Ahh, as I sit here with my hot cup of coffee and gaze at the pictures I just downloaded, on this here post. I sit here trying to figure out how I am feeling about my youngest and last son/child about to start yochien. My feelings for right now, are honestly really happy. I think and reflect, about how when Noah was first born in Funabashi and how much he's grown since then. And I am honestly so proud he's grown...physically, mentally, socially and so on. He's so outgoing. And I think, yes he's ready! He's indeed ready to start this journey of yochien! He's aware he's starting. We discuss stuff like this openly. "Noah, you are starting school soon" And he says, "I know", so there will be no surprises. Ahhh, I just hope things go smoothly for us on Friday, that's all I can hope. : ) As many of you know, Branden cried for 10 days when he first started yochien. It was a pretty heart breaking experience for me. And the teachers always assured me, "yes he cried but after 5 minutes or so, he settled down and enjoyed the day" Then it would start again the next day and the next. And after 9 or 10 days. He adjusted, made friends and then no more worries after that, and no more 5 minute morning cries. And for what it's worth, Branden doesn't remember not liking yochien or that he cried. I have asked him. So apparently it wasn't traumatic on his part at all....just an adjustment. Now for me, my nerves were shot totally, those 10 days. And then I settled in, too. Noah's lucky, I think younger siblings do have it easier though, because they see their older sibling go off to school daily and YES they do come home after school. They're not just being left there for eternity, lol. *wink, wink* So, they sorta know. They get to watch their siblings do that stuff and so, it's not so weird when it's their turn.
And at least in our family, Noah gets the advantage of playing with all the loads of Branden's friends that come to play in the backyard and stuff. So, he's used to being around lot's of kids, and bigger kids don't freak him out at all. And he's been in swimming school since July and so, yes he's used to being taught all in Japanese and he's fine with that too. So, yes I am less worried about Noah starting school. And I think if Noah has any adjustments or tears, it will probably be much shorter then Branden's adjustment. Ahhh, being a younger sibling does have some benefits. *crosses fingers* and yes I will let you all know how it goes. Geeze, I hope I don't end up crying. But if I do, I won't let him see me crying though, I'll just cry all the way home like I did for B. : ( Ha ha ha. Anyways, here's how I have been getting ready. I have been getting ready in bits and pieces all this passed year. This first picture is the picture of all the yochien bags that we have bought since last year. No, we are not buying anymore. And they were all such good bargains and deals. And this way, next year if he wants to switch bags, we have an extra set. So, we are good until he finishes yochien that's for sure. We have the adorable Sesame street homemade set. All these sets are homemade by the way! I really love that Sesame street set a lot. Maybe next Fall, he can switch to that if he wants. And the Thomas set is so cool with the big pictures of the different trains. That's totally homemade and really cool too! Maybe when he's 5 he can switch to the Thomas set.
This homemade frog set is what Noah will be starting yochien with this Friday! It's gorgeous, and the detailing on this set is so cool! Like the flower that's made out of the button, the frog holding the bright yellow balloon. One is the main yochien bag, a shoe bag, and the gym bag, etc. This frog set is the whole full set and it seems really bright and happy for my little one to take to school! 
The bags are all fully lined, so they are thick and sturdy!
Name tags and the patchwork pocket. Just stuff like this, let's the other mom's know, yes his bag is indeed homemade. And we all know that in Japan, sending your kids to yochien with homemade bags is the preferred. Now for me, I really don't mind either way, I truly don't see the big deal if it's store bought at all, at all. : )
This honestly is a very fine Thomas set that Noah has, and so colorful and really cool! I totally think he'll be using this when he's either 4 or 5. At least this way, we got choices and options. And it's obviously this is homemade as well.
And yes the Thomas bags are all sturdy and lined as well.
Noah's main obento/lunch set. Not homemade by me, granted, but indeed homemade, so no worries, with that. He has the froggie place mat to place his lunch on. And the froggie bag that's smaller is for holding his drinking cup! And the bigger froggie bag is for holding his obento box. Notice that frog is holding an onigiri!!! Ha ha ha. Isn't that so smart! I love this! I think his teacher's are going to love this, as well! I am planning to buy an extra set for obento from this same lady, because I really love the stuff this lady makes a whole bunch.
This is the first obento set I bought and I bought this set about 11 month's ago. This is now my least favorite set but it's still cute. But the frog set I do like better though. The blue gingham pattern and the boy story on here....cute.
It's a cute little story. Aww.
