KAIANDUMPHALAND

I guess, it is about time to share with you all the things that Kai and his "umpha" are doing nowadays.

He has been my pride and joy since he was three months old, when every morning, his Mom (Tisha, my daughter) began to drop him off at our house. This is five days a week from eight a.m. to three p.m. When you ask him where is Kai's house...he will raise his two hands indicating our house...and will say "here." When we drive to their street he will indicate whose house we just passed by. He knows very well where Mommie and Daddy lives and that is "mommie house."

Everyday seems to be a different adventure for both of us. We have spent time at the Zoo to see his favorite "ephant," lions, monkeys, bears, tortoise, etc. He can name all the animal habitats in the Zoo. We have visited museums in Balboa Park. Although he knows his routine, like going to the nearby park with "umma." everyday. A couple of hours is spent climbing the slides, just romping around chasing balls, even chasing the plastic bag that flies in the air...or just hugging a tree. At home, we read books, play with his collections of cars or the "meni-meni" animals. He knows his ABC's and can read choice words, counts from one to ten. We spend a lot of time in the backyard; my "mini jungle" where he knows what a guava, a lemon or calamansi is and I let him pick and smell the flowers. We search for "pider," "nail" and bugs. He was introduced to butterflies, dragonflies and birds that come to visit the backyard. I let him have a small spade so he can dig dirt...He has a small watering container and will help "umpha" water the plants. Of course, he will need a change of pants and shoes later on!

He is very choosy about what he wants to watch on Television. He loves "Little Einsteins," "House of Mouse," "Super Dog," "Tom and Jerry," and would rather watch "Sponge Bob," and some of the TV7 cartoons than "Dora." Since he was introduced to the families of dinosaurs, whenever a Dinosaur cartoon is on, you can be sure that he will stay put and watch it. Anything that has an animal in the show, he will watch it or else he will grab the remote and give it to me to change the channel.

When he was eight months old I gave him a crayons and showed him how they work.

I framed his first scribble and now have it on display. His favorite color is "pupol" (purple), but ask him what color is in your hand and he will tell you if it is "yed," "yeyoo," "geen," "bouoo," etc. Now, he has an array of collection in his portfolio. From crayons to colored washable felt tip pens and pencils he graduated from them and went to gouache and water. He has created beautiful arts ready for framing...but I don't consider his achievements as a talent yet...it is just a "thing" to do by a boy who has a lot of time in his hands. This is one way I can teach him that pens, pencils and crayons are for papers and not on the walls or on anything else. I also would like to think that what we are doing with art is some sort of a time-capsule for him. It will be something for him to see when he is older and appreciate the arts. Next year in March, before his third birthday, I have reserved a gallery space for his one-boy show - "ALMOST THREE." I think this will be fun, but I am not sure how he will react! We will see. For the meantime back to the easel and drawing board. We are going to create some more arts!