4Y8M 2Y10M クロックスで流血 Injury wearing Crocs

クロックスのサンダルがエスカレーターに挟まれる事故が多いことは十分認識していたが・・・。

ガーニープラザの７階からエスカレーターで降りる時、映画館の大きなポスターを見ようとエスカレーターの端によじ登ろうとしたタカラ。「落ちるからやめて」と言った次の瞬間、「オリのあんよ～」と叫ぶので見ると右足のクロックスがエスカレーターとエスカレータの横の壁に挟まっていました。

慌ててひっぱると、クロックスが破けて、一部がエスカレーターに挟まったまま行ってしまった。一瞬、ほっとしたが、タカラ、ギャーっと泣き出した。見ると足の指からぽたぽた血が出ていた。

指５本ある？と慌てて数え、ティッシュで止血しようとするが一箇所の傷が深くてなかなか止まらない。マレーシア人達が心配そうに声をかけてくれるが、「ファーストエイドの場所知らない？」と聞いてもないらしい。絆創膏を持ってきてくれて、駐車場まで行ってくれるという親切な人がタカラを抱きかかえたら泣き止んだのでお礼を言って帰ってきた。

車で行っていたのが幸いしてすぐに帰宅して手当て。４本の指が切れていた。タカラはしばらく呆然としていたが今はすっかり元気に遊んでいる。まだJasonは出張中。土曜日の午後だし、病院に行くべきなのかという判断が一瞬でできずにあせったが、たいした怪我でなくてよかった。

マレーシアでは偽者も含めてクロックスはやってるけど、うちはもう禁止。アラタのクロックスも破れて捨てたばかり。普通靴って破れないよねー。もうひとつここで一般的にみんなが普段履いている、ビーチサンダルもクロックス同様の事故が多いらしいので気をつけないと。

I knew there are lots of accidents related to Crocs. But it still happened. Takara's right foot was stuck in between escalator and its side wall.

We were coming down from the 7th floor of Gurney Plaza. Takara and Arata were talking about one of the cinema posters which looks like the Transformers. Takara tried to climb on the escalator wall to have a good look. I shouted, "Don't do that! You will fall." And in the next moment, he screamed, "My foot!". His right shoe was stuck! I pulled it and it came off, a part of the shoe was still stuck in the escalator, but I felt relieved.

But Takara started to cry! Looking at his foot, I found it was badly bleeding. I tried to stop the bleeding with some tissue but one of the cut was quite deep. Quite a few Malaysians came to try to help us. I asked them if they know where the First Aid is. But there seems to be such facility there.

One of them brought us a couple of sticky plasters. He also offered to carry Takara to our car. When the man was carrying Takara, Takara he stopped crying. So I took him over saying thank you and came home.

He had his 4 right toes cut. He looked shocked for a while but now he is playing ok. I couldn't really make up my mind if I should take him to hospital. Anyway it wasn't that bad although this happened while Jason is away.

In Malaysia, Crocs shoes including fake ones are very popular. But I won't buy another pair for kids any more. Arata's Crocs also torn a few weeks ago. Shoes don't usually tear! Flip flops are popular here as well but they also tend to cause the same accidents.

4Y7M 2Y10M 音楽クラス Music classes

タカラは最近までLin San先生の音楽クラス(Musik Garten)にJasonと一緒に行っていた。

アラタはLin SanのクラスもSt Christpher'sの先生のクラスもトライアルしたが気に入らず、ヤマハがいいと言い張るので5月から通っている。他のクラスはミュージックアプリシエーション的なクラスだが、ヤマハは一人一台エレクトーンが与えられて学校の授業のよう。それが気に入ったのか、保護者も一緒に受けるのでママと一緒にできるのが気に入ったのか。

今日はヤマハのクラスパーティーで、みんなで歌った後、一人一曲ずつ前で演奏。アラタはTug Of Warを弾くことにした。ピアノの前に座って惑っていたのでどうなることやらと思ったが、間違えなく弾けた。アラタは楽譜とはちょっと違う両手同時の自己流で弾いていた。

今までの3ヶ月は初歩的なことだからよかったが、今後、難易度が増したら私は音符も読めないし困った。さあ、どうしましょう。

Until recently Takara was attending Lin San's music appreciation class for 2 to 4 years old, Musik Garten method, with Jason.

Arata tried Lin San's older children's class and also the one taught by a teacher at St Christopher's. Both are music appreciation type of classes but for some reason, he didn't like them much. As he insisted to go to learn at Yamaha music school, where he also did a trial a long time ago, we decided to send him there. Yamaha's classes are more like a music class at school. Each child has an electone in front and a grown-up has to stay with them. I don't know what attacts him, the way they are teaching, or the fact he can take lessons with me?

