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

Posted on by

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. 

A day well spent

Posted on by

For many, it can probably be described as a very laid back birthday. I’d say it was one of my special ones. Was able to have a “me” time with a good movie (La la Land), lunch date with Hubs, salon pampering, cake date with Yui, a beautiful bouquet from Hubs, good dinner, relaxing evening. And messages from family and close friends across the globe even sans FB usage (well, discount Messenger since it’s another app). I even love how the weather today was – sunny early morning, gentle rain the rest of the day and stopping at late afternoon such that Yui and I could enjoy singing while  walking. And since I picked Yui up early today, while she went to toilet, I got to talk with her classmates who were all eager to show off their newly-learned English words. Love it as well that the evening was capped with Yui sweetly singing “happy birthday” while holding  her Lego cake. 

Heart overflowing with gratitude and brimming with anticipation. 

life with a kindergartener: when I grow up….

Posted on by

On a visit to our daughter’s daycare, one of her girl classmates suddenly exclaimed  albeit with a serious expression while looking so self-assured at me: I’ll be a pianist when I grow up!

Boy classmate then piped in, “I’ll be a Godzilla or dinosaur when I grow up! Really, really big!!” (His voice then changed to emphasise how big he is gonna be)

Of course my daughter wouldn’t allow herself to loose ground. She also has to say her own piece. 

Yui: when I grow up, I will be a….FLAMINGO!!

There’s a golden rule: never, ever laugh at someone else’s dream. And so of course, I tried not to. 

A few weeks later…

Yui: I will be a prime minister. Flamingo prime minister! 

Well, at least she’s consistent. 

life with a kindergartener: first love

Posted on by

You over the weekend. 

Luis aite ni yokattara. Luis no uchi ikitai. Luis ga suki! 

It would be good to see Luis. I want to see Luis and visit him in his home. I love Luis!

Well, you probably don’t mean it in the romantic way and you were probably thinking more of his toy dinosaurs and dragons. But then again, he is the first who’s outside of our family whom you said you love. ❤️😍

baby diaries: Valentines and colouring book

Posted on by

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And so since we are in Japan, we did what women do at this day of the year – we gave Dad a (Godiva) box of chocolates! You did a pretty good job in carrying our gift and handing it over to Daddy. You did a good job too in eating half of them (and almost succeeded in convincing me to give you my share).  

This evening, you coloured some pages of your Barbie colouring book. I love it that you always try to improve things, where’s there’s chance, without us having to tell you to. You also don’t limit yourself only to what you’re supposed to do. And for these, I am very thankful. I pray that you continue to be so, as you grow older and wiser. 

By the way, I loved how you laughed while saying Barbie had too much ketchup. Just like you, you ketchup monster, you. 😍

life with a toddler: lunch at daycare

Posted on by

This week, parents for older classes (3,4,5 yr olds) were given the chance to stay at daycare around lunchtime to get to experience how your usual lunchtime is at daycare. I didn’t tell you I’m going today. I just told you since last night that I have a big surprise for you today. 

And surprised you were, indeed. The delight on your face at seeing me there (there were two other parents there, with max four per day) is priceless. You were beside yourself with happiness. Your eyes were twinkling, your smile from ear to ear and you couldn’t let go of my hand. We were seated for lunch with three of your other classmates and they too wanted to talk to me. But you always wanted to talk to me and would grab my face. It was a treasure to keep in the heart. 

By the way, you did this for the Setsubun. That handle is pretty! I’m might proud of you little big one!