6 years young

For my sixth birthday, I invited some friends from school, and a few relatives. My cousins Zach and Maya, Uncle Desmond, my Gugus and Grandma were there. So were Hugo and Danelle, two old friends from my Judo group.

Happy Birthday to me!

Grandma had ordered my birthday cake specially in the form of Lightning McQueen, and it was encrusted with soft fruit.

my cake

Overdoing it

It was my school friend Pak Hei's birthday party today. McDonald's did the catering. Papa allowed me to drink a whole cup of Coca Cola, and I also helped myself to some Yakult and Ribena to wash down the party snacks I had wolfed down. Then Mummy noticed I suddenly started looking very pale....

sipping a Ribena during the magician's show

Papa rushed to get me out of the room. Just out of sight of the other guests, all that I had eaten and drunk gushed out of my mouth; some got into my nose. Papa caught some of it using an empty cup he grabbed on the way; I felt very yucky. It shows that one can have too much of a good thing. Papa took me to get cleaned up.

Within a few minutes, I was ready to have some 'Happy-birthday-to-you cake'. Papa refused :-(

Fifth Birthday

I celebrated my birthday today. It wasn't so easy to organise this year because my actual birthday fell very soon after Chinese New Year, and school had not yet resumed. I invited several friends, and Gugu organised the catering. Papa found Gary the Magician to come and perform for me. He played some excellent magic, and I couldn't understand why his wand wilted several times in my hand.

Gary then twisted balloons for everyone. I got carried away and started snatching the balloons from some of my invitees, making them cry. Grandma whisked me off home.

In the evening, Papa and Mummy took me to my judo exam. Sensei Ho examined my technique and understanding, and passed me to the green belt.

My third birthday

SGG bought me a new book called “Large and Small”. I like it very much as I like to pretend to be “grumpy and dark” just like Small, and SGG will still love me no matter what!

Started back at school on the 8^th, Papa signed me up for Soccatots on Thursdays after school. I didn’t like it at all as the boys were older than me so I stopped going after only three weeks.

I had a party on the actual day of my birthday. Marvin, Emily Lincoln, the twins Austin and Mason and their families came. Papa was games master, Big baked lots of cookies and cakes including a chocolate Happy-Birthday-To-You Cake with candies on the top. It was very tasty :-). Everyone had fun and left with a bulging Party Bag including a little outfit each from Hainan that Grandpa bought us.

Emily helping me blow out the candles

I decided I liked the name Megan and announced to SGG today that “Didore pretend a girl called Megan”. I like the name so much I answer to it all the time.

Double birthday

We celebrated Papa's birthday on the 18^th and Grandpa’s on the 22^nd. We had my favourite Happy-Birthday-To-You Cake - fresh fruit and fresh cream, and I helped blow out the candles :-).

Sai Gugu's birthday

I have making lots of different faces recently and SGG caught me testing these out in front of the mirror. She thinks I’m cheeky. Soccatots finished at the start of the month. Gemma isn’t sure whether there’ll be more sessions next term, I do hope so.

I was so excited about SGG’s birthday that I sang Happy Birthday to SGG for many days running up to her birthday, and then for another week afterwards. SGG organised a play date with Marvin on the 8th because school finished early. We went to Happy Valley Jockey Club with Grandma and Marvin’s grandma, Chan Popo. I introduced Marvin to my friend Coney, pictured right.

Papa is speaking more to me in Mandarin. Also my ability to express myself in both English and Cantonese is also improving, and my verbal comprehension is progressing well in all 3 languages. I have no difficulty in pronouncing new words taught to me every day. I already know all my fruits, for example, mango, papaya, pomelo, strawberries, avocado, pomme, and joining these with words like 'more', 'another', 'get', 'only', 'help', 'milk', 'cheese', I can give precise instructions at tea and meal times. Grandma introduced me to clear beef and vegetable broth - it was an instant hit!

Yesterday was Grandma's birthday. I gave her a card and a present, and wished her "Happy Birthday" out loud. I wished her "Happy Birthday" again and again throughout the day. Grandma was chuffed to bits.

My second birthday

It was soooo much fun celebrating my second birthday yesterday. Gugu Big had left me a present, which I recognised immediately when I opened it - it was James, Thomas' friend. Papa gave me a fire station to go with my train set, whilst Mummy gave me a Lego train. Little Gugu gave me a nice picture book for my collection.

