Mason Shoma

Today I start at my new preschool. I have been prepared for this so I was ready. I woke up and ate my breakfast and did my business. I even got dressed in my school clothes without problem. Today was just a Welcome Ceremony so it was only an hour or so. Nothing to be afraid of.

Mommy and I got to school without problem. Daddy saw us off, but because of limited seating, he did not join the ceremony. (Also, he caught my stomach bug and was not feeling too good.)

The ceremony went fine and I was quite well behaved. But then Mommy had to talk to the teachers and learn about the daily routine and all the things that we had to do. It took a while and I started getting impatient. I hope a real school day is not like this because it was not very fun. I just had to wait around.

All in all my first experience at my new school went okay. I could have been more patient, but I didn’t cause too much of a fuss. Mommy and I headed home.

Mommy took a half day off to take me to the ceremony but had to go to work after lunch. Daddy took the whole day off and stayed home to watch me in the afternoon. But because of the stomach bug he was pretty much out of commission. He played with me as much as he could, but had to run to the bathroom a lot. And even when playing with me, he was pretty much couch-bound. Still, I had a good time talking with him, playing with him, and watching TV with him. I was very understanding of Daddy’s condition and did not make a fuss when he said that he couldn’t take me to the park or outside.

So the new school year started off well and I think I can look forward to some good times at my new school. It is nice that it is closer to home and I don’t have to walk as far. I guess that means I won’t be asking to be carried as much. I’m sure there will be some tough times and maybe even some sad times, but I know I will be fine and I know that Mommy and Daddy will always be there to support and help me.

Tomorrow is my first school day at the new school, but it will only be a half day for us new students getting used to the school. I hope I do well!

I made it to school today! No vomiting or any other problems. I was able to eat breakfast this morning, although not as much as I usually do. Still, it was enough to give me energy to go to school.

I had a nice day at school and enjoyed my final hours with my classmates and teachers. But after my nap I woke up with a slight fever and I had diarrhea. My teachers were concerned because last week Friday one of my classmates had a very contagious stomach bug. That explained my stomach bug over the weekend. I was still in a really good mood, but just to be safe they thought it would be best for me to go home early. Daddy came to pick me up.

What a difference three years makes!

Thank you Akarinoko and all the wonderful teachers for taking care of me these three years and helping nurture and raise me. You taught me a lot and helped me grow and develop and my own pace. You always excepted me for who I was and cared for me in a way that was fitting for who I was. I cannot count the things you taught me and the ways you helped me reach different milestones. You played a very important role in my growth and I will always be very grateful! I will miss you, but we all knew that I wouldn’t be here forever. Thanks to you I am ready to face the next chapter in schooling in my life!

Boy was last night rough. In the middle of the night I threw up in bed. It was surprising and I kind of woke myself up vomiting. I didn’t cry or anything. I was just very surprised and confused. Mommy and Daddy cleaned me up but I just kept throwing up. What a mess it made.

Update: At first we thought I ate too much or got a bit of food poisoning, but later we found out from the school that a classmate had a stomach bug last Friday and that was probably what I caught.

I cleared out my tummy enough to go back to sleep. Daddy and Mommy cleaned everything up and we slept with the bucket nearby just in case.

When I woke up today I was still not feeling good. Whenever I tried to eat some food or even drink some liquids it just came right back up. I was still not crying or anything. I was just confused and a little tired of not being able to keep anything down. I spent nearly the entire day sleeping because there was little else that I had the energy to do. I couldn’t even watch TV because my eyes were so fatigued.

In the late afternoon I stopped throwing up and was able to keep some food down. I mainly ate apples and bananas. I was weak and exhausted from the throwing up and not eating, but I was a very good boy. Mommy and Daddy felt so sorry for me.

At bedtime I was happy to see that we got new sheets! (Daddy just threw away the old ones instead of trying to wash the vomit out of it.) It was nice, new, clean and PINK! I think this will help me get a good night of rest. I will need it because tomorrow is my last day of school at Akarinoko Nursery School.

