Busy Week

Last week was really busy.  Plus I hurt my neck which really complicated things!
On Monday I saw a really nice loft bed for Hannah in a recycle shop.  Although very high and big, I felt that it would be a good investment, something that could be used for at least 10 years.  But the price worried me.  After checking online and a local store I found that the bed was half price.  The condition was excellent, as new.  I showed Hannah a picture of the bed and explained that it was the same height as David's loft bed.  Hannah seemed worried, I thought she was worried about falling off. when I asked her what the matter was she asked "Can I breathe up there?" Poor girl was worried about altitude sickness!!  On Wednesday I sent Mikey and David back to pay for the bed and arrange delivery!  My plan was to spend Wednesday, Thursday and Friday sorting out the bedroom and making space for the bed.  But Tuesday evening my neck became very stiff, by Thursday morning I was in so much pain that even moving the mouse on the computer was painful.  All hopes of cleaning out the bedroom flew out of the window!  I ended up going to the doctor, he took a load of X-rays.  Looks like a couple of the vertebrae had moved out of place.  I was given some strong painkiller and told to take it easy!  Poor David ended up doing most of the work!
Sunday was Hannah's last field day for elementary school.  It was also the day that we were under a typhoon warning. It was cool and very windy, I was surprised that the school went ahead with the event!!  Even though she complained of the cold< I think she had a good day!  I spent most of the day walking around, talking to David and having a laugh at what some people were wearing!
I'm glad that it is over and done with!

A few photos from the week!

Christopher pulling faces

Field Day

Hannah with her classmates

Human Pyramid

lunch time

Rocking out to Meat Loaf

View on the way to Kurume

Time Warp

Can somebody please explain to me how we have got to the end of September?  I really don't see how that is possible.  I am still at the begining of the month!  I feel as if I have entered into a parallel universe where time is speeded up.  Some days I feel as if I wake up, blink and it is time for bed.  The hours in between are eaten up so fast that I get dizzy just thinking about it!

So the past week has been the usual round of cooking, cleaning, laundry and teaching.  Had a trip out to Saga City with Mikey and David.  We went to the library.  I managed to borrow a few nice cook books. With the cool weather coming I really want to get back into cooking and baking more.  David has been doing a lot this summer but I need to get back to doing more.  No more excuses!  I also want to start Christmas shopping but I have no idea what to get the kids!  Need to think things out, not so much money this year.  I want to move away from Christmas being about getting things to making memories, being together and doing things together is important.

Just a couple of pictures to finish

I AM TIRED

The past 10 days have been busy. 
Last Sunday, September 7th Mikey went to his friends to practice for a big magic show.  After practicing all morning he went to the magican who is teaching him for more practice and BBQ.  Mikey got back late but happy.  The next morning Mikey's eye was swollen and red, he  couldn't stop sneezing and coughing. I think he got to close to the smoke from the BBQ and had an allergic reaction.  By Monday evening he was running a fever.  So I helped out with his lessons.
Wednesday his friend came to the house to practice again.  The living area got a good clean and I made a nice lunch.  They really worked hard, from 9 in the morning to just after 1 oclock.  The next day was loads of teaching.  By Friday I was feeling awful, coughing, sneezing and low grade fever.  Same for Hannah.  So I planned to spend the day in bed.  But at 2oclock I got a call.  Christopher was at the local hospital having fallen down at school.  He had hit his head very hard and the teacher wanted a scan done.  I could of told him that Christopher's head is as hard as a rock!  There was no internal bleeding but Christopher said he felt sick and dizzy.  I banned computer, games and TV for the evening.  He was fine the next day.  But Hannah and I got really sick, some kind of cold/allergy thing.  I haven't slept properly since Thursday night.  Everytime I doze off I start coughing, which wakes me up.  A trip to the doctors this morning resulted in a load of medicine,  I hope something helps!

Boys playing a game on the DS, Christopher lost so he had to wear the bowl on his head.

Mikey and his friend practing magic

I'm going shopping now, 9 oclock at night and I have to shop!  No wonder I am tired!

What happened to the end of August?

