Japanese Tea Ceremony

One of the things I'm most grateful for is the cultural experiences the boys get to experience while we're living overseas.  Today, for example, the parents were invited to watch the kindergarten class perform a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.  They've been practicing this in their ettiquette class and the kids were excited to show us what they had learned.  It was really a sweet show and I loved the older ladies in traditional kimonos directing the students to make sure they performed the ceremony in the proper way.  Whether it was the specific way they stirred the tea (front and back finishing with one complete circle) or the direction they turned the bowls before presenting it to their guests (two times to the right), all the of motions were deliberate.  There acted as hosts one time and then as guests.  Very impressive to watch a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds do it.....and quietly at that. :)

Beau's Field Trip to the Zoo

This is a big year for Beau at school.  He is finally old enough to go on the field trips and he's thrilled.  He remembers last year when Bennett got the chance to go, so he's officially in the "big boy" club now.  This past Friday his class spent the day at the Okinawa Zoo and Wonder Museum and had a blast.  Beau's teacher, Ms. Joanne, is so kind to take pictures and post them for us.  I loved getting see my little guy exploring with his classmates.  We've been so blessed by Ms. Joanne and Beau is thriving in her class.

MLK Day

We've had such beautiful winter weather, we're taking full advantage of it.  Cape Zanpa is one of our favorite spots, so we headed out to enjoy a little sunshine.

Watching Daddy at Work

Fletcher has been super busy lately with some exercises here on island.  He invited us down to watch a practice raid on Monday and the boys were thrilled to get to see him in action.  We watched the 46 helicopters come in (closer than I expected), hover, and let out several Marines by rope to raid a nearby building.  Pretty exhilarating to watch up close.

Beau on 2 Wheels!

Beau wanted his training wheels off, so off they came.  He's our little daredevil and thank goodness for helmets.  He actually was riding on 2 wheels just before his 4th birthday which seems a little early to me, but you can't tell him that.  Needless to say, he's excited to be doing when big brother is doing.  So proud of you, Beau!