Fuji Safari Park

We set out on another outing this weekend which took us to the Fuji Safari Park. It was right below the base of Mt Fuji which was about a 2 hour drive. We went on a bus with our church that left early in the morning. We arrived and found out that the bus we were riding could drive through the park amongst all the animals. So in wen the bus! There were animals everywhere and each "zone" was contained within two sets of fences. First there was the bear zone, then lion, tiger, cheetah, rhino, herbivores etc. It was a pretty long drive through the windy roads and through all the gates. The animals were super close to the buses and occasionally crossed the roads. After the drive-thru safari they parked the buses and we at lunch and roamed around the zoo part of the park. The most ridiculous thing they had there were these "Cat/dog/bunny houses." You had to pay 500 yen (~$5) per person to go in a room that was loaded with either cats, dogs, or bunnies. LC and I went into the dog house first. There was probably 30 small dogs in there, 27 of which were sleeping. So we would just go up to the dogs and pet them and talk to them. A man brought us over a min pin for some reason so I held it for a bit before offering it to LC. She said she didn't want to hold any dogs because she didn't want to get fur on herself. We pet all 35 sleeping dogs and made a move for the exit.  Later on in the day she convinced mom to take her into the Cat House. Shannon said the cats were all out of reach and they too were all sleeping. The houses however were packed with Japanese folks who were just sitting in there relaxing amongst the animals. Weird. We bought Lion waffle bites and ice cream before we left but over all we had a good time.

The token Selfie on the bus ride to the park! 

Some of us looked out the window at all the scenery...

Some of us studied the safari map to maximize our time at the park...

And others watched Frozen.

The first zone was for the bears. 

This one had an itch on his back.

This was inside the Lion zone. These buses were what you can ride on if you didn't want to risk it and take your own vehicle on the safari. These buses were shaped like animals and they caged you in to protect you. Wait a minute -- who are the animals here? The buses would stop and let you feed all the animals. 

E liked the lion zone. She let out a lot of "roooooooaaaaars."

Lions in the trees and on the roads. 

E loved it!

Check it out! 

I thought these signs were funny.... as if you anyone was going to get out of their car.

Tigers

Cheetah

Elephants

LC kept saying the Zebras were her favorite. She would always hold Dodo up to look at his wild Zebra friends in the park. 

The girls thought this giraffe was funny -- he just stood there eating and staring at us.... for a really long time.

E liked the guinea pigs... until they moved. Then she jumped and ran away. 

Checking out the grey kangaroos.

Here is our little monkey feed the monkeys. LC was a little timid at first...

But then she got the hang of it.

Cuddling Hyenas. 

Of course the girls wanted a ride on the "Princess Coach." LC named the horse Sunny. 

We were able to pet the Kangaroos! 

And then we found a little joey kangaroo with his mommy. 

E was tuckered out on the bus ride home.... phew, what a day! 

But still had enough gas left in the tanks to play at the park! 

Out and About for the 4th of July

We have gotten back into somewhat of a routine. With that being said, it was time to mix things up a bit. I had most of Thursday off, all of Friday and the entire weekend off. I got home early from work on Thursday and we packed up E and trekked to Toys R Us. Not much of a journey but it was a place I haven't been before. It was about a 20 min car ride. No biggie. We got to the mall that Toys R Us was in and we shopped/walked around for a bit. Mom went into Old Navy and freshened up her 1990's wardrobe and I chased E around the different stores. Old Navy was the same Old Navy I remember from the states minus the Hello Kitty's and Minnie Mouse's plastered on all their apparel. They also had a large table full of USA/ July Fourth / 20th Anniversary Old Navy shirts. Funny to see that in the Japanese Old Navy. E and I also checked out a lot of other stores and finally met up with mom and proceeded to the Toys R Us. We were shocked to see they Frozen aisles still have items for sale. While back in SD, I looked at every store within the city for Frozen stuff.... anything frozen. But the entire city was sold out. I relinquished my search after an overly cheery lady at the Disney store told me that "ohh sorry sir, we are all thawed out of frozen stuff." So it was refreshing to see the Japanese Toys R Us aisles had Frozen stuff. We bought a little Elsa toy for both girls - They already had Anna so we had to complete their set. Of course that was a hot item at the house as soon as we brought it home. There were a few tears spilled over who could play with.  

