A logic of a 5 years old

Dinner time for our family is always a time to tell stories about our day or about what do we think about certain issues that we're all facing or just a time to talk and listen at the same time.

So as always, my husband and I were talking about that things we did and discover at work and usual things that we did for that day, when my son just blurted out something funny that all of us need to stop eating or else we'll all choked. Here's the conversation:

My son: Papa you're a super hero!
My husband: (Flattered, of course) Really! Why do you think so?
My son: We'll there's Iron-man, Batman, Spider man, Superman and you.... you're a Sushi-man!

Sometimes life's logic comes from a 5 years old!

My daughter singing...

Before the year ends, I just want to share a video of my daughter singing for the first time in a "telethon." (A charity event that is held through out France every year).

This came as surprise for my husband and I, for we didn't have any idea that our daughter had that courage to go out on stage and sing.

Hope you'll like it. Enjoy viewing.

Piano

You might have guess by now that dinner time is also conversation time for our family. So lots of laughter comes with it. Here's another funny conversation that we had but I'm writing it down in French (the original conversation is in this language) because the punch-line will be lost if I tell it in English.

Moi: "Dommage Iciah, tu peux pas suivre un cour du piano."
Notre fille (Venniciah): "C'est pas grave, je prends de la guitare."
Moi: "Oui, mais ce sera mieux si tu prend les deux."
Mon mari: "Pas grave, Vance va prendre le piano."
Notre fils (Vance): "Moi? Je veux pas!"
Mon mari et moi: "Pourquoi?"
Notre fils (Vance): "Parce que le piano c'est trop lourd, je peux pas le prendre."

Litte Miss kikay strikes a pose

Our little girl of 19 months hates it when I fix her hair. Putting an elastics or ribbons on it makes her frown and cry. Barrettes will just stick on it for 5 minutes and so, and then she'll take it off when no one is looking. She's "maline" like that. I guess, she's a bit of a "tomboy or boy-ish." I don't mind if that's her character. What I do mind is that her hair falls on her face covering it and its' beauty.

But today I caught her wearing this little hat that we bought for her last summer. And when I took photos of her with it, she tried covering her face. But all in all, my shots were all so good.

School year 2012-2013

It's school time once again, yet this year it will all be different somehow for my eldest will be in High-school. Time for changes in her life. I hope it will be a good one.

I became very nostalgic just thinking about it. To tell you honestly, I am not at all afraid of this phase of her life. On the contrary, I am excited for her. But somehow, I know that there will be life-changing experiences that will happen but I am just hoping that she will take advantage of those experiences and use it positively in her favor.

As for me, I will just be there for her, as always.

Goodluck!Bon courage! Daebak! Venniciah Fighting!

The greatest gift

I turn 37 today. My previous birthdays, my kids always prepare something for me. Either prepare a surprise breakfast, a card or any little something to make it special. And usually they do it in secrecy with the help of my husband and try to surprise me as soon as I arrive from work. Yes, there is no "birthday off," here in France. So even if it is your birthday, you are required to work.

But today, since it is my day off and my husband is working, there is no special secret preparation for my birthday. Meaning they weren't able to do so for the thought that I will just find it out. I really don't mind.

This morning, my son was the first one to wake up (as always), he went to my room and greeted me a happy bithday and gave me a kiss and a hug. He promised me that he'll make me a cake, if he can. Told him that I'll help him make one later on this day. So like any 5 years old in school vacation, he asked if he can watch TV. I said yes.

After a few minutes, he went back to my room to say, "I forgot Maman, my gift to you is my heart. I love you." And gave me another kiss and another hug.

No other gifts can beat that. This is the simplest yet the most wonderful birthday that I had.

And as his promise, he made me cake (and as my promise, I help him to make one)

First Communion

Today was a special day for my daughter for it is her first communion. First time to receive the body of Christ. Also the first time that she'll decide for herself if she'll follow the faith we have chosen for her. When she was baptized, it was our responsibility as parents to impart to her our chosen faith but for her first communion she was the one who decided if she also believe in this faith as we do. It is not just following or copying what we do, it is also living the faith by herself. A big step into her adolescence.

