It was before school, Calvin was changed and ready and waiting for me to send him to school. Upon hearing he had 5 minutes to spare, the boy decided to play *new game* with the brother. This was what I found/saw

All their soft toys were gathered at their bedroom’s door together with a toy car and a toolbox(Calvin made that at school for father’s day). I was rather cross at the mess, but I decided to ask them for their *story*. Well, apparently, the soft toys which they like to call, baby doggy, mama doggy and papa doggy were *bad* and *naughty* and so they could not get into the room. Yup, they were having a time-out! What about the car, I asked. Mr A said the car was *bad* too and so it had to stay outside. What about the toolbox? What has it done? Well, according to Mr C, the baby doggies were naughty and so they could not sleep in their bed (toolbox) ….. *sigh* What interesting imagination the boys have! I just wanted to laugh it off! The best part was, Mr A decided to be the *rescuer* of his toys. He scooped up as many soft toys as possible in his arms and took them away …. cute.

Saturday morning. Soccer. Calvin is usually very excited to go to his soccer class. This morning, he woke up on time, dressed himself in his soccer gear, including his shin pads and long socks without any help! The shin pads are a little tricky to wear as they need to be tucked into the socks nicely at the shin area. I usually have to help him, but not this morning. I’m glad he has shown such enthusiasm. Athan wanted to tag along. He had fun too, running with the ball and me. Great start for the weekend!

Of late, Calvin has taken to playing board games. He likes to play board games with his friends at school and with me at home. Have you noticed I have left Athan out of the picture when it comes to playing board games? Well, at this stage, Athan is not very good at playing board games. Basically, he is too young. He wants to join in whenever we are playing, but as he can’t keep up with the pace and he refuses help, he is often a distraction as in, he will take the die and hide it or overturn the board or misplace the pieces — these are all very annoying, especially to Calvin. This is an example:

Check out the looks on the boys’ faces. Not very pretty. We were playing “snake and ladder” half way when Athan decided he had enough and began his “tricks” on us. He took the die and all our playing tokens and refused to return to us. We had to stop the game until Mr A decide to return the pieces to us — by which time, Mr C had lost interest. I feel sorry for Calvin, but at the same time I do understand that Athan is too young to participate. Oh well, time will heal.

Calvin will be turning 6 very soon. Sometimes I just can’t believe he has grown so much. He is rather tall for his age and is already up to my chest level. He always tell me “mum, I am going to be taller than you soon!”. I think he is right.

Besides going to school everyday for the last 2.5 terms of school, Calvin has also been attending gym and soccer classes weekly for this term. Where’s swimming? Well, we thought we’d give him a break from it since his school has swimming lessons this term for 2 weeks, and it also gives him a chance to learn something new. Soccer was his obvious choice, mainly because he loves kicking ball and running. The soccer class involves a lot of running - about an hour of it — and the boy simply loves it! He really tries his best to run fast. As fast as he can. He does have the speed, but he doesn’t look where he is going! Two of his classmates are also in the same class and that’s added bonus for him to want to join. And so, I have become one of the so-called “soccer-mums”. Basically, I stand in the field, holding his drink bottle and wait for his drink break. That’s all I do unless Athan comes along. When Athan is with me, I end up running around the field with the boy which is quite good exercise for me, I have to say. I hope Calvin will keep up with his interest and learn to play a team sport when young. I believe it will do him some good as he is very competitive and cannot accept defeat. As for gym, it is mainly because I think it will help Calvin with his coordination and confidence. He seems to like it so far.

Calvin is a thinker, sometimes. The other day, we had this conversation with him out of the blue:

Calvin: Mama, how can God be in the centre?

Me: What do you mean?

Calvin: Um…How can God be everywhere at the same time? Is he here now? Is he in the room?

Athan: Is he in the aeroplane?

Calvin: Is God at the airport and in Singapore?

Me: Yes, God is everywhere, in the room, here and aeroplane, airport and Singapore.

