Lang-8にアップしている日記（２０１１年）です。
Here are some excerpts from my diary in Lang-8.
I appreciate it if you correct my English :)
("-chan," which you often see in my diary, is something used when we call or mention someone who is very young. It's also used when you call girls' names in Japan, as in "Hanako-chan," "Fumie-chan." This "-chan" plays an important role in Japanese in that it gives you a vivid image of a little kid instantly in your mind. I may not use "-chan" when I write something in English, but it has become part of my daughters' names when I call their names, so I cannot help but use it :) )
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- January 2
Osechi-Ryori
We ate Osechi-Ryori, Japanese traditional cuisine for New Year's Day yesterday.
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan was so impressed with the beauty of the Osechi that she seemed impatient to eat it.
"Tomo-chan, sit still."
"Can I eat it now? Can I?"
"No. We'll exchange New Year's greetings first. Got it?"
"Yep. Can we start now?"
- January 3
New Year's Wish
Yesterday, my family and I went to a local shrine to pray to the god. My father is soon going to have a surgery (not a serious one), so my wife asked my three-year-old daughter,
"Did you ask the god to help your grandfather get better soon?"
"Ah, no." replied our daughter.
"Then, what did you ask the god for?" I asked.
"Bread." she said.
- January 4
Tomatoes
The other day, I went to a supermaket with my family to buy some food for dinner.
My three-year-old daughter loves tomatoes, so we went to the fruit/vegetable aisle to buy some.
There were two types of tomatoes: the normal round tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. My wife said to our daughter,
"Now, you'll see two kinds of tomatoes -- big ones and small ones. Compare the two and choose one. Okay?"
"Okay." said our daughter.
My daughter walked behind my wife.
We were passing by the normal tomatoes section. My wife started to explain,
"Now, these are big tomatoes --"
I noticed my daughter had already put a pack of big tomatoes into the shopping basket.
- January 5
Okasan
Yesterday, my three-year-old daughter called her mother "Okasan" for the first time. "Okasan" is a formal way of saying "Mommy." A formal way of saying "Daddy" is "Otosan."
Daughter: "Say, Okasan, --"
Wife: (surprised and happy) "Wh- what did you say?"
Me: "Yes, your mommy is 'Okasan!' What do you call me then?"
She thought for a while and answered,
Daughter: "Masaru."
(Masaru is my given name)
- January 6
Angry Dental Hygienist
When my three-year-old daughter gets angry, she starts to brush her teeth.
Daughter: "Enough! Stop telling me off, people! I'll go brush my teeth and go to bed! Give me the strawberry-flavored toothpaste. No! I said 'grape flavored', didn't I?"
- January 10
Lecture
The other day, my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan got a discount ticket for a soft ice cream shop. I promised her to take her to the shop on the condition that she behaved herself.
Me: "Tomo-chan, don't run around in the supermarket. You won't be able to eat ice cream."
Daughter: "Not ice cream, Daddy. Soft ice cream."
Me: "Tomo-chan, stop touching the ground! You won't be able to eat ice cream!"
Daughter: "Soft ice cream!"
- January 14
Marriage
My three-year-old daughter seems to misunderstand the definition of the word "marry."
Daughter: "Are you and mommy married?"
Me: "Yes, we are."
Daughter: "Gee. I'll marry Haru-chan then."
Wife: "Haru-chan is your sister, so you can't marry her."
Daughter: "Hmm... I'll marry Rinrin."
(Rinrin is her best "girl" friend at her nursery.)
- January 15
Air Pat
My three-year-old daughter runs to me when I get home, saying "Welcome back, Daddy! Hug me!"
She didn't tell me to hug her last night, so I asked her why.
Me: "Don't you want a hug?"
Daughter: "The doctor told me not to touch daddy."
Wife: "She has a slight conjunctivitis, a virus one, so she can't touch you. She can't take a bath, either."
My daughter sadly gazed at my belly for a while, and pretended to touch me saying, "Pat, pat."
I ended up hugging her as usual.
- January 16
Mejiro
I caught sight of a Mejiro, or a Japanese White-eye, in my yard this morning. There's a bare cherry tree, and my daughter and I hang slices of tangerines for wild birds every morning in the wintertime.
I asked my daughter what we wanted to name the bird, and she answered, "Mejiro-san."
- January 23
Parkaholic
My family and I went to a park this afternoon. My three-year-old daughter played there for two hours.
We went back to the car and my wife asked me, “Now, where are we going?”
Our daughter answered, “Back to the park.”
- January 24
Which Hand?
(Tomo-chan is my three-year-old daughter. My family and I were taking a walk)
My wife: "Tomo-chan, stop picking your nose."
Tomo-chan: "Okay."
My wife: "Not again. Tomo-chan, stop picking your nose, will you?"
Tomo-chan: "A-ha."
(Two seconds later, she spoke to me)
Tomo-chan: "Daddy, can you hold my hand?"
- January 25
Ukulele
(Tomo-chan is my three-year-old daughter)
Tomo: "Mommy, did I come from your tummy?"
My wife: "Yes, you did. Just like your baby sister."
Me: "Do you remember anything when you were there?"
Tomo: "Let's see... I heard your ukulele, Daddy."
- January 27
Birthday Girls?
Yesterday was my second daughter's birthday. I bought a big stuffed bear and a birthday cake for her.
When I got home, my first daughter ran up to me, hugged the bear and said,
"Thank you for the present, Daddy!"
After dinner, she sang a birthday song for her baby sister.
- January 28
Let Me Out
I take a bath with my daughters. My three-year-old daughter and I make it a rule to count to ten before getting out of the bathtub.
My daughter and me: "One, two, three, four, --"
My daughter: "Daddy, will it be fine tomorrow?"
Me: "I think it will. I haven't checked the weather report, though."
My daughter: "Good. One, two, three, --"
My daughter and me: "Four, five, six, seven, --"
My daughter: "Oh, Daddy, why can't we eat the cakes first?"
Me: "Because -- because it's not polite to skip what your mother cooks."
My daughter: "I see. Well, one, two, three --"
- January 29
Smiles
My family and I went to a local ramen shop for lunch today.
While we were eating, my three-year-old daughter waved at a total stranger, who wore a pair of shades and a dragon shirt.
