Hanna's Kindergarten Gingerbread party

On Wednesday, the 14th, I was invited to go help Hanna's class make Gingerbread cookies. 

Japanese Sports day at ASIJ

The girls celebrated Japanese Sports day on Friday, October 7th. Officially called Health and Sports day, it is a national holiday in Japan held annually on the second Monday in October. It commemorates the opening of the 1964 Olympics being held in Tokyo, and exists to promote sports and an active lifestyle.

ASIJ Separates each class and then grade into red (Aka) and white (Shiro), then divides the grades into groups (K-2, in the afternoon, 3-5 in the morning). They then compete in three events- tug of war, bean bag todd and the ball roll. All red in all three grades vs all white in those same grades. It is supposed to be non-competitive, but everyone, from the kids to the teachers to the parents is out cheering and working hard (well, maybe the parents aren't working so hard, but they do yell and cheer!).

Hanna's group (K-2) was energetic, but yet, the kindergartner's seemed completely lost for the first part of it. Both sides chant cheers for their respective teams (Aka Ganbatte (do your best red) and Shiro Ganbatte (do your best white)) and she and her friends looks completely bewildered. Hanna was on the white team with her friends Tessa and Saraa. They did end up catching on, and it was very fun to watch. It was Hanna's first year participating, and though she said for days prior that she was "Not doing the tug of war because she wasn't any good at it", she had a blast. Her favorite game? The TUG of WAR!! 

Hanna and her friend Saraa rolling the white ball

Tug of War

Hanna and I

It was Maya's first year in the 3-5 grade bracket, and I was amazed at how competitive and into those kids get. Her group was a lot louder and rambunctious than the first group, and surprising to me, Maya was cheering, yelling and completely competitive compared to last year. She wanted to win, and that in itself was really cool! :) Maya was on the red team with her friends Sarah and Ainsley.

Maya, Sacie-Elodie and Sarah pushing the red ball

Maya Tugging!

Maya, Sarah, Lauren and Isabelle

First day of school, ASIJ 2011

Both girls started school this week. Maya is entering 3rd grade and has Mr. Rolls- her first male teacher! She thinks he is really funny and is really happy to be in his class. She had a great first week. Her favorite parts of the week were swimming, meeting and making new friends and just being back at ASIJ.

Hanna started Kindergarten this week at ASIJ. She has Mrs. Huber, who has a bunny, fish and other insects in her classroom. Hanna was SO happy, as this is the classroom she wanted to be in. Her only ASIJ friend in her class is Tessa Deki, and she is thrilled that Tessa is in her class. Hanna had a bit of a rough first week, as she came home Tuesday sick from school- running a fever and throwing up all night. She was not able to go to school the rest of the week...so essentially, Hanna's first week of school is this coming week.