The Girls sing Their ABC's

I've got a much better video of Ellie doing this, but I can't find the adapter for the video camera. Curses.  But this is pretty funny still.

A Pink Bike

Ben and I are frugal, bordering on stingy. So the last several months we've looking for a used tricycle to buy Ellie, because we just couldn't bring ourselves to pay for a new one. But after a long and fruitless search, we decided it was worth it to buy it new.  Plus we had just picked up a sused bike helmet at the thrift store the day before.

We've got ourselves a lovely budget, and it has really blessed our lives in so many ways.  At any rate, in our "miscellaneous" category for last paycheck we had some money left over and decided to get the bike.  We were at the NEX (the on base "department" store...) and behold, there were some Radio Flyer tricycles.  We we let Ellie pick between a pink or a red (knowing that either way it will get good use in our house).  She choose pink and couldn't stop talking about it on the way home.  Until she fell asleep.  So while she napped Ben and I put it together.

She can't quite reach both peddles simultaneously (maybe that's why it says for 2 1/2 to 5 years old...), but who cares! She loves it.

Life is just too exciting around here!

Sisters, sisters...

"...there were never such devoted sisters." And you know someday we'll make them sing that at a ward talent show.

Markers

I promise we didn't give Eleanor a black eye.  She got a little wild with the markers.  She sad because I won't give her the camera.

And now she's happy because she has her "aminal cards" to look at.  Just thought I'd share this lovely little moment from the Lewis home.

It's Too Darn Hot

I know my friends who are setting heat records in Texas will agree that this has been a sweltering summer, even in Japan.  Mostly because the 1 billion percent humidity we have here...I may exaggerate slightly.
So yesterday we pulled out the kiddie pool and got wet, some more than others.

Little Burritos

Ellie wanted to be a burrito like her sister...

...whom she loves to pieces!

One Month

One August 3rd we celebrated one year in Japan (post coming on that later) and one month since sweet Clara joined our family.

She is already quite the traveler, having accompanied us on trips to Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo while my mom, dad, and brother Andrew were here visiting.

She loves to be held and sleeps best when she is moving around.  We have found that the swing we purchased a yard sale is invaluable!

Ellie loves "Clara sister!" Clara will be lucky to survive the love and attention Ellie likes to give her.