The Last Thursday: Kakao Talk

It turned out to be a very exciting, fun filled last Thursday together.  The day went as follows....

Morning:  Took Naysia to school.  Came back and took the chickadees to school.  Went to work.

Afternoon: Picked up Naysia.  Picked up the chickadees.  I forgot to do something very important at work so we all went back.

"A" Mountain

They played in the pool.  So-Yun showcased her piano skills.  Home for a short while.  While we waited for the time to pass, the chickadees were determined to figure out how we were going to remain in touch--for free.  Sure email is a great option, but they want to talk.  Long story short we all downloaded the Kakao apps on our phones and strangely enjoyed being able to call and chat with each other as we sat on the same couch. 

Introduction to Grandma

And Papa

Enjoying Trey!

Yummmmm, dinner

Evening:  Naysia had a flute lesson at 5pm.  While she practiced, the girls and I headed to the South Side to find some trinkets for them to take home to their family.  We ended up at Family Dollar.  In the parking lot their was a carnival.  We had some cotton candy and people watched.  After picking up Naysia we went to "A" Mountain which turned out to be more fun than I would have guessed.  We stood at the top and yelled as loud as we could.  I gave them all a brief lesson on the history of Tuc-Town.  We watched the sun set and took many a picture.  Afterwards we went to Big Grandma's house where they were able to meet Grandma Mary and Papa Henry.  Then we went to my momma's.  They desperately wanted to see Trey.  They played with him and read a couple of books to him.

For dinner we went to Takamatsu.  A first for us all.  We had a table full of food and by the end we were plain silly.

As the night draws to a close the girls are cuddled up on the couch watching scary movies.  We have decided that tomorrow night we'll have a major slumber party in the living room.  I'm secretly going to miss them a little. 

The Last Sunday: Birthday Party

Although So-Yun's birthday isn't until February 9th, we decided to have a birthday party yesterday.  It was a fantastic event.  Plenty of her classmates in attendance, 2 host parents, and some of my family and friends.

Her "American Party" was filled with popular K-Pop hits, streamers, silly string, frisbees, board games, bubbles, balloons, pizza, ice cream, and cake.  One of the host moms/teacher showed the kids how to make a pinata.  That was a first for them.  It was quite hilarious watching them as they watched the blind-folded student holding the bat, undoubtedly swinging at the air.

She received several gifts.  The question all the adults had was, "How is she going to get this stuff home?"
It was a very long day, but well worth it.

At the end of the night she came to my room and said that when we got home she was so happy that she cried......Awwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

She was so thankful and appreciative for all that was done.

At bedtime all of the girls were in bed with me.  We made silly faces, Naysia blew bubbles, and the chickadees talked about their island.  When asked if they were ready to go home, in unison they answered no.

Eventually they made their way across the hall....only to return a few minutes later.  They wanted to sleep with us!!!!  I let them have my bed and I went to the couch.

This morning they were all 3 on the couch with me.  Can't stay away from Momma Reeka's love :)

Day 20: Birthday Leftovers

The excitement of school is wearing thin for the chickadees.  In the old days they woke up excited, dressed and ready to go.  This morning they were slow moving and we ended up leaving late.

Sure my birthday was last week, but my staff put on a lovely birthday potluck in my honor today.  The food, as always, was very delicious and I was excited that there were leftovers to bring home.  Hooray!!!  I don't have to cook tonight!!

Charles was gracious enough to pick up Naysia for me.  I picked up the chickadees at 4pm.  The sweetest scenario.....as they saw the car pull into the school parking lot they were on the curb jumping up and down.  I had the windows down and could hear them saying, "Eomma!!  Eomma!!"  Before So-Yun even got in the car all the way she yells, "HUNGRY!" 

When we got home I unwrapped all the food so they could eat.  I ran a few errands.  After being home for about an hour, I pressed them to get dressed so we could go shopping for party snacks. 
The cart was loaded with plenty of drinks and chips and along the way they managed to sneak lip gloss in too.

