Hanabi in Nakanoshima

We were invited (for the 2nd year in a row) to a friend's flat along the Tama River to watch the annual fireworks display from their rooftop patio. Last year Ericka and the girls were in the States so I went alone. Fun, but not the same without them.

This year we were all able to attend. Great fun and since it was Miki & Sam's first experience with a major fireworks show, very memorable.

Thank you very much Saito-san and family! Tanoshikata desu. Rainen tanoshimi ni. Arigatou gozaimashita!

Serigaya Koen

Not far from here is a rather large park and water sculpture, also home to the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts.

I stumbled upon the park one afternoon riding my bike. I had always ridden the road that cuts thru the park but never stopped to explore.

Anyway, it's been extremely hot here and we took the girls there to check it out and cool off.

That's Sam and I in the lower right corner. Those 2 large "I" beams on top rotate in all directions and tip at random whenever they fill up with water. Pretty exciting.

Swimmy Tubes

Miki and Sam got their first pool-friendly inner tubes last week and oh what joy they bring. According to Ericka they played with them in the apartment for at least an hour, far from any major water source. Go figure.

Later that same morning we rented the apartment complex's communal kiddie pool and the girls splashed around for 2 hours.

Some July moments...

Miki and Mama made chia seed pudding. A friend told us about this seed and then gave us some to experiment with. Other than pudding the girls "planted" some and they are now growing a thick carpet of green, edible sprouts.

Sami got her second haircut by Mama. Really just trying to keep her bangs out of her eyes!

And on the 24th we were invited to a friend's flat to watch the yearly fireworks display from their rooftop patio. Great food, good friends (and older, ex-students!) and the girls were in awe of their first, major hanabi celebration Japanese-style.

Water Play at K no K

This past Sunday we met a couple of other friends and families at Children's Land Park for a big water play. It was an extremely hot weekend so the cool splashing was the ideal remedy. That evening we all re-convened at a local noodle shop for cold soba and tempura.

Tour de Sami

Sam and Papa watching stage 7 of the Tour de France lastnight.

Kamakura

Our second visit to this quaint little town on the coast. Historically, it once served as the capital of Japan, albeit for a brief period of time.

Anyway, if you are curious, Google it.

We went last weekend because now is the time to view the hydrangea flowers that bloom prolifically. It rained briefly, on-and-off, but otherwise very nice weather. Huge crowds, however.

In between the various temples and sights, we "drank in" the local beverages as there are at least 2 micro-breweries peddling their products in town (why not? I don't have to drive the trains home). We had a great lunch at a side-street "bistro" and even scored a patio table to watch the afternoon meander by.

It was a great time and decided that this would be a great place to take Nana & Pop when they visit at the end of August. Bring your walking shoes, folks!

Oh yeah, sweet potato-green tea ice cream. Need I say more?