In the evening, my relatives from downstairs all came up for my party, and I got more presents. Somehow, everybody learnt of my love of Thomas the Tank Engine, so my presents have a common theme:-O. My train set is getting bigger - only Papa is making me wait to open my presents as he says I have too many toys right now :-(

I had a delicious cake which Grandma ordered as Gugu wasn't around this year to make me a cake. I couldn't help asking for second helpings, which I devoured without any assistance. Grandma was impressed that I only made a little mess.

People often laugh at my party tricks now, as I often say "Oui" when asked a question - even when people ask my name; colours are usually either 'green' or 'rouge'.

Gugu came back this week, and has noticed I'm taller and more mature - I think it has something to do with the cheese I've been eating ;-)

Guest of honour

Back at school again on Friday, two very tall policemen visited my school as part of this term’s “People who help us” theme. I had my photo taken with Mr Policeman, and also with me sitting on his motobike :-)

Finally, I was guest of honour last night at the special dinner Grandpa’s friends had organised to celebrate his birthday. Again I impressed with all my party tricks. I’m so exhausted it is a miracle that I’ve had time to grow 2cms and put on 2lbs – I’m now 89cm tall and 30lbs.

Black eye

Since my last entry, I sustained a black eye and learned to say my name. I have once again had the most exciting and eventful week starting on Tuesday when Papa celebrated his birthday. Gugu had taught me to say “app-e-bird-e” to Papa, who was very thrilled.

Today, I skipped school to attend my Uncle Des' wedding (by the English reckoning, he's not really my Uncle but my first cousin once removed). I was a bit shy at first, but soon confidently started to perform all my party tricks including speaking in English, Français, Cantonese and Putonghua to keep the grown-ups amused while they were queuing to have their pictures taken with the bride and groom. I love Auntie Kinnie, who gave me an hat - she's beautiful and always comes to play with me.

Papa's back again

Papa surprised us all last Sunday when he arrived unannounced. It's been a whole month since I saw him. I was very pleased to see him, I ran up to the door and he gave me a big hug.

We all went out to lunch that day, and I was allowed to roam freely in the shopping arcade afterwards. I saw some other children like me, and also lots of people window shopping, and it was fun to do the same. Last week, Gugu saw a cute little red sofa with a checkered pattern in the same arcade, and she couldn't resist buying it on the spot. Now I have my very own sofa from which I can watch 'Wheels on the Bus' and 'Pingu'.

Papa plays with me around the house, reads to me, and takes me to the swimming pool every other day. He's upset that I've forgotten to swim: I just look around at other people swimming, and I drink the water. I'm a bit scared to let go of Papa's arm when in the water. I clutched him so hard that I left traces of my fingers on his forearm.

I'm now walking around with increased speed and stability, and I don't crawl very often now that I get around faster than on all fours. I showed off to Grandma that I could even walk across a room backwards. Now, I also enjoy head-butting: I butt my head against the big green ball, the doors, but my favourite is head-butting Papa and Gugu. I continue climbing chairs in order to get onto the tables. So far, I haven't got onto a table yet.... The grown-ups always manage to pick me up just when I put my knee on the table.

This week, my dog-teeth are breaking through, but it hasn't discouraged me from giving the grown-ups love bites, and I have a good giggle each time they howl.

I now weigh 26 pounds, big and strong enough to haul myself up my high-chair. I know when it's time for meals, so I climb up and wait to be served in my high-chair.

It's Grandma's birthday today. I gave Grandma a card in the morning which I signed with my palm. Papa, Gugu and I celebrated with her in the evening. I dressed up like a grown up, wearing long trousers and a new designer shirt which Papa bought me.

My second birthday

It's turned cold again, Hong Kong has not been so cold for over ten years, and I have to wander around the house in a quilted jacket. I'm not so numble when crawling around, but at least I keep warm. It's too cold to go swimming, according to grandma.

I'm chuffed to bits at a present given to me by a friend of grandma's: My very first Mercedes Benz sportscar (of many, I hope) revs, runs and stops all automatically when I push the start button. I particularly like the little man who I can pull out from the driver's seat so that I can drive it myself ;-).

This afternoon, Papa and Gugu organised a birthday party for me, and invited all the family, plus Ella and Lulu. They put up balloons, and banners which said 'Happy Birthday Theodore'. Gugu made my chocolate birthday cake herself, decorated it with a bear, chocolate icing, and put one duckie candle on it for me! I'm sooo lucky: not many a child these days has a cake made personally with so much love and care! Gugu also prepared lots of other goodies for me and the guests, so we all had a wonderful time. I love my gugu!

