Kids.

I love kids who can't pronounce things clearly. My current favorite kid is at E's hoikuen. He can't pronounce the "-sei" sound for "sensei", which makes it even more funny that his name is Taisei.

So instead of calling me sensei (teacher), he calls me shensei. He calls himself Taishei.

Cute!

E has been giving me back a fair number of things recently that I've said to her. She is always wondering where our neighbor is, what he might be doing, why he's where he is. I have often responded that I don't know where he is and that it's not really my business to keep up with him. I guess it should come as no surprise when I asked her something that I don't really even recall and she answered, "It's not your business."

At times endearing and at times heartbreaking, she says what she thinks. When we've been out and she's tired, she will often ask for her binky when we get in the car. Some time ago she was still permitted to use her binky when we drove, but those days are gone. When the question is asked, I know that I'm in for a spate of tears when I tell her that I don't have it--it's at home. And, I respond with nervous/tired laughter when I tell her this as I try to brace myself for her response.

This past weekend we had been out for some time. The usual question reared its head when it was time to set out for home. I calmly said that I didn't have it and that we don't use it for riding in the car anymore. I expected tears, protests, and lots of whining. In return I heard, "Thank you for not laughing at me."

What can you say when your heart is in your throat?

Hate to ruin the surprise....

Currently in the postal system are pics to my parents from E's pics for Shichi-Go-San While the date is not observed until November, we've been seeing ads for some time about getting pictures done. I was itching to do it because

a) my daughter is lovely
b) I can live out my fantasy to dress up through her
c) it needs to be done, and why do it under duress if you don't have to?

Feast your eyes on my 3 year old!

First day back at school.

Today was my first day back teaching at my regular job. I was substituting today for a teacher who hasn't returned from holidays yet, and it was my first time with these particular students: 3 little girls, aged 4.

I realized how incredibly rusty I was and my Japanese team teacher did a lot (read MOST) of the teaching today. I had gotten their snack together and asked about what song we needed to sing before we ate. I started in on a song and I realized part of the way through that that wasn't it. So, it was a game then of making up songs until the light bulb would eventually dawn in my brain. I kept asking, "Are you sure that's not it?" as I tried to recall what we did sing. Eventually it came to me. All's well that ends well.

Now I'm trying to sort out what I'm doing at E's daycare for tomorrow's classes. With school back in session, I should have my normal number of kids there and all classes rather than combining the two older classes because so many of the kids have been away. Slowly it will come to me....any recommendations for a website with a dismembered teddy bear so that I don't have to make my own?