A Cultural Event

Reina's teacher tying her tighter.

Yesterday Reina and Kaiya's daycare celebrated Grandparents Day. Unfortunately, Chris had the "flu - bug" that Reina had earlier in the week, but I convinced him to suck it up and go.  He was able to sit and watch, and I know he and Reina enjoyed it, despite his upset stomach.

I took Reina next-door for help tying her Yukata (summer kimono).  All of my Japanese friends kept telling me it was easy, but I knew otherwise.  Thankfully, Megumi (Ako and Rana's mom) got Reina all tied up.  You see, each different piece on the yukata has a name and then there are these extra strings you add to change the length of the "robe." Reina's yukata was definitely too big for her, so there is a lot of fabric folded up under her yellow obi.  Kaiya was able to take a late nap and after a quick cereal and mac-n-cheese dinner, we hopped in the car.

The stage, with Araha Beach in back.

After getting angry driving through 5pm Saturday Chatan traffic we were a bit worried about getting a parking spot at Araha beach.  We got very lucky and snagged one very close to the cute little stage Reina was performing on. I had never seen it before, but it was an outdoor stage facing the beach. It was very nice. And Mamiru daycare had clearly spent a lot of time dressing the stage, making props, and putting on this little event.  I would say almost the entire daycare was there, with all of their parents and grandparents watching.

I'm in green, getting sung to by Reina.

"I-su-tu-man, Ka-i-ya, Ha-i"

Just after Reina's dance.  SO happy!

In the very beginning, they had all the little kids hold hands with their grandparents (or mom/dad) and then we sang Japanese songs together.  Reina got all shy, and didn't sing much, but she still tried to do all the hand gestures and she actually sang and showed me one of the songs earlier, I just didn't know what she was talking about.  It really made me proud, seeing all those little kids smiling, singing to their parents/grandparents, dressed up. They were so cute.  After this bit, they gave us presents.  Then they proceeded to this bit where each class carried (or I should say hoisted) a made up, well, I don't know how to describe it.  But, I was surprised to look back up at Chris (I was down close taking pictures) and see Kaiya gone.  When the kids starting circling the stage with their carriages, I started laughing at Kaiya because she showed up in a two-baby stroller with her friend Arisu.  Each time Reina's group passed me, it looked like she was about to cry.  I don't think she liked holding up the carriage; somehow she managed to carry it around 3 times.

Pushed in the stoller with Arisu

The schedule said 6 - 9.  We thought surely that was too late. Nope!  We left at 8pm.

Then each little class had a little dance followed by a part where each kid (or teacher) says the child's name.  Reina is in the chu-ri-pu (Tulip: 2 - 3yrs) class and Kaiya is in the tan-po-po (dandelion: 0 - 1yrs) class. Each class is named after a flower, and they are grouped by age.  Admittedly, Kaiya's class really shouldn't have had a dance, as the teachers danced and the kids either did nothing or cried for their parents.  Kaiya and Arisu were still in the stroller, happy as could be watching everything.   Reina's class went a bit later.  Reina and her teacher had to stop and find me because Reina could not go on any longer without water.  Thankfully, we had time to find a vending machine before Reina had to dance.

During Reina's dance, which she had shown us multiple times prior to this event, was clearly her favorite part. She took it very seriously, but did manage a smile too.  And, at the end, she said her name in the microphone, "ii-su-tu-man, Re-i-na" very clearly without hesitation.  I got everything on video too.

The next day we met Kaori and Skyla at the pool, as the 23rd was the last day for the summer (not sure why, as it will continue to be hot).  Kaiya and Reina loved the pool, and Kaiya even enjoyed it when Reina pulled her around in the inner tube.  Skyla did not enjoy it so much;  afterward however, she was excited to run away from Reina and play.

"Peace, like this Kaiya."

Reina, buttoning up Skyla after the pool

I really do love Mamiru-daycare. They are great, and I know that Reina (and eventually Kaiya's) Japanese will continue to improve.  

A visit from distant relatives

Reina's Japanese hat

Chris' cousin, Yuko, came down from Tokyo this weekend to spend time with her family, Uncle Ken and Aunt Nobuyo.  They got the whole family together, to include lots of cousins and aunts: Cousin Futoshi and his family of 3 kids (10yo Itsuki, 7yo Akira, and 1yo Jyun), Cousin Sou and his girlfriend, Yuko and her family of 2 kids (Exactly the same ages as Reina and Kaiya, except the 3.5yo is a boy), Aunt Setsuko, Hiromi, Meiko (and John), Yoshiko, and Obachan Kuniko.  I think I got everyone.  What's crazy is they had us drive down to Naha for dinner with everyone on the eve of our big typhoon.  Everything turned out great, despite getting poured on.  Reina loved playing with Takuto, Yuko's 3.5 year old and it was fun passing around Kaiya and Minami, and comparing them, as they are only 4 days apart.

