life with a kindergartener: water balloons 

The day we got back from our Golden week vacation, you asked us to buy the water balloons on our trip to the grocery. And so for more than a week, we pumped water into your balloon, one per bath time until they couldn’t fit the basin anymore. Thankfully, you then stopped requesting to create new ones. 

Ever since a week after the first ballon was made, I’ve been egging you to try to burst the balloon by throwing them on the bathroom wall. Anything, just to burst them. I was already starting to cringe as I think of the warm water stored in the balloon that’s getting “older” by the day. Molds. Mildew. Fiends. However you would cry just with the mere mention of “burst”. 

A month passed by and I already was on the verge of begging you. Six weeks after and I was already begging you. But you always say no and even asked me to make a promise that I wouldn’t burst them. I asked why? Then you said something magical. 

You and Daddy made it. I don’t want it to burst. 

And that was it. I didn’t egg you from then on. Second month passed by. Nine weeks. And then early this week when you had your bonding day with Daddy as I took the Japanese exam, Daddy bought you a water gun. The balloons stayed on the bath corner as you got passionate with your gun. 

This evening though, you were playing with the balloons and were stretching them. Until one reached its bursting pressure. You cried and then said we could refill it again. Told you it’s impossible as it was already torn. I was already cringing with how the old water inside the balloon went to the water in the tub. And I told you so, about how dirty the water must be inside. And so then, while holding your water gun, you gave your go signal to burst the balloons albeit in a lacklustre manner. You did say bye to the balloons though. 

Pretty soon I’d probably be fixating next on the molds on your water gun. And I know what you’d say then – “Daddy bought it for me!”

Keep that lovely character you have, my sweet. 

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

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. 

life with a kindergartener: moving up day

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 

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. 

life with a kindergartener: first love

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. ❤️😍