Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Another 'Oh Boy!' story

A couple of weeks back, while Hooty was using the toilet;

N: “I hold my penis when I pee.”
Me: (Utterly shocked, but not showing it) “No darling. You can’t. Only boys have a penis and girls don’t.”
N: “Noooooooo. I have one!”
Me: (Groaning to my self and wondering how far I should go since Child Experts advice parents to teach kids (from 2 years onwards) the proper names for body parts.) “No darling. Only boys have one. Girls just have a ‘wee- wee’.” (Yeah, yeah, I know it was a pathetic attempt, but I just couldn’t bring my self to tell her the proper word for what she has!!

I am just wondering how many more of these kinds of conversations I will have with her before prematurely turning grey ;o)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Play-Mate

Hooty now has a play-date every Saturday with a neighbor’s grandson, Kevin, who also attends the same daycare as my daughter. He would come over around nine in the morning and call out “Hootyeeeeeee,” and my daughter would rush out, still in her nightdress.

They would play all sorts of games until around 2.00 pm when Hooty has to have her afternoon nap, and Kevin’s father comes over to take him back home. Kevin’s Grandma would come over with his lunch or we would feed him along with Hooty .

With all the playing, there would be occasional fighting too. Mainly initiated by Hooty in a bout of jealousy over sharing her toys. But Kevin is such a gentle fellow, and being five years old and ‘mature’ than Hooty , he would give in most of the time. When Kevin’s grandma hears the commotion, she immediately comes over with a bag of sweets (much to our annoyance ;o) as a way of conflict resolution! We have no way of asking her not to, as she does not speak a word of English and we mainly communicate with grunts and gestures!

I am so thankful for little Kevin for coming over and playing, as it makes it easier for Huuby and myself to do all the housework on Saturday and it keeps Hooty a happy girl!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Dance Baby Dance!

Hooty ’s school had the end-of-year concert last week. Oh boy! Was I exited or what! Armed with a camera and a camcorder, Hubby and I sat on the third row, ready to capture every single moment of our daughter’s first ever public performance.

As I sat there I got misty eyes even thinking about my baby on stage, performing. And then the concert started. It was hilarious! Apart from the utterly unsynchronized movements, there were kids doing all sorts of funny things on stage - some were doing their own thing, some were waving to their parents upon spotting them and some would call out “Hi Mommy!! Hi Daddy!!” (Hooty ’s playmate Kevin even called out “Hi Hooty Daddy, Hi Hooty Mommy!!)

When my daughters class came on stage dancing to the song “Lollipop,” I forgot to feel all maternal and become teary eyed because I was doubled up with laughter looking at the little girl besides Hooty , doing all sorts of things - like looking for glitter on the stage floor and scratching her little bum – than dancing!
Hooty was perfect. She followed all the dance steps so well. (Even a few teachers commented how well Hooty performs and how well she follows instructions). I am mighty proud of my baby, but it was oh so much more fun watching the others!