What it means to be TEN!

Our youngest child has now exited the single digits has hit the big ONE OH. It seemed like a long time coming, but maybe it’s just the perception that the time started from the day Nigel was born, instead of when Amber herself entered this existence we call life.

But I think as the youngest, she has done a whole lot more growing compared to her elder siblings. The advantage (or bane) of being the last child is that you get a “lookahead” view of what is to come. In theory, that should give you a head start in life – watching your brother or sister get slaughtered by your mother for not finishing up homework, leaving a trail of dirty clothes around the house and so on. But in reality, she’s picked them as role models, learning their most endearing traits and hoping that she would get away with it because 1) her parents are so tired from two rounds of shouting and the screaming or 2) she’s so cute.

Where did all the other candles go? (Picture by Stephen Chong)

I do still think it is a big plus to have in life (although being the oldest or middle child does have its perks too) to have elder siblings who would look after you – and hopefully, that would last through their lives. When you goof up, you can also feint innocence.

Happy Birthday to our youngest and may the next 10 years of your life bring you as much growing-up joy as the first 10 did!