Kids Parties

     "Come on in!  Look for the colored blocks.  There are thirty-five of them; see how many you can find."  We started off both our English kids parties at ten thirty in the morning with a block hunt.  We had hidden 35 colored blocks around our yard, which they were supposed to find.

       Once they found the blocks, we switched to a game where everyone had several clothespins attached to their clothing.  The object was to steal other people's clothespins and finish with the most on your own clothes when the time ended.  This got everyone warmed up and ready to hop in the pool.  They all jumped in as soon as they had changed into their swimsuits.

  

 

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         In the first party we had ten kids so they had to take turns.  While one group was in the pool another one could be on the trampoline.  Dad, Kristi, Tiffy, and I had to keep watching them though to make sure they didn't crash into each other!  For almost an hour they swam and jumped continually.  A few kids ventured into the woods to try the rope swings, climb on the forts, and look for rocks and bugs.

 

Sakura!

 

Sora jumping on the trampoline

 

 Looking for cool rocks

 

         We took a short break for snacks and drinks, before gathering on the trampoline just before twelve o'clock.  Dad brought a rock, a leaf, a shell, and a flower onto the trampoline to show the kids.  Looking at the design, he asked who did they think created them.  With such intricate designs they must have a Maker.  Most of the kids sat silently, not sure how to respond.  A few thought that nature must have made them.  Then Dad shared briefly that the one and only God made these things.  Since the Japanese believe in many gods, he tried to explain how there is a difference between the One God that made the universe and the many gods that Buddhists or Shintoists believe in.

 

 

             Then we split the kids into two teams for a treasure hunt.  Most of the kids had already noticed the locked box sitting on the fort in the woods.  Several had asked about it, wondering what was inside.

 

            We launched into a hunt, following the clues to find the two keys which would unlock the treasure box!  We started with a basic addition problem.  When they figured it out and said the answer in English, we pulled out a picture of where they were to find the next clue. 

Figuring out the clue

          When they found it, we opened it up and discovered a secret message in code.  They had to write in the letters which corresponded to the numbers written in the clue. 

          Soon the code was cracked and the kids hurried to their next location with the help of another picture.  The next clue was a little different.  They had to figure out which of four pictures matched the original.
          "This one can't be!" someone pointed out, "His shorts are green!"
          "Well, it isn't this one, there is no swimming pool for him to dive into!"
          "So is it the first picture or the last one?" I asked.  They thought a little longer before someone realized that the man's teeth had been dubbed out of the first one.  They were right!  The fourth picture was the one that matched the original.  They rushed to their next location and found another picture.  One team had a picture of a brick stairway and the other got a picture of a bench.  It didn't take them long to find where they were.  On the stairs and under the bench were boxes containing the keys!  They got so excited that they ran to the fort and started to unlock the treasure box.  One team finished before the other however, so they could only open one lock.  The treasure box remained closed until the second team arrived to removed the other lock.  Anticipation showed on all their faces as they slowly opened the lid and looked inside.

 

          "Woah!" someone exclaimed as the box opened.  Inside were small glass bottles with little rocks, a shark tooth, and a small fossil.  There was a little bundle of three coins for each of the kids too.  They each picked out a bottle of rocks and some coins. 

 

 

       By this time it was between twelve fifteen and twelve thirty, so they put their treasures in their bags and jumped into the pool or climbed onto the trampoline for the last round of swimming and bouncing.

       About twelve forty-five, the kids somewhat reluctantly got changed and gathered their belongings.  By one o'clock they were in the car with their stuff and saying goodbye.
        "See you!" we called as Dad pulled out of the driveway to drive them home.

        Altogether we had two very fun, successful parties with our English students.  We had enough time to really enjoy each person.  We had enough variety of things to do that everyone found something fun and interesting.  We had enough kids to keep us busy, but with four of us we were able to keep everything running smoothly.  Between times of keeping everyone from bashing their heads on the trampoline or from accidentally hitting someone while swimming, I also had one-on-one time with several of the kids.  Sometimes it was in the woods helping someone swing on one of the rope swings, other times I was jumping on the trampoline with one or two of the kids, or else it was in the pool pulling someone around on a floater.  It was nice to be able to have time to enjoy our English kids.

        I'm glad to have a break from English classes, but I'm also looking forward to seeing my little friends again next month!
     

 

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