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?”

Being An Airplane

Seeing is believing. Ajib has been so fascinated with Transformers’ autobots.

“I want to be an aeroplane,” Ajib cried.

“So you want to drive an aeroplane?” Liya asked him.

“You’ll be a pilot,” I said.

Great! Liya told me that she wanted to be a vet when she grows up. Liya likes animals so much. Simultaneously, Ajib has also decided that he likes flying.

“I’ll take you with me, Mama,” Ajib said. I had the biggest grin ever. How thoughtful!

Veggie Power

I have convinced Liya and Ajib that vegetables and fruits will make them grow strongly and healthily besides drinking their milk.

“Mama, I want to be strong like Optimus Prime,” I nodded and said veggies will make Ajib be as strong.

“I want to fly…” Ajib continued.

Youtube

We can pretty much find any movie trailers, songs and videos on youtube. From Barbie to Transformers, Liya and Ajib have enjoyed the youtube. Ajib particularly liked Ultraman on youtube while Liya was singing happily to Barbie songs. Some of the songs in her playlist include from the movies Princess and Pauper, and Diamond Castle.

Transformers 2

My hubby and I took Ajib and Liya to the cinema to watch the Revenge of the Fallen. Ajib was excited, he ran in circles and sneaked and hid behind and in between the crowds. It was their first time to the movies.

Liya complained the sound system was too loud while Ajib couldn’t help himself asking questions and fascinated by the robots. We should have brought Ajib’s Bumblebee which we had bought about 2 years back.

People go to the movies with various expectations but they come out taking home some lessons from the movies. Otherwise, the trip is purely on entertainment, nothing more nothing less. In real life, people expect miracles to happen. People wish the love and the care shall remain if not blooming. We take things for granted until something hits us on the head. The bump is painful but the loss unbearable.

Parenting is also like getting bumps all over the head. We’ll be mature over time. We grow fonder of things that we care about. We make sacrifices along the way. As it needs 2 to tango, parenting also requires equal participation from the parents. Don’t be stingy with love and time. Kids will settle for those who give them priority.

The Dragon’s Visit

Daddy came home about 10pm last night after series of business meetings. He is a very hardworking father. I sure hope that Liya and Ajib really see the quality and grow up to be honest, arduous and altruistic.

Step by Step

Ajib greeted Daddy with a cheeky smile. “Let’s play game,” Ajib was trying his luck. The Transformers game was on loan for this week from big bro cousin Aldeen. It is ashamed my sister’s family will be moving out of town. We’ll miss them. Ajib will miss Aldeen terribly. Having him as a mentor, Ajib who just turned 3 last in April is really competent in playing games. I got defeated many times especially in the Cars. It’s not cool driving a ‘stick’..

Back to Daddy story, Ajib held Daddy hands and worked on his charms. Despite playing games, Ajib softly asked Daddy to draw him a snake. This is one of the creatures that I swear I won’t touch in my life. The same goes for drawing..(so I must work on the psychological learning condition: overcoming phobias; however, people do it for the money or for the TV’s sake).

“Oh, wow”….a supercool dragon was in the house. Since my husband was quite meticulous, his dragon is awesome. Love you honey for being a wonderful husband and father!

I thought to myself, it can be FOC when doing this activity with children. Moms and Dads ought to be creative and ‘stingy.’ Why? Money cannot buy love…and so does time.