Hosen Sports Day

Last Saturday was Leyton's kindergarten Sports Day.  Apparently, in Japan, nearly every school, from pre-school to college, has a Sports Day in the Fall.  It was lovely.  It was an entire school day long, from 9 to 2.  Most of the prizes and decorations were made by the children.  There were opening and closing ceremonies and lots of 'sports'.  When I think of 'sports day' I imagine my elementary school Field Day.  This was not like that at all.  For starters, the children had been practicing since they returned from summer break, so about 5 weeks.  The three-year-olds didn't have much to work on, just their individual races.  The 4- and 5-year-olds, however, did Tug-of-war, relays, and a choreographed gymnastics routine to 'Let It Go!' (no, I am not kidding).  Even I got to participate.  First with Ellis, as a 'future Hosen kid.'  I held her hand as she did a 10 meter dash.  She was rewarded with a new book (we have a nice collection of books that we can't read now), a gold star medal that one of the older kids made, origami paper, and some other goodies.  I also had to go and dance with Leyton.  She wore a bunny hat that she made, and I wore tissue-paper flowers on my wrist.  There were only 4 steps to the dance, and she executed them better than me.  Must have been all the practice.  I got a 5 minute heads-up that I had to do the dance and I got a friend to watch Ellis so I could go.  Speaking of Ellis, now is a good time to apologize for the less than stellar pictures of this event.  I was trying to entertain/corral a toddler who either wanted to be out on the field with the big kids or who wanted to go home.  Not to worry though, I ordered the DVD of the event.  It is certain to be entertaining.

Lining up for Opening Ceremonies.  Leyton is in Sakura class, with the light pink hats.

All those flags were colored by the school kids

In formation

Not happy

There are four 3-year-old classes.  This is the race that each kid did.  I tried to video Leyton but miss it because Ellis ran off.

Still not happy

I am always impressed how they get so many 3-year-olds to listen

Can you find Leyton?

I think this is tug-o-war

In another event, Grandparents came out and helped the kids toss balls into a basket.  It really was a family affair.

LC's bunny hat she made for the Bunny Dance.  Sorry I missed his ears.

On the field, the teachers are going over the dance steps

The Frozen Dance.  Complete with a three-kid high pyramid (again, not kidding).

Refueling

Silly Selfie

Random picture from the monthly Newsletter Leyton's school puts out.  I don't know exactly what it says, but another Mom told me the Mari Sensee was praising Leyton's progress with learning Japanese.

Taking a break

Texting.  It was a long day, but the weather was nice.  Not too hot and right before the typhoon rain moved in.  Hopefully next year I will have two kids to cheer for at Sports Day.  And a husband there to help :)