And again, 2ply/fully lined. So good quality, but a very simple and nice lunch set nonetheless. : )
We bought these fork and spoon covers about 6 month's ago. But you know, I really honestly think I'll just let him take his utensils in the fork/spoon and chopsticks case they come in. So, I am now doubting if these were a worthy purchase or not. Because when Branden went to this same yochien, all the kids when we'd have "parent go to school days", all the kids just brought their fork and spoon sets alone and not covered at all in any cloth. Either way, I'm sure I'll come up with a use for these though. : )
About 7 month's ago, we bought this adorable cheeseburger obento for Noah! It's so cool! I can see him using this maybe once a week or something but it won't be his main obento though. We bought him a brand new Spongebob obento box and cup and fork and spoon set. They're coming to our house on January 7th in the morning. So, that's all been done and ordered. And the kids at our school have to use metal obento boxes in winter time and Noah will be using Branden's metal winter obento's. Because those metal winter obento's are frankly pretty expensive, and it just feels smart for us to re-use Branden's winter ones since they are like virtually brand new anyway. They're like 2,000 yen each. So much more then a summer/plastic obento. Besides Branden has a Thomas metal obento box and a Cars metal obento box for winter, so Noah gets to switch between both of Branden's 2 older ones. Plus Noah can also use any of Branden's old plastic obento's too and he has tons. Noboru said we should buy Noah 1 obento that's new and fresh and for him and that sorta gives him a good start. I agreed, but the rest he will use from Branden's stash.
Homemade tissue covers. I know, I know (my family and friends when I found this out when B was age 3, we all in unison had to roll our eyes, ha ha ha, and I know, I asked them all..."does a tissue even care if it's covered?".....har har har, believe me... I went through this craziness already). When Branden first started yochien, I sent him to school with tissues, no cover. meanwhile all the other kids had theirs in covers all nicely handmade by their mom's. Doh! I had so many...."am I ever gonna get this yochien stuff down pact or what" moments. I quickly found and bought Branden some handmade ones online, so no worries. but, oh the things I have learned along the way. I could fill a book, I tell ya! Ha ha ha. Live and learn, live and learn! Second time around, and like I've said....I've walked this road before..... I've been there done that. So, I won't even begin to philosophize whether it's meaningless or necessary. I just follow the norm here and by gosh! Here's his tissue covers! I am particularly fond of the orange happy homemade Snoopy one. And I am always on the lookout for them online. The going rate for handmade covers varies from 120 yen to 240 yen, some even go as high as 300 yen. So, they're actually pretty affordable. : ) If any of you ever have time, read the yochien tales from when B was in yochien. They're hilarious. Like the day, I blogged about 4 years ago, how I forgot his hat. Yup, I, apologized to the teacher profusely about forgetting his hat that one day. And she said..."ahh boshi" And that day, I learned boshi means hat. And the post all those years ago is indeed titled...."Boshi means hat!" Ahhh, all those mistakes, all those blunders, all my embarrassing escapades and red faced moments. Now, I have 4 years of yochien experience under my belt and I hope this makes a difference. : ) We will see! : )
Homemade seat cover. Yes in Japan for the most part you will indeed have to make your child a seat cover that sits over their wood seat. And what is inside the seat cover? A safety hood. I like the pale yellow cover for the base of this seat cover and I like the penguins on there playing with the ice. I have already sewn his name tag on here. And have washed this cover and dried it with a bounce dryer sheet. It's ready to go! : )
All of these hankies...I still have to sew his name tags on all of these, probably will do that this evening. So, that's that. 4 main hankies is enough. Maybe at the end of summer, he will get 1 or two more. But honestly 4 is really enough. And he has that smaller towel too that some use for hankies but then those are harder to fit in their pants pockets, so that's why I use the thin ones, and why I mentioned having 4 versus having 5. They fit easier in the kids shorts pocket way better.
Have been holding onto this since we went to USJ in Osaka. Geeze, I have been stocking up and saving stuff for Noah for a long time huh? That was 2 years or so ago. Wow!
