Countdown to Birthday #3 for Eskimo Boy

Dear Aidan,

We're in the first week of February now. Chinese New Year will be over soon (there are 15 days, just so you know). And before long, we'll be focusing on your 3rd birthday. Mama has already called the caterers. Meanwhile, it's cute to see Papa flustering over the party planners.

We've decided to have it at the function room by the main condo pool. And you've chosen a 'Lion King' cake. Well, a lion cake, basically. I know you're excited about it this year. I suppose you're becoming aware of a 'special day just for me'. Oh yes, that phrase, "I'm going to be a big boy, soon" keeps cropping up. The other day, while we were saying our bedtime prayers, we ended up in a conversation about your party guests:

Aidan: Mama, Mama, please pray my friends come to my party in Singapore.
Mama: Ok...who are you inviting?
Aidan: Lana, Theo, Ruma...Justin and Jaden.
Mama: What about your teachers?
Aidan: No, they have to look after the other friends.

On a low note, you've been putting on the Naughties (as we call it) since early January. Perhaps it's your system working out some changes as you approach year 3. For sure, you've begun to play pretty roughly. Mama just doesn't like it when you start hitting and kicking when you get excited.

There you go, Tai Ma, you must eat the skin too

During our trip back to KL for the first 2 days of Chinese New Year, you got to met Poh-Poh's adopted sister, your Tai Ma, who's 94 years old. She stayed over at Poh-Poh's for a few days so we bunked over at the Prince Hotel. When we went over for dinner, you were quite sweet (though you continued to give Poh-Poh your increasingly infamous frown (what we call The Magnum). You decided to feed her grapes. And was sporting enough to have a photo taken with her and Poh-Poh.

See, I can hang out with the older crowd!

Prince Hotel was a pleasant surprise. The room had a great view with windows for one entire wall. We could see the Twin Towers from where we were. At night, its lights blinked like stars. Whenever we stayed in, we would get comfy, stare out of the windows at the view of lush greenery below, read books, draw or mess around with your Play-Doh.

I don't suppose it's a good idea to fall out of this window

Ah, life's quite nice when I'm not jumping about like a Mexican bean

Thanks for sending my Chew-Chews for a wash, Mama. Zzzz

Ok, let's take them to the zoo now

One afternoon, we took a short walk across the road to Pavilion, a really huge high-end shopping mall that once was where Mama's school stood.

Whoa, I think the dragon is following us, Papa

Another afternoon, we met up with one of Papa's ex Sunday School students, Edward, who's now so tall, I can barely look up at him without squinting. We spent some play time at the Jungle Gym at Bangsar Shopping Centre before heading off for lunch at La Bodega.

Aidan: Let's shoot the Monsters that are attacking us!
Papa: You mean, the kids?

After we got back to Singapore, we took you to the Esplanade. We first took a boat ride along the Singapore River and then walked over to the Chinese New Year Exhibition and Fun-Fair which was held there, too.

Where's the pink one?

Look Papa, Mama...it's a fun-fair!

There were paper sculptures of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac. A humongous God of Prosperity with a Tiger (to welcome the Dragon year) spewing out lucky strips of gold paper at every interval so passers-by would open up their umbrellas and turn them upside down to catch some 'fortune'.

I like honey pork, Mama

You were very excited about the fun-fair rides though. You and Papa went on the spinning helicopter. And later, you got onto a car in the 'train carriage' that went along a simple track. We tried getting you a bumper car ride but unfortunately, you didn't meet the height requirements. I'm sure you'll qualify soon enough, honey. Just wait and see!

They jumped on the bandwagon, Mama

We're ready for take-off, Mama, see you soon!

Wheeeeeeee!

We also met up with Lana and her parents. We were due for a ride on the Singapore Flyer (apparently, it's NOT a ferris wheel). After the 30 minute ride, we went down to catch a glimpse of the Chingay procession which featured rows and rows of dragons and tons and tons of dancers before ending with a dazzling display of fireworks.

Mama, were we up there so high?

You and Lana really enjoyed the fireworks. And when club music started playing at the finish, you both danced a storm until your hair were all sweaty.

It was also Mama's first experience with such beautiful, large-scale fireworks!

Aidan and Lana were oblivious to the noise

On the train ride home, the both of you pulled some silly faces and actions again. Or maybe, Lana did. And you weren't quite sure what to do under the circumstances.

How am I suppose to respond to this?

Something I'm familiar with at last!

Music seems to be something you enjoy quite a bit. You're always game for a song, either learnt or made-up. And you're always game for a dance when music comes on. Meal times when Papa is around is always crazy because Papa always puts on some CD.

You also continue to be big on books. And your library is growing. This month, Mama bought Squish the Rabbit. A simple story about tiny Squish who feels unimportant but finally makes a friend as tiny as him who makes him feel ten feet tall.

Squish throws a tantrum sometimes just like me!

One thing you're not though is patient. Everything has to happen right. This. Instance. Failing which, there would be some whining for us to counter. Or some rudeness. It shows in the activities you do. If you can;t figure out a puzzle, you'd sometimes lose interest (unless Mama puts on the pressure). If you're colouring, there'd be large white spaces left un-coloured and it wouldn't bother you in the least. (Never mind colouring outside the lines.) I know for kids your age, the definition of 'completion' is very different. But I figure I've got to start somewhere in terms of encouraging you to 'leave no stones unturned'.

All set and ready: Goody bags for your coming birthday party