Kurihama Flower Park

Yokosuka Spouses Facebook page is my friend. I love it. Its my favorite go to for anything Japan related that I need. If you have a question about pretty much anything, there is a spouse logged into Facebook somewhere local that can help guide you and give you advice in a "been there, done that" sort a way. Today, I had no intentions of leaving my house. We have a big day planned tomorrow going back to school shopping and today was my "chill day". Cause you know I have to "label" them being unemployed and all. Haha :)

While catching up on the new episode of The Fosters (thank you, Caitlin Will) and nursing a mild hangover (Thank you, Gabrielle) I did my usual scrolling of Facebook and saw a post from a spouse looking for a Godzilla. I yelled up to Ava if she was interested in seeing a GIANT statute of him and after asking "who" he was she threw on clothes just to get out of the house. She loves bike rides around the base and wanted to take a train ride somewhere, ANYWHERE.

The train systems in Japan still really confuse me. Im glad that another train comes along like every ten minutes because I always need to verify and reverify that we're on the right line going in the right direction and even get off just in case, then get back on. Its annoying! I hope I get better soon. Biking is my only transportation now because the public transportation is so good. My thighs are appreciating the walking and biking, but my inner fat kid is so over it! I have to figure out the dang trains!

We got on a Train and Chuo station and set out with our google maps, screen shots of the spouses page where the directions were and apps for connecting trains. I wanted to make absolutely sure we didn't get lost!

I recently bought a portable cell phone charger off Amazon and it might have been my best purchase ever. Its comforting to know that even with as much data as I use trying to get to where Im going my phone will survive until I get home.

The park itself looks amazing in photos I found, but being late in the summer, not much was in bloom. We still had a great time exploring and I was super proud that we found our way there without having to ask anyone on the streets. Well, just a few people ;)

Ava modeling in front of a Shrine. I ask for a smile and she poses every time.

Weirdest slide ever. 

HUGE Godzilla! I can get the rest of the pics off my camera that really detail how large he is. There's a slide in his behind that Ava thought was just hysterical. 

Sankeien Garden and China Town

Before coming to Japan we were introduced, via Facebook, from a friend-of-a-friend to a woman named Miki. It was one of those situations where a Facebook post that said we were moving to japan was spotted by a someone who lived in Yokosuka prior and said "You HAVE to meet my friend when you get there!" I am so glad that people connect like that nowadays and we were able to meet Miki and her daughter. Being in Japan can be scary when you're trying to explore the area outside of the gate. If Doug were home I wouldn't think twice about it. Having him with us is a reassurance of navigation and safety. When he's away we make due to explore cautiously on our own. Today we met Miki, a Japanese woman who was born and raised in Yokohama. Her daughter Miyu came with us too. What a DOLL she was, both of them. Miki messaged me on Facebook and gave me picture perfect directions on how to get to the train station, which one to take and what time to get on. Literally. She drew me a picture. It was the sweetest thing. 

After my sweet friend, Jeannie helped get us to the main gate, because we're still unsure of which gates to use and how to get there, we were off! 

We met Miki and Miyu at the train station near her house. Since I had only seen photos of Miki on Facebook, I wasn't sure if we would recognize her at the station or how long it would take to find her. As soon as we stepped out on the platform from the train, she was standing there smiling and waving. I guess I didn't have to worry about finding her because we must have stuck out like crazy....two confused little American girls. 

After quick introductions for all of us, we set off (in her car) to go to Sankeien Gardens. Miki brought a stack of touristy brochures of different places local in the area to visit and a little bag of Japanese candies and snacks for Ava for the car ride. Miyu spoke English very well and was able to understand most of what were saying, even though Ava talks a mile-a-minute! They quickly learned that they had a love of Taylor Swift in common and thats what we listened to in the car the rest of the day. 

I looked at the Sankeien Garden brochure in the car but wasn't quite sure what to expect. In hindsight, I realized that many of the beautiful pictures I "pinned" on Pinterest of places I wanted to see in Japan, were taken right there in that garden. It was a really amazing place to see. Beauty on beauty. Miki told us that the different seasons made the garden something you need to seem more than once. Each season brings a different feel all together to the park. Im excited to go back in the fall. The photos Ive seen of the fall trees in bloom are unreal.  

