Firefly Watching

Here in Japan, firefly watching is an extreme crowd sport as is everything. Apparently the fireflies only come out around rivers and only upstream where it is cleaner. So what do we do here? We all ride a train and take a PACKED bus up the mountain to a little spot on a riverbank and crowd together to stare in awe as the little critters blink. COOL! Then after a little bit of time we pack back on the bus and head down the mountain and go home. No I didn't take pictures as it was too dark and too crowded.

Somehow it seems silly that anyone would go to so much trouble for this small bug. But maybe I am the silly one for taking them for granted back home where we had so many. They are beautiful and as I fought to catch only small glimpses here I realized that I have some sweet carefree memories of leisurely chasing them and catching as many as possible on long, warm, summer nights. Sometimes it really is the little things in life that make it great....

Cynthia's Birthday

Cynthia had a fun pool party for her birthday. We had a lot of kids come (about 23 I think) but I think everything went well. Unfortunately after the party in the evening she was running a fever and I couldn't tell whether she was really sick or just had some kind of exhaustion from the day.

We haven't had our rainy season yet we've just jumped into summer with temps over 80 degrees and high humidity. Yuck!

Viv's Art

Forgot to post earlier.... Vivienne had these pictures in an art show at her school in May! I love them and think she did an awesome job.

Flowers and the like

I went to an iris garden yesterday. Very pretty. Japanese people truly know how to appreciate individual plants in a stunning way. Nothing compares to such large arrangements of flowers in full bloom! Love it!

P.S. can I just boast a second that I have gotten quite skilled at backing up and parking in tight spots??!! if i do say so myself.... ;)

Lots of busy stuff....

Viv's Recital 2007

Vivienne did an awesome job performing in her recital! She was in a sampling from the musical Annie and also the ballet Coppelia.