Smock - remake

We are back in Tokyo. Well, 5 days ago actually. Then I had 5 full days of house chores. Arghh it's always hard to get used to this do-it-myself-life again after going back from Indonesia.

Iki's school will start next week so yesterday I remake his old smock. This would be his last year in Yochien that I don't want to make a new one.

This time of the year is when I remember that I have a sewing machine somewhere in this house ;-). The final result is not bad, right? Iki chose the pokemon printed fabric himself :p

Cute chocolate spoons

Iki's class mothers made these cute chocolate spoons for bazaar last tine. It was kids' fave!!!

Very easy but good for parties or coffee time ;-)

Iki's language progress

It's not easy to make Iki voluntarily studying English at home anymore. It used to be really easy when we just moved in here, he loved to study English back then. But now he is busy. After school he is always busy playing with his friends or swimming or gymnastic class.

His Japanese is really good now. He knows a lot of new vocabularies, and can already help translating them to me whenever I feel lost. Of course that he spends most of his time talking in Japanese. He even starts to talk to me in Japanese too......

Me: Iki I don't know what you're talking about. In English pls!'

Iki: Oh come on mom, I know you speak Japanese. I always heard you talking in Japanese here

Me: Yes, but my Japanese is not good right? I don't really understand what you're talking about

Iki: So you have to practice more!! Just talk to me in Japanese, it's good training

(>.<)

Now he can write and read in Hiragana and started to read Katakana too. It's just like me! I can read and write hiragana and katakana only :p

Once a week he borrows book from school and read it at home too

With all his daily activities, his pay less attention to his English now. He knows alphabets and can write them all but is not really interested learning phonics so no progress at all for these three months. Iki likes computers so I use computer, internet and even iphone as learning media too but I want him to practice his English more. I planned to put him into Summer course at the closest International kindergarten, but the school said that Iki's age group for summer course are all usually Japanese children who won't talk in English yet.....

Meanwhile he just laughed at me whenever I talk to him in Indonesian. For him talking in Indonesian is only to his grandparents from Indonesia. And surprisingly during his once a week phone call he can still talk fluently to them. He could even still sing Indonesian song to them (this afternoon was cicak cicak dingdingding :p), he would never sing it to me whenever I ask him to

I don't know if I have too much expectations on him.

I want him to be able to speak Japanese because he is a Japanese

I want him to speak English too. It's the main language in our house

And I want him to speak Indonesian too to be able to communicate with my family in Indonesia

Mother's Day

Iki made this as a present for me at school. Wrapped in a box with his handwriting hiragana.

It is a pencil stand, he said. With some plates as decoration :))

Written on the pink note:

Mommy,

Thank you for sleeping with me.

Iki

Which is really touching. I actually don't sleep with him. He always asks me to sleep with him in his room before he sleeps. And I always tell him that I'm coming, that I need to take a bath first then brush my teeth before I join him. But I don't come, well he thought I do....

That little pink note....made me cry

Well, doesn't mean that I sleep with him now hahaha

Thank you Iki, very sweet of you. And thank you too for behaving so well today. It's been a perfect mother day to me :)

Back to school

Spring holiday has finished. Iki has been back to school since last Monday. Bukan Hana-gumi (kelas Hana), udah naik kelas jadi Hoshi-gumi. And mama-chan, a forever last minute person just started sewing the bags he needs two days before the school started! Phew!

Bag for shoes, bag for changing clothes, for picnic mat, for cup, for lunchbox, and for cutlery. Still haven't finished the big bag yet though :D. Iki had to bring paperbag on his first day of school. Dasar mama-chan pemalas (>.<).

So many to prepare then. Including naming these crayons ONE BY ONE, in Japanese! (@_@)

But starting this month, he will go to school Mon-Fri from 9-14.30, except Tuesday. 9-17.00!!!

Mama-chan now has a lot of time to finish this new project:

Owakarei (Sayonara party??)

Schools in Japan usually have, kind of farewell ceremony, by the end of the school year: March. It's to say goodbye to the highest grade level kids who will graduate. Not a graduation ceremony, it is held also few days after that, and usually in a very formal ceremony.

This is Iki's first owakarei, me too. Mothers are all invited to come eventhough they have smaller kids or babies. At first the teacher introduces each kid in every class, and then there would be performances and games from the students. At least, it was how it worked at Iki's school.

This is when the teacher introduced Iki's class. Where is Iki? look at the smallest boy showing his back to the audience!! I almost forgot that Iki's shy until I saw that!!!! Iki was so surprised when he entered the hall and saw mothers. I guessed then he got nervous.

