Our 1st Ever Obon Festival

Gabe's daycare, Wanpaku, had a party today from 5.20pm to 7.30pm. This party coincides with the Obon Festival, observed by the Japanese. Apparently,from what i Googled, this festival is to honor the spirit of one's ancestors. During this event, there are fireworks, dancing and watermelon breaking. Fun Fun Fun!! And so exciting coz it's our first. Plus it allows us to meet other parents and kids too.

Unfortunately, His Majesty was grumpy, sullen and fussy coz he didn't get enough sleep. Anyway, we arrived there at 5.30pm after GYmboree and there were plenty of people there already.

First, we had to take off our shoes and put them in plastic bags, then register. Each kid got a small goody bag, consisting of a fan, a wrist bell and news updates, plus a cloth headband for them to wear later. Gabe got to choose a crown too. Teacher gave him 2 choices, Mickey Mouse or Car theme...he pointed to the Car..i was so sure he'd choose the Mickey Mouse....ahaha, but he looked adorable wearing it!!

Around the hall and in the backyard, all sorts of game stations were set up, so we toured the area. In the backyard, there was a pool filled with small balloons, and the kids had to use a string with a hook attached, to "fish" the balloons out. Since Gabe was too small to do it, Daddy did the task on behalf......and yay!! We got a green balloon!!!

Next, we saw there was a set up of some cartoon characters and kids had to throw some hoops on them...we didn't play that.

Next, there were some boxes with cartoon characters attached and we had to throw beanie bags into them. Mummy did this on behalf, and we scored another prize which we could choose. I chose a small yellow elephant with a basket n ball attached. You blow the elephant's trunk, and the ball will jump up!! We're happy...

Gabe looks cute with the cloth headband huh....

And we saw some of our friends from the center too..

Here's His Majesty with Daddy

Soon, it was time to eat and the hosts had prepare a lovely simple Jap meal of fried noodles, curry n rice, tea, corn and fruit jellies along with some cakes. Gabe had his cereal of coz. Then came the interesting part....watermelon breaking session!

One by one, the kids came forward to use a stick to hit the watermelon. Obviously they're not gonna be able to hit it hard enough to break it. Here's Gabe's friend, Milly n her Dad:

Now....we have to get a strong man to do the tough parts right???? I mean it was fun hitting the watermelon, but people wanted to eat the watermelon too....so they had to choose a strong strapping man to do the job of breaking the watermelon..guess who had that privilege? Yup, our very own Mr Terry On...But they decided to make the task a wee bit harder, by blindfolding him and spinning him round a few times. I got abit worried...what if he mistakenly hits one of the kids' head by mistake thinking it was the watermelon...i mean this is Terry...

Anyways, no worries, no one's head got hurt...Terry took aim...and..."WHACK"......the watermelon in all it's glory, was still there, intact....but his aim was not for nothing...he broke the stick....:(((((( Oh man .......everyone was laughing...sigh...should have seen something like this coming....

See, the girl showing broken stick..

With no stick, they took out the knives and started cutting the watermelon...thank goodness the kids had gotten their turn to hit the watermelon, otherwise we'd be getting dagger stares and probably no one will be inviting us to anymore events in the near future...

After the meal, it was clearing up time and while Daddy was helping, Gabe and i walked around, and i saw that they had updated their "family tree" which consisted of all the students who attended the daycare..and guess whose cute face i saw??? Yup His Majesty...

And, in the newsletter, Gabe's face was also there to introduce him as newcomer

*Me proud Mama*

Now, an Obon Festival ain't nothing without the dancing n singing n music. So all the kids gathered around with the teachers and they started to dance n sing n clap...what a delight

Next, we have fireworks!! Each kid was given a hand help firework first which we lighted up at the park opposite the daycare. Gabe was intrigued by it, and kept watching the lights..

Then there was the main fireworks, just a medium sized one...

After this, we came to the end of our party. Boy did we have fun. Next year i hope to see Gabe dancing and jumping along with other kids instead of watching from the sidelines. I can't wait to watch him...

We had such a wonderful time, thanks to all the staff and teachers at Wanpaku who were such gracious hosts and had so lovingly planned the whole party. We're certainly looking forward to it again next year..