Kimono Kids

1971...Wakkanai, Japan

Our family was stationed in Wakkanai when my dad was in the Air Force and I was in 2nd and 3rd grade.  You can go here to learn more about Wakkanai Air Station.


This photo was taken before one of the local parades.  I was a Girl Scout Brownie (6 or 7 yrs old) and our troop learned a dance that we would do as we marched in the parade.  I loved dressing up in this kimono and the funny little Tabbies (socks with the separation between the big toe and the rest of the toes, so you wore them with the grass slippers).

This photo brings back a few, but pretty vivid memories of this time:
1. The first night, my mom and I were reunited with my dad. Several months earlier, he had gone ahead to Japan, while my mom and I stayed in West Allis, Wisconsin near my grandma's. 

2. That night, I had fun bathing, playing and sitting in the funny tall, square tub that was the type of tubs in the Japanese rental that we lived in for a few months. (I remember also, getting upset and crying cuz I saw through the door into the living room- my parents on the couch sitting side by side and talking...I wanted to be done with my bath and be with them.)


3. I remember having those itty, bitty, teeny, tiny turtles as pets (before they were banned for carrying salmonella) Red-eared sliders.


4. Wakkanai is near a small fishing village and there was also a crematory, so sometimes the smells blowing around would be pretty strong.

5. Learning how to make origami-paper folding-cranes, balls, cups, etc...

6. Getting a little nesting doll family (Kokeshi nesting dolls)-mine had 6 people...the littlest ones were almost like tiny toothpicks without any real details.


7. I remember having a little 45 record ( I thought it was the best record ever!) of Jimmy Osmond (and can a 6/7 year old have a heart-throb? haha) ...from my 2nd floor,  bedroom window of the base housing, opening it wide, I would belt out loud along with him!  


(On one side it was Peg O' My Heart (he sang parts of it in English and in Japanese) and on the other side was a Japanese version of a song called "My Little Darling".
I have told this story to my kids before, so it was amazing to me that I found this on You tube! Too funny to think that I remember singing the line "Isumo-isumo...")




I'm enjoying Alicia's Friday Flashback Photo meme...so fun to find old photos that bring back great memories :o)  Go to More Than Words to see more fun fotos and join in :o)


And here are three more to add to this Friday Flashback Photo...

1991, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

20 years later! 

(I just realized the year, when I looked for these photos this morning...this wasn't planned at the time, we took these photos in Hawaii...it was a school "Around the World" day for Girly Whirly's kindergarten class and the night before, I had both girls try on my kimono...I still have it and the colors are just as vibrant as when I was little!)

Girly Twirly (3rd grade-8 yrs old)
(aka TheLuckiestMrs. ...take a look at her blog to get to know her. 
and if you do, please leave a comment... I know she'd love a visit :o)

Girly Whirly (kindergarten-4 1/2 yrs old)

Girly Whirly and best friend (the next morning)

I'm  also joining in with Midday Escapades for the Friday Follow to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs.  It is all about sharing and having fun.  You can go to Midday Escapades to read more about it.

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Here a couple of Asian-inspired  orders...

(I think I posted this one before...hm...well...if not, here's a bit about it. This one was ordered by a sweet customer when we were stationed in Hawaii. She was a cousin to Pat Morita (actor from Karate Kid).

This is the symbol for a military unit that was given as a gift for this Colonel's time as their commander.

Thank you for stopping by and I really enjoy your comments :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

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