Kurihama Flower Park

Today we finally fulfilled something that the girls have been looking forward to since we first considered coming to Japan, and Sister Tweed told us about the amazing Japanese roller slide...

We started off with taking the wrong train, of course.  But it was only a short side trip, then we made it to Kurihama. 

It was a walk to the flower park, but it didn't seem to long on the way there.  The way back when we were tired seemed very long, especially for Misses A and R.  

I liked this wall with the trimmed vine covering it.

The flower park was very nice, definitely a place I want to visit every couple months at least.  They were just planting the entry bed.  The rest of the park looked pretty rough.  Japan had a record hot summer, and also a record number of typhoons.  The cosmos that are supposed to be the main show right now were trashed.  But the set up is nice, and there's lots of potential.

There is a fairly steep climb up the hill to where the playground is, lined with hydrangea bushes.  There were a few confused shrubs still blooming.

Finally, we got to the Godzilla slide! 

We had been told that the roller slide by Godzilla was not very fun, but the girls, and Grandma, had a wonderful time.  There were crowds of Japanese children on it, I think from a preschool or kindergarten.  They were so very cute.  Crowds of them stood around Grandma and I and stared at us.  They were very friendly, and kept saying "hello", and "bye bye" when they would pass us. 

They each had a final run on Godzilla, then we continued up the mountain.

We found the other playground, which had a very fun zip line, and a huge slide.  Among the playground equipment are big beds of massed perennials, so it's pretty much an ideal spot for our family.  There was a very nice bunch of scented geraniums.  I'm so glad I have plant friends that help me feel at home wherever I find myself. 

The walk back down the mountain and to the train station was pretty long, made longer by some serious whining...  But at the station we found a bakery.  Seriously, Japanese bakeries are astoundingly good.  We saw a stand  that makes the yummy black bean pancake things that we tried on top of Mt. Takao. 

We didn't get one today, but it's nice to know where I can find them.  We tried some cream puffs from a place called Beard Papa's.  Man, they were so very good.  And I just found out that there is a location at our nearest train station...  That frequent buyer card might come in handy.  

Here is my translation sign of the day:

Much Sewing...

Although I should have been microcleaning the house and preparing for a cross-world move, I have been sewing.  I made quilts for some friends who are expecting twins.

 Here is the baby girl quilt, front and back.

 And here is the baby boy quilt, front and back.  But I don't know which is which. 

 Miss A made her signature cats for the babies as well.  She named this one Mr. Bubbles.

 And this one Miss Lucky.

She also made one for a friend's daughter's first birthday, which is pictured below between Miss A's own striped cat and the Bliss she made for me.  (This was at our ward talent show, which was Friday night.)  I made a skirt for that little girl too, but I didn't take a picture.  

Yesterday, Saturday, was a fun busy day.  We had a shower for the twins at 11, then a party for the one-year-old at two.  From there straight to parents night out at the y.  Our friend A joined us for a dinner at Guad's, our favorite local Mexican restaurant.  Her husband is out to sea- at least until his boat breaks again.  

We capped off the night with a trip to the emergency room.  Miss R woke us at 1:30 saying she couldn't swallow her water.  B looked, and the back of her throat was very swollen and inflamed.  He told me to take her in.  You know it's bad when he tells me to seek medical attention...  They swabbed her and found she has strep.  They gave her steroids and an antibiotic shot in her bum, and she's feeling much better, but still gets to lounge on the couch all day.  

Miss M: Opinion Paper...

     

            Would you like to live on a farm?   I think it would be fun but hard.

             First of all I like cows, and all the animals on a farm.   I like cows 'cause their cute, I like chicks 'cause they peep, I like bunnies 'cause I've carried one around a long time, I like goats 'cause they are masters at fainting.

             Second, I will be healthy, 'cause I'll eat corn, peas, beans, meat, herbs, yeah you get the point. And I'll do lots of chores, so lots of exercise, also riding horses.

             I think you would like living on a farm for a day, but what about the next? I think it would be a lot of work but worth it.

Miss M: Book Report...

Title: The Courage Of Sarah Noble
Author: Alice Dalgliesh
Pages: 55

When was the story published?  1954

Who were the main characters? Sarah, Tall John, John Noble, Indians.

What problems did they face? Being in the wild, and bears.

How did they overcome the problems? By reading Bible Stories.  The Indians at first were a problem, but then Sarah read to them and they became good friends.  Then her father left and they took care of her.

When did the story take place? 1707

Why did you like it or not? I liked it because Sarah kept up her courage, even when it was hard.