Nishimachi Ikebana Class

Nishimachi Ikebana Class, a set on Flickr.

Photos from Ton's flower arrangement class at Nishimachi International School.

20130525 EU house open day

20130525 EU house open day, a set on Flickr.

It was Europa House Open day, Mo and I went to check it out, leaving Ton at home watching videos.

Nice courtyard which Mo likes a lot, random tables with European goodies, senior ladies dancing some Greek or Romania, those European countries' dances, etc.

Ton's ikebana from the very last class at Nishimachi

Cooking nuggets for dinner

Cooking nuggets for dinner
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda
And Mo burnt his left index finger by accidentally touching fry pan. Ouch!

赤坂見附のベルビューがビックカメラになってた

赤坂見附のベルビューがビックカメラになってた
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

Ice cream break

Ice cream break
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

Busy Sun

Went to Taiko class at British school in the morning, we had lunch at a cafe called Pronto. Ton had pancake, Mo had shrimp cream tomato sauce pasta.

Then Ton kept asking me for her own kids pasmo, so we went to get one in Shibuya. Shibuya station is a maze, and the constructions here and there even make it a lot more complicated. After a several turns and ups and downs, we found a commuting pass window and asked for one. Then she got her own with her name on it! The middle photo is Ton with her pasmo. Then Mo also wanted to get his though he is too young to get one. He was so disappointing as you can see on the photo at the bottom. He got tired from the anger and fell asleep on the bus ride back home.

20130601 Keiki Hula Ho'ike

20130601 Keiki Hula Ho'ike, a set on Flickr.

After a few rehearsals and meetings in the mornings and evenings, the day of Hula show arrived. She had to go to elementary school in the morning though it's Sat, she left school early so that she could make it just enough to join the photo shooting. She was co-operative, and totally motivated and excited about the show. Her hair, outfit, dresses already left at the stage, got on a taxi, then we got to the venue. They started circle time already, getting ready for lining up for the photo. Then drama happened.

I left her with the other girls and went look for her costume at back stage. They were moving around the stuff and I could not find it, had to search each room, then finally her stuff arrived. So I passed it to one of the teachers so that she could put it on to Ton.

I went back to the stage, then found Ton crying so hard, came over to me. She insisted on staying with me, not dancing. Uh-oh.

So, everybody, other teachers and instructors, even volunteers tried to sooth her, tell her to join them for the photo. No. DID NOT WORK. So she is not on the group photo.

Morning rehearsal was still going on, I just took her out and fed her with early lunch. Knowing my daughter, I did not say anything about the stage. She is so stubborn. She calmed down a little bit after eating. Then she insisted on going to a park. Well, it was quite far, so instead we went to look around the area. Kids found a Popsicle stand so I bought one each as a treat for the chocolate day.

It was almost the opening of 1pm after Ton finished her popsicle. So, I told her if she was not going to dance, then she herself had to explain that to the teacher, not from me, and took her to the back stage again. There she saw some friends in the same class, softened a little bit, then she saw the teacher but didn't say anything. I asked her if she was going to join the show then she said yes! YES! MY VICTORY!! Off course the teacher heard from someone that Ton was upset and she came over and gave her a big hug. I think it gave her a comfort, something different from what parents can give. So, I told her I would be watching her from the seat and left her at the backstage with everyone. Whew!

She danced her piece, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" just fine, and also the finale songs with all members. She was not shy at all, full of confidence. She even told me she had fun and loves hula. What was that crying??

Later that day, she told me what actually happened. When she arrived and joined everyone for the line up, one girl said something mean to her, and it hurt her feeling, demotivated her. Well, that happens quite often, not much I can do but hoping she will get over it by herself.

Anyhow, it ended nicely and we all enjoyed the kids hula. Mahalo!