3 and a Bit: A Late Reunion & HFMD

Dear Aidan,

Late February, we made a quick trip back to Kuala Lumpur when we heard that Kung-Kung's youngest brother (Uncle Mun) in London was coming to visit Poh-Poh with his wife and daughter. His trip was initially meant for Kung-Kung; it's just that he couldn't fight that long.

(L-R): Uncle Mun, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Felix, Tai Pak

Uncle Khin was up too. And what a reunion it was. A Saturday evening of Kung-Kung's brothers and sister gathering at our home, chatting about the latest health products and, yes, the all-time favourite topic of Malaysian politics.

You've got your hand on my funny rib bone, Uncle Terence! 

Dinner was at Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh's favourite tai-chow restaurant, Hoo Yee. As usual, Poh-Poh ordered too much: Steamed seabass in light soya sauce, the 4-Heavenly Emperors dish in belachan sauce (a dish comprising 4 different vegetables like long beans, 4-angled beans, petai and aubergines), a stir-fried kai-lan, garlic and soya sauce fried grass prawns, sweet and sour spareribs, a roast duck and a braised tofu with minced pork. Mama had to skip some food to avoid indigestion!

You were quite sociable this time round. Going round the tables either checking on what Rais was doing, chatting to Aunty Michelle (Uncle Mun's daughter), or showing your toy cars and dinosaurs to the aunties.

This one's called Tip-Top, he's a triceratops...obviously

Then we got back to our home for fruits and more frivolous chats. Rais, your cousin (twice removed), who's Uncle Kenneth's son (Uncle Kenneth and Uncle Terence's are brothers, and sons of Uncle Felix and Aunty Katy who's Kung-Kung's younger sister). It gets complicated huh? But don't worry, it's all one big family. Anyway, you enjoyed playing with him, showing him your toys and sharing. That was big of you. You even gave him a hug before bedtime, too.

Hey Rais, game for a race around the house like crazy kids?

White rice is always yummy. Ok, the fish and bitter-gourd weren't bad, too

While we were in KL, we also had lunch with Uncle Khin and Poh-Poh at a banana leaf rice restaurant near Bangsar Village. The waiter was really nice - he gave you a child-size banana leaf after providing the rest of us with the adult version. Must say that you quite enjoyed your fried fish and the crispy bittergourd. Maybe because the bittergourd was crunchy with no traces of bitterness after the deep-drying.

Your new fascination in KL recently is - no thanks to Papa who encourages you - helping Papa reverse Mama's or Kung-Kung's car. You'd climb onto Papa's lap and he'd actually control the brakes while guiding you to turn right/left or straighten up. Sometimes he's had to put a hand in to correct you when you're over-turning. Not that you like it but hey, we don't want to have to call the tow-truck to lift those cars out of the drain, young man!

Don't mind me, the grape thinks it's a toe

I'm ready to do the mini marathon, Mama

Back in Singapore, you've been up to some silly antics. Like putting your grapes between your toes. Or turning our living room into an obstacle course using the cushions and pillows from all our bedrooms. Speaking of grapes, the other day, 45 minutes after our fruit session, Mama and you went to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Once you opened up, two uneaten grapes fell out and dropped into the basin. You must've kept each one in the pocket of your cheeks like a squirrel.

We're also stepping up on some DIY chores. Like throwing rubbish into the bin (instead of passing it to Mama). Wiping your hands and mouth with tissue (instead of asking Mama to help sometimes). And mopping up your pee during the accidents. You're a 'big boy already', right? ;-) You're pretty good clearing up your toys after you're done, though. Soon, you'll be able to drive Mama around, too.

(Humming) Are you sleeping...are you sleeping, brother John?

Then, two days before Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Brian were due for a visit, you caught the Hand-Foot-Mouth-Disease bug from school. Or maybe it was Theo because we were at his parent's home for dinner the Saturday before and Aunty Kea-Nai had called up Monday, telling me about Theo's fever.

I feel a song coming up...

...and that just calls for a dance of sorts

...and a HUH!

...then a TWIST to the side for effect...

...finish with a nice ghetto boy pose! Everyone, please clap now!

It didn't take long for the mild fever to come. 24 hours later, the ulcers popped up. Mama got it from you, too. Except, Mama had a lot more ulcers and right smack in the back of the throat, too. Fortunately for you, the infection was not severe. No rash and plus, you could still eat okay.

Crankiness aside, you were pretty sporting seeing as we had to be quarantined at home for at least 7 days. You got creative and put on a performance for everyone. Meanwhile, Grandpa and Grandma were quite nice about it too. They didn't mind being at home or just having walks around the neighbourhood to check out the Heartland Mall or market. By Day 5, your ulcers had all but gone. Well, they sort of became imaginary ones. The sort that would pop up if Mama gave you vegetables, and disappear for cookies or french fries.

Meanwhile, 9 pm is beginning to look like the best time for you to revise your school work. Or, basically, learn. Before that, there's 45 minutes at the playground, dinner, fruits and some telly time. And before that, it's already your nap. Mama's also tried having our learning sessions right after your nap but you're usually a little grumpy and out of sorts.

New books for me to delay bedtime with!

Book wise, there have been new additions following your birthday! Papa bought some cute ones involving monkeys and gorillas: Willy Dreams and Gorilla. He also got you Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) but after 2 reads, you felt they were a bit scary. Mama can't wait for the day you learn to read, honey! I think I'd faint, really. If I do, though, you'll know. Because it'd be in this blog.

Aidanism #198:


Papa: Aidan, I know you're belted but please sit down. We're in a moving taxi.
Aidan: I have to kneel on Mama coz I pooed.
Papa: No, Papa cleaned you up at Church just now, remember?
Aidan: (sits down after thinking a little)
Aidan: (laughs and laughs) Silly Aidan. I thought I still had poo-poo in my bum.


Aidanism #199:


Aidan: Mama, Jesus is a pretty powerful Jesus.
Me: Yes, he's the son of God. So he's pretty powerful.
Aidan: They put him on the cross to die!
Me: Yes, he did it for us though.
Aidan: He's in Heaven now just like Kung-Kung because he's nice.


Aidanism #200:


Aidan: Papa, today you don't have to walk me into the school. I will walk in by myself.
Papa: Ok, so I'll wait outside the green gate (outer gate)?
Aidan: NO! You wait outside the black gate (door to the house i.e school).
Papa: Why not the green gate?!
Aidan: Coz you'll get kidnapped!


Aidanism #201:


After coming home from an outing, Papa closes the grille door. Then the Home Security Officer pipes in:
Aidan: Papa! Please close the wooden door also coz the mosquitoes and monsters will come in. And we need some privacy too.