Got her tickets to the Garden 

Walking around that Garden was absolutely beautiful! There was so much beauty to look at in every direction. We are definitely going back this fall and again the in spring when the Wisteria are in bloom. I love that way wisterias look and there are so many here. 

Huge Wisteria frame

The highlight of the day for me was watching her make green tea, Not because the process was so cool but because I was afraid that Ava would say something like a normal 8 year old that would offend the Japanese women helping her make the tea. After going through the process, she smelled it and make a "pukey gagging face", said it smelled like grass and looked "disgusting". I was MORTIFIED. The tea maker helping her laughed and said " You makey, you drinkey"......hahahahah! At least they had good attitudes about it. Im certain is wasn't the first time they had a child say that. 

Ava learning to make real japanese green tea

Ava and Miyu signing in the guest book of this home on the property

After tea making we made out way to a cute little hut with soft serve ice cream and bread necklaces. The ice cream was so good and much needed on a blazing hot day. The necklaces were .50¥ and were to feed the local Koi fish. This was by far the best money spent all day. Ava went back and got two more necklaces for the fish because is was so much fun to do! 

Super delicious ice cream 

Koi food necklaces 

I think there were a billion Koi's 

I thought about pushing her in for a hot second. Little toe fish food :) 

Ava and Miki

After the Garden we went to eat lunch in China Town in Yokohama. Its like a little Chinese city. They have their own Chinese schools, banks, restaurants, shrines and shops. Its really a little China. PANDAS EVERYWHERE! 

HUGE Shrine in China Town 

Streets in China Town 

After China Town Miki took us on a car tour of Yokohama. Its really a beautiful city. There is so much to see and do there and I can't wait to go back and explore it soon. I think you could go back everyday for a month and not cover everything. Having them with us really made the experience of the day what it was. Its so nice having a Japanese friend that welcomes you and makes you feel like a real friend from the get go. It was an awesome day!!! 

Disney Sea yesterday, a day in PJ's today!

Before Doug left to go on meet the Blue Ridge (his new ship) he went to MWR and got tickets for Ava and I to go on a trip to Disney with a group from the base. We had been looking forward to this trip for almost a month! 

Waiting at Starbucks, Yokosuka in in her sparkly pink Disney outfit  made by Kc Mccall that still fits 2 years later!!!

We left on our bikes to meet the tour bus at Starbucks and drive to the park in Tokyo together. The trip itself only took a little over an hour and the drive was really nice. Its still weird and probably will be for some time to look out and not see a single thing you recognize. No buildings, no words... nothing. I did see a UPS building and a Mcdonald's but that was it. 

We got to the park right at opening. Our tour included full day passes and we would be in the park for 12 hours! She was really excited to see that sign! (I was too!!) 

Disney Sea; Tokyo, Japan 

I met a really nice couple and their son at my AOB (area orientation brief) class and we met them on the bus and spent the day touring Disney with their family. The first stop was to get a map of this HUGE park and find out the places we must see and get Fast Passes established. 

The newest and main attraction to the park is the new Toy Story ride. This section of the park was incredible! It looked very colorful, inviting and lit up with lights everywhere. The wait at 10 am was 2 hours and 20 minutes. WHAT?!?!? We were told to come back after 5 when the crowd died down and we'd get in. 

The crowd NEVER died down. It was a 2 hour wait still toward closing so we totally missed out, but explored the land and loved seeing all the lights at the park

Ava studied the map and decided the Tower of Terror would be fun. It was "inside" so it must be like the Haunted House at Disney World and Busch Gardens. Not knowing either way, I agreed with her because it sounded logical. We got a Fast Pass and would return when it was our time to this spooky looking Hotel. It wasn't long before she decided that this was wayyyyy to spooky and that she wanted to go back outside. I have a rule: If we are in line and have waited, we're going. Period.

Her OMG moment. 

Mom, are they gonna drop us??

If we had turned back, what would that have taught her? 

After the ride i WISHED we had turned back! OMG!!!!!!!

This was one of the scariest rides Ive ever been on. Mostly because I had no idea it was NOTHING like those rides we compared them too, but also because I had a crying, clenching, terrified 8 year old holding onto me for dear life while trying to hold my stomach from coming out of my mouth as our bench dropped multiple floors in the pitch dark with heckling spirits chasing us at LIGHTING speeds! ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! She said NEVER again. Never ever (ever) ever ever again. We'd spend the rest of the day meeting characters, eating popcorn and hopping from Arabia and Mermaid Lagoon. Those were "safe" places. 

