Wordless Wednesday

Gushikawa Swim School

I have been waiting to post this until I got pictures of the big kids in their swim attire, but as busy as we are right before they leave, that may never happen...so without further delay...

The kids attend a Japanese Swim School out in town.
The teachers speak very little English, but the kids do fine.

The school is very focused on doing strokes correctly and the kids test once a month to see if they can advance to the next level...we have been told that some kids stay in the "kick class" for months and months!

All the kids are doing wonderfully...Sara is passing tests left and right, Georgia is getting better acquainted and comfortable in the water, and Jackson has improved so much, and working on his kick!

The kids are all so cute in their swim caps and goggles...Georgia is only one of 2 little american children in her class and they are all the cutest things to watch!!

I watch from here...

Exciting News!!!

This week was filled with exciting news!!

How exciting, you ask?
Well... exciting enough that when we got the news from halfway around the world, our home erupt in cheers and tears ... Ok, just I cried, but still!!

It looks like this family picture we took when we were in Texas this summer will need to be updated next Spring!!

Did you figure out the news?

But wait...it gets even better!

We found out that we will be adding not one, but TWO new babies into our family in May!!
Congratulations to Efrain & Rita, and Alaina, who is going be a Big Sister; and to Lor-Lor & Big Will who will be making the BIG transition from Aunt and Uncle, to Mommy and Daddy!

Hip Hip HOORAY...we are so excited, and sad we're not there to celebrate...but mostly excited!

** please note...I am NOT pregnant!! I repeat...I am not having a baby!!*** Auntie, I am talking to you!** We will not be bringing a baby home from Japan!**

Wordless Wednesday

Things You'd See in Okinawa: Round One

During the long weekend (Columbus day), Wade and I took the kids to an indoor playground.

There are a number of these "fun-plexes" in Okinawa, but we picked Round One.

Round One is 6 stories of big, indoor fun... and lest you need some fresh air, there's even fun to be had on the roof!! We didn't make it there, but look what Jackson did!

The first three floors are mostly arcade games (Finch's This picture is for you!), and on the upper floors you'll find roller skating, bowling, archery, simulation tennis, soccer, golf, shooting, etc games, darts, indoor playground,

....and more!

The kids had a great time and there is no doubt the Nordbergs will be going there again!

Things You'd See in Okinawa: Shi-sa Dogs

If you are in Okinawa for more than a couple of minutes, you will no doubt see a shi-sa... they are everywhere!
Shi-sas, which means "Lion Dog" are placed at the entrances of homes, shrines, graves, schools, and rooftops and are placed in pairs; the one with an open mouth represents the male getting rid of evil spirits, and the one with a closed mouth is a female holding in the happiness. The idea of the Shi-sas guarding the residents of these places from evil spirits, is an idea that supposedly comes from a blend of Chinese and Japanese religions.
We have SO many pictures of shisas from our everyday trips here, but thought we'd pick just a few to share...


Shi-sas Here...

At The WestPac Inn where we stayed when we arrived.

At the Kids' Swim School...

Shi-sas at the Botanical Gardens...

Shi-sas There...Cute Ones...

Big handpained Clay ones (my kids love these)... In the Exchange...

Big ones, at the Mall...

Shi-sas Everywhere!

& just to show you that they are EVERYWHERE...this one doesn't even have a house to guard...it is a drive entrance to where someone keeps old cars...

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday!)

Southeast Botanical Gardens

This weekend we went to the Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa City.

We pass the sign for this place every time we go to the Exchange and decided to check it out this weekend. It's very near our home, and we were so glad we went...The weather this weekend was perfect! Of course, that is because a typhoon was on its way here, but it wasn't too hot and there was a great breeze blowing.
We started the day on a tram that took us around the entire garden, and then we walked back to the places we wanted to visit...

Like the playground for the kids, that had a super fun tire zip-line...

The wonderful ponds where the kids were able to buy carp food and feed the fish.

This was an amazing experience...when we first started, we thought it would be like any other place where a few fish come and take the food you throw....Big mistake. We saw a feeding frenzy that should have been on Animal Planet! Really, the kids couldn't stop laughing at the number of fish that were literally jumping out of the water, and on top of each other, to eat!

There were amazing water gardens that smelled wonderful!!


I never realized how many kinds of water lilies there are!


Right in the middle of these water gardens was "Pet Island" where we saw goats...


and this sign... I never tire of the funny Japanese signs!

The flowers at this place were so beautiful, and I couldn't help but think of my Aunt Frances at every turn...she who would LOVE the flowers here!



Gorgeous, I know... look and enjoy!!


Right before we left, we fed the fish again, and this duck dive bombed us and scared the bejeezus out of all of my children...it wanted the fish food! Wade and I laughed hysterically and even today Luke keeps saying..."Scawey duck!"

We had so much fun and are already planning to go back again... there was still so much we didn't get to see!