We actually got in free. Not intentionally though. We went in and I hung around the reception for a long time. No one was around. Thought of leaving the cash on the table, but then I didn't have change and it may fly away, so aiyah, just go in lah!

Headed for the Children's Garden first because I wanted to eat my lunch, while the kids wanted to play especially both were cooped up for awhile, ds1 in a classroom, ds2 in the car seat from home. :-)

They ran around the rattlesnake maze while I ate, quite luxuriously, soaking in the sun, sitting on the bench, surrounded by beautiful flowers, chirping birds... Was thinking, ahhh, if this is life, it sure is great! I didn't really bother about them since they were within earshot (not always within sight) since it was a maze (see above left).

Later, when their energy was quite spent, I washed their hands and sat them down to eat. Then we toured the gardens proper.

One of the staff members happened to be near us when she suddenly exclaimed that there was a tarantula, and if my kids wanted to see it! So I quickly gathered both of them and told them to follow me quietly. And there it was! Sometimes it walked to the flower bushes, sometimes, right in the middle of the concrete pathway. ds2 didn't like it, but ds1 kept following it, sometimes even crouching very near to it, which made me nervous.

But I have to admit, even though I don't like creepy crawlies as a whole, I really found it fascinating. As long as I know it is there, and I can observe from a safe distance... hehe. The staff member said they usually come out around this time, and are very active during this period. She also told us some interesting facts about it.

After that, I made sure the kids stayed on the pathway and not run about like they were doing at the maze earlier. Cos tarantulas are ok when they are not disturbed, but they certainly won't take to being surprised, and will bite if threatened.


Leaves were starting to change colors already.

When we make the trip to Mexico next year, we will visit the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries to gawk at them. It will be an experience of a lifetime.
There were Herb and Fragrance gardens, ponds where there were ducks and geese to feed, bridges and waterfalls too. But all those are similar to Spore, so I'm not boring you with all the pics.

Finally, some bushes of what we call "baby's breath"? You know, all the florists in Spore use these yellow, white and lavendar flowers to fill up space in huge bouquets of roses, tulips etc?

Oct 4

Thurs

Starting from Oct 4, ds1 will have drum lessons after school every Thurs for 45min. Dh got the timpani player in the orchestra he plays with to teach ds1. It is by pure coincidence that he stays along the same street as ds1's school. So it's very convenient for us.

After class, I pick ds1 up, we get lunch, go to Liberty Park or Inglewood Park, all nearby, eat and play in the playground, then go for drums.

His teacher is good with him. Not many people can deal with ds1's impatience, stubbornness and neverending questions. This teacher will get all the rudiments and counting of bars done with during the first part of the lesson when he is still fresh and not yet restless.

When he sees ds1 starting to act up, he'll then let ds1 play anything he wants on the whole drum set (normally he learns only on the snare drum), and then he'll perform something too. Sometimes it is jazz, sometimes samba. He gets so lively till ds2 will dance as well, and I feel like jiggling too, but don't want to embarrass myself. hee.

After that, he'll write everything down on ds1's manuscript book and review with him, then we'll all sit down in front of his huge TV and superb sound system, and watch something. Sometimes it is a track from Disney's Fantasia, which both ds love. And he'll ask ds1 to listen to the timpanis and drums playing in the background. Sometimes he plays old records, really, on the record player, and there'll be jazz groups or bands playing, and we'll watch how they jam or lay certain parts.

Then lesson is over! So it's very fun, even for me and ds2. It also helps a lot that I can listen and sit in the lesson cos I can reinforce whatever he taught at home, when ds1 practises. Hmm, in Spore, we parents were not encouraged or allowed in the classes so much. I don't mean the group ones like Yamaha's Little Notes, but the private individual ones. Usually they don't allow.

Next time I'll allow parents to sit in my Bio tuition and classes too, if they want! :-)