Archive for May, 2010

Word Of The Day.

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Disgusting. This was the word of the day for Athan. We were on our way home from day care when Mr A blurted out “disgusting” at the back of the car. At first, I could not make out what he was saying, but after a few repetitions, I was sure I heard the word “disgusting”. Loud and clear.

And so, Mr A has picked up yet another new word. I believe he has heard it while at day care. He kept repeating the word “disgusting” throughout the journey home. I asked him what was disgusting and he replied “the car is disgusting, the man is disgusting”. When I asked him how, and he said “they are yucky”. 🙂

Innocence.

Friday, May 28th, 2010

“Mum, you are not fat!” said my 3-year-old. Before I could even reply, he said “but you have a fat tummy, but I still like you!” I could only manage a “thanks” and burst into laughter. People always say young children are brutally honest. I can’t agree more. Kids just say what they observe/see and they mean no harm at all. Most of the time they just want to know why. Curiosity.

The other day I brought Athan to the shops with me. We saw a couple of security guards at the ATM machine and Athan immediately pointed to them and said “媽媽,為什麼他們的肚子肥肥?” (mum why is their tummy fat?) The men actually turned around and looked at us! I was embarrassed, but I was sure they did not understand Mandarin. Phew! And then, while in the supermarket and sitting in the trolley, Mr A pointed to a African American staff member and said “媽媽,為什麼他沒有沖涼? ä»– yucky!” (mum, why he did not take his bath? He’s yucky!) I was so taken aback by his comment yet at the same time I could see where he was coming from — he associated black with dirty. My mind was thinking of couple of things at the same time…. I was hoping the guy did not mind my innocent son pointing at him, and I was thinking of how to answer Mr A’s question as he was pressing me for an answer. The last thing I wanted was for him to point at that guy again. Well, as far as the African American guy was concerned, he did not mind at all! He even smiled at us. I didn’t think he understand Mandarin either. As for the answer, I simply told Mr A that the guy was not yucky. Of course the boy asked why and then I told him that the African American guy was born with black skin colour and that God made him that way. He’s special. Just like Athan. Mr A went into *deep* thought for a moment and said “oh, 我知道了!(oh, I know now!) I really hope so. 🙂

The other day while on our way to church, Athan had this very interesting conversation with us (in English):

Athan: Mum, you look beautiful today!

Me: Thanks!

Robin: What about me? Do I look beautiful too?

Athan: No! Beautiful is for girls only. Boys are cool. Pa Pa, you are cool!

Robin: LOL!

Got to love that childhood innocence.

Thoughts on Mother’s Day.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Hope you all had a lovely Mother’s Day! I certainly did.

The husband and I had a “surprise” date on Saturday evening. Surprise .. because we did not plan to go out by ourselves that night. Somehow my mother-in-law volunteered to have the boys stay over at her home on Saturday night and so suddenly we were free! 🙂 We had a great night out. We also had a little celebration with R’s parents in the evening at their home. It was a very pleasant family time. Thank God for family.

The boys did various gifts for me at school and day care. Calvin gave me a tea towel which he hand-printed and dyed at school. I love it. Athan did a little heart mobile for me — with lots of help pf course. 🙂 The husband bought a pot of flowers for me (I chose it). I feel so special. 🙂 However, one thing that touched me most was what Calvin “wrote” on why he loved his mother.

It was part of the mother’s day activity in class where the kids each have to cut out their own picture and 2 heart shapes. On one of the hearts, they were asked to say/write why they loved their mums. Calvin said and the teacher wrote:

“I love my mum because she goes to work to get money for us. She plays matching game with me and cooks my favourite vegetables.”

Touched because I did not realise he has been observing what’s going on at home on a daily basis. Even though he seems to be only interested in playing with his toys the moment we got home from school or after school care, he is well aware of what’s happening at the background. I think he appreciates that I cook so that everyone can have dinner. He’s always hungry when we get home and can’t wait to have his dinner. However, he has learnt to wait patiently while his mum “cooks his favourite vegetables.” 🙂 And, this morning when I dropped the boy at school, I went into his class with him to spend a little time before the teacher rang the bell. I saw a craft that Calvin did for mother’s day hanging on a string. It was a picture of a big pot of roses where the roses were hand-printed and on the pot, he said and the teacher wrote

“My mum is good at drawing fish. She goes to work and cooks dinner for me. She likes to watch news and play matching games with me. She likes to eat vegetables.”

And so, now I know a little of what my 5.5-year-old thinks of me 🙂 By the way, in a book that the teacher made in class for the kids to say how old their mothers are, my son said I am 77! Gee… the boy used to say I am 15!

Athan — A Snapshot.

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

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.

Calvin Speaks — On Twins.

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Calvin: Mum, am I and 弟弟(little brother) twins?

Me: No. If you were, I’ll be very very busy!

Calvin: Why?

Me:Do you know what’s twins? The boy, O and E in your class are twins.

Calvin: Oh yes! I know! They grow up together that’s why they are twins!

Me: Yes. And also because they look alike and are born on the same day.

Calvin:Huh?

Me: Well, I mean they were in their mummy’s tummy together …..

Before I could finish …

Calvin: Oh, then their mummy must be very fat!

Before I could finish … (again)

Calvin: Sorry mum! I forgot it’s mean to say someone is fat!

Calvin is learning about mothers and babies in class for the past 2 weeks. He has been sharing lots of things that he has learnt from his teacher. They even had a mother and baby came into class today for a visit. And, the mummy gave the baby a bath too! Calvin was so excited when he told me all about it. He said ” the baby’s head is very soft and “wobbly”, that’s why we have to be very careful not to drop him else he will get very hurt.”

I like how the teacher has made learning so interesting for the children at this level. It really helps them to learn.