“Double-decker bus” to school.
Nice walk in the park.
Cars at home.
Mommy carry to school.
Making tops at school.
Silly at home with pointy hair.
Chilly mornings.
Nice double-decker bus view.
English class, washing hands, opening a flower shop.
Getting tall.
Growing boy needs dessert!
And sleep.
“Picking potatoes” and gymnastics class.
Driving with Daddy in the back seat.
Dessert after finishing a good dinner.
Buttoning up my pajamas on my own.
I like driving my Mercedes, but I know that it is only a toy. So I like to practice with the real thing. I like to operate the GPS and pretend to drive to my destination.
But of course with car driving come car maintenance. I have to make sure that my cars are in good condition so I check them and repair them often.
Angel? Nope. Not quite. Not today.
I had another big tantrum today and literally trashed the house. I’m still having trouble controlling my emotions and dealing with things not always going my way. These tantrums have been significantly worse these past few months. I’m sure things will get better and that I’ll be able to control these tantrums. But for now, it is a bit out of control. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy manage to help me tame my tantrums early on but sometimes my tantrums escalate very quickly. Getting me to calm down and talk about those situations takes time, but we always seem to get there eventually.
Relaxing Sunday. No cares in the world.
Washing my Goodyear car.
Attaching our new good luck charm.
Doing a bit of shopping.
When we got home Daddy was unloading the groceries from the car and I asked:
Mason: Do you need help?
Daddy: I’m okay. Thank you.
Mason: But you look very tired.
Driving practice while chatting with Nana and Papa.
Dinner with Daddy’s coworker friend.
We visited the shrine for the first time this year and prayed, picked up our lucky charms, and got our omikuji fortunes. Mine was daikichi, very lucky! It looks like this will be a good year for me!
On the way home we spotted some food stands and I got some candied grapes. It was more candy than grapes. I barely reached the grapes and just licked it like a lollipop.
Just doing a silly spinning dance before heading home. Look at my leg twist!
Pizza for dinner, jelly drink, and dessert! A great TGIF dinner!
It snowed yesterday and today so when we visited the park there was a lot of snow for us to play with. It was quite a treat. I made a huge snowball and kicked it around like a soccer ball!
We visited a shrine today and saw a monkey show. The monkey performed all kinds of acrobatic tricks that were really cool! I think I’m pretty athletic, but I can’t do half the things the monkey did.
The walks to and from school have been a bit cold, but I bundle up in my jacket and sometimes double jackets to stay warm.
I got home and started to play, but realized that the carpet needed some cleaning so I took the sticky roller to it to give my cars a clean city to drive in.
And then there were traffic accidents and construction that caused a major traffic jam. A common occurrence in my city.
It was my first day back to school in 2025 and I was really happy to see my friends and teachers. But I was also a little sad not to be with Mommy and Daddy. I got so used to spending all day with them for so many days. This morning at school I got sad and said that I wanted Mommy. My teachers were there for me and I was feeling better again in no time. Then I went on to have a great day at school. I told my teachers a lot about our trip to Hawaii and all the great times we had with family. (I may have left out the bits about my tantrums and misbehavior)
We went to visit the prefectural office today and we could see so many things from the observation deck. We even spotted planes and trains from up there.
On Tuesday we went to the park and had a great time running around and playing cops and robbers. It was so nice to have my friends to play with!
We also had gymnastics class. I’ve been an active participant these past few months and have been doing very good.
It was great to see family and be in Hawaii, but it is also really nice to be home. I got to play with all my toys and got to relax with Mommy and Daddy. Usually when returning from Hawaii we have to go back to work and school the following day, but this time we have a full day to recover. We woke up a little later than usual and took it pretty easy. We didn’t have any big plans, just stocking up on food again and getting acclimated to Japan time and Japan winter weather.
One food that we were craving was sushi so we went to a sushi restaurant for lunch. I ate a lot of my favorite, ikura.
