The Chinese/Lunar New Year is coming up soon, 01 February, as a matter of fact. The Kiddo is beyond hyped for this. We went out yesterday in the late morning/early afternoon to get lunch and be out of the condo so engineering could come in and do maintenance on the AC unit and it’s filters and then housekeeping was going to be in to do the sweep up and then condo cleaning. It’s a usual Tuesday for me and the Kiddo.
The Mall nearest us, Central Rama 2, has started decorating and prepping for this. So, as you can see, it was a BIG Deal and Kiddo is just All-In. She can hardly contain herself and her glee. J and I were talking about this last night and best we can figure, it’s based on two things.
The first (and Hi if she’s reading. We miss you. Kiddo Misses you and the Family.) is Miss Mabel. Easter, Thanksgiving, The 4th, Christmas, Halloween, etc etc. Mabel did it UP! Her house and her world with Kiddo and the friends was all about the holiday up coming. Wonder what holiday is coming…. Stop by Mabel’s. Also, it looked great. Honestly, coming from a guy who hates Christmas and decorating therein, who hates Halloween and the dress up bit, and from a guy who sees Thanksgiving as a chance to play in the kitchen, me recognizing decorations, thinking they are well done, and always looked forward to seeing what Mabel would do with each Holiday speaks volumes.
Because, it was over the top. It was next level. But it was prefect. Never TOO much. Never gaudy. Never tacky. But huge. Christmas stands out to me most. Every room. Pillow. Throw rug. Wrap or blanket in that room. The plates and table settings. Outside in front. Outside in the back play area. The play room. The hallways. The bathrooms. All got a touch of Christmas, but not just some little throw away thing, but full on… For that space. The bathroom, I remember, had a Tis the Season rug, a Santa hand soap dispenser, and red and white Santa and jingle bell hand towels. Moving on. Perfect, but next level and over the top.
So, that’s part one.
Part two, for Kiddo, has been the last half year. In the States, that would be Halloween followed quickly by Thanksgiving. Then onto Christmas and New Years. However, in Thailand and SEA, there really isn’t Halloween and Thanksgiving is (of course) a completely American holiday. So, we did our best with the help of J’s new friends and co-workers to make Halloween the best we could. And to any or all of them reading this, THANK YOU! Thanksgiving was a Mumma Day and we did the Aquarium. And about a week before Thanksgiving, the Xmas decorations and trees started popping up in BKK.
So, J and I posit, that the Mall is a measuring stick as well. She (Kiddo) knows about holidays. You, on top of celebrating them, decorate for them. Well, Halloween and Thanksgiving got no Mall love, but Christmas was up early and often. Therefore, in Kiddo world, that means that they are real. If even the Mall decorates, it must be a real thing.
Well, you can IMAGINE going to the mall and seeing actual Chinese New Year decorations…. Of course, that makes it REAL in Kiddo’s mind. So, to go to the mall and see decorations and things, not only is it a holiday, but it’s real and a Holiday. Because, watch the video… That’s Kiddo being contained and showing max restraint. She WANTED to go buck wild. She WANTED to run, as fast as she could.
J is going to ask some of the Thai staff with kids where and how we should celebrate with Kiddo so she can see and experience this as best she and we can. Of course, Omicron Covid might change or lock things down, but we can light that firecracker when we get to it. I’m just stepping back as best I can to try to see it all from Kiddo’s point of view.
*****
In other news, the Kiddo is pushing boundaries and language. Trying some things out. Reaching for independence. Yesterday we were playing in her room and just in 4 year old imagination land. Suddenly, down the street, rolls this big double decker bus, red and grey in color (red is the color of Chinese new year) with a tiger on it as well (year of the tiger this year), but it wasn’t a new years thing, I’d guess a team logo or something of that ilk. But Kiddo LOST it. Just, bananas everywhere. If you come across a bunch of bananas, return to sender those, because those are Kiddo’s lost bananas, believe you me!
WHOA! Dada. LOOKLOOKLOOK. <Kiddo goes hypersonic> A DRAGON PARADE BUS! And that’s a Big Ass Bus too!
I look over- WOW! That is a big ass bus, and a fancy ass one at that.
Her- Yup! <10 second pause> What’s fancy mean?
The other day, we were walking back into the condo building and one of the Thai ladies from the area (she owns the nail salon) greeted Kiddo by name. Kiddo was in full life mood, so she gave a full on Sawadee back, bow included (I’m still trying to get good vid of that) and then was asked or told something in Thai. I didn’t get a word of it, but Kiddo smiled and said, “Ok… Yup!”
Kiddo, what she say to you?
I don’t know… Thai!
Lastly, she loves being in just her Undies. J and I call her Undie Babe when she is in that state. Thankfully, she knows that it’s just for J and I. Not others. Not Beer (the nanny/tutor). Just Mumma and Dada. It’s been hot recently. Yesterday, after the Mall and walking home in 90 degree temps, she instantly walked in and started disrobing.
Kiddo….. What are you doing?
Dada, I’m being an Undie Babe and livin’ my best life.
PS. Went thru some external hard drives, thumb drives, and otherwise.
First- Coffee + Baby + Tired = HAHA
Second- I NEED AN ADULT!
Third- Who are THOSE cute people?
Last- Baby Freak Out.
Comments