The whole table - lots of relatives.

The next morning, the typhoon was in full swing.  Again, this typhoon came with a lot of hype; originally it was a super typhoon, but I think by the time it hit us it was a category three.  It was definitely the worst of the three typhoons we've had since we've been back.  Honestly, I'm a bit over typhoons. We get stuck inside and its just boring.  Oh, and for the first time since high school, we lost power for a very hot, three hours.  It made me appreciate things like air conditioning, hot meals, and of course the internet.

Yuko's family (kids the exact same age)

Takuto (Yuko's son)

Yoshiko with Kaiya

Oba-chan and Kaiya

John Pitt & Kaiya

Futoshi & Jyun

The Grandparents: Ken and Nobuyo

Playing at home

With all of the time we spent at home, I finally got some new, good shots of Kaiya.  I wasn't able to get any of both girls, as Reina just hangs all over Kaiya, which Kaiya doesn't really care for.  Due to the typhoon, we didn't get to see Reina dance, but it was re-scheduled for next weekend, so we're all looking forward to that.

I did the best I could to arrange the pictures, but blogger is notorious for making that difficult!

Work, work, work...

Whoa.  Haven't posted in several weeks!  After Mike left, Chris and I became pretty absorbed in getting the work/daycare routine back in swing and we've not had much breathing room.  So, what's new?

Kaiya started daycare at Reina's Japanese school.  After a bit of a snafu with the Japanese daycare owner realizing she couldn't care for the girls in the early morning, we had to go back to the "old" daycare.  Did I already explain all of this?  Each morning, both girls are dropped off at AI preschool. Then, around 7:15am the Japanese daycare owner picks them both up and takes them to Mamiru (the Japanese school).  The first week with Kaiya was a bit rough.  She took about 3 days to really warm up to the idea of going elsewhere for the day.  I personally think she "cried a lot" because she was so dang tired.  Kaiya was pretty regularly taking a morning nap from about 730 - 930 each day during the summer.  When we started her at Mamiru she didn't nap in the morning at all the first week.  They kept telling me she needed more milk, more food. I knew better!  I also thought that she might not be sleeping since she's expected to sleep on a futon.  How they get mobile babies to sleep un-constrained is beyond me.  But, Kaiya does it no problem now.   I think she also needed to get used to all of the new sounds (and people). Either way, she's doing great now, as is Reina, who has thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of her Japanese friends.

Her Yukata

Reina's Japanese came right back after the first week of school.  She's even learned some Eisa dancing for Grandparents day, which is coming up this weekend.  She is to report to the Araha beach stage in a yukata (summer kimono) to dance for her grandparents.  Hopefully we can pick up Oba-chan on Saturday so that she can help me tie the kimono and watch Reina's cute dance. Oh man is it cute.  I can't wait to see them all together.  ***ETA: We just found out there is another HUGE typhoon headed right for us.  Looks like our weekend is shot. Its still a bit far out, so it could weaken or veer, but I don't think we'll be going to the pool, nor grandparents day.

Halloween Preview - what am I going to do with her hair?

Reina has entered a new stage of 3-isms.  She will now tell you whatever she is thinking, regardless of how appropriate it is.  For example, at the beach, she asked me quite loudly, "What's wrong with his face?"  The particular boy she was talking about, who was maybe 7ish and within earshot of this comment had freckles.  He was a red-head.  Hopefully he knew that three year olds say whatever they are thinking! Reina has gotten very excited about holidays, now that she understands all of the hoopla and presents they come with!  After much discussion, she decided she wanted to be Cinderella for Halloween.  I must have asked her every day for three days until I decided she really did want Cinderella.  I think she named about every other princess she knows too though!

On her way to bed.  Almost every doll she owns, she is carrying.

Bedtime in the Eastman house has gotten better, as I've mentioned.  Lately, after the girls are "tucked in," it is a lot of giggling.  Reina and Kaiya play with each other before they fall asleep, and its quite cute.  It doesn't seem to interfere too much with their sleeping, so I figured its ok.  Reina has also gotten very adamant about having her dolls sleep with her. Its so cute watching her tuck in Dolly next to her in bed, covered with a blanket.  Reina will even give her dolls instructions, like, "go to sleep now," etc.

At the cool kids' pool near our house.  100yen!

Kaiya has finally set more of a sleeping schedule.  We've got it down to twice a night feedings (11pm and 2am), with a 6am wake up.  Its tolerable, although once would be better and none would be amazing!  She's still only got her bottom two teeth, but I'm pretty sure those top two are ready to poke through any day.  Kaiya is really starting to understand what we're saying. Maybe I've mentioned this before (she'll "dance," or "splash" the water).  Most recently, Reina has taught her how to give five, or "pachi." Its not a perfect high five, but Kaiya has the idea.