A Toy’s Story

Ajib has been carrying a bag full of toys to almost all destinations – school, malls, relatives’ houses, etc. By doing this, I notice that he is less likely to drag me to the toy aisles at the malls and more likely to develop connection with other boys.

Yesterday, I bought Jet Ray (Ben 10 Alien Force) from Popular Bookstore. Ajib was excited to meet his new alien hero. He also brings with him a Transformers comic book and likes to wear his Optimus Prime or Bumblebee t-shirts.

Ajib is no longer a quiet and reserved toddler. Toys enable Ajib to try out all sorts of actions, body movements, possible ‘crimes’, potential plots, etc. He also let Liya to take part in the battles of Ultraman, Ben 10 or Transformers. Ready, action, cut……the camera is rolling!

When we had dinner at the Pavillion Kuala Lumpur, Ajib took out all his ‘men.’ Liya and I helped to arranged the toys on the table before the appetizers and main courses arrived. We discussed, negotiated and argued but before the spring rolls hit our tables, there were no issues unresolved…

Boys & Toys

There seems a universal language when it comes to boys and toys. The relationship evolves around gadget and sets out to be a powerful lingua franca.

“Who/what is this?” and “What can he/it do?” being repeated and all the imaginable sounds being engineered spontaneously.

Ajib had fun. He shared his toy collection and mingled with many guests. At least, he wasn’t feeling bored and popped the question, “Can we go home now, please?”

Clan’ism’

“Ouch,” Ajib exclaimed while rubbing his bottom. The whole group was amused and laughed at him. I quickly tried to persuade that laughing at someone is not nice as the person has already been in pain and humiliated.

Indeed, social acceptance begins with a small group consists of a few people. The members can be siblings, cousins, friends or strangers. Ajib got up and acted as if nothing has happened.

New Babies – Chill & Thrill

New Cat

Ben 10 Alien Force Big Chill

I have never imagined to adopt a pet. With technologies, our children are playing with mechanical animals.

“Sis, your cat is thirsty,” cried Ajib when the cat started to meow loudly. It is so hilarious when Ajib and Liya took care of the cat as if it was a real furry stripy thing.

On the other hand, Ajib welcomed Big Chill into the family of Ben 10 and Ben 10 Alien Force. His collection has grown and the fights more adventurous.

Last night, Ajib was crying in Liya’s room. We rushed to see what was happening. Ajib had cut his leg and he kept yelling, “Oh, my leg..I need plastic.” According to the latest Ajib’s vocabulary bank, plastic was meant for plaster or band-aid. I forgot to refill the family’s First Aid Kit. At that moment, I blamed myself for my stupidity and ill-preparedness.

Daddy grabbed Big Chill and asked the hero to blow chill air onto Ajib’s cut. It didn’t work but if it did, Ajib would be thrilled. The crying eventually stopped when I found the last and only ‘plastic’ in the house. My ‘superhero’ Ajib was far from saving the world for a day…

Alien Language

English becomes the second language at our home. Biligualism is widely practised in Malaysia. Ajib has picked up the language and slowly incorporating it in play, fight and conversation.

Ajib for the last 7 months has shown proficiency – “I’m so tired”, “I like Bumblebee” and “I want Ben 10 games” are a few examples in simple requests, preferences and dialogues.

“Oh maaaannn!” Ajib complained when Liya interrupted his concentration while playing.

Cartoon-overdose

Barbie Hotel

Well, last year Liya celebrated her 5th birthday at Barbie Hotel. She had a lot of fun – dressing up, watching VCDs, reading Barbie books, sleeping in Barbie’s bed, pretending she was in the Magical Land of Barbie…

This year, she is cooking up an idea. Liya has chosen the Power Puff Girls. Ordering the PPG cake is easy. Costume-wise, I still wonder. Should I have it tailor-made? Besides, Liya has to decide which character the birthday girl ought to be. Pick a colour, I said. Costume – it’s either red, blue or green. Hair – Liya has to either choose black, blondie, or carrot. “Who will be the Mayor?” For now, the best shortie would be Ajib.

How about Ms. Bellum, the sexy Ms. Bellum… I’ve to get a candidate… Then, we might just have to dress up our guests to act like the Amoeba Boys or the Gangrene Gang.

Ben 10

Don’t you see, it has gotten into me… Mama has been cartoon-overdosed!
Speaking of Ajib, Benjamin is still the leader of the pack. Ben 10 cake has just been introduced by the Secret Recipe. So many Ben 10 wannabe in town. Just don’t ask Mama to be Four Arms, I said to myself.

A New Beginning

An Array of Colours

My maternal intuition was tested once again. Ajib went to playschool today. I was imagining that he would cry, pull my blouse or stomp his feet. We reached the school, Ajib got out of the car. He grabbed his Spiderman bag (finally decided last night that he wanted to take Spidey instead of Ben 10). However, he got away with the Ben 10 t-shirt the entire day.

One of the teachers waited at the gate. “Kiss, Ajib” I said and got it instantly. Then, Ajib turned around and walked into the school. Liya after hugging and kissing, followed Ajib. To my surprise, Ajib did not hesitate. Ajib was ready. Maybe he could no longer wait to go to school after sending his big sis, Liya last year. Liya had taught him some moves, both dancing and taekwando.

Ajib waved goodbye, or was it only inside my head? He walked with confidence. At that point, I felt a sense of losing because Ajib was a bit independent. It was a hard simple fact to chew – Ajib was almost 3 years old. But I also felt proud that he will be in good hands, he could socialize, play, learn and have more fun.

My baby has grown up…*motherly sigh*

Begging Bigger Bag

Ajib has been saying ‘okay’ a number of times but that could just be an expression he picked up quite recently. He knows that hitting his sister is bad and playing with scissors is dangerous. When I scolded him for punching Liya and not to repeat it, Ajib said ‘okay.’ So, let’s give him another 6 more months to compare Ajib’s language development. Otherwise, his sentences now comprise of 3 – 5 words and Ajib has started showing likes and dislikes.

Ajib on Mama's Lap

Today, Ajib cried the word ‘angry’ for the first time. I noticed he was angry at his sister, Liya. Liya must have teased him or snatched one of Ajib’s Ben 10 toys. ‘Ajib kiss’ and ‘Ajib hug’ have become routine before we part everytime.

‘Mama work’ and ‘Ajib school’ will be another morning chapter in the upcoming weeks. Ajib will be entering a new phase of his life, playschool at the verge of 3 years old. He looks forward for a new Ben 10 school bag. His Spiderman bag now houses Ben 10 characters, Madagascar’s cartoon toys, and many more. Unfortunately, Ajib’s Ben 10 bus has to park somewhere else

Cartoon

We can’t deny the importance and influence of cartoon characters in our children’s lives. The other day, Liya, Ajib and I were drawing and painting a few Power Puff Girls. I traced the trios and also drew according to my imagination. We added other pictures like mushrooms, houses, and flowers. Liya also practised her handwriting and wrote some new words.

Ajib on the other hand likes Ben 10, a ten a old boy who can turn hero in the form of multi-alien body and powers. There are Four Arms, Stinkfly, Cannonbolt and Heatblast to name few. Ajib would line up his heroes whenever he is in a fight with cousin brother Izzad.