He's been begging to go "back" to school since we first moved to Japan. He attended a Japanese daycare/preschool in Seattle that was very much a part of our lives. Some of his best friends are from that school. He loved playing with his friends, participating in music classes, and eating school lunches. He stopped attending his school a month before we moved because we had so much to take care of before the move. And he hasn't stopped talking about it since.
A few months ago we started the registration process. My husband contacted the school to make sure there would be an opening. We applied, went through the interview process, and completed all the required paperwork. We then attended meetings that gave us instructions for the start of kindergarten.
Some of the instructions were expected. Since most school children in Japan wear uniforms, it was nice to know where to buy the school uniform. But some of the instructions took me by surprise. I did not know I would be "strongly encouraged" to hand make all my son's bags for schools. He would need 5 bags - lunch, cup, indoor shoes, extra set of clothes, and books (for library day). After asking around, this "recommendation" is very common here. Most of the park moms sew the bags themselves. Others ask grandma to make them. One mom even had a friend make them for her child. However, no one buys them from the store. They are all handmade.
Luckily, I know how to sew and my husband purchased a new sewing machine for me (my US one wouldn't have worked due to the differences in electrical systems). I went to the fabric store and bought kits that included instructions, cords, and straps. I also picked out some fabric that I thought he would like. He has recently become really interested in maps. So, I picked a cute map-like fabric for his bags.
It was an interesting challenge since the directions were in Japanese and I have never made bags before. I didn't let that deter me. I got busy making the bags and quickly found myself reminiscing. When I was pregnant I made several quilts for my unborn baby. Now as he's getting ready for school, I'm making him bags. I was close to tears when I suddenly realized my son was belting out Neil Diamond songs along with my iTunes playlist. Soon we were both singing along to "America" at the top of our lungs. Saved from having a total tear-fest, I powered through and got the bags done without losing it.
We've picked up his uniform, got all his bags made, and labelled everything. We're all set. Now we just have to get ourselves to the welcome ceremony tomorrow. And I'm not promising no tears tomorrow. It's a big moment for us.
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