He looked a little surprised and waved back at her.
- January 31
One-way Traffic
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan had a high fever yesterday, so my wife and I took her to the hospital to see a doctor.
The moment she saw a nurse at the counter, she started to cry,
"I'm cured! My fever is gone!"
(It turned out that she had the flu)
I phoned to check if she was all right this morning. My wife was sick too, so she got the phone and told me our daughter was getting much better. When I was about to hang up the phone, she told me Tomo-chan wanted to talk with me on the phone. It was going to be our first phone talk, so I felt a little awkward.
"Ahem. -- Well, Tomo-chan?"
"Ah, Daddy? It's me, Tomo-chan. Tomo-chan is getting better, so don't worry about me, where are you, school I bet, come home quick and go to bed together, oh guess what, grandpa bought Tomo-chan some pudding and I took medicine together with the pudding, --"
- February 1
I Owe Her One
When I was brushing my teeth with my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan last night, she abruptly took the cup out of my hand and started rinsing it out. I asked her why. She answered,
"I used it first, so my germs are on it."
Yesterday she had the flu.
Since I don't know when, I haven't thrown up when I brush my teeth: I had had this habit of vomiting for years whenever I brushed my teeth, especially in winter, probably because of the side effect of the chemotherapy I took many years ago.
By brushing teeth with my family -- talking, singing, tickling and helping each other, I think I have grown out of this habit.
- February 13
Okonomiyaki of Love
Yesterday, my family and I ate okonomiyaki (Japanese vegetable pancakes) for dinner. I asked my three-year-old daughter,
"How would you like your sauce?"
She answered,
"Draw a heart, please."
- February 14
Help Me, St. Valentine
(On Valentine's Day, there's a custom that girls give chocolates to boys in Japan)
On Feb 14 every year, my wife buys some chocolates for my students. My school is an all boys' school. But yesterday, I had to go and get the chocolates myself because she had a cold.
I went to the Valentine's Day section in the local supermarket. It was crowded with young women. No men could be seen.
I walked to and fro in an aisle a short distance from the section, hoping they'd soon finish buying their chocolate.
Five minutes or so passed. The moment all the women customers were gone from sight, I dashed in to the section, grabbed some chocolates, and made a beeline for the cashier. But the cashier was so busy gift-wrapping something that I ended up being surrounded by young women giving me curious looks.
- February 17
Lecture
(Tomo-chan is my three-year-old daughter)
The other day --
My mother: "Tomo-chan, do you get it?"
Tomo-chan: "Hai, hai. (Yeah, yeah)"
My mother: "You don't say "hai" twice -- it sounds impolite."
Yesterday --
Tomo-chan: "Can you get me a glass of milk, Mommy?"
My wife: "Hai, hai."
Tomo-chan: "You don't say "hai" twice -- it sounds impolite."
- February 20
Two Glasses of Milk
This morning, I asked my three-year-old daughter not to pour milk until I went back to the living room. I wanted to go get my pair of socks, and the milk carton was too heavy for her to handle without me.
When I went back to the table, she said to me, "Daddy, I spilled the milk."
Milk was all over the floor. I was about to scold her, when I noticed my glass had been half-filled with milk.
- February 21
Paving the Way
My daughter Tomo-chan and I walked our dog Hana yesterday morning.
We like walking along the river in the neighborhood.
On the way, she picked up a stone and threw it away. I asked her why. She answered,
"I thought Hana would stumble on it."
- February 25
High Five
When I was about to pat my one-year-old baby girl's head yesterday, she smiled and gave me a high five.
- February 27
Shower
My family and I went to the public hot spring in my neighborhood last night. I have two little daughters, so I took one daughter to the men's bathroom with me, my wife, the other.
When I was washing my body outside the bathtub, I sneezed. Then my three-year-old daughter turned her shower toward me, spraying me with hot water.
- March 6
Nursery Education
Yesterday, my wife asked me if I wanted another glass of beer at the dinner table. I said yes and held out my glass with a little beer still in it, when my three-year-old daughter told me,
"Daddy, you should finish your glass first before you ask for second helpings."
- March 8
Marriage
Yesterday, my three-year-old daughter was talking with my mother.
"Grandma, what happens when I get married?"
"Lots of things. Happy ones -- oh, and your daddy will cry."
"Then, I won't get married."
- March 16
Pet Cat
At last, I started keeping a cat at home!
I love cats very, very much. But my family used to be kind of against having a cat at home, saying it would scratch tatami mats and the shoji screen. This month, my brother moved from his house to an apartment, and he had to give his cat away.
My wife and parents allowed me to keep the cat on condition that if no one appeared to take the cat then I could keep it.
This Monday, the cat, it's a she, finally came to my house. I often take my three-year-old daughter to Neko Cafe, where people can meet lots of cats, so my daughter was overjoyed. She sat side by side with the cat all evening.
- March 20
Two Lollipops
I went to the local supermarket with my three-year-old daughter this morning.
After getting what I needed for dinner, I said to her,
"You can buy one sweet, so pick your favorite one."
She thought for a while and brought me two lollipops. I told her to put one back. Then she said,
"One is for you, the other is for me."
- March 21
New Record
Yesterday, I was about to go to the local station to pick my mother up, when my three-year-old daughter asked me to take her with me. I told her that the ride would be 10 minutes or so, and asked her to stay with her grandfather at home. Then she cried, "I want to pick my grandma up!!" In the end, I allowed her to come along.
After a couple of minutes, she fell asleep in the passenger's seat.
- March 22
New Family
We started keeping a pet cat at home last week. My three-year-old daughter has been keeping the living room door a little open. I asked why. She answered,
"I leave the door open so that the cat Kuro-chan can come in."
When my mother happens to close the door 100%, my daughter yells,
"Grandma, leave the door a little open for Kuro-chan!"
- March 23
Sprinter
My one-year-old daughter has started toddling recently. But when she hurries, when she goes to the dining table for example, she crawls.
- March 25
Rival
I got a cat the other day. It is a girl. She usually sleeps on my pillow at night.
Though, last night, she came to sit between me and my wife and went to sleep. My wife said angrily to the cat,
"Hey, he's my husband."
