A Quick Holiday & then it's Dusty All the Way

Dear Aidan,

15 Aug is the halfway mark to your second year on Planet Earth. To celebrate, we took you to a lovely, cosy and quiet resort up north of Phuket, called Sala. The staff were lovely. The rooms, spacious and nicely furnished. And the constant sea-breeze was so cool and welcoming.

If it's bread, we're all fine

The resort is tucked away from the main, dusty road, and hidden by greenery all round. The 2-story blocks in which the rooms are contained stand side-by-side tall, lush trees, the boughs from which hang rattan swings with cream cushions. which stretch from the dining area and bar out to the sea. There are lawns everywhere, too and a big one stretches out from the dining area and bar to the beach and sea beyond.

C'mon, Papa, horses actually move!

You had lots of fun playing with the fountains that are part of the swimming pool. And you certainly loved chomping on the variety of breadsticks in the bread baskets that came before every meal. During the evenings, we kicked a ball around the lawn, played on the beach, and went for walks around the vicinity.

Why does it keep running away from me?

Sadly, on the penultimate day of our trip, you accidentally stepped onto a fiery red ants' nest. You cried out in pain and Mama managed to brush them off your foot quickly. Lots of red spots popped up on your foot the next morning despite the balm we applied. But they didn't seem to bother you much. Sometimes I reckon you're pretty tough inside. I am reminded of this every time you trip, fall and scrape your knee or injure your lip while dashing about. This is because 80% of the time, you don't cry. For the rest of the 20%, I get tears for about 2 minutes and then it's all over.

Mama caught me; I was just about to escape into the trees

One thing we've noticed about you when you do fall, however, is that you get stroppy as a snake with a spear in its head. While you cry for Mama, you just don't want t be touched or hugged. Nope. Injury time to you is a time to vent, lash out and show the world that you're not happy that it's embarrassed you. This is something we have to work on, honey. While pride is normal, it's not good that it manifests itself into actions that hurt others. Everything we do has consequences. Pride usually leads to ugly consequences.

Dusty's my friend...and accomplice

Do I gotta pay toll?

As General Manager of the house, I demand
to know what's going on here

Back home, Dusty the dog has become your favourite companion for the month. Sometimes he's with you on the changing table. Sometimes, he's in your cot. Sometimes, too, he's with you at the dining table, supposedly encouraging you to finish your meals. But other times, he's just being dragged or driven around. I think your other friends are getting jealous.

Your vocabulary is growing exponentially. You know about 50-80 words now. And you're attempting short sentences now. I can just see my future now: You're 10, I'm 46. And you're giving me sass about being forced against your will to eat green things that make you gag and I'd better not cross the line or it'll be considered abuse.

Sigh.