Day 73- First Day of School

Today was Stone's first day back to Memorial Road Sonshine School.  He has been looking forward to going back to school for a few weeks now.  He is so happy to be back at his old school... he asked me a few times as we talked about going back if it was his old school or his new school... and when i told him his old school he said so now my old school will be my new school and my new school is my old school... a pretty complex thought for such a little guy. 

It was too bright and too early to get him to look at the camera...

But not too early to balance his lunch box!

Ready to go... he know the ropes! 

 

Day 72- Thomas Fun

Today we pulled out Thomas the Tank Engine for the first time in months!  Stone has so much fun exploring all his own trains and tracks!  

Day 71- The Littlejohns

Lj, Auntie Carla and Stone

Since many miles are between us... I must seize each chance I have to get pictures of Stone with his family... he had so much fun with his Auntie Carla and Uncle Jeff!    

Day 70- S'more Family Fun

No camping trip is complete without an evening of campfire and s'mores!  

Stone and Daddy gathered the sticks...

Auntie Carla and Stone lit the fire with an 1800's rifle lighter... that is one thing that can only be foundin a Texas souvenir shop!  

The smoke is a bit much! 

Look at that face... he loved the s'more! 

Day 69- Ride Like the Wind

Nothing like a ride on a two wheeled bike that is stationary!  Stone loved sitting on Uncle Jeff's dirt bike! In his owns words... Stone says, "it's good and the button [horn] on it is fun!"

Day 68- Water Gun Fun!

Last weekend, Auntie Carla and Uncle Jeff stopped by on their way from Texas to Massachusetts.  Since they were pulling a camper full of fun toys back home they camped out at Lake Arcadia for two nights.  One of the fun things that Jeff had stored in the camper was an arsenal of water guns!   Stone was so excited to play with them and I think Jeff had as much fun soaking everyone as he taught Stone how to use them... 

Stone quickly learned... if all else fails put the water gun on the ground and spray in your own face!  

Day 67- Our Olympian

Stone... the Olympian!  Isn't he the cutest!

Day 66- Packin' up!

After getting his hopes shattered by not being allowed him to sneak his toys into Chisato's bag; Stone got his own suitcase to pack for his trip to "Nowhere"!  I have to say he comes up with the funniest things... 

Day 65- Crampin' my Style

Stone was a trooper the other day when we cramped his style to move Auntie Holly's bed... his only real complaint was he had no leg room!  

Day 64- Puddle Jumping

A friend mentioned on her facebook she let her kids out to play in the rain... I decided to copy the idea and Stone was so excited... it had been a while since he got to play  in the rain since most of the time it is storming not just raining.  Stone promptly told me the two things he needed to put on before heading out the door...  1. Anpanman Raincoat- a birthday present from Rei Rei and 2. Rain boots- a Christmas present from Uncle Aaron and Auntie Izumi.  He had so much fun and I just had to grab the camera.  Simple things can bring so much joy to this little guy! 

Heading down the hill... he knows there are good puddles on the sidewalk!

Stopping for a smile for mom! 

Big puddles in the parking lot!

JUMP!

Back to the sidewalk puddles... love the cape in this picture!

On a mission to find the best puddle!

Jumping down the sidewalk to get as wet as possible!

Even the blue herring was enjoying the rain!

Day 63-A Familiar Face

We had the honor of having Chisato stay with us for the last 10 or so days.  Chisato is a beautiful christian woman from Japan who attended OC in the early 2000's.  Lj asked her to come back to do a little translating work for the International portion of the OC Website.  It was so fun to have her here and Stone adored having all the attention.  Stone took great care of Chi chan... he was concerned when she left for the day, asked her if she wanted to play with the toys, made sure she had a book to read before bed and even tried to help her pack by putting his toys in her suitcase :).  

This next year holds many new and exciting changes for her as she prepares to get married and move to Hokkaido.  I pray that God will continue to bless her in the same way she blesses everyone around her.  

Stone and Chi chan

 I got them both to smile by making them say Otoshidama!

Day 62- I (heart) 日本

God blessed us in so many ways while we were in Japan but one of His greatest blessings to us was relationships.  Our friends were so much like our family while we were in Japan and still continue to be here in the states.  I know we can call on any of them and know they will be there for us... that is an amazing comfort. 

Chisato, one of the young Christian girls, came to the states to do a little work for OC so we had a little reunion of sorts at a local restaurant... it is so good catching up with people and remembering some of the fun memories.  

         

Day 61- Our Cowboy

Stone is a cowboy in the making... he got some new wranglers from some friends and now his cowboy getup is complete. 

I think he just looks too cute... but Lj informed me that Stone can't join FFA... Lj doesn't think he can sit in a meeting and take all the farm talk seriously!    

See ya later partners!

Day 60- Phelps Fan

As soon as we starting talking about the final swim race; Stone decided he had to get his goggles on.... and with the goggles on he had to try out his swimming moves! 

Day 59- Official 3 Year Stats

Yesterday, we finally got in at the doctors for his 3 year old well check... every thing looked good and Stone answered all the questions right and even got two stickers! Stone is now 34 pounds and 40 inches... 95% for height and 50% for weight!  

The following pictures are from the new park built near our house.. yippee a park in walking distance that does not require crossing a major road!