We had a class party today. All the children sang together in front first, then everybody has to play a piece on his own in front of us. Arata chose 'Tug of war'. When he sat at the electone, he looked so confused and didn't start. I was a bit worried. But once he started, he played perfectly. He arranged the piece in his own way. He played it with both hands.

So far ok as Arata has been learning basic. But even in the next level, which starts from September, it's getting more complicated, especially for ME! I've never learnt piano in my life! I don't know how I will be able to assist Arata when he practices at home.....

4Y7M 2Y10M おむつとおっぱい Nappy and breasts

写真はアラタとけんかした直後のタカラ。昨日からJasonがUKに出張。2週間も一人で子供の面倒を見るなんて、半年前だったら涙がでそうだったけど、最近タカラもかなりいろいろわかるようになってきて、アラタカラと3人で過ごすのも悪くないかなあと、楽しみだったりもする。

さて、タカラのポティトレーニング。先週末初めてパンツで外出してみた。アクシデントが一回あったが、おしっこだし、ネバーマインド。週末にオムツを買いだめし忘れたので、急遽、月曜日からパンツで幼稚園に行ってみることにした。意外にも、幼稚園ではすすんでトイレに行くみたいで、上手にやっている。

アラタの時は、少し早めに私が積極的にトレーニングしようとしたため、ナーサリーでしょっちゅうアクシデントがあって、（当時の日記はここをクリック）ウンチがついたままのパンツをそのまま返されたこともあった。アラタにとっても相当のストレスだったろうし、可哀想な事をしたと思っている。家でもじゅうたんの上にされちゃったりで、大変だったという印象しかない。

それに比べると今回は本当に楽。一番嫌なウンチの失敗はゼロだし、パンツに切り替えたと同時にオムツが外れたも同然。お母さんが子供のオムツはずれの時期をわかって、実行に移せばこんなにポティトレーニングって負担が少なくスムーズだったんだと学習。

ところが、実はタカラ、まだおっぱいが止められない。2歳過ぎて一度卒乳したのに、今年に入って何かの拍子でふとくわえさせてしまった。もうおっぱいは出ていないから、本当に癖になってしゃぶっているだけだが、暇つぶしに寄ってくる。もう口も達者だから、「大きいおっぱいが飲みた～い」と、左胸を指名したり・・・。3歳の誕生日には止めてもらうつもりだが・・・。

In this photo, Takara had just fought with Arata. Jason is away to the U.K. on business. If it had been half a year ago, I would have really felt depressed. But now Takara listens to me better and I am kind of looking forward to the next 2 weeks.

Last weekend, Takara went out with his pants for the first time. He had an accident but it was just pee and over all it was fine. Since we were running out of nappies on Monday, I tried sending Takara to kindergarten without nappy. To my surprise, he was absolutely fine. He went to the toilet without even being asked.

When Arata was on potty training, I started too early in order to really 'train' him. He had so many accidents. His pants with some poo still attached were often returned in a plastic bag from his nursery. Even at home, he sometimes pooed on the carpet! When I look back, I feel sorry for him because I gave Arata hard time unnecessarily. And my impression on potty training has been just tiring and stressful.

But this time, it's so easy. Because Takara is more or less out of nappy now. I can say that his potty training finished on the day he switched nappies to pants. I've learnt from my two experiences that potty training is so stress free if mother knows the right timing.

Yet, Takara still has another major baby problem. He isn't off my breasts! I stopped feeding after he turned 2, which was already longer than I planned, but in the beginning of this year, I just let him do and that's it. Now, he comes to my breasts whenever he gets bored, to kill time, as there is no milk any more. Nearly. 3 year old 'baby' can even request my left breast saying, "I want to have mummy's bigger breast."

4Y7M 2Y10M スイミングレッスン Swimming lesson

アラタの友達が2月から週一回スイミングレッスンを受けていて、同じ年だけどもう浮き輪なしで足のつかないプールで浮かんだりして遊んでいる。（タイラくんはレッスンなしでもそうだけどね！）

金曜日の夕方にインストラクターに来てもらっているというのでアラタも行ってみた。水に慣れてきたら本格的にレッスンを始めるということで、他の子を教えている合間に、今日は先生のひざの上に立った状態からプールに全身を沈めるというのを数回やった。

アラタは水に潜るのをすごく嫌がるけど、インストラクターと一緒だとできていた。指示に従えるし、怖がらないのでもう少し慣れたら教えられるだろうとのこと。このインストラクターは火曜日にはうちのコンドでも小学生を教えているとのことで、そこにもちょっと顔をだそうか。タカラはまだ小さすぎるのでもう少し大きくなってからと言われた。

One of Arata's friends has been taking swimming lessons since February. He has already been able to swim without floats, although he is also 4 years old. (Well, Taira can do it without taking any lessons!)

