That's right, the Eldest Unfortunate!!! And what a week of celebration it has been. Friday night was her sleep-over birthday party and to tell the truth that was a bit wilder than the last sleep-over birthday party in Monterey with nine girls--this party we only invited three girls... go figure... It was fun though and the girls had a great time! To make it a bit more of the Eldest's day, the CrazyOne got to go over to a friend's home for her first sleep over. That idea went over as well as a fart in church when I first clued her into the plan; but a day later she got over it and couldn't wait for her special moment.
That Saturday I made a big breakfast of frenchtoast (made with texas toast bread), sausage, turkey bacon (which the girls couldn't get enough of), mikans (Japanese tangerines), strawberries and got ready for the the Kanto Plain Home Schooler's Fun night in Negishi housing in Yokohama. It had been nearly four years since I had driven to Negishi, so I cheesed out and joined the caravan leaving main base to get there.
Fun Nite was a blast and we can't wait till the next get-together at the mikan picking field trip next Friday. The aptly named party brought out a lot of the group and the exciting part of this group is; I like them--the parents AND the kids.
This group is full of older kids and not chocked full of pre school through first graders. They are great to hang out with single or groupie style--just cause you like someone doesn't make them a great hang in large settings. From 16:00-19:30hr we socialized, had a scavenger hunt (the girls went, I had to sit out since my ankle was still out of operation--still is) and played. Remembering our drive home and morning priorities, we loaded up in our Cube and avoided the toll road; just enjoying our company, the radio, and the 45 minute drive down Rt 16.
Monday was the official day. Topping any present I could have given her, SailorMan pulled into pier Sunday afternoon--of course had duty (but we didn't want him anyways since he's the living dead his first days back and the girls were beyond excited to have him back to give him peace)--and showed up Monday after work in time to take us all out. After a regular day of lessons, swiming, decorating a bit, and Kumon;we all loaded up into the Cube and picked us up a sailor. From there SailorMan and I sprang the suprise of going out to our favorite Ramen house. It is the only place were we all can eat with out complaint. It was so good to have everyone together and eating out (both of which are not commonly practiced in this family).
The food could have been bad, but we were all in such good spirits, it wouldn't have mattered much. Fortunately, the food was a delight and as always quite filling. Rolling out of our seats, we paid and walked back to base for the finale: presents!!! There is nothing like the promise of cake and presents to get kids to do exactly what is asked; no beating around the bush, no stalling, no arguing, no whining. T'was beautiful. Eldest's gifts were what was on the table minus one which was for the CrazyOne, then the addition of the small package SailorMan slipped in. Our family no longer buys presents just for the sake of quantity guilt.
We finally put two and two together and realized the only gifts the kids play with all year long, are the ones they have asked for--not the ones you think they would like or what we think are cool. So we stopped living vicariously through our kids; got our own lives; purchase only what they've asked for; and only buy no more than 2 gifts per child of what we would like them to have. The first time we did this was last Christmas. The gifts were few, but the joy was true. Our pockets thanked us and our blood pressure stayed cool through out the rest of the year since we were not yelling and threating over the neglected toys we spent so much on. Make your money count, believe me, it is worth your sanity and your kid's memories. 
All through the rest of the week we had to put up with the now pre-teen who was on cloud 9--I mean cloud 10, lol--and is allowed to get that sacred right of passage on a foreign US military base for all children who become 10 over seas: THEIR FIRST ID CARD. Not just any I.D. card either, this is THE OFFICIAL Military I.D. card. Proof necessary for parents to "understand" that their child is now responsible to handle more duties--UNACCOMPANIED. She can now shop on her own at US Military Exchanges and Commissaries, she can use the gym--classes and facilities on her own, sign herself up for classes at the Community Center as long as she is in their computer system. Last, but definitely NOT the least is the ability to leave and return to base unescorted. Can you say, "freedom?" Can you say, "mommy's commissary and exchange errand girl?" Right now this whole new phase of life is the shiznit! As time goes on, she will realize parental units have an excellent form of leverage to ensure true grounding when necessary. God Bless free will and responsibilities!
Today was when Eldest had her appointment for getting her first ID card. Of course I was there with the camera, but I only posted a few of them for you. We needed our DOD sponsor's paper work--a.k.a. permission--and only remembered it the night before. The appointment was at 08:30 and the ship's admin wouldn't be open till 08:15. SailorMan pushed the work through, and I really thank the guy who typed it all up for us... I don't think Eldest could have handled postponing the appointment well. SailorMan was waiting for us at the gate to the pier and after a quick inspection and correction of some things on the paper, we were off.
It was a very exciting moment; for ten years ago on this day we were leaving the hospital, to begin a new phase in life and it was scary and exciting. We were determined though, to prove ourselves capable and worthy of this responsibility; just as Eldest is determined to show such to herself and us. What a beautiful life-cycle. Now our home is officially blessed with a pre-teen. Life knows how to staying interesting.
I hope you like the pictures and if you read this and realize that this wasn't around the blog 30 October, it is because the date I started working on it is saved as the post date, and yes that is a picture of Smash Mouth's concert stage being set up. They came here to the Kanto Plain bases to put on free concerts over the halloween weekend. A big thanks to MWR and Family Readiness. It was a blast! The Unfortunates loved it, they were up front, David was home to enjoy it, and we all went home with the reminder to bring hearing protection to concerts. Concert photo was taken by my keitai. I didn't know if cameras were allowed... boy, was I wrong!
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