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The last day of Anthony's school before breaking for the summer — the Japanese school year starts in April, so summer break is during the middle of a grade — included a sleepover for all the first graders, right at the school. I went to pick him up at the appointed time on Sunday, but he ended up playing with some friends for a while.
First we piled the kids into some cars and headed over to a nearby river play spot, one that Anthony played at last year. This year, though, he wasn't really in the mood to play in the water (which totally shocked me), but he amused himself taking pictures with the phone he carries during his school commute (as described here).....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34 mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Documenting the Day
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Getting The Angle
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Chimping
Eventually he remembered that he had some sandals in his sleepover-school stuff, and decided to wade in a bit.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45 mm — 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Getting His Feet Wet
( so to speak )
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bit Deeper
Of course, he ended up getting all wet.
Eventually we ended up heading to Mizuki-chan's house, along with Akiko-chan and Kana-chan.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/800 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Chased
by Kana and Mizuki
(They were playing on a dead-end street with no traffic, but still, I wish they would have had a helmet.)
I stepped away for a bit to take some picture of a nearby rice field, and came back to witness the end of Kana-chan's first ever bike ride...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 44 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Glow of Excitement
upon completing her first bike ride all by herself
As I clarified that she'd never ridden a “big” bike without training wheels, Anthony was more than happy to claim credit for just having taught her to ride. She gleefully then proceeded to do it again... (I guess once you learn, after that, it's like riding a bike)...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — 1/3200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Second Ride, Like a Pro
as I run along and try to get a shot
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — 1/2500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
U-Turn And Again
I eventually suggested that they return to the house to get a helmet, at which point everyone retreated inside for cool drinks and inside play.
Looks like Anthony is becoming a mini-Jeff with his camera!
Kana-chan definitely has the missing teeth of a first grader! I remember that age range – losing a tooth every other month.
‘CHASED’ could be deemed another one of your infamous ‘consummate Japanese photos’. You could call this one Consummate non-city Japan. You’ve got:
1) Narrow street w/ guard rails
2) Brown Houses that could be almost anywhere in Japan.
3) Wind Banners advertising stuff
4)Random vending machine/garden lot ->right between to buildings
5) Ugly utility poles.
6) Fashion forward Japanese women (nice glasses)
7) Hurried and stressed salaryman on a granny bicycle.
Last 2 things: A. The rice plants (and orange banner) look brilliant, is that straight away or post-op? B. I’ll be in Himeji come August. It will be fun to read your blog as an ex-pat even if only for 2 weeks.
I can’t believe you were watching over Kana-chan’s first bike-ride, then failed to take her to an emergency room when she knocked out her front teeth under your supervision!