I can't believe how time has rushed past.  The last two weeks of August just disappeared.
I had my birthday, I am now 52 and am feeling it.  My friend and her daughter came to celebrate with us, which was nice.  I was moaning about my age.  My friend reminded me that she turns 60 next year, but she seems so young and full of energy!  I guess I have to get my head around being more active and taking care of my body.

We also had the most awful weather.  Two nights of thunder storms.  I hate thunder storms, so two nights of no sleep!  Talk about exhaustion!  The only good thing was the temperature dropped.  I am so happy about that, anything over 30C is hard to deal with.  The past few years the summers have been long and extreme!  This year feels so much better!

The kids are back at school and I am back on the early mornings, 5am dragging myself out of bed, so not fun!

Just a short post so people don't think I've disappeared!

David's Birthday

Last week was David's birthday!  He is now 20.  How did that happen, it feels as if he was a baby just yesterday and now he is an adult.
He really helps out a lot.  He has no problem jumping on his bike buying what ever we need, he knows where the cheap supermarkets are.  He is also becoming a rather good cook.  The other day he wanted naan bread, so he found a recipe, asked me to buy the stuff and made naan bread with curried liver and roasted veggies!  Nice dinner.

Mixing the dough, nice sticky mess

putting the dough to rise

the finished result, very nice.
 

I like to get photos with the birthday kid but David hates having his photo taken.  But I got one!

Days Out

The kids and I managed to get out for a couple of day trips.  Nothing really special but I think everybody had a good time.
On Monday we took the train into Fukuoka, I wanted to go up Fukuoka Tower.  We have been to the tower a few times but never up it.
Monday Christopher had school in the morning, so after a quick lunch we took off.   Train then bus to the tower.
The bus went over the urban express way.  I really don't like this high way, it feels more like a roller coaster than a bus ride. But the view was good!

Communications tower for the port

I have no idea what these are!!!

The bus stop is right in front of Fukuoka Tower.  We crossed the road and saw some more interesting statues.  Indian Gods and Goddesses!  In Japan!

Fukuoka Tower

Indian Gods

The name of this road is Sazaen Road. It's named after a famous cartoon character

We went up the tower.  It takes 70 seconds to get to the top. It was a lot higher than I thought it would be.  I'm scared of hights but the veiws from the top were incredibile!

Looking up in the lift

England is that way

On the way back we stopped in the lobby of one of the TV stations.  They had Subway so we got a sandwich each, that was nice.

Hannah with Sazaen characters

On the way back we found this sign on the train!

Nice day out but I paid for it the next day.  Talk about tired!

Today we went bowling.  There's a nice bowling alley in the next city, not too noisy and reasonable price.  The kids boweled two games.  Christopher managed to drop the ball backwards, fall on his backside and hit his face with the ball.  Mikey somehow hit his leg with the ball and fell over himself.  I at least had a good laugh!

After bowling we went to an all you can eat resturant.  We spent an hour and half eating, talking and laughing.

We came home after a stop to rent some DVD's.  I'm exhausted but happy.  I'm not sure if we will go out anywhere else this summer but I'm glad we could have a couple of fun days!!

Our First Summer Event

I've been wanting to write this up for a few days but I got hit by the same bug as the kids!  Not nice at all!
Last Monday, July 28th we held a summer event for 1st to 4th grade kids.  One other lady who teaches near here wanted to do an event with other teachers.  It really helped to work together with others, especially I had to leave after the first hour, Christopher was still sick!
The day started at 10am, first off with games, using verbs for run, jump, walk etc.  We hired the local community center, they have a big room with air conditioners!  The kids then learnt colors, listened to a story and did a craft.  All the time trying to use English.  After an obento lunch there was singing in English, the kids learnt the chorus to "Let it Go" in English.  They then made dessert and had a magic show from Mikey.  the kids really enjoyed that.  The last hour was a chance to write their picture diary, it's part of the summer homework!  From the photos I saw it looked like a good time was had by all.  Mikey worked really hard to make this work, Hannah stayed and helped out as well!
Here are some photos from the day.

Hannah and the girls who were helping out taking a break

Mikey teaching colors

 

We had about 10 kids altogether.  For a first time it was quite good. we learnt a few things and will be doing something for the winter holiday as well!