Japan

We recently traveled to Japan with three generations of the Kozuki family... ten of us in total.  Some had been to Japan before, but for most of us, it was our first time visiting Japan and we were all very excited for the adventure to begin!

With an endless supply of movies, television shows and games all compliments of the airline, we had an easy flight and lucky for us, Auntie Betty was at the airport to greet us and she generously agreed to be our tour guide for the trip.

We saw and did many interesting things... one of the highlights was going to the largest fish market in the world.  I think Jason also found the largest knife in the world, which for him, looks like a sword.

Sho and I checked one off of our bucket list when we ate sea urchin out of the shell on the way to lunch after visiting the fish market.

At lunch, Todd had a piece of tuna that changed his life.  Incredible and true.

With all of the plastic food in Japan, we jumped at the chance to make our own!  It was a neat experience and definitely makes you appreciate how much work goes into making all of those plastic displays that are outside every restaurant.

Ben liked this burger that seems to have everything possible added on.

And I thought Sho would love to have this realistic bowl of natto and rice sitting at home... and I would love it too because since it's plastic, it won't smell!

We spent a night at a traditional Japanese inn and enjoyed the ambience, food and the amenities.

While some chose public, Jason opted for the private balcony bath.

We visited a beautiful zen garden...

Walked through bamboo forest...

And through lots and lots of tori gates.

We played video games and raced cars...

Went to toy stores that seemed to never end...

Enjoyed food...

We took way too many food photos.  And the food is ridiculously good.  Everywhere.  This is our last meal in Japan... at the airport!

It was wonderful to visit family...

And have this experience together as a family.  We have so many wonderful memories from Japan and too many photos to share. We are grateful to have had the chance to ride on a bullet train, jam ourselves onto the subway, see all of the tall buildings, eat delicious food on the street and in great restaurants, use clear plastic umbrellas (which is such a smart idea!), sight see, shop and just be together.

Speaking of together, I don't think we've seen these two holds hands so much in our lives!  Whether it was the rain, the large crowds or just being somewhere different, these two were inseparable.  We are grateful to Grandma and Grandpa for our bucket list trip to Japan!

What day is it today?

The kids brought progress reports home this week and I realized that I hadn't posted anything since the first day of school!  Where has the time gone? 

At Back to School Night, we learned that Kara scored a perfect score on her state test for English Language Arts last school year.  We were surprised and excited... and of course then asked why she missed 7 points in Math.  Couldn't help it! 

Kara is in 5th grade and she's playing soccer again this year.  She is growing up fast and even though she's still 10, we are getting glimpses of what it will be like to have a teenage daughter.  I remember when she was born and when I told my childhood friend that we had a girl, her response was, "it's payback time, Kari!"

Rather than do soccer, the boys opted to try judo.  So far, so good.  They seem to really like it!

Ben is in 3rd grade and he continues to be an avid reader.  When I roll out of bed, he's already up with his light on, reading a book.   He's become the encyclopedia in our house.  Jason will ask a question, I will tell him that I don't know the answer but then find myself saying, "go ask Ben."

Jason is our big kindergarten kid.  On picture day, he told us that he is the second tallest kid in the class, next to his friend, Lilly.  We've never had a child in the back-row!  Jason recently had his Suzuki Book 1 recital, where he played 18 songs from memory.  He was so happy to receive his award, which is said, "is like gold".

We decided to sign the kids up in 4-H.  I must admit, I thought it was all about livestock, which is not my thing, so I had never looked into it.  A mom from school explained the program and now that I'm more educated about it, I think it's going to be a great experience for the kids.  They've already participated in a community service project and loved it.  It was sweet to hear Jason say, "it feels good to help out."

Sunday was Clay School's annual Fall Festival fundraiser and the kids had a great time, but with Sho doing over 200 shave ice and with me planning and running the event... we are glad that it's over!

Now maybe I'll do better on my next progress report :)