- March 26
Nice Try
At dinner yesterday, I said to my three-year-old daughter,
"Tomo-chan, eldows off the table."
Then she said to me,
"My elbows are -- cleaning the table."
- March 27
It's Not a Job
I have two daughters. One is one-year-old Haru-chan, and the other is three-year-old Tomo-chan.
Haru-chan is fond of reading books. She often asks me, my wife and my parents to help her to turn the pages.
Yesterday evening --
Haru-chan: "(Toddling toward my mother with her favorite picture book in her hand) Da."
My mother: "Want me to read it for you again? Okay, sit on my lap. Gee, you really are a bookworm. I wonder what you will be in the future. A scholar, maybe?"
Tomo-chan: "I'm going to be a princess."
- March 29
The Lion's Share
My family and I went to a doughnut shop the other day. I ordered some doughnuts, two large paper cups of pineapple juice for me and my wife, and one small pineapple juice for my daughters. The small cup had a cute lion drawing on it.
When I took the tray to the table, my three-year-old daughter said "Thank you," and grabbed the large cup.
- April 1
April Fools Day
At the dinner table this evening --
Tomo-chan: "Daddy, what's 'April Fools Day?' "
Me: "It's the day when we can tell a lie."
My wife: "That's right. Tomo-chan, can you tell a lie?"
Tomo-chan: "??? -- Lie."
- April 2
Grandfather
Last night, my baby girl was sleeping on my father's chest. He was sound asleep, and I slowly held her and tried to take her to our bedroom, when he woke up suddenly, grabbing her leg with a very surprised look. Then he noticed it was me, and gave me a big smile.
- April 3
I Can't Afford It
Yesterday, I had some friends at my house to have a cherry blossom viewing party. My family was busy preparing for it all afternoon. My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan helped us, too.
Wife: "(Setting the table) Is there anyone who cannot drink?"
Me: "Yes, there is."
Wife: "Oh, what should I do? We have no soft drinks."
Me: "Never mind. I got some green tea and Coca Cola yesterday."
Tomo-chan: "Koala?"
- April 4
Sunday Alarm
On Sundays, I get up late. My three-year-old daugthter Tomo-chan yells at me,
"Daddy, what time do you think it is!"
She can't read the clock.
- April 9
Challenger
When I got up early this morning, my cat, Kuromi, was sleeping on my wife's belly.
- April 14
Popping the Question
At my daughter's nursery, teachers choose an elder child as a partner for each young kid. The older children are supposed to take care of the younger ones. My daughter's partner is a boy named Koki.
Last night, my daughter said to me, "Daddy, Koki told me that he would take care of me forever."
- April 17
Best Present
Yesterday was my 36th birthday. My one-year-old daughter called me daddy for the first time last night.
- April 21
Excuse Me
My wife brought two leftover lunch boxes from her office last evening, so my family and I ate the leftovers together with dinner. My one-year-old daughter was sitting on my wife's lap eating the food from the lunch boxes.
Daughter: "(Pointing at beans in the lunch box) Da."
Wife: "You want it? You don't need to hurry. There's a lot of food in there. Hey, can you guys help us finish the lunch boxes?"
She pushed one box forward so her mother could reach it; then my daughter grabbed the box and pulled it back.
- April 29
Too Hard to Chew
("Pan" means "bread" in Japanese)
I asked my three-year-old daughter what she wanted to eat for breakfast this morning.
Me: "Okay, time for breakfast. What do you want to eat?"
Daughter: "Furaipan (A frying pan)."
- April 30
Her Favorite Song?
My family and I went to a park by car yesterday. In the car, my one-year-old daughter was sound asleep, and my three-year-old daughter was singing some songs that she learned at her nursery.
When she started singing the third song, her baby sister woke up suddenly and started clapping her hands rhythmically.
- May 3
Environmentally-friendly Girl
I took a bath with my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan last night.
"Let me help you wash your hair."
"Daddy, you pushed out too much shampoo again. How many times must we go through this? Mommy told me not to use too much shampoo when I wash my hair. You've got to use less shampoo or --"
"Gotcha."
"Say 'yes,' please."
"Yes."
- May 4
Discovery
My three-year-old daughter runs around in the house, at about 20 kmp. No matter how many times my wife and I tell her not to, she won't stop.
Yesterday, though, I finally found a way to slow her down.
I asked her to feed our cat, Kuromi, in the morning yesterday. When she brought the water in the bowl, she walked on tiptoes at about 10 mph (meters per hour).
- May 5
Nodding
When my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan nods, she leans her head back first and swings it extremely quickly.
- May 7
Raincheck?
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan loves singing. She has an imaginary "stage" in the living room. Her show began again last evening.
Tomo-chan: "Daddy, I'm going to sing something."
Me: "Okay."
Tomo-chan: "Oh, are you willing to listen to my songs?"
Me: "I'm all ears."
Tomo-chan "Guess what I'm going to sing -- "
My wife: "Dinner is ready."
Tomo-chan: "Coming."
(She went away)
- May 9
Jealousy
When my wife tried to kiss my forehead last night, my little daughter Tomo-chan got angry and prevented it by putting her hand between us.
- May 13
Picture Book
When I was reading a picture book for my one-year-old daughter last evening, she was pretending to take the foods from the pages and hold them to my mouth.
- May 14
Watch Your Mouth
When I used the word "stupid" at the dinner table last evening, my three-year-old daughter told me off. She said,
"Humans are the only animals that say 'stupid.'"
- May 18
You Mean Band-Aid
My wife had a meeting at her office last evening, so I stopped by the nursery to pick up my daughters for the first time in a long time on my way home yesterday.
On seeing me, my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan yelled "Daddy!" and rushed toward me. She jumped into my arms and glanced at my elbow.
"Did you hurt your elbow?" she asked.
"Yes, I slipped in the bathroom." I said.
"I'll give you a piece of Scotch tape at home, so don't worry!"
- May 22
Leading Question
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan and I went out and stopped by a doughnut shop as usual yesterday. My wife stayed at home to clean the house. On our way home, I told my daughter not to tell her mother that we had eaten doughnuts. My wife is against me giving our daughter afternoon snacks.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back. Was the zoo fun?"
"Super!"
"And the doughnuts?"
