Weaving the rainbow

Teeth and growth/ devt updates

2011-01-21T09:57:00.003+08:00

Wow, long hiatus...

Many reasons... End of year craziness in 2010, then the new year, school reopening, the kids' birthdays coming up and then Chinese New Year.

Important updates prompted me to finally log in to post, because if I don't, I will forget when the kids sprout their teeth, and so on. :)

Little dd has 9 teeth now. The latest one, the upper right premolar, sprouted about 2 weeks ago. She's been mightily chewing on anything in sight and stuff all kinds of things into her mouth, and drooling copious amounts since a month ago.

On the other hand, she's been cruising for a long time already but she has yet to make the step towards walking. We do realise she is more timid than her brothers. However, it is still early to say if she'll be similar in reaching the walking milestone as them or later. ds1 started walking at 11months+, and ds2 at 1yr (12mth+). dd is 11months + now. She still has 1mth's time before we can really say she's slower or not! Jia you!

So far, she has been standing unaided, and taking one step only. But with that unsupported one step, she will usually realise she is not holding onto anything, get scared, look down, and then squat and start to crawl instead. Even with all my encouragement, she'll still not take more than 1 step. I'm leaving her to be ready herself. :)

Linguistically, she is not saying anything meaningful thing yet, although her babbling is taking on more and more "sentence structures" and similar intonation to how we speak. So it can be very entertaining and "cute" to listen to her and nod my head knowingly like I understand what she is saying, in order to encourage her.

She does understand quite a bit of what we say though. Words like "no" from us gets her very excited cos she will want to repeat the action we forbid her to do. "Give" when I want her to pass me something... "drop down" or "fall", and she will look down at the ground to check what has fallen off. This comes from letting many things, including food, drop from her high chair, of course.

She learns cause and effect from throwing her things off, according to experts, but it makes me have to clean up a lot more and I have to patiently pick things up and repeat to her, "drop down, mommy pick up".

It's a lot more fun playing with her now though. She laughs readily when we play endless "catching" games and peekaboos. She also shakes her head, sometimes very violently, especially when I want to feed her something new!

As for ds2, he lost his 1st tooth already. Same as ds1, at 5yo. His came out on 8 Dec. It had been shaky and loose for 1-2 months. Several times he asked to have it out, and several times both Dh and I tried, with our old thread pulling method, but it usually slipped out cos his new tooth was emerging and it blocked our access to encircling the thread really high up on the old baby tooth.

Finally Dh did it that day! Ds2 was so happy cos he had seen ds1 get visits from the tooth fairy several times already, and he eagerly got into bed that night. The next morning, he woke up super early! Earlier than me, cos he jumped into my bed and woke me up, holding a S$2 note, announcing that the fairy did visit him and he found it under his pillow! (I slid it in after he fell asleep the night before).

ds1 caught on that it was me early on, but ds2 was still blissfully unaware, he still believed the fairy flew in through the window, past the window grill! But he knows the truth now already, thanks to ds1 who informed him, and burst his bubble of magical fun.

I gave him $2 cos when ds1 dropped his first tooth, he was overseas, and I used the exchange rate to make sure we gave ds2 the same amount. So the kids have had visits from the tooth fairy in USA, China and Singapore, with different currency!

New blog

2011-01-06T20:19:00.002+08:00

I will be moving to my new blog.
Please re-subscribe or re-follow or update your bookmarks.
Thank you for being such a great reader and friend!

Happenings in Dec 2010: Lectureship and VBS etc

2011-01-04T02:07:00.007+08:00

1-4 Dec
Bible Lectureship

We attended every day, but Dh will stay for most of the lectures while I'll bring kids home to nap when they needed to. At night, there'd be the gospel meeting. It was a very busy week, but very edifying. Great to hear from speakers hailing from so many different countries around the world, because they bring with them refreshing ways of teaching the same Word.

4 Dec

ds1's 3rd chess competition this yr. This one is by the Singapore ZongXiang Huay Kuan. Nice premises, organised but lasted much longer than expected. We couldn't even pick him up and had to let the teacher bring him back to CPS cos my dad's Appreciation Dinner was at 6.30pm.

So our whole family went for the Appreciation Dinner except for ds1. Didn't expect the competition to end so late.

My dad stepped down from his presidency. Old age (he is 74 this yr), health reasons, and perhaps I think he wants to slow down and do something else. Since the Bible college is modelled after US colleges, they now termed him the President Emeritus. With this prestigious sounding name, he still got a huge pay slash but not much reduced workload. He was mumbling about it but not sure what will happen next.

Pics of the dinner are on FB. My sis was late cos she had to drag both her kids from Queenstown, and then she didn't realise the dinner was quite formal. (Everyone was wearing their best clothes, incl our family, and other guests.) She rushed down and had no time to dress up, so was in her jeans and nursing top. Not the nicest nursing top too. However, she still looked fantastic in the pictures, so I think it didn't matter at all.

9 Dec
Thurs
Met Mary and kids at Thai Express for lunch.
Pics at FB. It's lovely to live nearby so we can meet up impromptu and have a good time together.

10 Dec
Fri

Dh and I have been married for 9 yrs on 8 Dec! But we chose to celebrate on Friday cos Wed is in the middle of the week and there was Bible class at night.

We dropped ds1 off with mil and ds2 at school, then brought dd (no choice, the nursing one) along with us to Applebees at Triple One Somerset. We'd a lot of happy and yummy memories at Applebees when we were in Utah, and this is their only outlet in Sg.

After lunch, we planned to walk around 313 and just enjoy the time together leisurely.

Alas, something happened that caused us to spend the celebration of the anniversary in the paed's office instead.

I do have to be thankful that at least we had a great lunch. It was after lunch that we decided to walk to the nearby NTUC finest to check something out. Dh sat dd on his shoulders and I walked to a separate aisle to browse.

Suddenly I heard dd's piercing scream cum wail. It was a kind of cry that I seldom hear from her (i.e. not the want-to-nurse or diaper-full or sleepy kind). It was more like "i'm terrified and in a lot of pain" kind.

I rushed to their aisle and saw that there was a crowd there already! Later on, I learnt from Dh that a promoter was already in that aisle, he witnessed the whole incident. And then he went to grab a lady promoter in the next aisle, and both fussed over dd. And an expat couple was also there, and they stood there, shell-shocked but concerned. Then, 2 other couples, one Singaporean and another Filipino probably rushed over from another aisle cos they heard the loud cries and wondered if there was anything they could help with.

What happened was, Dh held dd by her legs as she sat on his shoulders. Initially they were just looking around, but then she started to play with his glasses and pull his hair and shift around.
Suddenly, she threw herself backwards (maybe cos she was restless or wanted to get at something along the aisle). At that point in time, Dh slipped or loosened his grip on her legs, and she fell from his SHOULDERS onto the ground. Yes, the NTUC concrete floor.

There was a loud smack when she fell. She was on her front when Dh went to pick her up and he told me, ashen faced later on, that he thought he'd see her face flattened and full of blood when he carried her up. Thankfully, that was not the case.

Me, who was oblivious that she fell from that great a height, and only reached her when she was crying, in Dh's arms, did not sense anything amiss and thought it was just a normal fall. I just carried her over and patted her back and she stopped crying. When she was whimpering, the onlookers came over to give advice.

I did wonder why they all looked so shocked but just dismissed it as us being in the NTUC in Orchard, maybe everyone was more friendly? The guy promoter kept saying I should let her drink some water to cure her from shock. The lady promoter said nevermind, don't be too alarmed, kids all have falls, just make sure she doesn't vomit. etc etc.

Since she had stopped crying, we walked to the cashier to pay for our stuff and left NTUC. I did notice the expat couple and Filipino couple trailed us for a while, observing dd.

It was only outside NTUC did Dh give me a detailed account of what happened. I was glad I didn't witness it. I might have a bigger response, which might have scared dd and not be able to calm her down so soon.

I examined her whole body for bruises, only her thighs looked very red. Her head did not have big bumps, but there was a small one on her forehead. I put her in the sling and she slept while we were still thinking whether we should get her checked. At first, we thought let her sleep, so we did walk to 313. But after I walked into Zara, I felt that I had no mood to browse anymore.

Dh was still pale and shaken, and he kept checking to see if dd was still breathing, quite funny, now that I am recalling the incident. So we finally decided, to give ourselves the peace of mind, we should bring her to a paed.

Since she hasn't seen a paed from the time she was born (in the hospital), we decided to go to the boys' doc at her clinic in Bt Timah. That's how we spent the rest of the day. Fortunately, she was given the all-clear after a thorough check (rib-cage, breathing, heart beat, head, stomach). Doc says it was surprising she came through with so few injuries, so she felt that dd must have tumbled before falling on the ground, hence the impact is lessened. Perhaps she did, on Dh's back?

Thank God she is fine!!

11 Nov Sat

Our boys were invited over to Mary's! They had so much fun watching TV, playing Nintendo, playing chess with ZY, and making sushi with Mary for lunch! Thank you thank you!

Meanwhile, Dh and I also had a great time having lunch at Bakerzin (with dd), and then grocery shopping. haha. It's nice to go shopping with just a baby (who has to go wherever we go) rather than 3 kids, all of whom would like to go in different directions. So we love this arrangement. Sometimes we'll take their kids, and sometimes they'll take ours! yay!

In the evening, after dinner, the church youth came to our place for Games Night. Remember how we decided to entertain friends but had to restrict the numbers? This time, it was the youth, so no families with young kids. Thus, the challenging board games and wacky card games were taken out, and everyone had fun laughing at each other.

Everyone also brought drinks or snacks. Ben (kwan) made fruit salad, and Andy baked choc chip cookies. I made banana pudding. There was so much food! Some brought their games to share as well. Philip (VW) brought Super Munchkin, Zel brought Slamwich and Janelle or Eustacia brought Rummikub.

They are young and full of energy, so they made the atmosphere in our house much livelier! At 10.30pm, I had to make our boys and dd sleep. It was way past their bedtime and the next day was Sunday. Somehow, even though I told the youth to carry on playing, they seemed to take this as cue. Audrey said her car coupon was set up to 10.30pm only, so they decided to leave.

By 11pm everyone was gone.

It was great fun, should have more of these. We will definitely do so, since dd is getting older and older too, and we'd hopefully be able to entertain more.

13-17 Dec
Mon-Fri
9am - 5pm
Vacation Bible School

This was organised by LAP congregation so every morning, Dh has to send ds1 all the way there. It's open to P1-P6 kids only so ds2 can't join yet.

I went with dd on Mon though, just to meet the youth there, and see how it is like. ds1 looked like he was enjoying himself with the introduction and ice breakers, so I left with Angeling. We went to Compass Point to walk around, eat breakfast at Starbucks, sit in the library and read and chat softly... Then we borrowed some books, had lunch at Jack's Place and took bus back to Angeling's house. I would be there till evening when Dh came to pick ds1 up. ds2 had school and would be at my mom's place till evening time when we got back.

On Tues, it was the day they were going to Bedok Reservoir for the Forest Adventure. It builds up confidence and self-esteem through a series of challenges above-ground. Something like an obstacle course. I find it fun and very good for the kids indeed. Because if they can complete it, they will feel like "I did this, I can do it, so I can try other things and succeed too!"

I brought ds2 along because he saw me surfing the net on the place and said he wanted to try as well. I wasn't sure if he met the height requirements so we just went to try. Dh kindly agreed to take time off work and drive us there.

Pics are all on FB. ds2 was very brave. He barely hit the minimum height requirement. It was 1.1m. He fell shy of 0.1cm I think, but the guy said he could go, so I paid for him (ds1 is covered by the VBS). Thankfully we came as a group cos he was paired with this P6 boy from LAP, Shawn, who was such a sensitive and caring boy!

He took care of ds2 throughout and watched out for him. Whenever ds2 felt scared or hesitant, he will shout encouraging words to ds2. The trainers were very good too. They put ds2 in between Shawn and another boy who is P6 as well. This is so that if ds2 gets stuck, he can get help from the one in front or behind.

The problem is that parents or other adults cannot get up to reach the child. And the child cannot come down halfway. Only at certain stations there are ways to come down. Else you are just stuck up there. Trainers may be able to reach you, cos they have the harness, but generally they discourage you from stopping halfway.

ds2 couldn't reach some of the ropes, too high, and he couldn't manage his clip sometimes. Too short, arms not strong enough. haha. Worse, some steps were so far apart, his feet and legs couldn't reach the next step despite stretching his widest. I wondered how he got his courage to get up there. Cos the VBS organiser was concerned for him and asked him "are you sure?" and showed him the entire course. I think at that time, he just wanted to do it cos his brother was going up and he didn't want to be left out!

But once he was up there, and ds1 was way in front, where he couldn't see him, he was scared! I was worried he'd cry and want to give up. Thankfully he completed everything, albeit a few, I almost thought he would give up, cos he hesitated for so long! At these times, Shawn and the trainer would encourage him and help him and he'd eventually pluck up enough courage to do it.

Funniest thing is, at the last part, when the kids get to sit on the flying fox thingy and zip all the way down, it looked very fun and was certainly much easier than some of the courses he'd completed, he started to cry! Yes! There at the end!

I wondered what he was thinking. When he came down and I asked him, he said he wanted to go again. He didn't want to come down. I was not convinced. He just went through the course with so much difficulty... I asked if he cried cos he was scared of the zipline? He said no... But then, I don't know why he had to cry then. Later was discussing with Dh, perhaps it was pent-up feelings. He was scared at all the earlier courses, and those were all over, so when it was the last station, it was tears of relief?? Just our guess.

ds1? Why didn't I talk about him? Cos we saw he was totally in his element, so there was no cause for concern. In the end, we took pics of ds2 mostly cos ds1 was so fast. He did not give any thought to risks or danger. He just plunged ahead onto every course without any hesitation or fear. That fellow. There was one station he just walked on without holding on to the rope above till someone shouted at him to hold on. Fortunately there was a safety harness around his waist, else I'd have freaked out.

2 sons, 2 different personalities. But I was so glad ds2 overcame his fear. Now whenever he is scared and don't want to try something, I am so happy that I can bring that Forest Adventure up and say, hey, you survived that right? You can do this, it's nothing compared to that! :)

After that we went to Ikea for a nice lunch (Tampines Ikea is nearby).

I didn't follow on Wed or Thurs. Had chores lined up at home to complete. ds1 went alone. He enjoyed himself a lot and got to know many LAP youth and kids. So happy for him.

On Thurs I even managed to go to Amore for cardiolatino with Mary! It was a disaster though. I found out I have 2 left feet! I used to dance Chinese dance in Pr sch and learnt gymnastics when I was young too. Had no problems with the rhythmic routines on the gym floor and danced my Chinese dances pretty well lei. Somehow, after growing up, I must have become more and more clumsy. I remember in JC, dancing the mass dance was quite ok for certain songs but for the fast ones, I was already not catching up, and always forgetting the moves.

Well, now I have confirmed it. It will be the last cardiolatino session! I will focus on toning and cardio-aerobics kind of exercises in future! (Btw, we were accosted by the staff cos I went for only 6 sessions in the whole of last yr! Tsk tsk. So my new yr resolution is to go more frequently else I can't use up my sessions!)

On Fri, I followed ds1 to LAP and then went Ikea Tampines, this time with ds2. We met Angeling, Mary and kids there, and played and ate, then went back to Angeling's house for the kids' nap. Mary and her kids left after the nap. At night, the presentation at LAP was at 8pm. We all went to watch the kids put up skits and show us what they learnt and did during the entire week of VBS.

They went to the Marina Barrage for a tour on Thurs and the pics were put up by the VBS organisers in a slideshow too. Very interesting. They also painted a wall mural on Friday. Lovely. Then the kids presented a cup they made for Daddy and an apron they made for mommy, and an art piece for their siblings, as well as a glove showing the whole family.

The whole camp was free! I am sure to sign him up this year again and this time, ds2 will qualify too!

19 Dec
Supposed to be my group's LF session but dd fell sick so I couldn't go. Mary was going for a staycation again so her helper came to our place for the night that night.

The next day was Monday, and Angeling came over for some fun activities. We made ice cream and popcorn, and the kids learnt how to make ice cream. Then we had lunch. I cooked simple lunch. Rice with soy sauce chicken, french beans and carrot, and eggs. Then the kids watched a DVD together while eating the pop corn. Then they napped.

After the nap, we had ice cream with toppings of graham crackers and Hershey's Choc fudge. Then we all headed for the playground to swing and climb! That was the end of our gathering. Mary's helper left with them to spend one night with Angeling as well. I hope it was fun for her too!

23 Dec
Thurs
11am

Brought the kids to Mz's house for a Uni friends gathering. ds2's school was having an Xmas party but we skipped that for this rare reunion.

There was a lot to play there. Hot Wheels, Beyblade etc.. ds1 also played chess with Yunhao who used to be a chess champion in school. Yh taught ds1 a few tips also and gave him some can2ju2 to work on. Wah... ds1 was so engrossed and interested.

It's amusing cos we were discussing how my sons were not interested in the violin when dh is so good at it and has tried to teach them. Yh's sons are also about the same age as ours. His older son is also in P2 now. But his sons are not interested in chess.

I had lots of fun chatting and catching up with everyone. We had a good time eating too.

At night, it was ds2's Yamaha class concert so dh, ds1, dd and i all went. Next year he'll be switching to the Sat timeslot so this was his last day in this class. Pity cos this class had more kids his age, and a couple of really cute girls. :)

He played Tug of War and Happy Day. Everyone sang and danced a few items too. The parents were all very supportive. Pics on FB.

24 Dec

My turn to host. Last time while I was teaching, I was so glad that my school became such a warm and friendly place where my colleagues were mostly my friends. Some of us became really very close friends. These relationships were very important to me because it made going to work very fun and I looked forward to it. It also made all the irritating admin work or the lousy terrible days feel better cos your friends are sure to cheer you up.

Even though I taught Biology, besides the Biology teachers (who have become like family), I was also close to several Physics and Chemistry teachers. Last time, we all sat in a mixed bunch. (Now I heard they have zoned it such that Bio sits with Bio, and thus there is less interaction across subjects.)

And as you know, I have been on no pay leave for 4 yrs now. My friends have all moved on and moved UP. haha. Yes, so my friends are now principals, VPs, HODs, subject heads, and some have fancy names like Dean of xx, Consultant, Director...

This particular day, I played host to a very busy principal and a very busy other friend who moved to another JC. We had a simple lunch and basically just chatted. Years have passed but we still had so many things to talk about!

This special day had ds2's school tr come visiting too! She brought the kids each a surprise! She bought them a cupcake each (dd incld!). And she also brought ds2 all his Xmas presents from his friends and teachers in school. I took him out of school for the last 2 weeks in Dec, you see. So kind of his teacher. I think I love her more than he does, haha.

That night, we all went to Leon's house for games night. His place is really good for games cos there are 5 storeys and free parking. haha. So many different games were played by different groups, so he could host a large large group. I got to play BIG taboo, which is a new form of taboo. I like it, all the new twists were funny.

The rest of the time, I spent trying to keep dd out of other people's games. :)

ds1 had a field day playing Risk with the big guys and also Saboteur, which I had never heard of. ds2 played Slamwich and Uno. We all had a smashing time.

The last week of Dec will be updated in my new blog. Decided to set up a new blog for the new year, since it's high time, with the new member in the family being almost 1yo now! Can't have this URL anymore, it is stale! :)

Happenings in Nov 2010: PTMs

2010-12-30T23:00:00.008+08:00

A friend, who has 4 kids and is a very inspiring person, has been visiting because she was buying a violin for her then 1+yr old boy, and then later, also having a bow made especially for him because no factories would make 1/64 or 1/32 violin bows. She also had a bow custom made for her oldest son who is 13 now.

She visited a few times and we also visited her place, because Dh had to listen to how her 2nd son played the erhu, and then modify and change the erhu strings to enhance the performance. Her son won 2nd prize in the National Chinese Music Competition for erhu, by the way! Well done!

Anyway, I am blogging cos I received a lot of good stuff from her, some of which she handmade, and I am so grateful!

Here's just a sample of her handmade books. She also passed me puzzles and many board books that dd loves thumbing through (err, and chewing, unfortunately!).

2 Nov
Misulo free trial

Misulo is an art adventure center that started in Korea. It has finally come to Sg and set up shop right where my place is! So I had to go and take a look right?

They were offering Safra members a free trial. We were members so I jumped at the chance. I would have signed all 3 kids up, but their course is for kids from 2-6+yrs old, so I only had one who "qualified".

