blue's FIRST day

We arrived in Tokyo on a Tuesday and Blue started school that next Monday. I was glad for it to be a part of our immediate routine. The school is Willowbrook International School and Blue is attending three mornings a week in the English-only class. They also offer dual language programs in Japanese/English or Chinese/English. The school is very similar to Four Seasons (Blue's Austin school) in its approach but very different in its feel. The rooms are small and somewhat sparse and there is no outside play space. The children walk to the park occasionally and there is an indoor gym. The teachers are very calm and warm. He is one of several older boys in the class and most of the friends don't speak much English. Blue is still reluctant to go in the mornings which is a change for him and talks often about his friends and experiences back in Austin. I am hopeful he will grow to like it a bit more.

     

I started documenting our first walk to school not realizing just how eventful it would become. It was really a tough journey for such little legs. We had maybe a seven minute walk to the train. Then a twenty minute train ride. Then a twenty minute uphill walk to the school. Those times are child-paced and Blue broke down in tears a couple times. He was nervous and wet his pants mid-walk too - thus the outfit change. But we made it and it was a little bit easier the next time around...