Anika Begins Yochiun

Last Thursday Anika had her opening ceremony at her pre-school, which they call kindergarten in Japan, just like in Germany. The Japanese word for kindergarten is Yochiun. There was a church service and some singing and then we took a group photo with children, parents and siblings of the new class. This photo took about 25 minutes, because one child would have to go potty and then another would have to go and we would get everyone together and another child would have to go. 15 minutes later we had everyone together, but then some children started crying, because they didn't want to sit any longer. 10 minutes later we were done, but John and I had been smiling for so long that our cheeks hurt and our lips were quivering. It was very comical. After photos we went to the classroom and the children sang songs and that was the end of the opening ceremony.

The following day was a half day and as I left Anika in her classroom the tears started, ...................not hers, but mine. She was so... happy to be there. She woke-up that day and said this is a beautiful day Mommy. I happy. Our little girl is growing-up so quickly. Today, Monday, was the begining of the carpool week. Lisa came to pick up Anika without any problems, no tears from anyone:) Next week I will be driving. It is great to be able to carpool. Lisa speaks Japanese so she is very helpful with translating. In the kindergarten they only speak Japanese, but there are 7 Americans in Anika's class. As I said before it it is a Christian based curiculum, which I love. Lot's of music, lots of singing, dancing, crafts and learning how to count in Japanese and basic greetings.

This morning I woke up at 5:00 and couldn't go back to sleep, why I don't know. I woke Lexi up at 7:00, made her breakfast and off she went to school. Alexander was up and quietly playing in his crib so I let him be. Next was Anika and I made her breakfast which she ate up at the breakfast bar in the kitchen for the first time. Lexi sits at the breakfast bar every morning before school, because I like having her right there so I can talk to her while I make her lunch or unload the diashwasher. It just amazed me to see Anika sitting in the same seat as her big sister in her cute little school uniform looking so grown-up.

Today was the first day I had time with just Alexander, he has always had a sibling around. I thought it would be a fun first day with just the 2 of us. Well....... he was quite fussy, because he got up so early (for him) and cried all morning long, must have really missed his sister, ya right sure. I think it IS a teething issue. My friend Sara called and asked if I wanted to go to a playroom on base with her. I wasn't going to go, because it was a half day for Anika and she was due to come home in an hour and a half, but I thought the change of atmosphere would do both of us a world of good, so off we went. It worked and he just needed something different, but he is teething too.

It is now naptime and Anika is sound asleep and someone did not give the memo to the Zanderman that he is 1 1/2 and still needs to nap, I have been having difficulty with his naps lately. He needs them, because he is a bear if he doesn't get one, but it is okay and it will all work out. The challenging times are the ones that make me realize just how truely blessed John and I are. We have 3 healthy children and we love them bunches and bunches.