Growing up and saying bye

Many many nights ago, when we were talking about sleep and rest being necessary ingredients of good health and growth, he pointed out that "Mama I never find anybody when I sleep...when somebody goes out I just hug my bolster and I sleep I never look for anybody. Then when I wake up I open the door myself."

The background to this - he used to be such a baby, wailing whenever he discovered that someone was not right next to him. Putting him to bed required at least 45 minutes, and if we happened to leave before he truly fell into deep sleep, opening the door to leave would trigger a cry from him and the countdown would hv to restart. He usually naps in school too, but during his weekend naps at home, he used to stay inside the room until we thought it was impossible for him to be still asleep, and went in to check on him. For some strange reason, he simply refused to come out of the room on his own.

Well. I didn't know he has grown up and changed, until the revelation many nights ago. All this while, I thought he was asleep when my mum / I left the room at night, but turns out he was aware of our departure and did not protest! ^_^

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Another conversation we had this morning made me realise that he's grown up and capable of being reasoned with.

I gently reminded him that he was going to have to go to another school after we move house. As usual, he asked "why" and I explained that the other school is nearer. He said he didn't want to go to a new school, and I tried to coax him to change his mind by saying that the school has nice teachers, is nearer to popo's house and he will be there shorter, because it's a kindergarten.

He had a look of concentration, thought for a moment, then asked "the school with the basin?"
I was lost and wondered out loud "what basin? huh?" CH was patient and said "the school, u know, where you press the tap, wash your hands and there's a basin.." I was puzzled until I recalled that TwinkleStar Monte had a self-made 'basin' consisting of a huge water dispenser, a basin underneath, and a pail next to it to contain used water. He remembered the trial he went for a month or two back, and made the link that he must be going to that school!

I hesitated to tell him that we weren't actually going to attend that school, but he cheered up on thinking that he was, so i left it at that for now.

Sigh. Just the other day before his nap, he was spontaneously telling me his cot bed in school is right next to Jia En's and he speaks softly to his friend about crocodiles and islands before they sleep (softly so the teacher won't tell him off). He also confessed that he likes Kimberley and his best friends are Brayan and Joy. He seemed sad that Chloe went to another school.

I am not looking forward to his last day at childcare. =S