Arthurian Classics

"Mommom" and Arthur on the Maokong gondola

About two weeks ago we were eating dinner with friends, when Arthur climbed into my lap and exclaimed, "This is a boy who loves his mom." Wow! Talk about knowing the way to his mother's heart. That made my whole week! A few weeks before that he said enthusiastically, "Mommom, you're my BEST friend!" How I love that kid!

Stew's Thanksgiving meal with Sammi and Alan

I gave him a much needed haircut today. I think I had trimmed the hair out of his eyes one other time on our trip, but otherwise, it's been about 4 months since his last hair cut. When his dad, who met us on the train this evening, complimented Stew on it, he then climbed into my lap and whispered to me, "Momma, I no like R-do (how he says his own name) anymore."

It was such a sad little confession, I couldn't help but wonder what was up, so, full of concern, I asked him why. He explained, "I no feel awesome anymore."

"Oh no!" I replied. "Why don't you feel awesome anymore?!"

His answer: "Because you cut my hair."

"Well, actually your cut hair gives you even MORE power," I comforted him. "It's like a super power." That seemed to do the trick, and I think he will suffer no more mental anguish from losing about an inch from his lovely locks.

From our outing today to the Mirimar shopping mall for a ride on the ferris wheel. Notice the haircut. :)

Earlier this afternoon on the train, he was being unusually docile. (He wound up taking a nap later, so I think he must have been tired.) He was calmly sitting in his stroller and just chatting with Kai, who shared the following as his happy moment of the day.

Arthur pointed at him and said, "Bzzt. Now you are 3!"

"I'm three?" Big Bro asked.

Stew with BOTH buddies: Bradly AND Big Bro

"Yes, so we can be best buddies!" Cute little Arthur is the most richly blessed with buddies here because HIS peers are not locked away in schools, yet. But still he truly misses his best buddy and cousin Elwood back at home! He even crawled into bed with me one morning, sobbing, "Elwood is so far away."

"Yes," I comforted him, "but you will see him very soon." Later in the day, Arthur told me of a dream he'd had that night that he was playing with Elwood at his house with a train. Poor cutie had to wake up and realize that though he had a train and buddy Bradly, Elwood WAS still far away.

But while there are aspects of life - haircuts, missing friends - that have tried our little guy, he is still FULL of confidence and his 3 year old swagger makes everyone smile. He even said at one point, "I can do it! Because I'm an American!" Look out Taiwan! Arthur is on the lose, practically running wild, and he will melt hearts if you let him!