December

It snowed, just a little, so we made a mini-snowman.

Santa brought lots of LEGOs this year. We've been busy building cool things. This lighthouse was especially fun.

Motoki has his first loose tooth, but the new tooth is coming in behind it. So we had a visit to the Dentist to make sure everything was OK.

Christmas Decorating

Haircut

Getting ready for School and Christmas

Unfortunately many of the things that make holidays so special in the States are very difficult to find in Japan. For example; typical orange pumpkins to use for Jack-o-Lanterns, Turkeys to roast for Thanksgiving and Christmas Trees. As our stay in Japan grows longer we make the best out of what we can find or create ourselves.

Motoki is becoming more curious about Christmas and Santa Claus. So we thought he should have some semblance of a tree so we made one out of cardboard. It turned out pretty good, even though it's on the small size. Motoki is very excited about it, especially since now Santa has a place to deposit the presents.

Japanese Elementary school students all wear traditional backpacks that they keep for six years.

They're called Randoseru. Yoko really liked a company based in Tokyo. This company, Tsuchiya, makes very nice quality bags. Motoki eventually chose a really nice leather bag in a charcoal grey

Randoseru are quite expensive, so we were relieved to learn that they are traditionally paid for by the grandparents. 

As Elementary School approaches (the Japanese School year begins in April). Both Yoko and I have been practicing the Japanese alphabets and the English alphabet with Motoki. He has started to improve and now he's able to recognize letters and count in both languages.

Name

He wrote his name in English and Japanese for the first time with no help.

Singing

Motoki sings in English...

And in Japanese....

Fall

We went to a fall market. Motoki made a spider web. 

Nice pose for the camera.

Hip Hop

Taeko drum and Dance Performance

Motoki's class performed in front of the town hall for a small festival.
They've been practicing for a while and did a great job.

Playing with a Little Buddy

Our freind Yuki visited from Tokyo with her son Sora. Motoki enjoyed being a big brother.

Checking out some Ferraris

Another Halloween...Another Pirate

Local Autumn Festivals

It was another beautiful fall weekend in Kumayama.

We took part in the yearly Autumn Festival, in which a wheeled shrine is pulled through the streets by children. They enjoy chanting and beating a drum while collecting funds from the residents for special events.

Afterwards we checked out the local sumo festival, some of the men from the area take it very seriously!

All of the children, boys and girls, can get a turn if they like. Motoki had two matches, he went 1 for 2 and was paid 200 Yen each time, so he was quite happy.

Undokai - Sports Festival

Motoki is in the oldest class at his pre-school so he has been practicing a lot for the yearly Sports Festival. All Japanese schools have this event. Families are invited and the children put on a display of their physical abilities. They run races, climb walls and do other activities.

It was great to see Motoki so accomplished at many things. He won two of the relay races and had a great time.

Back from Camping

The Kids arrived from their two day camping trip. All the parents were waiting expectantly for the bus.

It was a great trip. Motoki said "it was Awesome" and "I missed you".

The class was greeted like home-coming heros and went through a tunnel of little arms.

School Trip

Motoki's class is heading off on a two night camping trip.

WOW. 

The kids are really excited.

Gymnastics

Mo is really excited about joining Gymnastics class.

He can do this too!

Nap Inc.

We visited our favorite mountain cafe.

They serve delicious and seasonal local foods.

The owners just got a new dog, Motoki was very excited!

 Too cute! 

        Motoki says he would rather have a puppy than a baby Brother or Sister...haha...

Block Workshop

We all enjoyed participating in a wooden block building workshop.

Everyone built a miniature city together.

It was fun to build for an hour or so then break down and clean up in 10 minutes.

Summer Festival at School

This festival was originally scheduled for earlier in the Summer, but it was rained out.

It's a chance for students and parents to relax and enjoy summer food and games.

The kids go to work preparing veggies for curry.

 Wow, it's a big pot of curry.

 They also enjoyed, cotton candy.

 bowling.

 And Japanese Shaved Ice.

 Mo is in the oldest group at his pre-school, and will definitely miss his buddies when he goes off to Elementary School next spring.

 Delicious and makes your tongue blue too.

 After multiple sweets, it's time for Curry.

United States Trip

Three flights, a train, a taxi ride...

 And back in New York

Motoki took these pictures of the streets of NY...an interesting perspective.

We all loved the new Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Motoki rode it three times.

We spent a great week in Vermont.

Motoki couldn't get enough of the 'jumpoline'.

 Relaxing with Granpa over a game of chess.