These were Mal’s words the night before Auntie Monica and Uncle Derek left for Spore and he said that while choking back tears. It actually brought us to tear! This little rascal! They were here for holiday and we met up with them on Thanksgiving at Palm Spring for shopping. Mal couldn’t recall them when we first met but he warmed up pretty fast as both Auntie Monica and Uncle Derek were such great play mates! They were already having fun at the hotel carpark where we met…hammering little pebbles at the sidewalk, oh, I just got him a little hammer, it’s a real hammer used for doing craft, not a poplular toy as most uncles and aunties thought it might not be suitable for a little 2 year old to be carrying a hammer…knocking and hammering around. I realised this when Mal brought his hammer to a farewell dinner at a restaurant the other night and people were a bit shocked and concerned when they realised that Mal was playing with a REAL hammer. I guessed they were afraid that Mal might break something with his hammer. The first thing that crossed my mind when I set eyes on the hammer in a craft store was ‘Whao, isn’t that cool! Mal will love it and with that, he will have a cooler hammer than Daddy!’I think we were just too used to Mal playing with the real stuff at home that we forgot that such toys are really not norm for alot of other kids! I digressed.
So it was hammering fun with Auntie Monica at the carpark we met and that broke the ice between them cos Mal was thrilled to have someone play with him his new toy. We spent 2 nights at Palm spring before proceeding to somewhere more scenic. After a long 6 hours drive. We arrived at Flagstaff on Saturday night and checked in another suite. It was cold at Flagstaff, about 2 degree celsius. There was so much festivity mood in the air. The cold weather, the coziness at the hotel lobby brought by a burning fireplace and constant christmas songs that were played on the radio. It was a perfect setting for holiday and we were glad to spend the time with family and friends. We drove 1.5 hour from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, had our packed MacDonald lunch right at the canyon, it was a ‘Lunch in a Lifetime’ with such a view, before heading back home. Auntie Mon and Uncle Derek spent the next 3 days at our home before returning back to reality in spore. It was a good thanksgiving getaway for us and we were glad to spend it with friends from so far away 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnKGW2882g]
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Yes, yes…Mal-mal really made us tear…Mummy was the saddest when she saw him sobbing.
Malcolm has been wonderful! Every minute of the day, he’ll be calling out: “Auntie Monica…this, Auntie Monica that”! Always insisting I sit beside him in the car. He is so sweet and extremely responsive for a 2 & 1/2 yr old boy! He is always talking, asking why this, why that (I was struck dumb many times as I ran out of reasons!). By doing so, and talking a lot to adults, you can really see him learn very fast!
Most importantly, I was amazed by the fact that he really knows how to use the REAL hammer. He could hammer things (like pebbles) with one hand holding the hammer and the other holding the item. Never once hitting his own fingers.
Frankly, I have never been very attractive to kids. Derek has always been. So this time, I beat Derek!…hmm…wonder if it is the development of my maternity instinct??!!…but i believe not, it’s just Mal and me are fated…we really got along so well. Already missing him! Kept talking about him to Nat and my mum.
Fang, remember to continue teaching him the shit I taught him (haha)…
* when he ask “why?” – reply because the sky is so high and there’s bird shit in your eyes!
* liar-liar pants on fire!
When I said the above to Mal, he would chuckle non-stop and pick them up immediately!
The words that Derek and I love to hear Mal say, and still enacting it (the voice and style) when we were on the plane and back in S’pore are: “No, cannot!” or “No, you cannot do that!”
In all, we had a great time in US…especially the days when we caught up with Fang, Shin and Malcolm. You folks have been great hosts…and definitely great friends!
Too bad, we couldn’t stay longer. BUT…we have gone to buy 4D…nos inspired by Mal-mal…and if we touch big big, hmm…we will be back soon. Otherwise, Mr. Sim can always sponsor tickets for me and Derek…and we can help take care of Mal-mal when there…while at the same time spend some great moments with Fang.
Missing all of you already! Love-love…Mon/Derek.
glad that u guys had a great time. yeah, i think you must be oozing with maternity instinct, so don’t wait too long huh.
Mal had already used what you taught him on us. He had been using ‘the sky is so high and bird shit in your eyes’ on us. still haven’t got him to pick numbers…will definitely let u know if we do so.
Good luck to your 4D! Whether we will see u soon will depend on that!