Irashaimase!!!

Yesterday Ben had a "shopping event" at his school. Basically the classes had made various items to "sell" such as fake vegetables, fake ice cream, toys, etc. It was a ton of fun and very loud! The kids were screaming irashaimase which means welcome to my shop for about 1 1/2 hours straight!

Ben's classroom

There they all go to sell.

I'm not sure what Ben was selling. The little red things next to him though sold like hotcakes.

Clapping and yelling.

Here's what he "sold."

Now it is his turn to go shop! He had ten tickets to spend. Some things cost 3 tickets, others 2 or 1 ticket.

Trying his luck at fishing. This was a game the oldest kids at school put on.

He got a turtle!

Donuts

Pastries

Popsicles

He had a bag full of goodies! Ben was very easy to shop with. He knew what he wanted, bought it and moved on. It didn't take him long to make any decisions!

Ben's friend Hana

All of the cars parked on the school playground. Luckily I had parked at the market across the street and was able to get out quickly!!!

Bye Again Daddy!

Grant has once again left on deployment. Right before he left we took the kids onto the ship to show them (well Ben) Grant's room once again.

Ben was ready to stay. He had it all planned out where everyone could sleep. Um - I don't think so buddy!

The flight deck

This was taken the morning Grant was leaving. We drove him down to the ship by 7:00 a.m., said our goodbyes and the kids and I stuck around the pier to wave goodbye to the ship. Well shortly after Grant boarded we got the phone call from him that a typhoon was going to delay them for a few days. When Grant came home that night it felt like he had been gone for three months because my mindset was already switched to him being gone! It was so strange!