We decided to hit up the food court there in the mall for lunch. We each got some ramen and gyoza. It was quite tasty. We had to scope out the other patrons to see what we were supposed to do with our dishes. It was delicious..... or as Leyton would say, "Oishi des."

After the girls' nap we loaded up the car and went to base to partake in the 4th of July party. The forecast had rain for the entire day so we gathered up our umbrellas and rain coats. It turned out to be fine. They had two 80's bands, that E absolutely loved, tattoos, games and free food. A little slice of 'Merica. The last 80's band ended promptly at 745pm for the evening fireworks display. LC was really really excited for this part because the fireworks look like Tinkerbell's fairy dust. We loaded up two tuckered out girls and got home and in bed by 945pm or so. 

Today we decided to remain adventurous and head to Enoshima Aquarium. We took the girls on the train for the first time. LC just sat on Mom's lap and E had a good time saying "Choo choo" as the trains went by. It was about a 45 min train ride with one transfer. We got to the Aquarium and walked around there for a bit. They had fish, lots of tanks, sharks, crab, jelly fish and a cool Seal lion/dolphin show. 

The girls were approaching their breaking point so we decided to roll the dice even further and go to Denny's for lunch. 'Merica! LC had a mini-meltdown but threatening to not eat at Denny's fixed that right up. The girls had Pikachu pancakes and seemed to love the extra ice cream toppings on top. We figured the train ride back home was going to be miserable with two tired kids, who were supposed to be an hour and a half into their naps, but they did great on the train ride home. We still had a 15 min walk back to the house but LC only complained 5 times because her feet was hurting. Oh, and she hates going potty now and today her excuse was, "my pee isn't working today, daddy." Over all it was a good trip and really awesome to get out even though it was rainy and wet. And the icing on the cake was hearing the "Let it go" Frozen song coming from the speakers in the streets during our walk home. Happy 4th Everyone!

4th of July at Atsugi base

Every time we would put E down she would run straight for the band and start dancing. I think she loved the 80's music!  

E would always make her way to the stage to listen to the band. 

Fireworks are starting! 

 

At the train station about to board.

A Selfie inside the Odakyu-Sagamihara train station

The train is here! All aboard!  

E loved to hold onto the handles like everyone else.

On our way to Enoshima. 

A quick stop for a photo op and then...

On our way to the Aquarium. 

Lets go! 

E checking out the beach and Enoshima

E loved looking in all the fish tanks

LC was a little scared of all the fish and creatures and kept a safe distance...

However, E was not afraid in the least bit! 

The crab tank.

Snack break. 

Enoshima Island

Beaches.

Mom and LC checking out the penguin tank on the other side of the glass. 

Sea Turtles.

Sea lion and dolphin show.  

Touch tanks.

Pancakes at Denny's 

Train ride home.... that was fun! 

Daddy is Finally Home!

We are certainly happy to have Daddy home.  Here are a few pictures that we took before he arrived.

Bathtime is always interesting

Leyton's official 'First Day of Yochien' photo

We spent many evenings at the park.  It is too hot outside during the day, but after dinner it is comfortable outside, so we take advantage

So STRONG!  Ellis goes with me to the Atsugi Family Gym.  She watches me to pull-ups and toes-to-bar and she mimics me.  Yesterday a dad marveled at her strength.  She really can hold on a long time.

Not that you can see them in this picture, but Ellis still has her kooties.  And half of her right eye is red.  Poor kid.  I think she is rather allergic to Japan.  And Leyton is devoured with mosquito bites.  In the 10 steps she walks from the car to the house, they will eat her up.

If you are not quick enough, as soon as Ellis is done (whether she actually eats everything or not), she throws her plate and fork and sippie on the floor.  Stinker.  But she makes the funniest face when she does it that I have a lot of trouble getting mad.

Leyton has become my little helper.  She loves to do little tasks around the house -especially in the kitchen.  She often makes a bigger mess than she starts with, but occasionally she really is helpful.

The Japanese always do 'peace' in photos.  She was not prompted in this picture.  She is also now teaching us a few Japanese words.  Thanks for Leyton Sensee we now know 'yummy', 'Are you okay,' and 'Sit down.'