All Considered . com

July 1, 2008.

William has finally turned 6 - a wonderful age full of wonderful ideas. Here are some of his noteworthy comments/questions –

1. (Saw Daddy insist on DIYing the brake pads for his car and fall into deep trouble) “Daddy, I wish I can make a car that has a lot of magnet in it. That way it will fix itself when the wheel is broken.”

2. (When Daddy told him he would grow old one day and would need his son to drive him around) “Daddy, I wish I can make a car that can drive itself – it can make turns and see things – so you can go anywhere you want when you’re old.”

3. “Daddy, I wish I know the magic to make you small…” “What? If you make me small, you have to carry me all day long…” “No! I will make you small when you’re too old - that way you will always be big and strong.”

4. (I have to sometimes play the “bad guy” at home when William is not behaving.) “William, remember – Mommy is the queen of this family. You just have to listen – got it?” I said to him one Sunday afternoon. “Got it Mommy!” he answered. Then he went to Daddy, “Daddy, can I ask you a question?” “What is it?” asked Daddy. William looked at me, and then whispered something in Daddy’s ear. Daddy almost laughed his head off – William asked “Daddy, when will Mommy become so old that she is not the queen of the family?”

5. “Daddy, why fires need oxygen? Do they breathe like people?” “Fires don’t breathe; but they need oxygen because burning is reaction that requires oxygen.” “Oh – so if you take oxygen away the fire will get cold and die?” “Yes.” “Does the Sun have an atmosphere?” “No.” “Then why does the Sun’s fire need no oxygen?” “…”

6. “Daddy, does my brain control everything I do?” “Yes.” “Oh, that’s really weird… Look Daddy! I am not thinking anything right now – how come I can still walk?” “…” “Does my blood vessel control walking? Maybe just a little bit?”

Our 5-year-old still has a bed-wetting problem, especially when he is too tired from his day time activities. Here is one of those stories according to Daddy.

It was a Sunday night, after a really long day (visiting friends, late lunch in a newly opened dim-sum place, lots of playing and running in the park). As usual, Daddy told William a story to help him sleep. It turned out they both fell into sleep almost instantly.

Then William peed in his dream…

Since the big guy was lying next to the little guy, and since the big guy was heavier, most of the liquid crawled to the big guy’s pants.

“No!!!!” The big guy finally woke up and screamed.

“What Daddy?” The little guy woke up as well, a little confused by what he saw.

“Daddy - did you wet my bed?”

“NO, I didn’t!”

“Then why are your pants so wet?”

“Why? Because YOU peed in your bed! And not only that - you wet my pants, too!” The big guy was clearly upset.

The little guy thought for a while, shook his head and said, “Daddy, you REALLY shouldn’t have worn those pants!”

“William - I don’t think THAT is the real problem!” said the big guy, “The real problem is SOMEONE PEED IN HIS BED!”

Silence. Then, in a very concerned voice, the little guy broke the silence, “Daddy - you REALLY need to talk to Mommy…”

“Why is that?”

“Three bottles! Remember? Mommy gave me three bottles of juice today! Who can hold up that much water?!”

He was right - I did took three small bottles of his favorite juice to the dim-sum place.

Nice try William… and we still love you