"I didn't eat any doughnuts."
"Oh, didn't you?"
"No, I didn't."
"How many doughnuts did you eat today?"
"I didn't eat anything."
"All right then. Oh, was it chocolate-flavored or strawberry-flavored?"
"Chocolate-flavored."
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Come here and sit down."
- May 23
I Know, I Know
The other day, my three-year-old daughter and I went to a local supermarket. I lifted her up onto the shopping cart and went to pick up a bottle of sake first. When I paid for it and was about to leave the cashier, the lady at the counter said,
"Wait, you are leaving the sake!"
I returned to the counter and got the sake.
The other customers were smiling at me, when my girl said to me while grinning,
"Wait, you are leaving the sake!"
- May 24
Goldfish
My goldfish, Kin-chan, died yesterday. He was about four years old.
Four years ago, I went to school, my worklace, and found a lot of fish on a fellow teacher's desk. They were used for the school festival for a game called dipping for goldfish. They were in a plastic bottle with a hole, and some of them were dead apparently for lack of oxygen. The rest of the fish were desperately breathing at the surface of the water filled with fish droppings.
I decided to take the fish home, so I picked the bottle up. On my way home, I dropped by a supermarket and exchanged water, and bought a fish tank and a ball-point pen. I took the pen to pieces to make a straw. I kept breathing in the bottle with the glass tube to give the fish oxygen till I got home.
Within a few days, all the fish died except two fish. I got a toy pipe for them. They were sometimes in the pipe together, making my wife and me smile.
One of the two, Dokin-chan, died last year, and I buried her in my yard.
I'll bury Kin-chan this morning in the same place. I hope they'll see each other again in heaven.
- May 29
Any Name Will Do
My wife, my daughters and I took a bath together for the first time in a long time last evening. Tomo-chan is my three-year-old daughter, and Haru-chan is my one-year-old daughter. Haru-chan has started to react to her name recently.
Me: "Haru-chaaan?"
Haru-chan: "Aaaaaai (I'm 'ear')."
Tomo-chan: "Oh, Daddy, call my name too!"
Me: "Tomo-chaaaan?"
Tomo-chan: "Haaaaai (I'm here)."
Haru-chan: "Aaaaaai (I'm 'ear')."
- June 5
Date
I had yesterday off, but my wife had thought I would have to go to work. As a result, she asked the nursery to take care of our daughters; she had to go to her friend's house in the morning. We decided to get together at noon and to "go for a date" for the first time in years.
We went to an amusement park and enjoyed three different roller coasters. To be exact, it was she who enjoyed them. She teased me, saying I was screaming the whole day.
I felt it a bit weird not to have my daughters around and to be just the two of us. My wife and I haven't gone out on many dates -- two months after we first met, I popped the question.
- June 8
So-so Slide
My family and I went to a park the other day. My one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, enjoyed the slide by herself for the first time.
"How was the slide?" asked my wife.
My daughter gazed at her for five seconds, then nodded.
- June 11
Her Concept of Birthday
Tomo-chan asked me about her age yesteray.
"Daddy, will I be four years old soon?"
"Let's see -- your birthday is in November, and it's June now. Well, it's about half a year away."
"Oh my."
"Do you want to be four years old?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because then I can eat cake."
- June 19
Fumbling
At the dinner table last evening --
Tomo-chan: "Mommy?"
My wife: "What?"
Tomo-chan: "Why did you get married to daddy?"
My wife: "Huh? Ah-- good question. Good question. Let's see -- well, why don't you ask your daddy?"
Me: "Huh? Gee, why did I get married to your mommy? Well let's see -- hmm, I got married to your mommy because, because --"
Tomo-chan: "You liked each other, that's why?"
My wife and me: "Ah, yeah. Kind of -- yes, you're right, I guess."
(Note: We Japanese don't have the habit of saying "love" in public. It's considered to be something extremely embarrassing!)
- June 25
Her Tactics
This morning, at breakfast --
Tomo-chan said, "Someone get me water, please."
My wife and I were talking. Then Tomo-chan said,
"Someone who is kind enough to get me water, get me water, please."
- June 26
Not for Me
Yestereday, my family and I went to an amusement park named Harmony Land in Oita prefecture. It features characters for little girls, such as Kitty and Pomupomu-Pudding. We enjoyed many kinds of rides and lastly went to the souvenir shop.
My three-year-old daughter stopped at a stuffed animal section, so I told her to pick one up if she wanted.
"I want this Kitty," she said and put it into the shopping basket.
When I was leaving the section, she picked up another, saying, "This is for Haru-chan." (Haru-chan is her one-year-old sister)
I gave her a big smile, then she picked another cute Kitty and said, "And this is for you."
- June 29
Handshake
When my wife and I were sitting side by side in the living room last night, my three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, held my hand and put it onto my wife's palm.
- July 5
Greeting
I took a bath with my one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, yesterday.
She got out the bath first to have herself dried by my wife.
One minute after she left the bathroom, she came back, opened the bathroom door and waved goodbye to me.
- July 10
Summer Festival
Yesterday, my family and I went to a local summer festival. My daughters enjoyed eating grilled corn and shaved ice.
When the fireworks started, a lot of parents started to carry their children on their shoulders.
- July 11
Bird?
My wife is expecting. I asked my three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, to name her future sibling -- she named her baby sister, Haru-chan, one and a half years ago.
"Say, Tomo-chan, what would you like to name your next baby sister or brother?"
"Penguin."
- July 16
Synchronized Brushing
My three-year-old daughter and I usually brush our teeth together at night. Last night, I put some toothpaste on her toothbrush as usual, and then I noticed her gazing at me while I was putting toothpaste on my brush.
"Why don't you start brushing?" I asked.
"I'll start brushing when you start" she answered.
- July 17
Hug Rule
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan often asks me for a hug. When we go to bed, she always ask me to hug and take her to the bedroom.
I noticed a "hug rule" : when I'm hugging her baby sister Haru-chan, she never asks me to hug.
- July 18
Breach of Promise?
When I am mean to my daughter Tomo-chan, she always says,
"That does it! I won't marry you!"
- July 19
Guardian Angel
The other day, I was walking down the street hand in hand with my daughter Tomo-chan. She spotted a car approaching us and said,
"Daddy, a car is coming."
