Full of Brenzie

I thought I only have one talkative child... I was wrong.  Turns out Brenzie is so chatty that I can't keep track of all the things he says that make us smile.  Here are few "Brenzie-isms" that transpired throughout the day...

About trains:
Me:  Brenzie, you played with your trains many times this week ah.  You like trains now?
Brenzie:  I love trains eh.  Trains puff and it's so ticklish and they say, "Choo-choo!"  [Big smile]  Trains like me eh. They kiss me eh.  They say, "Choo-choo!"  

About Mom being angry:
Me:  Brenzie, please give mom a hug. [Big hug from Brenzie]
Brenzie:  Mama, why are always angry at me?
Me:  [Defensive] Am I always angry at you?
Brenzie: [Nodding]
Me:  Why do you think Mama gets angry at you?
Brenzie:  I don't know.
Me:  Do I get angry if you're a good boy?
Brenzie:  No.
Me:  Do I get angry if you don't obey?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if you don't want to brush your teeth?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if it's time for dinner and you don't eat with us?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if you eat by yourself?
Brenzie:  No.
Me:  Do you know why Mama gets angry at you?
Brenzie: [Smiling] No.

About having cold feet:
Me:  Brenzie, your feet are so cold!
Brenzie:  You forgot to give me socks eh.
Me:  Alright, I'll get your socks.
Brenzie: [Getting the socks from me] Thank you.  You're the best!

About a scary show:
Brenzie:  I watched a scary show when you were asleep.
Me:  What was it about?
Brenzie:  Secret!

About school:
Brandon:  What school means to you?
Brenzie:  Teacher Jeannie and Teacher Maya!  (His teachers at Kindermusik.)

About counting:
Brenzie: [Counting the stars on his socks] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, (no 15), 16...
Me:  You know how to count already?
Brenzie:  Yes!  I'm good eh!  But sometimes I need help.

Brenzie's Favorite Expressions:
1.  "Let's play!"- He says this to us ALL THE TIME!
2.  "You have surprise for me?"-  He asks me and Brandon this the minute we get home when the kids are left at home.  He never fails.
3.  "You gave me the wrong surprise!!!"-  Obviously, he says this if he doesn't like the surprise given to him.
4.  "Oh dear..."- He says this with a really sad face when he feels bad about something, i.e. when Trixie has to go to bed but he still wants to play. 
5.  "I hate you!"-  He says this to anyone he is angry at.  He got this expression from Rio.  He used to say "You're a loser!"  He got that one from Cars. 

A note from Trixie

I got this note from Trixie written on the whiteboard in my baking kitchen. I am so inspired as my "Christmas bake rush" starts tomorrow!

Flowers for me

I got home today and found a pleasant surprise in the bathroom. Trixie picked these flowers from our garden and arranged them so nicely. She makes everything beautiful.

Batboy Brenzie

Brenzie had a post-halloween party at Kindermusik. He came as Batboy!....Dandandandandandan..... Batboy!

Sumilon in Trixie's eyes

We recently had a most relaxing and refreshing vacation at Sumilon Island in Cebu. Trixie brought her Vtech Kidizoom camera (her birthday gift last month) and I was amazed that she took such pretty photos of the island. (Nasulit na ang camera!)

Chicken Katsudon

Description:
This is my take on the popular Japanese rice bowl. I usually make the breaded chicken tenders for Trixie's packed lunch to school (we call it chicken nuggets) then the plenty leftovers become transformed to Katsudon for dinner. This is a delicious meal on its own; serve it with pickled Japanese ginger- the pink one, for a nice kick!

Ingredients:
1 kilo chicken tenders or skinless breast fillets (if using breast fillets, cut into strips)

For the breading:
Flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
1 Egg, beaten
Japanese bread crumbs

For the Katsudon Mixture:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup mirin
2 cups water

3 large Shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced (or 8 small ones)
1 medium carrot, cut into strips
1/2 onion, sliced
1 onion leek, white part cut into strips
2 eggs, beaten


Directions:
Making the breaded chicken:
Place flour, egg and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls.
Coat the chicken fillets in flour, then dip in the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. Do this procedure for all the chicken fillets.
Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown. Set aside.
(You have now made chicken nuggets!)

In a small stock pot, mix together soy sauce, mirin and water.
Let boil. Add in mushrooms, carrots, onions and leeks.
Let simmer until the vegetables are halfway cooked.
Increase fire in stove then add in breaded chicken pieces, letting them soak in the sauce.
Pour in beaten eggs on top of chicken then let cook quickly just until the egg sets.
Turn off heat; serve on top of rice in bowls.

Happy Birthday, Brenzie!

Today is Brenzie's 3rd birthday.  Since my birthday early this month, we've been talking a lot about birthdays.  This was our conversation  two days ago while he was taking a bath:

Brenzie:  Can you give me a surprise?

Me:  I'll give you a surprise on your birthday.

Brenzie:  Birth....day?

Me:  It's the day you were born.

Brenzie: Burn?

Me:  Born.

Brenzie: Burn?

Me:  Born.

Brenzie: Born?

Me:  Yes.

Brenzie: Oh.  You chose me?

Me:  Ummm.... No.  God chose you.

Brenzie:  Okay.

When he woke up this morning, I greeted him a happy birthday, and then I asked him, "What is a birthday?"  He answered, "Cupcakes!"

I rest my case. 

 

Photo at right:  We celebrated his birthday at Kindermusik today.  He is holding his favorite chocolate banana cupcake.