Candy medicine

SGG took me to Dr Bean’s for a routine check-up for my kindergarten application. Dr Bean was worried about my runny nose and gave me lots of medicine including a new “candy” medicine, for my allergies, which I have to take at the same time every day.

Papa, SGG and I went to a school meeting today. After the meeting, Auntie Esther and Uncle Calvin invited us to the American Club in Tai Tam. We played in the playroom and swam but I wouldn’t wear my goggles and didn’t like water in the eyes. It started to rain quite hard so we got out and changed. We were late getting to the restaurant so had to wait 45 minutes for a table. I ate fruit and coloured jelly.

Storm

I started off this month with offers of 2 play dates: one with Austin & Mason and another with Yuan Yuan. I chose to see Yuan Yuan. Papa thinks I’m getting to clingy in the mornings and started taking a firmer approach with me (something about a Super Nanny, whatever that is).

Storm warning, so no school today. I spat out my food at lunch, and was sent to bed without eating. Later, I went to see Maya in her room. I like her toys especially her mobile which plays different tunes. I turned it on and told SGG, “I need to go to a concert, I do Bach” which amused her.

Meeting Auntie Cheryl again

Auntie Cheryl took us to Clearwater Bay Country Club. While Dexter slept I rode in a boat in the playground and chatted with Auntie Cheryl and Auntie Mui, and to SGG’s pleasure did lots of my party tricks including showing Auntie Mui my yoga positions and talking lots and coherently. After lunch, we went to the marina to see the big boats and fishes. I had fun.

While we were at Clearwater Bay with Auntie Cheryl, Papa went to see my class teacher Miss Stella to discuss my achievements this term. Both Miss Stella and Papa agreed I have grown-up a lot recently, and gave me only stars and ticks on my report card this time around, no triangles :-). SGG and Grandma both think I have really come together over this past month. I’m not sure what this means but I think it has to do with me being better behaved (although I still do senseless things sometimes) and making more sense and holding proper conversations instead of only giving one-word replies such as “Yes”, “No” or saying only “I don’t yike it” when I talk.

Eilidh, Catriona and Dexter

I then had three play dates this month, the first on the 17th with Big’s friends, Eilidh, Catriona, Auntie Nathalie and “That Man”, Uncle Fergus. Eilidh and Catriona gave me a red taxi which I “yike” very much.

Today, I met Dexter, Auntie Mui and Auntie Cheryl. I was hungry and couldn’t concentrate on playing until after I had eaten. I then introduced Dexter to Coney and when we left, Dexter and I hugged.

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.

November

I had a very busy month starting with a play date with Marvin and his family, Megan, Auntie Esther and Uncle Calvin at Happy Valley Jockey Club. The weather was very good so we played outside and ate pizza and fruit.

Sai Gugu took me to the park with a little girl called, Danelle. We played separately and Danelle gave me a little digger as a parting gift. Gugu Big signed me up for Soccatots on Saturday mornings at the USRC. I like Gemma, my coach but it still takes me about 30 minutes to warm to the group before I am able to join in with the fun and games.

Despite the introduction of the “Star Reward” scheme in September, I’m still very naughty so SGG is trying out a punishment scheme where my toys are taken away and put "under lock & key" when I do something naughty or unsociable, such as throwing my food and spitting. My toys are returned when I’ve been good. Let’s see how I get on.

I’m talking quite a lot now and in addition to English, I’ve started saying words and phrases in Cantonese and Putonghua. Although I’ve been singing songs in Putonghua since I started school in September, speaking it at home is new.

Uncle Thomas Schieber, SGG’s good friend was in HK for a day and came to meet me. I liked Uncle Thomas so I was on my best behaviour ;-)

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.

Swimming outdoors

Papa took me swimming today. There was a little girl at the Jockey Club with her grandparents, and she was keen to play with me, but I was too shy. Papa thought it was warm enough to swim in the outdoor pool. Although eager to get there, I took my time to get into the water. When I did, I clung onto to Papa, so he swam around with a koala bear around his neck. I was just beginning to enjoy myself when Papa decided it was time to get out: Gugu had organised a playdate with twins Mason and Austin.

School's out

School's out for Easter, so I've been wearing Grandma and the Gugus out at home. If I'm good, which I usually am ;-), my social calendar is rather full. I am also invited when Grandma meets her friends for lunch (and I get spoilt with presents), I go swimming with Papa every week, I get taken to the playground, I often go for rides in the car with Grandpa. Recently, I have enjoyed two play-dates chez Max, organised by Big [Gugu], so I am putting my taught manners to good use. I am learning to share, and to give presents.

Although I am still a little Charles de Gaulle sometimes, I can also say "yes" enthusiastically - usually when it comes to food:-). I have been bought a potty, but usually 'do a Charlie' to it. Still, I have a few more months before I move up to a class for bigger kids. I now routinely string two or more words together; I can pick out any one of 5 different types of balls. I hum made-up tunes to myself. I like to chime in to "She Loves You", "April Showers" or "End of the World".

I was sooo pleased when [little] Gugu put my name up on my bedroom door this week. She bought all the wooden letters separately from a shop in London. Although I cannot read yet, it will help me recognise my name when I learn to spell. Papa joked that he could spell "Dorothée" with the same letters.