It was scheduled for this particular Tues. I was very impressed cos it was a full hour lesson, with 2 teachers to ds2 alone. What a ratio!

It's called an art adventure because it doesn't teach kids how to draw a cat, or a plane, nor does it teach kids art techniques per se. Instead it is about exploration of various materials, and how they can form art.

This trial session revolved around marbles. Parents don't sit in (I went for a walk with dd), but I was shown pictures and told about the whole session by the teachers and ds2 at the end.

They rolled the marbles, played with them, then dipped them in paint and rolled them in a paper tray. (Photo in FB) Then they made "watermelon juice" in an empty plastic bottle by rolling marbles dipped in red paint in the bottle. After that, when asked to add some lemon juice, ds2 dipped the marbles in yellow paint and added them to be shaken in the bottle.

After that, they used marbles to paint a picture. ds2 painted a garden pic. Then they painted on the wall and ds2 enjoyed spraying water onto the wall picture to create "rain". He didn't want to stop spraying even when the lesson was over. (Guess I deprive them of making such mess on a regular basis at home, that's why!)

I didn't sign up actually, thinking of saving money. But I was very moved by it because it will boost ds2's confidence and self esteem which I think is lowered because he is the younger one and he constantly compares himself to his brother.

It was only when my niece Eva went for a trial and my sis was very very keen cos it was one of the few classes where she would be interested and involved throughout the lesson. She also loved it very very much so my sis signed up and wanted ds2 to be in the same class so he can motivate her.

Since my sis might be leaving for the UK soon, I thought it would be a good chance for ds2 to bond with Eva and during their class, me and sis can bring our younger ones for some eating and bonding too.

These pics are a sample of other sessions. This one involved tissue paper and the messy part was what ds2 enjoyed too, flinging tissues soaked with different coloured paints all over the wall, incl the ceiling, to create a masterpiece.

(Just look at the walls! I am glad it is not my house. haha)

ds1 liked Misulo a lot too, but he is overaged. So I let him mix stuff at home. He was happy too.

5 Nov
Deepavali hol

Went for a friend's wedding. She invited Dh and I, so we left boys at home and mom babysat them. This friend was the one who played the piano for us at our own wedding, and she was also my S7 junior in hc. She happened to be Dh's junior in String Orch too (plays both violin and viola). She was from DHS CO, and plays the harp too. Very musically talented.

Pic on FB - she's carrying a huge "bouquet" of balloons. (She married a magician btw, and there was a professional magic show during the wedding, so pro that I've never seen anything like that before.)

It was at Goodwood Park Hotel, and I wore a dress that wasn't nursing wear, so I had to ask for a place where I could nurse dd (since the dinner was preceded by the solemnisation, we were there since 6pm, and it ended at 11.30pm). I asked the waitress who was serving our table, for a place where I can "nurse my baby".

She said sure, it's at the handicap toilet, and gave me directions! I said no, I need to "breastfeed my baby", thinking maybe she didn't know the meaning of "nurse". She said, "yeah, it's inside the toilet. There's a plastic thing you can lay down and put your baby on top." I almost fainted.

She looked very young, perhaps waiting for her O level results or something.

Ok, I looked for someone more senior, and immediately, this guy got a bunch of keys out, ushered me to a meeting room near the ballroom. He even switched the air con on and made sure I was comfortable before leaving. He told me I could lock it from the inside.

Initially I thought I'd be bored cos the bride's more of Dh's friend. But we were seated at a table where the rest were also people in the music circle. Another guy was also from HC Strings and was my senior. He's now in SSO. Another 2 are conductors of several secondary schools' string orchs. Then there was another couple with a baby and the mom also bf her baby and naturally we had lots to talk about.

7 Nov

ds1 had his 2nd chess comp. This time it was a group one. He was again the youngest one fielded. He didn't do too well this time, lost his 3 matches. Fortunately his other team members were ok, but the group did not win. They consisted of only P1-3 kids. The school fielded other teams, and the A teams managed to win. Phew, else I think we'd feel bad. The TIC says no problem, he fielded the younger ones just for exposure and experience. No expectations placed on them.

My mom happened to be in Sg that weekend so she helped us accompany him as a volunteer. She helped the teachers and then was able to ensure that ds1 ate his lunch. Good, at least this time he had something to eat and drink.

Later in the evening, we picked ds1 up and went to celebrate fil's birthday at the restaurant in Safra club. Then we walked back to my house cos I baked a cake after mil requested for it. They didn't want any present, just the cake. I guess at their stage, presents don't mean as much as family time.

8-15 Nov

Dh went to USA again. For another competition. Mom helped me again, thank God.

9 Nov
Tues
3.30pm

Parent-meet-teacher session for ds1.

Met the form teacher first then the Chinese teacher. Both discussed his strengths and weaknesses in the subjects they taught him (academic nature) and showed me the marks he obtained for the different modes of assessment. They then suggested ways to help him improve on the weaknesses.

Eg for Chinese, he is poorer in his speech (oral), so I was asked to use the language more. Cos if we speak to him in the language, then he will learn more descriptive words and expand his vocab. I nodded my head. I must remember to! It's just so easy for me to lapse into a tirade in English, especially when scolding them!

Both teachers also talked about his personality and character. His Chinese teacher even said, "我超喜欢" (I super like him!). His form teacher did give me more insight. He is a mischievous boy who would often think up tricks or pranks to play on his friends. He also cannot keep still and still moves everything on his table while listening to the teacher, which is distracting.

But she did say he is adorable because he would crack jokes with her and also tell her "stories".

He is forgetful and absentminded though. Will make many careless mistakes and will often forget to do corrections or homework or miss out pages, that kind of thing.

Ok, I know what areas to help him in P2 now!

10 Nov

ds1's school went to East Coast to clean up the beach.

12 Nov
ds1's school held a Green carnival, and they could wear green tees to school. They had activities and performances in school that educated them better about caring for the world we live in.
Parents were invited, and we were also encouraged to wear green and bring stuff to recycle.
If we brought a lot, we could even exchange the stuff for coupons to get rice and stuff.

Sounded fun, but I couldn't make it!

13 Nov
Mary and CY had to work, and their moms couldn't help out, so they brought Ch and L, plus the helper to my place for the whole day.

I wasn't worried I couldn't cope cos the helper would be there to take care of her own charges. I just had to supervise.

In fact, I got very excited and started planning a fun-filled day for them.

We went out to JP, budgeted and made lists and browsed at Popular before choosing something useful to buy (each kid had $5 but L napped and didn't spend his money). ds1 chose erasers and pencils (4B-6B ones), ds2 and ch both chose a packet of plasticine with various colours. So cute. They made plasticine animals, fruits, food etc together at home.

We bought fishball noodles and had them at home for lunch. I also bought them popcorn and the kids watched Toy Story3 while munching on popcorn (after lunch, of course).

The kids were well-behaved even though in a group they tend to be noisier. They did not mess up the place and listened when I gave instructions.

After the movie, I said it was nap time, and everyone obediently napped. Wow. Then, we made kaya from scratched.

Showed them how to harvest pandan leaves, blend, strain etc, and I let them crack an egg each since the kaya portion I made needed 6 eggs. After that they played while I and their helper did the tedious stirring over "water bath".

Mary came to pick them up later, around 7pm, I think. It was a really fun day. I was tired at the end of the day mainly cos dd did not nap well and thus was very cranky and required me to sling her the whole time (yeah, while making kaya and supervising kids). But I wouldn't mind doing such things again. :)

Mil came over for dinner too, and she did meet the bunch of them before they left.

16 Nov
Tues
12pm

ds2's PTM.
This time, Dh just returned from USA. The rest of ds2's class already had theirs and the teachers were kind enough to reschedule it just so Dh could be around. He missed all of the kids' PTMs this year, so at least he was able to make it for this one.

ds2 received a lot of things from the school. Besides the "report card" which had comments from teachers and a checklist of stuff he could achieve, there was this scrapbook of photos which was so beautiful. The teachers must have put in tremendous effort because the pages were full of pretty stickers/ cut-outs, and printed with personal anecdotes of what ds2 did in class.

Photos had captions, and each page would be filled with pics of him and his friends or teachers doing something, and the descriptions would bring smiles to my face.

It was great seeing all his excited and happy expressions in those pics. Wonderful to see him having a fantastic time with his friends too. It'd serve as a great memory of his K1 yr.

Teachers comments were mostly praises, similar to what we had in June. But this time, Dh got to listen to it. Of course, these PTMs are for parents to feel very proud of their kids and to congratulate themselves for choosing the "right school" for their kids to blossom. Cos that's the idea I get with both boys' PTM. It's like wow, they enjoyed so much, learnt so much, what a great school, the teachers are so amazing, and wow, how clever your son turned out to be...

I really am proud of my sons, and I really appreciate the teachers and love their schools to bits. But after hearing so many rounds of such PTMs since they were in Nursery (and in different schools), I know how it works and learn to smile at praises and nod my head at things I need to help them to improve. It's funny that even though I know what to expect, I still love the PTMs where I get to meet the teachers. Never boring.

So I hear the same adjectives again. ds2 is advanced in reading and Math. His spelling is amazing. His Chinese word recognition is surprisingly good, and he writes pretty well.

However, he cannot speak well. (similar to Ds1 right?) But ds1 is at least loud and proficient in English. ds2 prefers to be soft. When it is his turn to present things, he will speak very softly. In Chinese presentations, he mutters even fewer words. Some words have wrong intonation. I *smack head*. Can't believe that just 2 yrs in USA and us not speaking Mandarin at all can cause such a big effect. I do admit I didn't put in effort to speak it much in USA since there was hardly the environment and we go out so much. I think it happened to be their most formative years too.

Experts say linguistic abilities are greatest from 0-3yrs right? Then after 5 yrs old, sorry, drastically reduced. Now we can only play the catch up game.

Recently the papers had this Asian mom say we Asians need to learn to accept praises about our children graciously. We tend to play them down. When the teacher told Dh that ds2 was quicker than his friends in Math, such that she had to give him extra and more difficult Qs to work on, Dh looked incredulous (even though I know he must be happy).

He asked the teacher what kind of Math she was referring to. She said addition within 20, for eg. The rest of the class would be figuring it out and she had to give him addition above 20, but within 100 to keep him occupied.

Dh then asked, "But did he get them correct?"
Teacher said, "yeah!"
Dh (still not convinced) asked, "hmm, but is he doing it correctly cos he is good at memorising and thus it is just rote answering, or does he really understand the concept?"
Teacher: (hesitated) errrr...

I think she was stumped. Then she had to ask Dh what he meant, and he explained himself fully, saying maybe ds2 has a good memory only, so maybe he remembered that 25+25 is 50, but actually he doesn't know how to do working, and doesn't know why it adds up to 50, blah blah blah.

I was quiet at the side and let him talk, since PTM is for us to ask Qs and understand our kids better. But I just found it mildly amusing. Dh seems to be unable to believe that ds2 could be anywhere better than mediocre.

17 Nov
Hari Raya Haji hol

Our family went to Mag's house and had a smashing time catching up with my ex-colleagues. There was Wii and ds1 got to play chess with my ex-colleagues too. They are all very good as well. Wah, so many hidden talents I didn't know about in the past. Photos on FB.

20 Nov
Sat
10am-1pm

My niece and nephew's bday party at my sis' place. It was the last time we visited that place. She vacated it shortly after and moved in with my mom, with the intention to sell. Glad we made that trip.

Everyone had a great time playing together and enjoyed the food we all helped to prepare. Photos on FB too.

25 Nov
PSLE results released. Niece (another one, not the above bday girl) got pretty decent results and got into RV. She didn't get into RV through DSA a few months ago. Thankfully she did by PSLE results.

27 Nov
Sat
Four Seas Commencement Exercise

Went for this graduation. Pics on FB. It's my dad's last time as President.

In the evening, there was cottage meeting and I made Korean chap chae this time. Pics on FB too.

29 Nov
Mon

We visited Diana at her house in Tiong Bahru then went for a playdate together with Angeling and kids at Fidgets. Before that, we had a scrumptious lunch at Sol Playground Cafe first. It was so yums!

Fidgets was very fun for the kids. Such a large space and I like it that the baby area, where I was stuck with the crawling and climbing dd, had CCTV monitors and screens that I can view the boys playing at the big kids' area further away. Nice.

What a fun-filled and packed November!

The Snowy Day

2010-12-22T21:43:00.003+08:00

Oct 7

ds2's school was taking part in the event where kids all over the world will read the same story on the same day, to raise funds for other needy children. Funds will be used for education, to buy books, set up libraries and so on for kids.

Last year, the boys were in Tianjin and their school also took part. Then, it was the story "The Hungry Caterpillar". The school had this giant caterpillar move around and the kids had fun acting and reading the story and doing many activities.

I was delighted that ds2's school was taking part this year too. Sad that ds1's school didn't. Most primary schools in Sg didn't take part.

This year's story is "A Snowy Day". It is a lovely story, imaginative, and well-illustrated. Kids can learn a lot from it. There are many activities that can be done too. Unfortunately, it is not so easy in tropical Sg.

ds2's P suddenly called me up to ask if I can help out. Initially, it was just asking if I can volunteer to read, but in the end, when we were discussing, and the P was saying the teachers in school would all jump at the chance to help me take care of dd while I read the story to all the kids. At this, I started to wonder. Cos dd has entered the stage of stranger awareness and separation anxiety. She absolutely sticks to me and if a stranger carries her, she cries.

After discussing, I volunteered Dh. I said that'd make everyone less stressed. Cos I'd have to do 20min readings to the playgroup class, toddler class, nursery then kindy. All these add up to quite a long time. I said I'd still go and help, but I'd carry dd myself and Dh will do the reading.

The P thought for a while, and was hesistant. She said she felt Dh was a quiet and introverted personality. My jaw almost dropped. I wanted to guffaw loudly into the phone! Fortunately I could control myself and informed her that there would be no problem. That Dh had acting background.

He acted in the Tan Kah Kee play in Sec school and was one of the impt roles. In JC, he joined the HuangChengYeYun each year and also acted in key roles. Even in Uni, he was still acting in outside productions. He performs violin/ viola solo and in groups and in orchestras all the time. He sings so loudly. Hmmm, quiet? Introverted? Those who know him would laugh too.

So she said ok, and said the teachers would take care of all the activities/ art and craft and decorate the school/ music room. All we had to do was come and read the story. She also had props but I said we can bring our own.

ds2 was excited that we were all going to his school. His friends all chanted dd's name over and over when we reached. The tr had to stop them. I signalled sorry to her for disrupting the class. They said no problem, she's too cute, that's why.

All the teachers in his school were clamouring to carry her. Unfortunately she was very uncooperative. She makes me embarrassed all the time cos people love her and want to carry her but she'll cry and reject them.

Anyway, this is their breakfast time. I really love their classroom, wonderful view that makes the room look airy and bright.

Dh went to the music room to prepare his music Cd and props. I put dd there too.

The different classes started streaming in. The playgroup consists of kids 18mth to 2yrs old. They were mostly attentive and interested but they did not respond as appropriately when asked Qs. Probably Dh and I haven't attuned ourselves to that level yet, cos the Qs he asked could've been a bit tougher. It has been awhile since we had an 18mth old kid, you see!

Then the toddlers (2-3yrs) came in. They were livelier and laughed a lot more. They also squealed and jumped around when Dh did anything funny. So it was more fun.

This pic shows everyone trying to make snow angels like how Jack did in the story.

The Chinese teacher of the toddlers managed to hold dd for a while!

After just 20min, the kids had bonded so much with Dh they didn't want to leave. They all hugged him before saying goodbye. So sweet. This age is so fun.

After that, the Nursery kids had their turn. They're between 3-4 years old.

Then the K1 and K2 kids, incl ds2, came in.

They responded the best, asked the most Qs and were very spontaneous. They reacted quickly when the cotton snow balls were thrown and at once started a "snow ball fight" that was read out in the story too. The younger kids were more "blur".

After the story, all the kindy kids posed for a pic, together with the trs and P.

Dad and son had a good time bonding together too. That's why I am all for schools who are open to parents participating and for schools who invite parents to their field trips and to volunteer.

I like the convenience of the kindy below my apt. They also have a pretty good curriculum and programme and is much less expensive than ds2's current school. Besides the fact that they have no space for ds2, they were very reluctant to let parents into the classrooms. They didn't want us to observe, neither did they welcome parents on field trips.

I wonder why. I always think schools who try to keep parents out must be hiding something?

Other happenings in Sep/ Oct 2010

2010-12-10T21:22:00.005+08:00

30 Sep
11.30am

Met my American friend at Thai Express for lunch. Brought dd only. I received a beautiful gift from Greece from her. Hearing her speak about her trip there makes me want to go there too! I will keep that place in mind, it is a coastal area near Athens, if I remember correctly.

She also invited us for playdates at her place, because there is a terrific swimming pool there. But I haven't yet gone cos it was flu season in Nov and Dec and till now, I think our family has gone through 3 rounds??!?

Other events, I will probably post the pics on Facebook so it would be quicker. And I'll just make a short record here, for my kids' sake and for my future self, in case, amnesia stirkes, and I can refer back to the blog. :)

Then I will revert to posting pics and updates here and try and be more current in 2011. Must be my new year resolution!

3 Oct
Sun evening

Had a rare dinner with my parents. Seldom eat with both of them due to my dad's schedule. Ate tze char at Boon Lay. It was delicious. After that, we strolled to their old place at Boon Lay and passed by the expat kids playing hockey. Apparently they play hockey every week at the Boon Lay CC. Some kind of coaching clinic or maybe a junior league.

9 Oct
12pm

Ladies Fellowship group
My group is the Wings Sisters this year.
We had lunch at Kichi Kichi at Ngee Ann City.

Dh ate with the boys and dd went with me.

We managed to get Josiah's birthday present there at Takashimaya, so happy!

After that we brought Meda along and went to Lai Mui's place for the singing session.
I let the boys swim at her mansion's pool. They had so much fun. I didn't bring dd down cos it was too much hassle for me. (the boys can shower by themselves, but I'd have to shower myself and dd if I went down, and I would have to bring all of my clothes/ swimwear etc. it's so easy for boys, but so troublesome for girls, many more pieces of clothing to bring, and more accessories to pack too)

Lai Mui's helper kept praising my boys for being so well-behaved. She was amazed that they could shower and change themselves. She said she was comparing them to another boy who's the same age as ds2 who often goes to her mdm's housr.

After that we were ushered into the guest room. Lai Mui kindly offered a bucket of toy cars, so the boys played happily, Dh and singers sang downstairs gustily, me and dd relaxed on the queen-sized bed. I lazily switched the TV on, and she had cable in the guest room! I ended up watching a korean movie while nursing dd, so lucky!

10 Oct
Sun
1-3pm

Bday party at philatelic museum.
ds2's classmate booked a Museum birthday party. Very interesting. The kids learnt more about stamps and played group games that involved running around the museum looking for clues. Us moms sat in the party room, drinking coke, munching on chips and chatting. Fun!

12 Oct
Tuesday
5pm

Dinner with Mel at Sakura, Science Center.

Our dear friend, who was a teacher at the intl school in Tianjin, visited Sg with her son. She is now teaching in the intl sch in Jakarta and used her short hol to vacation in Sg.

She came alone with her son, leaving her dd with her hubby in Jakarta cos she wanted to wean her dd off bm and it was impossible with her around, so she was going to give her dd the cold turkey.

I asked Dh if I could do that in future. haha. He gave me a look of horror. It takes a lot to be the parent at home with the bf child who wants bm and starts crying, and the source is nowhere to be seen! All I can say is, her hubby is very brave and her hubby must have had a week without much sleep at night. :)

Mel and her son were awesome company. She's Australian and her hubby's Indonesian. Her son is so so beautiful. Anyway it was good we met up cos they toured the science center before dinner and he got all wet. We have boys so it was easy to offer extra clothes, socks and shoes. She returned us the next day cos we planned to go to the zoo together.

After a good meal, we all squeezed into the car. Having been in Tianjin for a while, Mel was able to squeeze, no problem! (Most Americans and Australians would be concerned about safety, especially with the kids not in car seats) Dh sent me and kids back first, then sent her and son back to YMCA in Orchard.

13 Oct
Wed

Zoo

We don't often take the kids out of school. But friends from overseas who come once in a blue moon are an exception. We took both boys out of school to go to the zoo with Mel and son. We had an amazing day!! The boys took to each other so well, despite the age gap, and that while in Tianjin, they hadn't actually met each other before. (Mel's son was too young to go to school then)
Pics are on FB.