But then he looked at my shocked and disappointed face. He did better when his class performed an operette. He was not as "loud" as his other friends, but he did his part.

We also had farewell party afterwards to two of Iki's classmates. Two families are moving out of the company apartment.

There I also realized, that Iki has not settled down yet in his school. He didn't play with his friends at all there. I found out later on during Teacher-Mother personal meeting that Iki doesn't play with his classmates at school. Only older kids. Oh well....

Wednesday Bento: Anpanman

Every Wednesday I have to prepare bento or lunchbox for Iki to bring to school. Previously I just put rice balls, veggies and fruits inside, but lately he's been complaining. He saw his friends' cute bento and wanted the same for his too!!!!

So this was his bento for today

Anpanman face: Rice with abon ikan haruan, ham, tomato, nori

Clockwise: strawberry, mini tomato, rolled ham and cheese

"how about mama?"

Yesterday night, when Iki and papa-chan were taking a bath.

Iki: Papa, look!! (touching papa-chan armpit hair)

Papa: It's armpit hair

Iki: wow, that's a lot

Papa: Yeah....a man has a lot of hair under their arms.

Iki: How about mama?

Papa: mama is a woman so she doesn't have it.

Iki: No!! she has it. You know? she always do this: wiiingggg wiiinggggg

(while making shaving movement under his armpit)

(>.<)

Can he make it.....?

Every year Iki's school has Christmas Concert just before the long holiday. This year Iki's class (the preschooler) will open and close the concert by singing.

The first song would be 'Mary's Boy Child" and the other one is 'We wish u a Merry Christmas' also with the Indonesian version.

Iki learnt both songs in a day and he sings while playing. So cute, that I was pretty sure things will work out well during the concert. But I am fully awared that Iki is very shy and an introvert boy so I am pretty worried too actually.

And last Friday Iki's school teacher called me. She said that Iki always doesn't want to stand up and sing together during practice so he'd better only sing one song during the concert. She thinks that singing on the stage makes shy iki stress....and also if suddenly Iki doesn't want to sing at that day, he will disturb the performance!

I was so sad and dissapointed to hear that. This is the first time in Iki's life so I am sure its a huge thing for him, for shy Iki to sing in front of many people in a concert. But shouldn't he get the chance????
And if he really doesn't want to sing, what is so difficult to move the kids formation a bit?
And why the heck she told me about this just few days before the concert?? Shouldn't it better be told before so I could talk to Iki?

I talked to Iki. He said that he didn't sing because he didn't want to get the sticker. Apparently the teacher gives sticker to every kid who could sing during practice, and shy Iki just simply is. not interested on sticker! But when I told Iki that Santa Clause won't come if he doesn't sing, then he promised me to sing! See?!

There are still 3 days practice for Iki. I am crossing my fingers now. Teacher said that she will see on Iki's performance during practice, if he really can sing on the concert or not. So I am crossing my fingers now and hope, that my shy boy would really make it....

Ganbatte ne, Iki-chan!

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Formula or UHT

I couldn't go to the milk run this morning because Iki is still not feeling well. I just met the ladies to give the special milk for Abrar (the milk run patient from wasuponda). We give him milk recommended by hospital, mentioned as the best one that can help him gained his body weight. Which is a very expensive milk: Pediasure. I was very shocked when I bought it for the first time. It is 189,000 = about 20 USD for 1000 gr can! I didn't know that there's such an expensive milk in Indonesia! ==> I mean, who would buy it?!?!?!

I bought it anyway, because I thought it is a special milk for BABIES with malnutrition problem.

And this morning, having a small talk with the ladies who went to the milk run about how surprised they were that I gave the expensive milk for poor little Abrar. There I found out that Pediasure, that expensive milk, is for rich family (well, of course!!). One lady told me that her son spends 6 cans for 1 month! 20 USDx6 = 120 USD!! wow.....and I was so shocked because her son is like 6 or 7 years old!!

But they were also very shocked to know that I DO NOT give Iki-chan that expensive milk. They were even more shocked when I told them that my Iki drinks UHT milk. Which for them is an INSTANT MILK. Other lady said that a growing kid needs GOOD milk that can fulfillthe nutrition he needs. But for me, a growing kid needs GOOD BALANCED FOOD - with milk as an additional need.

This reminded me of what a doctor told us when we brought Iki to the ER one day. "UHT milk is an Instant milk. You should give your kid formula milk based on his age"

One lady said just before I left, "You should think of your kid's need. I believe you can afford it. I can't believe that you give Abrar Pediasure milk but you only give UHT milk for your son!"

Oh well...I sounded like a horribly stingy mother!!