Calvin: How?

Me: Do you remember how we read that God is invisible because he is a spirit?

Calvin: Yes, but how can he everywhere?

Robin: Because God is powerful, remember?

Calvin: Who gave God the power?

Me: Ask papa! *At this point, I really am not sure how to answer the boy!*

Robin: No one gave God the power, Calvin. God has the power all the time.

Calvin: But how? Did God give the Son power and then who gave God power?

Me: Calvin, remember how God has no beginning and no end? God has the power with him all the time. No one gave him.

Robin: You have asked very difficult questions, Calvin. Maybe you are not ready to understand the answer, but remember that God has always been there and will always be. Hopefully when you grow up, you will understand better.

Calvin: OK.

It is good that he is asking such questions as it shows that he is thinking. However, I also find it hard to give him answers that he can understand. May God give us the wisdom.

Calvin has also recently received a “Honour Certificate” at school! He received his certificate from the principal at their fornightly assembly. He was so proud and so were we. And, next week, he is “star of the week” in his class! The children each take turn to be the “star” when they have shown good behaviour and manners e.g, being friendly, taking turns, sharing and helping each other. I have to say I am happy for my little boy.

We managed to pursuade the father to have a roster turn to help out in the class! Robin had his turn to help in the class not too long ago. He was quite hesitant at first, but at the end of the day he felt the time spent worthwhile. He had the opportunity to help the kids to work on a craft and more importantly see how Calvin behave in class. He also had an opportunity to talk to the teacher about Calvin, in particular on how the boy is faring academically. Apparently, Calvin has become more confident this term. He has shown confidence in his speech as well as making friends. He is also getting better with his writing and drawing. There is still lots of room for improvement, but at least he has shown more interest as compared to the beginning of the year. Thank God.

Calvin responds a lot better to positive encouragement. And so, I have to make it a point to be kind with my words when coaching him with his school work. One thing that has helped him improve his writing skills is writing letters to his cousin in Singapore. At my sister’s suggestion, Calvin and his cousin have been writing letters to each other since beginning of the year. Calvin’s first letter to the cousin was a short few sentences and as time passed by, the letters have become 2-page long! He looks forward to receiving letter and replying. I should help him keep that going.

Last night, I went out on a date with the husband. Thanks to my mother-in-law who volunteered to have the boys stay over at her home. When we went to pick the boys up this morning, my mother shared with us the conversation she had with the boys. Here goes:

Grandma: 弟弟，你知道爸爸和媽媽去哪里嗎？(Athan, do you know where mum and dad are going?)

Athan: 他們去結婚！(they are going to get married!)

Calvin: 不是！ 他們以經結婚了！(no! they are already married!)

Grandma: 是誰告訴你的？(who told you that?)

Calvin: 媽媽！(mum!)

Grandma: LOL!

Just a few days ago, Calvin asked me this:

Calvin:Mum, am I going to marry you when I grow up?

Me: (surprised)No, I am already married.

Calvin: (a little disappointed (I kid you not! :))Oh… to who?

Me: To papa. When you grow up, you will marry a special girl.

Calvin: What special girl? Are you the special girl?

Before I could answer, the boy saw something that has caught his eye and he ran away …. Looks like I’m going to have to answer a few more questions about marriage in the near future.

This is how the boys looked like about a year ago. I almost can’t believe how much Calvin has grown! He is such a big boy now as compared to a year ago. Athan … well, I think he still has that *baby* look or am I in denial?

The boys were into painting and stamping this afternoon. Calvin said he wanted to make a picture for 公公 (grandfather — my dad) in Singapore. Mr A wanted to paint one too. I am sure my dad will be very happy when he receive the pictures.

Shortly after finishing his painting (like 5 minutes later), Athan moved on to play with his play dough set. Calvin joined him later and guess what they did? Calvin announced that he has made a *princess* with the dough and Mr A said he has made a *princess house*. How cute.

I want to be like papa!

