Halloween, day 2

Today was day 2 of Halloween In Japan, as I have begun to call it. After school, I went back to the middle school and carved pumpkins with any of the students who wanted to hang around. As you can see, several did, and they created a few very nice jack-o-lanterns. I'm not really sure what Issei was thinking when he made his, but he had fun nonetheless. This photo is most of the third graders. From left to right you can see: Naoki (the only 12yr. old), Nori, Issei (with a tootsie roll pop in his cheek), Takuya, Shunske, and Kenta. Can you guess which two are brothers? Now that I know them, it's clear to me, but I wonder if anyone in the U.S. can pick them out. Also, here is a shot of Holt watching as they lit the candles. Mr. Kurata Lighting Pumpkins

These shots were taken at Kamiokoppe's Halloween Party, another great success. I love the shot of the kiddo serving lunch with a mask over his Halloween paint. Aaron graciously joined us and painted faces again. Holt tried on "samuri hair". Some of the other teachers got into the mood and broke out costumes left over from school plays.
The Beginning
The fourth and fifth graders
Aaron and Tomoyasu
Beleive it or not, this Cheetah is Takuya and Naoki's brother
Samuri Hair Holt
Samuri Hair with teeth
Bobbing for apples and dressing up
Serving lunch

This is the line up of Nishiokoppe's jack-o-lanterns. I'm not sure why they have them all clumped up like this, but it makes a lovely sight. Lovely pumpkin gathering


Today was Ridge's first day of pre-school (they call it nursery school). He was doing so well that Aaron and Holt took off and went home at about 9:30, which is why Aaron was able to join me in Kamiokoppe! I am so happy! Ridge played and ate his lunch with everyone. However, as I suspected, nap time was a bit of a challenge, and we brought him home. He says tomorrow he will stay for nap, because then he can play with his friends some more. He wasn't in trouble, but when you can't communicate 100%, it's hard to deal with a little boy who doesn't want to lay down and take a nap. We'll keep trying. Aaron pointed out that nap at school is much shorter than nap at home. Regardless, I'm just so excited that Ridge was comfortable enough for Aaron to leave at all!

Here is Holt and Ridge posing on the way to Ridge's first day of nursery school. They are showing off our jack-o-lanterns.
Ridge and Holt with jack-o-lanterns