The Girls and Kindergarten Night

At the Crossroads Mall on Sunday night.

Foggy morning walk at nearby demonstration garden.

Of course, they had to fight.

Saya the lion.

Aly herding Saya who wasn't following us.

Sisters Love

Ever since Alyson came back from Japan, the girls have been inseparable.  At first, Sean was giggling with them together trying to keep up with their Japanese and girly choice of play, but he decided he rather not be part of pink bunnies and princess dress ups after a short while.  I think he is a bit jealous of their closeness and asked me why his brother does not talk and play with him.  I told him he is a good big brother and someday he and Noah can play together and be the best pals. 


Alyson was the only child in the household while she lived with my parents in Japan and grandparents are not the ones to discipline their precious grandchildren.  She has become quite a determined little girl who wants things her way.  That doesn't work for Saya who has just as strong personality.  As a result, two of them fight quite a bit and if I observe them for a bit longer, it can turn into a wrestling match.  When it comes to physical strength, Miss Saya with her strong arms wins the fight.  I probably should stop their disagreements to develop to that level of intensity, but it is sort of amusing to watch them "settle" things.  They are very loud trying to stand out and again, I am mesmerized by their sense of rivalry. 

Yet, they are best friends.  They are so cute together in their pink tutus and cat hats.  Occasionally I see big sisterly side of Alyson and a little sister who thinks her big sister is the coolest person on earth.  I look forward to seeing them grow up being the best allies, rivals and counsellors to each other. 

Alyson is adapting to her life back in America pretty well.  She started going to the Japanese school she used to go to before she went to Japan twice a week.  Saya also studies there, so she feels comfortable being in there.  She cried hard the very first day, but she hasn't cried ever since.  Her English is coming back slowly.  She started to speak it here and there and does not complain about watching American TV shows or reading books in English anymore.  She is not ready yet to go to American preschool as she feels quite anxious, but we will send her if we feel she is ready.

I went to the Kindergarten Information Night at Noah's preschool today.  With Sean, I had no doubt he would end up going to the regular kindergarten, but Noah will be attending a specialized school for children who need more assistance.  They call it Functional Lifeskills Center Program and the sound of it terrified me.  They explained that the center focuses on life skills such as self-care and learning skills necessary to get a job etc... and that was a slap in the face for me.  At the end of the session, I asked the teacher if they also would push academics as well and she said yes, however I feel like Noah will be on the track of not meeting his potential and live a life in a bubble.  He is only four and I just cannot accept that.  We need to shift the gears and help little Noah's intelligence shine.  Something has to work.  We MUST find it.