Piper is 1!   I still can not believe that my daughter is 1.  This last year has flown by.  She has developed her own little personality.  And, boy she is a firecracker.  She has her brothers wrapped around her little finger.  We spend a lot of time reading books, playing with her tea set, and dancing.


Christopher is plugging away at the teenage thing.  Should the Academy ever see fit to pass out awards for being a teenager he would surely win!  We have our hills to climb, but for the most part he is doing fantastic in high school.   JROTC has taken on a life of its own.  He has already been promoted, and is now part of the Honor Guard, Color Guard, and Armed Drill team.  Anyone else thinking armed and teenagers in the same sentence is a bit wonky?  

Japanese is going great.  I now have a full fledged translator should I need one.  And, most days I do.  He spends his days reading Japanese Animee, and telling me how to prepare whatever ever it is I bought for us to *try*.   He is still working on speaking it.  In his words, "mom, it takes a while to translate in my head from Japanese to English, form a response, translate it back in my head and try and say it.  Japanese also seem to have verb issues"...  But, he will get there, and hey as long as he can read packages to me in the store....

Christopher is gearing up for Far East.  In a few short weeks he will travel to Korea with his band to perform against other DODEA schools in the area.  An entire week in Korea, sans parents.  Let the excitement ensue!

Noah is doing wonderfully with his home schooling.  I have found my favorite subject is History Odyssey.  After the winter break we are going to slow it down a bit.  He really wants to delve deeper into the ancient pyramids.   He is also in Boy Scouts.  YEP!  I know!  Who would have ever thought I would let my kids join Boy Scouts.  I have personal reasons for being standoffish with the Boy Scouts.  Mostly the who, no gay people allowed thing bothers me.  But, Noah really wanted to join, and I am friends with one of the families that are involved. The kids really do seem to be learning something, and well I need to get over my issues and let my son enjoy being 11.  He spent last weekend camping, and come home a changed man. ha ha!  He has found his calling.  Noah has always said he wants to join the military and camping just solidified that for him.  He is one with nature, and seems to have a knack for it.   I will not be accompanying him on these trips!  Once Ian gets home, he will get time to go once or twice.  Yeah for dad and son bonding time!


Peyton is 5 and having a great time.  His teacher really is the reason school can and does often work.  She loves her kids, and loves teaching them.  He read a short book to me the other day and I started to tear up.  I love reading to my kids.  That will never change, but very soon I will have him asking to read to me!  Oh, how they grow..   Football is in full swing, and this year Peyton is the only one playing.  (secretly this makes me happy, but shhh, don't tell the boys).. Managing 1 kid seems to be a breeze!  Lets hope it stays that way.

Halloween is next week, and here in Sasebo it seems to be a 3 day event.  We will be going to HTB, The Ginza, on a Spooky walk, then trick or treating.  Fun times ahead...

Soon after Ian will finally be home!  For longer then 2 or 3 weeks.  As of now he will be home for almost 5 months!  We are all excited!

Thanksgiving will be loads of fun around here.  We are moving the day after so cooking won't be happening.  We will be eating on Ian's ship on Thanksgiving, getting the keys to our newly renovated (yes, I will have a kitchen pantry) house.

If all of this isn't keeping me busy enough we have also adopted a puppy...  She is the cutest thing ever!  Piper and Sophie spend a great deal of time fighting over who gets to be the baby that day.  So far I think they are evenly matched!

So, what is going on with you all?  How is your fall shaping up?