16 Oct
Sat

Josiah's bday party at Changi chalet.
Jon and Angelia rented the chalet. We had fun blowing bubbles and the boys played at the beach, wetting themselves fulling running into the sea, and then getting sand stuck all over their wet clothes.

I didn't bring any extra clothes for them cos it was supposed to be a short birthday celebration. Argh, they sat on trash bags in the car all the way home, wet, sticky and dirty. But they loved it. Reminds me of that old nursery rhyme: girls are made of all things nice.... then boys are made of all the yucky icky stuff like frogs and lice?

19 Oct

ds1 at mil: PSLE marking day.
There were 4 longs marking days! Holiday for ds1! So my mil said he could spend one day at her place. She wanted to bring him out and also do some activities with him, like listen to music and do calligraphy (but ds1 hated that). ds1 said by lunch time, he was very bored and asked for his gonggong (fil) to return from the factory to play chess with him.

After that, he was happy cos they played 6 straight sets of chess before fil had to return to work.

dd had her vaccination that same day. She was also weighed and checked by the doctor. Everything's fine. She is also slimming down, a natural progression with all my kids. She was then at the 97th percentile already, down from 100th.

For my kids, because they take only bm for the 1st 6 months, absorption is very good and they put on weight quickly. After 6 months, they start having more and more solids. The more solids they have, the less efficient the absorption. Also, they start running after 1yo and then there is no looking back. They become thinner and thinner.

I also tend to control the amount of deep fried/ salty/ sugary stuff they eat at home, so I guess that's how they don't put on much weight thereafter. And of course, there is the genetic component. (The only time we all did put on weight was in Utah, I think. We ate a lot more fatty food, salty stuff and soda/ candy/ ice cream/ chocolate.)

21 Oct
Thurs

Rochester Park

Since ds1 was still on holiday, I took ds2 out of school, and we had a playdate with Eva and El and went to check out this new indoor play area. It is a 2 storey bungalow with all kinds of lovely playthings inside the house. Train sets, doll houses, ride-ons, dress-up and puppet play, kitchen sets... And Wii, Nintendo upstairs for older kids. Outdoors, there are sand pits, water play areas. But it was raining that day, so we only played indoors.

Surprisingly, halfway through, ds2's former music tr at his kindy walked in! He was a great music tr and taught them all kinds of dance, like hip hop, tap, and introduced them to a lot of different genres of music. He also played many musical games with them and sang very interesting songs. Ds2 came alive with music during the time Mr I taught them.

But sadly, he left. And then I found out he left to set up this new playcenter! Ahhhh, no wonder. He has his own "baby" now. He looked very happy, and was carrying a lot of props which he said were for birthday parties. The 2nd storey had party rooms and he said they were fully booked for parties till March 2011!

The boys got extra playtime without charge that day. :)
Pics on FB.

22 Oct
7pm

Dinner for guests.

When we were renovating our house, Dh and I dreamt of entertaining our friends at least once a month. We'd like to cook something special and invite a small group of friends over for a meal. Thereafter, we can chat or play games together.

After our house was renovated, we had dd and then were so busy trying to get the house in order. I think we only started having guests over for the kids' birthdays and other special occasions.

Then Dh had a coffee party idea, and we started the entertaining ball rolling.

This Friday night, we had some church friends over. We drew up lists of different "cliques". Those with young kids, those without, the youth etc. Because our house was small, we can only manage small groups. So we divided the groups up and lined them up to be invited. :)

So far, we had a few groups already. This particular Friday, we roasted lamb, steaks, pork, potatoes and I stir fried French beans with sze chuan veg. Then I made mushroom sauce (with red wine) using Portobellos and brown mushrooms, lots and lots of them. We used loads of the sauce with the meat.

After the meal, we played games, and I actually FORGOT to bring dessert out! Argh! can't believe it. There was ice cream from Island Creamery that Leon brought and lots of potato chips. I only remembered the strawberries and grapes from Peter and Sab.

Must be cos dd was bugging me non stop towards the end. All of us had a great time, especially the boys. They always get very hyper with guests around.

(This has now evolved into more of potlucks with games, cos I realised after all the cooking and cleaning while tending to dd, I am too tired to play games, haha. Next time when kids are older, I will start cooking more to entertain. Now, I rather prepare dessert only. :))

23 Oct
Sat

Met up with dear old ex-colleague HM at JP's Ichiban for dinner, then still adjourned to Bakerzin for desserts later. haha.

ds1 was very well-liked by her 2 girls. Pics on FB.

It was great catching up, especially since 2010 had been tough for her. And me, actually, come to think of it.

24 Oct

Very sinful feasting over the past few days!
Sunday evening, had a rare dinner out with Tim, Law, and Mary's family. All the way at Upp Bt Timah. There's this super famous tze char stall near the Hazel/ Dairy Farm area.

Very yummy indeed! And there are wildlife species to spot while eating too! It was a long wait, and the boys took a nice long walk with Dh along the canal. They saw monitor lizards, amongst other animals!

Pics on FB. And dd had her first prawn paste chicken wings there too! Thanks to Tim and Law for recommending.

27 Oct
Wed

Old friend returns with her hubby and dd from UK. She was my classmate in Sec sch and we went to different JCs. After that, she worked in the finance sector, all the way up. She's a vice-president of a certain dept in a big bank now, in London. She has a romantic love story too.

Met her British hubby in New Zealand while she was backpacking. How cool.

Anyway, they settled in UK but then as their dd grew, she felt that an education in Sg would be good for her dd since it is bilingual.

There are a lot of parents here who want to bring their kids overseas cos they hate the system in Sg, but then I meet lots others who want to come to Sg for their kids' education instead. I think it is just how different people think differently.

Anyway so she returned to buy an apt near a good school and we met up at Bakerzin. Her dd is so adorable and she loves dd very much, so dd was very entertained by this big sister while YP and I chatted. Her hubby is very easy to get along with and surprisingly he can join in our conversations with ease too. (I say this cos sometimes Dh gets bored when me and girlfriends yak non stop).

I had to leave cos it was time to pick the boys up from school, and we promised to meet up the next time she returns for CNY and then later on, for good.

28 Oct
Diana visited me with her dd, who is just a month apart from my princess. They had a fun playdate, eating their Baby bites together, while me and Diana chatted. Her hubby lectures at NTU. Sometimes she'll follow him and since I live here, she will visit with me till her hubby is done.

There are several times she smsed me to meet up but I was not available. Otherwise we'd have had many more playdates than the 3 we already had, I think.

Pic below: A quarry near in-laws' place. They like to walk to this quarry as a form of exercise, so they often ask us to go along. Sometimes they bring just the boys.

Cupcake and Pizza making

2010-12-02T20:57:00.004+08:00

After Vivocity on Friday, 1/10/10, Mary's helper stayed the night at my place, sharing a room with the kids (let her choose between the kids' room and the study and she chose the kids' room).

Mary's helper likes to cook/ bake a lot. She told Mary she prefers that to looking after kids actually. haha. It is way less stressful indeed, and satisfaction can come after a much shorter period of time, don't you agree?

So I decided to bake cupcakes and make our own pizza for lunch.

The cupcakes were for the boys' Sunday school teachers, as well as for Ch and L and Mary's helper.

Icing was done a day after on Sun morning.

Pizza was made from scratch too. Used a recipe from Allrecipes.com. Then kids could put whatever ingredients they wanted. They put a crazily disproportionate amount of mozzarella!!

Mary's helper was pretty adventurous. She tried many different combinations and in the end, she also followed the kids and used lots of cheese.

I, on the other hand, love my mushrooms and olives. Yum.

Children's Day and other outings 2010

2010-12-02T20:06:00.002+08:00

25 Sep
Sat

Went to Rama's house for cottage meeting. I cooked red bean soup with tapioca pearls.
He has so many cats! Amazing.

27 Sep
Mon

ds1's school organised a field trip to IMM. There they had fun locating different stores/ banks and filled up some worksheets. They also had $2 to spend, and they realised they could pool it to buy bigger stuff, which they lugged back to school and had a super class party.

Some parents went as volunteers but this time I didn't. Shopping is not my specialty anyway, haha.

29 Sep
ds2's turn. His school brought them all to West Coast Park to celebrate Children's Day. They had a blast. I didn't join in either, thanks to dd.

ds2 received so many gifts for children's day!

His Chinese teacher was very thoughtful in giving each kid a book teaching them traditional values too. Plus candy and stationery of course, to please the kid.

When he reaches Pr sch, he will get this, which is what ds1 got:

On my part, I gave them several coupons which they could redeem, some had deadlines/ expiry dates (have to use by 1st Oct), some didn't. ds2 requested to go to Vivocity, using one of his wishes. ds1 was simple, he wanted to go Popular, which was just in JP.

ds2's wish required more manpower and Dh wasn't free, and I was fortunate that Mary and family were going to spend their weekend at a local hotel. They thus deposited their helper with me. With an extra person, I had someone to pacify the screaming dd all the way to Vivo.

This trip was mainly for the kids so I didn't really shop, only to buy a gift for ds2's classmate whose bday party was imminent.

They played hard indeed!

ds1 ds2 have to grow up too quickly?

2010-11-04T01:40:00.002+08:00

Today something happened that made me wonder if I am too caught up with tending to the baby and letting my boys grow up too quickly?

Already, I have been advised to not be too trusting of strangers or my environment, that I shouldn't let the boys wait at the void deck alone (like wait for the car) or walk to the bus stop and back from school bus stop alone etc. I also let them go down to the playground to play by themselves for short stretches of 15-20min.

Initially it was because I was breastfeeding so frequently (dd needed it every 30min or so in her 1st month) and changing diapers at a high rate, so if the boys wanted to run around, throw ball, cycle etc, they'd to go downstairs alone. There was no choice.

Now, it is not that bad, but I've gotten busy with other stuff like preparing dd's food, cleaning up her mess, so I still let them do those by themselves. But I wonder if I should slowly start getting into the groove of being with them more often. (btw dd is clapping her hands, waving bye bye now and she drinks from a straw and has stood without any support for just a couple of seconds, very exciting time for her)

Safety is one reason, but another could just be that they are still young and need guidance.

So the thing that happened today was that his piano teacher had to trim his fingernails for ds1. My mom brought ds1 to his lesson today and said it is so embarrassing that his nails were so long that his teacher had to cut it for him. She also commented that his school shoes were very dirty.

Oops. That was my fault. Cos since the beginning of his P1 yr, I told him to be responsible for washing his own school shoes. I also let him cut his own nails ever since I was quite heavily pregnant.

Being a 7yr old, I think he would try to get away with doing these tasks as infrequently as possible.

My fault is that I did not "follow up" or supervise. Even if I were training him to be more independent, I should still check and guide. But I failed to do so. I have not really noticed his teeth, nails or cleanliness of his shoes for such a long time.

Then, one of his shirt buttons came off maybe a month ago. It popped out in school and he kept it for me. He came home and passed it to me. I praised him and told him I'd mend it for him. But I kept putting it off cos he was perfectly fine wearing his shirt missing one button. It's still not mended yet.

(yup i should not even be blogging now and should just look for that shirt and sew that button on) (oops, but then i think that shirt is in the wash and then i can't remember where I put that button!)

The last time ds1 got his nails trimmed was also not by himself! We were visiting my in laws, and having the weekly dinner together, when mil noticed his nails were too long and dirty and she trimmed them for him!

Yup, very embarrassing.

But ds1 is always very sweet. He always defends his mom in public, no matter how much he argues with me at home. He patiently explained that it's his own job to trim his nails and that he enjoyed doing it by himself. He also often tells others that his mom is very busy. :)

ds2... He, at 5 yrs old, has to shower himself everyday after he gets home from school. He can fold and put laundry away, and is good at sorting my groceries for me after every trip to NTUC. He knows which drawer for the canned food, what goes into the fridge and freezer and that the bread goes on the table.

When both of them spill anything, they wipe it up themselves.
They know when to use Kleenex tissues, toilet paper or kitchen paper towels already because different situations call for different cloth/ tissue and I've screamed at them so much they learnt how I like it to be very quickly.

Finally, ds1's schoolwork.
At the start of the year, when P1 was new to me and him, and dd was not born yet, I would check his homework, made sure his bag was packed properly and remind him to learn his spelling/ tingxie.

After getting full marks several times, I let him handle those himself. Since then, his tingxie marks have fluctuated greatly. For English spelling, he is lucky that he reads a lot so he can still get away without much revision. Today he just informed me that for his final Chinese revision of the yr, he obtained 38 marks out of 50. *faint*

I didn't check the paper but he did tell me some mistakes he made. And 38 is a low low mark for P1 when most can achieve 90+% easily.

Hopefully this hols I can get him to read more Chinese books so he can fare better next yr. I believe reading is most impt in improving any language skill.

This hols, I won't be signing him up for any camps (besides the vacation bible school) cos I hope to read more with them, do some baking and bring them out more myself.

It's time - I should spend more time with them!

Cradle roll, E 3rd dose DPT and devt updates at 8mth+

2010-10-25T08:57:00.001+08:00

19/10
10.20am

Dd had her 3rd DPT jab due at the polyclinic. It's almost a week now and she hasn't had any fever from it. However she does have a runny nose from the recent haze due to the fires in Indonesia.

She weighs 9.33kg now, has a head circumference that's 44.9cm and a length of 69cm. She only put on 0.1kg since last month but is still at the 97th percentile for weight.

She has grown longer though, so she looks slimmer now, which is nice. Her head's supposedly pretty big too, hopefully it has substance within!

She currently has sprouted her 7th and 8th teeth already. These are the secondary incisors at the bottom.

Other developmental milestones this past month (she is 8mths+ now) include being able to cruise. She was pulling herself up to stand last month, and crawling more steadily.

Now she will hold onto the TV console, or various chairs, or go along the sofa, cruising to get at something. With this new found skill, she now much prefers to stand or cruise and will only stoop to crawl rarely. Like if she wants to get at the pencil ds1 is holding and he is right across the living room with no chairs or whatever linking her across, then she'd reluctantly slowly stoop down to touch the ground and then crawl over then pull herself up to get at his pencil.

She is still very much the cautious little girl though. Hence she experiences less falls or injuries than her brothers at every stage (but learns slower than ds1 at the same stage). She'll also cry and bawl much easier and longer when she does fall. What a "sissy" or "guniang" as Dh calls her. Maybe she is not the tough tomboy we expect her to be!

Some photos of her in Sep in the church's cradle roll class.

Kite flying festival

2010-10-02T09:04:00.001+08:00

19/9
4-8pm

Went with Tim, some LAP members and Angeling's family to Marina Bay for a kite festival.

The kids had lots of fun!

See the hundreds of kites in the air!

Lots of buskers too. I like how the Marina Bay Sands structure gleamed in the setting sunlight.

ds1 MAF celebrations

2010-09-29T21:34:00.001+08:00

17/9
Fri
6-8pm

ds1's school had their Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. There was a carnival in school, so we all turned up for lots of fun!

There were many stalls. These craft and calligraphy and cultural stuff were all free. Food and games stalls required coupons.

ds2 enjoyed the paper cutting immensely and he was "stuck"at this booth for ages!

The clay craft booth was so attractive because all the creations looked so yummy. ds2 initially thought it was a food stall and asked me to buy some for him to eat! That was how realistic the creations were!

Many different nationalities spotted. Students come from at least these countries that I observed: Sg of course, Philippines, Myanmar, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Korea, USA. There were a couple of ethnic groups I couldn't place at all, perhaps they are Eurasians.

There was a chess booth too and ds1 met his friends there.

Both learnt how to write a "chun lian" at the calligraphy booth. The school is strong in calligraphy as well. Thinking of letting ds2 join this CCA next yr, haha. Capitalise on 2 of the school's niche areas (chess and calligraphy). They are also strong in Chinese and Malay dance. Maybe for dd in future. :)

Towards the later part, there were performances by parents and students, and then a magician. The entertainer/ magician was very talented. I enjoyed the segment where he drew a face and then the face could move and talk. Very funny. As he erased parts of the face, it was hilarious to hear the protests from the parts of the face still remaining.

My parents walked over to the school to join in part of the festivities since they lived across the street. This pic was taken at the Butterfly Garden.

ds2 apparently had a knack for playing games at the games booth. Many older kids could not get any prizes cos it was difficult to get the cars zooming into the correct holes (the board was kind of tilted at a weird angle). But ds2 managed to get 8 prizes!! (each prize consisted of a glow-in-the-dark rod, which the students pieced together to make flowers/ rings/ necklaces/ spheres, very fun).

At night, in bed, he insisted on hanging them above him because I told him they only lasted the night. He was sad to see them no longer glowing in the morning, but it was a good lesson in being thankful for the good stuff while it lasted!

L birthday, chess comp

2010-09-28T21:04:00.001+08:00

12/9
Sun
8am - 5pm

ds1's 1st chess competition this yr. He was the youngest fielded. Cos usually none of the P1s would join CCAs. Even if they join chess club in P2, they usually go to the non-competitive chess club where they are taught the basics. Thanks to the teacher-in-charge (TIC), he switched ds1 from the non-competitive club early on last yr. ds1 was feeling very bored re-learning all the basics then, but I encouraged him just to continue and see whether he could learn something new.

After he started with the competitive club, he enjoyed himself tremendously, naming Tues and Thurs the best days in the whole school week, cos he gets to stay back for chess. Even though chess is from 4-5.30pm!

Also, P1s have class till 3pm only, so that meant he had to stay back in school from 3-4pm alone, having nothing to do. For a P1 kid, I think it is tough. Initially, after the 1st week, he did cry and asked for company, said no one to talk to, and every minute was like an hour. My mom lived right across the street at that time, so she'd walk over to accompany him for that hour. Thankfully, after several months, he finally was able to spend that hour alone in school.

The problem was that none of his classmates had CCA, and the P2s and above have supplementary classes from 3-4pm, which is why CCA starts at 4pm. Fortunately that problem has been solved now that he is in P2. I used to worry at home, even while nursing dd, whether he would be in the canteen or running amok in school or worse, running out of school during that time.

After chess, the school's CCA bus will bring him back, so he reaches home at 6pm. From morning 7.45am till 6pm, I'd imagine he'd be very tired, but he was never so, always re-energized by the CCA session. I guess that's why it is very important for the kids themselves to choose an activity they love, then they'd have lots of energy for it! After he returned home, he'd want to eagerly share with me all the new strategies he learnt.

He usually spends the entire session pitting his skills against the rest of the chess club members, and the TIC will walk around coaching them. He thus learns from his opponents/ seniors and the TIC.

Finally, in Sept, his TIC felt he was ready for his 1st competition. The TIC did caution me that with his many years of experience, he had many young ones go for competitions and then drop out of chess club after that because they were demoralised. He said kids at a younger age would be disadvantaged at most of these competitions, because the category is just Primary, open to all 6 levels. the P5-6 would have an obvious edge due to experience and age.

So I did tell ds1 just to go play for fun, gain experience, losing is ok.

This is the pic I took when we went to pick him up at the end of the day.

His inexperience showed. He was too focused on the matches and forgot to eat his lunch!!! From 8am till 6pm, he had nothing to eat! All the things I packed for him in his bag was untouched. He fell sick the next day in school- bad headache. I think it was cos of the entire day without water/ food? Dehydration?

As for results, he did alright. His ranking was 40+ out of 57, if I remember correctly. Most of the kids were in upper primary, so I think it was a good showing.

Mid-autumn festival:
Mooncakes, lanterns, pomelos...

And having dd, now our youngest, wear the pomelo cap. Her hair smelt so nice after that! Citrusy...

Time for weaning:
What were the first foods she ate?

1st stage (4-6mth): I boil brown rice, then push all the soft brown rice porridge through a sieve. She loved it. Just plain.
I introduced non-citrus fruits like banana too. Just for taste, not a lot.

2nd stage (7-9mth): I wash the rice grains, dry them, then grind the grains. Then I boil like I was making porridge. At this stage she appreciated having the outer layer of the brown rice to chew on. Since it was ground, it is still soft and in small bits, but chewy.

As she grew older, I reduced the grinding time more and more, so the bits became bigger and coarser.

Now she doesn't like porridge anymore! So I save myself the hassle. She just eats off us now. Whatever we happen to be having, I will give her some. But on the days when it is just her and me having lunch (boys at school, hubby at work) then I'll cook porridge or boil some pasta. However, being used to our food, she is becoming more and more picky about bland food now. I guess I'll just move on from here, no point looking back.

