Our boy is grown

Dhanu has been having his summer holiday for weeks, but we haven't taken him for any holiday treat or trips. He's been asking if he could go to Victor and Wouter's (his cousins) house, but he can't because they're away, having a holiday in Italy. He's also been asking if he could go to oma (in Roosendaal), which we could only fulfil last weekend. We planned to stay for one night (get there Saturday, back to Amsterdam Sunday), but apparently it's too short for Dhanu. For the record, we don't go to Roosendaal often; only on several occasions such as Christmas, Easter and birthdays. The kids always love it there, of course, because they can freely run and shout in the backyard (good weather or bad); something they're restricted from in our small apartment in Amsterdam.

On Saturday, when we're already at oma's house, Dhanu suddenly waved three fingers and said, "I want to stay for three nights here". I and Syb talked it over, and we thought this can be a good trial for Dhanu to stay over by himself. He has never done that before: staying overnight at someone else's place without his parent(s) around. We told Dhanu the consequences: that he will have to sleep by himself (but oma can sleep in the same room), he'll have to go to the toilet on time (he always pressed to the last second, especially when he's in the middle of building or constructing his LEGO or Meccano), he'll have to eat whatever oma prepares (he's getting picky nowadays) and of course he'll have to listen to oma. He's ready, he said. Fine, we decided to give him a try.

Saturday afternoon, we said bye to oma and left for the 16:19 train to Amsterdam. Dhanu was busy watching his Bionicle DVD he hardly waved at us. Instead, he only hushed us away with his hand gesture. Well, he's never been easy on saying goodbyes to anyone, so we're not surprised. We plan for me to pick him up on Wednesday..

Monday morning, Syb called from his office to oma, who said that "Dhanu is doing fine; he slept well and just had two boterhammen for breakfast". Oma replied my email, saying that Dhanu is playing a lot and making a lot of drawings (because oma told him about people having their birthdays soon) - to which Dhanu replied, "For the boys I make cool drawings, for the girls sweet drawings." He also told oma what to write so he could imitate oma's letters by his own, on the drawings. He's enjoying playing alone in the sandpit.
On Sunday, other family members came to oma (when we already left), to whom Dhanu proudly announced, "Ik ben hier zonder mijn papa" (I'm here without my papa). As oma was typing the email, Dhanu was busy with a world globe and Disney books ("Wonders of the World", "Wonders of Nature", etc.). When oma reminded him that he used to like the sound of her clock (a loud cuckoo clock, which he always wants it turned off everytime we're there), he said, "Dat weet ik wel maar toen was ik klein, nu ben ik gegroeid en mijn oren zijn groter geworden, daarom hoor ik nu veel beter en dan is het veel te veel lawaai" (I know it but then I was small, now I'm grown and my ears have become bigger, therefore I hear much better and that is too noisy).

Apparently, he's been having fun. So I and Syb tought that, if Dhanu likes, he can stay a bit longer. I told that to oma through email, who replied that Dhanu seems happy with the idea. He said, "En jij bent niet alleen, en ik hoef niet te luisteren, en ik zal mijn best doen" (And you are not alone, and I don't have to listen, and I shall do my best). Reading the mail, we had to laugh; Dhanu must have meant that he doesn't get the nag he is used to get like when he's at home!
When we called him this (Tuesday) evening, he talked with a made-up accent to his father. He does that everytime he's a bit nervous. We can only guess that he's afraid that we might change our mind, or maybe the other way around, that he might change his mind about staying longer. Whatever it was, he didn't speak up his thoughts. But anyway, this "being away from home 'by himself'" is a good first experience for him - and for us! Our boy is grown, and will still be growing.. and we're all just going to have to be ready for his every pace.


Photo: from Chica's collection