Tea Parties and Dishes

Remember the birthday party that wasn't? Stacia is ready to collect on the promise of a "New Friends" party. We're going to have a Garden Tea Party (without a garden) next Saturday. I didn't know this until this afternoon. ::snort::

We used our trip to Hard Off to purchase 8 little tea cups which we'll use for favors and give away to the guests.

Arielle made these cute invites! 

A small gathering

of old and new friends

to get reacquainted

and chat till no end!

Join us for a Garden Tea Party

Saturday, 29 September

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Stacia’s  House (W700 Y)

Plans are in full swing now!  I think it will be a fun party for Stacia. The focus will be all on friendship and not on birthday. 

While we were at the recycle shop (thrift store)...I picked up a few more Japanese dishes...because they make me smile....and I've become a tad bit Japanese in that I like lots of small pretty dishes at a meal....and since my portions are smaller...the new dinner plates will be a treat to use.  Arielle and I decided I needed to buy quite a bit as they are SURE to break and I won't be able to replace them from dishes purchased in Japan...and there needs to be a few to leave to the girls when I "pass on".  Did I mention they make me smile? 

 
How often will I be able to buy plates with this marking in Japan?

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rock Bands, Roller Slides and Dear Friends

We had two outings in mind: 1. a trip to Aomori to see the Jomon museum as we just finished studying that time period and/or 2. a trip to see the Rice Art. We decided, given my great talent for getting lost, both were a bit too far to go without Michael or a friend with us. We opted to drive up to "Towada Horse Park." 

On the way up I discovered my car does NOT get 360 Km on a tank of gas.  I starting having inklings and found  a station. I spent our snack money on gas...11 gal and I had only gone 280Km on the tank....which means we would not have made up up the hill AND back to a station. ::snort::

The parking lot was full - which was surprising...until we saw THIS.

The kids do enjoy these roller slides. We'll visit the various slides around here as much as possible in the next months.

 I was standing in this same observation tower three years ago, looking at this very view when I first said, "I think I could be happy living in Japan forever."  My opinion hasn't changed.  I noticed the colors are changing...a sure sign hot, humid summer may really be over.

 

The younger two went zipping down the hill. The older two and I took our time down the hill....and then I saw FRIENDS....such fun to meet up with folks you know unexpectedly. Stacia and Zander were with Jim, Marvie, Ashley and Alex.  It was nice to sit and visit...

....and play.... We helped each other with various emergencies...they loaned me yen for the "snack emergency" as you know - I put the ice cream yen in the gas tank. ::snort:: I jump started their car as we left.

I am trying to find the pancake drink in the vending machines and thought I'd seen it here...it wasn't. This melon drink was YUMMY though and I splurged while the kids had ice cream. 

On the way back we stopped at Hard Off (recycle shop - aka thrift store), but that's another post.  Great day - made even better by running into dear friends. We must be more intentional about the time we have left with friends. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Serious Sleeper

This girl can sleep ANYWHERE - seriously. I'm trying to figure out HOW you sit on the stair and then decide to take a nap....She woke up without a clue as to why she was napping on the stairs. 

Yuuki was giving her a "perplexed doggie" look and when I came back she seems to have decided to join Arielle.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...