And just like that we are back to the rainy and gloomy Misawa. I do hate how bi-polar the weather is here. We had scheduled a Saturday blueberry picking event with other families from our squadron but it rained so much that literally the roads were flooding on base and we decided to cancel those plans and head someplace that was inside so we could stay warm and dry. So we went to the Air and Science museum instead.
After being almost blown away with the rain and wind we finally made it to the entrance of the museum from our cars completely soaked. The walk from the car to the building was maybe 50 yards, but Connor screamed the whole way as the rain pelted him. I didn't know whether to laugh at him cause it really was funny to watch, or to be a sweet and loving mother and comfort him. Luckily he was easily distracted as we happened to attend the museum the same day the Misawa police was putting on a kids demonstration day. Both Abby and Connor loved dressing up like police officers, getting to push the siren in the police car, and getting to hold the police equipment. We spent most of the time there, and didn't even make it into the air and science portion of the museum. Thank you Misawa police for turning our yucky and wet Saturday into a highlight for my kiddos.
Still determined to pick some blueberries, we waited a couple days for the rain to pass and finally another nice day came our way. We immediately took advantage of it and invited some squadron friends to tag along with us again, and come picking. We had such a fun time. The kids loved picking the blueberries, while I just enjoyed eating them. I think blueberries are my favorite type of berry because they are small and easy to eat without a mess, and they are always a surprise. You never know if it's going to be sweet or sour. We went picking at the little local farm north of Misawa and the cute old couple who owns the farm taught us a new Japanese word, "Sou-pie" which means sour. As the kids were walking and picking I occasionally heard Connor yet out, "ah, sou-pie!" I couldn't help but laugh knowing he had just taken a bite of a sour berry.
With our bellies and baskets full of berries we left the quaint ma and pa farm and couldn't wait to show Babbo our loot back at home. I have a feeling we will be back because it's not only is such a great price for so many berries, it is also such a fun activities that our whole family enjoys doing. Got to love fresh blueberries right from the bush!
The Tanabata festival arrived to Misawa. Every last weekend in the math of July the city of Misawa holds an annual summer festival and highlights large lanterns. The kids and I have loved going to it every year. Sadly, Kyle has never made it because he has always been TDY during the summer or too busy with work. This year Kyle is home, so we decided we would go twice, Friday night with other squadron friends, and again on Saturday night with Kyle as a family.
The whole main street lights up with giant paper lanterns, and is filled with various street vendors. I dressed the kids up in their summer yukattas and jinbes, as well as my friend Lisa did with her kids. Ironically both Abby and her good friend Natalie had the exact same yukatta! It was fun to see the twin girls running around in their traditional Japanese summer outfits.
The food was amazing. I just love festivals like this. Between all the different smells that filled my nose and the mouth watering treats we devoured, it was definitely a night full of flavor! As we were all walking down the street as friends with all our littles running around the lanterns in front of us, it hit me that this was our last Tanabata festival. We sure are going to miss these fun outings that really make summer so special here in Japan. I am also going to miss such a great support network with our squadron and all the wonderful wives I have met. We really lucked out and have enjoyed the past 2.5 years with some of the best families I have ever met.
Saturday morning before hitting up the Tanabata festival again, we actually went back to the farm to pick more blueberries, but this time with Kyle. I couldn't believe how fast we ate all the berries we had at home. As soon as we arrived the kids wasted no time and knew just what to do. We each grabbed some buckets and went to town eating and picking the berries. By the time we were sick full of berries we all laughed at Connor as he kept lifting his shirt and pointing to his large gut saying, "blueberries in belly." Yes, Connor blueberries are in your belly, but your belly is so large and round that it looks like one big blueberry itself! On the way home he fell into what I like to call a blueberry comma and immediately fell asleep... rain boots, sunglasses, cardinal hat, and paw patrol shirt were all present to lull him off for a nap. He sure is a fun kid these days, and his little personality is starting to take off. Mix that with his very strong will and determination and you get a two year old that wants to take over the world (we just let him take over his outfits for the time being to appease him).
Back to back nights going to the Tanabata festival had me tuckered out, but the kids had the time of their lives. Kyle enjoyed the festival as well, and all together we got to create some lasting family memories at our last summer festival wile in Japan.
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