Busy Preparation

Getting children prepared for school is not a simple thing. There is so much planning that goes into getting them ready for school and we have been busy getting all the school stuff that Haruka chan will need in preparation for first grade. In Japan, school starts in April so the parents have to prepare for that. Well anyway, here's the stuffs that we prepared for Haruka ^_^

Haruka chan's new Study Desk~ it has a built in bookshelf, which is a popular design in Japan as a space saver. It comes with an alarm clock, electric pencil sharpener, led desk lamp, chair and globe as set for 40,000 japanese yen.

Wakaba chan and Haruka chan's Hello Kitty Thermos~ My kids bring bottled water everyday at school and they need spill proof water bottles to keep water cold during summer and warm mugi cha ( roasted barley drink ) during the winter.

Toothbrush set~ they will need it after eating their lunch at school

Rilakkuma Shoe Bag, Uwabaki ( in Japan school, kids remove their shoes at the entrance at the school and put on indoor shoes ), Rilakkuma pencil case

We bought her a formal pink suit to wear on her Entrance Ceremony and of course, the traditional Randoseru ( a leather school backpack for 50,000 japanese yen ). Most kids usually have one randoseru that lasts them throughout their 6 years in elementary school.

Haruka's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Haruka chan's 6th birthday at home and she wasn't feeling very well days before her birthday. Her fever was quite high and we went to the hospital on the day of her birthday and was positive of Influenza. Influenza was spreading everywhere here in Japan and half of the students at their school has influenza and their school was closed for one week because of the spreading virus. Yours trully and her big sissy Wakaba of course, have been bed ridden after her birthday due to influenza. Oh well... at least after her birthday, if not I wouldn't be able to prepare something for her birthday...

Strawberry Short Cake made by yours trully as requested by the birthday girl
My girls
The birthday girl Haruka chan with a fever of 39 deg C on that day
Smile Pretty Cure figures, our gifts to her
Surprise gift from a friend in Tokyo

Valentine's Day 2012

Because here in Japan, we celebrate Valentine's Day the other way around....

Here's our gift to Yochan ( store-bought chocolate and neckties from me and homemade chocolates from the kids) ^_^

Women gives gifts to men ( mostly chocolates) to men on Valentine's Day and one month later, on March 14, men give gifts to women.

Unicycling

My daughter Wakaba seem to be interested in unicycling when some of the kids in the neighborhood were practicing their own unicycle near the apartment. She was itching to have her own and we decided to buy her one last summer. After she's done with her assignments, off she go to have a practice together with me for at least one to two hours a day. She was eager to learn and I knew she's a challenger and she seem to enjoy it with me ( she said that lol) and Haruka chan. Wakaba rides her unicycle almost everyday and even though she can now ride it herself without my help, she wanted me to see her doing it lol! I'm sharing now this video taken last autumn when Wakaba succeded unicycling for the first time without my help ^_^

Wakaba's proud moments ^_^



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Haruka's Observation Day

Haruka had her Observation Day at school in kindergarten and it was a good timing to tag-along Wakaba chan with me because Haruka's big sissy didn't have her class during that day. We observed the whole class but then Haruka's teacher invited Wakaba to play with them and joined the class~ it was kinda special observation day with special guest lol! The kids made a cone out of colored paper and used soap to make bubbles for the 'ice cream' and gave 'em to the parents. I was kinda WOW when my daughter Haruka handled me PLENTY of it which made my eyes rolling of how to bring them at home lol!

Wooden toys and hand puppets

Wakaba chan feeling nostalgic ~ Haruka chan's classroom was the same room during her time in kindergarten

The kids used whisk to make lighter, fluffier eggs errr I mean bubbles with less effort LOL!

dyaraannn! ' Ice cream ' for Mommy! ^_^

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Graceful Dolphin

I wanna thank Rylie Cottrill, cutie host of E-Connections for sending me a postcard during their summer vacation in Florida. I really appreciate her time of writing me a message at the back of the postcard. Thanks a lot sweetie! Wakaba would be the happiest if you call her Ate ^_^

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Mitsui Outlet Park, Sendai Port

The city of Sendai suffered tremendous damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and have been completely restored ( except at the coastal area ). Our family went to Mitsui Outlet Park at Sendai Port recently and it's been awhile since our last visit there. Although we're not a person who goes for branded goods and stuffs, our family likes to explore factory outlets here in Japan most especially at Mitsui, it is the largest factory outlet in Tohoku Region. Mitsui is the place for shoppers who enjoys bargains and it is an open style shopping mall with nice surroundings and great foods. Sendai is one of the place we love to visit ~ read some of my Sendai posts here

Mitsui Outlet Park

A haven for shoppers most especially who likes branded apparels, bags and etc.




My GAP girls ^_^

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Kawaii Sandals

Osh Kosh summer sandals for my kids to go with their sundresses. I bet they'll gonna enjoy the summer with a blast! ^_^



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We Thank YOU!

We are aware that people from around the world is supporting Japan like giving donations to established charities, saying a prayers, giving letters of hope and care packages and the people in Japan were very thankful. I was surprised when Haruka came home from school with a beautiful crayon drawing at her hand and a message. The drawings of the students of Glendall Elementary School and Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church ( Sunday School) were distributed to our town Iwaki and Haruka's yochien ( kindergarten school) received lots of 'drawings of hope' and distributed to all the kids in yochien.

We wanted them to know how thankful we are most especially the kids at school of receiving a drawing from a complete stranger which gives a smile on our faces. The drawing came from the girl named Audrey as it was written at the back of the drawing and we would also like to thank their teacher, Mrs. Patricia N. Roeser for sending the drawings of her students all the way to Japan.

In behalf of Wakaba and Haruka and the kids at Haruka's school, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

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