Spring Time = Park Time

First we went to a Horse Park.

It had an awesome slide! There were little metal rollers on it that made you go down really fast.

We used kick boards to slide down it.

Weeeee! It was so fun.

Next we spent sometime monkeying around at a park with "The World's Largest Statue of Liberty in Japan".

One of the greatest activities they have is a zipline. FUN!!

...and finally we all posed majestically in imitation of the statue of liberty:

I took a lot of fun videos, too, but I don't know the secret of getting them to download quickly. Hopefully I'll be able to post them another day.

A Trip to the Beach

We went to Momoishi Beach on Monday and had a great time! The weather was beautiful (other than a little bit of wind) and the kids enjoyed collecting sea shells (I think we came away with at least 50!). They also had a ton of fun playing in the sand. It was really unique, too because the sand was really black and there was neat volcanic rock strewn throughout the beach.

There were these really neat steps that ascended up from the parking area to the beach walkway and to the beach itself.

Don't you think pink is the color to wear when playing at the beach?

Why is dumping sand on your hair so much fun?

This was your basic run o' the mill sea shell that the kiddos collected.

Headin' home after a great time at the beach!

I Have the Luck of the Irish!

I bet you didn't know that leprechauns live in Japan. I've been having a delightful time amongst them. They're a hard bunch to keep up with, being so little and quick and all, but running at a full sprint all day long is definitely worth it:

On St. Patty's Day I got to play with cute green leprechauns.

We danced and ran and were and were very very silly just as every leprechaun should be, and we made a great mess all over Prudence's table.

I tried and tried to capture a picture of this leprechaun standing still, but he was WAY too fast for me!

It's a little known fact that leprechauns are addicted to popcorn...sometimes they'll actually stand still for a minute to enjoy it.

Sixth of Sixth

Lisa did this, and so I was certainly curious. Here is the 6th picture of the 6th folder of my pictures folder. You can play along and post your 6th folder-6th picture too!

How funny that this is the one that showed up as mine:

Check!

Remember how I said an ideal Christmas break would include a massage? Well I didn't get one at Christmas time, but I got one this week, and it was heavenly! It really did look something like this:

I even had the same self-satisfied, relaxed, content expression on my face!

Home Away From Home

It's been so nice staying with my dear Auntie and her crew! I feel positively spoiled at my cozy accommodations, and she says she thinks it's a luxury to have someone help with the cleaning, which is no sweat for me, so all in all its been a win-win situation thus far!

Christmas Survey

Have you been naughty or nice this year? - Nice

What do you want most for Christmas? - To be with my family

Do you believe in Father Christmas? - Absolutely

What is your favorite food at Christmas? - Cheese log and crackers

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? - Yup

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? - Yup

What is your favorite Christmas song? - The Holly & the Ivy

What is your favorite Christmas movie? - White Christmas

What is your best memory of Christmas? - Going to the theater with my whole family

What do you look forward to most at Christmas? - The simple acts of kindness I see daily

What are you doing for Christmas this year? - Headin' home to Montana, Hurray!

Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe? - I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

What kind of Christmas tree do you have? - A decorated one.

Do you take part in a secret santa? - When the opportunity presents itself.

Do you go to any Christmas parties? - On occasion

Have you ever had a white Christmas? - More often than not

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning? - 7:00am

Do you still get a stocking? - It\'s the best part!

How many Christmas cards do you normally send out? - None

What is your Christmas wish? - A good job with good people...and world peace.

Take This Survey at Quizopolis.com

http://www.quizopolis.com/christmas_survey.php

I love Christmas time! I did a shortened version of this little survey with my fluency client today, and it was so much fun. She went to each of my professor's offices and asked them a few questions using her "slow easy speech" strategy, and she did a great job. It's really rewarding to see progress in so short a time. You might not have time to fill out the whole survey, but I'd love it if you'd hit the highlights:

1. Have you been naughty or nice this year?

2.What is your Christmas wish?

3.What is your favorite Christmas food?

4. What is your favorite Christmas song?

5. How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?