Friday Field Day

In Japan, physical activity is not only valued, a National Holiday surrounds the idea. All the schools organize a Field Day or "Sports Day" of some sort. Many are quite elaborate. All have various competitor games for the kids and, most often, the adults as well.
They divide the school into two teams - red & white. This is usually accomplished by wearing the student's PE cap on its red side or flipping it inside out and showing the white inside.
At Dougie's first Seika Sports Day, I thought he just was wearing his hat inside-out and was semi-mortified at his behavior!
Seika's Sports Day got moved to Sunday last weekend - the same day as Stefan's swim meet. We divide and conquered. Eric went to Sports Day. I went with Stefan.
This last Friday was Hayama's Field Day - a much less elaborate, but super fun day for the kids and parents. Both Stefan and Dougie were on Team White (of course, the one color school shirt we do NOT own!).
They had silly relays holding paper in arm pits and knees, dribbling a ball through (or past... Whoops!) cones,














sack races,


and three-legged races. Dougie and Katrina paired up - once they got warmed up, those two really motored!!











Katrina's mom and I, on the other hand, provided the entertainment!
There was a scavenger hunt and the kids performed a Taibo dance. It was hilarious and AWESOME!

Neither of these boys are likely to be Fred Astaire, but Stefan may be good at break-dancing! Whodathunk?!?
All the kids got medals - necklaces made of candy and chocolate medallions.

All went home with smiles!

After Field Day, we went straight to the bowling alley for a birthday party. Ian and Io (another 4 year old) had a kick bowling. Ian really loved that he got to eat "in a cave"...


It was a long and super fun day!





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Picture Day 10.09.2013

This is how they looked when they left home



I will be very curious how they looked by the time their actual pictures come back!!!


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Eighteen

Eighteen!!!  Ian, Dougie, Stefan, Lindsey and Gavin all got off to school today - dressed, fed and clean!  

While everyone else was "keeping the Peace," Ian was "Number 1"...

They were a small crowd that attracted some attention!

This, however, is a much more realistic shot of these kids... (notice Stefan's sly wink and rabbit ears?!?)  Yup - keeping it real, folks!

Were they well rested?!?

Lindsey and Dougie wanted to sleep in the same room - so they occupied the mattresses in the newly-founded playroom/guest room (which we now have reason to use!!!).  The first night, they chatted 10, maybe 15 SECONDS.  Tonight, it was more like three to four minutes...

Lindsey reported that Dougie is loud... uh-huh...

Stefan got to be on top of the three-year-old crowd!  In the top-bunk, at least!

He said that Ian and Gavin woke him up the first morning with, "Stefan!  Stefan!!!  Are you AWAKE?!?  Stefan!  Wake up!!!"  He seemed a bit flattered by the whole thing...

Those two have taken a bit of a shine to Stefan - unless, of course, Stefan is attempting to help dress his brother...  Let the tantrums begin!

Gavin "noticed" the picture taking - thus the hand over his face.  He promptly turned his head and I did not attempt a clearer pic...  That boy faithfully wore his duckie blankie all night.  And barely moved!

Ian - Mr. Restless and "No sleepsack tomorrow!" woke up C-C-C-C-OO-O-O-L-L-L-D-D-D-D!!! more than once.  Harumph! Nana - your blankie started out on top...  only to warm the bottom (and be a drool catcher)!

This morning, the early risers did just that - Dougie at 4:45 and Gavin at 5:10.  Dougie got the flakoti and Gavin got to hot-rack in Eric's recently vacated spot.  They laid down quietly until just past 6 when the others awoke.

Eric was my hero, making steel-cut oats and brining me a coffee (thank you, Leah!!!).  All five kids were in their formal uniforms and...

On their way...

In Transit

Eric and I were awoken last night by a thunderstorm - and the sudden realization that a car seat and a stroller were outside.  Whoops!  We stepped outside at 02:30 AM were greeted by a downpour and much a cooler temperature.

This morning was all blue sky and sunshine - minus the heat!  It was a lovely, lovely morning.  I was not busting out a sweat - the first time in two months!

Ian and I accompanied Stefan on his transit to school again.  Since I woke Ian up just before leaving, he had not eaten breakfast.  Nor did I have my coffee.  Nor could I find my coffee...  just seemed to have disappeared :(  Won't that be a surprise when I find it!

Ian got snuggly on the way back...

And then just became a lounge lizard, complete with sunglasses...

He is WAY too big to sprawl out on my lap - but tried anyway

We stopped in the convenience store at Yokosuka Station when we got back.  Ian walked right over to the refrigerated section, grabbed a sandie and told me, "don't put that back, Mummy!"  Hungry?!?  He then walked over and picked up a pineapple juice, declaring, "I have my brekkies, Mummy!"

Yup.  Sure do!

We strolled along the boardwalk in Verney Park, Ian carrying his brekkies.

Then decided I should hold his sammy...

Went over to the railing to check out the fish - and his drink... (now what was it that I picked out?!?)

And we just simply enjoyed our stroll along the waterfront.  I enjoyed not breaking out in a full sweat.  I think the seasons may be in transit as well...

Next Stop...

