Lacey's car boogie

Update on the girls

The girls have been busy little bees as of late. Lacey has taken her first steps! I would say she's only taken about 20 more since then, though. She still prefers her arms with her legs as her primary source of transportation. But, I am so proud of her still. I was also relieved 'cause I had really hoped she'd walk before the milestone of her first birthday, which we will celebrate tomarrow! The dancer has also been coming out of her lately, which also makes me beam. Yay, Lace.
The video below was not of her first steps, but of the several proceeding.



Stella is on her way to becoming a jack (or jill, I guess) of all trades. Along with Sunny Hill School, which she attends on Tues. and Thurs., she is also taking an art class, ballet lessons, and is participating in the smart start basketball program onbase.
Here's are links to her art program and an article about her 'sensei'.
www.kazukoasaba.org
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070512a1.html


The other day, while we were driving to her first ballet lesson, Stella says to me, "Oh, this is so great! Now, I can be an artist, a ballerina, and a basketballer when I get big!"

This video was of her first day, so we hadn't yet bought her anything to wear. I know seeing her in her ballet attire made my heart melt, so I will post some pictures when I get them.

On another note, I got a really good affirmation on our choice to take this opportunity and move to a foreign country. Stel was watching Kung Fu Panda last night and she asks (with more indignation than curiosity), "If they live in China, then why are they all speaking English?". Her view of the world is broadening and that makes me so proud.

We are looking into schools for next year, her last year of preschool. We go to see an international school on Monday and will check into the co-op preschool onbase. I'm not too keen about sending her to a Japanese yochien, as I've been told that education parallels the Japanese idea of the group consciousness with structured play and proper social behavior. Although, I am sure this course has it's merits, I am more apt to want to put her on a more creativity driven and expressive course, especially since we do not have long term plans for living in Japan.

But, of course they aren't all days full of wonder, excitement, and joy! Stel is seriously 4 going on 13 and Lace is like a moth to a flame when it comes to dangerous &/or destructive situations. I'm wondering if perhaps we have the opposite situation going on here. Stella was such a good toddler who stayed out of trouble, for the most part, but now, whew, man. So maybe the terrible 3's and 4's won't be so intense with Lacey. Hmmm. We'll see and I'll keep you updated!

Until next time (and I'll try to make it sooner rather than later)...