Kodomo-no-Hi (Children’s Day)

Banners start appearing in the latter half of April and by the first week of May they are EVERYWHERE.  There is a Chinese legend about a koi (carp) that swam upstream and became a dragon so, because of this mythical journey, the fish has come to symbolize virtues such as strength, courage and perseverance.  The koi banners are hung in honor of Children’s Day in hopes that the children will display those same virtues as they grow.

This particular set of banners was hanging in our neighbor’s yard.

 
We were over at their house for an impromptu pool party after church last Sunday.
 Isn’t she beautiful?
 Logan was SO full of energy and joy that day; he ran around non-stop, smiling like this the whole time.
  On Monday, after Children’s Day had passed and the crowds were gone but before they took the banners down, we headed out for one last round of our little zoo.   

Now I realize that this place is NOTHING compared to the San Diego Zoo, but it’s still been pretty spectacular, especially in terms of its convenience.

 
And there is a good deal of beauty to be found here.


One thing I like about this zoo is that you can get up-close with the animals.


Sometimes that can mean REALLY up-close.  For instance, when they are cleaning the iguana's cage and they decide to let the critter just hang out on the sidewalk.

  Last ride on the little train.

  And we bid farewell to the zoo and the fluttering fish.