11/9
Sat
L's bday

On the morning of L's birthday, we sat dd in the walker my sis passed to us, so she could wait for us to get ready.

She was very happy that day, perhaps she knew it was her L kor kor's birthday!

At L's house, see how dd was straining to get at the cake?

So funny, the way L closed his eyelids with his fingers, to make a wish.

Same day evening, we went rollerblading/ kite flying together with L and Ch at the park.

Southern ridges walk

2010-09-27T18:08:00.003+08:00

10/9
Hari Raya Puasa hol

Decided to wake bright and early and go for a morning walk at the Southern ridges. Started from Kent Ridge and walked several trails including the forest and canopy trails and ended the walk at Hort Park, having worked up a sweat and feeling happy and recharged.

Saw many different species of flora and fauna too, and pointed them out to the kids. Dd slept half the time.

Kids enjoyed playing at the Hort Park playground too. Hope to make more trips in future.

Dh 35th birthday

2010-09-26T15:26:00.001+08:00

Sep 7

We celebrated for him on the day we returned from Malaysia.

Msia road trip - E's 1st

2010-09-26T14:29:00.004+08:00

3 Sep Fri

Took ds1 out of school that day to leave for Msia earlier. Fortunately we did, because we heard the traffic was really bad on Sat (start of school hols in Sg, school hols in Msia and also in prep for Hari Raya, Muslims will start travelling home).

Reached Kota Kemuning in the early afternoon. Barely had time to put our bags down in our host's home, unpack a little, had a late lunch and then had to leave for Klang.

But we had a great time at Richard Lim's home and then at a restaurant for a rare Bak Kut Teh dinner (most Bak Kut Teh places open for breakfast till lunch only). It was so delicious that Dh cannot stop talking about it.

Then we went for their Singspiration session.

Amazingly it lasted 3hrs and after that there was still a food potluck session. During that time, Dh and a few key leaders had to meet to discuss their roles in the next day's workshop.

By the time everything ended it was 11pm and by the time we went back to Kota Kemuning it was midnight. We still had to shower and settle all 3 kids in bed.

I need to state that ds1 did not nap in the car or anywhere else that day. He was definitely exhausted. I was too, because in the car journey, dd didn't like her car seat much and cried a lot. And then, the host's place was unfamiliar to her, and then all the travelling to and fro here and there, from house to house and restaurant to church building, was overstimulating for her.

The church members all loved and adored her to bits too, and everyone wanted to carry her or cuddle or coo at her, so she was very difficult to settle that night.

In addition to that, the Klang and KK church buildings did not have a room linked to the main auditorium for moms and babes to be within yet still join in whatever's going on.

So I stayed in the main auditorium throughout the Singspiration, trying to get dd to cooperate and not fidget too much. Also, they don't have long pews like in Jurong. They've individual chairs, so I had to carry dd on my lap all the time, since she can't sit on her own yet.

My arm muscles were definitely very well trained during that trip.

Here's a pic and there are the comfy chairs (for adults), but not for dd, who was very squirmy.

Thankfully, out of 3 kids, I needed to pacify only one. So thankful that the boys are much older than her. Cannot imagine trying to keep 3 young kids quiet for 3 hrs and without much movement nor sound. The boys did very well, flipping to each hymn that was announced, and sang when they were supposed to, and did vocal exercises when they were required to.

4 Sep
Sat
9am to 7pm

The next morning, we had to wake up bright and early. Very tough on the boys. Cos we had to quickly have breakfast and then travel from KK to Subang Jaya. That's where the Singing workshop was held. Dh was conducting the workshop and he didn't want to be late, so we rushed a fair bit.

We tried to follow the course for sometime, but then the kids and dd were very tired and dd became cranky. Again, thankfully a kind sister who loves kids and teaches the Sunday school there brought me upstairs to the kids room.

Although it is not connected to the main auditorium downstairs, it was good enough for me to nurse dd, sling her and "force" her to sleep. (She was too distracted downstairs to even doze off). And the boys could sit at a small table, read their books, do their writing/ drawing and play their silly games.

Occasionally we'd hear loud laughter coming from below and the boys would rush downstairs to see what Dh was doing with the 100+ participants. They'd sometimes join in as well, if they find it fun. This is a pic of one of the exercises. There are Dalcroze and Orff components.

The kind lady also provided me with a small mattress for dd to crawl on. She was happy for that period of time.

This was just before lunchtime, so the boys were already with their bags packed. But then they saw this fun clapping rhythm exercise, so they joined in with glee. In fact, they were close to hysteria. I have the video on FB but didn't focus on them. If the vid did, it'd show them stomping around wildly.

Lunch was at a nearby restaurant. The whole restaurant was jam packed with the 100+ of us. After lunch, I found out that our host in KK was driving her dd back cos her dd had tuition and it was impt cos it's her O level year. I at once asked if I could hitch a ride and bring the kids back for a nap. They certainly were very in need of rest.

So they did! Napped for 3 hrs. I got my much needed rest too.

(btw, Dh, I and dd squeezed into the lower bunk bed while ds1 ad ds2 slept together on the upper bunk. We adults can make do with anything but the boys were initially unhappy at sharing a tiny single bed. After I threatened them with "it's either you sleep here together or outside on the pavement beside the road" that they reluctantly agreed. After that 1st night, they had no further issues.

dd didn't sleep that well cos our bed back home was a king-sized one and the mattress is very firm. Thus, even if Dh tossed and turned, she would remain undisturbed. But here, she was easily awoken whenever Dh touched her or moved in his sleep. That's why I was very tired. But we were so thankful for free lodging already. Seldom would you find a host with space for a family of 5!)

Also it was very convenient that every room in our host's house has an attached bathroom. That was essential since I had to change diapers, and wash our hands often, even during the night. We were glad to have that convenience.

At night, Dh returned at about 7.30pm and we went out for dinner at a nearby seafood restaurant. Our host treated and it was very sumptuous, very yummy. Food seemed to be great everywhere in Msia! And the prices are always very reasonable. They are so lucky to live there!

5 Sep
Sun

We rose early again. Then we made our way to KK COC for Sunday worship and Bible class. Both lessons were shared by Roger Campbell. I first met him at least 20yrs ago when I followed my parents around whenever my dad had to preach at the Asian Bible lectureships. They still remembered me!

It was a smaller congregation that met here at KK, compared to Klang or Subang. So their Sunday school class consisted of only a few kids, and they had only 1 class for a larger age range.

It was very nice and cosy and somehow my boys and Sam's girls got along very well. Look at how cute the girls are:

Sam's wife is preggy with their 3rd kid.

Throughout the bible class and worship service, I had dd with me on the individual chairs too. Fortunately I was able to nurse her to sleep for a while this time. Beats having to control a squirmy baby anytime, even though it means being stuck in a particular position for a long time and having arm cramps.

Lunch was at the same seafood restaurant. Apparently this restaurant is very good, everyone in KK will bring guests there.

After lunch, we met up with our dear friend from Tianjin. Our neighbour in Tianjin is Malaysian, but we didn't know she lived in KK, right where our host is. Such a lovely coincidence!

And just when we are due to travel there for dh's workshop, she recently moved back to Msia from Tianjin too!

It was quite an emotional "reunion" for me and the boys. She was the one whom I met almost everyday during my stay in Tianjin!

Spent an afternoon chatting with her in her house, and then going for dinner together. Dh napped in her living room while the boys played with almost everything! They ran around at the playground, played soccer, played with sand, played with cards, Nintendo DS etc etc.

H treated us to dinner. Initially she wanted to bring us to that same seafood restaurant! But when she heard we had dined there twice already, she brought us to try another one, which was also very very good.

We adjourned for desserts after that and Dh took care of that. We had gelato.

Look at the boys, so lovey dovey. The way they played and talked and laughed, it was as if they never had a year's separation!

Dd was very good at most meals with so many different people over these few days. I'd let her chomp or chew on anything we get our hands on - straws, spoons, wet tissue packets, and in this pic below, the table edge/ table cloth.

The boys played UNO happily during dessert time, when us adults were still not done catching up with each other.

H told me that after we said our farewells, her son cried. We were sad too, but now that she is back in Msia, it'd be much easier to meet up! In late Nov she'd be in Sg to visit her relatives and we can meet again! yay!

6 Sep
Mon

We woke up even earlier at 6am! We wanted to leave at 7.30am for a hike in the rainforests of KL. Richard Lee was our guide for the day. He drove us to FRIM through the heavy KL traffic. It took quite a bit of time.

We chose a moderately easy trail to hike. It was partly dirt road, and then bashing through some rainforest.

Stopping for lunch at Ampang, for Ampang Yong Tau Foo. Yums. They didn't have a high chair, and was super crowded, so dd had to remain in her backpack stand.

Then we headed to Richard's mountain top home for a view of the whole city. This is his dd who adores our dd. :)

Full day huh? At night we met with another family for a Western meal at a restaurant and adjourned to his place for delicious cake and coffee. His house is a huge mansion. This is his dd, entertaining my sons while we adults chatted in the living room. The boys had a blast playing with all of her old toys.

Next day, we started on the journey home. By noon, we reached Tangkak in Johor state and stopped there to have the famous beef noodles. Really lived up to its fame!

Somehow, back here, we miss all the food there. Hard to beat the prices there too. Next May, I think, Dh has another invitation to teach another workshop, so we'd be on another road trip and I look forward to it!

Coffee party

2010-09-25T15:16:00.000+08:00

29 Aug
Sun 3-6pm

Coffee Party

One of Dh's passions is coffee (besides music). So he decided to hold a coffee party where everything served has to do with coffee. Including the dessert. My sis helped make 5 different types of tiramisu using the 5 different brews Dh did.

People he invited were coffee lovers from church. I baked a batch of sugar cinnamon cookies to go with the coffee and the gummies were for the kids of the coffee lovers, lol.

I think everyone enjoyed the experience, even the kids...:)

Look how much excitement they were generating for themselves with a lot of crazy jumping on the bed, screaming away too. ds2 can really scream along with the girls, man!

Dd was pretty cheerful part of the time and managed to take a sweet pic with her doting ganma.

Squid project, Teachers' Day

2010-09-24T14:52:00.003+08:00

No formal pen and pencil tests and exams for P1 and P2s in all schools in a few yrs' time but already in progress in ds1's school.

So there are projects and show-and-tell/ presentations.

In Term 3, they had to make an animal from recycled materials, do a write up on it, and then finally a presentation/ show and tell on it.

ds1 decided on a giant squid cos it has been his fav marine organism for the longest time!

The parents' letter said parents can help or guide the child in the project but we didn't help him much.

Instead it was my mom who helped ds1 collect metal bottle caps from the hawker center, after he said he needed it for the squid suckers. Here are all the metal caps and him working to nail a hole in each of them so they can be affixed onto the squid's body.

There he is, proud of his own creation, a giant squid made from recycled or old materials that would be otherwise thrown away! An old pillow, metal bottle caps, newspapers (the arms and tentacles) and an emptied shampoo bottle than can squirt squid ink (hidden from view in pic).

He won an award for it. Innovative and Creative award, the cert says. And a badge. But the teacher says it is not just for the project but in general. ds2 now wants to enter pri sch at once to earn those badges!

20 Aug

Dh's relatives came from China. The guy to work here, and his sister, on vacation. They lived with my in laws during their stay but we were in charge of entertaining them. They went to the Bird Park on this day and then to our house for a chat and some refreshments. Thereafter we went to JP for dinner.

ds1 found out his "shu shu" (distant uncle) can play chess and at once engaged him in at least 3 rounds! dd, ds2 and the a-yi (aunt) played together.

Just so happened that I was preparing to giveaway some of my favourite clothes of yesteryears (read: pre-pregnancy clothes from ds1's time) and she was very slim-built, so she gladly took most of my clothes!

At Swensens with the relatives, and having dinner, we met my parents there too! They already had dinner at Kopitiam so my dad carried dd for me while we had dinner!

28 Aug Sat
till 1 Sep

We first made 2 batches of cupcakes. Chocolate flavour, with cream cheese icing on top, and flowers and stars sprinkles.

Since it was for their teachers on Teachers' Day, it had to be made by the kids themselves.

So the boys handled most of the steps from the egg cracking to the measurement of ingredients. Of course, there was a lot more mess than if I made it, and the ingredients were not measured accurately. Furthermore, they haven't understood fully why certain steps were taken.

For example, they didn't understand much of why the flour had to be sifted. They only cared about how fun it was, cos they made the flour fly everywhere and it looked like snow. (I have to confess I needed to quell this rising urge to scream at them.)

After they sifted the flour nicely, ds1's itchy fingers decided to make a castle out of the sifted flour. Just cos he was waiting his turn to cream the butter and sugar (ds2 was doing that at the moment). Making a castle involved a lot of patting.

So I had to explain to them that he just effectively patted down all the trapped air and fluffiness of the flour. They didn't see how important sifting is till the cupcakes were done.

Ahh the cupcakes were still yummy, still smelt good but the texture was denser and too firm. Not fluffy and light like before.

Slowly, they will learn more important lessons from baking various things, I hope. And of course, I made them help clean up.

Below shows the icing step. We're still not good at icing yet. :) Wish I had the time, the money and the materials to make elaborate decorations! Dd was so clingy I had to sling her most of the time while supervising the boys. Can't wait till she is old enough to help out productively too!

28/8
4.30pm-6pm
We attended a Yamaha concert at the Clementi branch. ds2 received the invitation and our whole family went. dd enjoyed it a lot.

YOG torch relay

2010-09-23T14:39:00.001+08:00

After rushing home from SAFTI, we continued to follow the torch relay by driving with a cranky dd to ds1's school then to Rulang where our niece was scheduled to take over.

Wow, her whole school lined both sides of the streets. Dh and I met our old friends too, one a P4 tr at Rulang and the other who is the VP there.

I camped out at the start of where my niece would begin her leg of the relay. She was one of 3 torch bearers selected from her whole school. Some schools didn't even have 3 torch bearers and some schools don't even have the torch relay pass by their school, so she had a great honour indeed, to be able to hold onto the torch of the very first Youth Olympic Games in the world's history.

There she is. Dh followed her and ran as well so his photos were mostly blurry. I think he was too excited. I stayed put cos I was with dd (won't think of running with her in the sling, too heavy!). But he managed to get a video clip too.

That's her. She had to go through a selection process, interviews and briefings to get chosen. Good for her!

The cheerleaders, supporters, drumming up a festive atmosphere with their cheering and clapping from the double decker buses.

Handing over the torch to her fellow school mate, and high fiving him.

I stood under the hot sun with dd for at least half an hour, waiting for her to appear. I think all these contributed to me falling ill. Lack of rest, weather, etc.

I guess, we all had a price to pay! Dh said his was a lack of income (cos for him, not working/ taking leave, means no income)! haha

With this, we felt we showed our support in a small way and was patriotic and enthusiastic enough an example for our kids. Hopefully they will also grow up to be responsible and contributing citizens!

YOG at SAFTI MI

2010-09-22T14:05:00.004+08:00

The 1st Youth Olympic Games was held in our tiny Singapore from 14-26 July.

It was quite exciting for us even though we didn't manage attend any matches (tried buying tix online but were sold out for those we were interested in).

Mainly cos of the torch relay that passed through our place and our niece was one of the torch bearers, and cos we had a special invitation to the military institute to watch the light up ceremony.

Also our place was where all the YOG buses and coaches parked. So we could see all the "action" throughout the day. Eg, during most nights, the whole area will be full of buses. Security is very very tight, they have 24/7 police and guard patrols and the surrounding area is all boarded up, with only an entrance and exit, which is guarded strictly, 24/7 too. Why I know is cos whenever baby wakes up in the night and I have to get up and rock her, I will sway with her near the window and keep observing what those policemen are doing. haha.

During the day, there'll be buses moving in and out, on their schedule to ferry athletes, officials and volunteers.

This is how it looks at night.

The only times it was totally empty were when the opening ceremony and closing ceremony was held. All the buses left in the early afternoon and returned very late at night.

On the 12th of July was the day the torch relay moved to Jurong. And the torch light up in the morning was held at the SAFTI military institute where the Officer Cadet School is.

ds2's school held a month long series of activities based around the YOG theme in June. They had mock Olympic games, craft... They took turns to be athletes from different countries. ds2 got to be in the China and Japan contingents on different days and he told me he got to hold the flags of these countries. He can recognise different flags now, and even the national anthems. That was because when they had races and various sporting events, the kids who won 1st, 2nd and 3rd get to stand on the podium and have their "national anthems" played.

Hence, when I found out the route of the torch relay from the YOG website, I was pleasantly surprised that it runs from SAFTI past ds2's school, past our flat and then to ds1's school and then our niece's school.

I then emailed ds2's school principal and teacher and suggested that they bring all the children from the school out to line the roads and cheer the torch bearers on. I explained that it will be a good tie up/ follow up after their month-long YOG activities.

What happened totally surprised me... The principal heartily agreed but she wasn't sure if the young kids (they have kids aged 2-6yrs old in the school) can stand for a long time by the side of the road, waiting for the torch bearers, and she was concerned about safety too. Young toddlers may just be too active and want to dash onto the road.

So she called up ds2's classmate, whose dad works at SAFTI, and asked for more ideas as to how the kids can join in the YOG proceedings and learn more about the Games. To all our delight, that dad arranged for SAFTI to formally invite the school kids and teachers to the SAFTI grounds for the torch lighting ceremony and performances.

The added bonus was that, as special guests, we were given the best seats, right in the middle, like the grandstand. And we even had ice cold bottles of coke, goodie bags and VIP treatment. The minister even mentioned our name and said they were delighted to have our presence there.

Of course, all the army guys gave the kids lots of attention and the kids lapped it all up.

Some pics:

Lyo and Merly the mascots, and doing the YOG "dance" and songs.

After all the performances, the light up ceremony and speeches, the torch relay begun. The army kindly allocated designated helpers and officials to guide our group and also a bus to take us around the 1st leg of the route to catch the torch bearers in action. This pic shows the area supervisor and the principal, plus some army guys as volunteers helping the kids up the bus.

The lady right at the door of the coach is one of our group's designated official. Not sure what position she holds in the army or the YOG personnel section but she is very pretty and friendly and looks very much like Wong Li-lin. :)

The school area sup had the kids take a group pic in front of the SAFTI tower and this sign cos she said she never got to come into SAFTI MI before. She was so excited.

btw, I got to go because they said I suggested this, so I am given special privilege. They put my name down as a teacher. No parents were allowed. They said the numbers were limited cos security is tight within the Military Institute.

Sigh, precisely cos of this, I braved exhaustion (due to several sleepless nights as dd was cranky), and a sore throat to go. I thought, it was something I do not get to do normally.
And Dh took leave too, to help me care for dd (dd not allowed in) and to support his niece later in the morning as well.

The whole thing lasted 3hrs. We met at school at 7am and it ended at 10am. I rushed and drove home in record time, parked in the loading/ unloading bay with hazard lights on and dashed upstairs to our apt (cos dd seldom is away from me even for 1 hr and she'll cry her eyes out even with my mom or Dh).

Reached home to see the house in disarray and this:

Dh said he tried many things - a long walk in the park, push in the stroller, carrying, rocking, playing violin, playing CD, singing songs, reading stories, but she still wailed. She was obviously wanting to sleep but couldn't and he finally was able to succeed in getting her to sleep, with my nursing nightie on his shoulder and putting her face on it, rocking and patting her!

After he laid her down on the bed, he had to place my nightie at her nose too, and pillows around her, just so she thought I was nearby.

It was so funny!

I was grateful for Dh's help so I could spend a delightful morning with ds2.

However, I realised I stressed myself out even more, caused dd to be insecure and thus even more clingy and cranky throughout that day, and so I fell very ill! argh!

I missed an important ex-HC colleague gathering that Friday cos I had high fever and flu with the works. He flew back from Canada and we hadn't seen him in years. But I couldn't go meet up!!

And I only recovered the following Monday! It took so many days for me to recover...
Next time I better not overwork myself, Dh and dd...

P1 compositions - headache for the teacher

2010-09-21T21:09:00.000+08:00

I used to have such students in class.

They like to play the fool the whole time, were never serious and when called upon to answer questions, liked to give answers that were deliberately controversial or funny. Or so they think is funny.

