Here we are in Japan again 2018. Isaac, Luke, and Mary Helen attended in many activities while staying there. Isaac attended in the local elementary school as a 5th grader and Luke attended in the local preschool. This was Isaac's 5th year attending in the elementary school and he had many friends welcoming him. Luke will be joining this elementary school next year because of his birthday. Japanese school year begins at April 1st, which pushes Luke back a little bit because his birthday is April 17th. Mary Helen was doing therapeutic exercises at Curves (Yes. Curves are popular in Japan!) in Chuorinkan on Mondays ad Wednesdays and took Japanese classes on Tuesdays an Fridays in Machida, which kept her busy. On top of that she was walking Luke to/back from his preschool almost everyday. Luke also wend an overnight trip with his friends and teachers as part of the program. It was his first sleepover, which he did no problems. Luke and Isaac participated in the local Judo club, Machida Judo Club, for 1 month and competed in a local single elimination style tournament. Their training is very intense, but very meaningful. Isaac had a new activity this year, baseball. He was invited in the local baseball club, which was a bit different from the little league, although there is a little league in Japan. Anyway, they use a hard rubber ball, Nankyu, which is bouncier than a hard ball. Their rules are bit different too. Runners can take a lead from the base anytime, distance between bases is about 73', homebase to the pitcher's plate is 54', and such. Isaac was struggling for fielding for sure and even trowing because of the different ball size/weight/texture. But he enjoyed their practice drills. Their head-coach even gave Isaac one batting opportunity in a game. We made a short trip to Atami, which is not too far away from here, but very nice and relaxing. We met with many friends and family too. I have to say that this trip was very successful again.
Mommy with boys in the Airporter.
In SFO
At the hotel in Atami Hotspings by the Coast.
This is Luke's last year in the local preschool.
Luke s in Preschool uniform
Japanese style curry restaurant, Co Co Ichibanya,
We went Yokohama an took a sea-bus.
Yokohama, Miyato-Mirai Area,
Machida Judo Club
Machida Judo Club Training
2018 Machida Junior JudoTournament
YouTube Links:
Tsukushino Phoenix Baseball Club
YouTube Links:
Isaac batting in a game;
Isaac Fielding Practice;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hFXsWKD_C0
Luke in Batting cage;
Isaac in Batting cage;
Free Batting Practice, vs. Keishi Kawaguchi
Free Batting Paractice, vs. Kiho Motohashi
Activities in
Tsukushino Field Athletics with friends Rentaro and Miku, to whom Isaac has been friends since 1st grade. Now, Rentaro's little sister, Mei and Luke have joined into the group.
Masa somehow found time and went a ride around the town for some exercises. The bike is a city cycle with no gears and is more than 15 years old. It was hot, right around 95F with high humidity!
