Eskimo Boy Lion Dances into Month #35

Dear Aidan,

It's really heavy stuff, this lion dance costume!

This is the month to look forward to Chinese New Year. But Poh-Poh says we won't be celebrating as Kung-Kung's passing is still raw in our minds. She also mentioned a customary observance - 100 days must pass before we can resume our regular lives again but prior to that, we're not supposed to enjoy any happy occasions. Moreover, as the festival falls on Kung-Kung's birthday, 22nd January, and is actually his favourite festival, Poh-Poh wants to observe a period of abstinence.

Gong Xi Fa Cai...did I say it right, Mama?

It's a little different for Mama and Papa, of course. We're Catholics. For us, even while Mama continues to grieve, we have faith that Kung-Kung's in a better place. Even as Mama grieves, life must go on. Your childhood must go on. So when you asked for a lion dance costume, we didn't say 'No'. Here's a transcript of your request:


Aidan: Papa, Mama says you gonna buy me a Lion head so I can dance.
Papa: Why?
Aidan: Because it's Chinese New Year.
Papa: Oh, ok. If we see one, we'll buy it, ok? 
Aidan: Ok. Papa, then later you buy me the body also ok?

I'm getting a lion dance costume, Uncle. You can watch me dance

The Saturday we went to get it, we first had lunch at the food-court across the road. There you met a sweeper who kept smiling at you. So Papa and you bought him a bottle of mineral water and he spent some time chatting with us.


It's funny how you can be really sweet one minute and grumpy-thus-rude another. Mama has noticed a gradual 'escalation' of sorts in terms of your defiance. Maybe it's the Terrible Three's. But I'm really just hoping it's that -re-birthday phase. The humorous quips keep coming though. Here's another gem:


Aidanism #185:


Papa: So Mr. Cheeks, what did you do at playschool today?
Aidan: Er...nothing.
Papa: Nothing?! So you just sat and stared at the wall?
Aidan: ...Yes, with my friend, Manon.


It's weeks yet to Chinese New Year, though. We're going to go back to KL as Poh-Poh would still like to have us around for a simple, no-fuss Reunion dinner at home. Her adopted sister, your Tai Ma, who lives in a retirement home nearby will also be staying with her for a few days. So it looks like we'll be parking at a hotel. After all, the house is pretty small and we wouldn't want you to accidentally trip over an old lady with your toys.

Mama, you're supposed to say 'Good job, Aidan' now

Mama has started you on some basic math. Well, Mama started you on alphabet recognition first but now Principal Valerie reckons we should move on to math to expose you to problem-solving. Apparently kids who master speech early usually lag in problem-solving. Maybe it's a right and left brain thing. Mama's definitely a lot better talking and writing than solving sums!

3 purple friends left the group so now there are 4 left!

Anyway, I must say that for an restless little monkey like you, our 20-minute sessions have been quite fruitful. You're quite a keen learner when you believe you can achieve something. Mama's job's just to help you stay focused and heap praises when you do listen to instructions - yes, sometimes, you're a bit long on confidence and short on skills and Mama has to remind you that you've never written a number before. And therefore,  there's no way "I know how to write 5, Ma-ma-a-a-a!"

Ok, that huge slope there looks do-able!

You've also finally begun to pedal your bicycle! It's been a good 9 months since we bought it and 6 since we started teaching and encouraging you to ride it. So far it has been excuses of "It's not working, Mama!" or "I can't pedal, Mama!"Now, all of a sudden you've simply decided to step on them hard and power yourself forward. Hallelujah.

The Junior Harley Outriders need a break, too

No time to rest, Bud. Gotta scram and search for Mischief

Meanwhile, there's been some nice continuities on the friend-making front. The last few months have been an experiment at the condo playground to see which kids you'd click with. But now you've got two regular buddies - Vardhavan, who's 3 years older than you, and Jayden who seems to have a better connection with you. I guess being just a year older than you helps. Well, in the first place, you two have similar haircuts and exactly the same ride-on motorbike. That's how you guys 'clicked' anyway when you first bumped into each other at the playground back in October. Many times these days, if you saw Jayden or vice-versa, you'd both end up playing together.

He ain't short, he's my clone!

We're not getting very far on this thing, Jayden

Meanwhile, you and Papa are becoming best buddies. There's always huge laughter and crazy antics whenever he's around. You've even begun to ask about Papa during the day when he's at the office. You still won't let Papa kiss you though. Some days you say it's his beard. Other days, it's the sloppiness. Really, I think it's to do with how bedtime is Snuggle with Mama time.

See the resemblance? I'm SO Indian, Mama

Aidanism #186:

And it happens. While we're dining outdoors next to a table occupied by two men, Aidan calls out in his sonic boom voice:
Aidan: Mama! Mama! That man has no hair. He only has a head!


Aidanism #187:


Principal: Mrs. Pereira, do you know what your son said today?
Me (nervous): Nothing rude I hope.
Principal: There was a loud noise in the small room and Aidan told me, "I think there are monsters in the room."
Me: Ok, he does that at home too.
Principal: Then he said, "I'm going to defeat the mean monsters and stab them with my knives."


Aidanism #188:


Aidan: Papa, Mama says you gonna buy me a Lion head so I can dance.
Papa: Why?
Aidan: Because it's Chinese New Year.
Papa: Oh, ok. If we see one, we'll buy it, ok? 
Aidan: Ok. Papa, then later you buy me the body also ok?