Our Little Japanese Noah

We picked this duty station for various reasons...Zack's career, a chance to see more of the world and travel while we are here, to learn about a different culture,....and lastly the impact of living here on our children.  While they will still be young even after our three years...we both believe that this will have an impact on them.  They will have experiences that will impact the way they grow and develop.  And after soaking up some of the culture...there are many Japanese cultural differences that our children would benefit from learning...respectfulness, honesty, personal responsibility, self-control, and so many more.  Zack had duty today and Noah and I were still dragging a bit from our days out on Friday and Saturday.  By the time supper time rolled around I was exhausted and took Noah over to Chili's across the street.  We ordered and had a nice time together...I think this was the first time I've taken him to a restaurant just me and him.  We finished eating and the waitress took the "plastic money" and brought back the card.  In Japan they do not tip...but on base the American customs are practiced so I tipped the waitress.  She did a slight head bow to us and while I bowed my head back...I looked over and noticed that Noah also had bowed his head!  It made me smile and also made me feel that parental proudness.  He doesn't understand the reasons for the bow now but he will...a confirmation that this sea duty tour will have a great impact on our children.  And soaking up the culture will probably also have an impact on us as parents and probably how we will raise our children in the future.  Noah is also interested in paying people with Yen.  It is his job to pay the taxi driver.  He holds onto the money the entire ride...if it's coins then he has his hand tightly clasped around the coins.  He takes this job very seriously and he often analyzes the money he is holding.  And when the taxi stops he leans forward and hands the driver the money!  We need to find him a child size pair of chopsticks because he already prefers to eat from chopsticks versus a fork!  It will be our job as parents to let him experience as much of Japan as possible...to let him experience, learn, and practice the culture right along with us.  I am looking forward to seeing Noah practice more of the Japanese traditions and impact it will have on him as he grows and develops!