It's the last week for Becca and Anna, huh? Not for Sarah.

You will have done all of elementary school in Japanese, how awesome girls! Wow!

Tiring. Tiring?! Alright let's go.

[Life in Japan Theme Song]

Got my keys, here we go.

Gotta go pick up a brand new suit.

A new suit for all these graduations.

It was time: it had been many years since I got a new suit, and it really showed. It needed it.

OK, all set. Got it. Look, the whole thing goes right there.

Girls, your elementary homework days are almost done!

Done done done done done...

Are you done—oh! You're done with yours apparently.

How about Becca over here though?

OK, this is for arts & crafts.

Oh, very nice — art project, huh?

This year the Reutter family has not one, not two, but three kids graduating Japanese schools.

Nearly 8 years of living in Japan has led to this, and first up to graduate is Joshua from our local kindergarten.

Dude! What is happening today?

The- uh - graduation.

Your graduation from kindergarten- ah!!! Crazy- ahhhh!!!!

Everyone's getting busy, ready for the day.

I know, my baby is graduating. Oh my goodness!

Dude, I can hardly believe, this is the last time you're getting ready.

So right before I was ready to head out the door with everyone we found out that only one parent can go to the graduation

Just because of COVID going around and everything like that

So that was a big bummer, but we'll have Ruth record so I can watch it later — just like you!

It's a little cold outside. It doesn't match my decor, but...

Oh, you look great. It's all about being warm until I get there

Oh! I'm a little sad I can't go. I'm very sad you can't go.

Oh my goodness! Big smile.

Oh big yawn! What a handsome little graduate!

This is your last day of school, Dude! Alright, let's go?

Let's go, here.

The train is going to come...

From that way?

Whoa! Yea, train!

OK, let's go.

There's my little preschool graduate— kindergarten graduate!

Whoa, High five Dude!

Guys, what happened last night 11:30 or so?

Earthquake — it was like ten or eleven?

A strong one. All three girls woke up.

Joshua did not.

Because he's the king of sleeping!

Joshua is, huh?

I told Anna to stop shaking the bed, but Anna was like "I'm not shaking the bed."

Did you really tell her to stop shaking the bed? Yes she did!

I waited a little bit to see if it was going to stop — it didn't stop.

So I—we both went out of the door...

Joshua! This is Joshua!

It sure is, huh?

Look at that cute little guy! Aw—so well behaved it looks like.

Yea!

Oh look... he's in the whole book! Tanabata Festival... sports club...

Oh my goodness! Joshua.

[singing] My heavy backpack, it must be carried...

[singing] It must be carried until my school...

Its' so heavy! Is it so heavy?

Really? It's very heavy.

Oh! I forgot to take out my Chromebook.

Girls — is this the last time that we're all walking together?

Yeah Yeah, because tomorrow is graduation.

Becca, hey! Pass!

Oh, and I got it on video!

Got it, got it, got it, oh!

Let's take a picture, take off your masks, OK?

Alright, smile!

Alright, should we go to school? Last day going to school walking together.

Let's go.

What's going on here?

She's going to hold the backpack because it's so light.

Sarah's the mule today! Oh my goodness. Don't trip!

My goodness. How far you going to go like this, Sarah?

Until school.

Usually Daddy holds your backpack.

Usually Daddy's taking the backpacks in the bike

But today Sarah is blessing her older sisters.

What are you going to miss about walking to elementary school?

It's going to be a long way to walk to junior high school.

Oh boy, will it ever! How long do you have to walk?

45 minutes... ish.

Too bad you won't have Sarah to help you carry all your bags along the way.

Oh look at these pretty flowers on the way.

Aw- always our nice little garden walk, huh?

So, in Japan, yearbooks are a big thing.

Joshua got one when he graduated

And the girls, they got one from their class for graduating

And they go all out: color pictures, nice paper, huge layout/design

It reminds me of 20 years ago when I graduated high school... (more like 25 years ago)

Aw, look at Becca. Oh my freaky-freaky!

Wow- what a dark, chilly morning! It feels like winter outside. Whew!

OK, but I'm putting these hairs down here, Becca. I don't want that much.

Are you waiting your turn?

And now Anna's turn. Oh, look at that hair!

Oh, so pretty.

Are you talking with vovó? And vovô.

Oh!

Hey Anna, come! Let's take a picture of just you two together.

[Grandma Vovó] Oh that was perfect. OK, I'm going to take one now.

OK, I want both of you to look here...

It's freezing! You don't know how cold it is right now.

It is cold, isn't it?

Anna, Becca and Sarah

Sarah, this is the last time your big sisters are going to be going with you to Elementary school!

But now you're going to become the big sister, because you will have little Big J with you to help through elementary school, OK?

OK.

That is your new job as the big sister now.

It is. You have graduated now to becoming the big sister.

OK, watch it though — you don't want to walk into a car!

That would not be a good start.

That would not be a good start to a very awesome day.

It is super cold right now!

I'm very thankful it's not raining.

Bye!

Aw, girlfriend!

I'm always amazed how much easier it is for guys to get ready...

One, two, three...

Not bad, not bad.

Well, we're heading to Becca & Anna's graduation... Yeah, and it's cold.

It's cold. Yesterday was nice, today is cold!

Pretty tree

What's going on in here?

Oh my goodness! Is it cousin time?

What'cha guys doing? It's cousin time.

I've heard other people tell me you blink twice, and your kids have grow up.

I feel like we've just blinked one time, and now they're halfway there.

Congratulations Rebecca, Anna and Joshua for your graduations.

Oh, and Sarah too, for becoming the big sister in elementary school.