Meredith brought home a letter early last week. It was addressed to Dad. She was confused. She had told her teacher her dad would not be around to read the letter. But her teacher insisted she addressed it to Dad.

But she knew what the letter was all about and gave me specific instructions about when and how to give her some money on Thursday night. I had to open the letter...so it was no fun and and surprise for me....

On Thursday night, I gave her all the gold coins I had with me, which came up to $8. The gold coins were in $1 and $2, and I thought that would be easier for her to use the money.

When I went to school to pick her on Friday, all the kids had their little brown bag of goodies for their mommies. And I had mine too...

But I was not allowed to open it till Sunday, Mother's Day. I wondered what those little minds were thinking when they have money to buy Mum a special gift... shopping for Mum alone and thinking about Mum at such tiny age...But I was sure she had fun shopping.

Meredith told me she spent all her money, all $8! I burst out laughing! Previously on a school trip to Sovereign Hill, I gave her $20. She bought a lolly and a bell and had some money back. Strange things they buy when you leave them alone... I was sure curious what's in that little brown bag!

She got for me a lovely lovely mug and a sweet bag of chocolate...




What good choice! I was very happy but still think the whole gift buying thingy was rather funny. Most of her classmates just got their mums chocolates although some of the mums had given the kids $20. She was kind of "mature" I thought, as she explained to me how she decided she should get the mug. I was touched... almost to tears...

Inside the little brown bag was also this colourful envelope of little handmade gifts she did separately at school, at home and at Mandarin class...


Her teacher asked them to talk about their mums...and here's the transcript of "My mum is fabulous..."


On Sunday, after I officially opened the gift, I took them to a playground before we went for dinner at Sofia. We were prepared they might chase us away as they might be fully booked. We went there early, about 6pm...and immediately got a seat. The restaurant was filled up quickly. It was packed in no time. But the waiters were still polite and very considerate. Very impressive!

We did not have dessert at the restaurant. So at home, she decided she would serve me ice cream...
It was a Happy Mother's Day!