It was fairly sunny, although cold, so it was nice driving weather. I took my Mercedes out for a spin.
After picking up groceries, Daddy made sure to get Mommy her special Starbucks treat. Mommy of course shared with me.
Since the winter weather was chilly, I asked to soak in the tub during botcha instead of just taking my usual shower. It also made sense since Daddy has been fighting a cold.
It was a great recovery day. I could have a lot of time to relax and play at home before we got back to the grind of school and work.
It was a nice long visit, but it went by way too fast. I had a lot of fun and was very happy to see everyone, which might not have been apparent from my behavior. I have to apologize for the tantrums I threw and the trouble I caused. I am working on improving and I know that our next visit will be much better.
Today was our last day on Kauai, and this is the day I chose to be super friendly and playful with my cousins. With all the time we had that I spent being grumpy and misbehaving, I chose the last couple of hours to be the good little boy that I know I can be. Well, better late than never.
After a very nice send off from Maile and Lauren, we said our goodbyes and headed to the airport. Everything went very smoothly and we were checked in in no time.
I was in a pretty good mood, but did not want to take a picture alone with Nana and Papa. I was still very attached to Daddy as I have been this whole trip.
But I did thank them properly and give them loving hugs and awesome high fives.
We got through security without any problems and were officially on our way home.
The short flight from Lihue to Honolulu was over in no time. We landed and picked up some sandwiches to supplement the spam musubi that Nana and Papa made for us. We were all fed and ready for the next flight.
The flight to Japan was very long, about 11 hours. But I was very well behaved and we had no problems. I watched some shows on the entertainment system, but mainly stuck to the iPad. Not only did I have videos and games that Daddy had downloaded for me, but we had WiFi on the flight as well. So I could watch a few shows that we hadn’t downloaded in advance. I dozed off here and there, but for the most part I entertained myself. I chatted with Daddy and read some books too. I ate all the meals that were provided. I also was very thankful that I’m completely potty trained because even though I was wearing diapers, I can’t imagine getting my diapers changed in the tiny little lavatories on the airplane. The spam musubis and snack that we packed kept me fueled and satisfied. Before we knew it we were landing in Fukuoka.
It was quite cold so we broke out the down jackets after we got our luggage and then took a taxi home.
Once home I wasted no time playing with my toys that I had been missing for these two weeks.
We ate dinner, took a bath, and then fell asleep quite quickly when it was time for bed. It was a long trip, but I handled it like pro. I went to sleep with a lot of great memories of our trip to Hawaii.
Thank you Nana and Papa for making our visit so pleasant and awesome! Thank you Maile, Lauren, Aunty Chris, and Uncle Matt for your patience with me during my tantrums and mood swings! I really really was happy to see everyone! I can’t wait to see you all again! Sending much love from Japan!
Time to sleep. Oyasumi!
I woke up in a good mood today and decided to keep it going by staying in bed with Mommy and Daddy to watch TV. After a while I got hungry and emerged from the bedroom. Although I did bring the container of grapes to the bedroom with every intention of eating breakfast there.
Eventually I was convinced to eat breakfast in the dining room and I sat there with Daddy. I ate a fairly good meal and then went right to playing.
Mommy had to do some omiyage shopping so we went to Target in the morning. I like going to Target because there are speed bumps in the parking lot and a lot of cool things to see in the store. I recognized the different things we had bought previously, like snacks and diapers. Then going around the store in the shopping cart I asked Daddy to find some speed bumps so he rolled the shopping cart over any bumps he could find.
Next we had to go to another store to finish up our shopping but Daddy brought me to get smoothies for Mommy and me. After we finished shopping he dropped us off at home and then he and Papa went to pick up our lunch. At home I was having a ball playing with Mommy. I was being very creative as we pretended to shop. At one point I turned Mommy into a parfait.
