Mason Shoma

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

It is starting to feel like spring! The weather is getting warmer and we are seeing more growth from plants. There is actually a lot of growth and energy all around!

Our days at our school are limited. It is a small nursery school and only goes up to 3-year-old class. We will all be attending different schools in April. We went on a farewell field trip to the shrine to pray for our health and good fortune at our new schools.

After the other kids get picked up at school, I have some nice time to myself where I don’t have to fight over toys. It is usually when I do my most creative work. Today I made a car with lights, sirens, and wheel chocks.

Another day, another tantrum.

My graduation outfit arrived. Looking quite dapper!

On our walk we were lucky enough to see the Coca Cola truck come by and fill up a nearby vending machine. We were enthralled.

We had gymnastics class and it was so much fun. We were very active! Especially during our favorite game, potato harvest.

At home we have been playing card games a lot and Daddy keeps thinking up new ways to keep it interesting. We are now using dice to determine how many cards we can flip over when we play the memory game with my Tomica playing cards.

At the park we had fun running around and doing a kind of hopscotch.

Another emergency vehicle.

Oh, so many bubbles!

Tomorrow is our graduation ceremony so Mommy and Daddy had to pick me up early so that our teachers could get the school ready.

At dinner, Mommy and Daddy introduced me to some old Japanese songs. One very famous one was, Ue wo muite aruko, oddly known as Sukiyaki in English.

We kept rocking out with dessert too!

By the way, Mommy and I went to take a bath by “looking up while walking” which is the literal meaning of Ue wo muite aruko.

I woke up in the good mood and a hungry mood! Daddy made a big breakfast for me.

Then it was all about cars. A bunch of car crashes and repairs.

Daddy went out to work on the garden since it was a nice day and it is planting season. I was playing on my Mercedes but ended up helping Daddy in the garden.

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After all that outside work we went in for some quiet time. I did some coloring before dinner.

I ate a hearty meal happily!

Then it was time for my long overdue haircut. I let Daddy put the cape on me this time so I wasn’t itchy at all. It was done in no time. Looking good if I do say so myself!

After grocery shopping we went out to dinner but the place we wanted to eat at was full. So at my request we went for ramen instead. It was very yummy!

We walked home which was really cool because I just got some new shoes today that light up. Pretty flashy, yeah?

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On the way home we stopped by McDonald’s for some dessert. Yum!

Then it was flashy shoes time again.

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After such an active time at the park we took it easy at home and had some nice quiet time play.

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Monday
We learned about Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day). It was quite interesting. It was much better compared to last month’s traditional even which involved an oni. That was scary. This was cute.

It was rainy so we couldn’t go for our walk, but we still worked up a sweat dancing inside.

Tuesday
It was another rainy day so we had a lot of indoor activities. We did a red light green light dancing game where we had to stop when the music stopped. Somehow it turned into a train game where our train stopped when the music stopped. We also had to go to sleep when we heard certain sounds. After all that activity we had some quiet play and did some coloring. I’m getting really good at it, but I really limit my colors. I always use a lot of pink and sometimes a splash of blue, red, or purple.

Wednesday
We had gymnastics class today, but I opted out because I was hungry. My teachers were very accommodating and let me have an early lunch.

The early lunch worked out because Mommy had to pick me up early from school so I could go get a vaccination. I was not thrilled about getting a shot, but I handled it like a trooper. I cried a little bit but that is to be expected. I didn’t fuss or give Mommy and trouble. After, we went to get ice cream as a reward! We also stopped by the game center and I got a couple of new Tomica from the claw game. If this is how it works, then I’m really looking forward to my next vaccination.

Luckily there were no side-effects from the vaccination and I was in a very good mood.

I was watching TV when Daddy came home from work, so I read while he waited for my show to finish. I let him know when it finished and then we played with cars. As always, there was a huge traffic jam in town.

Thursday
We had English class today and we practiced a lot of pronunciation. We went through the entire alphabet. We started at A and went all the way to Z and pronounced all kinds of words that started with those letters. We also talked about our likes. And we did some dancing!

We went for a walk today too, so we were really hungry at lunch time. Itadakimasu!

I’m one of the last kids to get picked up, but that is fine with me. It gives me a lot of alone time with the toys that I want to play with. I don’t have to worry about taking turns or sharing. It really allows my creative juices to flow. Today I made a car carrier with the New Blocks, without instructions of course.

Friday
We went to the park today and had fun running around and playing peekaboo from behind a bench. There were also very pretty plum blossoms to look at.

Today’s New Block creation was a crane truck.

Daddy came home with a treat for me and Mommy. I took the big one.

Daddy made up a waki (armpit) song just as an excuse to tickle me. It is a variation of his number one hit, Kubi, Waki, Piko (Neck, Armpit, Bellybutton).

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What a great week! I had so much fun and can’t wait for the next school week. But first, I’m excited about the weekend, so I need a good rest. (Whether Daddy can get a good rest with my feet in his face is up for debate)

Ojisan is visiting from Tokyo today. We have to tidy up the house in preparation. I made sure to do my part.

I was really happy to see Ojisan again, but I felt the need to play it cool and not let him know that. I was almost standoffish at times. But I think he knows me by now and gets that it is just how I am.

After picking him up from the airport we went straight to lunch. We ate quite a bit there. Then we headed home to hang out. Baaba came to visit to so I went with Daddy to pick her up.

We had fun just hanging out at home and before we knew it we only had a couple of hours before Ojisan had to go back to Tokyo. First I went with Daddy to drop Baaba off at the train station so that she could make it home in time to have dinner with Jiiji. I made sure to tell her to tell Jiiji that I missed him and wanted to see him soon.

Then we went back to the house and picked up Ojisan and Obachan and headed off to dinner. We picked a place near the airport.

It is always fun to socialize while eating, but I was taught at school not to talk with your mouth full so I was constantly stopping conversation until people were done chewing. I know that conversation is fun and important, but so is table manners.

It was a fun day with Ojisan. His visits are always interesting because I often react differently to him. We never know if I’m going to play it cool or welcome him warmly. That is just how our relationship is.