After waking up from dozing on the way home from the park, I wanted to play right away. So without even setting foot in the house I started to play with my Mercedes. Then I wanted to practice riding my Strider. Then I wanted to do both.

After playing for some time outside, we headed out to dinner. We caught the bus and went to eat yakitori. We had a great time, but I did not eat as much as I usually would. Maybe it was because I was still full from the three Spam musubi I had for lunch and ice cream I had for snack. Either way, it was still a lot of fun.

Even though it was a little bit far, we walked home.

It was a day full of fun and I was very tired. I need a good night’s rest.

We went to Umi no Nakamichi for our annual Hanami (cherry blossom viewing). We go every year. When Mommy and Daddy had a final staycation before I was born and took pictures among the cherry blossoms. Since then we have made a trip back every year to track my growth.

This year I once again rode in the wagon instead of walking or using a stroller. When you are going to have a picnic this is the best way to travel.

I was big enough to pull the wagon this year so I took the opportunity to haul it around when every I could (and when all the stuff was unloaded from it). It was a lot of fun driving the wagon.

Daddy packed a lunch for us and the main dish was of course Spam musubi. I had three whole Spam musubi along with other food. It was a very yummy picnic!

After I finished eating I went off to play with the wagon again while Mommy and Daddy kept eating.

We then of course had to take our obligatory cherry blossom pictures.

Then we headed off to the playground and I was more than happy to pull the wagon.

At the playground I was very excited to go down the big roller slide again.

And again.

And again.

I explored other parts of the playground too, but the big roller slide was my favorite.

After all that it was snack time! We stopped by the park cafe and I got a nemophila ice cream. Nemophila are these pretty baby blue flowers, often referred to as “baby blue eyes”, that grow in the park. It was a strange color ice cream but tasted very good! I couldn’t eat all of it, especially after my three Spam musubis at lunch, but I ate a good amount.

After that we headed home and I dozed off. It was quite an exciting day.

There always seems to be traffic jams in the living room. I don’t know if it is poor city design or lack of clear traffic signs, or simply because I like the chaos of traffic problems. The problem is ongoing.

We had our evacuation drill today and we all did a good job of evacuating the building and we were supposed to then go for our walk, but it was raining. Luckily, after a bit it lightend up so we were able to take a short walk to the prefectural office.

I made a train while waiting for Mommy to pick me up from school today. I like it at the end of the day because a lot of my classmates are picked up earlier than me so I have a lot of time to myself to play with the toys I want to play with without having to share.

Just a short break outside before we head to school.

At the park today we played cops and robbers and played in the sand.

We also visited the train station and checked out the green grocers.

Today’s New Block car creation.

I helped Mommy cook dinner tonight with my new kids’ kitchen knife. I am very good at cutting and made sure to protect my fingers. I made the salad!

I had to get a followup vaccination shot this morning so I didn’t go to school right away. I made sure to see Daddy off with a smile. When the hospital opened I got my vaccination without any problem. I was a very brave boy. Then I headed to school.

We had our final gymnastics class today. I started off to be very hesitant about participating in gymnastics but ended up enjoying it a lot. It just took me a long time to warm up to everything. Once I started participating I picked up everything fairly quickly despite being an observer most of the time. I don’t think my new school will have gymnastics class so I think I will miss it.

Today our teachers set up an obstacle course for us in school where we had tunnels to crawl through and mountains to climb. We sure worked up a sweat.

https://vimeo.com/1076760298/8394fe54e9?share=copy

Today was a rainy day, but we had a lot to do indoors. We did some rhythmic movement.

We also played with newspaper and tape!

When Mommy came to pick me up from school today I showed her the fire truck that I had made out of New Blocks.

Daddy picked up some dessert for me and Mommy. I chose the long roll cake to go with my fruit juice. Both were very yummy!

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What a long and active week.

Today was not as warm as yesterday, but it still is starting to feel more like spring. We spent the morning playing indoors. I made a street sweeper with Lego.

