Marie’s Ballet Recital

 

18 months ago we started Marie in Ms. Chiyuki’s Ballet class. I can’t tell really describe what a happy day this was except for to say it feels like 18 months in the making. MARIE I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.

Every Monday afternoon I had to drag Marie to Ballet. Every Monday she said, “ugh! I hate Ballet!”- but when I would pick her up an hour later it was always, “Oh Mommy, it was wonderful! I danced like a little flower in the sky.” (all in that Marie-mouse voice I love so much).  So here we are, to the finale and rite of passage: The Ballet Recital.

Marie and one of her best buddies, Sorei- both naturals on stage. Seriously these girls are amazing.

The whole day went so well. Her teacher was incredible, a professional. Actually, in real life she is a ballerina (as in currently dancing). We love her style, strict but full of grace and she has taught Marie so much. The picture above is of the final scene of “Butterfly’s Dance.”

This picture was fun to take because when the girls ran out for their second dance Marie got in place for the wrong dance. It took her a second to realize where everyone else was, but it was cause for a good chuckle from the crowd. Who doesn’t like a 5-year old being cute?

Here is the final pose from the second dance entitled, “My Ballet Lesson.” She had to keep that leg very steady. .

 

Marie, I’m sorry if you hated ballet. But on this day, you loved it. You had a wonderful time in your butterfly costume (better picture to come) and you did your best dancing ever. I hope you can forgive me and only remember the fun parts.

Marie getting her certificate:

Daddy bringing her flowers:

 

Oh Miss Chiyuki! How we love you!

 

 

And now Dear Reader, here is the sad part. As of now I have not been able to load the original video of the recital. I usually do it through Youtube. However it automatically understood the song they dance to as copyrighted and removed my sound. So until I figure it out- and I will. Even if I have to email it to people, here is the muted version. Oh, and of course the camera automatically shut off for the first 30 seconds of the performances, so yah, that was a bummer- But I was there. It happened. And Mommy has never been happier!

DISNEYTIME

Peace out, Korea. Your fancy drums can only keep out attention so long.

We hopped on a a magically train…

And made our date with a giant cat.  A giant Marie cat.

Tokyo Disney was calling.  Big cats. human fish, and ducks dressed in pink….

I know, Gracie, freaky, right?

But posing with furry creatures was no match for the greatest Disney experience.  The Go Coaster before closing time.  No lines, just ride after ride after ride after ride, until they closed the gate. 

Until next time weird, giant creatures.

Seoul

We just got back from a trip to Seoul and then Tokyo.  We were able to take a Space-A hop (free flight) from Misawa to Seoul, and then from Seoul to Tokyo.  We didn’t do much touring of the cities, we basically just went to their amusement parks. 

I guess Seoul has a place called Lotte World.  Proof that Marie had a good time…

Further proof that we were there….

GET OUT OF THAT MIRROR, GIRLS!!!!

Until next time, Lotte World.  Until next time.

Mina = 3

 

Ask her how old she is. She’ll tell you 5, maybe even 4, but our little sweetheart is 3… going on 12… maybe.

We celebrated Mina all day long. When she woke up, we let her unwrap a gift from G&G Youngberg and do a little Skype. They sent her 4 wrapped gifts. They looked so cute I made the mistake of displaying them on a bookshelf two days before her birthday, only to find her later in a pile of wrapping paper and two unwrapped presents. That's ok, she was happy. I would just tell her not to open the others.   ….hmmm yes, telling a 3 year old not to open presents…. I have a long way to go as how to clarify things to a 3 year-old.  Then later that day I saw she opened the Superhero undies G&G sent… so then I hid the last big present. Then came her birthday morning and I told her to go downstairs and we would Skype G&G and open her gift! I was only 10 seconds behind her  and apparently she thought it was go time and I found her in the last pile of wrapping paper with a big smile on her face about to play with the fire truck they sent. Oh well, we may not have witnessed those openings, but she sure liked every one of the gifts they sent.  Oh Mina, never stop being so cute.

Needless to say she loves the movie Frozen. This cake was a rare pleasure. I had a lot of fun making it. Some pastry to-dos are laborious chores that end with a cake-wreck and regret for not going with store bought. But when your client is easy to please as “Cheena-Chan” (or Mina Chan) everything is cherries.

Grandpa and Grandma Millburn sent the usual awesome gift. I recorded her opening but of course can’t get the movie to load. The only thing she said when opening it was “I’m gonna be so mad!” Hahaha it was so funny. It didn’t make any sense, but I think she meant she was “gonna be so excited.” I think, but she liked it and all was well.

Of course… until Mom told her to pose for the camera…. then not so happy…    well, until Marie made her smile…..

 

Thank Heaven for fun big sisters!

 

 

Marie was also the hero when she picked out a my little pony Memory game for Mina. I would not have let her get it, considering we already have a Memory game, but it was a hit for the whole family. I picked out a terrible game called “Pop the Pig” which I hope will make its silent way to the Thrift shop in the next month. But we got some Magnaformers  (magnet blocks) and of course- A BIG WHEEL! If my computer ever lets me load a video I would post that.

Until then,   let them eat cake- Frozen ice cream cake, that is.

Dear Mina,

I love you so much. You are my best little buddy. You are a great big sister to Grace and you have wonderful ideas. You and Marie have the best little imaginations together. You are smart and strong and wise for such a tiny gal. Never change!

Love,

Mommy.

Basketball Marie

Marie had a fantastic time with her basketball team.  Her coaches were great and she had a blast with her team.  The season just finished and we had to post a few highlights caught by the camera.

First, check out this dribbling exhibition she puts on.  Those little arms of hers know how to handle a basketball.

Next, check out her moves to the hole.

She had a blast even while on the bench.

And while this was the only shot she made this season….

Sooooo close!  Just a few more cheeseburgers and she’ll get it up there.

She has some serious skills.  Check these two out…first ones to get 10 in a row!

While she was really proud of herself to get the medal at the end of the year….

Nothing can beat the “good game” at the end.  Always her favorite part.

 

Toilet Park Madness! (aka Children’s Museum)

In January we visited the Children’s Museum. A free museum that is next to a cheap skiing hill. Brett was the hero of the day and let me and my good friend Whitney ski all day while he watched the kids at the museum. It was fabulous!

The museum has lots of different spaces to play and explore. Did I mention it’s free? Holy cow they love kids here. The girls had a fantastic time with their best friend Liliana.

Here is some of that sisterly play I count on so much. When we move I hope they still love each other!

We have a new fun camera, but taking self-pictures is not easy. Good job Brett.

 

Yep, that hat is exactly what you think it is.

“Marie, you’re too old to be playing in the toilet!” 

The kids had a great time and so did Whitney and I. It may be the only skiing I do this season, but it was a blast. Thanks Brett!