As she's reading over my shoulders, she said I needed to add one more EVER. Like EVER. 

Highlights of the day were definitely the kiddie coaster in Mermaid Lagoon and the Magic carpet ride in Arabia! She LOVED those. Ava is definitely not a thrill seeker and takes after me in that department. I push her to test her limits knowing full well, Id have never done those things at her age. The kiddie coaster was way more intense than Elmo's coaster in Busch Gardens and "just our speed". 

The characters are always my favorite. She met Ariel last. The 20 minute wait was "like so boring and hot and I want to just go" but knowing my addiction to getting great shots, she may as well have hung up that little tude! 

We had an awesome time at the park. I wish Doug had been with us, of course, but all in all the day was really nice. Every muscle in my body ached this morning and we have ZERO plans to leave this base, or house for that matter! We walked non-stop (except to eat) all over that park! 

The bus ride home she was out cold! Sleeping instantly!

Ava and Cashmere, This is what 3900 Yen looks like at  a Disney Park. I swore Id NEVER buy another stuffed animal. 

I called a cab to meet us so we didn't have to bike home but when the lot cleared of travelers at almost 11pm we decided to load up on our bikes and go. It was the WORST bike ride EVERRRRRRR! Japan is loaded with cockroaches this time of year apparently. Its the grossest thing ever and with a city so clean, I don't understand it at all. She all but had a nervous breakdown on the way home dodging them in the road and even on our steps. I may have nightmares this week. The PEST guy just left  and said it will calm down again end of summer. END OF SUMMER???? Ugghhhhhhhh. Thinking of getting a gun permit now. I'll shoot them all. 

Girl can dance.....even for a white girl!

Today was Ava's summer camp recital at the Fleet Theatre on base. She learned 5 different styles of dance this week and performed small choreographed numbers for each style. My personal favorite was the Contemporary routine. She has a natural gracefulness that shines through in this type of dance!

This Whip Nae Nae song is so big right now. Ava and I both think its wayyyy annoying, but we didn't pick the music. Watching her dance to that song was way funny! She is so white. Like white-white. Its really funny! I wish I had a better video but my stupid camera decided to QUIT working and I only had a phone. Maybe one day she'll let me tape her at home.

Getting her RED lips on! 

Award for
"Encouragement to continue being awesome" 

Her new pal, Jayla :)

Guess its time to start back up....its only been 4 years!

Ava and I visited Ueno Park in Japan for the day. Street performers were all over but this monkey made the entire trip awesome!
"sakura" is the smartest little monkey! 

June was the craziest month ever. We have officially moved to Japan and so far things have gone really well. Its taking a lot to get used to being away from home. This will always be the hardest thing about being here. Its just soooooo far away from all the people we love! Ava has made a few friends and our doorbell here on base housing rings non-stop! She is outside most of the time and is currently taking part in a dance camp. She is taking hip-hop for the first time and she's recently told me she is no longer "interested" in ballet. Hmmph. Not sure how I feel about that, but we'll see! As long as she's active and participating in something that makes her happy, we'll foster whatever activity she's into! I'll attempt to post dance pics this weekend when I figure out how to use this blog site again!

Recital Day!!!

I seriously have to get more efficient at blogging!!!! Yesterday was Ava's first recital with Ballet Virginia! It was such an exciting weekend! We had rehearsal on Saturday and with only 50 or so people in the audience she did really well. I was so nervous that on Sunday when she realized just how many people were watching that she would freeze!! With 2,000 people there she did sooooooo well!!! All smiles! I could barely hold back tears while my MIL a few seats down heard the little  boy behind her say "Whats wrong with that lady" because she was crying so hard! Hahahahaha! She had on the cutest little purple leotard with a long tulle skirt. Her ballet bun was froze to her head with 1/2 a can of hairspray and make-up on like a little princess.  We went to CPK after her recital with family to unwind and had her in bed by 730!!! Pics to follow!

"Mom you better move that cup!!"

