Theo...Live in Ebisu

Ebisu Garden Place is definitely one of Mommy D's favorite shopping areas, but even if we returned to Tokyo about 7 months ago, we never had a chance to come back here. However, last Friday, which was a national holiday in Japan, we decided that we'll take Theo there. Here are some photos of Theo...Live in Ebisu!


In front of a giant Christmas tree just outside the station


Theo goofs around on the way to Ebisu Garden Place


Theo checks out the pool and flowers...


This is one of the most expensive restaurants in Ebisu.


Theo prepares to run down the stairs in the latter.


Another view of the pool and the floating flowers


Theo walks on the red carpet.

Theo...Live in Odaiba!

Oh...we just love Odaiba, the reclaimed piece of land on Tokyo Bay that hosts shopping malls, game centers, and lots of other attractions. But for Theo, it's just simply the sea and the sand. After going there last Sunday, he couldn't help saying that he'd like to go to Odaiba again. When we went there, I gave him the free time to just frolic and play wherever he wanted. He just couldn't get enough of it. Some snapshots below:


This photo was taken just a few minutes after we arrived. Theo was just drawn to the water immediately. Here he is looking at the famous Rainbow Bridge.


This is a replica of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Theo wasn't particularly interested, hehehe...


Theo prepares to play in the water. The Rainbow Bridge is in the background.


Theo walks behind the Statue of Liberty. The Fuji TV headquarters is in the background.


Running around is what Theo loves to do most...


...as well as drinking milk along the beach.






An old man is feeding the ducks and seagulls with bread and Theo joins in.


When the sun set, it was time for us to enter the malls. Of all places, we took this photo of him in front of a shop named "Condomania". On his lap is a bag of potato chips, which he emptied to the last crumb.

The Dimple and the Drool

Do you know that Theo has a dimple? It's clear in this photo...as well as the drool. Yuck!


Theo poses in front of this frog statue in Ueno Park. A homeless man is sitting somewhere in the background.


The mercury has plunged, and Theo is ready for winter!


Mommy D tried out this nice polo shirt and pair of pants on our dashing, young man.

"Photopathogenic" Theo

By this time, Theo is so used to having his picture taken that he automatically tries to act cute when you tell him that you'll take his photo. This is one of those moments that Mommy D captured using her trusty, old digital camera.

Just an update: We have decided to not yet send Theo to the Philippines next year to begin his schooling because it is also possible to start it when he turns 4 1/2 years old. Thus, in the meantime, we enrolled him in the local kindergarten for next school year. We are still in the application process and the final outcome will be known in December. There are only 20 slots, and if the number of applicants exceeds this, then the selection will be by drawing of lots.

He's already excited about going to school, as shown by his reaction when you tell him, "We'll go to school, Boky." This kindergarten is just a few minutes on foot from our place and will prove to be convenient for all of us. We really hope that he gets in.

What time is it?

I remember having my first watch when I was on my 3rd grade; it had Mickey Mouse on the top plate and it lasted for only a few weeks. Theo has his before he reaches 3 years of age and it also has Mickey Mouse on it. We hope this one lasts longer.

As you can see in the photos above, Theo is so visibly happy with it after we bought it yesterday afternoon. He could hardly stop looking at it and showing it to me, calling it "Boky's watch" and also showing it to his mother. It isn't really expensive but seeing him very happy and very proud of it is one priceless feeling that a parent always treasures. He even wore it in bed, much to his mother's chagrin, of course.

The next step now is teaching him how to read the time, because whenever we ask him, regardless of the time of day, he'd just quickly answer "alas diez" (10 o'clock), which is his bed time. Hehehehe....

French Fries Monster

Like most kids his age, Theo loves french fries or "friedo poteto" as the locals call it here in Japan. Whenever he sees a McDonalds sign, the first thing that comes to his mind is this artery-clogging, lard-laden dish. But we can't help it; he likes it so much that he can finish an L-sized order all by himself, esp. if it comes with an L-sized order of orange juice. The latter he finishes until the last piece of crushed ice.

Last Saturday, it was particularly cold and cloudy, so instead of going to Ueno Park, I decided to take him to Tokyo Station, the huge, multilevel train station with a shopping mall and lots of restaurants within. (You can actually get lost inside if it's your first time.)

As expected, when we walked past a McDonalds outlet, he immediately took my hand and led me to the counter, while saying "friedo poteto...friedo poteto". It was around lunchtime, so I thought that we might as well have lunch there. Certainly, a pack of french fries does not really qualify as lunch, so a few hours later after these photos were taken, we had lunch again at a Japanese resto where he ate rice balls with real vegetables. Mommy D joined us by then.

Nonetheless, as you can see, he's a certified french fries junkie, and he shows it all the more when he knows that you're taking his picture.