My question is: is it necessary???? that expensive milk????

Iki drinks milk once a day, but I try to give him balanced food that could cover all the calorie he needs. He is an active and healthy kid, well, he is not feeling well now but he catches cold only for like twice a year. And he only drinks the cheap UHT milk.

Is it necessary for him to drink the expensive Pediasure which for me is suitable for malnutrition kids?

Or is it necessary for those rich 6-7 years old BOY to drink that expensive formula milk and spends like 120 USD per month?

Iki's Japanese

Iki was the only Japanese boy a year ago when we moved here, in Sorowako. He is still an introvert, shy and sensitive boy, but he is doing alright. He spoke Japanese for 70%, English for 25% and Indonesian for 5% when the first time he went to school. Since he goes to the International school, English then has become his first language. And his Indonesian is increasing too because he lives in Indonesian neighborhood. He talks in Indonesian with my parents and family, maid, and the neighborhood kids. Even I can say that his English AND Indonesian are much better than Hiro's :p. He refused to speak Indonesian to me though. If Iki, my maid and I (for instance) have a conversation, I talk to him in Indonesian so that my maid could also understand what I say. Iki replies me in English, but the explains his answer in Indonesian to my maid!!

On the other hand, his Japanese ability was decreasing. Hiro is working long hours here. He goes to work at 6 o'clock in the morning and comes back at least at 8 o'clock at night, which is Iki's bed time. So if Iki is lucky, papa-chan can read him a story before he goes to bed. His day off is only Sunday and (supposed to be) 6 days holiday every 3 months -(but sometimes after 5 mths!!), so Iki doesn't have that much chance to spend time with his father, the only one he could talk Japanese with. He got difficulty in expressing himself in Japanese, and uses english grammar in Japanese sentences. He refused to learn Hiragana (Japanese characters) meanwhile he is excellent with alphabets. He starts to spell every word. Anytime, anywhere!, but showed no interest at all with hiragana or katakana. He even doesn't want to watch Japanese TV programme and anime.

But then about two months ago a Japanese family with two children moved in. They are bigger kids but play with Iki sometimes. Iki talks mostly with them in English at first, but then started to use easy Japanese. Eventhough I don't see much progress on his Japanese, it was a good start :)

Then last week a new Japanese family came in town. With three children, one of which is a 4 years old boy, goes to Iki's class. Iki likes playing with them and yesterday I heard surprising things from him.

"Mom, I want to play with Japanese children only. I'm a Japanese, remember??"

I was like "what?!"

Since then he watches Japanese TV and anime. Listens to Japanese songs in my car. Talks to me in Japanese whenever he's upset, and is interested on hiragana and katakana. The japanese things in his brain was locked in a box until two months ago, and now suddenly burst out of that box after this new family coming.

He plays as usual with his other friends (thanks God), and just switch language from one to another easily. Eventhough at times I felt down to see how introvert he is compared to other kids, now I realize that every kid is just different. He is what he is. He needs time, but he surely will be fine :)

yah....

Called the bus, checked the flight schedule, but my son doesn't want me to go....

Can't possibly bring him on a bus too, he has car sick problem. And 4 nights trip (two of which are inside the bus) would be too much for him. So all the plan is ruined now, I can't have my short holiday :(

Oh well, he is still too small for this. Even though I feel like stressing out here, I just have to be patient. I guess I have to learn more about my role :(

Mother's Day

I got Mother's Day Tea invitation from Iki's school. I got my very first mother's day gift from Iki.

I cried when I opened the wrap. Thanks, sweetie!!!!!

Mother's Day Tea at Singkole Int. School, Sorowako

:(

I am in Makassar now. Leaving Iki and Hiro behind in Sorowako. I had to go to the immigration office and the consulate general of Japan yesterday, which went well, and I got my three years multiple visa to Japan stamped.

Leaving Iki was heartbreaking. After kissing him before boarding, I didn't dare to look back otherwise I would definitely cry. This is my first time travelling without him, I had been nervous the whole week, and the morning before I left I found out that he got eye infection!! I couldn't let him out of my mind since. I miss him so much....I want to go home but I couldn't get any seat in the airplane today that I have to be in a car for 11 hours. I will arrive at home midnight today and my baby must be sleeping already :(

This is our house. Can you imagine how high the stairs are? 

Yesterday Iki fell down, from the very top of the stairs. I tried to catch him but it was just too fast. He stopped when he reached the ground. 

He was shocked and couldn't move for few minutes. Luckily my neighbor, who was a doctor, saw what happened and examined him a bit. He said that he seemed alright but I must watch him for 24 hours. Iki spent two hours laying down on the sofa in front of TV, very quiet. No chattering or jumping around. After that he woke up and said that he wanted to play with Maddie. Since then he seemed normal again though. Thanks God.

