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Anthony's Graduating First-Grade Class

Anthony finished first grade on Friday, capping a year of very big events in a little boy's life. The picture above includes self portraits of his teacher and of all the kids in his class.

Can you guess which is his?

The Japanese school year runs from April to March, and so it was a year ago that he graduated from kindergarten in a big ceremony with lots of pomp and circumstance. Then in April he started first grade, and soon was taking the city bus on his own to school in the morning, and home in the afternoon. Unlike in the three years of preschool, he had real responsibilities, with lots of school stuff and a very new (and disliked) concept: homework, including and a daily diary for class, and English reading with me.

But with new responsibilities comes new benefits, such as allowance and big-kid sports play.

It was also a year that saw his first (and last) shichi-go-san event (and portrait), turning seven years old, and trips to Tokyo Disneyland and the amazing KidZania.

Growing up fast, but not too old to set out a plate of cookies for Santa.

our little boy