Then she pulled my forefinger to take me to the side of the road.
- July 20
Boss
Last night, my three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, told my father off.
“Grandpa, eat the carrots! All of them!”
（She is 72 years younger than him）
- July 21
Bathtime?
The other day, my family and I went to a local summer festival. I helped my one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, to wear yukata (Japanese traditional summer clothes).
The moment I undressed her, she ran into the bathroom.
- August 1
I Know, I Know
The other day, my daugter Tomo-chan and I were listening to music played by Jake Shimabukuro, who is one of the best ukulele players of all time.
I admire him a lot, and I practice ukulele myself.
She asked me who was playing the ukulele, so I said it was Jake Shimabukuro. Then she said to me, "(He's) much better than you, Daddy."
- August 3
Did What?
The other day, I woke up at midnight. Then I noticed my three-year-old daughter was asleep right beside my face. I was looking at her, thinking, "How come you didn't tell me you'd grow up so fast."
She then started talking in her sleep;
"I didn't do it. My daddy did."
- August 8
Here You Are
Yesterday, my family and I ate out at a restaurant. My wife noticed she had left our baby girl Haru-chan's bib in the car. So she put her hand under Haru-chan's chin so that the food wouldn't spill on her shirt.
Gazing at the hand, Haru-chan put some food on my wife's palm.
- August 10
Powdered Medicine
I hate to take powdered medicine. The other day, I kind of hesitated to take the medicine as usual, when my three-year-old daughter said to me,
"Come on. Be quick about it."
- August 18
Tunnel
I was standing hand in hand with my three-year-old daughter in a shopping mall yesterday. Then a little girl walked up and stopped in front of us. She wouldn't walk around us, so we raised our arms. Then she walked under them.
- August 29
Battle
I bought some pieces of cake for dessert in the evening yesterday. My wife chose a cheese cake, my three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, decided on mango pudding.
They started to fight;
"Say, Tomo-chan, can I have some pudding of yours?"
"If you give some of yours."
"Of course -- hey, can't you give a little more? That's too little."
"You put a little bit of cake on your spoon too!"
"No, this'll be enough. Can you give me a piece of mango together with the pudding?"
"Give me a break. The mango is all Tomo-chan's."
- August 30
Dojo
Last evening, I poured barley tea for my one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, at the dinner table. She gazed at me for a while, and said smiling,
"Dojo (Here you are)."
I guess she tried to say "Arigato (Thank you)."
- August 31
Police
The summer is about to be over. I make it a rule to eat shaved ice at a restaurant, Royal Host, every late August. I have been eating the same shaved ice, green tea flavored, for 18 years in a row. I first went to the restaurant with one of my best friends from university, and we both liked it very much. Ever since I got married, though, I've eaten it with my family.
It was dazzlingly hot yesterday, so I gave in and secretly ate the green tea shaved ice alone at Royal Host on my way home. At the cashier's counter, I spotted a delicious-looking instant rice-cracker with miso soup at the souvenir section, so I bought one for my family.
At home, my wife found the miso box in the kitchen --
"Honey, where'd you get that?"
"Well, at -- ah, isn't it what you've wanted to eat? The famous rice-cracker miso soup."
"A-ha. So where did you get it?"
"Ever since I saw it on TV, I've wanted to eat it too. And finally I found it today!"
"Good for you. Where did you get it?"
"It -- it doesn't matter where I got it, does it? Imagine crispy rice-crackers are floating in rich miso --"
"WHERE?"
"Royal Host."
- September 1
Ringing in My Ears
I took my daughters to an otolaryngologist to remove their earwax yesterday.
While I was writing down their names at the counter, my one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, started to cry. Then a lady nearby walked up to her and cradled her in her arms.
I was asked by the doctor to hold my daughters' arms and legs tight in the chair so that they wouldn't get hurt while their ears were cleaned.
My three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, screamed;
"Oh, NOOOOOO!! It hurts! Stop it! STOOOOP IT!! I mean it!! Sto- Sto- STOOOOOOOOOP it!!"
Haru-chan's vocabulary was quite limited;
"Gyaaaaaah!! Hurchu! Hurchu! HUUUUUUUUURCHU!!"
Back in the waiting room, Haru-chan was still crying. Seeing that, a little girl came up to us and gave a picture book to her.
- September 2
Friends
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan and I played with a sticker book last evening. She asked me where to put animal stickers.
"Where should I put this animal, Daddy?"
"It's a shark, so he lives in the water."
"What about this bird?"
"Swan. She swims in the lake."
She put the swan sticker right next to the shark. Then she smiled and said, "They are friends."
- September 3
Coughing
My three-year-old daughter has a slight cold, and has been coughing a little for a few days.
In the bed last night, I put my head on her belly to talk to her. Then she said to me, "Daddy, don't do that. You'll catch a cold."
- September 8
Counting
My daughter, Tomo-chan, has learned how to count things recently.
The day before yesterday, she said,
"Grandma, why are there two hamburger steaks on daddy's plate, and one on mine?"
Yesterday, she said,
"Daddy, you have three cherry tomatoes. Let me eat one tomato. You can eat two."
- September 17
On Second Thought
The other day, Tomo-chan asked me not to go to work.
"Daddy, don't go to work, will you?"
"Ah -- why?"
"Because I want to go to the park."
"I can take you to the park on weekends. You know what? If I should stop working, you wouldn't be able to eat your favorite food."
"You mean doughnuts, tomatoes, and everything?"
"No doughnuts, no tomatoes."
"Daddy?"
"What?"
"Go to work."
- September 19
Night Night
There was a baby spider in the bathroom last night. Outside the bathroom, I was waiting for my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan, holding my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan in my arms. They talked to the spider as they were leaving;
Tomo-chan: "Can I turn off the light?"
Haru-chan: "Bye-bye."
- September 21
Cooperation
After taking a bath together, my wife was drying our three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan's hair with a bath towel. Watching this, our one-year-old daughter Haru-chan started drying my wife's hair with a bath towel.
- September 24
Boxer?
(the original lyrics)
♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Sokode awatete shippu shita (Not knowing what to do, he gave her a hot compress)
---
My three-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, started to sing this Japanese traditional song, whose title I forgot, yesterday morning. She often mispronounces or remembers songs in a wrong way, so the song ended up with a more surprising ending than giving a compress.
