20070210 childhood -

In Japan, children have summer vacation, winter vacation, and spring vacation when I was child. Now, they have autumn vacation too.

Summer vacation starts about July 20th and ends August 31th.
Winter vacation starts about December 24th and ends January 8th.
Spring vacation starts about March 24th and ends April 4th.

During summer vacation, we had a lot of homework. For example, write a book report, do arithmetric, drawing and painting, and making things (for example, piggy bank), etc.
Every year I did homework hard at the end of summer vacation. But I loved summer vacation very much.
I got up early and went to a park every morning. In a park, children did radio gymnastic exercises that is called "Radio Taisou". In Japan, it is very famous.
And, I went swimming in the sea, lit fireworks, watched the High School Baseball on TV. I enjoyed these things.
In Japan, baseball is very popular. I used to play baseball every week when I was elementary school student, and everyday when I was high school student.
These are memories of summer vacation.

Winter vacation is more exciting.
At first, Christmas. I can eat a cake on this day.
And, I like "Mochi Tsuki". In Japan, around 20 or 30 years ago, many people make mochi by themself at the end of the year. Freshly-made mochi with "Kinako" or "Azuki" are very delicious. I love them very much.
In the new year, children are given "Otoshidama".