Not a single traditional tanglung in sight…
We bought traditional ones as well, but it was instead a mercifully breezy night this otherwise record-breakingly hot summer, and so everyone whipped out their neon light sticks…
This the Miss engaging any light stick-wielding older boys who care for a sword fight…
(Some of these boys had sisters waving neon hoops about but Xena Warrior Princess was all ninja.)
Miss: Imma Ninjaaa! Hi-yaa!
Rockstar: <totally getting into this> Ok! You need to pass the Ninja Test to be a true ninja!
“Ninja’s have to be able to climb up rope ladders holding their swords!”
Miss: Ok, Ko-ko!
“They have to slide down slides really quickly!”
Miss: I can slide down really quickly Ko-ko!
“What.”
R0ckstar: I said –
“Wait -“
“Yeah ok fine, ninjas need to be able to do that too.”
Rockstar: A-and…
“To be a REAL ninja……”
(Why, yes, she can pop her hip)
Rockstar: You have to be able to jump from here to…… there. <indicates a destination some 10 feet away>
Me: Hey. No, no, don’t –
Rockstar: It’s ok, Mum. She can do it.
Me: Uh.. (I want to say he shouldn’t set completely unattainable goals for her)
Rockstar: I mean, I couldn’t do it, but she can totally do it. Go on, Miss <nods encouragingly>
Miss promptly jumps on Rockstar.
Without missing a beat, Rockstar carries her to the other side, much to her delight
Rockstar: See, Mum? Told you she could do it.
Me: <speechless>
Rockstar: I can’t even make it that far, Miss. But, see? You can do it!
“Congratulations. You are now a NINJA. Strike a pose.”
Rockstar: And with a Fierce Attack Dog.
“Who can hold your sword while you get your scooter”
“…And make sure the coast is clear when you climb things you’re pretty sure you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed to climb”
All in a day’s work for the Newly Initiated Ninja and Fierce Attack Dog (who is mild-mannered Agility-trained house pet JD, by day) and the Ninja Trainer…
…whom, we are mildly dismayed to find, started carrying her scooter while she walked wherever she pleased…
Ok that’s better…
And that’s also Happy Mid-Autumn from the Ninja Team.
All the very best blessings, dears.
After 5 years, I had my second kid last year. I now have a pair like you, in reverse ie my girl is the older sibling. While she does not say erm, “detest” her baby brother (for want of a better word!) , she’s also not overly fond of him. The boy however adores his Che Che and loves to emulate her (read touch her stuff when she’s rather OCD about her belongings. Oops). They’re also quite different in their core personalities. Reading your blog gives me hopes that as they grow bigger, they’ll grow closer too. Happy Weekend to the Rockstars and you, Aileen 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Mei… Rockstar started off quite reserved about his sis too, as a baby she was crawl-chasing him round the bed when he wanted to read etc.. Because he needs his quiet moments we gave him a (now two) personal spaces he can go to (and yes, also hide his more fragile stuff away from his sister in).. Initially he would hide up in his loft when he needed to decompress quietly – one of his spaces is accessible to the Miss while the other she is completely unaware of – but just more recently he’s chosen to leave his stuff in the space where she CAN access with some limits, rather than completely remove himself and his precious items from her.
Without these spaces I think it would have been harder for him to grow quite that close to her..
What a fun night! Can see that everyone enjoyed the midautumn festival! 🙂
Yes yes…. No traditional lanterns though… Also, the younger one would’ve especially loved to play with fire