Daddy Daughter Dance 2016

This year Callie and Marian refused to go to the Daddy Daughter Dance.  Marian hates that sort of thing, and that wasn't a surprise.  Callie has reached the point where she worries what others think and she was not going to go out in public wearing a dress; where people might see her.  So no way was she going.

Fortunately, Delaney and Rylee were very excited about the event. Unfortunately, I was sadly negligent in taking pictures... as in, I didn't really take any.  Oops. The event had several photo op areas, and they had a couple photographers there.  I went through the website where around 500 of the pictures were posted, and it was astounding that there was not a single one of Dan or the girls.  I found all our friends, but none of my crew. I'm pretty sure that was intentional by Dan, but it was depressingly impressive.

Delaney wanted a braided bun.

Then she needed a picture of what her hair looked like. 

 Her dress is a size larger than necessary, but she loved it.

Rylee hung out with Milly at the dance and Milly's dad took a few pictures.

Such cute little friends!

Sumo Wrestling!

 Callie is getting suited up and ready to rumble!

She's having trouble in the giant suit.... and she doesn't want me taking her photo. 

 In a face off against Jarron, Callie went in for the take down, and veteran Jarron just hoped back.  Down went Callie!

 Lorisa managed to flip Callie onto her back, and Jarron promptly smooshed them both.

Ready now for round two. 

Callie turned the tables.  Jarron went in for the press, to knock her down with his weight, and she hopped back.  So Jarron went down.

And Callie went in for the smoosh! 

Ryle wanted to wear the Sumo headpiece.  This is her game face.  

(P.S.  Those are her brand new glasses, had for 2 whole days, that we lost at this party and found broken.  So sad!)

Good times!

My friend Shelli, in the front, is leaving.  It is very sad.  She took me and April out to Miyajima to shop.  Just shop.  And we liked it!  It was nice to meander through all the shops with no kids or husbands hustling us out!

I was introduced to the Honey Store.  And this is the delicious ambrosial I discovered.  Lemon honey.  Who knew?!!  It is divine.  In warm water or cold, it is so yummy, I have nearly consumed the entire container... and it has been less than a week!

I truly hope you can play this video clip.  It is a fascinating squirter we found at the dollar store.  You pull the legs apart and it "pees" on you.  SO funny!

Stuff that's Happened

 Rylee was so mad last week she had a major meltdown and nearly fell asleep here on the floor.  Poor little pickle!

I have been on a quilting spree!  Such cute fabric here, I must use it! 

Why is my photo vertical?!  Well, look closely at it.  Yep, it is horseradish white chocolate.  What' the Heck, Japan?!! 

In case you are wondering, yes, I did sample it, and no, I would NOT recommend it!

I do not know what this dog was doing.  He was standing in the laundry room peering at me from behind the door. It made me laugh. 

Okay, so Rylee has an eye patch to help strengthen her bad eye.  But this picture isn't about her pirate look. What she wants you to see is this cute hat she demanded I take a picture of her wearing. 

Who needs toys when you have a box?!  Ryle and her friend Noemie had a blast playing with this box together on a play date.

Making Goals for 2016

My sister in law is amazing and makes these great lists every year of her goals.  I love it.  And I love that she reports back at the end of the year on how well she did.  I think it is such a great idea- some accountability, but no shame in not making it.  The focus is on the improvement, not a magical transformation.  And her goals are not huge life-changers, just things she wants to do, or improve.

So, I made some goals for me, and for FHE last week we did some family goals.  The kids were cute. I asked what was on our bucket list for Japan, and what we wanted to do as well as do better. Here is what we came up with:

My Goals
1.  Try 1 new restaurant a month (I'm already 1 for 12 since I ate at a delicious Okonomiyaki place on Monday!)
2. Get my Visiting Teaching done each month, even if it is a call or a letter.
3. Go on 6 Cultural Excursions- either in a group, with friends, or by myself.  But get out, move away from my comfort zone, and see Japan
4. Sew and finish a quilt for my bed. (I'm on a huge sewing kick right now, but o far, only baby blankets are coming out.)
5. Volunteer at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society twice a month.
6. Have a lunch date with Dan twice a month.
7. Visit Hiroshima Castle
8. Go to the Motonosumi Inari Shrine- the 122 Torii Gates shrine.

Bucket List Goals for 2016
1. Climb Mt Fuji
2. Do Karaoke
3. Visit Cat Island
4. Go to Universal Studios.
5. Go to Kuga Park (when it is open!!)

Family Goals
1. Media/Tech-Free Wednesdays
2. Do our Saturday Chores diligently (as opposed to not often, which is the current status quo)
3. Do a better Job of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.
4.  Kids cook dinner once a month.
5. Go out and do more things as a family.

I see that the Family Goals are a little vague and maybe should have had some more measurable details in them.  Perhaps when I write them on posterboard to post on the wall I'll do that.  And I shall try to report back at the end of the year on how well we did.