life with a kindergartener: umbrella train

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Today, I made you walk the equivalent of three bus stops; roughly 2 km but made more difficult as it is on a hilly area. Yes, we missed our bus and you cried when the bus didn’t wait for us even when the driver could probably see us running towards it; we were merely twenty steps away from the stop. You cried because you know I will scold you for being late; you fully know it was your fault because you dilly-dallied.

We were late (I’m late for work) and it was cold and raining and we have to walk because the bus won’t be coming for another twenty minutes and there was no taxi in sight.

It was supposed to be a difficult walk what with the rain and the biting, cold wind. But with your sunny disposition it became an enjoyable one. You pretended we were an umbrella train and were imitating the sound of a train of decades gone by. You announced the bus stops ahead and announced our arrivals to said bus stops.

You made an otherwise dreary walk into an enjoyable and memorable one. You banished the irritation I was feeling in having to endure the cold and replaced it with a happy and proud feeling.

Thank you.

I pray and hope and wish my dearest Yui that nothing and nobody, least of all me and your Dad, could dim that sunny disposition of yours. And may you keep it, and make it even brighter and sunnier as you grow old.

Love,

Mommy

the fight with influenza and the feat of an Olympian

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I thought we could get away with it. Unfortunately, you caught it. I was busy in the kitchen the other Saturday, preparing for your best friend’s and her family’s arrival when you said “ちからがでない (I don’t have the strength)” in reply to me telling you to change your clothes. It was only then that I noticed you had fever. Your best friend and her sister came; and in fairness to you, you entertained them as much as you can, ate side by side with Saki, whispering some secret to each other’s ears. But after lunch, you took from the bedroom your comfort blankies and nestled comfortably in the sofa. Your energy was already spent. Visitors of course had to go home early.

We thought it was just the usual colds because you were still sleeping, eating and drinking well, temperature wasn’t too high. But a visit to the doctor confirmed you had the B type influenza, the one not covered by the vaccine (our first brush, and I hope our last).

And so we spent the last ten days inside home except for the three instances that we had to go visit clinics. Your Dad and I had to slather ourselves with essentials oils (diluted of course) as our protection from getting infected. Doctor said you’re contagious up to today. Thankfully, we hadn’t contracted your virus (and I hope I’m not saying this too early because I want to say the EOs really works! And I can’t afford to be off from work for another week). I had body aches though; probably from lack of exercise because you just want me by your side in the bed.

This evening, I went to your room, intending to ask you to finish your drawings so we could take a bath as tomorrow’s our big day after a week-long leave. You had your back to the door but I know something was wrong because your shoulders were slumped. The moment I asked you if you were ok, the dam broke. You bawled and bawled. I finally understood what bothered you. You wanted to draw a cute dog but you couldn’t do it; or rather your hands couldn’t do what you had in mind and it’s making you frustrated.

When in the future baby, you get to be a Mom, you would probably understand that in that instance, you were not the only one who was broken-hearted. I was broken hearted too. Thankfully you listened to me as I tried to comfort you. I reminded you of the figure skaters who did excellently in the Olympics (Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno bagged gold and silver!) and they too had to practice and practice and practice. That for one to be excellent at something, we need to practice everyday.

Thankfully you listened. And I pray and hope you will persevere and will have a determined heart like our Olympic winners.

New Year flowers

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I went Japanese this New Year. Or at least I tried to observe some of the auspicious traditions in Japanese New Year; for one, I bought a special set of flowers in which each had a special meaning. This beautiful one was the littlest in a stem with five buds. I actually thought it wouldn’t ever bloom; that the whole stem would already die down before this one would reach her time. I even already stopped refilling the vase with fresh water. But she did, she did, and she did bloom today. She was the last, but she did bloom. And the marvel was that, she was the most beautiful of them five. Somehow, the line in Mulan comes to mind,

The flower that blooms in adversity, is the most rare and beautiful of all.

I smile too whenever I gaze at these orchids which have been in bloom for more than two weeks yet still looking as fresh as ever (the third though was also a late bloomer; just the other day! And I thought we wouldn’t have new blooms anymore.

And because I want to mark today.

Happy New 2018!

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Cheers to the new year!

It’s only been a few days into the new year and our little girl has already been teaching me a lot about Japanese traditions and the language.

She taught me about Shishimai / Lion Dance as we made our queu for her head to be “bitten” for protection and goodluck (hopefully for the whole family, with Yui as our representative). Albeit she didn’t really lecture me about it’s significance and history, Yui did teach me about the different forms of Shishimai.

Here’s to a great New Year!

baby diaries: Merry Christmas 2017

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For some reason, you were so enamoured with Santa and his reindeers this year. You were just so excited for his gift to you – in which you wished for My Little Pony’s Crystal Empire. Thing is, Mommy and Daddy took a long time before finally sitting down to make our order. This meant Crystal Empire can’t make it for Christmas. Time for Plan B. We had to explain properly that Santa needs help because he can’t deliver the Crystal Empire on time. That he needs you to help him by choosing your top 2 choices at Toys R Us. I had to emphasise that this is to help Santa so we will not be buying anything. Just window shopping for Santa. I know I was relying too much on your EQ. But you know what? You delivered. You really just selected your choices and not even once did you ask us to buy you anything. You were amazing. Of course you first chose Precure Transformation gadget (forgot how you called it but it’s the life size version of the gadget the Precure girls use for them to transform and my goodness how expensive it was! Your second choice was more expensive but I just did not see the value for money with the Precure gadget). Thankfully you moved on. And eventually chose the Barbie set complete with a horse and a carriage. I was teary-eyed. The last quarter of 2017, your first quarter as a 5 yr old, saw you transform from wishing for dinosaurs to wishing for girly toys. It would have been easier for me and Dad to just buy it right there and then because the queue and the crowd was so terrible. But it was Santa’s gift so I decided to go back there the following day and brave the crowd again. It was well worth it. You were giddy with joy when you woke up in the morning to find the Barbie you wished for. You were high-pitched all through out as you danced and smiled from ear to ear. The delight on your face was immeasurable reward/recompense from the tiredness of braving the crowd. You gave us a gift that’s priceless as exchange for our gift that has a tag. Thank you. By the way, on Christmas Eve, I attended the Christmas Mass and sang with the choir (you wished me goodluck in singing when I left after our Christmas dinner). When I came back home, I saw the snacks (munchkins) that you prepared for Santa. Thoughtful.