Sushi

Last month, we went to "Nausicca," in Boulogne-Sur-Mer. Just 3-4 hours drive North. There was this gigantic aquarium that hold variety of fishes and sea-living creatures a-like, that's really amusing both kids and kids-at-heart. There's also a big "tactile" aquarium tank, where in you can touch fishes, rays and corals with your bare hands. Don't worry there's no piranha in that "tactile aquarium," so everyone is assured of not loosing a finger or two.

All of my kids had their turn touching and dipping their hands in that tank including my husband. But my husband noticed that no fishes nor rays would approach him. But my daughter had already touched a few. So he started complaining:

My husband: "Why wouldn't those fishes approach me?"
My daughter: "Papa, they can smell that your a Sushi chef that's why they avoid you."

Hahahaha!

Simply Extra-ordinary

I should have written this last month, on the 11th day of April to be exact for this is a story of how we proved that our son is a very extra-ordinary boy.

Aside from the kindness that he shows towards his sisters, we often hear praises from his teacher that he is indeed someone "exceptionnel" as they say in French. Not because he's on top of his class. But he emits a positive energy that no one can explain. He thinks maturely and easy to handle for a would be 5 years old boy. He appreciates nature and find peace and happiness in long morning or afternoon walks or just watching the clouds pass by. He'll appreciate and thank you for the smallest thing that you did for him and often expresses how much he loves you. He has this great sense of humor that I think he got from his father. Although, we often receives praises because of him, for us it's but nothing out of extra-ordinary. Just like any 5 years old boy.

As his birthday approaches, he expresses his desire to invite his friends just like his classemates who already celebrated their birthdays by inviting friends to come over for an afternoon party.

Every birthdays of our kids, we make it into a point that we'll take a day off or two to be with them and to prepare something special for them but this time, my husband can't get a day off. As you all know I have 3 kids. (11, will be 5 at that time and the youngest is 1). Our extended family is living either in US or Philippines, so I wouldn't get any help from them meaning it will be difficult for me to organize a party for our son. So both my husband and I decided that we will celebrate it as a family, without any friends or classmates and early in the morning before my husband goes to work. But the thing is how to break the news to our son? I know he would be disappointed and in our minds, it will break his heart.

So one dinner time, weeks before his birthday, we explained to him that his papa will be working on the day of his birthday and that it will be difficult for me to organize by myself because I'll be taking care of his small sister too.

We're waiting for it: for cries of sadness, for sobs and questions if endless "why's" or tantrums just like any 5 years old boy. But what we heard proved to us that "yes, our son is an extra-ordinary boy after all." What came out if his lips is the most heart warming phrase that i wouldn't imagine hearing from a boy like him.

"Je comprends, Maman. T'inquiet." (I understand, Mama. Don't worry.) it brought tears to my eyes upon hearing those words.

I will just quote Sandrine, a lady who's taking care of our son before in the gardery when he was 2, she said, "If we have 20 Vance (the name of our son) in this gardery, there would be no problem for us. Our work would be much easier."

Maybe, we didn't notice before but now we are aware that our son is really extra-ordinary.

So how did his birthday turns out? It was simple. When he woke up, before my husband leave for work, we surprised him with a song and his home bake chocolate birthday cake made by yours truly. He was already grateful for that. And in the late afternoon, we just dined out in a fast food restaurant.

In the evening, when I put him to bed, he told me, "Merci Maman. Mon anniversaire, c'etait super grace à toi. Je t'aime" (Thank you, Mama. My birthday was super because of you. I love you)

It was nothing compared to how we celebrate his sister's birthday but the appreciation on his part was so great that I told him that I wished I could have done more for him. But he wouldn't ask for more. He is indeed, "Vraiment exceptionnel." What else can I say. Continue to be that way...