Most of the time, I didn't mind such students. They don't do such things disrespectfully to me, and they don't mean any harm. When I am in a rush to complete a tutorial or when there are important things to go through with the whole class, then I would reprimand them and mete out some "punishment" that would quieten them for some time.

I was still single, and then married but without kids then. Then I had kids but they were not in school yet.

Now, it seems that my son has become such a student.

I am constantly worried that his teacher might blow her top one day, so everytime he returns home with a description of his day (yet more antics from him), I always ask at once what his teacher's reaction was. I always chide him and always tell him to watch it, and be very careful not to keep pushing his limits till his teacher gets furious and punish him severely.

Today, at the doorstep, the moment he announced his return from school, and I went to open the door, his first words were, "I got into some trouble in class today, mom."

I wasn't surprised anymore, so I just had a familiar heart-sinking feeling and asked what happened.

His class did compositions today. Or rather, they call it MLEA writing.

Those familiar with lower primary language lessons know that the students have big book stories. And all the activities surround a particular big book story for a period of time.

Now, they are doing parties. And today everyone had to do individual write-ups on birthday parties. (Sometimes they do group or peer writing)

This was what ds1 wrote, at first.

"There was once a party pooper called Pablo. He was invited to his friend's Matthew's birthday party.
The sounds of Music Number 4 titled Lion's Dance started. Pablo farted to the music.
Then he burst a blood vessel and died."

Oh man!!!!! *faint*

His teacher took a look and made him erase every single word and then redo the whole piece.

He told me his teacher said his 2nd piece was all nonsense too, but accepted it.

This was his 2nd piece:

"It was the year 2013. I was ten years old on 2nd Feburary 2013.
My mother brought me to IMM. We entered the party room. It looked like a strange universe.
It had air con and 2 crates.
The 2 crates were crammed full with lots of junk food.
My mother told me I could eat all I wanted. It was my best birthday party ever."

Sigh...

With all these writing, I cannot imagine what his teacher must think of his parents.... of me...

She can conclude so much from it... At least, from the 2nd one, she must think I starve him, that I deprive him of "junk food", which is why he would fantasise like that.

Oh man!!!

p/s The "IMM" came about cos the class just had a field trip to IMM.
The "crates" came about from the Facebook game Restaurant City, cos I play with my boys and we are forever opening crates of food from other friends' restaurants.... lol.

Cradle roll, Ultimate frisbee

2010-09-20T13:38:00.007+08:00

dd's 1st time sitting in that traditional bamboo baby-adult chair during the cradle roll class on Sunday. Think she was about 5mth here.

Some silly random pic..
I was about to bring dd out for a walk in the stroller and was about to place my hands on the handle when I found this on the handle. One of ds2's animal figurines.

Another time, it was his tarantula. Fortunately it was a toy one, and was hard. If I felt this huge hairy thing, I would have a big shock!

On National Day itself, the youth at Jurong and the youth at Lim Ah Pin congregations have a friendly Ultimate Frisbee match. In line with the ND theme, we decided to be decked on in red and white, or rather Reds Vs Whites.

We were supposed to wear white, so even though we were supporters, we all put on something white. Even dd, the youngest fan there!

It was very sunny, so we all wore our hats, all 5 of us.

Here's the 2nd youngest fan!

We played at JJC's field. Nice and convenient.

Both ds played some frisbee with the youth at the sidelines and also played with their inflatable ball. Good chance cos of the wide open space!

In the evening, we went to my bil's place for pizza dinner (our treat) and to watch the ND parade together. However, their cousin fell ill and my sil said I better not sit inside their entertainment room (they converted a room into a home entertainment one complete with projector, screen, speakers) together with her, in case dd gets the "germs". She offered me the study, and she turned on the air con for me. So in the end, I missed the show!!!!

National Day Celebrations in Pr sch

2010-09-20T11:57:00.005+08:00

2 Aug
ds1 had a field trip to the Singapore zoo. He was supposed to bring a small bag, raincoat, snacks, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent... Camera, clipboard etc optional.

They were also supposed to wear PE tees and shorts. I had planned to make sushi for him that day and also let him bring our old digital camera.

Guess what? I must be one of the few moms in the world who forgets such things which should not be forgotten!

I totally forgot he was going to the zoo, so he took only his normal pocket money, which is 80cents now. He wore his collared shirt and formal shorts. No sunscreen, hat whatsoever.

No sushi, no snack. I am not sure if he was a girl, whether he would cry. Fortunately he is a boy who can't be bothered about his clothes. He told me he ran as usual, climbed over railings, jumped down steps, ran around crazily with his friends at the zoo, and just braved the sun and the drizzling rain.

He also had the common sense to leave his heavy school bag in the classroom (although not safe, but still, he'd be silly to lug all his textbooks around the zoo). His classmate whose mom also forgot (I feel so relieved I am not the only one) brought his school bag along to the zoo and was scolded by the teacher.

He did bring his water bottle, thankfully, but had to hold it in his hand the whole time. Oh man, I felt so bad for forgetting. And then I was so worried he had nothing to eat. But the school catered free lunches from KFC at the Kidz Rainforest area, so he was happy just eating that and didn't mind not having a snack.

He came home very happy and with a set of very dirty school uniform. But he didn't think it was an issue that I forgot at all. At these times, I feel so relieved, and glad that he hasn't reached the age when he might blame me, yet.

(I have also forgotten plenty of other stuff. Like paying the school bus fees late, not being there to pick the kids up on time.... Thankfully he comes home on his own now, else I'd always have to feel bad for being late. I had also totally forgotten to even pick ds2 up from the school bus before. The bus auntie is very nice. I think she has walked him upstairs right to my doorstep at least 10 times this year already. And she never gets angry about it.)

I need to have less clutter in my brain. Will work on it... (maybe playing some Bejewelled will help. it sorts the coloured gems up, right?) :)

6 Aug
ds1 sch National Day celebrations
8-10am

ds2's school had some HFMD cases yet again so I kept him in and brought him along to ds1's school for the National Day celebrations. Let him wear red as well, so he feels part of the festivities! (of course, Dd was there with me too)

He's standing there, looking at his brother's class. Wonder what he's thinking. He often says he wants to go to his brother's school "right now". Then I reminded him of all the fun he has in kindy. They have toys in the classroom, but ds1 doesn't! Or I'll say, there's Ms M, won't you miss her if you go to Primary school so soon? Then he'll retract and say, yes, he wants to be in kindy. :)

My mil hadn't been to ds1's school yet, so I invited her along since this event was open to all the families. I also arranged to meet my American friend cos she wanted to take a look at the school to confirm if she would definitely register her son there.

What a difference in responses after both had a tour that morning. My mil told my fil and bil during the family dinner later that month that ds1's school must be the worst in Singapore. In Chinese, she said these words verbatim: "他的学校是新加坡最烂的学校！”
To be fair to her, she said it in a joking manner. We were all discussing Pr schools in general, comparing my bil's another cousin's and our kids' schools.

My bil's kids are in Jurong's most popular school, and the cousin's kids are in a SAP school in town. Naturally, with a popular school, the school compound could look grander maybe, and have more aesthetically pleasing features. The SAP school has many Chinese posters, banners, notices and murals on the wall which my mil said ds1's school doesn't. She walked around and didn't see any Tang poems, SanziJing etc.

Dh didn't even bother explaining that SAP schools have a majority or even 100% Chinese students, so of course they can hang Chinese stuff everywhere in school. In other non-SAP schools, there are Malays, Indians and many other ethnic groups who don't take Chinese as the mother tongue. Would not be fair to do so. If the school wanted to hang a Chinese banner up, then they need to do it for Malay, Tamil too, then the school would look very cluttered indeed, with hundreds of poems in different languages?

Also, I think when we want to think in a certain way, we'd just read and see things to support our already-convicted view. So mil read this announcement on the notice board listing the recent winners in a national Chinese Chess tournament (a major one). The front placings were all students from ds1's school, meaning they were the best in the whole of Singapore. There were all other prize winners listed too, and the schools they were from. The cousin's kids' school had several prize winners, but mostly at the bottom placings. And the school that ds1 was supposed to enter (that SAP school mil helped to register him in last year) had some students clinch some prizes too.

Not sure how she read it, but she said that school performed the best and even the cousin's kids' school did better than ds1's school. Dh refuted her and told her the actual results. Just goes to show that if she wants to believe this school is lousy, then it'll always be lousy in her sight.

Fil put in a rare word. He's usually a man of few words during dinner conversations but usually when he does speak up, everyone will listen, cos he only says things when it is important to him.
He said, last time they enrolled bil (Dh's older brother) in the nearest school to their house and it was one of Singapore's worst schools too (supposedly a lot of failures and gangsters there), but didn't he end up scoring the top/ near the top score for PSLE?

It didn't bother me too much, cos I understand why she feels upset. She had spent the effort and time to register ds1 in a SAP school last year, and we came back to Sg, took him out of that school and transferred him into this school near our home. Naturally she will be biased against it.

Anyway, my American friend walked around and liked what she saw. She liked the garden, the cheerfulness, the spaciousness and the vibrancy. So she at once decided she would register her son there, and she did (under Phase 3 for foreigners).

This is one of the games they were playing in the Telematch.

Another station in the canteen. Another game.

Mil gave us a ride back home, then I brought the 3 kids out to meet my sis at JP, and we had a wonderful lunch at New York New York, where the kids get free cotton candy after that. Each kid is entitled to one, but we made them share one instead because we wanted to bring them to the library after lunch and didn't want kids on sugar-high running around the library!

We borrowed tons of books for the long weekend and then adjourned to the rope-climbing playground beside the library for the kids to run wild, before my sis headed home with her kids and I brought mine home for a nice nap too.

7 Aug

After the usual weekly dinner with my in laws, this time at their place, Dh needed to meet a client at the Serangoon area. I had to bring all 3 kids there since the location was so out of the way. (Dh cannot send us back to Jurong then go meet the client- too late- and he cannot leave us at in laws' place and come back for us later - too inconvenient)

But the thought of hanging around the car and loitering around the void deck at 9pm with the 3 kids for maybe 1hr sounds tiring. So I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone. My best friend from JC days lived there, and she is preggy with a girl.

I packed up some of the pretty clothes dd has outgrown and when Dh met his client, I brought the 3 kids to visit her and pass her the clothes. It was a great chance to catch up too, we had not met for several months. She visited me in hospital when I gave birth to dd.

Her hubby worked for MCYS that organised the Youth Olympic Games, so he even gave the boys flags, car decals and some stuff. The boys entertained themselves while I chatted with my friend.

After an hour, I decided to leave because it was 10pm and it wasn't nice to be in her house past 10pm even though she insisted it was ok, I felt I shouldn't keep her from resting.

So I brought the kids down where there was an open space and a long ramp leading down to the road, and told Dh we'd wait there for him, since he was not done yet. (That client must have lots of specific customisations he wants on his personalised bow)

What do kids, especially boys, do on ramps? No need to guess, they will definitely run up and down. The ramp was steeper than most, because the block of flats was on a hilly area, and the road was below.

Well, despite my telling them to be careful, they still ran too fast, playing catching, sliding on the shiny smooth railings and so on, while I waited with a sleeping dd at the top.

So this is what ds1 ended up with, at the end of the day: multiple wounds on his knees and elbow, and many bloody tissues.

Of course, he didn't cry when he fell at full speed and even slid downwards on the rough cement floor. He stood up and ran up to where I was, and hid behind me. (Must be afraid others saw). Then he slowly checked himself.

He didn't cry because he fell by himself, and he knew I already cautioned them. He would've wailed extremely loudly, even with the same wounds, if he fell because his brother pushed him or indirectly caused him to fall. Isn't it this way? :)

E at 7mths

2010-09-17T16:39:00.003+08:00

E at 7 months.

Just brought her to the polyclinic for her vaccination. Much delayed, cos of the HFMD episodes in ds2's school. But it's also good, cos I somehow feel that if she is slightly older than the schedule given, and her body weight is higher, the dosage will still be effective but have less detrimental effects. I know this is "not supported" by research studies, as the autism and MMR link has been discussed heatedly and then overthrown recently...

It's just my feeling. I read about the preservatives in the vaccines and the components placed in a vaccine. And then I asked the nurses at the polyclinic, incld the doctor. They confirmed that the dosage is fixed. It is not calculated by the mass or weight of the baby. Although clinically, the range of baby weights at that specified age they are supposed to take the vaccine is safe, I still feel that if the baby weight is lower than ideal, then the negative effects would be greater.

The nurses have given thousands of shots. Everyday they immunise many, maybe easily 100? I don't know. But through anecdotal evidence and experience, they told me that thinner babies tend to have fevers, and higher temp fevers in fact, after the DPT/ 4-in-1/ 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccinations. Heavier babies of the exact same age tend to have milder side effects/ symptoms.

So Dd is 7months+ and going for a jab she was supposed to have taken at the 4mth mark. I guess that should be pretty safe, yet the immunity will still be there.

She weighed in at 9.2kg (she lost weight from her recent illness!), length at 67cm and head circumference at 43.7cm. She's at the 97th percentile for weight now, about higher than average for head circumference and length.

She did have fever after the jab. Not the day itself though. It was the day after. I guess it takes some time. It lasted about a day. Can't confirm if this is better than if she had the vaccination at 4mth. :)

She is also teething again (5th and 6th teeth - upper incisors- emerged last week). Lots of drool everywhere and she's taken to chewing on my shoulder when I carry her. Ouch.

She just started crawling proper this week. But she's much more timid than the boys! In the past, once they got the hang of putting the hands/ arms one after another in front of them, they'd go faster and faster and never stop.

This girl would put one hand in front of the other, then bring the other arm level. Then stop there, look around, sway her butt back and forth, and then whimper and cry. I think she's scared and very wary, cos she fell on her face before, while on all fours. And thereafter, is super cautious!

The boys fall too, very often, and can be quite serious, but they still don't care and will do it again. Especially ds1. Dd is so different.

Perhaps that's why she's crawling slower than them. She also still does move backwards in the leopard crawl position sometimes.

She also pulled herself to stand in her baby cot. That occurred earlier than learning to crawl proper. I think she just likes standing better.

But the falls are coming fast and furious now. She pulled this light plastic Ikea stool to stand. No one was sitting on it. So of course, the stool fell backwards, together with her, and the back of her head slammed onto the floor. Ouchie!! She wailed soooooo loudly!

All part and parcel of growing up!

McDs birthday party

2010-09-17T15:36:00.006+08:00

31 July
Sat
12-2pm

Friends had their birthday party at the McDs in Queensway.

Good chance to dress dd in her bumblebee romper.
I got the romper in a megasale, very cheap, think it was USD$3.99.

This branch is very pretty. Serene and idyllic with a pond and garden. They had a balloon sculpturist who doubled up as a clown and magician too.

Even the youngest ones paid attention during the magic trick segment!

Food is not a problem if you hold the party at McD I think. The kids were so so happy to chomp everything up.

After the cake cutting, they played at the playground and had a whale of a time.

Though McD parties have been around for ages (before my time even), can you believe that this is the first time we've been to one? As in, Dh, me, and our boys?? We've always seen them being held but we were always eating our meals or buying something, and looking on. Ah, so now we get the experience of being in the party itself. :)

Kite flying with Mary

2010-09-16T22:20:00.001+08:00

27 July
Tues
9.30am

Met a friend from USA at JP. She moved to Sg in Jan with her family. Her hubby was posted here. He is in the IT line and he develops video games! So her house is full of new games to be tested. My boys think her kids are super lucky! haha

We had coffee at the Old Town White Coffee, and kaya toast. ds2 and dd were with me. ds2 because his school had some HFMD cases and I didn't want him in school.

We chatted for almost 2.5hrs! Can't believe it because she was a stranger before we met. Women can really talk huh..

ds2 played with his cars and did his colouring/ reading while dd took her morning nap there.

She wanted to register her son in my son's school, which is why we were meeting up. Anyway now her son's registered already, under Phase 3. And I helped her submit the application cos she was away on vacation during that time. And now she wants to give me a treat for helping. Wow, so nice! So we're meeting up again soon.

29 July

ds1 had his school field trip to Bt Timah Nature Reserve. I signed Dh up as a volunteer, remember?

So they went, and it was very fun for ds1 cos they got to do orienteering, take maps, compass, find their way, etc, in groups. Like a mission/ adventure. Then the other segment was a guided tour by a volunteer guide from NParks, also in small groups.

Dh said the guide was lousy. He kept telling me he could have done a better job in being more enthusiastic and telling the kids more about the plants and animals. So I really emailed ds1's tr and told her that. hahahahah!!!!

The teacher said thanks for the feedback, she will tell the school, maybe they won't use the guides in future. I said Dh will volunteer, hahahaha!! Anyway the teacher knows I am joking about this last part. How can he take so many groups there anyway?

The good thing abt Dh going is, he now knows the teachers, and all the names of ds1's classmates. He knows so much more than me now. Cos I haven't met half of them. Dh commented that there was a boy who could not get something out of his bag and asked for help. After Dh took that thing out for him, he went off happily, letting Dh hold his bag and waterbottle.

This boy has a maid who picks him up from school everyday and will carry his school bag for him. So naturally he would do that. But Dh kept feeling incredulous that the boy would treat him as his maid. He asked, "Do I look like a maid?".

25 July
Sun

Good to live near friends. On the spur of the moment, we decided to get together to fly kites and just sit in the park. Then after that we walked to Ishi Mura for dinner. Very enjoyable evening.

That's Ch with ds2. Ch's holding her kite.

Us sitting on the picnic mat.

They naturally posed like that for the cam. So loving towards their siblings!

Young Persons concert & E 5 mths

2010-09-16T16:30:00.001+08:00

24 July
Sat

It's been really backdated but these are the pics in my cam that has just been downloaded onto the comp! So here goes. This was the banana pudding I made for the cottage meeting that Sat. I made one before this, and had more like a meringue top. Think I over-baked it for this pic, so it looks more like a crust now.

I like the Nilla wafers best, actually. haha. (And I get my recipes online, so I don't post it here. Just google and you'll find many similar ones.)

E at 5 months plus, with her brothers. This was taken before she was sick, so she was still without a neck, haha. Now her neck can be seen clearly and her arms are no longer like lotus roots.

30 July
Fri

This was taken at the Esplanade. Dh brought the boys for the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra concert. It also had Dh's favourite Sibelius piece and other kid-familiar favourites in the programme. So even though ds2 is not yet 6, we just bought him a ticket too.

It's probably his first time attending a concert at the concert hall cos they have a strict no kids under 6 policy. Dh said he was attentive throughout so we can go for more. I knew if the boys misbehaved, Dh will not bring them for a long time to come. Cos he is so so particular about concert etiquette and he hates any little noise that affects his enjoyment of the performance, so I did seriously brief the boys before they went.

Not content to be left at home with dd, I went along too, but strapped dd in the stroller and I walked around the whole Bay area. hee hee.

I also walked to Marina Square (so irritated with the steps along the way and the not-stroller friendly underpass from Esplanade to Marina the previous time, so this time I walked in the open air).

There, I got myself dinner and by that time dd was fussy and did not want to sit in her stroller. So I put her in the sling and pushed along an empty stroller with my bag. Nursed her, and she was happy in the sling, so I went window shopping. But then I couldn't resist it and bought myself a nursing top at Maternity Exchange, cos where I go to usually, Moms in Mind, had closed already and I could not get anymore tops from there.

I always have a problem trying on clothes when I shop, especially with the boys in the past, cos they hate shopping. Ahhh, now I discovered dd is fine with shopping! Even at 5months+!

The saleslady carried her for me, and I tried on at least 6 tops. hee hee!

However, that was a clever sales tactic. She made dd so happy with the giraffe teether they were selling, that dd didn't want to leave, and so I had to buy the giraffe too!!!!

I justified it by thinking that they entertained and took care of her for about 30min. So plus babysitting fees and my satisfied shopping experience, and the fact that now that giraffe is her absolute favourite, gnawed on everyday, it is worth it... :)

Of course, after the concert, which last so long, the boys were ravenous, and we had to get supper from the Makansutra Gluttons' Bay. Satay, yum yum.

dd 3rd n 4th teeth

2010-08-15T23:18:00.003+08:00

dd's 3rd and 4th teeth, her upper incisors, sprouted. About several days ago.

She mouthed too many unknown objects during the teething so had diarrhoea. That's common enough.

But then, coupled with this week's too many hectic events jumbled together, I fell sick again, and this time worse than the last cos I had high fever for 2 days, a splitting headache, sore throat, then later runny nose, cough... the works... definitely a flu..

