Snapshots by toddler K

The Wee One just needs a little assistance and encouragement, as I had earlier written, in skills that she needs to live and endure in this world. And perhaps with her elders' inputs, she'll be equipped to handle the whatevers later on.

Meanwhile, she has taken an interest in pushing the button of the digicam after a little coaching on framing. Sometimes one or two little fingers cover the lens, and she has to be reminded where to place them. Or to be steady from wherever she sits or stands before she takes a picture so the image doesn't blur too much.

Here are her portraits of some of her family members: her Grumpa and her Mamay. The thing with toddlers is, after the initial "mastery" of something, whether it's a puzzle or doing split jumps, their attention wanders or their sense of wonderment shifts. This granny is OK with that. I remember to follow the trail so there are keepsakes like these.

While he was reading

While she was threading the Christmas tree balls

Goodbye to almost all of that

A birthday, once you're entering the age of wisdom, becomes occasion for mortal thoughts. One thinks about conserving one's strength, preserving one's health, lessening or avoiding outright the prohibited in one's diet (the sweet and the salty).

But not yet, not while mint chocolate gelato, the authentic kind, can now be had in Baguio at Amare La Cucina.

Here's the Little One enjoying it unabashedly. Thanks for the Sunday and early birthday treat, Rolly/Tats/Grumps!

Photos by Kimi Fernandez and Babeth Lolarga

Staying small

My eldest daughter Kimi complained that Manila has gotten so steamy hot that our family home there is no longer conducive for productive work. She has brought her laptop to the nearest "SBuck" (I had to pause some milli-seconds to figure out that abbreviation for a coffee chain) so that she could get work done.

Over here in Baguio, I have no reason to complain about the weather. We needn't even water the plants and garden anymore because the brief afternoon thunderstorms take care of maintenance work.

A digital portrait of Kai and her Boots, a birthday present from her Tita Lor

What I'm focused on is seeing to it that Kai, the Wee One who rules over us, is preoccupied with activities so she doesn't get underfoot. I've blogged about her learning to cut paper, her walks in the park, etc.

For those walks she has her Ate Macky to accompany her with her mongrel Boots (a mix of asPin or asong Pinoy and dachshund) on a lease. It's part of my care-giving method to tire her out or sufficiently get her energy reduced so that she wants to eat and drink more. It works most of the time. Otherwise, mealtimes are cajoling times.

When she's told that she has to eat more to grow stronger and bigger, her ready reply is "I want to stay small!"

Her world is small, indeed: the house, the garden, the village park, then summer school in phonics.

When going to the grocery becomes simple joys time Photos by Babeth Lolarga

So a chance to ride the car to PureGold supermart with Grumpa Tats is a treat. I'm so thankful she's content to stay in the cart and doesn't point at items not in the grocery list for inclusion in the supplies. Stay small in needs, Wee One.

Morning becomes my darlings

Someone opted for early retirement last year to finally spend a lot of time with family, especially with that girl who knows where the grandparents' room is and wakens them, particularly Grumpa Rolly, to remind them to each search for the lost child in themselves.

Here she pauses as her Booboo dresses her up warmly for a trip to Baguio's downtown.

Someday those eyes will mesmerize someone, but she's in no hurry for such things. Right now she wants to get out in the sun and play.

Photos by Booboo Babeth

Vacay at John Hay

We loaded the car with throw pillows and two rolls of banig--we were planning to lie down on those mats after lunch at the camping grounds of Camp John Hay and let the family's toddler have the run of the grassy grounds. But our bundle never got unloaded. Instead, our mascot Kai/Butones and her elders ate and drank and walked around the camp all of yesterday afternoon till it was dark. Here are our post-Halloween, pre-Advent shots. Hurray for four-day weekends!

Exploring the Ayala Technohub's outdoors while her elders order Mexican food

Mamay Kimi walks outside the shops in the Technohub area...

...while Grumps enjoys his avocado ice cream cone from the Fruits in Ice Cream parlor.

With Nutcracker soldier

Father and daughter select the bread for Sunday's breakfast at Pan de Manila...

...while Kai cools off on the sidewalk.

Up up up and whee!

Strutting on The Manor's newly cut lawn

All balls are "boon" in toddler-speak.

The bibis meet again: Kai and her play date Sage with mom Lor

Mamay's shoulder is the best spot to rest...

...while Grumpa Rolly strolls outside The Forest Lodge.

Photos by Babeth Lolarga

My eye candy

Before I post new flower power photos, let me share my favorite eye candy: a toddler named Butones. She seems to know her best angle and knows how to give her Mamay a truly funny face. I miss you, kiddo. One more sleep, and I'll be near you again!

Trying the bureau chief's (Grumpa Rolly's) chair for size--this means she's big enough to be brought to the office.

Very fashionably outfitted while taking her morning walk (her Tita Ida will be pleased that Butones is not dugyot-looking)

Back view out in her sunny balcony

Someone must be giving her raspberry kisses and caused this attack of giggles.

Photos by Kimi Fernandez