Almost too much cuteness for one day

Last Sunday morning Kristin & I went to Takasaka Kindergarten's Sports Festival. When I was first asked to go, I balked. Sunday morning? You mean I have to get up early on my weekend? Nonetheless I went & the cuteness of it all was nearly too much. I'm not usually an 'ooher and aaher' over kids...actually, I don't really consider myself a fan of them in general...but Japanese 3, 4, & 5 year olds kill me, they really do.

Here they all are lined up in rows like little ducks, complete with matching cones:

In Japanese kindergartens each year (3, 4 & 5) has a different colored hat to wear so they can keep track of them. I think it just adds to the overall cuteness.

All the parents & grandparents, gathered, cool advanced Japanese cameras in hand.

Game #1: Race where the kids had to get inside these carboard rings and crawl to the finish line. The yellow one in the background was made too small so all the kids in that line lost. Kawaiiso! Hmmm...on second thought, maybe it was rigged. Evil, sooo evil.

Like musical chairs but with rings. We competed against the ruthless & unforgiving Japanese mothers (*grin*). I got knocked out early but as you can see in the pic, Kristin's still in!