A bagful of moments

I could cry and I could sing, both at the same time, because the emotions both feel so similar in how they make me feel sometimes. This is what being Kien's mother is like. Its been a roller coaster, no doubt about it, and I've had times when we've created amazingly incredible memories, as well as moments when I'm in the depths of despair. This boy of mine is now four, and yet I still see a baby in those eyes that look at me innocently when he needs me for something.



It's dangerous business watching iPads in bed!

Most nights I get woken up by little arms that wrap around my neck so tightly I have to move my position to ensure I don't get strangled. He presses his face against mine, and in his 3/4 asleep state utters softly, "Mummy, cuddle, cuddle". As he drifts back to sleep we lie all contorted with arms and legs and bodies wrapped around each other like we're conjoined, and although I've been disturbed from my deep slumber to be put into this position I don't really mind, and I'm released from his grip when he slips into his sleep cycle 30 seconds later.



When he's just waking up in the morning I can feel his hand searching for me, and when he has found me he flings his body in my general direction until he is practically on top of me. He hates it when I roll over and show him my back, and he says to me, "Mummy, I want you to turn this way", or he asks for cuddles.



He sometimes tells us what Koala says he wants to do, like, "Koala said he wants to watch Peppa Pig in bed because he is very very tired today...and he's hungry and wants some milk now."





He sometimes comes running over to me and gives me a cuddle and a kiss randomly.



He told the babysitter the other night he wanted to speak to me before he went to sleep, so they called me and he and I had a conversation about him going to sleep and us seeing each other later in the evening.



He called me over to show me what he had drawn in the sand. It was a ladybug (left) and a stick insect (a very fat one by the looks of things on the right).

If I want to make sure he comprehends what I'm saying I always ask him, "do you understand?" and if he says yes I get him to explain what he understands. His vocabulary is massive now, and he is very good at articulating himself.



He has a wonderment for rocket ships and space and the planets and the stars. He recognises images of Jupiter, Saturn and Earth. He looks up at the night sky and talks about the beautiful moon and how there looks like a dinosaur or dog living there. He also tells me he would like to go there, and that maybe we can live there too. I say to him that someday it was possible, and maybe that someday might happen for him. I hope so.



These are the moments that I don't want to forget, and as he turns another year older I write a post like this so I can lock in all those feelings and the sentimentality that they bring as I see my son growing out of baby/toddler/post toddler and into the little boy before me.

Pre-Christmas BBQ and Santa

One of the mothers from playgroup whom I've gotten to know a bit better invited us over for a pre-christmas BBQ at her place on the Thursday before Christmas. We had a fabulous time, thank you, Alex! We met lots of fun and interesting individuals from different countries and different walks of life. Kien had a great time - it took him a while to warm up (as per usual) but once he did there was no holding him back. With chickens roaming around in the heart of the city (at their Grey Lynn property) it was such a treat for the kids to pat and feed the birds.





**Another catchup post as I promised Charlize's mother I'd send her some photos.**

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On the last session at playgroup Santa visited. This is the first year where Kien has been really into the whole idea about Santa, his reindeer and sleigh, Santa's grotto, elves, and all things that make up Christmas magic. He was so excited seeing Santa walk through the door, and when received his gift he was astounded and positively gleeful. It was a delight to see.

Ferris wheel and tropical Brisbane

Kien and I have been in Brisbane for a few days now, and Jef flew in on Thursday to join us for the remaining 4 days of this week. It was an impromptu decision to have a quick break away after that gruelling project I've ben involved in went live last Saturday/Sunday. I needed to get away and spend time with my family. I felt burnt out and exhausted, so it is great to be able to have this quiet time.

Kien was great on the flight over. It was an easy 3 and a bit hours with him watching in-flight entertainment for most of the journey.

We have been staying with my friend, Justine, and her family. I've known Justine since we were 11 years old attending Remuera Intermediate. Since we've been here in BNE our kids have reacquainted. Justine's girls and Kien get along so well. They sit and chat whilst sculpturing with Playdough, and hide under the covers watching Peppa Pig together.

We went to South Bank for afternoon tea the other day and the kids took great delight in chasing after Ibuses - this was after we witnessed them stealing food off plates and out of people's hands (while they were eating). Talk about cheeky opportunists!







It doesn't look like anyone does this around here, but I took Kien for walk in the stroller in the middle of the day. We went to the local park, and there was no one around. Kien collected sticks and built a camp fire (as seen on TV by Bear Grylls) and had a great time pretending to light and cook on it.





Then on Thursday afternoon Jef, Kien and I went for a wander around the neighbourhood.











We got caught in a major downpour - massive droplets of rain pouring from the sky. No wonder the drains are enormous in Brisbane.

That night we went on the Wheel of Brisbane.











Kien loved it, as evidenced in the above photos.

We hired a rental car and made our way to the Gold Coast. To be continued...

On her birthday

On 15 November 1952 my aunt took her first breath of life, and on 15 November 2013 she took her last. That weekend the family adhered to a lot of traditional buddhist customs. It was gruelling, yet very beautiful and melodic - a fitting way to farewell my aunt from this world.

























That Monday was the actual funeral.





























Kien and I had gone over to see her that Tuesday. We had a really lovely time together. I had left Kien with her while I went and picked up some food for her to have for dinner. When I came back they were laughing and joking, and she commented on how much fun they were having together. It really warms my heart to think that the very last time we all saw each other was a joyous and happy one.