The husband and I were catching up on some episodes from the latest season of ‘Sing! China’ when Liam snuggled in between us. “I don’t understand what they are singing, mama”, our not-so-little mr.5 commented. And so the husband decided to search for ‘little kids playing piano’ on YouTube to inspire our firstborn since he’s been taking piano lessons for a while now (lessons which he requested us to take him to in the first place).
A few videos later, Liam decided that he would go get ready for bed instead (and annoy his little brother). The husband & I were so occupied, watching piano prodigy Tsung Tsung mesmerizing us with much of his passion, that it annoyed me terribly when I started hearing yelling and crying from the boys’ bedroom.
“What is it now? Who made who cry and what was it about?”, I barged into the room, displeased. Liam was in tears and so was Ollie. And both of them refused to talk about it. Sigh.
I decided to give Liam a talking to nonetheless.
Me: Liam, Liam, is it so tough just to give mommy 10 minutes of peace for me to watch finish the video of this young little 4-year old whose playing the piano?
Liam: but I want you to come and lie down with me and pat me for a while
Me: I said later right? And to give me 10 minutes right? I’m watching this little boy from Hong Kong play so well on the piano, with so much passion, with so much joy. He does it so well. Tell me, is there anything else which you can be this passionate about or love so much? What do you think you are so good at and enjoy and love so much? Why don’t you focus on that, instead of making me come over to your room every 5 minutes to have to give you a scolding? (I sounded exasperated)
Liam (in a muffled tone, swallowing his tears): talk?
Me: What? What did you say? I can’t hear you.
Liam: Talk. I’m good at talking.
I burst out into laughter and had to dash back to the room to share with the husband what I just heard. We laughed so hard at our 5-year old’s witty remark. And moments later, I heard another wail from the boys’ bedroom.
Me: what is this about, now?
Liam: I’m upset you laughed at me when I told you what I enjoy talking and am good at it.
Me: Well Liam, what’s wrong with laughing? I laughed because your answer is so true. I can see how much you enjoy and love talking and I wasn’t expecting to hear that answer so it caught mama by surprised and my first reaction was to laugh. But my laugh wasn’t at you, it was at how good you answered the question.
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