Anyway, I took Arata to the swimming lesson at their condominium. Once Arata gets used to the water, the instructor starts proper lessons. By then, Arata will be helped to feel comfortable in the water. During teaching other children, the instructor took Arata to get into the water together holding breath. Arata doesn't usually like it but this time, he could do it alright.

The instructor said Arata is 'instructorable' since he can follow the instructions and he doesn't feel scared of water. This instructor also teaches to a bit older kids at our condominium every Tuesday so if we have time we will just pop in to his class here too. Takara is a bit too young at the moment.

4Y7M 2Y10M タカラはどこだ Where are you?

今月号のめばえの付録はアイスクリーム屋さん。紙で作るめばえの付録は、いつも遊ばないうちに壊しちゃう。今回は気に入って遊んでいます。

マレーシアやシンガポールではブースター（抱き枕）を使うのが一般的。アラタカラも「ロケット」と呼んでいます。この写真はブースターの間に紛れ込んで隠れたタカラ。

Monthly Japanese magazine for small children, Mebae, comes with toys made of paper (we parents build them following the instructions.) Takara usually breaks them up before even playing with them but this time, he is enjoying playing with 'Ice cream van'.

In Malaysia and Singapore, having bolsters on the bed is very common. Aratakara are no exception here. They call bolsters 'Rockets'. A couple of weeks ago, Takara went hiding among them.

4Y7M 2Y10M 今日の言葉 Today's hits

あまりにもおいしくない自分の料理にうんざりして残したら、アラタ、「ママ、全部食べないと大きくなれないよ。」

国籍を3つ持つアラタが急に「アラタは日本人とイギリス人がいい、ニュージーランド人はやめたい」と言い出した。それを聞いた悲しそうなJasonはタカラに「オリはニュージーランド人がいいよね」と言うと、「オリ、チャイニーズがいい」だって。

As my cooking was so bad, I didn't finish my dish. Arata said, "Mama, you can't grow big if you don't finish all!"

Out of blue, Arata, who has 3 nationalities, said, "I want to stop being New Zealander. I just want to be Japanese and British." Jason felt sad and asked Takara if he is fine as New Zealander. Takara replied, "I prefer to be Chinese!"

4Y7M 2Y10M 七五三写真 Shichi go san photos

日本帰国中にアラタの七五三写真を早撮り。

アラタ、帯がきつかったのか、撮影途中で気持ち悪くなってふらふらしたため、全部脱いで休憩。明日もう一度出直すかという話しになった時、「もう少しがんばってみる」と大人びたせりふ。その通り頑張ったので一緒にいたおじいちゃんおばあちゃんはとても感激して、新幹線のプラレールを買ってあげちゃった。

In Japan, we went to have Arata's Shichi go san photos taken.

The Obi (belt) must have been quite tight. Arata complained he was sick and dizzy during the photo shooting. We took off the costume and he rest for a while. When we were considering coming back some other time, he said, "I will try my best." We were so surprised how much he has grown up.

And he really completed the photo shooting. My parents were so moved by his effort, they bought a plarail train for him!

4Y7M 2Y10M 引越し荷物到着 Boxes arrived

英国からの船便での引越し荷物が10ヵ月かかってようやく到着。

身軽な私達の全所持品はたった19箱。海賊の盗難にでもあったのかと思っていたが、荷物はまだ英国の倉庫にあると判明したのが今年5月。引越し業者に連絡しても梨のつぶてだったが、ある時「見積もり額と実費が変わったので承認をもらうまでは発送できなかったが連絡が取れなかった、半年分の倉庫代1000ポンド（20万）送れ」と言うとんでもない連絡が来た。

もちろん、荷物が遅れた事に対する補償をしてもらいたいぐらいだ、裁判で戦うぞぐらいの勢いでめずらしくJasonが掛け合って一件落着。

それにしても、今までこれらの所持品無しで生活できていたから、かなり荷物を減らしたつもりだったが、まだまだいらないものばかりだったと言う事。アラタカラの写真だけは無くならなくてよかった。

うえださんにもらった金太郎の腹巻が入っていたのでアラタカラに着せてみた。どっちが似合うかな。

Our boxes from the U.K. have finally arrived after 10 months.

We sent 19 boxes. That's all we have. But I still thought they may have been taken by Somali pirates because we were never able to find out where they were. In May the truth emerged. They were still in a storage in the U.K.!

The moving company contacted us at last saying, "We can not despatch the boxes without your acceptance of the difference between the quotation and actual costs. We have tried to contact you but no success. Please send us GBP 1000 for the half a year storage charge."

It's so untrue. They were the ones we couldn't get hold of. Of course, we managed to avoid falling prey to them.

Anyway, we thought we threw lots of things away before moving. However as we could manage to live in Penang without these stuff in the past 10 months, I have to admit that most of the boxes are not that important, except for the photos of Aratakara.

In one of the boxes, I found the baby tummy warmer my friend Ueda gave Takara. Aratakara tried it on. Who suits this better?