Back in Hong Kong

School broke up for Christmas holidays, Gugu took me to see the Nutcracker Suite. I also went last year, but this year was the first time for Duncan and Maya. The next day, we boarded the train for Nanjing, where my other Grandma and Grandpa live. Like our last trip to mainland China, we went on an overnight train. We spent two weeks there. We were hoping to see some snow, but we were disappointed. I was hoping to have my front teeth in time for Christmas, just like in the song, but Santa did not grant me that wish. My grandparents often took me and Duncan to the zoo. They also took us to the Nanjing marine park.

We arrived back in Hong Kong yesterday. I showed Mummy and Papa my new teeth, which started to poke out during the train journey home. I was so thrilled to get home, because I had been so looking forward to finding what Santa put in my Christmas stocking. I got some small toys, some candy, and a robot. This year, I got two lemons, and so did Duncan.

I didn't want to get up this morning, but it was a school day. Papa let me take some of my candy to school to share with my friends.

Christmas

Grandpa went into hospital at the end of November, and spent over three weeks there. He has a broken tummy, which doctors are trying to fix. The doctors took good care of him. Grandpa came out of hospital in time for Christmas.


SGG and Grandma came to my Christmas show at school on the 22nd. I was very good and SGG took lots of photos of me.

Great Uncle Frank, Uncle Des, Auntie Kinnie and Uncle Colin came for Christmas lunch; and Uncle Darren, Auntie Aggie, Ella, Lulu, Alex Popo and Auntie Margaret over for Boxing Day.

My second Christmas

I've taken to pointing and saying "more" when I want something. It's a useful word to ask for and get given more food, easier than naming the object; the grown-ups usually work out what it is I want. But they try to teach me to say 'please' each time......

I was most pleased when little Gugu arrived from England on Sunday to spend a few months with us. She says she has missed me, Va and Grandma. Papa has had a few days' break for the holidays, so he took me swimming, and to play in the park.

My Christmas stocking was put out several days ago for Santa. On Christmas day, I knew instinctively to look in it for my presents: Santa had given my two more choochoos to go with my little wooden Thomas :-0 . I love Santa! Right now, I'm wondering what sticks my choochoos together, and not understanding why my other cars don't do the same. Papa explains it's called 'magnetism'.

Lots of people arrived in the house for Christmas lunch yesterday, and they all brought me presents. My new Aunty bought me a ball pit; Gugu gave me 2 railway tracks to help build my own private railway. Grandma's friend gave me a little tricycle which makes lots of noise, so grandma can always find me ;-).

Christmas in Nanjing

This week, Mom and Papa took me on a trip. Now I have some more chops in my passport :-) We spent one whole week in Nanjing, where Mommy grew up. We did some sight-seeing, and I visited a place dedicated to the worship of my direct ascendant Confucius. We stayed in a hotel, where they prepared a very comfortable Teddy-sized bed for me :-) in the same room as Mummy and Papa. Luckily I sleep so soundly, and Papa's snoring didn't bother me very much.

I met my [other] grandparents, who looked after me for quite a lot of the time during our stay. My Grandmother was so pleased to see me for the first time that she picked me up and hugged me like a bear. She also asked me why I said 'baba' so much of the time and 'mum' when I'm hungry. Of course, I forgive her for not understanding baby-talk. In fact, 'ba' is the sound I find easiest to make, and 'mum' means food.....

My grandparents wondered if my skin was yellow in colour because I liked so much to eat pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes. They were also surprised that I wore my Huggies, because most babies in China run around without wearing them.

On the night before we left Nanjing, they held a dinner party to celebrate our home-coming, and invited all their relatives. There must have been about thirty people if I could count so far up... All the relatives were fighting for a turn to hold me. I was a real hit, as I smiled all the time whilst being passed from hand to hand. Fortunately, the evening ended early, and I was taken back to the hotel to bed.

We're back in Hong Kong now, and it's good to be home. I've missed not having a room to myself. What's more, it's tiring being on the road, because it's difficult to keep to your routine.