Stuck at home with Typhoon Bolaven

 We ran out of things to keep Cooper and Mackenzie occupied today while we were riding out the end of Typhoon Bolaven, so I gave them a few of their birthday gifts early.  I couldn't stand to listen to the Backpack song from Dora, see another sticker stuck on the wall or have Mackenzie cut any more paper!  The Hungry Hippo game is a birthday gift from Jennifer McGuire. She has given the twins the sweetest gifts and they LOVED playing the game today. Although they didn't really understand how to play, it still kept them occupied for awhile.

 Cooper has had a crush on Rapunzel for months! He also loves playing with Mackenzie's princesses, so I got him this Tangled toy set that had Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder, Maximus the horse, and the lizard. He LOVED it until he saw Mackenzie's Sleeping Beauty carriage. I think it was because it has wheels and he wanted to drive it around.

 Mackenzie wanted me to take a picture of her new horse.  She had a lot of fun driving the carriage around the house today and even took a nap with her new toys.

 Once we were finally allowed out of the house, around 3:30pm this afternoon all the neighbors came out to assess the damage. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. This bush took a pounding as the wind came through this gap between the houses. Yes, that is my blue recycle bin in the bush :)

 My neighbor moved all my planters into my storage shed, but my poor planted flowers took a beating too. The wind and rain was pounding into this side of the house for hours, which is why I couldn't sleep last night.

 This tree is still sanding tall, just missing a few branches that are in their yard. Once we gave all our beach towels to the Millers next door, they had a horrible leak, we got in the car and headed out to explore. I had a message from Jae Joo that the Japanese indoor playground was open!  The damage wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. This place really is built to withstand these storms!  We had a great afternoon/evening with the Joo family and decided that the following typhoons will be no problem!

TCCOR 1E meaning we are in the middle of the Typhoon

 The twins are asleep and I am updating family, friends, Facebook, and the blog that we are now in TCCOR 1-E conditions. That means that the winds are 50 knots or greater and no going outside. The eye of the storm is now passing through Kadena where we live. Getting loud as the wind and rain hit the house. I am so thankful to live in an area built for these conditions and around great people willing and able to help.  Below is a photo from somewhere out in town of a trampoline in a power line! This was before the wind of 50 knots! 

 In the photo above, you can kind of see how the winds are blowing the small tree. Nothing like the winds now at TCCOR 1E, but it is dark and can't get photos.
We entertained ourselves today but watching movies and snacking. Cooper and Mackenzie stayed in their jammies all day :)  Cooper has his cheeks full of grapes.

 Mackenzie actually sat and watched some of the movies, probably because she didn't nap this afternoon!

 Then the shirts came off and it was wrestle time! Just a little hug and kiss for big brother.

 View from the backside of our house this afternoon.

Good thing we aren't by the coast!

Saturday Night of Typhoon Bolaven

 We enjoyed a family pizza party as Typhoon Bolaven slowly rolled into Okinawa tonight. I ordered lots of extra pizza to eat this weekend. Cold pizza is good if the power goes out, right? Mackenzie got her own personal Hawaiian pizza, she loves pineapple! Cooper got some bread sticks that he dropped on the ground! Yep, we ate them any way!

 Mackenzie stayed busy cutting paper most of the night. Thanks Aunt Beth for the idea!  They did these tracings at school, and we have had lots of fun with them at home making a collage.

 We also did our fingernails and toes. Cooper got glitter toes and Mackenzie has blue and pink toes. Too bad daddy isn't here to get in the action too!

 We took early baths, filled the bathtubs with water, popped some popcorn and watched some movies. It was a nice family night.

Sunday Afternoon Of Typhoon Bolaven

 This is a view from our home today, this is how it has looked most of today. As I type, the wind is picking up but it looks like the eye of the storm won't pass through until later tonight. We are still in TCCOR 1-C meaning the winds are under 50 knots.

 Mackenzie didn't take a nap this afternoon, so she watched the end of Thor with me and then we had a brownie snack. Yummy!

Category 4 Typhoon Bolaven Update

 We are currently in TCCOR 2 condition here in Okinawa, which means we are expected to see winds of 50 knots or greater within 24 hours. We have had to secure all outside items and will move into TCCOR 1 later tonight. There has been no change in Bolaven, still a Category 4 Typhoon expected to hit Okinawa later Sunday.
My sweet neighbors helped move my planters and hoses into my storage area. Mackenzie's hippo planter should be fine :)  Right now I am sitting in my bed watching outside. The wind has picked up and it is raining. The twins are napping and it is peacefully quiet.  We have pizza being delivered soon and will watch some movies and spend time as a family tonight.
More to follow. Love to all!

Playing Before the Storm

 When I asked Cooper and Mackenzie what they wanted to do today (Saturday), they both said "Ball Playground!"  We here they are in some of the many balls at Mihama Kids Park in American Village. I know we are going to be stuck in the house for a day or two, so we had a little fun and went to the "ball playground."

 This indoor playground is amazing! The Japanese know how to build a fun playground that is safe and easy to get around. We played a game of trowing balls as they came down the slide.

 They had a blast on the "jump jump" today and even did some new tricks. Cooper showed me his forward roll and they both brought their knees up when they jumped. I LOVE going to play areas where the kids can develop their motor skills and try new things. As a parent it is exciting to see them accomplish a new skill as they build their confidence and familiarity with a place.

 This is a great swing to teach them how to pump their legs to make it go. Both Cooper and Mackenzie were able to do it today.

 After some playing it was time for a snack. Always fun to put money in a vending machine, get a ticket, and then get food :) 

 Enjoying their favorite snack here: POPCORN! 

Preparing for Typhoon Bolaven

Getting prepared for our second Typhoon while living here on Okinawa. This one is the real deal, they are predicting at direct hit on our tiny island of Okinawa. One of those small white islands you see on the top left side of the first map. The eye of the storm is wider than some areas of the island. I am not taking any chances with this one and followed all the rules and suggestions for preparing for a Typhoon. 
After work and school on Thursday we went to the Kadena Commissary (grocery store.) It was PACKED, line wrapped around the entire grocery store!  We picked up water, snacks, and anything else that kept Cooper and Mackenzie entertained while waiting in line. We also opened multiple items to munch on while waiting in line.
The Typhoon has picked up steam and is now a Category 3 Typhoon that is supposed to hit Okinawa late Saturday/early Sunday. I left work at lunch time and went to the Eagle Hardware store on Kadena base to get my sandbags. I had NO IDEA it would be this crazy! They were literally dumping more sand when I got there, we had to get bags, check out a shovel, and fill our own bags.

 Filling our bags with sand. It was hot and not easy to fill the bags, but I got 5 bags that are now positioned along the doors leading to the back yard. They are supposed to help prevent water from entering the house.

 Here are my five sandbags.

 I went by the gas station and filled the car up. This is on our list of "things to do" to prepare for a typhoon. There was no line, so I went ahead and filled up, just in case!

 Typhoon Bolaven is now a Category 4 Typhoon scheduled to come through Kadena (Okinawa) late Saturday, early Sunday. There is another Tropical Storm/Typhoon south of Bolaven, and this storm may pull the other one into follow!  We have all the supplies I can think to have. I even brought home a bunch of medical supplies, just in case. I will keep you all updated.