play at Bornelund

We've been going to the Bornelund playland in the mall a lot lately.  This day, we met up with our new neighbors, Emily and Benjamin.

bouncing and running on the bouncy surfaces (often replicated before bed in our bedroom)

rolling in the airy cylinder with Benjamin

Video of Ariel bouncing, then we saw our friend Saya:

Playground Beauty

This is the small new playground across the street from our house.  We stay close to the house when we're out in big girl underwear.  This playground is always more fun when there are other kids around (Gabe, Mallory, Benjamin, Corrine, Katee and her gang.)

the swim

 All dressed for the pool.  We live by the indoor pool, so we go there a lot since the weather turned warm.  A couple weeks ago, Ariel decided to swim on her own (with a flotation vest.)  She kicks her legs to swim all around.  I try to teach her to dog paddle, and say "paddle, paddle, paddle" (words that she sometimes approximates.)  I'll try to get a video of her swimming, because at a pool party yesterday we realized she's smoking the other kids with her swimming skills and confidence in the deep water.

 Not sure how this photo fits in the story, but it's cute.

After the swim.

We rode our Mama-san bike there and back.  Ariel usually falls asleep in the bike, after saying a few "Whees".

the cat pen

Since we sold our fence, the cats have been house-bound.  So we re-assembled the pen with a new mesh top from Joyful Honda (a home store.)  They are happy with it, but Nene can escape through small holes, so only Ralph can enjoy it for now!

Nene is on some medicine for her gingivitis.  She's taking her pills well, and her breath smells much better.

Good Naps

a day at Disney Sea

 tasting water from the fountain at Arabian Coast

 Super Cute!

 The double-deck carousel was her favorite.  She wanted to ride it over and over.

 a little prayer for her horse

 Daddy head massage at Mermaid Lagoon

 Scuttle's Scooters

 holding Schmig tight

Counting Coins

Relaxing at the Sheraton

 We got a good deal at the Sheraton on Tokyo Bay, which is right on the Disney resort property.  Ariel counted the money we saved: "One, two, tree!"

 Fueling up for her day at Disney Sea with Rice Krispies, almond milk, and peanut butter.

We had a nice kid-friendly room, with a heated toilet seat that we all liked.

Disneyland!

 Mickey Mouse shares a birthday with someone in our family.

 It's a Small World is one of our favorites.  This one is heavy on Japan imagery.

 The pigeons and ducks were fun.

I think Ariel's favorite ride here is still Alice's Tea Party (the spinning teacups.)  She was excited just entering the park.  At the end of the night, she got a Minnie Mouse balloon.

running on the Arabian Coast

Getting lots of exercise at the Arabian Coast (at Disney Sea):

family togetherness

Update

We still don't know when we are moving.  Hopefully we'll hear something this week or next.  On one hand, we're very ready to move.  On the other hand, the summer has been mild and relaxing here.

We took an overnight trip to Tokyo Disney over 4th of July.  We saw a few friends from Yokota, and enjoyed the uncrowded parks and mild weather.  Ariel did some napping in her stroller and fast running around Disney. She's very brave on all the rides.

What Ariel lacks in language, she makes up for lately with dancing, swimming, and potty-using skills. She has new apps on her iPad that keep her concentrating on the potty.  Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is her favorite app du jour.  It involves counting fruit, matching fruit, picking certain colored fruit, and picking which fruit is different.  Then she gets to "pick a sticker" (drag a sticker to the electronic sticker board.)

dancing

Ariel was dancing to Disney (and Raffi) music on Pandora Radio. Of course, the best of it ended when I turned on the video camera. Thanks to instruction from the Wiggles (an Australian kids' music group that makes videos), Ariel is trying different forms of dance.

Gabe's birthday bash

 Our neighbor Gabe (on the left) turned 3!  He had a birthday party with bouncy castle and blue cake.  Since we sold our fence, our backyards opened into one big play paradise.  All the kids had fun, and liked talking to the cats through the patio door.  Ariel likes Gabe's red tricycle.  They share well.  Gabe's sister Mallory is in the purple and white outfit.  Isabella is in pink.

Congrats on turning 3, Gabe!

(We had fun hitting the train pinata.)