After lunch it was time to say goodbye to Aunty Chris and Uncle Matt who were going on a mini trip. I acted very mean and even tried to hit Uncle Matt. Daddy got very angry with me and I threw another tantrum. It took a long time for me to come around and finally apologize, alhtough by that time the person I was supposed to apologize to was not there. I had a long talk with Daddy. I promised that I would be a good boy and I would be nice. I promised not to hit or be mean. I have said these things before, and would like to believe that this time it will be true.
After some playing and snack time, Mommy and Daddy went to go get drinks just the two of them. I was not happy about it at first, but then remembered that I should try to be nicer and not be selfish. Then I was very supportive of them. I told them that I would watch from the window leave and wave goodbye. I did exactly that.
I had a great time playing with Nana while Mommy and Daddy were gone. Nana and Papa do a very good job taking care of me on their own. I had to go potty and pooped. At first I said I wanted Mommy or Daddy to wipe for me, but Nana explained that it would be a long time. Eventually I came around and let them wipe my butt for me instead of waiting for Mommy and Daddy to come home.
We had a fun time playing all over the house and coincidentally we were playing near the window when Mommy and Daddy came home. I told Nana that they were home and was all smiles as I waved to them. It was nice to have them home.
I immediately asked Daddy to go catch lizards with me. Lauren joined us and although it took a long time we caught three. Papa showed me a lot of bugs and worms in his compost heap. At one point I was being silly and called Lauren and big lizard and try to catch her in the net. Then I tried to catch the soccer ball in the net, calling it a pill bug tucked up into a ball. Later I asked Daddy to push me around on the scooter. Then it started getting dark so we had to go in.
I watched TV as Daddy rested. His cold was wearing on him. We had a nice dinner and then I had my usual dessert. I sat on the chair watching TV and eating my dessert while Daddy napped next to me. When it was time to take a bath I insisted that Daddy bathe me so we woke him up and he gave me my bath.
We played with some little cars after my bath. I made a whole scenario where they were trying to go shopping but there was a traffic jam because of the construction going on. Then when the traffic jam cleared my car went to the store and I said, “Oh no! Target is closed. We cannot shop here.” So then my car went to Costco instead.
I checked with Daddy about heading back to Japan tomorrow. And he confirmed that we were indeed heading back home tomorrow. I asked about where home was on a tiny little globe ball but Daddy decided to show me on the big globe. I noted where Japan and Hawaii was on the globe and discussed our flight path with Daddy, using my mini cars as models.
Before long it was time for my bedtime routine. As usual I was surprisingly hyper and in a really good mood. When it was bedtime I was fast asleep in no time.
My new year did not start off so happy. I woke up in a mood and made it very apparent to everyone. I was told that I have to behave better and if I act selfish I would be alone. So I ended up alone. I was brooding and moping but no one engaged me until I realized how I was behaving badly and apologized.
After that we all went out to breakfast and I behaved much better. I told Daddy that I remember being there before and he reminded me that we did not spend much time in the restaurant because I had thrown a tantrum and he took me outside. I said that I remembered. Then I started looking at all the different decorations and noticed fish, turtles, and skin divers. I had a nice conversation with Daddy before our food arrived. When our food got there I ate really well. I ate a fruit cup, croissant and almost all of Daddy’s scrambled eggs. After the morning’s tantrum I was both famished and trying hard to be a good boy.
After breakfast we went for our traditional lighthouse visit. It was pretty interesting. The waves were really interesting and so were the tide pools. We had to take a bunch of pictures, but it was worth it. We got a bunch of good shots.
When we got back home we had to clean up the house to get ready for the New Year’s Day party we were going to have at night. I did my part by cleaning up my toys and then staying out of the way.
Since we had a late breakfast we kind of only snacked for lunch. That was just right for me. I prefer eating small light meals several times a day instead of big meals three times a day.
Realizing that we didn’t have much time left in Hawaii we decided to fit in one more beach visit. Same as before, once I got there I couldn’t wait to get into the water. It was late in the afternoon and a bit chilly, but I thought that was the fun part. I rode the boogie board this time and had a great time. Even when I got splashed in the face with the seawater I just brushed it off and continued to have a ball in the water.
