Kimberly Mitchell Photography » Personal http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com Okinawa's family photographer - children maternity birth & newborn portraits Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:31:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Eisa & Obon http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1173 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1173#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:08:26 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1173

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.Another glimpse into life in Japan. This week is Obon in Okinawa. It’s a major holiday here to honor deceased ancestors. (Wikipedia can tell you more about [...]]]>

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NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Another glimpse into life in Japan. This week is Obon in Okinawa. It’s a major holiday here to honor deceased ancestors. (Wikipedia can tell you more about Obon if you’re interested.) During these three days, Eisa drummers can be spotted around town performing impromptu shows in parking lots and on street corners. It’s quite a treat to look out your front door to find this:

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1173/feed 0 Natsu Matsuri http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1171 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1171#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:36:43 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1171

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here. It’s time for the Summer Festival again at preschool! This evening we watched the girls dance around, ate carnival food, and stayed for the pretty impressive fireworks [...]]]>

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It’s time for the Summer Festival again at preschool! This evening we watched the girls dance around, ate carnival food, and stayed for the pretty impressive fireworks display! It was a grand time. I mean really, can the yukata get any cuter???

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1171/feed 1 Playing the Pianica http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1123 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1123#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 01:52:57 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1123

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here. Today’s glimpse into Japanese culture: As a “B-san”, Mia is learning to play the pianica at school. It’s a cross between a piano and a harmonica. To change [...]]]>

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Today’s glimpse into Japanese culture:

As a “B-san”, Mia is learning to play the pianica at school. It’s a cross between a piano and a harmonica. To change the notes, you use a small piano keyboard, but to make the sound you blow through a mouthpiece. It’s pretty cute! I had never seen one of these before, but it seems to be a pretty popular instrument among yochien students. Preschoolers all over the island are carrying the little pink or blue cases. If last year’s music program is any indication, the kids get to be quite proficient. It’s quite a sight to see a whole stage full of 4 year olds playing a pianica concert.

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1123/feed 0 Farmer Mia http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1109 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1109#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 03:47:14 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1109

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.Do you know what this is? So, one day I picked up Mia from school and she was chattering away in the backseat about seeds and growing and [...]]]>

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Do you know what this is?

So, one day I picked up Mia from school and she was chattering away in the backseat about seeds and growing and gardening and planting and watering and I admit, I didn’t quite catch it all. But when she ended with “…and I can be a farmer, OK?” I just agreed and kept driving. I didn’t see the seed she clutched in her little hand and honestly, I had completely forgotten about the conversation by the time we made it home. But, as soon as we pulled up, Mia jumped out of the car and popped the seed in a flower pot near the door (that already had flowers in it!) before I even knew what was happening. Then she announced that she was going to sit here and watch her plant grow. I hadn’t even seen what she put in the dirt. At this point I asked some probing questions to try and make a bit more sense of the situation. Apparently, they were served edamame (soy beans) at school and she saved one. I didn’t actually know if you could just pop an uneaten soy bean in the dirt and have anything grow, but I told her to try hard to water it every day and we’d see what might happen. Well, a few weeks later we were excited to see a tiny green plant pop up! She was proud beyond belief of her accomplishment. A few more weeks went by when she came running in from her daily plant watering (that child has a memory!) and told me it grew seeds and she wanted to eat them. I skeptically went out to look and sure enough, there they were. Perfect little edamame pods! We did pick one and cook it to taste but we left the rest in hopes that they’d grow a bit bigger. But there you have it– the story of a four year old farmer who grew and harvested a soybean plant all by herself. Oishii des!

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1109/feed 0 Haarii http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1089 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1089#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 01:32:54 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1089

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.Another annual tradition here in Okinawa is the Dragon Boat Race in Naha. As always, it was an exciting show. The carnival atmosphere blending right into the [...]]]>

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Another annual tradition here in Okinawa is the Dragon Boat Race in Naha. As always, it was an exciting show. The carnival atmosphere blending right into the big race! I have to apologize in advance for my serious lack of photos of the day, but here is a token shot for you.

By the way, congratulations Navy Women on your big win! There they go!

Oh, and this one just for fun. I do wish I would have gotten the chance to show you more of the festival. The food, the kids’ games, the street vendors. But I think this one pretty much sums up any festival here in Okinawa. Because it just wouldn’t be a party without Orion!

