Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving Day with many blessings to be grateful for such as Matt coming home a week prior. Kaiya was excited to see her Papa, that she was shrieking with joy when we picked him up at his boat (sorry, ship). The first thing she wanted to do was to "play fairies" with Papa when we got home, something I'm sure Matt was just dreaming about doing as his first experience back from deployment! Anyway, fairies it was, while I finished dinner and then basically, the whole night was: "I want Papa to sit next to me", "I want to eat from Papa's plate", "I want Papa to help me brush my teeth", "I want Papa to read me a book"....I was kicked to the curb so quickly, I was even astonished. She was all on him, into his clothes, trying to copy him, and wanting his undivided attention! This lasted for two days, then I got her back and now I'm like--Kaiya my hands are full, can you ask Papa to help you?!

For Thanksgiving we hosted dinner for friends we invited. Had a great meal which consisted of meals from the Grandmas. Raspberry Pretzel Bottom Salad from DeeTee, Apple Stuffing from Omi, and Corn Casserole from Grandmommy. Threw in a Michigan Turkey, Broccoli Rabe, gravy, bean casserole, and pumpkin & apple pies...we were doing well. Ate so much Matt and I went to workout today! Kaiya had a blast with her two friends Lauren and Laina (had so much fun she didn't want to go potty and had two accidents!!!). The girls put on a beautiful puppet show, with the puppets they made from the crafts sent by Omi (thank you!!!). Anyway, we had a wonderful day and wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you for being a supportive and loving network of family and friends!!! Miss you all!!!!

P.S.
Kaiya loves this cartoon called "Samurai Jack". So her teacher helped her make this samurai sword!!!!!

Yochien Orientation

Today we were able to visit Kaiya's Yochien and see what she has been doing for the last month. I was truly taken aback when I saw all their exhibits and everything Kaiya has been creating. I have to say that I'm in love and impress with the Japanese method of teaching and this school in particular. They are very innovative with artwork and learning as you may notice that the artwork is used from household items such toilet rolls, tape rolls, boxes, plastic wrap etc. Her class made clay, drew/painted pictures, helped make the robot in the school exhibit, and everyone in the Yochien drew a portrait of themselves on the banner. Fortunately, I know Kaiya's class name and name in Japanese, so I was able to know all of her contributions. Plus, it's easy to detect the portrait of a big circle, stick legs and arms, and circle eyes! I was completely blown away with the sweet potato, garden, tractor exhibit--makes me wish I was a kid attending this school! The kids grew sweet potatoes in the garden behind the school. The exhibits showed that process.

Overall, I received the impression that Japanese schools are very kid friendly and interactive with learning. I'm happy she is attending as is slowly being receptive to learning Japanese. She's started to say Arigato (Thank you), Konnichiwa (hello), Ohayo (Good morning), and Sayonara (good-bye) while bowing to her Sensei. She also seems to understand the Japanese instructions of her Sensei pretty well. I am very proud of her!

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween Kaiya was a monkey...her costume kept her nice and warm in the cool, breezy night of Trick-or-Treating. I don't think she quite understood the concept of Trick-or-Treating so I explained to her the proper procedure of the Halloween custom:
"Kaiya, when you go up to the door you say 'Trick or Treat'."
"Why, Mama?" she asks.
"Well, it's so the people will give you candy."
"WHAT?! They give you CANDY!?", she exclaims incredulously. Apparently, I didn't do a great job of exposing her to trick-or treating last year (I know we went to a party--I guess we didn't go house to house).
"Yes, Sweetie they do. And when you receive it, you need to be polite and say 'Thank you'. Do you understand? So what do you say when you go up to the door and knock?"
"CANDY!!!"
"No, no Kaiya! You say 'Trick or Treat', they give you candy, then you say 'Thank you.', okay? So what do you say?"
"CANDY!!!"
Oh God, I've created a greedy little monster. This went on for another two rounds before she stopped yelling "CANDY!!" as I explained that was rude. When she was finally let loose, I don't think she ever said Trick or Treat but did say a very quiet "Thank you"....I felt relieved that I'm somewhat a good parent. We didn't go out for long, she was quite happy about receiving what she had (around 15 pieces). We went home and ended the day with watching "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"--a classic (I think I loved it more than Kaiya).