I still had to nurse, so dd got the virus too. She's now down with cough, runny nose and high fever.

I'm typin with one hand now, while carrying her with the other arm. She doesn't want to leave my arms when she is sick. sigh...

Dh has taken over the cooking, cleaning and caring of the boys. Thankfully my mom came over to cook and help out or a while also, when Dh had to work.

Somehow, even with that splitting headache, I would lie in bed, wondering if Dh pressed the correct settings on the washing machine. I worried if he'd put the correct amt of laundry powder... and then, if he put the delicates in the netted bag... Then when laundry is done (i can hear the beep from my room), I wonder if he'd put my delicates, nursing wear, or some of his shirts in the dryer, which would totally shrink and ruin them.

I know, i know, maybe that's why I got that headache in the 1st place??

ok, i tell myself, let go, relax, just sleep.... Can finally shirk off all housework and rest, why not milk it??

Then I hear the boys fighting in the study room... shouted for them to stop... and I woke the nursing princess beside me. She wails, and ok, there goes my "could-have-been" 2 hour nap?

I know, I brought it all upon myself... but, can a SAHM really ever totally rest??

I've compromised on a lot already...

I let the boys watch DVDs and run amok around the house. We started ordering tingkat service (home-cooked food delivery service)...

This 2nd one is funny. I ordered only 2 persons portion so I still get to cook something to add on yet it takes the pressure off me, if I had a bad day and can't produce a decent meal in time.

(Ever wondered why men are better cooks? cos when the women cook, they have to juggle slinging a crying baby, listening to eldest son's complaints of what the bully on the school bus did to him, and supervising a showering 2nd son in the bathroom... seriously... and the sons keep shouting for a snack cos they're hungry every 5 min already...)

Yup, so Dh cooked today and was proud of his efforts. It was truly tasty but fortunately he didn't say he cooked better, else I'll point out to him that he had all the time to prepare his ingredients, chop them nicely and then fry them, without any disturbance cos the kids were all with me.

Ok, the final thing I was very thankful to Dh for, was that he brought the kids out so I could really rest. He knew that I got easily distracted by the boys' or dd's noises, so he got the boys out kite flying or cycling.

But the outing that most impressed me was he brought dd out alone, to Jurong Point. He managed to get something repaired at a shop there, buy groceries from NTUC, and also buy honey at the basement shop before coming home. It was at least an hour. Dd is not easily managed when you bring her out, as long as the person is not me. Furthermore, to accomplish other tasks along the way as well, that is really a bonus.

Dh said he enjoyed the outing with her cos he had women swarming all around him, behind, in front, left and right.... It doesn't matter that they were all oogling at dd, he lapped up all the attention anyway...

hhmph

Interesting ditty for Math

2010-08-15T10:51:00.003+08:00

Sharing something about Math:

Odd and Even numbers: a rhyme ds2 learnt from school.
Source not credited cos ds2 doesn't know where it came from. If anyone knows, pls tell us!

"If you are an even number, you always have a pair.
So if you look around, your buddy will always be there.
But if you are an odd number, there's always a lonely one.
He looks around to find his buddy, but he's the only one."

For Chinese, ds2 has continued to learn several other Chinese poems. Now I have lost count and I cannot keep up already. Especially after my bout of cough/ flu/ fever.

Misc, Racial Harmony, E in exersaucer

2010-07-27T20:22:00.001+08:00

During the flu bug outbreak 2-3 weeks ago when everyone in church, in the kids' schools and elsewhere were coughing and getting the sniffles, we had 1 child sick, then another, then another, then myself.

Myself being sick was the worst. I'm sure all moms know what I mean. When the kids are sick, it is extra tiring but we can still take it, just sleep less, care more. When we are also sick, oh man, with a headache or fever, a drippy or stuffy nose, a hacking cough, yet still have to drag feet to cook, do chores, and take care of the little ones, who are also extra clingy or don't sleep well at night.

So amidst all the sickness and exhaustion, with Dh still in USA, there were so many kind souls rallying around us. Some sent us cards. Even Dd received a card addressed to her. Some offered help. Some bought things for us, or cheered us up with smses.

Then our good friend and the kids' godmom cooked a fabulous chicken soup for us one Sunday evening. We are so blessed we live near her too! Their godpa was the one who walked over with the thermal pot.

I'm guilty of not cooking something to put in the pot when I returned it to her!

Here's the porridge with carrots and goujizi in it. The kids lapped it up. There was plenty left over for me to be full too! Yum.

21 July
Wed
Racial Harmony Day

ds1's school asked the kids to wear any traditional costume to school for the celebrations. So I reused the Malay costumes my mom bought them for UN Day in their school last year.

Didn't manage to snap a pic of ds1 in his costume. We were in such a rush when it was time for him to get to the school bus. This is ds2 in his costume, and he's waiting for his school bus.

Incidentally, right after this Wed, he had some ulcers in his mouth. 3 to be exact. And his classmate has HFMD so we thought he had surely gotten it this time! So we kept him home on Thurs and Fri, but turns out he had no more ulcers, and those 3 healed, and he didn't have any spots on his feet or hands. Neither did he run a fever, and we were so paranoid... It was a relief though.

Cos for the whole of Wed night and Thurs, I kept checking him, and kept having to remind him not to touch dd. I was very afraid dd will get it, more than anything. I told both boys that if they got it, they'll understand it is painful and will force themselves to drink more water, rest more, eat various things like jellies or ice cream to soothe themselves, but if Dd got it, she will just cry non stop, can't sleep, can't drink milk (too painful) and then she might be dehydrated and be in danger. Of course it will mean I have utter torture too, if dd cries non stop and doesn't sleep or nurse.

So thank God they didn't get it.

So she is still a very happy baby, laughing away (in the day) in her exersaucer. Somehow, she is either afraid of the dark or night time. She cries very badly at night. Very irritating of course.

Dh is very funny. He has to work in the day so normally I tell him to sleep and he doesn't have to get up to help me if he hears dd cry at night. I do everything. So one night, he must have heard all the loud wailing and angry crying from dd that lasted quite long. She wouldn't nurse, didn't stop crying even when rocked or even when I sling her and walk around or sing her fav songs.

Then suddenly she stopped crying cos I turned on the tap to wash my hands. She sometimes likes the sound of water (doesn't work everytime).

But Dh rushed out of the bedroom and startled me. Turned out, he thought I was so irritated by dd's crying that I strangled her. hahahaha... (So he wanted to come check and rescue his daughter.)

I think he must have been reading a lot of newspaper articles or watched too much TV/ movies.

Or maybe sometimes I express my frustration a little too much. hee. During the day I'm duly rewarded for my hard work at night though. Dd would be all smiles, laughing as I talk to her, cooing and gurgling in her sweet voice in response to diaper changing, nursing etc.

I guess life is like that. There are always ups and downs, there are always obstacles or hurdles. I just have to cross one stage at a time. This stage, it is her unexplained crying.

Then there'd be the terrible twos. And then puberty, hormones and moodiness... Rebellion during the teens??

We just have to focus on the happy things. Don't keep thinking, "why is my child like that". Try and look forward to the next day, when things might be so much better.

That's why I think being a parent has made me become a much better person, a better Christian and a better teacher. :-)

Changi Airport

2010-07-24T20:45:00.000+08:00

18 Jul
Sun

We left home to pick up our bil at my sis' place at around 5.15pm and headed for the airport. He was going to the UK for a course and may not be back for some time.

When we reached the airport, there was a long queue for check in. Gradually more and more church friends arrived. This is the group pic we took.

By the time he went in to the transit lounge to board the plane, it was already 8.40pm. The kids were famished. We took the SkyTrain to T3 for dinner at XinWang Hong Kong Cafe. Of course I drank the Yuanyang tea again, Dh and I love that. My mom finds the taste weird. haha.

Although we have passed through the Terminal 3 several times, back from Utah, back from Beijing in the past... we have never leisurely strolled through it nor used the facilities because everytime we are heading for home, we are laden with lots of luggage and have family waiting for us outside.

So ironical right, with one of the world's best airports here, and we've never enjoyed the facilities... So this time, Dh and I decided to just walk through the basement before going home.

The kids ended up the biggest winners. While Dh and I just browsed, they had so much to play with. And they didn't even stop to watch TV or play with the computers or the playground.

This is one of the stations where both boys did some woodblock rubbing.

And then they so wanted to sit on the Tallest Slide (in Sg?). Anyway, it's 4 storeys high and they only allow kids above 1.3m. Both do not qualify, of course, and have to play on the similar but only 1 storey high slide. That has a min height requirement of 1.1m.

Both went 2 times, because there was quite a queue, even at 10pm.

This is the "Tallest Slide".

This is what the baby was doing while her brothers were playing on the slide. :)

It was a fun day although it ended way past the kids' bedtime! We're quite particular about their bed times now that they have school, so we can't do this kind of thing often for sure!

Kite flying at the park

2010-07-21T12:24:00.004+08:00

We make kite flying in the park a ritual now. Have to get the boys out of the house, and it is relaxing and fun for dd also. Kite flying not only allows my kids to run around a lot (they like to run even when there's no need to), it helps keep them away from near-sighted work, which is very good for maintaining ds1's eyesight.

He is already overtaking Dh and I in his myopia, so we need to make sure he doesn't read too much or look at the computer. Being outdoors more solves that problem.

Also, somehow, when I look at all the kites high up in the sky, flying freely in the wind, I just feel very good. I go home refreshed, even though the day might have been very tiring.

Here are some pics. It's hard to see the kites in the pics, but when you're there, it is totally mesmerising.

Not sure if you can see all the kites in this pic below. There were at least 30-40 that day. One of them in the center, slightly towards the right of the pic, has a very very long tail, several metres long. Very spectacular.

These pics are taken on various days. Since the park is beside our apt, we go there several times a week. As long as it is not raining. Last week was good. This week is pretty rainy, so we didn't go much.

ds1 with his eagle kite. ds2 chose a shark, which didn't fly that well cos of the shape. So Dh bought another one for him, a tiger fitted into a triangular kite. I noticed that either triangular or diamond-shaped kites flew the best.

Dh and the boys with the eagle kite. We tried out many different kites. Some rice paper ones, very small and connected together, some plastic ones, those sold for $3, and then the eagle, shark and tiger. Still the eagle and tiger are easiest to launch and fly high. Those are $15- $18. Still really reasonably-priced considering the size and the materials.

Close up of the kite (manta ray?) I mentioned earlier, which when it was on the ground, had such a long tail the boys were openly oohing and aahing at it. Really very pretty when the tail is flapping about in the sky.

The boys are very funny. Their dad does the hard work of getting it to fly really high, and then they take turns to fly it. And they act like they are very professional. So amusing. When there was not much skill required to do what they are doing (maintain the kite up there when the winds are so strong). Look at ds2's stance and both their expressions. ds1 is holding on to the thread. We were afraid they'd let go or drop the spool at first, cos the force was really great when the kite was tugging so hard against the spool.

Now Dh has gone and bought a roughly $15 big round spool to contain all the thread. That allows us to reel in the thread and let it out much quicker. Cool.

Then last Fri, we invited our friends from USA, here on summer hols, for kite flying together and a pizza picnic. The kids had such a blast together. Flew the kites till it was dark. When all the kites with lights start flying.

Here they are playing wildly near the canal, which was raging just earlier during a thunderstorm. So I got them to move away from it. The other pair of siblings are 4 and 6 yrs old. That makes the 4 of them, 4, 5, 6 and 7 yrs old in a group!

Besides kite flying, they had lots of fun playing hide and seek too. While we adults laughed ourselves silly watching how kids at this age prefer to be found than really hide.

Without fail, once the seeker finishes counting, and just turns around to try and look for the others, one after another, the others will shout out, "hey I am here! hahaha!". So funny.

Kids, when they play without focusing so much on winning (or the objective of the game), find it much more fun!

Something to take home for me actually. Cos when the boys make up their own games and ask me to play with them, I sometimes lose my patience. Usually of course I might have been very tired out by the baby or by chores, or I might have many other things lined up, waiting to be done. Then they are so eager and enthusiastic about their new game.

So I have to sit down and play with them, only to find their rules very haphazard and there is seemingly no objective or aim. Like some card games they came up with. Or board games. After they explain how to play, I would be like, ok, we play like this, then? What?? They say, "just play like that, carry on, continue...".

I would be like, "but what do I need to do in the end to win?" (cos maybe i just want to the game to end soon. their games can be endless if there is no objective)

They'd be like, "erm, dunno.... just play... it's fun anyway".

I usually would give up and leave them to it themselves. I think I should just relax sometimes and play, even if it is meaningless to me.... They just find it fun, and maybe having the chance to spend some time with their mom is good enough.. I should treasure this time when I have it.

Kids nowadays mature so quickly. During our time, it was when we hit our teens that we didn't want mommy or daddy to tag along, that friends matter more...
Now, I think it is more like age 10.

So with ds1, I have only 3 more yrs.... That's a short time.
I also need to equip him with all the good values, as much as possible, before he listens more to his friends... Yup, hope I can remind myself!

Interesting lessons in school

2010-07-13T22:22:00.002+08:00

I also thought I should sometimes blog about what the kids learn in school. Any interesting stuff, for example.

It can be a record for them and perhaps give other parents some ideas.

For overseas parents, they get ideas on how Singapore schools teach. For homeschooling parents, they might want to try such things out with their kids at home. For parents with younger kids, they might know what to expect when their kids enter school here too, or they might want to do such things with their kids now as well, to prepare them?

Just like a lot of moms who blog about their recipes and food. I stopped blogging abt stuff I cook cos now I cook very repetitive stuff. I cook the main meals and it almost always just consists of rice with a veg dish, a meat dish and perhaps a soup. And it is the same boring stuff, no need to blog. And I don't follow recipes for everyday cooking, I just add stuff in and cook.

So hard pressed for time to get meals on the table already, no time to take pics or even to remember what I added and how much of each ingredient. :-)

But I still set aside time to ask the kids about school and what they did in school each day, so these I can remember. And I hope to be free enough to record some of the interesting stuff.

In case they one day say school is boring, I can dig up these posts and show them, hey, no, look at all these you did. So interesting!! :-)

Recently ds2 started learning Chinese poems. Some Tang ones, some other old poems (古诗）- 1 per week. The teacher does a very good job of getting them to remember the author, the title and the poem itself. And I thought they just recite for fun and sometimes I will ask ds2, what is the meaning of the poem? And he will explain to me!

I took English Literature in school so for myself, it is also a learning journey. I only know a few famous ones, from mainstream chinese lessons, and I hardly know how to explain them. But Dh took Chinese literature and he can appreciate and add in the interpretation when ds2 forgets anything. I find these very interesting.

And very often, each poem has some kind of value or moral to teach. For example, 2 weeks ago, they did 悯农。It is about the poor farmers who labour and toil under the scorching sun to plant the rice, dripping each drop of sweat into the soil as they plant. Who knows with each meal and in each bowl of rice, each grain is worth so much time and effort?

I love the teacher so much for teaching them this poem cos now I recite it every time I see something left on their plates> very good for making them finish up their meals properly.

Still on the topic of Chinese, ds1 had a change of teachers after the June hols. He now has this new male teacher, who, from his daily description, seems to be fresh out of NIE (teacher training college).

Why do I say that? Cos he has a lot of fresh and interesting ideas but he is also inconsistent in his discipline methods. Haha.

Maybe he feels it is more interesting to have different punishments each day but when ds1 describes them, it seems to be too inconsistent to have an effect. But I normally don't complain or speak to the teacher unless it is a serious matter.

For eg, one day ds1 said all the naughty kids had to squat under their chairs and the teacher will walk to sit on their chairs while teaching the lesson and sometimes will use the book to slap on the side of the chair. I asked ds1 if his classmates were scared or laughing, he said most of them felt like laughing, it was more funny than scary.

Then another day ds1 said the naughty ones had to stand in the metal cabinet and the teacher will close the door. I said out loud to ds1 that I didn't like such punishment methods. I asked if his friend felt afraid in the darkness, and if the door was locked. He said the door wasn't locked and his friend was not afraid.

I wonder, for the more mischievous boys, would they purposely misbehave to try out these "novel" ways of being punished?

So far ds1 hasn't been punished yet. We'll see what he gets when he does.

On the other hand, the teacher rewards good students handsomely. He seems to have a lot of candy. I don't like that either, but ds1 said he received a coconut candy for being very good the other day.

However, I was a new teacher once, and new teachers should have their own space to try things out and make mistakes. He did have some good stuff.

He tells the kids a Chinese story every other day. Especially when there are many Chinese periods together in the day. ds1 loved those stories which usually revolved around some big bad wolf. He can come home and tell me all the stories (partially in English though!!). But it's good cos he is very enthusiastic and it gives me many opportunities to encourage him to retell them to me in Chinese.

Apparently the teacher acts out the stories as he tells them animatedly too, cos ds1 will mimick those actions very well and he does look comical. I asked if the class all laughed at those parts and ds1 said they all did.

They are also having presentations and performances this term, it seems. Every Tuesday the classes gather together and those who are prepared will go on stage to present either a song, a Show and Tell item, a poem or tell a story.

I think these are excellent ideas. Now, the focus is on speaking skills, and these indeed help students learn the language much more effectively and in a fun way too.

ds1 thought of his item on his own. He wanted to sing and act out a song. It's quite funny, and he enjoyed doing it.

The final thing for this post: ds1's school's PAL programme this term is on bouldering. That's the glorified term on the parents' letter but when ds1 described what they did, it's basically rock-climbing and learning to belay and observing safety. It will culminate in a fieldtrip to Hindhede Park in Bt Timah Nature Reserve.

They asked for parent volunteers for the field trip. I thought it sounded like a lot of fun so I signed Dh up for it, haha. He's keen anyway...
If he takes pics, I'll post them.

ds1 loves all these extra stuff. It's what makes him like school so much.
This morning, he forgot his water bottle, and Dh was free and going to take the car to work anyway, so he offered to bring it to school for ds1. Later I asked him what was ds1 doing when he spotted him in school. Dh said he saw ds1 with his arm around an Indian friend, queuing up to buy mee soto together in the canteen.

They were talking and laughing heartily. It wasn't his usual Malay recess partner. Hmm, looks like ds1 is enjoying himself immensely in school, making many friends from diverse backgrounds. We are happy for him. May he continue to love school so much all his life.

Updates. Dh back and colic...

2010-07-13T22:03:00.003+08:00

Dh is back! Finally, we have him in Singapore for at least a couple more months before he travels again, perhaps end of the year.

We have had a couple of lovely family outings - mostly just to fly kites at the park beside our place or meals out/ games night at home, but they become very treasured cos he has been away for so long.

He was also surprised that just in the space of 2 months, the kids have grown. Of course, most noticeably the baby. Babies develop the fastest in their 1st yr of life, so he was so pleasantly surprised to see her sitting up, to wow at her new teeth, and marvel at her semi-crawling in a backwards direction on the floor.

But of course, when he left for the Europe trip, she was just 3mths old. Now, after the USA trip, she is already 5 months old! 2 months make a lot of difference in a baby's life!

I just read in today's papers of how a father got jailed for causing his baby to die due to his rocking her too violently. He had wanted to make her stop crying and go to sleep.

Now this kind of shocked me. I mean, I probably don't have the strength of a big man, but ermmm, any SAHM who has to be with a newborn ALONE at home 24/7 can testify that, she will always have moments when she is so frustrated at the incessant crying that she will rock baby harder than usual.

I mean, I definitely have done that. The papers did not describe anything else he did besides rocking the baby harder. Then, oh my, I could've been jailed. I must thank God that my baby didn't die when I rock her harder than usual to make her sleep.

I've also almost always put her down to sleep on her tummy. That's also a big no-no in the medical textbook. It may cause SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). I did that with ds1 and ds2 as well. But mostly with ds2 and dd cos it was with these 2 that I started having no domestic helper and having to live alone without any help from mom or mil.

If you have tons of chores to do, and baby's other siblings to care for, other schedules to follow (like older kids' meals and school times), then you just cannot afford to have baby NOT sleep. Their naps are precious time for us to get stuff done. For my kids, they sleep longer and better on their tummies, so I just have to do that, but I walk past the bedroom and check on them regularly just to make sure their airways are not blocked.

And there is such a thing called colic. For parents who never had babies with colic, don't bother reading this post because you will not believe what I say anyway.

