Fun at the Ex

Yesterday was a perfect day to go to the Ex. Not too hot, some cloud cover, not too crowded. We started just after 10, and before we knew it, it was past 8pm!

We did the rides and the games, but there was a petting farm and a magician work-shop we went to.

Maid of the Mist

The raging water before us...


The frenzied spray surrounds us...





The wet impression remains.

Goldie and Butterfly City

Near the end of July we made our annual pilgrimage to the Butterfly Conservatory near Niagara-on-the-Lake. The first time we went Akemi couldn't get a butterfly to stop on her, and she was a bit disappointed. The next time she got one to stop on her finger and was very proud of herself. This year they were flying all around her.

One of them that she named Goldie kept returning to her.

After we left Akemi was horsing around with some of the locals.

Brazilian Festival

There was a Brazilian festival in July that we went to near the kendo dojo. From this picture you would think they were at some western dude ranch, but some of the food was Brazilian I'm told.

Family Picnic

Also in July we had our family picnic. It was a beautiful day. Akemi won a river of ribbons - mostly for participation. She didn't care if she came in last as long as she got a ribbon. And she did a good job at playing by the rules and having fun.

Bon Odori

July was a very busy month and I'm a bit out of date. Akemi had her second odori concert at the JCCC during Natsu matsuri. The announcer was kidding with them on and off stage, and when it came time for them to do their dance, they were all lost. It was all good fun though.

Before their performance they were observing some of the other dancers - some more intently than others. After the show there was a group dance that filled the parking lot. Akemi lasted a couple of songs before packing it in. It was a very long day for odori.