What's the special bond grandparents have with their grandchildren? Someone said: "The joy of being a grandparent is that you get a second chance of parenting (without the responsibility)." Indeed, it is so fascinating to see how the grandchildren respond to things and events and asking myself: - "Did my children do this / say this at this age?"
We made a special visit to Perth just to celebrate Grace's third birthday. This little girl has grown by leaps and bounds. It was so wonderful to carry and hug this cuddly baby (and her teddy bear). Not that I could hold her for long - for as soon as I held her tight, she had wriggled her way out of my arms.
How she has grown! The last time I saw her was in January 2016. She was still in her diapers. Now I see a more complex character emerging.
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| Sharing her birthday cake with big brother |
Her Tenacious Character :
Grace was in the throes of toilet training. For the first few days, her mummy tried to get her remember to sit in the potty whenever there was any urge. But the urge did not materialize. So when 'accidents' occur, the plucky girl would promise solemnly : ' Next time........I will do it in the potty." And she never gave up trying. Again and again, she would run to the potty - just to try to do it. Grandma made a secret pact with the girl: "Gracie, when you wee wee in the potty, popo will give you a treat", she nodded. So, one day, Gracie did it. Hooray!! What a celebration. Everyone cheered. Big brother Nathan cheered her on: Well done Gracie! The precious liquid was proudly exhibited for all the other children to see (to encourage them ) Big brother commented: It's so precious! Of course, Gracie claimed her reward (which was 1/3 piece of banana foam sweet). Very soon, the little girl graduated from potty and was upgraded to adult toilet. Another celebration - this time 1/2 a banana foam. The girl soon figured that it was more profitable to do her toilet duties in installments - and claim more rewards! Grandma wised up to her tricks, "No Grace, it must be a big wee wee." So the girl sportingly complied. Thumbs up for her tenacity!
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| Ta Da! The precious liquid! |
Her "I can do it" attitude:
One evening Grace was watching her brother brushing his teeth. I asked her: "Grace would you like to brush your teeth too?" Grace was eager to try. Nathan interjected : "Oh no popo, Grace can't do it. She always drink the water. Mummy say she must not do it". "Let her try", I said. "I can do it', asserted Grace. So I demonstrated to Grace on how to use the cup. "No, no popo, she will drink the water, and no, no, don't put the toothpaste, she will just suck it !!". The brother was aghast. Grace stepped on the stool and gargled and spat out the water. I put a smudge of toothpaste on her toothbrush and she brushed her teeth with gusto, stopping to take sips of water and then spitting it out. Bother watched her with hawk-like intensity. "There you are Grace - YOU did it !". The girl beamed with pride: "I did it !". Big brother was generous with his praise: "Good girl Gracie!" And from then on, that was our nightly routine.
Her sense of fairness:
I also noticed that whenever Grace makes a decision, she would stick to it. And she has a keen sense of what's fair and what's not. Observing her interacting with the other children, she would make sure every child is given a fair go - provided she has the first run of things. Very often she would remind another child, "No, it's not your turn yet." or if they squabble over a toy, ' You can have it later." and she made good her promise. What a girl!
Her magnet towards the exuberance :
Grace's favourite videos are "Tinkerbell" and "Sophia the First" and of course "Frozen". Of course Elsa is her all time favourite character. " Here's a sample of our conversation.
Popo : Who do you like best in Tinkerbell?
Grace: Fawn
Popo : Why Fawn. What about Tinkerbell?
Grace : I like her too. But Fawn is brave. And she is kind to animals.
Popo : And what about Sophia the First. Who do you like?
Grace : Amber
Popo : Amber? Why not Sophia?
Grace : I like Sophia too but I like Amber better.She does more things.
Popo : But Amber is unkind to Sophia...,
Grace : Yes, but she is sorry about it and she becomes nice later.
I guess she is attracted to those girls because they are more spunky and exuberant characters. Weepy, helpless damsels are not for my Grace!
Her love for all things pretty :
Like any girl, Grace love pretty dresses. The first time I noticed it was when her Alicia Yee Por gave her a dress. after putting on the dress, she at once sat demurely. For a good 15 minutes, she did not jump about. She loved the pretty lace dress that her Aunt Rachael bought for her. For her birthday, I bought her a blue tulle skirt. At once she wanted to put it on and began to twirl in her new skirt.
Like any girl, she was willing to endure the tickling sensation to heave her face painted.
What a girl!
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| Grace was determined to be the champion Jenga player |
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| Ta Da! I did it! |
I also noticed that whenever Grace makes a decision, she would stick to it. And she has a keen sense of what's fair and what's not. Observing her interacting with the other children, she would make sure every child is given a fair go - provided she has the first run of things. Very often she would remind another child, "No, it's not your turn yet." or if they squabble over a toy, ' You can have it later." and she made good her promise. What a girl!
Her magnet towards the exuberance :
Grace's favourite videos are "Tinkerbell" and "Sophia the First" and of course "Frozen". Of course Elsa is her all time favourite character. " Here's a sample of our conversation.
Popo : Who do you like best in Tinkerbell?
Grace: Fawn
Popo : Why Fawn. What about Tinkerbell?
Grace : I like her too. But Fawn is brave. And she is kind to animals.
Popo : And what about Sophia the First. Who do you like?
Grace : Amber
Popo : Amber? Why not Sophia?
Grace : I like Sophia too but I like Amber better.She does more things.
Popo : But Amber is unkind to Sophia...,
Grace : Yes, but she is sorry about it and she becomes nice later.
I guess she is attracted to those girls because they are more spunky and exuberant characters. Weepy, helpless damsels are not for my Grace!
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| Watching a tv cartoon with popo |
Like any girl, Grace love pretty dresses. The first time I noticed it was when her Alicia Yee Por gave her a dress. after putting on the dress, she at once sat demurely. For a good 15 minutes, she did not jump about. She loved the pretty lace dress that her Aunt Rachael bought for her. For her birthday, I bought her a blue tulle skirt. At once she wanted to put it on and began to twirl in her new skirt.
Like any girl, she was willing to endure the tickling sensation to heave her face painted.
What a girl!
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