All the name tags. First year Branden went to yochien, I hand wrote the labels, TALK ABOUT A HAND CRAMP! 2nd year, we got smarter and computer made them! Now it's easy peasy. And the water proof ones, really don't come off in the water either. They're good! And believe me ours go in the dishwasher and get drenched and they still won't come off! And the crayon sized ones and all the different sizes. And the cloth ones for clothes. And I just sewed on his name tag on his red and white hat! : )
This same plastic sheet, same pattern B used, if you read about this before on my blog some years ago! I used this same pattern for Branden. Let me back track a bit. Branden went to 2 different yochiens. The one when he was age 3, he completed his first year where we used to live. And then after our home was built, we moved here to the country side and so he started a different yochien. At the first yochien he did not need an art mat! But at this new yochien it was indeed needed. It said, and again I am translating but it said..." your child needs a soft BENDABLE piece of plastic they can do clay projects on" Not to dirty the table basically. Obviously they have clay molds. But this is different, they needed a plastic bendable sheet, an art sheet. A plastic work sheet. I first drove to Toys r us all those years ago, how hard can this be, I thought??? Ha! I asked the lady working there, where are the clay mats. She looked at me like I had a horn growing out of my forehead. Errr, okay. I asked a few different ways. She kindly even walked me to the clay and play doh section and I looked myself. Nothing, zip,zilch! Thinking....bendable plastic mat. BENDABLE. Light bulb moment and I thought. How about a plastic place mat for dinner. A dinner mat. It's square and I can find one that semi bends. I bought a Buzz Lightyear one for 850 yen, ridiculous price if you ask me. And then, as you guessed, the yochien teacher actually told me...."I bought the wrong one/kind" yada yada yada. I felt mortified. Insert.,....DOH! So, smart thinking, and not really wanting to go on another wild freaking goosechase again! Thank you very much! I said..."why don't you let me see yours, so I can get an idea of what you are talking about?" I saw hers and...it had tartan red checks and strawberries on it. And I smiled and said, "oh I see" I thanked her and left, holding Branden's hand to my car and Noah sat in my baby Bjorn baby carrier because yes he was just a wee babe at this time, got them into their car seats. As I drove away, I muttered to myself, "now if she didn't just show me a damn plastic table cloth piece, then I don't know what!!!!" And why didn't she just darn well, say so?! Muttering and muttering and driving to my nearest DIY! And I found this. Had the measurements. Asked for a tiny slice of plastic happy yellow kid table clothes. Cost me about 500 yen and I made 5 clay mats from that! SO super cheap! I digress!!!! Anyway....flash forward all these years and now it's Noah's turn....and as the school yochien book says, "each child needs a "bendable mat for clay" (boy do I know what they mean!!! LOL) This is what Noah's yochien book says, same school. Ahhh, there are indeed advantages of walking this road before. I obviously won't be driving to Toys r us for a mat that's for sure. And I won't be buying a dinner mat again that's for sure either. What did I do, this time around? I am so much wiser this time around and I just drove to the local DIY and I asked for the same width sliver and it cost me 500 yen. Thank god for this plastic table cloth that is 100% bendable! And I will be able to get about 5 clay mats for Noah too! I doubt any of you have to bring a plastic mat for art projects. But in anycase. I am always going to share my tale, so hopefully even if one of you, this story will help, then it would have been worth while of my typing it all out. And hopefully save you a day of driving all over town like I did all those years ago! :D
Yup, got the bendable plastic art mat!
The uniforms for our yochien, are available at private shops, same with Branden's elementary school. I think ours are available at 2 different spots. For the yochien, we go to an "older ladies dressy shirt store" The lady is an old granny, she's about 68 and her mom, who's about 80? But very genki! They sell only old lady, granny dress tops basically. All these dress tops are like 8,000 each shirt and some are like 15,000 a top! So this is a very pricy granny store, ha ha ha! Put it this way, unless you are 60 plus year old, nothing in this shop would be for you! However they are very nice wonderful friendly older ladies! They helped us with Branden's yochien uniform all those years ago. And saw a little again, Baby Bjorn snoozing Noah on my body, meanwhile I got Branden's yochien stuff figured out. Now it's Noah's turn, and they said...."look how big he's gotten" These 2 granny's could not believe how big Noah has grown! Also, this store is so small and so old, they got the uniforms all hidden in different spots that only these granny's know where they are. It's so funny and such a laugh when they search the store for the uniforms. When we got the uniforms for Noah. The granny, younger granny, said..."I forgot where I hid the smocks." And so both granny's went looking under all the tops to see if they could finally locate the smocks. Those silly granny's! Ha ha ha. It is always so funny to go in there and watch them.
Everyone at our yochien has to wear a uniform. A summer one and a winter one. *However* the youngest and smallest class of kiddos, are (according the the principal) too young and small to have the dexterity to button and unbutton, the uniform and it does have tons of buttons, etc. This was the principals decision years ago. So the youngest class will wear just the gym uniform. So, no fancy uniform for Noah until April, he's just too little still. He's just a wee little baragumi yet! : ) But in anycase here is his stuff. He has 2 yochien yellow gym shorts. And 2 long sleeve gym tops. And gym hat and other things. : )
His 110cm, long sleeve tops he will be wearing starting from this Friday. And yes his shirt will have a computer made cloth label with his name on it.
