On Tuesday, the cherry blossoms are still just about 20 percent open. Adam is excited to pose by the base of the cherry tree - yes, that tree trunk and the manhole cover are so scenic. He's been well-trained to spot the sakura.
After playing with some kids at the church youth fundraising dinner tonight:
"Mom, why did Brown Shirt and White Shirt have to go home?"
"You mean your friends?"
"Yes."
"Do you know your friends' names?"
"No."
We are getting as sakura (cherry blossom) crazy as the Japanese. Both Chris and I have obsessively checked the cherry trees for weeks, looking for those beautiful blossoms. The Japanese have forecast the first blooms to open on March 21, but we didn't see any until March 25. Here are the first blooms in our housing area. We're hoping the full bloom holds off until Chris gets back. Check back for updates!
We are getting as sakura (cherry blossom) crazy as the Japanese. Both Chris and I have obsessively checked the cherry trees for weeks, looking for those beautiful blossoms. The Japanese have forecast the first blooms to open on March 21, but we didn't see any until March 25. Here are the first blooms in our housing area. We're hoping the full bloom holds off until Chris gets back. Check back for updated sakura pictures!
Chris had to leave for Charlottesville for a quick trip on Saturday, but we managed a quick trip over to Atsugi before he had to catch the airport shuttle. Atsugi was having their annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This is one of Adam's favorites, since they open their flight line and let everyone see the aircraft up close and personal. They also open the base up to the Japanese. Some Japanese are huge military aircraft fans - they were lined up for about a mile (not an exaggeration!) waiting to get in, and that was before it even opened! Here they are, patiently waiting in line. Notice that one man has a cool flight jacket with patches from the different, uh, units? His is pretty basic, but a few had jackets that were completely covered. Luckily, we went in the back gate, and didn't have to wait in line.
He then decided that Baby Gracie was hungry. So he breast fed her.
On Saturday we had a shower for one of my Atsugi (Navy) friends, Crystal. We're both big Buffy fans, and know all the latest pop culture scoop. She's soon to join the ranks of the multi-child household. Good luck, Crystal! Maryl, Allison, and Lisa threw her the cutest cowboy party, since she's from Texas. 
I'm obsessed with the Japanese "Baby in Car" signs. They are like the "Baby on Board" signs that were popular in the US in the '80s, but, like everything in Japan, funnier, or at the very least, cuter. This one has a baby with a scarf - he looks like he's flying. 
Everyone knows that you drive on the wrong side here in Japan, but what really makes it difficult to drive and nagivate is all the stuff all around. The Japanese almost never bury any of their wiring, so everything is hanging everywhere. Like this small intersection. It's really hard, for me anyway, to focus on the important things, like lights and signs. I haven't yet (and probably never will) get used to this!
There is only one baby swing (that I know of) in our entire housing area. This is a housing area that has at least ten playgrounds, but only ONE baby swing. So Lottie hasn't gotten much chance to swing, but she loves it! 
It's hard to get good pictures of two babies. Usually Lottie looks great, but Adam is picking his nose...
They just keep stuffing their faces! This time, Adam was chowing down on corn soup flavored puffs, and Lottie insisted on helping herself. Adam wasn't too happy about it, but there was no way to protect all the puffs. When they were all gone, he put the bowl on his head and declared himself, "Corn Soup Boy" while Lottie made this face because she was having a hard time keeping that much food in her cheeks. 
Adam and Lottie are fond of many Japanese snacks. But these are their absolute favorite. Lottie even likes these better than her baby crack (cinnamon Teddy Grams). The Japanese are ingenious about getting veggies in all kinds of things, and actually making them taste good. These are puffed potato with pumpkin, two types of leafy greens, carrots, onion, and tomato. 
Lottie is a big fan of messy eating. She loves to rub food on her face, in her eyes, and on her hair. This was after a particularly yummy meal of yogurt.
Adam keeps telling me that he wants to trade Lottie for Baby Tate (Calum's little sister). He's pretty definite that he wants to trade, even when I explain what that would mean. Yes, he wants Lottie to go live with Calum, and he wants Tate to live with us. Tate would even get to share trains with him, while Lottie would NOT. After further questioning today, I figured out why he wants a trade-in. He's willing to trade Lottie for Baby Tate (8 months) or Baby Scottie (6 months), but not Baby Kerri (14 months). I'm pretty sure it's because he'd like a baby sister who does NOT cruise the room and steal his toys. All trade-ins must be little and -most important - stationary!
he had to go back to NJ to get Grandma so they could come back in April, which is acceptable (although he has no concept of how long 2 months is...). We did manage to get some funny pictures with Grandpa before he left.
