“Grandma… Stay”

September 2, 2013Grandparents, ParentingDads, early childhood development, family, grandparents, Parenting, Planting TwosCarl Okuyama

Andee is sad because Grandma is leaving today. "tay ganma" she said. — On the way to the airport at IHOP restaurant, Andee is sad because Grandma is leaving today. “stay ganma” she said. Then when asked if she wanted to go home with grandma, replied, “otay” Parenting joys from spending time with them are precious.

Being excited watching grandchildren growing up is one the joys in life. It’s wonderful to have grandchildren at the age where they can recognize people and appreciate the attention, love, and teaching associated with the nurturing and bonding that was given during the first years of infancy; at age two it’s a transitional year when they go from an infant to a toddler, it’s the “planting twos” where children learn at genius speeds.

This week Amy was in Honolulu helping our daughter Kimberly and her husband, Christian. Amy was glad to help and flew to Honolulu to be with their family. Amy was anxious to see our granddaughter Andee and have fun with her. The week was busy as usual with Amy training and playing with Andee, including reading, writing and coloring, chasing her around the house, blowing bubbles, going to tumbling class, “putting make-up” on grandma, and cooking with the family; it was a busy and fun week.

After a week with Andee, Amy sees that Andee is happy and learning quickly, using sentences, and having less tantrums. This is because Andee’s “planting twos” years is being nurtured by her parents and family’s constant interaction, play, and loving discipline.

While having breakfast Kimberly told Andee, grandma was going back home to Hilo today, Andee’s response put a tear in grandma’s eyes, Andee with a really sad face said, “Gamma stay”. And, when Kimberly asked Andee if she wanted to go with grandma, she said “otay”.

Joy from parenting doesn’t come from living in a big house nor the things we buy for them, seeds of joy comes from quality time we spend with children. Today, give the children a hug and lots of quality time together, the rewards are eternal.

Written By Carl Okuyama

Dad Christian applauds Andee's finishing swimming lessons over the summer. — Dad Christian applauds Andee’s finishing swimming lessons over the summer.

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~ Clarence B. Kelland

June 8, 2013Fathers, ParentingDads, early childhood development, family, fathers, Fathers Day, gooddad, loving spirit, Parenting, Pre-schoolCarl Okuyama

Holding_dads_hand — Showing the way Photo Michelle Meiklejohn

There are millions of dads in this world. Some are great, and some are not. This one is very great.

There are dads who bring you along to every church and work function, just so he can say, “This is my daughter.”

There are dads who encourage you to shoot for the stars – even if “the stars” is just a middle school stage.

There are dads who attend every softball and volleyball game, just because you’re playing.

There are dads who give up their free time in the car to ask you Bible trivia questions, even when it’s late.

There are dads who drive you to school super-early and pick you up super-late, because he knows how important school is to you.

There are dads who play catch with you at the park across the street, even if you miss a few balls…or ten.

There are dads who hug you after you make a mistake, and say, “I’m just happy you’re safe.”

There are dads who let you make mistakes, because they know your life will be better that way.

There are dads who let you ask questions, even if they don’t know the answers.

There are dads who love their wives, and give you an almost impossible standard for your own love someday.

There are dads who are so kind, and wonderful, and better than you ever could ask for or imagine. I have one of those dads. I love you so much, Daddy. Mom has told me several times that I should try to find a man as wonderful as you. I don’t know if I can do it – you’ve set the bar pretty high – but I’ll certainly try my hardest.

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I’m your Cinderella, and you’re my hero every day. I love you. So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms cause I know something the prince never knew. Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don’t want to miss even one song ‘cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she’ll be gone – Steven Curtis Chapman

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“A child that is taught and gifted with a talent is fortunate; next teaching a child to share it and teach it is remarkable” ~ Starts at Home

Unconditional Love on Mothers Day – Big Time Love

May 9, 2013Parenting, Principlesearly childhood development, family, gooddad, love, Marriage, moms, Mother's Day, Parenting, parenting support, unconditional love, wifeCarl Okuyama

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to very special ladies, who loved us , nurtured, and shape our lives, including non-biological moms with Big Time Love.

A time of bonding and a foundation of future relationships; a vital part of early childhood development. — Big Time Love that never give up.

Kiyoko Komeiji-Okuyama, 1957, Hilo, Hi. — Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Thank you for loving and nurturing us.

Amy in bath tub with her mother Emiko Kessinger, 1952, Hilo, Hi. — Happy Mother’s Day – Love this Beautiful photo, Amy with mom Emiko Kessinger.

Thank You Mom for taking care of us while we grew in you, as you felt our movements, heard our heart beating, and brought us into this world crying and kicking.

Thank you for providing for our physical needs because we were too small to change our diapers and feed ourselves; we were little gems, great hopes, and aspirations to do big things in our lives.

Mom, thank you for not giving up on dad, my brothers, sisters, and me. We know it was difficult and sometimes you wanted to call it quits and just walk out the door or walk off the face of the planet, but your Big Time Love persevered for us.

Thanks for teaching us to pray and know that with faith we can make our hopes and dreams a reality.

Thanks for the times you were pulling your hair because no one helped you and you were alone and crying. And when when you were a single mom, thank you for not taking your frustrations out on me, we saw it coming many times but somehow you maintained your temper and you managed to love us through those toughest of times.. those blessings of grace and acts of courage were Big Time Love.

Mom thank you for not beating and hurting us, like when you were raised by your hurtful and harmful parents, your forgiving of grandpa and grandma is unconditional love. We now understand how difficult is was for you to be abused yet you forgave and didn’t look back with bitterness in your heart.

Mom thank you for those times we know you wanted to go out with your friends or watch that special program but instead stayed to read and play with us.

Mom thanks for being lovingly strict with us as now we know why we had to obey; you wanted the best for us. When we were little children, we thought you were the worst mom an enemy could send, but we were wrong, you were good preventive medicine. We’re glad you held on to the medicine spoon and made us drink for our own good.

Mom thank you for the time I had to move back home because things were just not working out in my life, you took us back with your unconditional love and you were again there for us.

Thank you for teaching us that the material things in life are nice but our character and relationships are priceless that have everlasting value, it’s not the “bling” in the end that will make us sing.

Happy Mother’s Day! We love you and your unconditional Big Time Love.

By Carl Okuyama

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My wife Amy’s mother’s name is Emiko and my mother’s name is Kiyoko. Now, Amy is a grandmother and is helping nurture, love, and train our grandchildren, the next generation.

Free Days at National Parks – Parents and Children enjoying Earth and Nature

April 25, 2013Events for Familieschildren, Dads, Family Time and Events, Free, moms, National Parks, Parenting, parenting support, Pre-school, volcanoCarl Okuyama

Enjoy our National Parks with the children, fun exploring, learning, and relaxing with the family. America’s Best Idea – National parks – gets even better this year with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees. For more information visit:http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise. Free offers may change, please visit the National Parks for details.

If you’re in Hawaii, visit the probably the most active Volcano in the world – Kilauea Volcano, part the the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The hot thing to do is visit a live lava flow. It’s the coooolest thing you can do.

Real Hot, be careful… Aloha!