My baking son at 4

Since he was two years old, we have noticed that my son loves to stay in the kitchen and help his papa out while he's cooking. As I have said a million times again that although I cannot cook, I can handle a little bit of baking simple recipes of cakes and cookies. The same thing that he does everytime I bake, he will always help with his little hands. Sometimes, he'll do it by himself. And just to encourage him, I'll let him do it. (If I think that he can.) And this thing has been going on for two years now. And every "kitchen time" that we have, he's always there. Be it early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Sometimes, I'll do it in the evening and yes, he will always be there, saying, "laisse-moi faire, s'il te plaît" (Meaning, "let me do it, please.") with his eyes always pleading and ready to learn. So this goes on and on until now.

Yesterday, I was to supposed to bake a whoopie pie in tranquility because he was supposed to have school. But apparently his school teacher is sick and parents were asked if they can take care of their own kids at home. Since I don't have work (I only work on week-ends because of our little one.) I said, of course, why not, he's my kid anyway. So my baking plans changed. Actually, it is now his baking plan not mine for as soon as he knew that I will be baking, he said that he'll do it. And of course, as I said, we encourage him to do it, so I agreed once again, like a lot of times before. But this time, I was astounded when he asked me to film him. He said, "fait un video, maman, comme le dernier fois avec papa." (Translation: Make a video, mom, like the last time (you did) with papa.)

Yes, my husband is a cook. And he does Japanese and French cuisine, the last time, his papa also asked me to film him while doing different types of sushi and maki. So I'm sure he got the idea from him. But actually, I was a little bit hesistant to film him because I will also be using my hands to help him with things that he can not do, but he said, he can take care of it. So I agreed again, I'm a bad mother. I can't say "no." (But not most of the time, don't worry.)

So to make the long story short, I was proud of what he did. I really can't imagine a 4 years old boy doing stuff like this. And when I showed the film (which I edited to make it short) to his papa, he was shocked in a good way and very proud of him.

Well, here's the video that made us proud. He was speaking in French, but it's was just the basic like, presenting who he is, what he will do, the ingredients needed and the process. So even your an english-speaking person, it will not be difficut to follow what's going on. Or even if you're another-language speaking person. Remember, action always speaks louder than words.

If this one doesn't work, try to view it here.

And here are some photos to share my son's passsion.

He always says that, "Comme tous les grand chef, il faut gouter d'abbord." (Like all (famous) chef, it is necessary to taste first."

This was taken last June 2009, he was 2 years old and two months at that time, he did this for her sister's birthday.

                                                                                                                                                               

These photos were taken yesterday, he's already 4. Will be turning 5 on the month of April.

The thing that I love about what he did yesterday is when he said that all the "grand" chef needs to taste first the thing that they created, to know if it taste good or not. And secondly, you might notice that his little sister is beside him, cheering him on or bothering him (she's always beside him everytime that he bakes) but he doesn't really stress himself out because of that. I think he's either so focused on what he is doing or that he just love his sister so much that it's OK even if she disturb him.

"Not-so-funny" daughter

My daughter is now 10 years old and will be turning eleven on month of June. She loves to read now and more interested about news around the world and asks questions like, "it is really the end of the world this december?" (2012). She can retain information both significant and insignificant. She's growing up and maturing but not just yet. She wanted an ipad2 for her birthday but my husband said that she's not old enough and not that responsible enough with her time schedules, so we told her to wait another year or so. So she asked if she can have it on her 12th birthday. We said yes, in one condition... if she can keep all her grades to all "A." She agreed and felt excited until a thought pop into her head. Here's the conversation:

Daughter: Oh no!
My husband and I: What?
Daughter: The end of the world is in December this year... So I won't be having my ipad2.

OMD! (O Mon Dieu!) Instead of worrying that it will be the end of the world, she worried about not getting an ipad. Oh girls!

Have a Happy, Prosperous, and Purpose-Driven New Year to all of you.

A Rainy New Year from France. May all our blessings be as countless as these raindrops. May our lives be filled with prosperity, purpose and good health. And may our family be complete with happiness, trust and love. May each and everyone find passion in all that they do and in what they want to do. 

May we end 2011 and begin 2012 with hope and positive attitude. May we not forget both trials and success of 2011 and transform all of these into more fruitful experiences for the next year 2012.

Let us thank the Lord for all that has been and for all that will be, we say, Amen!

Wishing everyone a prosperous and a purpose-driven New Year. God bless us all!