Ringing In The School Year 2016/2017

The ringing in the school year is a tradition on Okinawa, and all the kids and staff stepped outside to stay in front of the school where the Principal held a speech and welcomed everyone back to school. My little ones were sitting with their class, but they spotted me in the crowd and we could exchange some smiles and blow some kisses before they went in to begin their first day in the classroom.

This picture I took of the twins sitting on the bench in front of the school where the kids that are walking to school are waiting to be picked up. Of course I was there before school was out to be sure to see them when they walked out. They were excited to tell me about their day, about the teacher and about all the new friends in their class on the way home.

This is Cassandra coming home from school on her first day, late with the activity bus that isn't back on our base until just before 6pm in the evening. She had her first day of tryouts of volleyball directly after school from 2pm-4.45pm and then the bus left at 5pm. Long day, but she was also happy and excited to tell us all about her day, and about practice and tryouts!!

First Day Of First Grade!!

I know, they have been in school since August 29th, but better late then never right!? Here are the pictures in the morning of my super excited First Graders!! They were up early and we got ready in time for me to be able to take a few pictures before leaving the house in the morning. More pictures to follow from arriving in school.

And after so many "good pictures" a little fun with some "silly pictures"!

Chris was down on Foster, the bigger base where he normally go for meetings every morning, but were able to rush home on the express way to be at home at 8am before we walked to school to see the kids and wish them a great first day. He couldn't come to school, as he was already late for another meeting at another base. They were excited to see him though and I was able to snap a quick picture!

A quick picture with mommy too!

Ready to walk to school, outside our front door!

Back to school! 

Living on an American base in Japan, 

means the American and the Japanese Flag is flying high outside installations like the schools!

Benjamin with his first Grade teacher Mrs. Brown-Johnson

Isabella with her first Grade teacher Mrs. Brown-Johnson

After kisses goodbye, this is where I left them, sitting on the carpet waiting for the day to begin. The parents that wanted to, could stay outside the school and watch the ceremony "Ringing in the school year". Which I of course did. Pictures in the next entry.

Evening Grilling With Kids Playing Outside

Happy to finally have his charcoal grill up and ready!

 

Helping daddy getting the grill started!

Helping daddy seasoning the meat for dinner!

Then this, standing by our front door, our front patio looking to the right, and the kids are right there in the far corner of the basket ball court riding their bikes. Playing, running around, just being able to go outside, and with supervision needed, a must for kids under a certain age at all times living on base, but it's now so easy! How we have missed this! Being able to just step outside, having all this space for the kids to run around, absolutely wonderful! 

They had a great time outside in the sunset, while waiting for the food to be done on the grill.

Our corner house in the background. 

Ben's and our master bedroom windows showing on the second floor. 

 

Picture taken standing by our house wall in the backyard, looking to the left.

Standing on our back patio, see the floor, looking out over the yard. 

 

Facing straight out from the back patio, a Japanese farmer, a community garden or something similar.

Our house, picture taken from the back. 

Ben's room where the AC unit is located on top of the maintenance room.

Checking on the food.

Chicken for me...

Steak for Chris and the kids.

First good meal in the new house!