This turned out to be such a great week. Ava ended up having to stay home on Monday with having had a fever on Sunday. I thought well, at least I'll get to sleep in right? Wrong! She woke me up Monday morning at 0500 to show me her artwork. I said, "Ava, mommy cant see it, its still dark out. Go back to bed." She TURNS ON BRIGHT closet light right in my eyes to assist me! This is the start of the week. We made breakfast and spent the day out looking for packaging materials for my EBay listings and running errands.


CHEEEEEESE!




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Only kid I know that request Cream Of Wheat for Breakfast!



Bailey wanted his picture taken too!



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My Little "Diva"

 

She loves eating lunch at Target!



Tuesday came and went. Nothing special, I had to work. Boo. Wednesday we went to Ava's 4 year old check-up appt. I took her late because she's been so sick lately. You cant schedule and well child appt. while their sick. I knew that this appt was going to be extensive, lots of new testing and stuff. One of the tests was a urine test. I KNEW by this point having had 2 UTI's this year that the whole pee-in-a-cup thing would be no problem!!!

Elevator up to the Doc

Admiring her long hair :)

First the nurse took her back to get measured and weighed. She weighs 36 pounds and is 40.5 inches tall!!!! I didn't really care for the nurse this time. She acted like it was a big deal to keep her on the scale and extra second so I could take a picture.....REALLY annoying!!!! Oh well, I still got one!

36 pounds!!!!!!

She did the eye test first, which she was NOT a fan of. The nurse wanted me to cover one of her eyes with a black spoon while Ava looked at an eye chart. I think Ava could tell I was annoyed with the nurse already over the picture thing and decided she did not want to cooperate with her at all. I have no doubt her vision is good or I would have pushed the issue, so they'll retest her at her 5 yr appt.

The hearing test didn't go much better. In her defense, the nurse didn't explain anything at all before she plopped a pair of headphones on her head that were very tight and uncomfortable. You would think that dealing with 4 year olds you'd be smart enough to fill them in on whats going on first! I think Ava has mastered "selective hearing", but just as I have NO doubt she can see well,  her hearing is just fine too.

Next comes the fun part. The urine screen! We went to the bathroom together and she used the towelette with no problem. She sat on the potty and I reached under with the specimen collection cup waiting. and waiting. and waiting.

Trying so hard to be able to PEE!

More water....2nd trip to the bathroom!

 After a minute or two she said, 

 "Mom, you better move that cup."

"Why, I need to catch your pee??"

"Well, your about to catch some poop!!"

{Big Cheesy Grin}

I laughed so hard! We tried 3 more times without success. She finally told me she could pee after I had already strapped her in her car seat on the way out! So, the hearing, vision and urine test will be done at her next appt. The doc finally came in to examine her. He asked her silly questions that were really easy like recognizing colors and numbers, then asked her her birthday and address. I know she doesnt know either and she looked like she thought she was in trouble for no knowing. Poor Baby! I told him she didn't know those but ask her to recite the countries in South America from Chile to Columbia IN ORDER and she did. He stood there with his chin dropped and laughed!!!! "Well, she doesn't know her address, but has geography down better than Sarah Palin!!! HA HA HA HA!!! My baby's so smart!

"The nurse is gonna stick me right here"



I said show her how tough you are!

She did so good getting her booster shots!!!!!!! This child has no fear! We went to Starbucks (her choice after and got her an "I was good at the Doctor" prize!

That night we went to Home Depot to pick out paint for Ava's new bedroom. We turned  her nursery into the spare room and gave her the bigger room. She loved picking out paints. She picked every loud bright swatch there was, but we settled on Ballet Slipper Pink. She did such a good job painting and loved to be involved.

After ballet class on Saturday we went home to help daddy paint. Her room is soooooo much bigger now, and I love the closet space!

She held his eyes through 3 aisles to the register. He only had my left/right/straight guidance. Soooooo Much fun!

Dinner at Fridays

On the way to Ballet

Ready to Paint



Not a very good picture, but and idea of how its starting to come together

Sunday we went to my grandparents house for a family birthday party. My Uncle Kevin and Grandpa celebrate their birthday the same weekend.  They live in Windsor, Va. Doug could make it because our Dog Bailey had been so sick this week. We had a good time even without Daddy there.



Ava and her Great Grandpa





Ava and Uncle Kevin

It was a very eventful week in the Swift house! We got so much accomplished in our home and had a lot of laughs. Bailey is finally feeling better and Ava hasn't missed any school this week!

Ready for school Monday morning!