Packing, Oh How I Hate to Pack

Tomorrow, the Moloko Five are headed off to Thailand for a family adventure. I would like to say "vacation" but that takes on a whole new meaning when traveling with three kids!

I dread packing suitcases. This has always been source of angst dating back to my single days. Once married, it became a source of frustration with Hubby as I would be burning the midnight oil packing. You see, I procrastinate and keep myself busy with everything and anything and inevitably I am up until the wee hours of our impending travel date. Just add three kids to the mix and my head starts spinning. I find it to be such a chore and having to pack for others makes the task even more daunting. I have vowed that each and every time I find myself in this situation I will handle it differently for the next trip. I still have not managed to adopt a better execution plan.

Dudes Only

After our morning run yesterday, I took the Little Dudes to the playground nearby. It was a beautiful day, but a bit breezy. So, I staked out the warmest spot and perched myself up on the slide. I briefly closed my eyes and started to doze only to hear one of the dudes shout "Mom, I need you to help me start the fire." I quickly looked up to see that he had collected all the sticks that moments earlier had littered the playground. He and his brother were going camping and it was only for "dudes." Although I was not invited along for the fun, I provided them with a few instructions on the placement of the sticks. Within moments, I had two happy campers.

Easter Joy

The munchkins on Easter morning in their best duds!

Coloring Eggs...

Where is the joy? What are they pondering?

Spring into Fall?

We have this really big tree outside the front door. It has the most annoying habit of dropping its leaves year round. Not a big fan of raking, I wait until I can no longer stand the brown debris. Big Sister had the day off from school, so, while the Little Dudes were napping, she was collecting assorted foilage for her "nature hunt." I decided to enjoy the pleasant weather and be productive by raking. We were happily co-exisiting with our projects that I decided it was certainly picture worthy.

However, before I knew it, the little dudes awakened from their slumbers and decided to jump into my neatly raked leaf pile before I had a chance bag them. So, the next hour was spent hiding toys, smearing leaves all over the yard, and jumping into piles. I am so excited for them to experience an East Coast Fall!

Our Sunday Stroll

It was a busy Sunday for us with church, CCD and Daisy Scout commitments, however, I wanted to make the best of the remaining hours of sunlight. We headed to Cape Zampa in Yomitan to see the Lighthouse (about 25 minutes from home). We missed touring the Lighthouse by minutes, but, with another trip promised to the kids in the future, we happily set off to explore the surrounding area. Here are some shots of our expedition.

The Lighthouse

Coastline alongside the Lighthouse was breathtaking. It rivals that of Hawaii's Big Island.

Daddy and Big Sister

The Little Dudes

Am I really posting these scores?

What a surprise! Hubby came home from work early Friday afternoon. So, we decided to make the best out of the wet drizzly weather and head to the bowling alley for a "family fun" outing.

The little dudes love watching the computer graphics after each ball is bowled.

Big Sister is ecstatic about her STRIKE!

Hubby did gloat. He is not usually victorious at bowling. Mama was just not on her game! We had a wonderful time.

Life Lessons

As I was out running today, and enjoying the Okinawa sunshine and scenery, I was pondering the last 21 months of living on this island. I must admit, I was not eager to move to Okinawa, however, it has turned out to be a fabulous experience. With just a few months left in my Japanese haven, I am actually dreading our summer departure.

I have determined that living overseas, has made me a more excepting person. I came to Japan feeling out of my comfort zone. Upon my arrival, I found myself living out in town (base housing was unavailable), enrolling Big Sister in a montessori school with a 60% Japanese/40% American student ratio, and driving on the left hand-side of the road. Within weeks, I was completely immersed into my "new" foreign home and actually having to remind myself that I was living in Japan despite the multitude of Kanji signs.

My preconceptions were pointless. Okinawa is beautiful (even more so than Oahu), the people extremely warm and generous, and the Japanese culture and customs special. I have truly learned to look beyond the exterior appearances of people, places, and things.

"Obey the Spur of the Moment

My daily routine was out of sorts today and I found myself disturbed at having to reschedule or omit my predictable events. This was all due in part to the three munchkins having dental appointments. Oddly enough, when I called to make the appointments myself, I was told there were no available appointments until April. However, when Hubby went to check in person (in uniform, might I add) suddenly there was a "cancellation" and they could see us in less than 48 hours. Go Figure!

Typically, most mornings, by 8:15am Big Sister has been dropped off at school where she is diligently working until 2pm. The Little Dudes and I then return home for about an hour of light cleaning, playtime on the floor or computer, to be topped off with a visit from our little neighbor with the incredible eyes wanting to see our "shish", Kirby. We then head out for a run...my precious hour of sanity. Albeit they are strapped in the double jogger and on occasion bicker, it is really one of my favorite parts of my day and they usually enjoy the ride. So, today, I missed my run, and had to juggle Big Sister's schedule in dropping her off at noon and picking her up 2 hours later than usual, and the Little Dudes nap was pushed back. We went through the motions, but, I think we were all a bit out of whack so, we decided to claim today as " Wacky Wednesday!"

As I was in my cloud, I began to ponder my favorite quote from my youth. I so embodied this statement in high school that I left it as my quote next to my Senior picture. "Obey the spur of the moment" was coined by Henry David Thoreau. Wish I could say he was a favorite author or that I remember anything he wrote, but, I so loved the spontaneity of that statement. It evoked such a zest for life. However, 20 years later, I find myself well entrenched in a routine lifestyle that surprisingly is enjoyable and the predictability comforting which I never envisioned. I will say this though, I need to lighten up and remember Thoreau's words...for life is too short.

To Blog Or Not To Blog?

That is the question..right? I have spent many hours at this computer reading the blogs of friends, family members, and the occasional stranger. I am overwhelmed at the ease with which lives are shared and how such seemingly small moments can be captured so eloquently. Therefore, I have psyched myself up to the challenge of trying to document the life of the Moloko Five. Wish me Luck!