November 28, 2011
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Two Steps forward/Three steps backwards
I find myself at the beginning of yet another week. We celebrated Thanksgiving with the family, couple of our boarders, and four of our Japanese teachers. It was a fun relaxed time with the group. Preparations went well, but as I suspected, it got a wee bit hectic as people arrived. But I am glad that the oven worked and we were able to cook our turkeys until they were done. Eating turkey is such a treat for us. We miss eating turkey sandwiches that are so easy to get in the US. The conversation was enjoyable. Some of the teachers had experience living abroad or visiting other countries. One gentleman was talking about the ham he could get when he lived in Chicago. He was almost watering at the mouth reminiscing. I have to admit the way he described it made me wish I had some ham too.
On Saturday we headed at with the kids and Flat Stanley (Sorry Daniel, he is still here, but we will come home in the mail this week. I think he is getting home sick.) We went to check out the second half of the Tokyo outdoor architectural museum. We went another time and managed to only take in a part of it, but we wanted to see all of it. Stanley went with us and did a great job of posing in all sorts of pictures. The kids enjoyed it too. If my dad ever comes to visit, I would love to take him there because I am sure he would love it. Well, maybe not that crazy crows part of it. This park is home to some crazy crows. We passed the day without incident, but we have had other trips that were not so pleasant. (Bad memories, don't want to go there.)
Today Tomo stayed home from school. He said his throat hurt and since this is the final stretch before his big debut as Momotaro, I thought that I would error on the side of caution and keep him home. In just under two weeks, his school will be doing their annual "recital", and Tomo was casted with fellow classmate to be Momotaro. I am really proud of him and can't wait to see him in action.
Keeping him home, meant all the kids were here. Not really a big deal, they are my kids after all. I know that I will have to figure out how to manage school days when Tomo starts 1st grade. Being that the boys are so far apart in age makes doing things together a little trickier. Then factor in a toddler who thinks her mission is just to keep mom on her toes. At any rate, I required Tomo to do school work even though he was home. We have been working through some pre-K work with Sonlight. I have been using it over time in order to keep costs down. I think it is a good level for him, plus I can make it harder or easier if need be. I also had him working on the Leap Pad today too. I have been pushing him to learn all his ABC's not just some of them or even just the song. He has been writing his own name since he was two years old, but getting him to learn the other letters has not been of his general interest. I managed to teach him another letter, which allows him to spell some words that get him to giggle, and hopefully that will be the spark (however obnoxious it is) to learn more letters. Oh, that letter is the letter p, so figure out words that have the combo of p and t, o, m, and I think you will see what I mean.
In the hustle and bustle of teaching the kids, our Christmas tree got bumped and one of our precious ornaments flew off and shattered. This was a major bummer as it was the first ornament that Skyler received as a baby. He was bummed too because he is such a sentimental kid. I mean it WAS his first ornament and it WAS given to him by his grandparents. I had to spend the next hour placating him so he wouldn't try to fight with the tree bumping offender. I think it is going to be a rough year for our ornaments.
I can smell the dinner in the oven baking and it smells almost done. I suppose I should check on that and finish off this crazy day.
