the same as going to the pumpkin patch.

New Family Pictures

We took some new family pictures on Sunday, using the tripod that I got for Mother's Day. No more having to use the stroller to prop up the camera.

We also tried to get some pictures of the kids, but they didn't really cooperate. Here are the best ones.

Rolling

You just can't leave a baby alone for a second anymore. I ran to get something from the other room, and heard a giant RIP. Lottie had rolled over to the magazines and ripped a giant swath of paper out of my Better Homes and Gardens.

Hanging Out

Hanging with Daddy

Chicken Dance

Camp Zama also had an Oktoberfest this weekend. They managed to find the only Oompa band in all of Japan to play it. The DJ announced them as the Brass Joses, but I suspect they are really the Brass Hosen. They, of course, played the Chicken Dance. Adam loved it!

Lantern Festival

We got a hot tip about a festival in Sagami Ono (one train stop down from us), so we had to check it out. A teething Lottie was ready to go!

The next day (Columbus Day for us) was Sports Day, a Japanese national holiday, so everyone was out and about. Even the road to the park was filled with vendors. This one had pots and mugs that you could paint as well as stations to throw pots.

There is a famous festival in Northern Japan (Amori) where they float lanterns down a river. This was Sagami Ono's attempt to stage a lantern festival. The kids all decorated lanterns, then (we think) they floated them on Saturday night.

Once in the park, we found two bounce houses. It was 200 yen for 5 minutes! We are suckers, so Adam got to go. Here he is, waiting in line with the rest of the kids.

He wouldn't pose for a picture.

Then he really got lucky when Daddy bought him cotton candy.

The little Japanese girl in her kimono was too cute. I had to take a picture.

Lottie enjoyed the festival too, even without the cotton candy. She checked everything out, and wouldn't take a nap until we were off the train, walking home.