When we got home we saw that some of our New Year’s party guests were already arriving. We took quick shower and went out to start the party. For me that meant stay far away from the guests and playing with Daddy in the hallway. We were pretending to drive up and down the hallway and played away from everyone for some time. We were cars who kept getting dirty and had to go to the carwash, the bathroom, to get washed up.
When people started eating I finally joined in and enjoyed the delicious food. I made comments like, “Oh, so yummy!” and “It is delicious!” Then I started playing with a little girl. She had finished her dinner and started running around the house and I joined her even though I wasn’t finished with my dinner. We had a great time! I was a great playmate for the most part, but then I started acting selfish. I locked myself in the bedroom and wouldn’t let anyone inside, but I wanted people to try and come inside.
I was told not to play in the bedrooms and then I got a bit grumpy. I started playing garbage trucks with Daddy, where we picked up cushions, the garbage, and delivered them to the garbage dump, the bathroom. We were having fun on our own until the little girl tried to take my cushions and then I acted selfish, grumpy, and mean.
There were some group games that I tried to participate in but I didn’t finish either. The first one I said was “too hard for me” and the second one I refused to follow the rules so Daddy removed me from the game.
We ended up watching TV in the family room for the rest of the night. One reason was because I wasn’t playing well with others and apparently Daddy was coming down with a cold and was not feeling his best.
When it was time to say goodbye I was better behaved. After that I went through my bedroom routine and was out like a light when we went to bed. It was not a great start to the new year but I intend to be better this year, even though I’m sure I will have lapses where I am not the good boy that I know I can be. I will try my best.
Happy New Year everyone!
I woke up in a good enough mood and wanted my usual fruits for breakfast. Daddy made a fruit parfait for me instead and I really enjoyed it. After eating breakfast I got ready without problem and then I was right to playing again.
I had fun playing with all my toys. I create worlds with my vehicles. I dragged Daddy into those worlds and we spent the morning in the living room.
Just around lunch time I started playing with the iPad. I wasn’t sure what I wanted for lunch so Daddy just pieced together a meal for me. First I started off with ham and cheese crackers. Then I had my leftover cheeseburger and finished it. It was a pretty good lunch.
After lunch we headed to the beach. I threw a bit of tantrum, suddenly saying that I didn’t want to go. Daddy said that was okay, but he was going. I tried to be bossy but Daddy said that I had a choice, but he had a choice to and he chose to go to the beach. I finally calmed down and apologized.
We went to the beach and I had a great time! I had so much fun in the water. I asked Daddy to make me swim over and over again. I also had fun jumping over and ramming into the waves. Actually, it was more like the wave was ramming into us. It was late in the afternoon so the water was a little cold and I started shivering.
So I moved up onto the beach to play in the sand. I warmed up a bit and had a small snack. I had fun playing with my construction vehicles and moving sand mountains and repairing cities.
After the beach we headed home and took a quick shower before we headed to a family friends’ house for a New Year’s Eve party. I fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep even after we arrived. Mommy and Daddy sat in the car with me until I woke up. All in all it was about an hour nap.
I was very shy at the beginning but started eating and ended up eating a lot. I ate fruits, meat, and rice. After eating several servings I finally was full and wanted to check out all the fireworks fun. I didn’t want to do any fireworks, but I had fun watching everything.
https://vimeo.com/1063885262?share=copy
https://vimeo.com/1063885278/86e526edae?share=copy
Even cooler than the fireworks was this car that a baby had. The baby was riding and “driving” it but it was remote controlled by his parents. Super cool!
After a while I was getting sleepy so we headed back. We got back home and I played a bit with my toys before my bedtime routine. After that I went through my usual bedtime routine and was asleep right after we finished everything. Apparently there was a lot of fireworks being set off at midnight but I did not notice. I slept through everything.
Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2025
I woke up fairly early today. Earlier than others in the house. But maybe I woke up too early because I ended up in a bad mood and threw a couple morning tantrums.
First, I didn’t like the fact that everyone was eating breakfast together at the dining table. Usually we all eat separately which means I often get the dining room table to myself. I wasn’t prepared to share this morning so I threw a tantrum. Daddy took me into the bedroom until I came around. it took a while but I finally did come around. I apologized and then reemerged to join everyone for breakfast. By that time most people were done with breakfast and were clearing out.
I started to eat breakfast and did okay for a while. Daddy went to the bathroom and I followed him. Mommy tried to get me to come back to eat breakfast and I was mean to her and then I threw another tantrum. Sometimes there are things that I don’t go the way I see it in my head and that upsets me. This time Mommy stayed with me until I calmed down and apologized for treating her badly. I then ended up finishing my breakfast by myself with Mommy and Daddy sitting with me.
After breakfast I was in a much better mood. I even told Daddy that after breakfast I would brush my teeth and change my clothes and then play. Which is exactly what I did. I played in the living room with Daddy, Lauren, and my toys the whole morning.
Oh, and I also watched Papa mow the lawn.
When it was time for lunch Daddy placed an order for burgers for us and was going to just run out and pick them up on his own but I insisted on coming along, so I went for a ride with Daddy and Mommy. We got back and ate lunch and then played again.
Later Daddy offered to take Mommy to the farmers market to pick up more fruits and suggested that I stay home with Nana and Papa. Again, I insisted on coming along. So we made it a family trip. On the way Daddy let me check out the map on his phone and I noted all the different locations on our way to the farmers’ market. I spotted shopping places, a car dealership, and even a mechanics shop.
At the farmers’ market we picked up a couple of papayas and a pomelo at the farmers’ market.
It was about my snack time and I told Daddy that I was hungry. So we went in search of a snack and ended up getting smoothies for Mommy and me. I was really happy about the tasty smoothies. We had some at the store but then decided to head home to finish them.
We saw a cool Santa display so we decided to have a bit of a photo shoot.
We had our smoothies outside and went in search of lizards. We didn’t catch any. I guess all the lizards are more wary of us and hid really well when they saw us coming. Instead I played with the hula hoop a bit, pretending it was a steering wheel. Then I was a tractor and the hula hoop was my scoop to collect my crops, which happened to be corn. We went all over the yard collecting corn.
Before long it was time to get ready to go out for dinner. I did so without argument, finishing off my smoothie. I played around the house as everyone started to wash up and get dressed in nice clothes. Then I realized that I should get dressed to so I came bursting into the room asking to change. I got changed quickly and then was all over hte house playing again. I ended up very sweaty, but at least Iw as ready on time. We headed off to the restaurant.
When we got ot the restaurant we took a few family pictures at the beach and then took our seats.
After placing our orders Maile and Lauren headed back to the beach to take photos and I followed with Daddy in tow. I told Daddy that I wanted to run around in the sand, which he said was okay. I told Daddy that I wanted to go into the water, which he said we couldn’t. We would have to come back in the day time in our swimwear. I had fun just wandering round in the sand and checking in on my cousins here and there. At one point I was playing with them by tossing sand on their feet. It started getting dark so we headed back to our table.
After washing my hands we went to the table and I helped Mommy eat her salad. Then our food and drinks came and I dug right in. My fresh fruits were fmy favorite part of the meal and I wiped it out right away. I ate a good portion of my cheeseburger as well.
After a lovely dinner we headed home. In the car I laid out the plan for Daddy. i told him that I would have dessert, play, then take a bath, play some more, then read books, brush my teeth, and watch my projector stories before going to bed. And I did just that. As usual I was in a wonderful moood in bed with Mommy and Daddy, all smiles and playfulness. I went to bed without problem and was asleep very quickly.
The day had a rough start, but ended up being really fun. I hope I can make it through tomorrow without any tantrums or trouble.