The husband is often seen wearing his rather large headphones over his head when he is working. He does that for a few reasons, in particular, to block out the noise from the boys. Athan, as well as Calvin loves to go into the father’s working room and *disturb* him. They like to show their father what they have made, or to complain about each other or simply to play with the father’s gadgets. For some reason, Athan has taken to the headphones. He enjoys wearing them because he wants to be like his father. Cute.

A little update. Athan is into his second term at the 3-year-old kindy. He still only goes once a week for 2.5 hours. Not only is he now used to the routine and teachers, he has also made some little friends. Apparently, he plays well with his friends — good sharing unlike at home where he is always fighting with the brother. He is also doing well at day care. Thank God. He tends to be clingy to me whenever I drop him off at either school or day care whereas he is usually fine when the father drops him. How unfair.

Athan is also learning more and more English words although at this stage, his main language is still Mandarin. He can now speak complete (simple) sentences in English and his pronounciation has also improved. Thanks to school and day care and Calvin! At this age (3), Athan is still asking a lot of questions and a lot of “why”. This is his way of learning and I try my best to answer him in the way I think he can understand.

I have to admit that I still, at times, treat Athan as a baby afterall he is the youngest at home. The husband always remind me not to do that as this gives the boy a chance to climb all over me. I know he is right, but at times I can’t help it. Athan will be in kindy class in the *real* school next year — I just can’t imagine it. I’ll just have to enjoy him as much as I can now.

Usually, our little family takes a trip somewhere during the Easter long weekend (Friday - Monday). However, this year has been a little different. For starters, the husband was away in Canberra for a few days by himself. And then one of the boys, the older one had gastro. Yikes! Of all types of illnesses they boys have had, I have to say gastro is my worst “enemy”. It is very contagious and dirty!

Calvin was complaining about a tummy ache throughout Good Friday. He seemed well enough though. We even had his friend and family over for a meal and play date. It turned out to be a really lovely evening. And then on Saturday, he began to have diarrhea. Many times. I was so worried that Mr A would catch the bug and he did! *sigh* I practically spent the day cleaning bottoms, soiled pants and disinfecting toilets … *sorry about the details* :). Thank God that there was no vomiting or fever or any other symptom or else it would be very difficult for me to handle the boys on my own. God is good. He knows.

The boys were not too sick. They could still play and manage little meals. I was ever so grateful. By Sunday, they were a lot better although not 100% and so we stayed home for another day. And then the husband came home! The boys were very happy to see their dad and could not stop asking where he went and what he did …..

While packing the boys’ room over the weekend, I found this:

Calvin must have made it during one of his Sunday school lessons at church. I was immediately reminded of Jesus death and His resurrection — the true meaning of Easter. I love how the boy has coloured the cross — it is so colourful. This little piece of art work is now sitting on our fridge so that we can be reminded of Christ’s death for us daily. I have also made Calvin memorised the bible verse. I hope he can remember it always.

The other day I had this very interesting conversation with Athan, all in English.

Athan: Mum, I am sick.

Me: Oh, really? Are you really sick? (didn’t really believe him)

Athan: Ya (nodding his head), I am sick.

Me:  Where? Is it your tummy?

Athan: I don’t know.

Me: Ok, then we have to go see the doctor.

Athan: NO! He will poke me here (pointing to his forearm). I don’t want to go!

Me: But you are sick, right?

Athan: No, I am not sick any more. I just pretend to be sick! (cheeky smile)

Me: …….. not sure how to react at that moment (so the boy has picked up the word “pretend”).

Calvin has a good friend at his day care who is allergic to tomatoes, tomato paste etc. This friend told Mr C that if he ate or touch tomato, his body will have lots of red rash. Upon finding out what “allergic” means, the boy came home and said this to me:

Calvin: Mum, I am allergic to yucky things.

Me: (puzzled) Why?

Calvin: Because if I touch or play with yucky things, I will be yucky all over!

Me: LOL!