We got home and So-Yun says she is hungry again.  I told her she was welcome to eat more birthday leftovers.  She didn't want that, "Eomma, please can you cook for me?  Please?  Pleeeeeeeeeease????"  So against every bit of will in my body I cooked for her.  While I grumbled, Naysia made me some tea.

By 9pm, the house was quiet and everyone was in bed. 

Days: 18~19: ??????

The days zoom by.  The girls giggle, alot.  They make fun of me in a language I don't understand.  It's been great, but I'm counting down the days :)  Everyone is excited about this weekend's party.  Tonight we went shopping so they all have something new to wear for the party.

Tonight So-Yun put her phone number in my contacts.  I promised I'd call her occasionally.  They ate tons of ice cream and cookies.  And did some wild dance to a song with a lyric of roly poly.

Tuesday Highlight:  Us all in my bed laughing about heaven only knows.
Wednesday Highlight: Watching in amazement as Naysia helped them with their English power-point presentation due tomorrow and they taught her a couple of new things about their country.

Another late night

This Eomma is tired!

Day 17: Manic Monday

Nothing Else Matters

Day 16: Happy Birthday to me!!! Kind of!

The girls came into my room at midnight and woke me up to grace me with a very animated "Happy Birthday" song.  I have no idea what time they went to bed.  I woke up earlier than planned.  They woke up earlier than I hoped for.

The chickadees had made plans to go to Mrs. Warren's house (their teacher) who lives very far from me.  Their buddies were going to be there, Naysia wanted to go too.  I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to have some alone time, so I called Mrs. Warren to make sure they had permission. 

I phoned her about 1030am.  She said sure, they can come but please pick them up by 1pm. :(

We got there about 1130.  I dashed away quickly, and after 3 stops, found a place to have a pedicure done.  After a relaxing hour, I headed back to Mrs. Warren's.  On the way home they all fell asleep....until I pulled into the In&Out Burger drive thru. 

We came home, put on a movie and ate.  A few hours later they wanted to go shopping, so to Bookman's they went, to work I went.

While I did receive several text messages, phone calls and FB messages it was a very emotional day for me.  I was mad at Naysia and really missing my dad. 

I went to bed angry which I try not to do....but God had another plan in store.  About 1030pm everyone was in bed.  My brother Loren called to give his birthday shout out.  The call quickly turned into an update on our houseguests.  A while into the conversation the chickadees came into the room, loud and giggly as ever.  Next thing you know, they are all in bed with me and we on Face Time with Loren and then Chai.  The girls had the best time and by the time I closed my eyes for the night I was happy too.

Day 15: San Xavier Saturday

I've reached a point where I'm struggling to find things for them to do in good ole' Tuc-Town.  We woke to some much needed rain.  Every bone in my body wanted to stay home and enjoy it, but I told them we'd go riding.

We headed to the South Side to set eyes on The White Dove of The Desert, San Xavier Mission.  We haven't been in years so it was interesting to see how much renovation took place.

All of the girls were mesmerized by the beauty and the preservation. While we walked throughout I could softly hear the snap of 3 little cameras. We walked up Grotto Hill to the east and took more pictures.  We didn't talk much.  They read some of the postings and toured the small museum. 

We didn't make it to the car before one of them yelled "Hungry!"  As I turned around they all rubbed their bellies and made the hungriest faces possible.

Lunch at The Grand Buffet was less than stellar.  Naysia ate quickly while the two chickadees made googly eyes at one of the young servers.  They'd look at him, he'd look back, they'd look away and giggle.

Our next stop was Shama's house.  The holidays were wild and we didn't get a chance to hook so.  So finally my nieces got to open their gifts which made me very happy.  They have a new addition, a puppy named Princess.  The chickadees loved on baby Aaliyah, Naysia loved on Princess, and the rest of us played a Wii dance game.

We had to be at Grandma's by 4pm to take her to work.  After dropping her off we went to Joann Fabrics then to Park Place to see "Mama". 

It was a good day.