Day 2 - are we gonna make it?

Ugh - it was tough for everyone getting up this morning. It took a few extra prompts to get the ball rolling. Hot pancakes made from scratch awaited the kids at 7:45 a.m. Everyone was in slow motion! After repetitive requests to get going without much response, I had to firmly raise my voice and shout out some basic commands. They got the picture really quick and moved their feet LOL!! It was a learning process--we also had to get lunches packed.

The kids made their own sandwiches, wrapped them, and bagged them! Maybe that's part of the reason we were running late. The moms (or adults) could've done it faster to save some time.

I still had a baby bag to double check and finish grabbing a couple items. Yes, I had my keys this time! But, I still had to run out the door with my coffee, tooth brush and paste, and socks and shoes in my hands. Talk about scramble. All of us ran 30 minutes late. Whew. Live and learn for tomorrow! It just seems like there is little time to relax--many things to do every minute.

We arrived at Yamada Junior High School, immediately loaded the school bus and headed to the Aomori Museum of Contemporary Art. This place was incredible! The picture at the right is the main area where we stayed. This is only a small section of the entire museum and grounds. First, the kids recieved an overview of the whole day and then instructions for the first half of the day--a team project.

The first stop was in the art gallery to get some inspiration from an actual art piece by Saara EKSTROM (from Finland). The art piece was displayed on the wall. Up close it contained very detailed animals, plants, etc. When viewed from far away it was another image--can you tell what it is?

After getting the necessary supplies, the kids went by groups down the nature trails to observe the forest and everything in it. They had three sheets of paper to draw what they saw. They did very well capturing the details and overall idea of the exercise. Some reaaly got their hands on nature (Shoya with dragonfly shown left).

In the middle of the nature trail there was a round wooden room--an art piece. The inside was the art - the walls were full of colored string from top to bottom (it had a waxy texture to it). It was so unique and interesting.

Once the teams were finished, they gathered around one large sheet of paper to take their individual drawings, cut them out, and create one image from all of it. The kids cut and pasted like crazy and came up with some great creations! We had a bird, human body, butterfly, hula dancer, and dragon fly.

Lunch time rolled around. The kids ate and had free time to explore the trails, play, throw pepples across the water, find some critters, and stay cool. It had to be 100 F today.

The afternoon session began at 1pm with a video slideshow from Hossein Valamanesh (Iran/Australia) who lives in Japan. He shared photos and drawings of birds nests--all different kinds! The kids then got to break off in groups and find a location to build their very own bird's nest. Once that was agreed upon, the kids collected the natural supplies from the surrounding area and some that were already done for them (wire, pillow stuffing, hay). Off they went to create their very own. Check out the two slideshows - Nest_01 and Nest_02.

It was T-Shirt time! The kids grabbed their white tees, permanent markers, and went to town. Each one had to write "Aomori Camp 2006" on the front and then add whatever they wanted. Again, they showed their unique creativity. On Saturday morning the kids will wear their shirts to Misawa and start signing each other's shirt during the day.

Lastly the kids made it back home for some down time, dinner (quesadillas), clean up, and some showers. A few of the kids attempted making cupcakes, but the oven wasn't very cooperative (no temperature and a mind of its own). Just prior to bedtime the kids had to race to get their stuff ready for the next morning, brush teeth, and a have their bed ready. The loser had to be the first one to do "bawk-bawk chicken" (strut like a chicken, flap your "wings", lift your legs high, stick out your chest, and shout out "bawk-bawk chiiicken...bawk-bawk chiiicken!"). I won't spill the beans who the loser was...because almost all of them wanted to play!

Lights were out by 9:30 p.m....ahhh, progress! Tomorrow a full day at the beach, a visit to the Nebuta floats...and...????? Good night for now!