Grandparents lined up for formal speeches by the children.
Nova's bow has nice form here. I'm impressed that she recited the entire speech in Japanese though she refused to tell me later what it meant.Students and teachers worked hard to prepare hand-made ring toss and pin ball stations.
In an adjacent room Nova, Kurumi and Takayuki man the food stand, calling out irashai masei, how can we help you?!
The curry and rice, and "hamburg" were the first to sell out. These plates of construction paper food looked good enough to eat.
Grandparents sat down to their paper meals and some real refreshment.
Grandmothers and grandfathers played along with such pride. The camera phones were out in force.Another feature, an art show of portraits of their new teacher, a young university student doing his internship in Nishiokoppe. If you're curious, here's what he looks like.
Nova's classmate recites the opening speech to eating real snacks at the end of the day.
Loved this woman's smile.
Grandparent's day! What a great way to honor these family members and show off the kid's talents. Wish we had something similar at the schools in Juneau.Then there was recreation day..... I have to admit that I dreaded the prospect of spending 5 hours of my Sunday doing relay races with Nova's classmates and their parents. But as you can see, it ended up being pretty fun.
That's Nova we're dragging in the blanket. The goal, to whip your kid across the floor and around the cone without them flying off. It seems that every public event has to have a strange sweet bread element. 
Students and parents have to run up and grab a bag of anko bread with their mouths.
Not humiliating at all. Nor is being pushed across the gym on a tiny tricycle by your daughter.
Ganbate, Nova.... you can do it!
Chinoske takes a rest on his dad's shoulders after a long day of recreating.
