Kumon

There is an International learning method or something or other called Kumon and it is extremely big in Japan. We tried the two week free trial in February and really enjoyed it and plan to go back to it when things settle down here (Which will be never, so let me rephrase that...We're going to to go back to it in May or June).

Claire did math and yes, I KNOW, she's only three, but if I'm going to be there, I might as well enroll her because there's no place to hang out otherwise.

During the first day's evaluation I was feeling so proud (because she is a smart little girl because Lord knows I'm not teaching her anything in my "spare" time) and the lady looked impressed. It was around the 5th page and she was pointing at the numbers and counting. She got to 14, said "14," then this is how she counted, "Fourteen five, fourteen six, fourteen seven, fourteen eight, fourteen nine", and then triumphantly announced "FOURTEEN TEN!"

She's so CLAIRE!

This was really cute, watching Claire get instructions and learning....I love that little girl!

WAY TO GO CLAIRE! ☺

 Olivia really wanted to do Japanese language, but the woman who owns it said we should start with math. I told O that after she does math for a while, we can switch to Japanese.

Such a neat, NEAT, super cool experience having the Japanese teachers and working amongst Japanese children as well as some American kids. It's just a quarter mile or so outside of the base, so the American kids can come easily and the Japanese kids come on their bikes after school.

There's the worksheet and learning part (first picture of O above) where you work with a teacher and then you go to a different area where they test you some. You also take home homework and you turn it in for them to check it when you first walk in. Olivia did GREAT!

Audrey did just a few sessions of Japanese language. I hope she changes her mind and decides she wants to do it. I told her "These are the things that make good essays for college applications and such and not just because it's a unique story." Working with Japanese teachers, learning in this multi-cultural environment, learning the language...what a fantastic experience! Mick, his typical witty self, paraphrased Jack Nicholson's character from "As Good As It Gets", "Go sell scholarship somewhere else. We're all full up here."

"Don't take a picture of me!"

It's kind of expensive, but what a chance for the girls! I'll let you know if we get back to it!

And hopefully Gigi won't throw all of their books on the floor before the lessons are done!