Category Archives: parenting

life with a kindergartener: in which Yui’s EQ is higher than mine

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When I saw the My Little Pony plush toys on Sony Plaza I was totally ecstatic. Thought it’s the perfect gift for Yui for her birthday. But it’s still early July, her birthday’s still three months away. So every week I made sure to drop by the store to check if the set was still there. 

And then last week Twilight Sparkle was gone! I instantly grabbed Fluttershy and Rarity and then looked for a staff so I could order Twilight Sparkle. But then that day Daddy was on business trip which means Yui and I will have dinner out which means there’ll be more time for Yui to ask what the package is for. However, I just couldn’t let go. Crossing my fingers that Yui will not ask what the big paperbag is for, I went ahead and bought and ordered the plushies. 

Whilst picking Yui up, and on our way to the restaurant, there wasn’t any fuss. But while waiting for our food, boredom hit her and it was then she noticed the package and asked about it. Of course I was very excited to see her excited reaction so I was almost holding my breath when I told her that it was Mom and Dad’s gift for her birthday. But that since her birthday is still in September, she couldn’t open it yet. Her shoulders dropped, her cheerful face frowning as she let out a sigh after “Aaaahhh”.

But that’s that. Within thirty seconds after my explanation, she readily and cheerfully said, “OK!”.

I let out a gasp. What?! And in my head, I was like, “oh please force me to let you open it. Please please please”. 

But Yui moved on and didn’t force me anymore. Now I’m the one suffering because my EQ is not enough to last me till September. 

Twilight Sparkle arrived three days ago. Now considering to give the plushies this weekend. I-could-not-stand-the-thrill-anymore. 

6th for A&M

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Today was laid back and nice; the weather beautiful and perfect for walking around after Church. Perfect for reflections and thanksgiving, most specially since Yui didn’t throw any tantrum and was such a big sport at the museum – totally had her voice down the whole time! 

But what really touched me was how Yui highlighted our anniversary day, twice today. 

We walked by a billboard with a woman on a wedding dress and her man looking at her. Yui stopped and exclaimed excitedly that “Mommy also wore the same beautiful dress and Daddy was the Prince! And then you both danced!”

Later, while we were sitting and waiting for the bus, Yui, seated between us, gathered both our heads together and exclaimed happily, “Mommy, Daddy, happily ever after ne! Yui wa, dou ka na; mada ka na (how about Yui; maybe it’s not yet my time)”. That last sentence she uttered with a sigh. 

There’s much to be thankful for. But we are most thankful for you, dear Yui, for the person that you are. Little still, yet big of heart. 

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Daycare Year 4

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My secret wish has been granted. We have our favourite sensei as your head teacher for this year (さくら組)! Happy! She was one of your head teachers too during Year 2, and you bloomed then.

I pray you’ll have a great year of fun in learning about life and love with young Sakura gumi classmates under the tutelage of your redoubtable head teacher. 

We are excited for you! We love you. 

life with a kindergartener: moving up day

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You’ll be moving to your new, upper grade classroom tomorrow so I’ve been looking for your “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” book for an hour but to no avail. Looked for it on your bookshelf, on my bookshelf, in daddy’s library, in our bedroom’s book nook. It’s nowhere to be found. 

Thankfully we technically still have a week for our yearly tradition since your class will still be with your previous head teacher for this week and your moving up ceremony is still this Thursday. But I still couldn’t be at peace knowing that I couldn’t find your book. Told you about it and you tried to ask (and understand) why I was looking for it. 

Then you sang “Remembering, remembering” from the series “Land Before Time”, in which save for those two words, you altered the lyrics to suit how I am trying to remember where we put your book so we can have our little tradition in your moving up to Sakura class. 

And you know what, you did comfort me. Your thoughtfulness and creativity and sweet voice soothed me. 

Thank you our dear little one. Indeed, you’re moving up in so many ways. Thankful. 

life with a kindergartener: the T-Rex and its digits 

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We’ve been arguing for weeks now about this particular issue. You against me & your Dad. But you just won’t relent. In fact, you’ve grown more vehement in your belief that you were right. That it is an indisputable fact that the T-Rex has only two digits on its fore limbs. Your Dad and I insist it had three. 

At one point, Gon the dinosaur was even involved in our discussion as we (Me and your Dad), suggested Gon is a T-Rex. And with this, you passionately told us this is not correct because Gon has three fingers. 

It went on for weeks. But it was only tonight that I thought of checking it out so that once and for all, the matter will be settled. And I was shocked to see you were right! You were jumping gayly on your bed, saying “desu yo?! Desu yo?!! I won!” while Dad hid under the covers because well, we lost. 


Yes I’m very proud that you were able to notice such detail. 

But I’m even more proud on how relentless you were on your stand; how confident you were even when your views were very different from Mom and Dad. You didn’t even go and look for proof (as I would do at the office); you just say it in a very confident manner that  has a tone of a “full stop” on it; no room for discussion. 

By even as you rejoiced, you also felt the need to comfort Mom and Dad because we lost in our big debate. And so you went really really generous. You shared with us your two most favourite toys that you almost couldn’t go to bed without. You gave Pinkie Pie to Daddy for the night, and to me, Arlo. 

I pray the world, us including, doesn’t change you anak. May you continue to be firm yet gentle; determined yet generous.