Everyday is a Pool Day

Not so sure about those waves.

Swimming lessons started this past Monday.  We've only gotten to go twice.  On Monday, Chris and Reina went at the wrong time, which may have been my fault.  Fortunately, they were able to squeeze Reina in to a level 2 class. She did great. Tuesday we made it at the right time, but found out Reina was the only one in her level 1 class.  Nevertheless, she did great (I thought she might not be as brave without a little peer pressure). Wednesday, we had already decided to go to the aquarium one last time before our annual pass ran out, and then Thursday and Friday the pool is closed for fecal contamination (yuck).  So.  The week didn't go great for swim lessons, but we've had the backyard pool out just about every day and then...and then...we discovered the most fabulous kid's pool area EVER.  And, it gets better, its only 100yen per kid, we don't have to pay for adults AND I can ride my bike there its so close!  It has three little water slides for kids and lots of knee-deep water that Reina can stand in.  It will be great for Kaiya too (but after the fecal contamination, we were a bit hesitant to put her in the water and risk contamination of an off-base pool...that would be embarrassing). 

With the hot weather, we've managed to get Kaiya to the beach for her first in-ocean experience in addition to "swimming' in our little backyard pool.  She loves all of it, as long as she's in the cool water.  She doesn't last too long hanging out in the sand, even if we keep her in the shade.  I started giving her a wet cold towel to suck on while Chris and Reina were playing and she loved it.  I would dip it in my water bottle and she would literally get excited to suck on the new water. 

Skyla, enjoying the backyard pool.

We are getting all geared up for Uncle Mike's visit.  He comes in this Sunday. This means we're avoiding a lot of places that we like to eat out, since he likes to do a lot of that, and doing a lot of cleaning (although that may just be my mood).  I guess we won't have much time after he leaves to get work around the house done, so we've been trying to get all of those little chores out of the way.

The girls have done great sleeping in the room together.  Aside from an occasional cry, waking the other up, its been pretty good.  Usually we have to worry about Kaiya waking up Reina.  It was even more difficult with the jet lag, since one night we had to play with Kaiya in the play room a little longer before she would go to sleep, and since then, Reina thinks maybe she might be able to go play in the play room for "just a little bit" before she goes to bed.  We've held strong and it looks like tonight she's going to go to sleep without getting out of bed with some stall! 

I mentioned to my Mom how much Reina has enjoyed playing dress up (ever since Cousin Lucie's house).  She sent a cute little chef and fairy costume that Reina couldn't wait to try on.  Thanks Mom.