Counting the ways you love me

Dear Ellie

You make me feel warm and fuzzy everyday.

It's as if our relationship has suddenly gone on overdrive ever since you turned 5.

Deep inside, I know you are slipping away, so I have to write this in order to note down all the different ways you love me.

1. When I am dejected and sitting at the door, you will be the first one to sit down on my lap, to make me feel better.
   
2. You will request to sleep in my arms every single night.
   
3. You will ask for me when I fail to appear during dinnertime, afraid I was somewhere lost and couldn't find my way back to you.
   
4. You will feed me grapes, candy, chips and Mensho smoked oysters.
   
5. You will lay down on my lap after breakfast in the car every morning until you reach school.
   
6. You will forbid me to shave so that you can play with my stubble.
   
7. You will applaud my every little victory, even on Angry Birds.
   
8. You will raise your hands high up in the air and hug/kiss me goodbye when I leave you at school in the morning.
   
9. You will run to the toilet and hold my hand when I am brushing my teeth

Feeding me Mensho smoked oysters.

Thank you for loving me Ellie.

And sorry for writing this mushy love letter to you.

It's not that I want everyone to know, I am just afraid I will forget.

Love,
Daddy

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I can't hope for you to save the last dance for me, just grateful to hold your hand for your first. 💃🕺😍 🎥: @kfline #savethelastdanceforme #thekawayiis #前世晴人 #daddymatters #fatheranddaughter #ilovemyfamily #strangerinbangkok

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Birthday Letters from Daddy: Ellie is 5!

What's in a name? Does a name determine the characteristics of a person?

We called you brother Noah, because he was with us when Thailand was facing its worst floods in 50 years. We wanted him to become a beacon of hope during times of difficulty, to be the light delivering people from disaster.

And for you, the most significant character of your chinese name is "晴", which literally means a clear sunny day. You are our little princess, we just wanted you to be a chirpy lady, the sun that reappears to put smiles on people's faces after the floods have cleared.

Intrigued by a flickering candle.

It's amazing how you've turned out to be exactly what your name means, humorous, bubbly, and always thinking of means to make everyone laugh.

But I think when we named you, we forgot that the sun is not only happy. The sun signifies perseverance, the only constant that keeps the galaxy trotting along. The sun is the symbol of not giving up, the energy of life.

A rare family picture during your school celebration.

Last Thursday, when we had our first Mid-Autumn Festivities with special guests from Singapore, you wanted to wear a pair of glow-in-the-dark unicorn glasses, but somehow, it couldn't light up.

I am embarrassed to admit that I was one of the adults who wanted to talk you out of getting it to work. Instead of giving in to our persuasions, you insisted there was a speck of light and we must continue to work on it. Poor Auntie Constance was on it for nearly an hour, with bits of help from everyone else, but guess what, the unicorn lit up in the end, and the adults, speechless.

Look at you, so proud with Auntie Constance, with your unicorn all lit up.

Happy 5th birthday Ellie, our sunny determined lady.

You go girl.

Loving you more everyday, Daddy.

Birthday Letters from Daddy: Ellie is 4!

Dear Ellie,

This year's birthday letter will be a little different.

It's different because in previous years I have always been celebrating growth, looking forward to change.

This year, I just want to celebrate your presence and appreciate the norm.

Always with something unexpected brewing in the little brain of yours.

So what if you are still whining when you are 4?

So what if you still show your feisty ruthless streak when you are having a bad moment?

So what if you keep grabbing onto me in the pool as if I am your only chance of survival when you are already wearing a life jacket?

So what if you always outwit me when converse?

I will hold you now, because I know very very soon, you will not want me embracing you anymore.

Daddy just wants you to know how blessed I feel simply by being in your presence.

Just stay around Ellie.

The little princess.

Happy Birthday.

Love,
Daddy

Birthday Letters from Daddy: Ellie is 3!

Big Brother more excited than birthday girl

3 years on, sometimes it still feels like a dream that you are among us. 

Daddy grew up in a family full of boys. I have never understood how it feels to have a little girl in my house. Little girls are pretty, sweet and angelic isn't it? Well, you have proven to be all of that and more.

Unlike your brother, who considers his every action carefully, you are a little daredevil with no care in the world. He spent a best part of 2 years crying in the morning when I send him to school, you protested for hardly 2 weeks, and you barely even look at me when I leave you every morning. So independent, yet so close to Daddy's heart. Whenever I slump at the front door, dejected, you will always appear to give me some hugs, as if you knew I really needed them.

情人United!

If you can turn into a little genie and be so kind to grant Daddy 3 wishes, first, I wish you will be less picky with your food and start eating more fruits and vegetables. The world of food is so amazing, and your Daddy is spending much of his free time telling the world how fascinating food in Bangkok can be. It disheartens me sometimes to see my little girl rejecting almost every green thing on the plate.

Noah joins in!