Tomo-chan:
"♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Gombe-san no akachan ga kaze hita (Gombe's baby caught a cold)
♪Sokode awatete fukku shita (Not knowing what to do, he gave her a hook)"
- September 25
Amusement Park
My family and I went to a zoo yesterday. Inside the zoo, there was a little amusement park with some rides for small kids. The moment my three-year-old daughter found it, she started to jump around and ran to me, saying,
"Daddy! Give me your wallet!"
- September 28
Bra
Tomo-chan sometimes helps me fold the laundry. Yesterday, she picked up my wife's bra and asked me what it was.
"Daddy, what's this?"
"It's a bra. Your mommy's."
"Can I wear it too?"
"No, you can't. Only adults can."
"Do you and grandpa wear it then?"
"No, we would be arrested."
"Can I try it on?"
"Go ahead."
(She put the bra on her head.)
- October 3
Fifth Wedding Anniversary
October 1st was my 5th wedding anniversary.
In the morning, we went to see Sports Day at our daughters' nursery school. Our three-year-old daughter won first place in short distance running! It was my first time to see my daughter win a competition, so I was moved. Then our baby girl Haru-chan and I took part in a game called "Shopping at a Vegetable Shop" and bought an apple in the playground.
In the afternoon, my wife and I asked my parents to take care of our daughters and had dinner at a hotel. We walked along the beach and spent our time together, just the two of us, for the first time in a long time. Next thing we knew, though, we were watching our daughters' motion pictures of the Sports Day over and over again at the dinner table.
The next day on our way home, we decided to buy some cake to thank our parents and celebrate the first victory of our daughter.
- October 7
Miso Soup
My one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, seemed to like the taste of the miso soup we had for dinner yesterday. Every time she sipped it, she placed the bowl on the table, turned to her mother, and gave her a big smile.
- October 8
Sisters
When I was about to rinse Haru-chan's hair after shampooing her, my three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan got out of the bathtub and put her hands on Haru-chan's face so that water wouldn't go in her eyes.
- October 9
Rubber Duckey
In the bathroom, Tomo-chan used her rubber ducky and "talked" to me last night.
"(Making the rubber ducky bow) Hello."
"Hello. What's your name?"
"Ga-chan."
"How old are you, Ga-chan?"
"I'm three."
"Oh, you're my daughter's age. Who do you like better, Tomo-chan or Haru-chan?"
"Tomo-chan."
- October 10
Telling Off
My three-year-old daughrer, Tomo-chan kept calling my name while I was talking with my wife yesterday.
Tomo-chan: "Daddy?"
(I was talking with my wife)
Tomo-chan: "Daddy?"
(I was talking with my wife)
Tomo-chan: " -- Daddy!"
Me: "Sorry. What's up, Tomo-chan?"
Tomo-chan: "Mimi Tsuiteruno (Have you got your ears)?"
("Mimi Tsuiteruno," literally translated as "Have you got your ears?," is a phrase Japanese people use to tell off someone who won't listen. This phrase sounds rude and is basically used by adults when they are really upset or mad)
- October 11
Picking Me up?
Yesterday, I went to a mega shopping mall with my family. While my wife was in a variety store, my daughters and I were waiting for her at the indoor playground.
I was sitting, watching lots of children playing there, when a little girl, three or four years of age, walked up to me and sat next to me.
She placed her hand on my cheek and said to me, "Hi, how are you?"
- October 12
Music Teacher
My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan has recently started to teach songs to her baby sister, Haru-chan. When Haru-chan can't follow, Tomo-chan slows her song down so she can sing along.
- October 14
Dolphin Kiss
Yesterday, I took a bath with my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan. She was playing with her toy dolphin in the bathtub.
When our eyes met, she came closer and made the dolphin kiss me.
- October 15
Nurse
(In Japan, when your little child gets injured, parents often say "Itaino Itaino Tondeke." This means "Pain, pain, go away!")
Yesterday, my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan tripped over something and started to cry. Watching this, her big sister Tomo-chan walked up to her and said,
"Itaino Itaino Papa ni Tondeke (Pain, pain, go to daddy.)"
- October 16
Calendar
On October first, I tore away the September page of the calendar in the bathroom and was about to throw it away, when my daughter asked me to make something with it. I made a paper crane and gave it to her.
She seemed so glad that she has kept asking me the same question pointing at the October page, "Are you still using this page?"
- October 17
Beats Me
My daughters and I went to a public bath yesterday. When I was paying and receiving a locker key at the counter, a lady started to talk with my one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan.
"Oh, what a cute girl! How are you?"
"Da. Baradadara Rabababadaba."
"Oh, really? And then?"
"Da. Baba Radadaba Babarubamba Ba."
"You can say that again."
Then she walked up to me and asked, "Can you interpret for me?"
- October 18
Little Flamingo
Yesterday, when I turned to my daughter Haru-chan to dress her in a pair of pants, she was standing with one foot in the air.
- October 19
Bathroom Imp
Last night, when my wife was in the bathroom, our daughter Haru-chan started to cry in front of the door. Then her big sister Tomo-chan came over, started to knock and bang on the door yelling,
"Mommy! Haru-chan is crying! Can you hurry up a bit? Is it poo or pee? Hello! Are you done yet?"
- October 22
Both?
My wife tore her toast in two and was about to give one to our daughter Tomo-chan during breakfast, when Tomo-chan gazed at her and put up two fingers.
- October 23
It Takes Two to Eat
Last night, my family and I ate out at a barbecue restaurant. My one-year-old daughter, Haru-chan, picked up a pair of chopsticks and started to gaze at them. Some time later, she gave one chopstick to me.
- October 31
China?
I stayed in the United States for one week last week. It was a school trip. I've been working for the same junior high school for nine years, and this was my third travel around the West coast of the States with my students.
We saw a beautiful sunrise at the Grand Canyon. It was breathtaking.
Before going to the States, I told my daughter Tomo-chan that I would buy a stuffed animal for her. When I asked what animal she wanted, she said, "Panda."
