Robin: Who did this (a bend at the end of the key) to my key?

Calvin: Not me!

Athan: Kept really quiet

Robin: Is it you, Athan?

Athan: nod head

Robin: Show me how you did it.

Athan then brought the dad to the bathroom door, took the key, put it into the key hole and began to turn it.

Robin: Why did you do that? Now you have broken my key, you know that?

Athan: I will buy another one for you!

Robin: How are you going to buy? Do you have money?

Athan: Ya, mama will give me the money!

Me: *Trying hard not to laugh out* How much money do you need, Athan?

Calvin: Eight-one dollars?

Athan: Eighty-one dollars.

Me: Oh, that’s a lot of money. I don’t have that much money.

Athan: Um um um … then “the man” will give me!

Robin: What man? *Trying really hard not to laugh out*

At this point, Mr A was getting a little worried and the father, who could no longer hold his laughter any more, told the boy not to play with keys anymore. Thankfully, that was a really old car car which we do not need any more.

We were quite amused with the fact that Mr A could think of buying another key to replace the spoilt one. And, he thinks his mama is always going to be there to “rescue” him.

Athan: 我要玩爸爸的 ipad! (I want to play with papa’s ipad!)

Me: 現在很遲了，明天才玩。(It’s late now, play tomorrow)

Athan: 我要爸爸！(I want papa!)

Me:你是喜歡爸爸还是爸爸的ipad? (You like papa’s ipad or papa?)

Athan: 爸爸的 ipad!(papa’s ipad!)

Robin: Huh?

Athan: 不是！不是！我喜歡爸爸还有爸爸的 ipad! (no! no! I like papa and papa’s ipad!)

Athan: 我可以玩 ipad 了嗎？

Robin: LOL!

I kid you not, kids are brutally honest.

It was Sunday evening. The boys were watching a television program with the father. They were all “snug as a bug” under the blanket. The father was dozing off while the boys were happily playing among themselves.

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.

We had our family holiday over the last weekend. We went to the beautiful south-west of the country. We were with good friends. We were so blessed. We returned home safe and sound. We are all refreshed. Thank God.

I endeavour to write more about our trip in the near future. For now, just want to share a couple of pictures of the beautiful scenery at the countryside:

That’s the word Calvin has been pointing to every time he sees it, be it in books, papers, posters or television. Well, his teachers have been helping them make little booklets in class this term and the recent one is about “look” and “book”. Calvin loves rhymes, in particular if two words that he is saying has a rhyme to it. At times he even make up his own silly words so that they *rhyme*. Well, at least he is learning!

Look what we’ve found! Well, actually it was the husband who found this picture:

This picture was taken when Calvin was only 4 months old. Yes, that’s baby Calvin in the picture. No mistake. Check out those chubby chub cheeks and legs! I almost can’t remember my boy was this chubby before. Those baby fats have long disappeared and the Mr Calvin now is just the opposite — tall and lanky. When the husband told me he found the picture *sitting* somewhere in his computer, I almost felt that he has been *secretly* keeping this picture of him and his first born for himself ….

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.

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”.

“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? 他 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.