2 shorts in size 100cm because I swear my son has the smallest butt and waist in the universe! Our family joke is, his butt cheeks are the size of 2 Costco dinner rolls. Yup, that's small! LOL! : )
The smock that nearly caused a granny war! Because one granny forgot where she hid them! Ha ha ha! This is the smallest size they had and according to both granny's, they said this runs freakishly big, we tried it on and it is on the big side. Oh well, he'll get a good year or two usage from it at least though! : )
White inside school shoes and his private school navy blue slip on shoes for our Catholic school. They have the French flag on them....and so 3 or 4 years ago, we (hubby and I) nicknamed these school shoes, "the French shoes"...for example, when we'd take B to swim school and we'd see 3 other pairs in the shoe closet near the entrance, we'd say..."French shoe alert" meaning more kids from B's school are here. And now Noah has his very own pair of..."French shoes" Ha ha ha! They're cool though, we do dig these!
Shoe inserts have already been ordered and on their way! We ordered Noah the yellow giraffe pair! I also liked the dolphin. Next time I might order that one. But the giraffe one we really loved a lot. What is this for, you might be wondering? Well for the little ones who might get their LEFT and RIGHT mixed up, they can easily figure it out with these inserts. And Noah, does mix up and will put on the wrong shoe every once in a while, like most kids have done,granted he doesn't mix them up a lot but every once in a while. So these will help when mommy/me isn't around.: ) Plus he can easily see what pair is his, by looking to find the white shoes with the giraffe inside, so that *really* helps with that too! I have already told him, his white shoes have the one with the yellow giraffe inside. Awww! : )
All of the name tags have indeed been made now! These are Noah's crayons. I placed the computer made labels on each crayon. And then I put tape over the name tag so, it can't be pulled off or fall off. So, I am really well prepared. And I am 99% done with getting Noah ready for school. I have a few last minute sewing tidbits to do. And the inserts and fork and spoon set, I am waiting for, but for the most part, we are done! Noah is going to be starting yochien, so well prepared. So totally ready!
Noah is using Branden's backpack from when he went to yochien, because the bag has not changed and it's still like brand new. And to re-buy it sounded too ridiculous. And the uniforms and stuff like that for private yochiens are really expensive, absurdly expensive, and why waste money when you don't have to, does that make sense? : ) Ha ha ha. But a good luck charm to hang on his backpack, we wanted to buy new. And so we asked him, what he wanted on his backpack. Branden has always had Spongebob, by the way, even now on his ichinensei bag. Noah was insistent he have a Spongebob one. We tried to persuade him to chose another character. How about Mario! LOL. And he said..."but I like Spongebob too and that's my favorite cartoon." We thought, by gosh yes, he's totally right. He loves Spongebob just as much as Branden does. And, so, he should be allowed to use the same type of charm for his backpack, if he wants. And so, we bought him one a few month's back. And now it is hanging on Noah's yochien backpack. And he's so proud! So so proud! So now we have 2 boy's who proudly wear their Spongebob charms on their school backpacks! : ) So anyway, the adventure of Noah in yochien will be beginning this Friday, you guys!
What else should I say? Not much going on lately, besides getting Noah ready for school, just resting and trying to enjoy the last few days before school starts. Branden has swimming this Tuesday and Wednesday. Branden resumes ichinensei Wednesday morning. So in 2 days he starts. Noah starts Friday.
Umm, what else? Noboru had business to tend to in Makuhari today, I didn't want to go, I wanted to rest and stay home. And after he did his stuff, he went to Costco for me. He just is picking up a few things and is on his way home to us now. But he is picking up 2 whole pizza for our dinner tonight, 1 pepperoni and 1 combo pizza! So, we will have pizza for tonight and for tomorrow for sure.
I was very sad, to hear John Travolta's son Jett, has passed away! They have always seemed like a very loving family! Always travelling together. So, my prayers have been with his family. : (
TV talk, have been just watching Cold Case, Desperate Housewives season 2 on TV, here, America's Next Top Model, Ghost Whisperer. Stuff like that! Two nights ago, The Titanic came on and we watched that!
Branden has been exploring with his friends near the rice field and the wild buffer behind our house lately a lot, nearly everyday. Alrighty, I better publish this now....or never! Ha ha ha. Have a good night everyone! : )
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