I wanted sandwiches for lunch so Daddy offered to take us to a restaurant for lunch. But when we got there I threw a tantrum over a very small insignificant thing. I wanted to look at a map for the less than 5 minute drive and forgot to do so. I hadn’t realized it until we parked at the restaurant and then I wanted Daddy to turn around and start all over again just so that I could look at our movement on the map. I was so stubborn that we almost headed back home. But after talking to Mommy and Daddy I was able to calm down and then enjoy a nice lunch.

At home I was putting together some puzzles and wanted to record my accomplishments so I took a bunch of pictures of all the different puzzle shapes that I made.

In the afternoon we went back to the park. Knowing how much I like GPS maps, Daddy got his old phone and attached it to my Mercedes so that I could drive using a map like Daddy does. It was so cool! But sometimes I was too focused on the map and was not watching the road and nearly crashed. I have to remember to keep my eyes on the road.

https://vimeo.com/1076760118/9746ac6641

At the park I used the old phone to take pictures of my sandbox construction site.

The sakura are not quite blooming, but some other pretty pink flowers are blooming very nicely!

Maybe next weekend we will be able to do some cherry blossom viewing.

Today was such a nice day that Daddy decided to wash the car. I offered to help. I did a really good job of shooting the car with the hose and washing certain parts of the car. Daddy washed the parts I missed. We ended up with a very clean car!

We also made some rainbows! I had been wanting to see rainbows like forever. The weather was never just right for rainbows. Luckily today was sunny enough to make some pretty rainbows with the water hose.

And of course, while we are washing cars, I decided to give my Mercedes a wash as well.

We also played indoors a bit.

But it was such a nice day that after some grocery shopping we hung out outside for our snack.

Then we headed to the park. I drove my Mercedes and made sure that it didn’t roll away when I parked it by using some rocks as wheel chocks.

https://vimeo.com/1076760055/87db2332d3?share=copy

With the weather getting warmer I’m sure we’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors.

We had some new babies join our school today. I welcomed them and made sure they felt safe in our nursery school. I know it can be a bit scary at first. But I was there to take care of them.

We had our last English lesson today. We have enjoyed this year of learning English and having so much fun with Oliver-sensei.

I showed Mommy and couple of my creations when she came to pick me up. I was trying to make my name, but I couldn’t find all the right letters. It ended up pretty close.

At home I played with another new set of Tomica cards that Daddy got me. It was similar to karuta but this time we had to match the halves together. I again was the winner! I just found all the matching parts so quickly! It was hard for Mommy because she couldn’t tell the difference between some of the cars. Sure, there are three different fire trucks, but they are all so different.

Daddy often looks very tired. Maybe he is not sleeping well. I wonder why.

We went out to dinner with some of Daddy’s friends from Hawaii and I was very well behaved. I ate very well, but also very fast. Good thing I brought some cars to play with.

On the way home I checked out our route on the map. I love looking at maps these days!

When we got home I got to play with the new Tomica karuta set that Daddy got for me. I was super fast at finding the cards. I left Mommy and Daddy in the dust.

After the Tomica festival, Mommy and I had lunch with Obachan. I wanted ramen and I ate really well.

Then we went home and just hung out.

Obachan bought us some snacks. I got a fruit topped cake. She knows what I like.

What a nice day!

Mommy took me to a Tomica Festival today! It was very exclusive and hard to get tickets and it was for one day only. Daddy had already made plans to take the car in for its safety check so he couldn’t come. Obachan joined us at the festival.

There were so many Tomica to see. I was in heaven! I even got to pick out some parts and make my very own Tomica.

I loved the dioramas and displays!

There was so much to see. I had a great time! And Obachan bought me some new Tomica too!

We often have fun on our walk to school. Today Daddy was holding my hand and accidentally ripped my hand off! Oh, wait, no, it was just my glove.

We visited the prefectural office today and enjoyed the view.

I’m still having a ball playing memory. But we changed the rules a bit and just flip the cards open and get to keep and matches that we make. It makes it a bit easier for my old folks with their aging memories.