- November 1
Family
Since I had a day off yesterday, I took my daughters to the nursery school with my mother in the morning. My wife or my father usually takes them to the school on my workdays.
In the car, my little daughter Tomo-chan started to ask something;
"Daddy, why doesn't grandpa go to the nursery with us today?"
"Because I am with you."
"Poor grandpa. He must be feeling lonely at home, with no one beside him. Mom's at work, dad's here, grandma's here -- oh wait, on second thought, Kuro-chan is at home! He cannot be lonely! Oh what a relief --"
(Kuro-chan is our pet cat)
- November 3
Kiss
When my family was watching a drama on TV, a young couple started to kiss. My daughter Tomo-chan asked my wife,
"Did they kiss each other because they would eventually get married?"
My wife smiled and said,
"Yes, I guess so."
Then Tomo-chan turned to me, grinned and kissed my cheek.
- November 4
Dietitian
During dinner last evening, my daughter Tomo-chan pointed at her meal and said,
"Oh, I've got to eat the spinach. It's good for my health."
- November 6
Carrots
My daughter Tomo-chan hates to eat carrots. She makes every excuse to avoid eating carrots. Yesterday she said,
"Don't make me eat carrots. If I eat them, mind you, I will become a rabbit."
- November 7
Actress
I took my daughters to the zoo yesterday. Before going out, I told my daughters to take a nap.
I first told Tomo-chan to sleep.
"We'll go to the zoo if you take a quick nap."
"Really? Oh, I'll sleep, I'll sleep!"
"-- Tomo-chan?"
"ZZZ--."
"-- Tomo-chan?"
"ZZZ--."
"-- Toooomoooo-chan?"
"Psst. I'm asleep."
- November 9
Candy
My three-year-old daughter got some candies from her grandmother yesterday. Finding me entering the living room, she said to me, "Daddy, I'll give you a candy."
"That's nice of you. But I cannot use my hands now. I'm holding books, my bag and other stuff, so you can eat them all," I replied.
Then she walked up to me and put one candy into my trouser pocket.
- November 13
Dream Pillow
I think sleeping is a very important part of our life since we sleep about one third of a day. So I never compromise on my pillows. I looked for an ideal pillow for many years, and finally I found a perfect pillow last night. The feel of it, the spring of it -- they couldn't be better.
Never did I dream that I would use a pretty ladybird as my pillow, though.
This is a top secret to my students.
- November 14
See You
Yesterday, my wife bought a new car. Since she's giving birth to a baby boy in February, we decided to buy a bigger car.
My wife told our three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan to say good-bye to the car in the morning. She answered, "I said good-bye when we washed the car."
I suggested we take a group photo with the old car. I asked Tomo-chan to place her hand on the car. Then she put her hand on my wife's belly and smiled.
- November 15
Sexual Discrimination
The other day, we ate out at a restaurant. There were desserts served as part of my childrens' meals, apple jelly, and my little daughter Tomo-chan started to share.
Tomo-chan: "Mommy, here you are."
Wife: "Oh, how nice of you. Thanks."
Tomo-chan: "Haru-chan (Tomo-chan's baby sister), want some jelly?"
Haru-chan: "Da."
Me: "Ahhh (I opened my mouth and gazed at her)."
Tomo-chan: "This is not men's food."
- November 17
Happy Band-Aid
I had my left thumb cut by a handout for my students yesterday, which happens once in a while. My school nurse gave me a Band-Aid.
At home, my Tomo-chan asked me what had happened to my thumb. When I explained, she grinned, put up her left thumb and said,
"My left thumb got a Band-Aid, too!"
- November 18
Rain
It started to rain last night. My three-year-old daughter Tomo-chan heard the rain, came closer and talked to me in bed.
"Daddy, is it raining?"
"Yes, it is."
"Mommy said it will rain tomorrow too."
"Oh, it will?"
"Be sure to take your umbrella with you, Daddy."
- November 20
Smile
Yesterday I was about to leave a parking lot, when an elderly woman stopped walking to let my car go. I bowed to her, then she bowed back to me with a gentle smile.
- November 21
Birthdays?
Yesterday was my daughter Tomo-chan's birthday. She turned four years old. My father bought her a small piano, and she enjoyed playing it with her baby sister. After dinner she said,
"I wish grandma were here. Then she could eat this birthday cake with us too."
My wife smiled and said,
"Oh, how nice of you. She'll be back from Turkey tomorrrow. I'm sure she'll give you a nice souvenir as a birthday present tomorrow."
And Tomo-chan said,
"Oh, I can't wait! I'll be five years old tomorrow!"
- November 23
Teacher
Yesterday my wife was in a hurry and accidentally stepped on our baby girl Haru-chan's foot. She started to cry.
When my wife apologized, my other daughter Tomo-chan said to her,
"Look her in the eye and say sorry."
- November 24
Green Horns
(There are two plasic straws in the bathroom. My daughters use them to make bubbles. The straws are green, with one narrow end and one wide end)
I got angry at my daughter, Tomo-chan, in the bathroom last night. I put up my forefingers around my head, which means a demon and is a Japanese way of saying, "I'm angry."
Tomo-chan used to cry when she saw that, but she has become stronger lately; she held the green plasic straws to her head to make horns and growled back at me.
But the pointy ends of the straws were hanging down, so she looked like Shrek.
- November 28
Back to the Water
The other day, I took my daughters to the zoo. Outside the zoo, there is a place where people can wash their hands. I helped my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan wash her hands. Five seconds later, she slipped over and fell to the ground.
- December 1
Ms. Stubborn
My one-year-old daughter Haru-chan turned to me while she was eating her pork cutlet last night.
"(Pointing at her pork cutlet) Daddy, shrimp."
"Good guess, Haru-chan. But it's called pork cutlet."
"Shrimp."
"No, no. Pork cutlet."
"Shrimp."
"Read my lips: PORK CUTLET."
"SHRIMP."
- December 2
Do You?
I tried to scold my little daughter Tomo-chan while we were in the bathroom last night. Then she fought back saying,
"Did you think you can beat me all the time? NO! You know what? My friends and I sometimes do bad things at the nursery, we get scolded and are made to stand outside the room. In bare feet, that is! So I'm getting stronger."
- December 3
Rival
My daughter Tomo-chan said to my wife the other day,
"Mommy, can you marry grandpa?"
