Playing with a Little Buddy

Our freind Yuki visited from Tokyo with her son Sora. Motoki enjoyed being a big brother.

Checking out some Ferraris

Another Halloween...Another Pirate

Local Autumn Festivals

It was another beautiful fall weekend in Kumayama.

We took part in the yearly Autumn Festival, in which a wheeled shrine is pulled through the streets by children. They enjoy chanting and beating a drum while collecting funds from the residents for special events.

Afterwards we checked out the local sumo festival, some of the men from the area take it very seriously!

All of the children, boys and girls, can get a turn if they like. Motoki had two matches, he went 1 for 2 and was paid 200 Yen each time, so he was quite happy.

Undokai - Sports Festival

Motoki is in the oldest class at his pre-school so he has been practicing a lot for the yearly Sports Festival. All Japanese schools have this event. Families are invited and the children put on a display of their physical abilities. They run races, climb walls and do other activities.

It was great to see Motoki so accomplished at many things. He won two of the relay races and had a great time.