Trekking Barris: November 2018

a little brag about my girls

Morgan finished the first quarter of 5th grade with straight As and was also picked for the Citizenship award for being the teacher's helper and her go-to math tutor for the other students. While I was at the school, I saw Bella's Darby Dolphin announcement on the TV screen flash by.

Morgan and her two 5th grade teachers that team teach to prep them for middle school and her 4th grade teacher that taught her amazing study skills

Bella nominated as the Darby Dolphin - she's going places!

Morgan and her Girl Scout troop dressed up in matching shirts and tail feathers - half passed out water and half ran. Bella is a strong runner, but already can charge up hills faster than me and the extra challenge seemed to motivate her to actually pick up the pace! Bella finished the 5k in 28:46 and came in 2nd out of the girls 10-13; however there was not a category for less than 10.... But for an 8 year old she smoked it!

Hita Oita Weekend

It was an awesome Veteran's Day weekend with a Hita lantern festival, followed by a half-marathon run, onsens, and Round One on the way back home. It was a super fun long weekend and here are some pics (none from Round One which was is my kiddos favorite Japanese amusement place with roller skating, tennis, playgrounds, and video games!).

this nice Japanese man gave the girls the cotton candy - for which they were grateful as I won't pay the high prices for sugar and they always decide not to use their allowance on it. Here are the girls with my good friend Nina. We met Nina and her family at the festival.

Nothing makes these girls happier than buying slime, and yes it's available even in Japan at festivals!

My girls weren't interested in the cuisine, and even this pic was a little close for Bella!

check out all the lanterns out side of the oldest temple in Hita

the girls found the MWR leader Eriko who had candles for them to light

Only in Japan can I leave the girls unattended for a few hours while I run! Actually people just left their wallets, cell phones and car keys on the grass and ran too! I came in 3rd for women ages 40-49 and got a really nice certificate that I later learned has my name in calligraphy on it. It's now framed and in my office at work.

Here's me chimping with the 1st place marathon finisher that was super fast!

Riptides vs. Tsunami Swim Meet

Today the girls did a great job in a home swim meet. Morgan had a tough race list with: 400m free, 100m IM, 50 fly, 100 free, medley relay (back) and 4X50 free relay. Bella did a great job too with her 50m free, 50m breaststroke, 50m back and free relay. Bella did awesome on her backstroke, beating girls a lot older than her.