The fall term has started and the boys are all back in school. Being on the Japanese schedule, they are all in the same class still (their school year turns over March/April). The big transition for us is that Stefan is now riding the train and public bus to/from school.

I can hear the air being sucked out of the room by all the Americans out there... But in Japan, school kids as young as 5 ride the trains unaccompanied. As hard as it is for us to imagine, it is the norm over here.

As we have been making this transition, Eric and I have been riding with him. Often, there are other kids from his school on the train/bus with him, and that is reassuring. And, yet, also a crutch... Not being the most observant kid (ahem), it also is grounds for errors when they are NOT with him.

Well, that day was today!

We left early so he could do the math homework he forgot to bring home (ahem). I "lost" him on the way to the station - he made it! Barely...

On the bus, out came the book... And out went his attention. I sat way behind him and feigned disinterest. He noticed the beach (BIG landmark). Kept reading. He noticed buildings. Fidgeted. Kept reading. He noticed the beach. Pushed the button. Kept reading. Did not get off at stop. He read a while. Started getting twitchy. Noticed the buildings were not familiar. Got nervous. Looked at me. I ignored him. He got nervous.

"Mom! I think I missed the stop!"

"About 5 minutes ago, sweetie! :)"

He finally pushed the button. Almost did not get off.

Today was a great day of lessons. What to do when you think you are lost (answer: something!). What you should look for besides "the beach" and one restaurant (bus fare, any other beach is too far, landmarks for when you haves missed your stop, etc.)

We got there, he pushed the button, got off the bus and walked up he hill to school. I left him in the building with a hug and kiss. He popped his head back around the corner with an, "I love you, mom!"

I think he is going to make it to the next stop :)

Walking home on the path after walking from one station to our local line's station and riding it home. Independence. Happiness!

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A Colorful Mother's Day

Stefan's school had their Spring Festa today.  Theme: Rainbows.


I seriously was dreading going due to the probable 1970-something Vera-esque decor, chaos, whining and/or nagging that accompanies such activities.  On Mother's Day...


Now, I am the FIRST to tell you that every day is Mother's Day in my house.  Has been ever since these boys came into being.  And Miss-High-and-Mighty would really like to be treated as if it were my special day, every day. Having said that, I am also the first to tell you that my feelings would be hurt if everyone in my family completely blew off the Hallmark Holiday and acted as if it were just another one of "those" Mother's Days...


But they did not (thank you, Seika!).  My day started with getting a new purse!

Decorated by Ian (perhaps our budding artist?!?)

And an identical purse!

Decorated by Dougie (self-portrait complete with blue glasses!)

To say that I was pleasantly surprised at how today went would be an understatement.  Not only was Hayama's Spring Festa pretty great, we all had fun.  Not having gone to the generic Mother's Day Brunch, Mom did not have to pick, pester, wipe, shush, remind, clean, cater, nor glare at anyone so that we could "enjoy ourselves".  What a blessing!  And, the rainbow decorations were, (dare I say it?), really fantastic!

My friend, Bridget, and I both signed up for decoration committee thinking we would get off easy.  Then they sent a packet home with 16 HUGE sheets of pictures and two teensy poster boards.  Our assignment?  Do something creative.  Collage.  With 500 pictures.  And rainbows.

Needless to say, both she and I procrastinated until the night before they were due.  In the end, we made paint palette wheels that really spoke for themselves.  Not necessary to embellish them at all.  I admire all the others' for their true creativity!!!

The boys got their face painted like tigers,

played games and won prizes,

made slime,

Got their weekly dose of Vitamin D the natural way,

Freeloaded...

Picked out a Mother's Day gift:

This year's Spring Festa was raising money for a village that was wiped completely out (except for ONE house) by the Tōhoku earthquake's tsunami.  The families have created a co-op where they make and sell goods and pool their money to help restore the fishing that was once their livelihood.  This necklace has been recycled from roof tiles that were destroyed during the tsunami.  The puffers mouth is one of the nail holes in the slate tile.

We joined Bridget on the way over (husband out on the GW).  Bridget's son Jack goes to pre-K at Hayama.  Her daughter, Madeline, and Stefan have known each other from Kindergarten - they were also on the same Odyssey of the Mind team.

We had the kids "couple up" (hold hands) as we crossed the street to the bus stop.  Madeline and Stefan had joined hands.  And then kept walking down the sidewalk that way.  So completely innocent.

They likely do not realize this, nor do any of us want them to, but it is plain to see that Stefan and Madeline have a crush on each other.

Everyone was tired, yet only one slept...

and it was not Ian...

who would rather hold the handles on the bus, just like Daddy.

Who could pass up a park on the way home?  Certainly not us.  Ian perfected getting airborne when Daddy would go down (notice the space under his seat?!?).  Jack had hopped off the teeter-totter at this point.  Earlier Eric manned up one side while all five kids piled on the other.  Of course, breaking out the camera also broke up the party...

Today was a perfectly enjoyable day of being a Mom.  Instead of waiting to repeat this next year, we will work on having this kind of Mother's Day, everyday.  Turns out, I am treated special.  Every. Single. Day.

Thank you boys!