had dinner with the extended family. Uncle Gab is heading to China. tbh, it started out like any other dinners we've had together. Alexis going loco on us once in a while, screaming and becoming camera shy. Anson's warmed up so much. the usual 'attitude' glare is now a wide smile or a blur look. my little dumb dumb.

after dinner, Uncle Gab loaded up the car as usual with the kids and the granny. he turned to mommy and his face scrunched up. a little part of me died. his tears fell as he hugged mommy and turned to me. i know we'd definitely see each other again but i've never seen him cry before. NEVER.

sigh.

on the car ride home, mommy was in the back seat with me and kt. she was still sad and sniffing away. then... Barry Manilow's "Can't smile without you" came on the radio. what luck. i sighed inwardly.

and the amazing younger sister in the front seat turned the volume up.

SERIOUS??? serious. *bigger sigh*

i turned to the brother in horror and whispered, "did she just make it louder?"

he nodded sadly. we discreetly face palmed in the back seat. about 5 painful seconds later, she changed the radio station. and it was pretty obvious to us that her bf had hinted to her to change the station. my dear adorable unassuming sister. she's really quite blur. bleah.

oh wells. so the uncle flies on Thursday. just means i have one more country to pay a visit to now. yay?