I said goodbye to Papa before he went back to Paris tonight. He gave me a big hug and made me promise that I would be good while he was away.

Radiator burns

It's been so cold this week, and Grandpa has put the heating on at home. I've been wearing two sweaters at home too. I now wear the moccasins auntie sent from England, which fit me perfectly, and are soft enough to let me feel the floor while climbing around.

Gugu went shopping and came home with a Tweety-Bird, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore to decorate my wall. Papa put them up for me, and I love it now that I have somebody to talk to when I lie awake in my bed.

Chinese new year's day fell on Thursday, and co-incided with Grandpa's birthday! I made a card specially for Grandpa, just like the one I made for Papa last week before I managed to burn my hand on a radiator on New Year's Eve :
I was playing in the living room while the grown-ups were taking their turns eating breakfast. While nobody was looking, I grabbed the radiator panel with my right hand. There are now several big boils on my hand. Luckily there is a doctor in the house (gugu), who gave quality first-aid immediately. I screamed and cried all morning from the pain and the shock. I wore a bandage for 5 days to keep me from breaking the boils and contaminating my injured hand. It's drying up nicely now, and the bandage has been replaced by a glove (a sock in disguise). In the meantime, no swimming until the wounds have healed up properly.

On New Year's day, I got several red packets of lucky money, which made me feel a lot better after the trauma of the day before. On Saturday, Papa and Gugu took me sight-seeing at lunchtime, and then to the fun-fair at dusk. I was taken round in my push-chair. It was extremely busy and noisy, and I enjoyed looking at the people in the bustle. I have never seen so many big soft toys and bright lights before.

Today, I amused Gugu by playing a new musical instrument - I call it the "rubber duckiephone". I found out that I can blow through the hole I created when I bit off duckie's beak, and make a sound.

Papa's birthday

I woke up early as usual, and was extra excited today because it is Papa's birthday. I made a card specially for him. But because I did not know how to sign my name, I drew a picture of my hand inside the card. Papa was very pleased, he smiled and gave me a big, big hug. We all went out for lunch, and I played many new games this afternoon. In addition to my usual hiding place, I now have two others. I was so thrilled that Gugu also made me a tent by putting a blanket over my baby-gym.

Gugu also cooked me something special for my meals this week. I enjoyed eating her spicy chicken barley stew, but grandma thinks it's too lumpy for me right now. I now get to hold some of my own food, like rice cakes and pieces of apple, and I enjoy this independence although much ends up on the floor.

I have also a routine in my workout: this is where I stand with my hands on a stool. It slides as I push while walking forward. It is a lot easier to walk with than Gugu's big green ball.

Papa and Grandma took me to the hairdresser's on Friday. This was my third haircut, and I was surrounded by several pretty ladies giving me attention. Not at all like the last time, which was a hairy experience ;-0, through which I cried all the way. This time the man was much nicer, but I was still a little bit afraid when he started to cut my hair. Papa got his haircut first, then sat me on his lap for mine, but I wouldn't sit still when I saw his scissors. In the end, I buried my face in Papa's chest as he was cutting.

I also went swimming once this week. Papa says I swam better than the last time, but still not as good as before. Gugu says that I am growing very curious, and thinks that I've been distracted by the people around me.

Seven months young

I am exactly seven months old today, and it is also happens to be my mummy's birthday. Happy Birthday Mummy! I hope she is not too lonely. I haven't seen her in one whole month, and know she would just love for us to be together.

Today, Aggie came over to our house with Darren, Lucy and Ella to see me. Lucy and Ella are both older than me, they showed off singing and dancing to "Just like Jesse James". I'm envious because I can only smile to "Wouldn't it be Loverly".

Grandma has taken me out to meet some of her friends. I must be a real hit as they keep on inviting me back :-)

My arms and fingers are now strong enough to hold my own milk bottle unaided, and I can do proper push-ups. I also exercise my legs all day. I like to try and stand when Papa holds me above his chest. Click here to see my latest workout video :-0.

Whenever we go to the club for swimming, every other day, the ladies there all come over and say googoo to me, and the staff recognise me wherever I go. Wow, I wonder if this is what it's like being a star?

Papa has just bought a new camera and wanted to try it out on me. However, I think it is very complicated to use : he keeps looking rather puzzled and has his head buried in the manual half the time. Occasionally I see a bright flash in my eyes.