Rafe's daycare had a Christmas Program last Saturday. It was in one of the smaller auditoriums of the big concert hall downtown. We got there and they were herding all the kids into the green room to get them ready. All the American kids were crying. I stayed and helped calm them down. I think I had 3 crying boys on my lap at one point. It was crazy!
I'm not sure what Rafe's costume was supposed to be, but he got to wear a crown, which he liked, and a jingle bell on his wrist, which he tolerated. You can see his teacher, Kaori in the mirror in the picture below. I love that woman. She is so kind. Sometimes when I pick up Rafe, it's her and another teacher and about 15 kids under the age of 2, but she is patient and happy and tells me all the wonderful things Rafe did that day. During the performance one of the kids crowns was slipping off and they couldn't get it back on; Kaori was standing down by the audience so the kids could follow her in the dance and she practically sprinted up on stage to fix the crown for the child. Her teenage daughter was there the other day when I picked Rafe up and she told me she had come to work with her mom so she could meet Rafe. Having her in my son's life gives me a lot of peace!
Really, it's kind of amazing what the Japanese can get their little kids to do. All these little 2 year olds were lined up back stage waiting quietly to go on. The only mothers sticking around were the Americans, whose kids were all still freaking out. I don't think the Japanese have much patience for our coddling though. One of the boys in Rafe's class (who happens to be our next-door neighbor) was having a major meltdown about his costume, so his mom opted to just go sit in the audience and watch. The owner of the daycare called his name from the microphone and wouldn't go on with the program until he came up and participated. It later came to light the poor kid had an ear infection. They were good sports about it, but I was surprised how pushy they were!
Rafe did not dance. He cried. To be honest, it was a strange program. It was basically a conglomeration of random American things. Most classes did a dance to a Disney song (A Whole New World pictured below), and I think there was even an Elvis number. Afterwards Mrs. Claus came out and read a story in English to the audience, and then they played Bingo. We skipped out early and went to the one and only Mexican restaurant downtown to have some guacamole.
Vivi's youchien sent home a bunch of pictures this month. Prepare yourself for cuteness.
I think this picture is from the Halloween party. When they have parties they wear these little black uniforms that have their initials on the back.
Eating lunch. Vivien loves nothing better than to find a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in her little pink lunch box. She tells me the girl sitting next to her's name is "Abudabi." I have no idea what it really is, but I kind of like calling her that anyway.
Do they color squids in American preschools?
I love this picture! Notice the very tiny girl wearing a mask. The one not participating in the conga line is Maddy. Maddy's mom is the one who helps Vivi get on the bus every MWF.
Vivi's got the whole "peace sign right next to the face" thing down.
This is Vivi's friend Norah that lives in our building on the 6th floor. They are good little friends (Norah is not very particular about how she has fun, so she lets Vivi boss her around; therefore they don't fight).
Vivi collected a bouquet of ginko leaves that her teacher sent home to us rubber banded together.
Last month they went on a field trip to dig potatoes.
I think one of the farmers near the youchien let them come dig in his garden.
Vivi had a really good time. And it looks like they did a lot of work! Her teacher is on the second row. She also gives me a lot of peace in my life--she is very sweet.
The potatoes were purple sweet potatoes, but I didn't know this until I washed them and they ceased to be dirt brown. They made interesting mashed potatoes . . .
The Youchien Christmas Party was this week.
They made each child "cupcakes" (literally, cake in a cup).
They were stinkin' cute, and very tasty! Kawaikatta oishikatta desu!
Erica Hall is Norah's mom. She is in charge of planning the parties and she teaches English at the youchien. She is in the back row next to . . . SANTA!
Does Santa look familiar to you? Because Vivi certainly didn't recognize him.
I'd tickle that Santa Claus beneath his beard, so snowy white . . .
Merry Christmas to YOU!
No comments:
Post a Comment