Colic is defined as continuous crying without apparent known reason. It can occur at a certain each day, every day. It gets better from the 4th month onwards, usually. All my babies seemed to have colic.

Maybe I just have difficult kids?? But yes, little princess also drives me nuts with her night time crying. It is really non-stop. It can go on and on and gets so bad she will choke and vomit milk out as she cries. It is also scary to watch her puke all the milk out. 1st time parents would have rushed their babies to the A&E at the hospital. It is just that ds2 was also like that, so I just know I have to bear with it. Keep carrying her around, talking to her soothingly and sit with her in my rocking recliner and rock.

Yeah, and many nights I get so sick of her screaming in my ear that I rock really hard with my feet, while patting her rather hard on her back as well. My mom claims I pat too hard cos she can hear the sound. When she can hear the sound of patting so loudly, it means it is too hard and I am damaging the nerves at her spine in the back. Well, now you know where I got my imagination from, definitely my mom.

But anyway... so the solution for these problems, in order not to have parents jailed frequently, would be to have some kind of rest and outlet, some kind of help.

I don't feel so bad if my mom helps me in the day by watching dd a while, so I take a nap. On those nights, I feel more energetic and feel good enough to last a long night with her crying.

I also feel better with Dh at home, even though he may be sleeping in the other room (cos he has to work, not cos he is lazy and refuses to help me). Cos I know anytime I can't take it anymore, I can wake him up and let him take over. Just this thought is enough to keep me going.

I guess the tragedy in the papers could have been avoided if the guy had someone else at home?

In any case, dd is much better now since she is older, and can use up more energy during the day by semi-crawling around and doing mini-push ups. This helps her sleep much better at night. Phew.

To all parents - we just grit our teeth and bear the first few months right? Those are the toughest. After that, it is an easier ride. (Those parents with teens might disagree... :-))

ds2 PTM

2010-07-05T16:12:00.000+08:00

26 June
Sat
12.30pm - 1.30pm

ds2's Parent Meet Teacher session

I had my mom's help, thankfully, and she stayed home with baby. Initially there was no need for ds2 to go with me, but when he heard I was going to his school, he insisted on going. A call to the school principal okayed that, she said he could play in the school playground. Ok then...

When we reached, I had to wait a while, so I stayed in the playground and played with the older sibling of ds2's classmate and his friends. 3 of them piled up on one end of the see saw to balance my weight. They laughed and laughed when I pretended I was super fat and heavy. Aiyah, kids...

Ok, so I met with the main teacher and the Chinese teacher. Overall, it was a glowing report. Naturally, they save all the best things to say during the PTM.

I was first shown his portfolio.

Here are some sample pics.

For Math, number bonds up to ten:

For Chinese: songs, rhymes, various activities like skit scripts they did, some writing and other worksheets and craft work.

Crafts and projects and stories revolving around the themes they cover. This is a short story they wrote.

Every Mon after lunch, they have FastracKids activities. This is something from the topic where they learn about cultures and customs around the world.

Activities they do in LetterLand. Even though ds2 can read many words, he did so by whole word recognition, purely from remembering the words in books I read to him since young. So it is still important for him to learn this in school. It is not repetition and he doesn't get bored learning how to pronounce words he already knows because he is now learning the phonetics and it will help him sound out words he has never seen before.

The funny stories used to teach digraphs and blends and so on are so entertaining that ds1 (who has never done phonetics through the Letterland method) and I will ask ds2 to retell all of them to us.

2 eg.s I attempt to retell are here. I don't do it justice cos I don't know if I am telling the full story but it's just very interesting.

For eg, why do we spell words like "kick", "pick" with c and k together? Both c and k produce the same "ker" sound. And why put c before k?

In Letterland, each letter has a character. K is kicking king who loves to kick and the kids are shown a k with the king's head and body within the K and the legs and kicking outwards.
So "c" has to be placed before "K" because curious cat does not want to be kicked by Kicking King, ouch!

(if you put the cat after the king, the king's leg (k) will kick the cat (c))

Not sure if I am clear enough here.

Then there is the story for "sh" and how to pronounce this sound.

"S" is silly snake I think, and "H" is the Harry Hat man.

Harry hat man doesn't like noises and Silly Snake hisses all the time "ssssss" (make the sound for the kids).

So when Silly Snake is placed before Harry Hat Man, he will turn around and tell Silly Snake to keep quiet ("shhhhhhh" sound produced for the kids).

That's how they learn the sounds in a fun way.

There are tons other stories, all quite funny.

This is craft done after the Hungry Caterpillar story. And they learn about metamorphosis where the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.

Another short story writing segment. I will type out what ds2 wrote, but it doesn't make too much sense at this point. He just wrote whatever came into his mind, I think. Not much logical sequence to me.

"One day the astronaut went to the moon and Jupiter came out together with an alien with six eyes. Then Uranus came out too and I floated on the moon. The Earth kept spinning around the moon. I went back to my spaceship and blasted back home."

This one was done for Chinese, he said. Learning about garden animals in Chinese.

After that, I was given a report.

I'll try to list some of the categories in the detailed report, so it will be useful for my own records in future, to see how he progresses.

The progress evaluation report:

Broad categories reviewed -
1. Gross motor skills e.g. hop on one leg with even gait
2. Fine motor skills etc one handed cutting, cut food with knife..
3. Auditory discrimination. e.g. Identify words with similar short vowel sounds as the model
4. Auditory memory sequencing. e.g. name the months of the year in sequence, pronounce correctly words with 5 syllables..
5. Language Classification. e.g. indicate how situations are the same or different like in an emergency
6. Language Association. e.g. Name a situation described in terms of feelings; respond appropriately and logically to open-ended Qs
7. Social-emotional development. e.g. say home address, work independently, work cooperatively, accepted by peers...
8. Math skills. e.g. Complete number sequence with missing digits (0-30), number bonds up to 10, write the date...
9. Chinese language. E.g. sing and recite rhymes, explain the content of the rhymes, write characters with correct strokes, write own name, communicate verbally in Mandarin to teacher and peers, reply verbally in Mandarin to Qs posed, enjoy stories, retell stories...

So the teachers will put A, I or O in the boxes next to the skills or items. A for "is able to", "I" for "is beginning to" and O for "not able to".

No prizes for guessing which category ds2 had "I"s. He didn't have any Os at all, at least. But he had 9 Is under Chinese (and another 6 As).

For Math and Language (refering to English), he had As. Certain things, he had Is, like Identify from choice the picture that represents the meaning of a sentence. He can't interpret meanings as well, i.e. sometimes he doesn't fully understand a situation.

For social-emotional devt, he had all As. Not a surprise cos ds2 has always done well in this aspect. More so than ds1. ds1 being more headstrong and stubborn, can sometimes rub people off the wrong way. But ds2 mostly has very good EQ and gets along very well with others.

The final overall note from the teachers:

Main tr:
J is a pleasant and soft-spoken boy. He is a fluent reader and is able to attempt more advanced readers on his own. He is able to recall and apply prior knowledge to his work, completing given tasks independently. His acquisition of general knowledge is commendable, and he shares these readily with his friends and teachers.

J has a vivid imagination evident in the way he creates his models from Lego bricks and the different characters he infuses in his play.

A joy to have in class!

Chinese tr:
J 在上个学期的华文学习中，华文认读，华文书写方面表现很好。上课时能够认真听讲，积极回答问题，期待他下个学期的优秀表现！

What the main tr reflected to me during the meeting was basically that he is very endearing, sociable, obedient. His reading is very advanced, way beyond the level of his peers. He often shares extra knowledge with them. She asked me where he got all those knowledge from. I said probably from the books he reads or from his older brother.

She said his memory is excellent. Sometimes she quizzes them on stuff she taught 2 weeks ago and he would be the only one who can remember. Hence, there was once she rewarded him with 2 lollies. I recall him coming home with lollies but he didn't tell me what they were for. Nice to know he is also doing very well in school! Sometimes, people around Dh and me tend to praise ds1 more. Upon comparison, many people usually feel ds1 is smart(er). Perhaps just because he is more vocal and more confident.

I was kaypoh (busybody/ curious) and asked what was the answer he gave that earned him the reward. It was the name of a constellation, apparently, when they were doing Outer Space. The tr mentioned Canis Major, but then now I am not so sure if I got it correct. Maybe Teck can help, if he reads this. The constellation like a dog, I think.

She said it had been 2 weeks since she taught that, so she was surprised he could recall. At home, we definitely do not talk about constellations since I don't know much about it, so I am happy he is learning all these in school.

About stuff he can improve, she mentioned him being more on the quiet side. I think she doesn't want to label. But I can think of words like "shy", "introverted" and "reserved" or even lacking on confidence. The tr didn't say any of these but she said when ds2 is amongst his good friends and teachers one on one, he will talk a lot and talk loudly, but once it comes to whole class discussion, or his turn to present his topic, he will talk very softly, or he will be happy to listen to what everyone has to say and not want to speak up much.

I will work on that at home, asking him for his opinion more. And he needs to be able to say it freely without his elder brother interrupting. That almost always happens at home when they are together. Older brother dominates the conversation and will comment on whatever he thinks, which is why he just listens, I guess.

The other thing is his reluctance to try different fruits or veggies. Generally, not an adventurous eater. Both teachers (they take turns to have lunch with the kids each day) say ds2 never cries in school and is always attentive, cheerful and happy, except when he is asked to eat something he doesn't like, then his tears will flow.

I wanted to laugh at that. Cos that is what happens at home too. Anyway, the school serves different fruits everyday, and when it comes to honeydew, papaya etc, he hates these and would refuse to eat. However, teachers try to ensure all the kids eat the fruits, so he would be given an extra small piece. Both teachers say he will hold the piece of fruit with his fork and dangle it around till it drops on the table or floor then he will quickly announce that it is dirty and then promptly picks it up and throws it away. (Oh man, really so like him)

So they have then served fruits to him on a plate. The rest of the kids still just eat from a communal dish. Now he has no excuse, sometimes he will comply. When he does eat it, the teachers and all his friends will applaud him! So he has come to try some papaya and honeydew now.

I told the teachers I am thankful they are working with me. They said they both used to dislike the same things as him when they were young so they can understand. I also try my best to introduce different foods to him in a non-threatening way. In this aspect, I am most eager to see progress!!

I think this is the bonus in sending him to a kindy that also operates as a childcare (didn't expect to gain help in this area when I sent him to school). Having his friends to eat one meal (lunch) with him, and having others reinforce what I tell him at home (that veggies are important and good for him), seems to make him trust me more and make him be more receptive to food outside his usual repertoire.

His school won an award (amongst preschools in Singapore) for healthy eating/ lifestyle thingy, and I have scrutinised their menus, so I am very satisfied that the food they serve is nutritious. In fact, the variety and portion is more than what I can offer at home!
(For a small household like ours, we usually buy and cook only 2 kinds of meat each week. I can't possibly buy pork, beef, chicken AND fish each week and cook up many different types of veggies for a meal. There'd be wastage and doesn't make economical sense. But for a large school with many branches, they can buy and cook in large quantities so they can offer a very varied menu.)

The other thing I like is, the teachers always eat with them, the same food, at the same table. They sing a song (to be thankful about the food they eat) before eating and then converse with each other as they eat. They don't sit in a row but in a group, almost in a circle. That's very motivating for ds2 when he sees the rest eating different veggies and so on. He also gets to enjoy his meal a lot while he talks with his friends and teachers.

I also like the big family feel. He knows the kids in K2 (all their names) and he knows the little ones in Nursery and Playgroup as well. I saw him so gentle and loving with 2 little girls from Playgroup. They were perhaps only 2yrs old? He called them by their names too. On his school bus, there is this little girl, very very cute darling. The school bus driver says he will entertain her and sing songs to her on the journey home.

Of course, some of them are really family. The principal's grand daughter is in the Nursery and the music teacher's son is in the toddler's class.

I also appreciate ds2's teacher smsing me every single incident that happened in school right away.

One time she smsed me after lunch telling me ds2 complained of a tummyache. She put some oil for him already but did not have bowel movement so she asked me to monitor him when he gets home, to see if he was better.

She also cleaned ds2 up once when he didn't make it in time to the toilet, and she asked his friend to lend him a pair of shorts (ds2 didn't bring spare clothes to school that day), and she also smsed me. She assured me he didn't cry and that he went back to his activities happily.

When he says something funny or cute, or when he does something nice, she will also sms me. And she checks the comm book very faithfully everyday.

Initially we thought we would take ds2 out and place him in the kindy just downstairs where our apartment block is when there is a vacancy but now we have changed our minds. His school is really fantastic and we have every wish to let him finish his kindy education there.

We'd definitely send dd there when she is 5 as well. :-)

Zoo trip, June hols misc

2010-07-03T12:47:00.004+08:00

19 June
Sat

We went to watch Toy Story 3. Before that, we first attended a talk at Focus on the Family, which is also at JP. It was free, and they gave out a large goody bag. In the goody bag, amongst many useful things, was a thick hardcover book by Dr James Dobson, "Solid Answers". I have several copies of his books already, always a good read, even though a little old fashioned sometimes.

Angeling's family was there too, as well as Mary's helper cos Mary's family was vacationing in Taiwan and her helper resided at Angeling's place as a guest.

We all enjoyed the talk, refreshments and then the movie. During the talk, the kids were well-entertained by staff from Focus, and they played parachute games, did some craft based on the Toy Story movie as well.

The talk was on Movie Magic and how parents can use movies to bond with our children, and engage them, or teach them important values.

The movie was the Golden Village within JP too. Very good deal. This was my good friend L's last gift to me. We enjoyed ourselves, and I know she's happy to see that too, from where she is.

Thank you, L. It would have been even more enjoyable had you been there. But I know you are also comforted in a better place. Thank you.

24th June
Thurs

Finally able to bring the kids to the zoo! dd's first time and for both boys, the 1st since she was born! Yeah, her birth really changed our lives --- made us so much busier (but happier too, lah).

We didn't spend a long time there. Just enough for the kids to walk through the Fragile Forest, feed the giraffes, catch a show and splash in the water play area.

We reached at 11am, slightly late for the morning giraffe feeding. Kids a little disappointed, so I told them we'd stay till the afternoon feeding (1.35pm).

So we went to the Fragile Forest. And then to Kidzworld. Ate KFC for lunch. So crowded at KFC cos the machines were all down and the cashiers had to take orders with pen and paper, and tally our totals with the calculator! Some were not sure of the prices of the different food items too, having been so used to letting the machines do everything.

Then we caught the Animal Friends show which featured heavily on dogs, cats... Pets that kids love, I guess. At the end of the show, the kids could go down and pet all the animals. Look at the hordes rushing down. I wonder if the animals got scared... Both ds were only interested in petting the German Shepherd so we were done pretty quickly.

Then I let them play for 30min at the water area. Too many kids. There were even a few groups from schools, so it was pure chaos. I prefer to go when there are no hols!

At 1.35pm we walked quickly to the Giraffe habitat. Phew. Managed to get there in time.

The giraffes sure have long tongues!

Dd was crying pretty bad by the time we were leaving. She didn't sleep well, what else... So my mom drove while I had to nurse her in the car. I much prefer to drive, but I am just thankful my mom can help me, otherwise we couldn't even go.

Dh, please, come back soon!

25th June
9.30am

ds1 had his 6 mth follow up at the NUH Eye Center at the Biopolis.

Sigh... his degree increased again. Although expected (cos doc said kids increase 100 degrees per year on average), I still feel heart pain. That his eyesight was deterioriating and we are almost helpless, and that we have to pay for new lenses again.

Doc said to wait another 6 mths would be too long for him. He'd have to strain to see for 6 mths in school, so we better correct his lenses now.

Since she has confirmed he doesn't have lazy eye, astigmatism or other serious ailments, she said we need not see her again unless his degree increases at a rate higher than 100 deg a year. From now on, we will just visit the optician once we think he can't see well again..

I keep reminding ds1 though, to keep a distance from his books. He likes to read and draw too near... I also just bought some bilberry supplements. And have to cook more soups with carrots and goujizi. Must try hard, what to do?

last week of June hols

2010-07-03T12:05:00.002+08:00

Ok, how did we spend the last week of the June hols?

I let ds2 stay at home too, so both brothers can play together to their hearts' content.

Then, I also had the weekly visits to my in laws'. Dh is not around, so I have to go with the kids alone. My bil and sil's kids seem really busy with school work and CCA so they don't have time to visit my in laws'. Hence, it is just us now, we seldom get to see them.

One thing nice about my il's place is the garden and the birds chirping... It's where the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is, so there is quite a lot of wildlife. Yep, monkeys and squirrels and lizards...

Fil loves to lie down outside and he suggested playing chess with ds1 there. I thought it made a very idyllic pic and looks like a good photo op, so I snapped a pic of the grandfather and grandson, engaged in a game.

(in case you are wondering... in the background, that used to be a pond but my fil decided to fill it up with sand/ soil after he grew tired of cleaning it out all the time.)

The park beside our block of apartments has somehow gained a reputation across Singapore as a good place to fly kites. So kite-flying enthusiasts and professionals gather there to fly their magnificent kites. Although we can view the kites every evening from our windows, the most attractive displays are usually during the weekend evenings.

There would be so many kites, they fill up the entire sky. Some fly so high and so far they look like real birds because they become specks. Both boys were so surprised when one of the men beside us reeled in his kite and it was actually gigantic. But when it was flying way up high, it was just a speck! (good lesson on near-far proportions for the boys)

This pic below doesn't do justice but it's what I can manage cos I was slinging dd at that time.

Oh yes, when the sun sets, it becomes really magical too, because the kites flown then are those with tiny flickering lights. So it fills up the sky with many "colourful stars". Even dd loves to look at those lights.

Now I often bring the kids there, just go down for a short walk. It is so beautiful...

This pic below, is one rare time dd slept when we walked over to JP. I was so thankful and glad that I just had to document it. What a fatso... Not very ladylike either...

Another sleeping one. ds2 didn't want to take his nap after we visited the library. Insisted on finishing up ALL the books he borrowed. He wouldn't listen to my explanation that we can keep the books for 3 weeks! He just had to read them that very day.

Since it was the school hol, I gave in and let him be. Later when I walked into the living room, I saw him, succumbing to his exhaustion. That stubborn little boy!

Gatherings with old friends

2010-07-01T14:02:00.001+08:00

Gatherings with old friends (highlight of my June!):

14 June
Mon

Met up with Dan, her son Dylan and Law at JP for brunch. Dylan is so sweet. While we adults we talking, he played with dd and made her laugh!

It was great catching up with Dan and Law, and we also went shopping for a while after brunch. Dan brought gifts for all of us, me, the boys and dd. Dylan has grown so much and he speaks very well, it's very cute to hear him talk non stop.

So glad they came all the way from the East of Singapore to meet up with me, else I wouldn't have had the chance to chat with them. It was Dan's precious day off from work too.

16 June
Wed
8.30am - 2pm

A very very old church friend whom I haven't seen for years came to visit me with her newborn. She hadn't been attending services at our congregation for 9 years? I got into contact with her again because I met her cousin at L's funeral wake.

Since her baby daughter is about 1+ month younger than mine, I suggested we should meet up for a baby date. :-)

Her hubby lectures at the NTU so he dropped her off at my place.

We walked to JP together to send ds1 to his Tien Hsia camp, bought breakfast and walked back to my place.

Then it started pouring cats and dogs, so she couldn't leave when she intended to. Which turned out good in a way cos we got to talking for such a long time, as we nursed our babies, changed their diapers and made them nap. And we had an early lunch of golden kiwis and rice dumplings and KFC Portuguese egg tarts.

When her hubby came to pick her up, my other batch of guests had started to arrive and they got to know each other. We arranged to meet up again at her place in July.

Then my old friends from HC started to come. Also from all parts of Singapore. And for Teck and his family, it was a precious gathering because they are only back in Singapore for a few days and then will be in Wisconsin for the next 3 yrs without returning to Singapore for a visit! Teck is doing his PhD there.

It's always lovely at these gatherings because not only do we get to catch up and reminisce about old times, we also get to see how all the kids in the group have grown. This time there are new additions too!

Here are some of the kids who are watching Toy Story 2. Thanks to Law who helped me operate my DVD player which I thought had been spoilt for a long time already.

A new addition, little baby Ethan. So cute and gazingly lovingly at his mom here.

And everyone brought so much food, we had such a feast! We never go hungry with Mag around, she brought the most! Cw's in the foreground, happily laughing and eating away. Can see Law, Teck in the background, and Eric as well. Lk's somewhere in the kitchen too.

