Beach Day!

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! When just a few days ago we were having a thunder storm that was lighting up the sky.
Lexie and Alia were pretty content to just sit on the beach playing in the sand.
It's so funny how a year ago, Lexie did not want to have anything to do with water. She used to want to be carried and would cling to our legs. Now, she just runs into the water.
Taking swim classes has made her love the water. Even though she was shivering, she didn't want to get out. When I asked her if she was done, she said, "No, again."
She wasn't even scared when she fell in the water and went under. She just popped her head out of the water and wiped the water from her face. She tried to taste the water a few times.
She was laughing everytime the water went in and out. Her balance is pretty good.
We finally took a break and Lexie was happy to sit on Daddy's lap and eat her spam musubi.
Before we left, Lexie wanted to go back into the water one more time.
Who would have known that Lexie would turn into a beach baby? Especially when her mommy hates the sand!!
I guess that's something I'll have to get over because I would do anything for my sweetie pie. I think we'll be going to the beach a lot in the near future.

Doll Festival

Hina Matsuri is celebrated on March 3 in Japan. Dolls in Japanese costumes are displayed from the end of February through March 3rd.
The dolls are displayed to wish girls happiness and good health for the coming year.
Tradition says that the dolls should be taken down after the end of the festival because it may cause a girl to wait a long time for marriage.
These dolls were gifts from our families. They can be quite pricey, so we're fortunate that Lexie is loved by so many people.
Lexie loves her dolls, especially her "Hello Kitty" ones. She is learning to just look at the dolls. This little girl has tried to lift the cases, so we have to keep a close eye on her while the dolls are on display.
Lexie was very cooperative taking pictures. Before we started, the first thing she said was, "M&M's". Once we gave her one, she was in the zone and pretty much did everything we asked her too. Here's her "blue steel" look which always cracks us up.

Happy Days

Lexie and Mika became best friends in such a short time.
We were so sad when it was time for Mika and her family to go home. We will miss them and can't wait until they come back for another visit!
We printed some of Lexie's pictures on canvas.
Wow, that's me!
Cheese!
Lexie has been interested in the potty. We haven't formally started training yet, but we let her sit on the potty just to get used to it. On one of her little sit-downs, she actually used the potty! So exciting...we may have to start sooner than we thought.

Taiwan Sisters at the Zoo!

Lexie was so excited to see Mika again. She couldn't stay still as we waited for Mika and her family to meet us at the beach.
When is Mika coming?
I see them!
Lexie & Mika play in the sand.
Mika is so good in front of the camera, while Lexie is not so cooperative. Mika was trying to get Lexie to look at the camera.
Our cuties take a picture with the hippos in aloha wear.
Lexie had a big sister for the day.
Mika wanted to see the real elephants but they were taking a bath, so this was the only one we saw.
Smile, Lexie!!
Lexie took an instant liking to Mika's brother Max.
Lexie was walking along the rails as she looked at the frogs and lizards.
Lexie's favorite part of the zoo is to pet the goats.

Don't they look like sisters?? So adorable together!
Thank you, Mika, for sharing Max with me.



It's very unusual for Lexie to warm up to someone so quickly, but she just loved Max. She went everywhere with him.
Mika's favorite animal was the giraffe. She was thrilled to see the real thing and then was excited to see this statue that she could play on.

Lexie liked playing on the giraffe too. If she could have figured out a way to climb up that neck, she would have.
Lexie and Mika had such a fun time together. We can't wait for Mika to visit again!
Thanks Catherine & David for a wonderful day! We're so happy that we finally got to meet. We hope that we can visit you in Okinawa one of these days!

Happy Valentine's Day

Lexie got some of her favorites for Valentine's Day. Shoes and balls!! We got her a pair of sequined sneakers. Which she was very excited to put on right away.
She was in a very playful mood today. I guess she was just feeling the love!
And daddy let her choose some balls when we went shopping. She loves purple, so she wanted the biggest purple ball she could find. And for some strange reason, she loves these squishy balls that can be stretched and squashed. Whatever makes her happy!!
We kind of started a tradition last year by having Chinese food on Valentine's Day, so we decided to have an early dinner in town so we could eat some dim sum. And it was very yummy!! Lexie loved her char siu bao.
She loves shrimp won tons.
This little girl can eat. She had fried rice with dried scallops and egg whites and seafood seaweed rolls. And in between her eating, she was telling Eric that he was being messy for spilling the tea and she wanted to talk with all of the waiters. She was hilarious tonight.
One of my students gave me some roses and Lexie just wanted to hold them.
She loves to smell flowers.
Happy Valentine's sweet girl! We love you today, tomorrow, and forever!