Destination Everywhere: Year-End Holidays 2012

Dear Aidan,

You are a very fortunate little boy. Papa works hard for 2 offices so we can do what we love best - and I don't mean shopping but travelling - and that's we did last year end!

Airport at Langkawi: "Are you going to dig the sand with that, Aidan?"

Being towed about like a Mini Maharaja

"Come on in, Aidan. There are no sharks here."

Getting ready to play!

"Are they going to eat me?"

Volleyball time!

What's a holiday without some silly fun?

The pool had laughing gas

Happy Aidan, sandy Mama

First up was Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi (Malaysia) for 6 days. Followed by Christmas in Bangkok with Poh-Poh, Grandpa and Grandma as well as Uncle Brian and Aunty Angeline. Then, at the start of the new year, you and Mama tagged along for Papa's annual company trip to Hua Hin (Thailand).

I think you had a really good time. At every destination, you proclaimed each was your 'favourite holiday'.





Bangkok: It was a short stay that straddled Christmas Day. Our hotel was right smack in the middle of the city and connected to a shopping centre. From the get-go, you got presents from Grandpa, Grandma, Poh-Poh and Uncle Brian and Aunty Angeline, from superhero t- shirts (a new obsession) to trailer trucks. It was Christmas after all. But this particular season of 'receiving' became a headache for Papa and Mama when we returned to KL though. Because you started asking for presents everyday.

Going off to our next destination...Bangkok!

Dinner-time at Asiatic, a busy and colourful promenade by the river...

A photo-session after our donation to orphans

Good ice-cream at the MBK Shopping Centre next door

Kissing the feet of Baby Jesus

Christmas Mass in Bangkok

Little gifts from Santa after the Mass

Christmas Dinner at the Londoners

A picture with the Chef that took a liking to you

We noticed a few emerging traits during this month-long escapade, though. Firstly, you're becoming a friendly little boy, offering "hellos" without fear to anyone we meet or bump into.

When it was just the three of us at Tanjung Rhu, you were also fine being left at the Kids' Club on your own. (Okay, caveat: you were more comfortable when you were the only one there the first few days. But you made a new friend - James - on the third day and that was great!)

Trainspotting at the windows

Secondly, when we were with Papa's colleagues in Hua Hin, you were eager to follow Aunty Elaine and Uncle Chris as well as Uncle Akmal and Aunty Aida around. In short, you dumped us a few times and didn't look back.

Your appetite for movies is also growing and Mama has had to keep tabs on how much of it you watch. Thankfully, for now, it's about 1-1.5 hours.

There's another part to your growing up that's not the best thing however: I notice that you don't really badger Mama to head to the playground anymore. And when Mama encourages you to, you state quite strongly that you'd rather be indoors.

I guess kids change all the time as they grow up. But it's really important to be outdoors every day to get some fresh air and exercise. It's also good for your eyes.

Hopefully, when you enrol into the Sportball program next year, you'll rediscover your passion for football.

Welcome drink at the hotel lobby, Hua Hin

Mangrove tour by boat 

Making your way up the caves like a steady little man...

Can you remember this scene, Aidan?

Feeding the little doggy in the cave

Telling Aunty Elaine your long story about the falling rocks

It must be said that you do have quite an adventurous spirit. You're a kid who swings between 'being like Mama' (cautious observer, homebody, sensitive) and 'channeling Papa' (gregarious, restless, inquisitive). During our climb up the 480 m hill to the caves, you were a good sport. No complaints about tiredness or meltdowns over the unbearable heat of the day.

We were very proud of you that day.

Finally, Mama has also noticed a growing bond between Papa and you. I still remember when you were under 3.5 years old, when you gave Papa a bit of a hard time: every time he came home early to see you, you'd drag your feet to say hello or get the hug he wanted to give you. And whenever it was Papa's turn to wake you up and prep you for play-school, you'd be grumpy and teary.

These days, it's "Papa, Papa this-and-that". I'd be lying if I said I don't feel a pinch of bittersweetness. After all, it's but one sign of things to come not so far into the future. But I'm definitely chuffed to see our family grow in love on different levels.

It's the Silly Father and Spawn Show!

You'd better pay to be entertained, Mama!

What do you mean, no ice-cream today?

As with all fun and good things (and you'll learn this as you grow older), our holiday ended seemingly all too quickly. When we got back to Singapore, your new school term was already well into the second week. Getting back into the groove of a routine was tough on everybody. You were grumpy the first few mornings, too. So was Papa.

But Life is like this. We work hard. We play hard. And in between, we travel to meet the world, and the world delights us with its variety of colour and experiences. 

Meanwhile, we must find Life's joys also in the small moments, not just in special holidays. Otherwise, we would be quite miserable for most of the year.

Anyway, these are books that you're enjoying this month: The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Oliver Jeffers), Tyrannosaurus Drip (Julia Donaldson and David Roberts) and Walter the Baker (Eric Carle).

I must put in a word about books: You love reading so much that you're always trying to get Mama to read more than 1 or 2 storybooks! As it happens, you also love playing so much that there usually isn't any time to do more than 2 a night!

Your favourites this month: Tyrannosaurus Drip has been getting a lot of requests!