Happy Halloween

Another Halloween has come and passed. It has been one year since those chubby little cheeks were sticking out of her Pooh san costume. Time sure has flown - a whole year went by in the blink of an eye.

This year Halloween was a lot of fun. Momma and I tried to come up with a good costume and settled on Princess. We bought a Tinkerbell outfit from the Disney Store but Momoka was having nothing to do with that. She wouldn't even allow it close to her. Too bad because it was very cute. The Princess outfit worked out better because it was kind of warm and I think the Tinkerbell costume, being made from nylon, would have probably been hot.

This year Momoka handed out the candy to the kids. We had about 200 kids come around this year. Military facilities always have a good turn out for trick or treat. I think it's because military people feel safe letting their kids go trick or treating on the post/base. When we lived in Japan and at FT Belvoir (DC) Halloween was a big deal. In Japan the base would open up and allow Japanese children to come in and enjoy this most American of holidays. It was fun because while the Japanese kids really didn't know what was going on, they did know they were getting candy for saying just three little English words. For children, candy transcends cultures. I am glad we are here at this military facility, next year Momoka might get to ring some doorbells and she will get to enjoy Halloween as I remember it, a lot of fun, all about children and safe. Trick or treating on the post was allowed between 1730 and 2000, which is nice because when it's 2000, it's over. Here's some shots of our gal on the big night:

Having a little swig of water, waiting for the festivities to begin!
Here she is picking out some candy to pass out to the kids. Sometimes a kid wanted a different kind of candy but Momoka was having none of that. She was protective of the candy bowl. You got what you got and that was that. She started with handfuls in each trick or treater's loot bag but then got to where she was only giving one piece to each child. The trick or treaters grumbled a bit but Momoka was enjoying herself. As kids approached our front door Momoka would shout "kita! kita!" - they're coming! She was so excited. Even though some of the costumes were a bit gruesome she was not scared.

Here's a great shot of Momoka at my command's annual "Organization Day". The Army has a tradition where the command should try to have a picnic or some other command event around the calendar date the command was established. This year our Org Day was held down at a beach area on Hickam AFB. It was a good time and Momoka enjoyed eating BBQ, hot dogs and grapes. She likes the water and enjoyed watching the waves but is not fond of sand one bit.

Matte ne!

Finally, some new photos

OK, OK, so shoot me. Yes it has been a very long time since I have put anything here. Momma is much better about posting pictures than me and I highly recommend you drop by her site to check up on Momoka. The site is in Japanese but the pictures are better and posted more often.

Sorry I haven't been better at posting pictures. I don't want to bore anyone with all the reasons. I have been traveling a lot and have been involved in a number of bilateral exercises and projects however that's just an excuse so I won't go there.

Our gal has, in my opinion, moved out of the realm of toddler and into the small child category. She gets around just fine and is more than capable of letting you know what she wants. She is using three word sentences and is quite the little chatterbox. She is so quick to pick up words and use them in sentences to get what she wants or to explain how she feels. Truly amazing.

She is speaking mostly Japanese now and I can't even begin to count how many words she knows. The fact she is speaking Japanese is mostly a function of me being gone a lot on travel. Momma and I made a deal that she would speak Japanese and I would speak English to Momoka so she would be bilingual. I guess I better get to work!

She is such a great little girl and has truly been a blessing in our lives. We are so lucky she came to us. She has brought us such joy and happiness. Here's a few action photos . . . .

I love to slide!

That must have been one boring book . . . . .

Scribbling is good too (note tongue - she must have been very serious about that scribble) . . . . .

This is at Discovery Zone in Hawaii. The footprints are from some recent Sumo greats. I think she's got a ways to go to fill some of those shoes. Tiny feet - too cute!

Fireman Momo to the rescue!

Walking with my friends . . . . .

GYUUUUUUUUUUU! (means hug)

Don't even think of pushing an elevator button with this little one around . . . .

I love cans! I am not sure why, but she has a fascination with soda and juice cans. If we go to Costco and she gets on the can aisle you can forget it. She wanders from case to case touching the cans and won't leave until she is good and ready.

I know, I know

Been very busy. Lots of pictures and new stories to post. Momoka is doing great and is such a super little gal. Will get to posting next week. I hope.

