Planes

It was another day when T had to accompany me in taking Emma to school. After dropping her off we had a couple of hours so I decided to take him to the Hiller Aviation Museum.

It is an interesting space. They have all sorts of planes and helicopters but scattered throughout there are these mannequins that are pilots and inventors that are old and creepy....

We enjoyed it though and it was just big enough for the time we had.

Here are some pictures of our visit.












There was also a small space to color so we did that for a little while. I realized that T has never really used pencils/color pencils and only markers and crayons. He was confused as to why the color pencil with a broken tip didn't work.



We won't go back any time soon, but will return when he is older and their flight stimulation devices. Those looked pretty cool.

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She Still Cries, but Survived August

Emma's third week of school is almost over. How did that happen? She still cries every time I drop her off. She has actually started to whimper when I pull into the parking lot of school and continues to do so to the door. At least she doesn't bawl anymore.

But then she stops once I leave. Or that's what the teachers tell me. And by the time I pick her up she looks like she's had a good day. And, most days she's eaten all of the food I've packed her so I'm sure she's ok.

Here's her school report for the month of August. She has a little booklet that she gets stickers un and notes. It's all in Japanese, but basically it says she had fun despite some tears (I think).








They measured height and weight at school on the 27th as an activity.



Her book says an average 2 year old is 87.9 cm tall and 12.4 kg. She was 86 cm (about 33.9 inches) and 12.8 kg (28.4 lbs). She's a big kid by Japanese standards (assuming she's tall since she's not 2 yet).

And here is her first school art work.



The first month went by quickly. Before I know it she will be walking into school without a tear and turning back.

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Bubbles, Bubbles

T and the ladies. What will they think of this when they are older?









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Tyler the Dancer

While Emma was in school I took T to a trial dance class at a place called Small Fry's in Foster City. I knew he would enjoy dancing, but I wasn't sure how he would do following directions for 45 minutes.
He enjoyed the class and followed directions. He participated enthusiastically (evident by the blurry photos).

I would consider putting him in a class, but unfortunately there isn't a good time for it. Maybe when he's a little older. Dancing is supposed to be good for coordination and can translate to athletic ability and there's nothing like a guy who can dance. :)
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Emma's First Day

Emma survived her first drop off class. Today was Japanese Club and not preschool but her preschool teacher was with her. I think there were only 2 kids.

Here she is on her way. Happy.








When we got there, she hesitated going in. I got her in, helped her change her shoes (she has indoor shoes for school), she started crying, and I left.

I peeked in before she saw me at pick up. She was changing her shoes. She wasn't crying and seemed to be cooperating.

But then she saw me. And the tears started. But the teacher got her to change her shoes and put on her backpack before opening the door for her. Again, she cooperated.

Apparently she cried most of the 2 1/2 hours. She stood by the door calling for mommy and daddy. But she sat to eat though she didn't eat and helped put away her things. She got a sticker for effort. She also sat on the teacher's lap for a story and enjoyed playing with balls. So it wasn't all bad.

Once I picked her up though she was fine. Since she didn't eat at school we came home and ate her food for lunch.

She seems to not be traumatized. ..


Great job today, Little B! We are so proud of you for being so strong.

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Guess who walked into our room this morning...

Emma. How did she get out of her crib? Apparently with T's help.

T woke up early and was hanging out in our bed. He heard Emma wake up on the monitor and then disappeared. We didn't think much of it until the 2 kids walked into our room....

Thankfully no one got hurt. And, hopefully, Emma doesn't know how to get out by herself. We're not ready to put her in a real bed.


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Emma's Preschool Opening Ceremony

Emma will be starting at Sora Japanese Preschool this week. She is in the "hiyoko" (chick) class.

Her official school days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-1130am, but she was asked to attend the Japanese Club the other mornings of the week because at her interview the interviewers determined that she was already more proficient in English. Yes - she was "interviewed" at 18 months old. The interview consisted of flash cards, pegs and shape sorters. Pretty intense.

The school is very Japanese which makes me nervousness, but I think she will learn a lot. The hope is that as she starts to speak in Japanese, Tyler will also be encouraged to learn.

Today she had her opening ceremony. It was short, she cried, but then seemed ok by the time we were leaving. The kids came into the room, received their little books for stickers, found their cubbies, sang a song, and read a book. It was cute.

Christian and I think she will cry for about a week, but maybe she will surprise us. We'll see.

Here she is walking in. There are 5 kids in the class (2 boys and 3 girls). One of the kids wasn't there today.

Standing in front of the sign for the opening ceremony. This was taken after the event. She seems fine, right?


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