Walking all the way to school instead of being carried. Growing up a bit.

It was a rainy day so we played indoors today.

We also played karuta, where you try to be the first to find the card that was called out. Today we played with country flags.

And at home more card games.

We never miss book time.

We had gymnastics class today and worked up quite a sweat.

We also had a birthday party for one of our classmates.

Daddy’s friend gave me my very own omiyage from Korea. It was so yummy!

Tomorrow is a holiday, so it was a short school week. I’ll be back in school again on Friday.

Today was a Costco day. We needed to get gas and a lot of fruits and vegetables. But first we had to eat lunch. I had a omurice and ate very heartily!

Then we did our shopping. I was happy to have a lot food samples. I think I ate every single sample they served today.

After we finished shopping Mommy and I got to have an ice cream snack because we were both well behaved.

We picked up some dinner from Costco as well and I supplemented what Mommy and Daddy chose with a pizza. Because I’m always hungry for pizza!

I helped Daddy go grocery shopping today, and but before that I needed to get more underpants. I currently have a bunch of Tomica vehicle and train decorated underpants. There were more vehicles underpants at the store, but I chose some awesome pink ones instead! Cute and cool!

Today was my nursery school graduation day. I was quite excited and nervous about it.

I usually don’t do very well with public events and crowds, so it was a toss up on how I would do. Well, at least I would look good doing it.

It was a rainy day so I had to be careful to stay dry on our way to school. My raingear kept me dry.

We got there and I was ushered to a waiting room with my graduating classmates to await our moment. There were some nerves, but my classmates and I have been preparing for this day for quite a while.

There were a lot of decorations in the school that Mommy and Daddy enjoyed looking at.

Then it was time for our entrance. Despite all the preparation, I was not feeling particularly happy about the moment. I was in a bit of a mood and although I did what I was supposed to do, I did not do it very willingly or very well. I was obviously not in a great mood when we made our entrance.

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Then after sitting down I was distracted by something with my socks the whole time. I can’t say for sure what it was, I just wasn’t feeling it.

Even during our opening graduation song, I was distracted by my socks. It is a shame. I had been practicing the song for weeks and I had gotten really good at it. My teachers had been raving about how well I sang to Mommy and Daddy. It’s too bad that I wasn’t able to show them.

https://vimeo.com/1075073957/23f65f085b?share=copy

When it was time for diplomas I was still very distracted by my socks. Yeah, I realize it is a bit rude, but I just wasn’t feeling it today.

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Even when it was my own time to get my diploma, I was still distracted.

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Near the end of the graduation ceremony Mommy and Daddy finally caught my eye and I was able show a bit of a smile.

Before I knew it the ceremony was over. It was weird though. Even though we were now graduated, we would still be back at school on Monday until the end of the month. So it wasn’t necessarily goodbye.

I was a in a much better mood once the ceremony finished. I was just happy to be back with Mommy and Daddy.

After the graduation ceremony we were taking a bunch of pictures, and I was okay when it was just me, Mommy and Daddy, but I started to get in a mood when my friends started to ask to take pictures. I guess I am still not good in large crowds. It was okay for a bit but then I started to be mean and not only refuse to take pictures with my friends but I started to be nasty to them. It was definitely time to leave.

While we headed home I was acting very selfish and wanted to be carried, but Daddy was very upset with the way I treated my friends and didn’t want me to continue to be selfish. I wouldn’t listen. So he pulled me to the side of the sidewalk and had to talk to me about my behavior. I was very resistant at first and cried and talked back a lot, but I eventually started to really think about my actions. I finally started listening to what Daddy was saying and in tears promised to be better. We walked the rest of the way home in near silence. It was not the ideal end to a less than ideal graduation day.

The rest of the day was okay, but not necessarily great. I still had a lot to think about. My actions today were not the best. But I was still able to have some fun playing with Daddy and we kind of made up as time passed.

By the way, I stayed in my graduation outfit all day by choice. I really liked how dapper I looked.