First day of School

Two weeks ago Sophia started school for the first time. She is going to pre-school three days a week and is loving it. On her first day of school I was really worried because she does suffer from separation anxiety. As we drove to her school I talked about how fun it would be and how nice the teacher was, just so she would be happier about going. I even asked her what toys she wanted to play with and she said," Mom stop talking to me I don't know anything." So I stopped talking with her. When we got there we walked to her class room and she walked right in and didn't look back. She didn't even say good-bye. I just wanted to cry. She didn't need me any more. I couldn't believe that I was starting to have separation anxiety. She did so well her first day and continues to do well. I am so proud of my baby.
Then just two days ago Grace started school as well. She attends a Montessori school. We opted for different pre-schools because Grace's school is 5 days a week and Sophia's is only 3 days week. Grace is really enjoying her school as well. With both girls attending school I find myself not knowing how to make the most of the two hours of free time that I have. Its great.
*sorry for no pictures my computer is in the shop. I will post their first day of school photos later.

A day at Grace's school

Last Tuesday was an open day at Grace's school. This allows the parents to come watch the kids during a normal school day. This also happened to be a holiday for Lane so he was really excited to see Grace at school. It has been one year since the last open house that I could go and see so this was fun for me to watch as well. Its hard to know what is really happening in Grace's school with the whole language barrier so this was a good opportunity. (I have to add this real quick, there was just an earthquake. Minor but a little nerve recking. At least it didn't shut off the power.) Back to my topic now. Here are some pictures of Grace and her school. Afterwards we went to lunch at a pig farm where they had all sorts of animals on display. The girls had so much fun feeding the rabbits.
I had to put this picture up. The play ground equipment at Grace's school is fun, but very dangerous. The kids half to scale the mountain to go down this super long slide. And you can see Sophia playing on the metal airplane.

This is the main building at the school. Grace's class room on the bottom just to the right of the stairs in the middle.

Sophia feeding the rabbits. She had a hard time feeding them because she wanted to feed certain ones and they kept stealing the food she had to give them.

Lane is staring down the Ostrich.

Sophia trying to feed the scary goat.

This is a video clip of Grace at school. She was the group leader for the day so she introduced her Group and her self. Its so cute to watch her do this. She is very out going in class.

Kumano Jinja Matsuri!

Last week Grace had the opportunity to participate in her schools annual festival parade. She goes to a Shinto school and so once a year the parade through the streets of Shibata Town to collect donations from people. During this parade they pull a small shrine for the people to see. We thinks its a great cultural experience for not only for Grace, but us. Its funny because all the parents are trying to video record this event and so people watching from the sidewalks can't really see the children with all the parents hovering over the kids. And as a parent trying to record the event you get pretty good at walking backwards with out falling over. Here are some pictures from the parade.



All ready to go in her class room.

She was the tail end of the parade.

All done. These little kids walked very far.

First day of School.

Today is Grace’s first day of school for the new school year. She is a second year student at the Kindergarten school she attends. I am not sure what her teachers name is, but her teacher was one of the same teachers from last year so Grace is familiar with her. I hope she has a good first day of school. Here is a picture we took this morning and the picture we took from her first day of school from last year.
Today's picture.


Last Year's picture. I think she looks the same. Her hair is a little longer this year and this year she looks a little more excited to be going to school.


I had to throw this one in. As we were coming home from our Saturday activities Grace fell asleep in the car. She was in the front seat so it was really sunny and she asked to wear my sunglasses and then she fell asleep. It was really cute so we took a ton of photos.

Last Day of School

Today was Grace's last day of school for this school year. I can't believe she has already finished one year of school. Only 12 more to go. I am proud of her for going everyday even in the beginning when she didn't understand any Japanese. I am also grateful to her Teacher Hitomi Sensei. Hitomi Sensei so willing taught Grace threw the communication barrier and did a awesome job. If she ever does read this Thank You so much and thanks for all that you did for Grace this past year.

Here is Grace with her Sensei during the sports festival. I wish I had a better shot of both of them.

Music Festival!

On saturday Grace participated in her schools music festival. Here are the videos of the song they sang and did the music for. Sorry for the shaky camera work. Lane let me film the perfomance with the video camera and ditgital camera so I was trying to film and watch the performance all at once.
School music performance

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School music festival part 2

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The Dance

winter musical

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Winter Musical

On Saturday was Grace’s school winter musical. It was the cutest thing in the whole world. It's amazing what the teachers at Grace’s school can get three and four years to do. Grace did a dance with six other girls and they were dressed as rabbits. Grace did a really good job. I am so proud of her. After the performance we asked her if she had been afraid or scared to dance in front of everyone and she said, “No, it was so fun”. I think we might have a performer on our hands.
After that we had a big luncheon with all the parents and kids at an Italian restaurant, and Grace thought that it was the neatest thing to eat out with all her friends. We had a nice time getting to know more of the parents and other kids in Grace’s class. We even found out the one of the little boys really likes Grace. Our little girl is growing up too fast.

Silly photo with Grace, Akari, and Sophia at the restaurant.
Grace and Takuto. He is that one that likes Grace and she is also like a foot taller.