Pre-School Update:

The Pre-School began its new semester Tuesday, September 3. I know I've mentioned before, but the Japanese school year begins in April not August or September like the American schools. The semester break up's are April-July. Their summer break is at the end of July through August. Then September-December, usually a 2 week break for New Year (remember we don't celebrate Christmas here like most people do in the U.S.) and then January-March. There is about a 2 week break in March and we begin a new school year in April. 

Below are pictures of my classroom and pictures from the summer as well as our first week back for September classes. 

This is a water/sand table that Mrs. Kitani's husband made. She is the secretary for the Pre-School and David's classes. Her husband also made the colored cabinets shown in the other photos. 

The entryway where the students leave their shoes. Marcia used animal feet stencils for where they keep their shoes during the day, it's super cute!!

The following are pictures of water play from the summer semester. 

Noriko, the other teacher, said that these kids were talking about putting baby Moses in the basket.  July's Bible story was Moses. 

The following photos are from the first week of Pre-School for the September semester. 

Lunch time!!

Playing with play dough.

Noriko and Koumei made Newbe, our New Beginning's Pre-School mascot. (He's a caterpillar) 

Inside playtime because we had rain on Tuesday.

Overall it was a good week. The kids still have some getting used to mom not staying with them, as the mom's stayed during the first semester. We have some fun things planned and hopefully they will get used to the new schedule. Please pray for these students and their families as we work with them weekly and build relationships with them. 

Samuel: 7 months

I can't believe how fast 7 months have gone and how much Samuel has grown. He began solids right before turning 6 months when David's parents were here and has been loving his fruits more than his vegetables. He usually wakes up with a smile and really is such a joy for us. He's almost crawling and making lots of babbling noises. He moves a lot in his sleep, so I never know where I will find him in his crib. He's 21 1/2 lbs. and over 80cm long. This is a picture post of some 6-7 month photos:

First swimsuit

Fast asleep after his first day to the pool.

Bakaan Festival in August.

Asleep holding onto his chicken. 2 brothers from David's classes gave him this chicken for Samuel. 

First time in the ocean, the Sea of Japan.

Loving the exersaucer. 

Playing with his little farmer.

And he's off, such a quick mover!!

Playing in our fort. 

He's begun to make noises through the tube too.