It was 11pm last night and what was Gavin doing?  Munching french fries at McDonald’s in his pyjamas!  Truly a first for him, and for us too.

Never in his three years of life has he stayed up later than 10pm as he is usually in bed by then. But last night, he was still jumping around and very bright eyed when his dad came back home at 10pm.  So we decided to head out for supper.  I had in mind oyster omelette but we ended up at the big M instead.

All began very well.  I mean, eating fries.  What could go wrong right?  He was chatting non-stop and happily nibbling away.  After some time, there were lesser chatters, he became quieter, his eyelids started drooping and he began rubbing his eyes. 

The sleep monster was creeping in and just waiting to snap.  And snapped it did. 

He dropped one of his fries, then frantically tried to pick it up and in the attempt, bumped his head against the table.  A very slight bump, but what followed was dramatic.  WAAAH…WAAAAH…WAAAAAH…he started crying.  No, not crying.  More like BAWLING.  So explosive and loud that the few people in the restaurant turned to look.  Even the manager quickly came to check if we needed help.  Lucky for us, there were still some fries to appease him.

Immediately the bawling stopped!  Slight sobbing then back to munching again as if nothing has happened.  He almost threw another tantrum when the fries were all gone and it was time to leave.  I quickly handed him a straw and a cup to chew on before he created another scene.

Back home, he was angelic again and didn’t protest when I changed him and removed the straw and cup.  After some tossing and turning, he was sound asleep.  And the first thing he said this morning? 

“Go McDonald’s!” 

I LOVE BEANCURD!  Especially if it’s soft and silky like these eaten at the Rochor Original Beancurd stall on Short Street in Selegie. 

When I was pregnant with Gavin, I ate beancurd very often and drank the soya milk almost every other day. I wanted my baby to be born with soft white tofu skin and it worked for me! 

Then again, his fair skin is probably due to genetics as I know a few people who tried eating beancurd but their babies still have dark skin tone.  One was a Malay woman who ate this daily but in vain.

Well, pregnant or not, beancurd must surely be one of life’s simple pleasures.  Simple food with much goodness for a small price!  I wouldn’t mind eating this everyday for the rest of my life.

Part of my job involves conducting workshops for people of different age groups.  Like this emotional intelligence workshop which I’m running for some children now.  So far so good except for two perplexing observations. 

One, that most of them would only describe themselves in negative terms like stupid, idiotic or hateful and one even said he wanted to kill someone.   Those uttered tongue-in-cheek are not of concern, but some of them do appear seriously negative.  Are kids these days just too cheeky or do they really have poor self-esteem? 

Second, and a more serious problem for me, is the constant squabbling between the girls and the boys.  Oh my, the extent of their bickering ranged from name calling, backbiting to threatening physical intimidation.  I find it hilarious how they can loathe one another so much at this age, yet become all saccharine sugary sweet to each other when they’re older. 

When I was a kid, I didn’t remember being like them at this age.  I was a proud kid and I socialised well with both genders.  So I cannot quite fathom their little minds.  But back then, I never had to deal with so much of everything.  School work, remedial lessons, extra curriculum activites, computer games, technology, sex and violence on mainstream media, choices…  

Maybe the kids are feeling over saturated with no proper outlet to vent?

That’s Gavin drinking milk and watching the Looney Tunes on his dad’s PDA phone which is lodged in between the man’s legs.  

I heard the two of them watching the cartoons in the living room and came out to find them locked in this funny position last night.

Is this fatherly or what?  Sometimes I’m really amused at the things the two of them can do together.  

We spent a lovely time last evening at the National Service Resort & Country Club.  They have a new cafe cum bar run by Jumbo seafood at the pool side and the view is really cool.  I would say it’s a perfect chill out venue for our family.  The above average food coupled with the friendly service were enough reasons for us to want to go back for more.  Plus they have a kiddie playroom for Gavin.  Hey, just about something for everyone!

Picture updated 19 March.