A glimse of the 1st grade work at school

Last night, I attend a parent meeting at school. The teacher explained to us about this year's school work. I got to sit in Yoshi's class (while Nori was babysitting the kids at home).  I always love the opportunity to visit the classroom, so to feel the joy and excitement of his every day life at school.

 (this is very cute- Yoshi write about "painting" and teaching his sister to paint)

 Self portrait, I think VERY look alike. ^_^

Sunday baseball game

Recently, our family sports is Baseball. Yoshi joins a baseball team for game and practice once a week. When there are free time in the weekend, it's either baseball practice in front/ back yard or. baseball game on TV. When we are out in weekend, seems like Sporting store has been a frequent visit lately....even for Kiharu...

 

First Day- First Grade



I really cannot believe 3 months of summer vacation had come and gone. It was a wonderful summer. Although we couldn't go back to see grandparents and friends back in Asia, but the experiences and fun the kids had were great memories. (sorry grandparents). Perhaps from how little blog posts I have done, self explained my energy level.... now that school is back, hopefully few more updates in between.

 

Today is Yoshi's BIG day. First day of school- First grade. Luckily we were able to remain in the same school, seeing familiar faces, that was a great help in transition. He goes from 3 hrs of kindergarten last year to full day (7 hrs). I think both me and Kiharu need our adjustment too.

 

One of the transition this year is having lunch at school. He had requested maki sushi on the first day, so I did. I don't know if I ever did a maki sushi that early in the morning before..^_^  But he totally enjoyed it. He will have the option to buy lunch at school, I wonder what he might be choosing?! the bad thing is there is NO limit of how much they can spend, hopefully he won't clear out his money balance on one meal....^_^

The highlight of today had to be riding the yellow school bus. Last year, we chose to be car rider. But I know how much he wanted to ride on that bright yellow bus. So we decided to ride 3 times a week. And I will pick him on Thurs & Fri. As for morning, it would be father and son bonding time in Nori's big truck. He loves it also.

 Yoshi drew this at school this morning before he actually rode on the bus, I could tell he's definitely excited about the bus. Look at the little guy on drawing, both his arms were UP. (He meant to say "yes")

 It was a quiet but productive day for me and Kiharu. We did lots of story telling, writing, drawing, and even houseworks in between. I think it's a great opportunity for us to spend some bonding time together. Her preschool doesn't start until September. She is really excited about it also....

(Almost) home away from home

We had just  came back from spending a weekend in Virgina which was about 6 hours away. We stayed overnight at Pembroke Springs Resort- a Japanese style bed and breakfast house, own by a Japanese couple (wife Japanese; husband American).  This was our first time staying at bed and breakfast place. The main attraction was their onsen/sentou facility. Since we had decided not to go back to Asia this summer, this trip is almost home away from home.

 

This is the house in the middle of nowhere, really nowhere, up in the hill. Very relaxing.

 We stayed at one of their only Japanese style bedroom.

 Here is the living room that everyone shared- the only place with TV (not inside the room)

 Japanese style dinner and breakfast.

 Since the internet was very slow, and with no TV inside the bedroom, it was a perfect opportunity for some family game time.

 I think it would be a perfect getaway trip during fall season when all the trees turn into red color, that would be a perfect scene...

(We also did a train ride during the trip, will post more photos later)