Quarterly Top Five

My top five favorite photos for the Click It Up A Notch Quarterly Top Five are all from our trip back home this summer.



Miss her.

He LOVES spaghetti.

Miss her, too.



Okinawa World

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Okinawa World. On our way, we saw this father/daughter duo. You probably won't see a child, strapped to her dad, on the back of a motorcycle in the U.S.

Once you purchase your ticket into Okinawa World, you start out by going through the cave. There are lots of stairs so you either have to leave your stroller behind (not an option), or carry it. Thank goodness ours is light.

I'm personally of the opinion that once you've seen one stalagmite, you've seen 'em all, and I've been to Luray Caverns.

However, I did see a couple bats.

This was the second place we've been where you could purchase a whole coconut and drink the juice.

Tom hates coconut, but for some reason he really wanted to try this stuff.

He wasn't a big fan, and since it was expensive, I drank most of it. He kept asking me if it was healthy, so today I sent him this link. And now he can't wait to get some more of it.



Throughout the day Brendan and I shared two(!) of these mango/vanilla soft serve cones. And Family, they put Rita's mango gelatti to shame.

We did do more than just eat. We watched the eisa dancers. Brendan and I had seen a similar performance (although not nearly as good) earlier this year, but Tom hadn't seen one yet at all. Although we were not allowed to photograph the show, at the end we were allowed to get up and dance with them.

Brendan was so good all day. We got to the park before 11:00 and left after 4:00. He did not nap at all, and really never pitched any fits.

On our way to catch the habu show, I walked past this without noticing, but Brendan spotted the stash of markers and had to leave his mark.

Someone drew a habu!!

We missed the first few minutes of the snake show, but were there for the most important parts. They didn't take the habu out of the cage. Thank goodness. But they did take this cobra out.

 Apparently, they can only see right in front of them, so that crazy man would lean way over and tap it on the back of its head. At the end of the show you had the chance to have your picture taken with a really big, although probably harmless, snake. We passed. Although since Tom suckered me into getting into this gator pit (three years ago), I think he should have held the snake.

When we first got our orders to Kadena, a retired man from our old base told me to "watch out for the habu." Of course, I had no idea what that was. He told me that they were extremely poisonous snakes that hang from the trees since the island is so crowded. He had me scared to even come here, thinking there would be a habu hanging from every tree I walk under. You know, kinda like this tree.

Fortunately, I've only seen them at zoos. Yuck.

I would bet money that I get an email from Mom telling me to leave off the snake pictures.

Brendan got an opportunity to play the sanshin.

And he got to dance to it, too.

We had such a good day that this is what he looked like before we ever even left our parking spot.

However, he wasn't so tired that he couldn't play the drums before bedtime.

Have a great week!

Saturday morning we headed out for a drive. We had no plans but figured if we saw something interesting we'd stop. Tom spotted Mona Kids Jungle...definitely something interesting.

We walked in and paid our entrance fee. Brendan didn't really realize where we were. All of a sudden he looked up and said, "Whoa!!!"

He wore himself out.

That was the highlight of our weekend. We went to the playground, went on a couple of bike rides...but I didn't pick up the camera anymore. Oh, except to take these.

Have a great week!



Family Land

We bought a lot of stuff while we were in the States. Too much stuff to fit in our suitcase to bring back. I packed up two boxes and Mom mailed them to us a few days after we left. I JUST got them last week. I had packed up new clothes for Brendan and I was worried they would be too small when I finally picked up the boxes. They aren't. This blue onesie was in one of the boxes. It matches his shoes perfectly. Unfortunately, he was too excited to "go" and wouldn't let me get a good picture of him.

Saturday morning the three of us had a surprisingly relaxing breakfast out. Breakfast is one of Brendan's best meals, and he especially loves pancakes. We took him to the BX to get his hair cut and to pick up a couple of things. We've been researching a "big boy" car seat and we found the one we wanted. Unfortunately, when I tried to order it they wouldn't ship to our address. Lo and behold, on Saturday the BX had the exact seat we wanted.

Those big things that look like Dumbo ears? They're full of air to cushion him in case we crash.

He is now forward facing and seems pretty excited about it.

This time of year makes me miss home and the four seasons. Although I love Okinawa, Fall is my favorite season and I haven't lived anywhere that has a Fall in several years. So we made the best of the still hot and humid weather and headed to Family Land, an indoor playground.



Family Land is much cheaper than Round 1. You pay in 15 minute increments instead of 90. This worked out great for us since Brendan was scared of a lot of the things there.

He wanted no part of this thing. And I think he was a little uneasy about Dad being in it.

Video games were all included.  

We were racing armadillos.

And he plays a serious game of air hockey.

He was a little nervous about getting in here with all those balloons flying around.

He just needed me to show him what to do.

Remember I said he likes his new car seat?

Rough life.