Alex's Yochien Graduation

Alex graduated from Misawa Catholic Yochien a few weeks ago on March 21, 2010. It was so sweet. Here is a song that the children sang after they had all received their diplomas. I will post more photos and videos at a later date! This song was about saying good bye (Sayonara) to the school, and thank you to parents, teachers (Sensei), and friends (Tomodachi). There was a little girl in Alex's class with tears streaming down her face, and it made many parents get teary-eyed, too. The school has been one of the best experiences that we have had here in Japan, and I think we will all miss it! Alex and Ian are now fluent in Japanese, and can translate for me and their teachers at the school. Alex's Japanese piano teacher said he sounds Japanese--not foreign at all. In addition to piano lessons in Japanese, they also have soccer, swim lessons, and a tutor, each once a week. It's been so wonderful for them (and us!) to experience Japan in this way. On the was home from the ceremony, Alex cried. He said he was going to miss his Sensei, Noguchi Sensei. Luckily, although he has graduated, the school has agreed to let Alex return for the remaining few months we have left in Japan.

Short video of Thomas, March 2010

Like most babies, Thomas now loves to eat everything! Here is a short video of him trying to eat his toy, and laughing.

Thomas, 4 months

Thomas on March 28th, 4 months old.

Ski Naqua Shirakami

After the big snowstorm--we went skiing! We went to Naqua Shirakami. It's a little farther away because it's on the other side of Hirosaki, but it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the gondola was closed, but the slope were empty because we went on a Friday. The boys loved the little ski jumps!
Alex

Ian

Noah

Our big Misawa snowstorm, March 2010

We got a huge snowstorm in March--27 inches of snow in 24 hours! Here are a few pictures of Alex--he was the only boy who helped Chris shovel. As you can see, there was a lot of shoveling going on!

Thomas, favorite 3 month photos

A few of my favorite pictures of Thomas at age 3 months.