Life with a grade schooler: Catching the train

We had a long drive last night (we arrived at 2am!) hence I decided to commute for the day’s activities. That, plus we were hurrying not to be late for our choir practice and I wasn’t sure if parking will come easy.

One thing to note: we were all on time on all of our appointments. Except for catching the train. I was the only one who made it inside the train while Yui couldn’t get it despite trying to bar the door with her bag.

I made exaggerated mouth movements to tell her I’ll wait for her on the platform of our destination station. It seemed she has understood.

Was on tenterhooks waiting for Yui. When she did arrive she had a big smile on her face with laughter in her eyes.

We need to have more training for independence now.

Life with a grade schooler: Confessions!

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.

“判断するな”

I asked Yui how her day was and with whom did she play with.

She answered “with Satsuki”. I was just trying to guess who the girl is from the daily photos, and then she described.

“The one who looks so snobbish and who would bully anyone. “いじわれるなかおお”. But actually surprisingly kind. On the other hand, Emma looks like she won’t hurt a fly. But actually she gets angry so easily.

判断するな! Don’t judge!

My dear baby, I’m loving the wisdom. Keep it up. .

On Wars and Butterfly kisses

Last night.

“Mommy, has Putin stopped his attack on Ukraine yet?”

“Sad to say, Baby, not yet. Not yet.”

You kept on a thoughtful face.

After lunch.

(Today was school holiday and I decided to take a day off). We were walking back home after lunch at the village cafe, you on your roller skater. Then you spotted a butterfly in the middle of the walkway that’s struggling to fly. The poor butterfly though would most likely struggle to fly for the rest of its life. Its wings have an uneven size, the other much smaller than the other. The windy day (today’s quite pleasant actually) added to its struggles. You were trying to pick it up, me shrieking (I NEVER liked insects). You explained that you had to remove it off the path of someone else, lest someone who doesn’t like insects might kill it, or someone in a hurry might accidentally trod on it and kill it. You gently brought it to a leafy shade and it was soon obvious to see the butterfly looked less distressed and was not trying to flap its wings anymore. You didn’t stop there though. You picked off a couple of wallflowers and laid it in front of the butterfly, giving it food.

Back at home, you waited while I worked on my laptop and tried to answer a colleague’s query from three projects back who needed help. You also told me how you envision my position will be six years from now. My, my. I have to work veeeery hard to meet your expectations!

You then requested me to sing “Country Road”. I wrapped up work, and dutifully sang in front of you. After my rendition, you said thank you, saying it was the first time you felt so relaxed listening to a song. My number 1 fan. 🥰

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校4年

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.