The most exciting thing that happened today?

If you asked my children what was the most exciting thing that happened today, they'd say, "Watching Star Wars 2 for the first time." 

If you asked me, it would be that my husband finally booked a place for us to go camping in a couple of weeks. This has been a long-held plan (at least since our year in Australia 09-10), so it is nice that we are getting close to realising it. The location is not too far – Okutama, which is the far western corner of Tokyo. Tokyo is not actually a city, it is a collection of cities, more like a state. And it is shaped as an elongated oval. See the lake out near the left of the orange. That is where we are going in a couple of weeks for a couple of nights.

This is a bit further down river than where we'll be, but gives you an idea.

When we were up in Karuizawa, we took the opportunity to put up our tent. I regret not getting photos. The weather was wonderful and we got a wet weather test too! It passed with 95% flying colours, so now we know where to put the towels! The kids slept in it one night too. Or should I say three of the five kids did. Certain children refused to be quiet after several threats and were banished to the house.

So now we'll take the plunge, but not so far from home that we cannot return home if we desperately need to. However we aren't in the rainy season any more, so rain is far less likely. though if anything is going to bring it on, it could be the Marshall family camping for the first time on our own!

I have at least one friend who's waiting to hear the stories from this grand adventure!

It looks like some more green therapy. But now to motivating the boys to help out around the camp site . . . and writing some lists . . .