Sweet

The Autumn field trip for all classes at Seika, except the oldest, is to go Sweet Potato digging.  Pony class got the super classy bus, aka: the Disco Bus

Just some of the decor...  It was a Sheraton-meets-New-Orleans-Lounge.  Awesome!!

Since the other classes do not have school on that day, Dougie got to join in the event.  And lead the Pony procession (the Youngest class).  When Ian did not take him seriously enough, Dougie chased after him to literally, get him back in line...

Choke-hold style...

Pony Class with Kamei Sensei (their teacher), Encho Sensei (the Principal), parents and sibs

As, um, odd as digging up sweet potatoes sound - it is a lot of fun.  The boys love to dig.  They get something for their efforts.  We come home with a TON of purple sweet potatoes.  AND they get a freshly roasted sweet potato for the road.

After digging, we go to this HUGE park, have a picnic and play for a bit.

Ian has a little girl that he is sweet on - and the feeling is mutual!  Isa lives down the way from us and her mother and I compare notes frequently!  After playing "chase me"

Ian walked right up to Isa and...

began to... (look closely at his finger's location...)

and...

Pose...

They really don't change much, do they?!?

Ian had a moment, sitting Japanese-style, with one of the teachers while checking out the Kame Ike (Turtle Pond).

She nearly cried when I showed her the picture.  I will have to print this and give it to her!!!

After all that, the kids do a little "folk dancing".  They start out with Old MacDonald - Japanese Style.

Seriously, they do this super kawaii dance to a Disney themed song.

While this was going on, Ferdinand was smelling the daisies...

Bon Odori

19:05 and all is quiet.  Boys are sound asleep and I sat down with a bowl of popcorn ready to download pictures.  Seems a bit early to put three young boys to bed?!?  Well, they were up late all weekend, partying with the neighbors!


Our neighborhood, Maborikaigan 1-chome, celebrated Bon-Odori this weekend - think American Block Party...  Everyone comes out to celebrate!  They bring their kids, their pets, their ferrets...

Ian "dogged" the ferret around the park, trying to pet it.

The ferret was dogged... 

This is how it actually looked...

Since we live just behind the park, we have heard the entertainment practicing for a while now. 

The celebration was Saturday and Sunday nights and the boys shut down both nights.  The neighborhood association asks for a donation and you get a goodie bag in return.  The "American" goodie bag had a coke & diet 7-Up in place of the Green Tea that the Japanese goodie bags held.  They all had a beer, fan, bike basket net and some "life biscuits".   The Kirin, "Brewed For Good Times" - Perfect!

Eileen (Paluszek - fabulous neighbors!!!) graciously modeled the loot!  The crowd in the background is the audience breaking up after the Otsu Junior High band played.  We heard them last year - they played a lot of Disney and Sousa.  We were plenty impressed at their abilities!  Other than the the Dancing and taiko, there was also Hula Dancing!

They encouraged us to take part in the actual Bon Odori, or, the Bon Dance...  

Alexandra (neighbor across the park) took part (thank you, Dancing Queen!!!):

Everyone comes out in their festive dress - the summer yukata and light-up Minnie Mouse ears!

A mother pushing her younger daughter on the swing as her 11 year old daughter stood on the swing, having the time of her life!  Her father asked if I was surprised - he got a good chuckle when I told him that I was that same kid...  Only, I would have jumped off at the apex...

 Even Alex (Paluszek's younger daughter) dressed for the occasion:

Even though Ian does not look thrilled in the pictures, I assure you it is just his refusal to smile for the camera.  He ADORES the Paluszek clan and regularly asks for Mikaela (eldest Paluszek).  He will be sad when she leaves for school in August :(


Ian's jimbeis were great sand collectors...

The food vendors sold everything from takoyaki (octopus balls - like ebleskivers, not testicles...) to shave ice.  Matthew (the youngest Paluszek - Stefan's age & regular counterpart) chose Matcha (green tea) in hopes he would not have to share:

Dougie chose a bit of every flavor, making a tasty brown...


As I said, my kids shut the party down.  Ian would perch himself on the make-shift benches (planks on Asahi crates) to watch the show.

When all the other patrons had gone home, Ian still stayed on and watched - even when the only show was the little girl wearing the light up Minnie Mouse ears...

A fun time was had by all!