Category Archives: parenting

life with a toddler: a grateful heart

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Perhaps, one thing that Mommy and Daddy is thankful for, Anak, is that you have a grateful heart. 

There were times when you really like what Mommy served in the table; in that you not only say “oishi/delicious” several times and not just simply say “gochisousama deshita/it’s been a good meal” (both in themselves already enough motivation for Mommy to cook even better). You also say a hearty “arigatou gozaimashita” with a big, satisfied smile on your face. 

After giving you a bath, you also loudly say “arigatou gozaimashita”. Or sometimes you say it in a sweet tone and a sweet smile whilst looking deep into Mommy’s eyes, “arigatou ne, Mommy”. 

Even when Mommy is tired, it simply dissipates whenever your express your grateful heart. 

Mom and Dad pray that you’ll continue to grow up with that grateful heart. Keep it up Anak. 

life with a toddler: big banana!

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For the day’s artwork, your class was just simply asked to draw anything you like. Your sensei told us that you grabbed your yellow crayon and was loudly shouting, “big banana!!” Well, that is indeed big. 

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Seeing your photo juxtaposed with those of your classmates’, one can easily see how passionate you are with bananas. 🙂 

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baby diaries: Totoro

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This is you, Yui, sleeping on top of Mommy for the most of our 2015 summer nights. I guess you got the idea from the movie Totoro in which Mei-chan slept on top of Totoro. Well, to be honest Mommy did complain of the weight every now and then. For the last four days though, you were already fast asleep by the time Mommy finishes the evening chores. So yes, Mommy missed playing Totoro. This is yet another reminder for Mommy and Daddy to always seize the moment where you are concerned. Love you, Anak. 

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life with a toddler: I love you

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July 11, 2015. 

Yui anak, you’re quite expressive with your affection; huge on smiles and warm, tight hugs. Being the receptiveness of those expressions is enough to put Mom and Dad in Cloud 9. 

But today, you said it back for the very first time. You told Mommy, “I love you”.

A big lump was on my throat. Thank you, dear. We love you much too. 

life with a toddler: walking whiskered Snowman

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She drew a snowman.

Added in two eye dots and dot nose, dot mouth.

Added in one BIG eye, cyclops style, almost covering the dot nose.

Added whiskers, saying “meow” whilst drawing the whiskers.

Then she added feet and with laughter in her voice said “snowman is walking”.

Such imagination, my child. Keep it up, Anak!

life with a toddler: what would you like to be when you grow up? 

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That question is probably one of the most common question a parent would ask their toddlers. And most often than not, any answer illicited from the toddler gives the parents immense joy, even if it’s just for fun; after all, the child have no idea of other existing professions. 

Like any other parent, of course we have our dreams and aspirations for Yui. But we’ve always thought that we were not the type of parents who’d ask Yui the captioned question. Not until one evening. 

We were then looking at a hair conditioner  bottle we bought in our recent trip in the Phillipiness (hotel amenities just ain’t enough for my hair). 

Yui: nani? (What’s this?)

Me: it’s a photo of celebrities, in the Philippines. 

Just for the fun of it, I then threw her the question.

Me: Would you like to be a celebrity?

A strong head shake from Yui. Again Just for the fun of it, I asked Yui the outrageous. 

Me: would you like to be Japan’s Prime Minister?

Yui: Hai! (Coupled with a definitive nod) 

Daddy and Mommy had a good hearty laugh. 

Er, Anak, Mommy’s not sure she can handle that. 

Yui sketch by Daddy. 

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