Category Archives: baby’s stuff

Life with a grade schooler: graduation

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Today, you had your graduation from your after school.

It was leagues more special than your school graduation itself.

All the previous teachers who left the after school either joined in person or online in the “graduation event” that your after school made just for you. They also presented you with handmade gifts and wrote messages on your yearbook. Even the teachers who already left the after school were able to write in their own handwriting on your yearbook. Which meant they made the effort go to the school to write on the book in addition to actually joining your small party.

As a mother, I am so so so happy to know that you are so much loved.

I am very thankful.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校6年

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As we walked under the fully bloomed sakura trees earlier today, I asked you how it felt to now be on 6th grade. You said it’s almost unbelievable you’re the seniors now as it was just yesterday that you were in 1st grade. Indeed, indeed. And for me, it seemed just like yesterday that I held a cheerful baby in my arms.

For the spring break, literally, we Oohhhed and ahhhed at the places we went to in Europe. But that’ll be for another blog.

For now, I am wishing you well as you start an exciting year for you.

Just this evening I read your previous homeroom teacher’s assessments of you (we didn’t have time last March as we had to fly early the day following your last day at school) and read about her compliments on how you take on leadership roles at school.

You have it in you, baby. I can see that. And I hope you’ll continue to nurture that ability and learn more, so you could lead with wisdom.

She still has that baby dimples on her hands🥰

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校5年

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For almost two years, I’ve been having trouble posting photos on this blog. And then it got worse when things were moved to Jetpack. I could not even post at all.

This meant that I could not post our usual “first day of school” post last April.

But perhaps it’s all for the better. Because then, we could do it today. Yui’s first day at Juku (cram school), and with all the accompanying steps to more freedom (and responsibilities.

Do well my baby, and keep on working and walking towards your dream.

You did great today.

Life with a grade schooler: Confessions!

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A couple months ago, Yui told me she has a crush on one of her teachers in her after school school.

Last week, she told me she confessed and expressed her feelings to the guy, 12 years her senior and twice as tall. I wanted to ask details about how she said it, what was the setting, (and most importantly) what he said. She just wouldn’t share she eventually got angry because I kept on badgering her.

And then this evening, she suddenly blurted out, without preamble: he told me to say again what I said ten years after (in Japanese).

I was at first confused on what she meant. Then it dawned on me. Ahhhhh!!! I’m happy for my baby though.

My baby. Now a lady with crushes.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校4年

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I wanted to keep our tradition going, so I bought us a new copy of our tradition book.
The good thing this year, and especially with this new book, is that you’ve come to appreciate this yearly tradition. Plus your English reading skills has recently significantly improved (you’ve already read all our Dr Seuss books!) and you can read it now.

You’ll be starting joining clubs from this year. And you chose Theatre Club at that! I know you wanted to join Drawing Club, and Computer Club more than Theatre Club, and that you only joined it after seeing a video of what the club is about and learning what I’ve been saying is true. But I hope you’ll find a place to nurture your love for voices, singing, and performing. You’re already having extra classes for Drawing and for Programming, hence I am glad of the choice you made so that you can work on your other talents.

God bless you my baby. Spread your wings.

life with a grade schooler: the one with the plastic bag

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You showed me your crafts book and told me you’re required to bring clear plastics trash bag the following day. This is at 11:50pm.

We searched frantically since our trash bag is the milky type. We have a clear one but it’s such a huge huge bag; perhaps, as tall as I am. We tried to unroll it first time, then looked around again. When we couldn’t find a clear plastic, we went back to the huge bag. And stared at it.

Then, eyes twinkling I could almost see the light bulb, you said: let’s cut a small portion, and then I can tape shut one edge.

Gasp. Such problem solving skills! Why didn’t I think of that. Awestruck.