Rainy Season

June is the official kick-off of the Japanese rainy season.  When they say 'rainy season,' they mean it.  It started raining Wednesday morning, and it rained nearly constantly until Sunday morning.  There was a brief 24-hour break, and then more clouds and more rain.  This usually goes on for about three weeks.  So if you are planning a trip to Japan, don't come in June.  Unless you don't mind the rain.

About a week ago, Leyton asked to make a little rain doll when she got home from school.  She told me how to make it, and so we did.  You take two tissues or squares of cloth or paper.  Crumple one up into a ball.  Take another and wrap it over the ball and tie a string around the ball.  Then draw a face on it.  It looks exactly like a ghost we would make for Halloween.  I also noticed at her school they had made these 'ghosts' for the windows.  Today on the radio I heard the explanation for the 'rain dolls'.  They are called 'teru teru bozu' and children make them to ward off the rain.  You are supposed to hang it in your window, and if the sun shines, you are supposed to give it candy.  If it continues to rain... well, let's just say things don't end very well for teru bozu.  There is also a song that goes along with it, which Leyton has been singing.  You can hear the rather creepy song and find out what happens to an unsuccessful rain doll on this teru-teru-bozu link.

One bright spot from our week was a care package from Daddy.  It was very thoughtful and sweet of him to send us some goodies and lift our spirits.  He sent me a coffee grinder and french press, which I love.  And he sent the girls some clothes, treats, books, and Doc McStuffins toys.  He sure does know how to make his girls happy!

Leyton checking out her goods

Daddy went shopping at Target and I am very jealous.  I miss Target.

An awesome Rainbow Dash shirt!

Leyton rocking her new Ariel shirt and a few accessories she added for style

On Sunday we made good use of the rain hiatus (though we still wore our rain jackets because it looked like it would rain any minute).  We took a walk to visit our friendly neighborhood seal statues.

When did these girls get so big??