"Marry who?" My wife was surprised and asked her back.
"Grandpa. Then I would be able to marry daddy," she said.
- December 4
Four-leaf Clover
In Japan, people usually go to the bathtub to get themselves warmed, instead of just showering outside the bathtub.
Before my family and I take a bath, I always pour water on the lower half of my little daughters' bodies. The girls were standing face to face last night, so I poured water on them only once. Then I told them that I would pour water on their buttocks next.
They turned at the same time, making a pink four-leaf clover with their hips.
- December 7
Prayer
I was absent from work for two days because I caught a cold. The day before yesterday, my daughter Tomo-chan asked me before she went to nursery,
"Will you throw up if I touch your face?"
I thought for a while, and said yes. For many years, I have been throwing up when something cold touches my face in the wintertime.
She then placed her right hand on my left shoulder and said,
"I hope you get better soon."
- December 10
Letter
My pet cat Kuromi received a letter from my niece Miko-chan yesterday.
My niece is four years old.
Someone teach me how to write cat language.
- December 17
Curry Is Mine
My family and I ate rice and curry last night. My four-year-old daughter, Tomo-chan, loves rice and curry more than anything. We always cook much curry so that we can eat it two days in a row, which Tomo-chan always looks forward to.
In the bathroom last night, my wife said to me,
"Phew! I'm not sure if my belly can be bigger! It's stretched this much, and it hurts. His birthday is two months away, but --"
She is expecting, and we will have a baby boy in February.
Then Tomo-chan said to her,
"Oh, you can skip the rice and curry tomorrow morning then."
- December 18
Motherhood
While my baby girl Haru-chan was singing last night, her big sister Tomo-chan was lip-synching, clapping her hands softly as if she were a mother.
- December 19
Her Pet Adjective
Yesterday, my family and I went to a cake shop to order a Christmas cake. My wife showed me the brochure in the car on the way there. There were many kinds of cake in it; strawberry cakes, chocolate cakes, cheese cakes and so on. I couldn't decided which to order, so I asked my little daughter Tomo-chan for some advice.
"Tomo-chan, what kind of cake would you like to eat?"
"A big one."
- December 20
Itchy Nose
I was changing my baby daughter Haru-chan's diaper yesterday, and she seemed to have an itchy nose. She then stood closer to me and rubbed her nose against my sweater.
- December 22
Mother
My wife's mother couldn't find her cell phone the other day, so I helped her to find it by calling her from my cell phone.
Later in the day, she gave me a call, asking if I had called her. I said to her, "No, I didn't. Maybe the record on your cell phone is the one I made in the morning, when I helped you to find your phone."
Then she laughed and said. "Oh, silly me. That explains it! I thought something might have happened to my daughter, and I couldn't help but give you a call --"
(My wife is expecting, and is going to have a baby in two months)
- December 23
Yuzu
While my family and I were taking a bath last night, my mother brought us a yuzu, which is a Japanese citron. Some Japanese enjoy themselves by floating a yuzu in the bath water this time of the year. The smell of the yuzu is awesome, and it is said to cure the chaps.
The moment my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan saw the yuzu, though, she started to cry and tried to escape from it.
- December
Unhappy Christmas
(I'm teaching English at a junior high school)
In winter in Japan, some schools have supplementary classes, and so does my school.
In my homeroom class --
Me: "Students who failed in my English grammar test this morning, be sure to come to the classroom 3-4 at noon. When you pass the test, you can leave. Now, who do you want to spend the Christmas night with -- your family, girlfriend or ME?"
Students: "Ewww!"
In the classroom 3-4 --
Me: "Every time you guys fail in the test, I'll draw a star on the Christmas tree on the blackboard."
Students: "Ewwwwww!!"
- December 25
Two?
I asked my daughter Tomo-chan where in the bedroom she thought Santa would put the present for her last night. I expected she would say, "beside my pillow" or something. She answered,
"I made a sock at the nursery today so that Santa can put my presents in it. It's in the living room. I made a big one, so I'm sure he will give me two presents."
（Note: Most Japanese kids get one Chrsitmas present on Dec 25 morning）
- December 26
Watch Your Mouth, I'm Santa
When I got home, my daughter Tomo-chan talked to me:
"I'm home, Tomo-chan."
"Daddy! I got Christmas presents! I got some sweets and a bag!"
"Really! Hey, isn't that character on the bag the one you wanted?"
"Yep! Haru-chan got the same bag too!"
(Haru-chan is her sister)
"But I wonder how Santa got in our house. It's got no chimney, you know."
"Santa came in through the door."
"Oh, he did? And I wonder how come I didn't get a Christmas present."
"That's because you're sometimes mean to me (she giggles)."
- December 27
Christmas Gift
I had a grim look last evening, when my one-year-old daughter Haru-chan patted my head.
- December 28
Her Favorite
Haru-chan asked me to read a picture book yesterday. I pointed at some of the pictures in the book and asked her what they are called in Japanese.
"(Pointing at a fish) Haru-chan, what is this?"
"Sushi."
- December 29
Three Seconds?
My little daughters and I took a bath together last night.
Me: "Someone help me wash my back, please."
Haru-chan: "Haru-chan."
Tomo-chan: "No, I will. You can stay in the bathtub."
Haru-chan: "NO! HARU-CHAN!"
Tomo-chan: "It's too late, Haru. Look! Brush, brush, brush! There, done."
- December 30
Popular Paper
I could hardly read the newspaper last night, with my cat Kuromi on the left page and my little daughters practicing sumo on the right page.
- December 31
Little Helpers
My family and I cleaned our house to welcome the new year today. I raked the garden and watered the flowers in the morning.
When I asked my daughter Tomo-chan to carry the watering can to the flower bed, her baby sister Haru-chan insisted she carry it instead.
"I guess this is a little too heavy for you to carry, Haru-chan."
"No. I'll carry it. "
"I've filled the can with a lot of water, so it's really heavy."
"I carry! No heavy! I carry!"
"Ah, tell you what. Why don't you two hold the can together? You know, cooperate."
"Haru-chan! Haru-chan!"
"All right, then. Suit yourself."
"(Grabbing the watering can) Heavy."
---