I was scared to death. I won't forgive myself if something happen to him!

St. Patrick's Day

I actually have never heard about this St. Partick's Day before in my life, until two weeks ago, in the PTA meeting at Iki's school. The school will celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, and mothers are requested to prepare the luncheon. And I must prepare the dessert.

I browsed the internet once I got home, and decided to bake a cake with big green clover icing. I tried to make the clover then, but it was really difficult! Instead of a clover, they turned out to be either a huge abstract leaf, a green flower, or a green tree (>.<).

In the last minute then I got some ideas of green Indonesian's traditional dessert from my friends via facebook. I decided to make 'klepon', small balls of green rice cake filled with palm sugar, and covered by grated coconut. I made some modification though, I used Japanese's rice cake's powder to get a stronger chewy taste instead of Indonesian's rice powder. I colored the grated coconut in green, so here is Iki's school St. Patrick's Day's dessert :))

I didn't expect that they would love them :p

'Cooking lesson'

Last FridayI was invited to give a simple 'cooking lesson' to Iki's class. Miss Desy said they were interested to Iki's lunch boxes. (Oh yes, I have to prepare simple healthy snack for Iki to bring to school, and papa-chan said that eventhough we live in Indonesia, I still have to make 'attractive' obento for Iki).

I taught the kids how to make cute shaped simple sandwich that day. Well, what else could I think of a preschooler could make easily in 30 minutes?!

I gave each kid two slices of bread and a wooden knife. I told them to cut off the bread's crust and they didn't find it difficult to do that.

Then they could spread some strawberry jam or peanut butter on their bread.

And made some shape. This part was fun. They got really excited and unfortunatelly almost everyone wanted to make heart and star shape sandwich with Thomas stamp on it. And those cute preschoolers were not patient enough to take turn. Some of them even ate their bread already haha!

Not bad, huh? They gave some of the sandwiches to the older students and the other teachers later on during the snack time. 

And here is the preschoolers with their 'cute' sandwiches

And this one is with their 'cute' Imoet :))

Nervous

Tomorrow will be Iki's first day at school. I've been nervous for the whole week, and today the feeling almost blew me out. Alright, I might be overreacting about this school thing, but I just can't help it. I keep thinking if Iki would be alright at school. Until now he's still a very shy and sensitive boy, eventhough he knows some of other kids he will see at the school later on. I'm so so worried of him (>.<).

Actually there's a school bus picking up all the children, but tomorrow I will send him to school by myself. I know my son, and he will definitely cry his lung out if I just send him off to the bus at his very first day. Anyway we talked a lot about school these past few weeks, about the fun he would find there, about the friends he will meet, the teacher, the toys. He seemed understand but at the end he always insisted that he wanted me to be there too (@_@).

I just finished preparing his backpack, and checked it again and again for at least three times. I baked mini muffins together with him today and he put some himself into his lunch box. I trained him a lot not to talk in Japanese to the teacher, to tell the teacher whenever he needs to go to the restroom, how to open and close his lunch box, where I put his clothes, sandals, etc etc etc etc ETC. Arggghhhhh I'm such a noisy mother!!! (>.<)

Tonight between my long speech to him about school during dinner time, he hugged me tightly, kissed my lips, and said "You are my Mommy, my taisetsu mono (my very important thing)". It was the sweetest thing my 3 years old son has ever said to me.



I'm very proud though, that this baby has grown up, was able to say such things, and will start going to school tomorrow. Yet I'm still nervous haha!

I don't think I could sleep peacefully tonight.....

Happy?

Bed time is always a fight between me and Iki. He always tries to find
a thousand and one reason to postpone his sleeping time, and that
attitudes really drive me crazy. So every night I have to talk to him
in a very high tone to send him to bed :(.

And last night he asked me after I lost my patience,

"Mommy, are you angry again? how to make you happy?"

Which made me teary......

I gave him a huge cuddle. He always makes me happy, but he also drives
me crazy at the same time :p

Surprisingly lonely

Iki-chan lately could sleep by himself. I just have to read him story and have little talking of what happened today. After that I just kissed him good night and he would fall asleep.

I should be happy, I thought I was. He's getting independent but he DOES NOT need me anymore!!

Usually after he's asleep, I lay down beside him and hug him. I scrub his stomach, like he always wanted me to since he was a baby. A month ago he still needed my hands on his stomach to put him into sleep!



Somewhat, I feel lonely. Surprisingly :p