Just another lazy Saturday

We had our 18 month check up yesterday and everything was great. Momoka continues to grow right along the curves on the chart and the Doc felt like she was doing very well. We got our last round of baby shots and all three of us are happy about that - Momoka more than me and Momma.

She was a little fevery and cranky today so we decided to stay inside and roll around on the floor. If you are in the dumps, I'd like to recommend getting down on a toddler's level and playing with them and their toys. You get a much better perspective on what's important in life after about 30 seconds. Here's some shots of our gal playing around:

Cecil B. Demille with an Anpanman camera . . . . .

Hey, this is a great spot to watch the game (we were watching the Reds and Phillies)

Sakura chan, this one's for you . . . . .

Jya, ne.

Takin' a dip in the pool

Here's our gal in her new swim togs. We got this swim suit at Akachan Honpo in Kawasaki, Japan when we were there in May. This is her first time wearing this little number and it's almost too small. Lucky for Momoka I'll be doing another WESTPAC swing next month and will be able to drop by Akachan Honpo for the next larger size(s).

We were at the pool at Hale Koa today which is the hotel we stayed at for almost a month when we moved to Hawaii. Hard to believe but it's been ten months since Momochan first swam in the pool there. She wasn't too thrilled with the pool at first but by the 5 minute point she was splashing around and was enjoying herself.

Today is Momoka's 18 month birthday. What a shining little light of love and joy she is. We love her so dearly and are so very, very lucky to have her in our lives.

Matta ne.

Happy Birthday America

Watching the fireworks here on post . . . . .

My name is Old Glory . . . .

I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped. I am saluted. I am respected. I am revered. I am loved. And I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years... Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me. I was there! I led my soldiers. I followed them. I watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle, it saddens me. But I shall overcome for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips and used as bandagesfor my wounded comrades on the battlefield, when I fly at half-mast to honor my soldiers, or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son. I am proud. My name is Old Glory. Long may I wave.

For those on watch around the globe and in harm's way - THANK YOU!

Recent pictures

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I have been very busy at work with a number of projects. Momma has definitely been putting me to shame with her posting on Momoka's Japanese page. If you have a chance, drop by and see the pictures (even if you don't read Japanese). Momma has some "Momoka retro" pix up there from when she was tiny tiny.

At any rate, here I am posting some pictures of our gal doing what she does best - being a doll. Hard to believe but she will be 18 months soon enough. The time has flown past to say the least. Some of the pictures are from Japan and some are from here in Hawaii.

First up is spaghetti face. Who knew eating spaghetti could be so fun?

Spaghetti is made from broccoli? The heck you say . . . . .

There is something hilarious about these noodles!

Next we have Momoka with Taz and Da da during a lunch when we were in Japan on vacation. It was a super time and we all enjoyed getting together with Taz and catching up on what's been going on. Of course Taz looked great and hadn't aged a bit since we saw her last. She must have some magic anti-aging secret. Why the serious face Momoka?

Here's our gal during a recent Obon event on island. Hawaii (Oahu) as a number of Obon events. The strange thing is they run throughout the entire summer. In Japan you usually have Obon in late summer. I guess in Hawaii they just can't get enough Obon. Our gal is sitting on the curb with a friend she made and is just hanging out and listening to the music. Note both have kawaii jinbei. Momoka's jinbei is of the Anpanman variety. Go figure.

Locals doing a little Obon dance. We plan on hitting as many of these events as possible this summer. Obon festivals are always fun with good food and a family atmosphere. In Japan Obon is a much bigger deal but these festivals in Hawaii will be a great way to spend an evening. Spam musubi for all my friends!

Here's our gal having a seat in her new chair. We had to buy a chair after seeing Sakura chan lounging in her little chair. She always looks so comfy with her feet propped up. Momoka crawls up in this chair to watch Elmo or whatever is on PBS or Nick Jr during her allotted TV viewing time. Momoka likes Sesame Street as well as Barney and a couple of the Nick Jr shows. She has taken to sitting on the arm rests of this chair and it makes me and Momma so nervous. Daredevil. Of course we removed the plastic cover. Probably shouldn't have though.

Lastly, a photo taken tonight after I gave Momoka her first piece of chocolate. Yes, she liked it. Momma didn't know I gave it to her and was quite surprised to see chocolate all over the place. During her bath time Momma found chocolate in Momoka's ears. Now how'd that get in there?

Matta ne!