Digging it UP!

Today was the Seika Autumn Field Trip. All the classes, with the exception of the oldest, goes sweet potato digging.

This is the third year in a row I have done this - you would think I have it down pat! But, alas, no...

I still forgot my name badge, did not bring Ian's shoes out to change into, etc. I have, however streamlined some things. Minimizing bags was not one of them! Some of the Japanese moms have a tiny bag. And that is it. They manage boots, gloves, shovels, lunches, drinks, etc. and then they put it all in this microscopic bag. I think I need to find myself one of these bags. It would be like being Mary Poppins!!!

As it was, we got dressed to dig


Boots on bottom, aplons on top (we might call them smocks...).




Gloves went on at the field and the digging commenced.






Once done, the kids all receive a gift from Encho Sensei of a roasted sweet potato.


Turns out, Ian's had a HUGE bite taken out of the top when he got his... OK, I may have taken the bite...


This year we came home with a giant bag of theses huge sweet potatoes. Many people (read: Americans) don't love, or even like, these sweet potatoes. However, we do. So I try to scam other people potatoes!


Once the dig is done, we stash out stash under the bus and head to a nearby park for a "picnic". It's BYOB style (bring your own bento). The kids get to run free for a bit and then they gather up to so some taiso. It's various dances that are just so kawaii! It would be inappropriate to say they are cute - it just doesn't consider it Japanese-ness...

Judge for yourselves.


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Sweet

The Autumn field trip for all classes at Seika, except the oldest, is to go Sweet Potato digging.  Pony class got the super classy bus, aka: the Disco Bus

Just some of the decor...  It was a Sheraton-meets-New-Orleans-Lounge.  Awesome!!

Since the other classes do not have school on that day, Dougie got to join in the event.  And lead the Pony procession (the Youngest class).  When Ian did not take him seriously enough, Dougie chased after him to literally, get him back in line...

Choke-hold style...

Pony Class with Kamei Sensei (their teacher), Encho Sensei (the Principal), parents and sibs

As, um, odd as digging up sweet potatoes sound - it is a lot of fun.  The boys love to dig.  They get something for their efforts.  We come home with a TON of purple sweet potatoes.  AND they get a freshly roasted sweet potato for the road.

After digging, we go to this HUGE park, have a picnic and play for a bit.

Ian has a little girl that he is sweet on - and the feeling is mutual!  Isa lives down the way from us and her mother and I compare notes frequently!  After playing "chase me"

Ian walked right up to Isa and...

began to... (look closely at his finger's location...)

and...

Pose...

They really don't change much, do they?!?

Ian had a moment, sitting Japanese-style, with one of the teachers while checking out the Kame Ike (Turtle Pond).

She nearly cried when I showed her the picture.  I will have to print this and give it to her!!!

After all that, the kids do a little "folk dancing".  They start out with Old MacDonald - Japanese Style.

Seriously, they do this super kawaii dance to a Disney themed song.

While this was going on, Ferdinand was smelling the daisies...