Secondly, I wish you will be kind to Noah in all situations. I know he's possessive and sensitive and drives us crazy sometimes, but he wouldn't even think of hurting you. Those screams, shrieks, pushes and scratches are totally unnecessary. Your big brother loves you to bits. Remember, he will be the one who will accompany you for the best part of your life, not Daddy.

I am in love with this picture. Credit: Aroimakmak

Last but not least, I hope you will continue to love Mummy with all your heart. Since the day you were born, Mummy has given nothing but her very best for you, 24 hours a day, everyday. I have not seen her make a decision that doesn't have your well-being as the ultimate priority. Love mummy, make life easier for her. That's the least she deserves. 

I shall not use any of those wishes on myself because you are already perfect. The untidy free-spirit hidden under the covers of your flowy dresses. The sweet, considerate darling bursting out of Noah's boyish old outfits. You delight and surprise me at the same time.

I love you Ellie, you complete our family with all of your kiddy witty ways. I hope you stay healthy, happy and free of worry. 

Happy birthday.

Love,

Daddy

Birthday Letters from Daddy: Ellie turns 2

Dear Ellie

Sometimes I look at you marvel at how much you have grown within the space of a year.

From the bald, serious-looking baby to the endearing, independent, humorous little girl you have become, God's blessings have been more than abundant.

You walk without wanting Daddy to hold your hand, you sometimes even eat alone by yourself without our assistance. It's amazing how much you look like your brother while being the complete opposite.

Still, you are Daddy's little precious baby girl. I only just started putting you to bed, and finally got to experience the intimacy of you crawling up onto my chest in the middle of the night, something I enjoyed with Noah since his first day home. I am thankful it's not too late for me to properly feel every little bit of baby left in you.

Finally, I would like you to know that while I am writing this, Thailand, the land you are born in, is deep in mourning, because their beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away barely a week ago. Daddy and Mummy are wearing black everyday to grieve with our friends around us.

We must never forget that without this beautiful land and its people, meticulously nurtured by the late King for the best part of 7 decades, we will not enjoy what we have right now.

I hope you will grow up remembering this, and understand the late King's undying spirit as a guiding light in your life, that is, in His own words, "to do what I think is useful for the people, and that is all".

I am proud that you were born in Thailand during His reign.

Meanwhile, it's also important to recall your small little party at Devilish, our neighbourhood restaurant and remember everyone who came to bless you, plus the ones who made it all possible.

Pretty purple-themed 'party', photo credit: @strikingjacqpot

Can't resist these owl pegs

Ellie and Mummy, photo credit: @visanue

Noah! Photo credit: @visanue

Patrick serves the food. Photo credit: @visanue

Aileen and the Kawayiis

What a feast. Photo credit: @visanue

Noah and his true love. Photo credit: @visanue

Birthday cupcakes.  Photo credit: @visanue

Happy Birthday Ellie! Photo credit: @visanue

May you continue to grow into the bright, cheeky Ellie that we are all starting to see. We love you very very much.

Kisses and Hugs,
Daddy

Birthday Letters from Daddy - Ellie turns 1

Our little celebration at home on the actual day

Dear Ellie

Before you, there was only Noah. Your korkor had Mummy and Daddy exclusively to himself, every moment, everyday. Looking back at the past year, the overwhelming emotion I have is a lot of apologies.

You did not wake up in the morning with Daddy on one side and Mummy on the other.

You did not listen to Daddy sing softly into your ear to coax you to sleep.

You hardly ate food specially planned and cooked for you by Daddy.

You hardly enjoyed any showers given to you by Daddy.

You hardly spent any actual time with Daddy since Day 1.

Being the little one in our house, you have been forced to share right from the start -- Daddy and Mummy's time, the clothes you wear, the books you read, the toys you play with.

Luckily, we are blessed that you have a big heart. You beam at me with love in your eyes even if I didn't do much for you. The cheeky, feisty streak that you are developing is also a welcome addition to the house formerly completely owned by your possessive brother.

You are such a precious little lady, and that's why, on the week leading up to your 1st birthday, Daddy and Mummy planned a whole week of activities to make sure your special moment is properly celebrated. Every single guest at your birthday party was hand-picked by Daddy and Mummy. They represent completely, the people who have showered you with love and welcomes into their houses in the past year, plus Daddy's special friend from Singapore who made it a special effort to be present.

What a cheeky pose from you, at Uncle Romans' house before going for your birthday photoshoot

Your birthday party at Champions Restaurant!

Your emotions swung from the highest

To the lowest 

You had what could be the most incredible-looking nyonya kueh cake for a 1-year old in recent history

All our lovely guests

Daddy promises you that from now onwards, I will make up for lost time. You will see more of me and do more things with me. I also hope that you will grow into a toddler bursting with positive energy, surrounded every moment by the boundless love showered on you by Daddy, Mummy and korkor.

Happy Birthday Ellie.

Love,
Daddy

PS. Special thanks to Jacqueline for making the party such a great one, and Romans for the beautiful pictures.