Sports Day 2008

September 28, 2008 - Theo's first time ever to join a "competitive" sport was held on this Sunday at their school. As you can see from this photo (click on the photo to enlarge) however, Theo was only second place because just before the race began, he and his friend, Futaba-kun, were busy chatting and laughing. On the other hand, Kano-chan was alert and ready, and so she beat them all by a mile!

September 23, 2008 - It was a national holiday in Japan on this day, and it was also when a school-sponsored flea market was held. I learned about it from my officemates who were also there with their sons, Kevin and Kyle. In this shot, Theo is giving Kevin, who is sitting on his mom's lap, a spoonful of flavored, crushed ice.

Theo asks for directions from a boy who was also playing in the park nearby. He's never a shy kid; in fact, he savors being the center of attention, which is probably typical for his age.

Tokyo Disney Sea

September 22, 2008 (Monday) - Yes, it was a working day in Japan, but since the following day was a nonworking holiday, I decided to take the day off to bring Theo to Disney Sea. He has been to Disneyland twice already and this was his first (and probably last) time to come to Disney Sea.

This statue marks the entrance to the sprawling amusement park.

Photo taken inside the Mermaid Lagoon.


These photos were taken at the center of the "Arabian Coast" area.

Theo appears concerned while riding on the "Caravan Carousel".

In the show "A Table is Waiting" at the "American Waterfront" area, one can see Goofy dancing in a Japanese-style costume. By this time (5:30 p.m.), however, our little Theo dozed off because of tiredness so he missed it.

By 6:30 p.m., he was awake again but still resting in his stroller. Yeah, he's too old for his stroller but we bring it sometimes not really for his sake but for ours. When he's tired, he wants to be carried, and sure enough, he's no longer a baby and definitely no longer light.

We were at Disney Sea from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. (closing time), and because it was a rainy, working day, the park wasn't too crowded. We were able to watch five shows (A Table is Waiting (new), Big Band Beat, Cape Cod Step Out, Mermaid Lagoon Theater, and Magic Lamp Theater) and go on seven rides/attractions (Aquatopia, Disney Sea Electric Railway, Disney Sea Transit Steamer Line, Sindbad's Storybook Voyage, The Whirlpool, Caravan Carousel, and Scuttle's Scooters). From Theo's reaction, we think he enjoyed Sindbad's Storybook Voyage the most. Of course, Theo didn't miss the fireworks display that started at 8:30 p.m. Overall, it was time and money well-spent, esp. because the queues were very minimal and we covered much ground.

By the time we arrived home (around 12 midnight), our little Theo was already fast asleep and Mommy D was beat. Although tired, we're sure Theo enjoyed his trip to Disney Sea very much.

Ueno Children's Festival

September 21, 2008 - It was a drizzling Sunday when we decided to take Theo to a small festival for children somewhere in Ueno Park. There were lots of food and game booths on that day, and in the nearby pavilion, performances were held almost nonstop from morning till mid-afternoon. Theo watched most of these performances of traditional Japanese music.

This is the sign that marked the entrance to the festival.

In one of the games there, Theo won a box of delicious pretzels.


Kids were also given a chance to catch some freshwater crayfish in a makeshift pool, and sure enough, Theo also wanted to give it a try.



While the performances were going on, Theo goofs around, which really isn't surprising, given his propensity to always want to make people laugh. We're starting to think that he's a natural joker.

Ghibli

September 15, 2008 - We, together with the Villareal family (Myra, Jing and Andrea) went to the Ghibli Museum, a small museum built by the creator of Ghibli animation that is very famous in Japan. The museum is found in Mitaka, somewhere in the outskirts of Tokyo, and it is near a very picturesque park called "Inokashira Koen".

We passed through this park on the way to the museum, and in this shot, Theo is trying to pull Andrea up the slope over a beautiful pond.

There was a temple behind them when this shot was taken, and Theo strikes a prayerful pose while Andrea smiles for Jing's camera.

This is the sign that marks the entrance to the museum.



Like in most museums, it is prohibited to take photos inside. Outside, however, it is permitted, so I took this photo of Theo who was curious over an antiquated water pump.

Andrea and Theo pose in front of one of the museum's outdoor installation art pieces.

New Hairstyle

Despite the dark shades and naughty smile, there's no denying that Theo's hair has already become quite long and already standing.

Thus, last Friday, Mommy D took him to a hairdresser for a real cut. He was so calm throughout the time and Mommy D said that he seemed very amused after the entire process was completed.

This shot was taken outside the parlor just after his haircut.

We went out yesterday and I took this photo of Theo while he's lit by the sun shining through the train's window. Notice that his head is perfectly round.

Is his hair too short? Please feel free to comment below.

At Arakawa Yuenchi

Certainly, one visit to Arakawa Yuenchi isn't enough. Theo has to go back there again, but this time, with his camera-toting Daddy B tagging along. Thus, we went there again yesterday and our little Theo spent many hours in the various rides and attractions. Some snapshots below:

This place has many car rides and Theo is just crazy about them. Here he is trying out one.

Theo on the driver's seat. He wants to take charge, hehe...

There is a place there where kids can play in a small running stream. Theo enjoyed that very much.

He also had fun jumping around inside an air-filled enclosure, which was designed specifically for kids his age.

Theo on the wheel again...

This shot wasn't taken at Arakawa Yuenchi but at home where he is happily munching on a churros from Mister Donut, while wearing his new shoes and being surrounded by balloons. As much as possible, we want to give him a happy childhood because he'll go through this phase only once.

Parenting

Now that our little Theo has become very vocal about what he needs and wants, it is also now the time to listen to what he wants to say. Mommy D found these parenting videos (click on the links below), and if you're a parent, you'll learn a lot from these.

Parenting Basics

Parenting Rules and Values