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1089/feed 1 Kodomo no hi http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1073 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1073#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 22:04:26 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1073

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.Tomorrow is Children’s Day and the Koinobori are flying high! Here in Japan, everyone hangs these streamers that look like carp to symbolize strength and good fortune. [...]]]>

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Tomorrow is Children’s Day and the Koinobori are flying high! Here in Japan, everyone hangs these streamers that look like carp to symbolize strength and good fortune. We’ve been watching them come out one house at a time over the last week or two and by now the girls can barely keep up in their quest to point out every set of “fish flags” they see fluttering in the wind. When they saw this massive display, it was like it was Christmas for them!

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1073/feed 1 Blast from the Past http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1059 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1059#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:00:59 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1059 Kimberly Mitchell Photography

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.A long, long time ago, in a country far, far away, I met some wonderful new photographer friends at a workshop in Atlanta. I did a little [...]]]> Kimberly Mitchell Photography

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A long, long time ago, in a country far, far away, I met some wonderful new photographer friends at a workshop in Atlanta. I did a little mini-shoot with one of them and (for shame!) had never gotten around to going through them. Seriously, six months??? I finally decided that enough was enough and pulled a few to share with you.

Meet Pocahontas of Red Daisy Photography She’s fun, she’s funky, she’s a little bit crazy. In a good way. She spotted this wall on the way in and had been jonesing for a shoot there all week. We didn’t find time until the last possible second so these were taken literally on our way out. Our bags were packed, we had checked out of the room, and had just a few spare minutes before the last shuttle left for the airport. Hope you enjoy them!

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1059/feed 2 First Day of School http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1042 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1042#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:25:35 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1042

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.My baby started school today. Literally, my baby. She just had her second birthday two months ago. But, they start them young here in Japan and today [...]]]>

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My baby started school today. Literally, my baby. She just had her second birthday two months ago. But, they start them young here in Japan and today was the big day.

I think she was most excited about her new Hello Kitty suitou.

And, the Hello Kitty backpack. We like Kitty-chan around here!

As we got to school, it was all still fun and games. She was thrilled to finally get to “go to school with Mia.”

We put on our indoor shoes.

Then went into her classroom where she had her very own chair with her name on it.

And just when I was about to declare the day a total and complete victory, it was time to go up to the front by herself to get her name tag ceremoniously pinned on her.

That part didn’t go over so well. Let’s just say she’s not so much into other people touching her. Or even looking at her if she’s not in the mood. Plus, I think she’s onto me and realizes that the master plan is that I eventually will LEAVE HER THERE.

Other than our minor little meltdown, she did great. I am supposed to stay with her for the next two weeks to help with the transition, but then she’s on her own in May. Mia has already assured her that she will help her into her classroom every day so I’m sure she’ll be in good hands!

I have two school-age children now. Where in the world does the time go?

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1042/feed 1 Race Day http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1001 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1001#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:39:26 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/?p=1001

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here. My husband the runner finished his second marathon today.  Some friends braved the drizzle with me and we all camped out along the route to picnic, people [...]]]>

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My husband the runner finished his second marathon today.  Some friends braved the drizzle with me and we all camped out along the route to picnic, people watch, and hand out mikan as fast as we could peel them. If you happened to see two adorable preschoolers high-fiving the runners, two equally cute toddlers shouting “Ganbare, Ganbare, Ganbare!” and a tent literally blowing away in the wind, then that was us.

Congrats to everyone who was out there today!

]]> http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/1001/feed 0 Happy 2010 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/788 http://blog.kimberly-mitchell.com/archives/788#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:43:18 +0000 Kimberly http://blog.kimberlymitchellphotography.com/?p=788

Kimberly Mitchell Photography

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) -->NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here. Can you believe it is going to be 2010 in just a few hours? Aren’t we supposed to be on the way to Jupiter to find the [...]]]>

Kimberly Mitchell Photography

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Can you believe it is going to be 2010 in just a few hours? Aren’t we supposed to be on the way to Jupiter to find the monolith or something? At the risk of dating myself here, I remember being a child of the 80’s talking about how in the year 2000 we’d have flying cars and imagining all the other magical changes we’d wake up to on January 1, 2000. Well… 9 years (nearly 10!) later I’m still waiting. Although I have to admit that observing someone use a voice dialed iPhone with a bluetooth earbud may appear to be something straight out of Star Trek.

Enough geeking out. Just stopped by to let the two little princesses wish you all a Healthy Happy New Year!

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