Japanese Flea Market

Last weekend DJ had a day off so we decided to venture out to a flea market that was being held at the Dazaifu Temple, which is only a 20 minute drive from us. We figured that if the flea market was not a big hit we could at least go and see the temple. DJ had already been to the temple, but even though we have been over here for 3 years this is the first one that I have gone to.

The flea market ended up being fun. We got to look through tons of booths but didn't find much we wanted to buy. We tried to find something though (just so we could say we got it at a Japanese flea market). The best we found was a little bracelet for Tessa!






The temple and the area surrounding it was beautiful. There were big huge trees and a cool little pond. Tessa loved feeding the fish bread at the pond. She thought it was so neat to see the big fish open and close their mouths.









The temple is the temple of knowledge. Students go there before tests to make sure they are full of knowledge. This is where people come to wash their hands and drink the water for knowledge.






The weather was awesome and the city was so cute, so we decided to walk around on our way out. They had a neat little downtown area that was blocked off from the cars that was lined with restaurants and little shops to look through. Tessa had fun cruising around and checking everything and everyone out. She would give people her best smile and wave as they passed by her oohing and aahing over the little blond hair, blue eyed girl. We had a good time looking through the Japanese souvenir shops and DJ actually talked me in to trying the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten (which I didn't get a picture of) :) He told me that he had had them before and that it was good. So I TRUSTED him... It was from a little walk up window that served deep fried food on a stick. They had a bunch of different choices from carrots to cuttle fish. I decided to go with the sweet potato. That was what I thought would be the safe bet! So I imagined, in my head, that what I would be getting was a inch thick round slice of sweet potato on a stick that was stuck in some batter and deep fried. Ya not the healthiest choice but I was starving so I thought at least it was edible. Well I was wrong. What I got looked like it was what I imagined but when I took that first bite I was so so wrong!!! First of all, when I went to take a bite of it it smelled like fish. That should have been my first clue but since DJ took a bite and said it wasn't that bad I decided I would take a bite to try it. I didn't say I would eat it, but I would take a bite. That is what I did... I took a bite and immediately spit it out. It was so DISGUSTING. I can't even tell you what it was because I have no clue what it was. The best way to describe it is by comparing it to an eraser. I know, well at least I hope, none of you have bit into an eraser, but this thing was like biting on rubber. It was this thick white rubbery stuff deep fried with little chunks of sweet potato mixed into it. Needless to say, I didn't eat anymore. DJ had a little more (Poor guy told me that this was considered good food for him when he is at the field. I can only imagine what they feed him there!) and then we tried to give Tessa a bite. Let's just say, she had the same feelings I did and the wonderful 380 yen ($4) snack ended up being thrown on the ground and then thrown in the trash :) So we ended up buying 2 ears of corn instead for 1000 yen ($10) instead. At least we could eat it!

If you look in the background you can see the deep fried things we bought.

Making a Positive out of a Negative...

A couple weeks ago DJ got a small tear in one of his leg muscles while pitching and has been on the DL ever since. He has been working hard at getting his leg back in shape so he can begin to pitch but in the mean time we are loving his new schedule. His rehab schedule consists of NO traveling and much better hours. His normal schedule usually has him on the road for days or only home for a few hours every morning. He rarely would make it home to say goodnight to the kids. But the past few weeks we have gotten to see a lot more of him :) He is gone all morning but is home before nap time! It has been really nice being able to go do things, spend time together, and eat dinner as a family. Even though DJ is exhausted from having to wake up so early in the morning and from the kids wanting all of his attention, we sure love having him home more! But we also really can't wait for him to get back to pitching... we love watching the games and cheering for him! I'm sure we will be back to baseball season reality in a few weeks :)

Here are some pictures of the last few weeks!

Hanging out down at the beach.





Going out with Daddy to the park and to look at the fish in pond at the nearby school.







Happy to be hanging out with Daddy!




Loving all of Daddy's attention!

Tessa's New Trick...

but before I show you what it is I want you all to know that her wonderful Daddy taught her this one!!!

One night while I was getting Brady ready for bed I could hear Tessa and DJ laughing and being silly in the front room. I come out to find the two of them playing with a flashlight. DJ was teaching Tessa how to "tell scary stories" while holding the flashlight. But then he continued to show her that he could put the flashlight in his mouth and make his cheeks glow... Monkey See, Monkey Do!!! Tessa could not wait to grab the flashlight and try it herself. Nice going Daddy!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Mine was perfect!!! I got to spend the morning with my kids at the beach while DJ was at his game. We had fun playing in the sand, looking for seashells, chasing birds (Brady liked that) and playing catch.





Then we spent the night as a family, which is extra special for us!!! (We lucked out that DJ was home and not on the road today.) DJ and Tessa cooked me a steak dinner. It was yummy! And we spent the rest of the night playing around the apartment. It was nice just getting to spend time together :)

4 Months Today!!!

Brady is 4 months old!

He is starting to outgrow his newborn stage and is becoming a little baby boy. He is still such a calm and relaxed baby. He just hangs out and likes to watch us all. He loves watching his sister and follows her every move. They are so cute together! Tessa loves to give her brother hugs and kisses and Brady just thinks it is the best thing ever. Tessa makes sure Brady is always OK. She gives him a paci when he is sad or a toy when he drops his, and loves to sit with him while he is playing on his mat. The two of them are going to be such good friends.

Brady is starting to become more active. He loves to grab and pull his toys down that are hanging. He loves to kick and scoot all around on his back. He is so close to rolling over from his back to tummy but needs just a little push to do it. He gets so frustrated when he can't do it :) He has really started to love his bath. His feet kick and splash all around. I now get soaked during bath time. He has also started to really laugh. The other night he was laughing so hard at his Daddy and sister playing patty-cake (probably because his Daddy looked really silly doing it!) he gave himself the hiccups!

Our lil' Bradsters is so smiley. I love it. Whenever I need a pick me up I just look at his smiling face and he instantly brightens my day. We are so blessed to have such a sweet happy boy!