lack of self-consciousness

unlike maybe 6 months ago, the bean has now become something of an attention-addict.

near the end of the singing session at the under 3s programme last week, the directress announced that we would be singing happy birthday to 3 kids.

before she could continue, the bean cut in by crying out, "me! me! sing for me! my birthday too?!", as she bounded up to the teacher.

the directress had to tell her that it's not her birthday yet, so we couldn't sing about it, to which the bean announced, "my birthday in januwary!"

i had to take the bean aside and quietly persuade her that singing happy birthday to the birthday kids would be fun too. thankfully she didn't make a fuss and actually sang along.

the bean's certainly no longer shy about going up in front of a group.

at our mandarin playgroup, one of the programme segments involves the children taking turns going behind a puppet stage, peering out and waving at the others as everyone shouts, "ni hao!"

the bean absolutely LOVES this part and would run back to do it over and over if i didn't prevent her. i discourage the extra times as it deprives other children from their turns.

in fact, at our most recent attendance, one parent actually commented to me, "another star performance," after the bean had gone twice, waved enthusiastically and said, "ni hao!" back to the group.