Japan Adventures in Babysitting

Now we started a new phase of the trip.  Doranda and Bob left on a vacation to Korea (where Bob served his mission) and we were the babysitters for all five grandchildren.

 What made it especially challenging, besides being in a foreign country where we don't speak the English much, we had no car.

 The only way to get around was by bicycle or on foot, or to take the train.  This the neighborhood where they lived.  The train station was only 3 or 4 blocks away and the base was only 30 - 45 minutes by train and then walking or an hour by bike.

A nearby park we went to a couple of time.  We also continued the homeschooling with the kids, which kept them and us busy for a lot of the day.  Things went pretty good but we did have a few mishaps that made it interesting.  The first day after Doranda and Bob left we had a typhoon hit.  It was windy but otherwise not too bad.  I even went with Penelope and Scarlett on the long trip to the base for a soccer practice that afternoon, by train and then walking, only to find it cancelled.  Then on the second day Jacquelyn took Penelope to soccer and Scarlett wouldn't go because she couldn't find the right socks.  Otherwise things went pretty well.  We made lots of trips out to the base.  Sometimes by train and then walking the rest, sometimes by bicycle.  We had a tons of fun with the kids.

This is the Middle School where Tucker had band class every day, and he had to ride his bike to get there.  I went with him the first day.  He also had tryout for the High School Play, 'James and the Giant Peach'.  He's really good.  On the second day Tucker forgot his base badge on the way to school and came back home very worried and upset.  We got his badge and I rode with him as he made the trip for the second time that morning.  We really hurried and he got there just as the bell rang.  I was was totally exhausted though, and had to stop at the base food court for a root beer float before riding back to the house.

 Finally it was time for the first soccer game.  We got the girls all there in time, but had a little problem at the start of the game.  Scarlett had her shirt tails out and that was against the rules.  The coach tried to get her to tuck them in, but she wasn't having it.  They started calling for the grandma but Jacquelyn couldn't get her to cooperate either.  She started to get really really upset and Jacquelyn had to take her out of the game and over to the sidelines and sit with her at the bench.

 After a while she felt better and came into the games, all properly attired and tucked in.  Here's Scarlett and Penelope playing soccer.

 Penelope was center and did the kick-offs.

 Scarlett playing soccer.

 Scarlett after the ball.

 Leon was helpful and assisted me watching Calista for the first half of the game.

 Then he got bored.

 One of the girls kicking the ball.

Tucker was bored too.  They were good sports though, and had to watch several practices and games from the sidelines.  I enjoyed watching the game.