New Mommy and me playgroup

So, I've started Zoe in a mommy and me play group. I did this to mainly meet other people and to get Zoe further acquainted with social gatherings. Initially, she stuck to me like glue and whined every time she was encouraged to do something that the instructor wanted her to do. As the class progressed, I could see that she was becoming more and more comfortable. She was able to venture away from me and have fun with the other kids. Hopefully she will keep enjoying this new group and we will make some new friends as we make a home, albeit temporary, in Okinawa. 

Zoe is taking swimming lessons

Zoe started taking swimming lessons 2 weeks ago. She loves the water very much, but she doesn't like to be on her back in the water. She loves when we sing songs and play games in the water, so we started singing "I'm a little pancake on my back, I'm a little pancake short and flat, I'm a little pancake on my back, Flip me over just like that." It worked wonders because she is so much more relaxed on her back now, yay!!!

Walking in a typhoon?

This week is a new session of swimming lessons for Zoe. I paid $80 for 2 sessions, so I would hate to miss a day. Well, today I did the craziest thing. It had been raining all morning, but the rain let up a bit right before the time we had to be in class. I really, really contemplated not going today, but I know how much Zoe loves the class. When I put on her bathing suit, she got really excited and started beating on the front door. When we stepped outside, it wasn't raining, so I was confident that we could make it to the swimming pool and not get caught in the rain if it started again.

I was told that they will not cancel classes unless there is lightening and thunder. Well, there was neither, so I assumed classes were still going on. When Zoe and I started our trek to the pool, a light shower started. I thought about turning around and going home, but I just kept thinking about how disappointed Zoe would be, since she already new we were heading to the pool. Anyway, I kept on going and by the time we were close to the pool, the rain started pouring. Zoe was so good, she didn't complain a bit.

When we got to the pool, there was no one at the pool. I was so mad because they are supposed to call if they are cancelling classes. I just kept thinking, "damn, I dragged this girl all this way in what seemed like a typhoon, and they are not even having classes?" I asked the lifeguards, who were all huddled under a tent trying to stay dry, if classes were cancelled. They said that they decided to do a safety day instead, since it was raining so much. A FREAKING SAFETY DAY???!!! Why didn't they call us and tell us about the change in lesson, so that we can decide if we wanna come or not. Zoe is far too young to even understand anything about water safety.

So, we were there, but it was pouring and the wind was blowing ridiculously hard. Zoe still wanted to get in the pool, so at the slightest let up of the rain, we made a quick break for the kiddie pool that had a tent over it. Zoe was thrilled to be in  the pool, even for only  five minutes. When we got out of the pool and prepared to go home, the rain started again. Again, we waited for it to break a little so that we could hurry home. It was fine for a little while, but then it poured again while we were walking. I couldn't walk fast enough in my flip flops, so I took them off and walked the whole way home bare footed. Zoe, again, was cool as a cucumber in the rain, which made me not feel as bad as I would have if she was throwing a fit about getting wet by the rain.

Zoe is out of her tent, yay!!!

When we packed out our things in Ghana, Zoe had to sleep in a tent. She loves that little tent. It has been everywhere with us because we do not like it when she sleeps in the bed with us. We received our stuff from Ghana and this past weekend, her crib was set up. We thought that after being in her tent for so long she would not sleep in her crib. Man, she took to the crib like a fish to water, hooray!!

The WestPac Lodge (our first home in Oki)

On June 12th at around 6 pm, we arrived at our temporary quarters at the West Pac Lodge on Camp Foster. The room had one bedroom, a small living room and a kitchenette area, which was good enough for the three of us. It had a T.V. and PS system in the living room and  bedroom and we were able to rent movies and games for free.

We were all extremely exhausted when we arrived. Zoe did such a good job on the long flight that I was a little worried that she would not be able to settle in when it was time to go to sleep. On the contrary, Zoe passed out so hard, there was no waking her for any reason.