Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校6年

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

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.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校2年

You were giggling with the fact that you and your peers are not the youngest in the school, anymore. You were even more excited with the fact that your wish of being in 2年2組 came true (you were 1年1組 before).

I was actually late in picking you up; you were the remaining student in the schoolyard and two teachers were speaking with you, wondering why you’re staying put and where your mom is. I was still caught up in an online meeting and had to run out the house to meet you. But you were beaming and all excited so you easily forgave me. Good to meet your new home room teacher too.

My dear daughter, I haven’t wrote about this yet, but we are currently living in an uncertain time, one filled with fear and worry, as the world goes in lockdown and isolation, to fight the coronavirus. I have been working on remote for a week now and your Dad’s about to start remote work tomorrow. You’ve been requesting the parties we’re gonna have after this is over, planning the trips we’re gonna take. Oh, the places we’ll go. But for the mean time, I wish you well as you start your second year at grade school. Keep that lovely, beaming smile on your face.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Daycare Year 5

We’re here. Finally you’re in the oldest class in daycare; たいよう組. Years from now, you’ll understand what an emotional point this is for me. Was able to talk to Hitonari’s Mom today and we were talking how now your class is the eldest when it seemed like it was only yesterday that you were crawling around, the youngest in the school.

It was almost symbolic actually because for the first time, you chose what to wear for today and prepared it the night before. I didn’t have to make you hurry too. In fact, you dragged me to walk faster. How much you’ve grown. And for that matter I was surprised the spring pants you’re wearing was already inches short on you when it was still a little bit long when you wore it last in autumn.

This year will be busy as we will be preparing for when you enter elementary school. But as I keep on saying, let’s enjoy the present; live the present.

Grow well, Anak. Love. Laugh. God bless you.

PS (March 30)

I learned today that your head teacher last year (my favourite!) is also your head teacher this year. I’m totally ecstatic. We owe it to her that you could seamlessly read your hiragana and katakana really fast. And you could write too!

And since this year will be full packed with activities and preparations, I am truly thankful she’s your head teacher. In hindsight though, I think the school staff thought it best that she still be your class’ head sensei because they can see our rapport. I probably am difficult to handle for them…and somehow, her level of strictness coincides with mine. Hence, I’m thankful and excited!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Daycare Year 4

My secret wish has been granted. We have our favourite sensei as your head teacher for this year (さくら組)! Happy! She was one of your head teachers too during Year 2, and you bloomed then.

I pray you’ll have a great year of fun in learning about life and love with young Sakura gumi classmates under the tutelage of your redoubtable head teacher. 

We are excited for you! We love you. 

life with a kindergartener: moving up day

You’ll be moving to your new, upper grade classroom tomorrow so I’ve been looking for your “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” book for an hour but to no avail. Looked for it on your bookshelf, on my bookshelf, in daddy’s library, in our bedroom’s book nook. It’s nowhere to be found. 

Thankfully we technically still have a week for our yearly tradition since your class will still be with your previous head teacher for this week and your moving up ceremony is still this Thursday. But I still couldn’t be at peace knowing that I couldn’t find your book. Told you about it and you tried to ask (and understand) why I was looking for it. 

Then you sang “Remembering, remembering” from the series “Land Before Time”, in which save for those two words, you altered the lyrics to suit how I am trying to remember where we put your book so we can have our little tradition in your moving up to Sakura class. 

And you know what, you did comfort me. Your thoughtfulness and creativity and sweet voice soothed me. 

Thank you our dear little one. Indeed, you’re moving up in so many ways. Thankful.