There was a lot of laughter and jokes too. Certainly brightened up my otherwise mundane routine. With Dh out of the country, I lack adult conversations too. Would be great if we can do this often.

Law, Mag and her kids were the last to leave at about 5.30pm. The kids all played together really well. Such a wonderful gathering.

18 June
Fri

This time it was KH who specially took leave to come visit me and she brought her ds2. (btw did you know Old Chang Kee delivers too?)

However, since I had to walk ds1 to JP for his camp, I bought an assortment of Old Chang Kee snacks home. Fishballs, pineapple tart, chicken mushroom puff, curry puffs. Also bought the popular KFC egg tarts.

So glad I bought the fishballs. Little Brendan loved them. He has a good appetite and will eat anything KH offers him. He would sit in the highchair and occupy himself throughout our chat. Very well-behaved.

Jerry was supposed to come as well but he couldn't make it. However, I did meet up with him on Sat for a short while because he bought the Young Parents stuff at Marina Square for me. (I couldn't go out shopping at all cos of the 3 kiddos and their various schedules.)

KH is juggling many things now. She is working full time at MOE, does not have a helper, and is going to move to her own place soon. She also brought her son to my place, taking the MRT all the way from Kembangan.

I am so blessed to have so many good friends. It is because of them that I got to enjoy such an enriching week.

I am also happy to see everyone of them so happy and doing so well in their careers, their lives and with their families.

ds1 camps in June

2010-07-01T11:23:00.006+08:00

Just before the June hols, ds1 told me he would have 4 whole weeks without school.
I said, yeah, so good right? What do you plan to do with those 4 weeks?

He thought and said, you mean I have to stay at home for 4 weeks! I'd be so bored, I can't play with my friends?!?

After some discussion, I agreed to let him have 2 weeks of camps and 2 weeks at home. I thought he would have holiday homework so that might occupy him during the other 2 weeks at home. I said I might bring them to the zoo or museum but no promises, since DH is not in Singapore and we have to work around dd's nap schedule.

The problem with dd is she is easily excitable. If we go out, she remains highly alert and stimulated by all kinds of things, even if the noise is not loud. When there are loud noises, she is even worse. She would not sleep at all.

So she'd be increasingly cranky as the day wore on and cry and fuss. Hence, I usually prefer to go out for only short stretches.

ds1 was excited at the prospect of camps. I surfed and asked around and saw some good recommendations on some parenting forums. So I gathered all the info and placed it in front of him. He finally picked the Discovery Vacation camp, Tien Hsia Chinese camp and a 1-day Sg Buloh Young Naturalist camp.

For Tien Hsia, he had gone in Dec before and enjoyed it thoroughly. That time, it was his first time so I didn't sign him up for the full week. Since he liked it so much, this time, I let him go for the week of 14th to 18th June.

On the 1st day, they went to Sentosa to sit on the sky ride, ride on the luge and walk the nature/ jungle trail and dragon walk. Everything was conducted in Chinese, but in a fun way. By taking them out and using the language in a meaningful way. I feel that is a more natural way of learning a language rather than memorising the grammar rules or writing thousands of words to practise the strokes. For kids, of course, they learn better when they see it is useful and when it is hands on.

2ndd day they went to the Malay Heritage center which was something like a museum. I am not sure if this is new cos I've never heard of it till he visited it. The teachers gave us photos and they do look good. They learnt a lot about the Malay culture, in Chinese. I thought that was pretty interesting.

On the 3rd day (16th June) they were brought to the Orchard Tien Hsia center where all the kids did craft together (making a beautiful photo frame) and then recited poems to each other, like a performance. They also have half a day of language learning indoors, with emphasis on speaking/ oral skills. Unfortunately that day it rained so heavily that the entire area in Orchard road was flooded (yup, when the boutiques were rained in and the Hermes Birkin bags were damaged). So the kids ended up back in Jurong late cos they were stuck in the horrendous jam there.

Day 4 was so fun for ds1 cos they went to Pasir Ris Farm to pet and see lots of animals including mice, hamsters and so on, then they could try their hand at fishing. Whatever they caught, they could bring home and ds1 caught 17 small fish! When us moms were there to pick them up, one of the other moms was horrified and asked if she could leave the fish with the teachers, she did not want to bring them home!

The last day, they went to Genius R Us (apparently it is famous but I haven't been there or heard of it) and had a baking workshop. They played around with fondant and decorated cakes beautifully. This is the pic. Each slice was so big I couldn't finish mine. ds1 was very sweet, he said one for ds2, one for me and one for waipo (my mom) but can he share with us, please? Of course my mom let him have hers.

The camp at Sg Buloh Wetlands was incredible. It was sponsored by HSBC and organised by NParks to create awareness and love in kids for their natural surroundings. They learnt so much about mangroves and the flora and fauna within.

Best of all, it is almost free. We just paid fifty cents for a passport where they can collect stamps once they complete an activity. They get a day's meals, a tee shirt and lot of fun. However, they did ask if we would like to make a donation to the Garden City Fund, and most of the parents did, it was just $5.

This is for kids aged 6-10. This is ds1's group. He's the only P1 kid there.

But apparently he was so forthcoming with his contributions that the group leader and organiser came up to me and asked me his age, and told me he is really very smart and good in science.

I just smiled and said thank you, cos I didn't know what they were referring to, but I asked ds1 in the car later and he said he answered many Qs correctly, including one which was thrown open to the whole class but no one could answer. It was "What is the longest snake in the world?" or something.

I don't even know. Even though I am a Biology teacher, yes, but I don't know every single fact like that.... Anyway, that's just cos he reads and absorbs such facts. Not a real measure of smarts. If anything, it would be just that he loves such stuff and likes to talk about it. And probably has a good memory.

(Why I say this is : my mil helped me drive and pick ds1 up together cos after that we were going to her house for dinner. And she heard the organiser praise him. She went back and told my fil other people said he is so smart etc etc and he heard it, and his head swelled very big....)

This is the passport and the badges they all earn at the end of the camp. He had 2 friends at the same camp. Mx and Py. But they were all split up into different groups cos they wanted a good mix of ages in each group.

ds2 as well as Mx's sister and Py's brothers also managed to have a walk around Sg Buloh thanks to their elder siblings going for the camp. It was a great outing.

In the morning, after dropping him off, we passed by Hay Dairies on the way back, and we stopped to let ds2 see the milking of the goats (just nice, from 9am to 11am). We bought fresh goat's milk and pineapples home. Yup, somehow they were selling organic pineapples too.

7th to 11th June
Discovery camp

Coincidentally, Dh and I had volunteered, together with the rest of the BSc group in NIE, at this camp. We were all undergrads then and were organising the graduation dinner for our seniors. We saw this as a chance to raise funds, so all of us signed up for 2 weeks to teach at the camp (assistant teachers cos the main tr has to be a trained qualified teacher with MOE).

When I was helping out as a student, I remember thinking that the camp was priced too high, and that the activities could be done at home. I remember thinking even, that, when I had kids, I would do these at home with them and not spend money unnecessarily.

So it was really funny that ds1 should choose to attend this camp. Although I managed to get a discount by forming a group with other parents, I do still think that I can do those with him at home. However, he would lack the interaction with others, and he would lack an opportunity to perform.

The final thing that convinced me that the money was well-spent was that it sapped his energy during the day, making him far less able to use it at home to jump on the couch or think up one of his messy experiments... It allowed me to have gatherings with old friends peacefully and catch up on housework. It also gave me free time to relax and not constantly think of how to entertain him or what lunch to give him. And hey, to buy me time, effort, energy and sanity, the price or cost would be in the millions. So the $300 for 5 full days, 3 meals, lots of activities and social interaction is very very worth it.

And honestly, with dd so needy now, I wouldn't have done all those with him during the June hols.

They went to the Botanic Gardens/ Jacob Ballas Children's Garden on Tues and a mushroom farm on Thurs. The rest of the days they did science experiments and crafts. On the last day, at the end of the camp, they put up performances that sum up what they have learnt.

This is ds1's group's performance. They are all in P1.

I happened to meet my ex-colleague there. Priscilla's son was in the P2-3 group. However, she has quit her job to homeschool him so she sent him to these camps for social interaction and to conduct some experiments she might not have the equipment at home for.

After ds1's group performed, ds2 had no patience for the rest of the items. Since it was held in Raffles Girls' Pri, he decided to try their playground which was right beside the performance venue in the canteen.

After the performances, the camp commander gave out prizes to the group with the best performance and Priscilla's son's group got it!

Then they announced the best group in terms of behaviour and learning attitude and ds1's group got it! So they both are very happy boys...

There was a girl who was extra nice to ds1 and she lingered behind to talk to him and say goodbye, so we exchanged addresses. I told her she can be his penpal, if she liked. She didn't know what's a penpal. I think that term belongs to my generation huh???

Nowadays there is no need for snail mail. I guess our kids would understand better if I said, ok, exchange Facebook profile names, you can FB after this to keep in contact!

So anyway she was such a sweet girl and I was so taken by her that I asked them to pose for a pic together.

I don't know what's their relationship but ds1 was so gentle and nice to her too. She is taller than him though.... haha.

Then some boys were playing on the piano (can see in the background) so ds1 stayed back to listen to them before we all headed off - ds2, my mom (who helped me drive cos dd wailed non stop in the car), dd, myself and ds1.

I am glad ds1 enjoyed himself so much. I would keep quiet for the next hols though. Unless he asked for the camps, I would not volunteer to sign him up... Hopefully by that time, I can bring them out more often too, since dd would be older then. :-)

ds2 school carnival

2010-06-30T22:55:00.000+08:00

5 June
10am - 2pm

Carnival at ds2's school

They were having a carnival at ds2's kindy to raise funds for a children's charity.

We bought tickets to play games, eat popcorn and candy floss and the proceeds go to the charity. All the booths were manned by the school's teachers.

There were all the usual carnival games that were modified to suit kids aged 18months to 6 yrs old (the clientele of the school).

This one involves using chopsticks (kiddy ones) to pick marbles from a sand tray. ds2 is having a go. I think ds1 finished his turn already.

There was a sing-along session throughout the carnival so in between playing games, the kids could go sit and sing or even dance to the music. The teachers played guitars, sang and danced too.

Of course there was balloon sculpturing and face painting. My kids didn't want face paints this time, but they sure wanted balloons. Most of the kids were from their school but some were from other branches of the same umbrella school. Some teachers came from other branches too, to lend support.

I like how whenever there is some event, the teachers have some kind of colour for their dress code. This event, they all dressed in white top, beige or khaki bottom. I like seeing how the different teachers mix and match the styles. And some of them are so pretty. haha. I like seeing how the pregnant teachers wear their maternity clothes to the same colour combination too.

A video clip of the marimba session. The music teachers set up several self-made marimbas. And the kids could play along with their parents and teachers. It was a lot of fun. Dh took this at the start of the session. ds2 was still quite "blur" so I was showing him what to do.

ds1 amusing himself in his 1st week of hols

2010-06-30T00:53:00.002+08:00

How ds1 helped and amused himself during the 1st week of June hols:

He helped entertain his sister:

I could do a lot on my own with ds1 around. An older sibling really helps. Dd can laugh and smile and be very entertained for a long period of time with ds1. So happy for that. Dd is very blessed. As she grows, she will have 2 older brothers taking care of her and protecting her and loving her.

See how the boys' bed is being overrun with stuff to make her happy?

ds1 borrowed many library books to read during the hols and suddenly I saw this:
I had to laugh. It was pretty funny. He surrounded her with his books and they could stand on the exersaucer on their own and he'd spin her around to let her read different books. He would tell her what's in the book too.

And then the darling was a great assistant in the kitchen as well, helping me to peel all the carrots and potatoes I needed for a soup.

It's nice to have holidays and it's nice to have school. Just make sure the duration of each is not too long. Ds1 doesn't have any homework, so he played very hard the whole of June. And it's just right, by the end of June he was missing school so much and raring to go back.

Bday celebration

2010-06-30T00:29:00.002+08:00

My birthday with my side of the family was celebrated at the hotel. Kind of.

Then with Dh's side, it started on Tuesday, June 1.

We first paid a visit to Dh's grandma. Yup, that makes our kids her great-grandkids. She is very blessed to have so many greatgrandkids and still be healthy and sane enough to talk and enjoy them. Sometimes she has her forgetful state. She will not recognise my mil, as my mil tells me. But when we were there, she was in her normal state and she could recognise all of us and talk to us coherently.

She has lost a lot of weight though, since the years before we left for Utah. We thought we should take a pic together since it has been a long time since we did so.

Then we went to mil's for dinner. She cooked this especially for me, she said, for my birthday. Ok, the prawns are for Dh, of course. My mil said he's "so poor thing, one whole month in Europe, no prawns to eat". haha

I am quite blessed. She knows all my fav dishes cos I lived with her for 5 years before we left for Utah. So I got quite a good feast and enjoyed tucking in.

Then the next day, on the actual day itself. I got my "presents" from Dh and my mom. They asked what I really would like. Actually Angeling also asked me. I thought and thought. There was nothing I would like more than to be able to sleep uninterrupted for maybe a week.

But that's impossible since I breastfeed. So ok, what's next.

I told Angeling, I love to eat. Get me some nice stuff to eat. And she really did. Her hubby gave me a bag of goodies at night when we met for Bible class. And that's when her sister was lying in hospital fighting for her life. So I was really touched.

To Dh, I asked for time. Personal time. I haven't had a manicure and pedicure since the time I got married (for the wedding). I suddenly wished to do that. On a whim. So Dh took care of dd and ds1 (ds2 was in school) while I scooted off to JP.

I have short fingernails though. Cos I do housework, take care of baby and play the piano. So I chose to just buff and shine the fingernails. For the feet, I chose my colour, and then opted for some flowers and crystals. Yay!

While having the pedicure, I watched a movie. They played some B-grade flick, whose title I can't even remember now. But I still remember laughing while watching, so that was a good thing. I also chatted with the ladies and they say I am "so cute, haven't done a pedicure for 8 yrs". Very funny meh? You mean, I must do such things on a regular basis?

I have survived so long doing it myself.... Not that professional looking, but can do...

And this is the result. Maybe it'll be another 8 years till I do something that pretty on my toes again. So I better document it.

From my mom, I got her to babysit dd in the afternoon when Dh brought ds1 for piano class. I rushed to JP again. (Yup, you didn't read wrongly. I had to rush back home to nurse dd then I rushed back to JP again. Cos she doesn't even drink expressed bm.)

This time I went and got a hair cut. I felt so so good after that. Men should understand that too. Even after men get a haircut, they feel refreshed and happy, isn't it. And lighter and more cheerful?

It is so rare that I could run out and do things alone, have personal time to pamper myself... So I really appreciated it and had a fantastic birthday!

Got a Bakerzin strawberry shortcake birthday cake. Yum!! Oops, can tell my age from the pic!!! Oh no!

The kids were really sweet on my birthday. They've not reached the age where they can buy me stuff or cook me a meal, but they can tell me:
"Mom, you said before the thing you most wanted was for us to be good boys, right?"
"So today is your special day and we will be good boys today."

Ok... that's good enough, it's really difficult to have a whole day without them doing something that will increase my blood pressure, so I take that as a wonderful birthday present.

Welcome daddy home

2010-06-30T00:08:00.002+08:00

31 May
Mon

Dh was due to arrive at almost midnight on that day. He was on the same UAE flight from Dubai, as the famous Singapore paddlers who won the gold. (Both he and they had to transit in Dubai.) So funny, first time he touched down at Changi Airport with so many people welcoming him back, cheering and with flowers. Ok, so they were cheering for the paddlers, but it sure felt good claiming your baggage and seeing so many people crowded there and waving towards your direction. haha

I made the kids nap in the afternoon so they might be able to wait for their daddy to return home after a month of not seeing him. They look so sweet sleeping together. They don't always have such wonderfully synchronised nap times, so this is a rare precious moment.

After dinner, I got them to write and colour some welcome notes and we pasted them around the home, at the main gate and even at the lift landing!

There, at the lift. Since the entire floor knows my family, we figured, no harm putting some signs out. I will clear them after Dh returns anyway.

(Why the entire floor knows us is not just because we are such friendly people who greet all our neighbours everyday. And it's not because I often bake extra stuff for them. It's not because we help water their plants either. And neither because I often chat with them. It is because the entire floor can hear me when I shout at my kids and when my kids fight amongst themselves. And when dd cries, yup, I think even the kids in the playground downstairs at the ground floor can hear.)

Dh is really on a business trip. All he brought back for the kids and me are: Haribo gummies.
And only these few packs.

My mom got some dates from Dubai and my mil got some olives from France. He had no time for shopping!!

We are really thankful and glad to have him back, even if it's just for 1+ short week.
And just so happen, our dear friend's wake and cremation was that week. And then something cropped up as well that required Dh's time to help out. So that was it, and he flew off again, for Ohio, USA, for another month.

E 4 mths old

2010-06-29T18:25:00.000+08:00

Several updates of dd in her 4th month:

This pic was taken on ML's birthday. It was a Mon (7 June) and was the 1st day of L's funeral wake. Angeling would be busy so I offered to "celebrate" ML's birthday for her. Initially Angeling was worried it'd be difficult for me to cope cos I have 3 of my own kids and plus her, it would be 4. And I usually interact much more with MX (her older sis) instead of ML, so we haven't gotten to know each other that well.

I am so glad I had the opportunity that day to get to know her better. She is usually quieter than her older sis (just like my ds1 and ds2) so at least that day I could talk to her alone. Her older sis went on a pre-planned trip to China with her dad and grandma.

Angeling dropped her off at about 10am in the morning? Can't quite remember, but we spent a short time in the house, warming up to each other, and me getting dd ready to go out. I promised ML to bring her out to pick a present from Kiddy Palace at JP and also have lunch out together.

ds1 was at camp and ds2 at school (sent them off in the morning), so it was kind of quiet. Everything went well, ML is very well-behaved, well-taught and trained by her parents.

After a long time at Kiddy Palace (choosing toys can be tough for a kid!), she looked tired, so I suggested buying the food back home to eat instead. She agreed and she chose to have fishball noodles. Great choice I said, very healthy. So I bought 2 sets and we walked home.

Ok, the journey home took some cajoling. I have gotten used to the speed of my boys, and they are older than her, so the walk took much much longer. Plus, she was also tired. Dd's weight was really breaking my shoulders, so glad to finally reach home. I was very happy that ML continued to soldier on despite her obvious exhaustion. I kept talking to her in a bright and cheery manner, and kept playing this game called "Spot the change in colour of floor tiles" with her, so she will just focus on the steps ahead of her and not at the distance she still had to walk.

(Cos there was no way I would be able to carry her, with dd on me, and carrying 2 piping hot noodle soups, plus a huge Kiddy Palace bag.)

She is made of strong stuff. Didn't cry at all, even as she dragged and shuffled her feet back to my home. Good girl!

She even played with dd for a while when I went to quickly get lunch ready in nice bowls.

Nap time was also a challenge. Any SAHM knows. A child who has always been tucked into bed by a SAHM and no one else (no maid, not much by the hubby, nor grandparents or other caregiver) will not easily sleep unless the mommy is there. Also she was fully breastfed as well. Fully breastfed kids (duration more than a year) tend to be very close to the mom and would reject most other people at times of nap/ sleep. Those are crucial times.

So I looked at her sleepy face, and she was full and contented now, and suggested she lie on the bed in the kids room, while I read a story to her.

"No" was her firm reply. She doesn't want to sleep. Ok, I said. No problem. Let's play for a while in the living room.

Then after some time, I mentioned maybe she can have a nap first, while waiting for ds1 and ds2 to return home. She started to scrunch up her face. Ok, I said the taboo word "nap", my bad. So forgetful. I remembered how my boys hated the word "nap".

I said, ok, ok, no need to nap if you don't want to. Just sit on the sofa here with the stuffed toys and we play together ok?

She said ok. I settled her with a pillow, some Ikea stuffed toys and I wanted to pat her. (Patting induces sleep easily, for my kids, so I thought I'd try that.) She shifted away. And then she started to scrunch up her face again, and said, "I want my mommy" and started to cry a little. Not very loud. So I quickly hugged her and said, "Oh, I understand. I know." Just kept repeating those words and some reassurance then I gingerly tried this "Mommy is preparing for the service tonight at the church building. We will wait for a while then mommy will come or I will bring you there to see mommy ok? In the mean time, let's play with the toys together first?"

I also switched on the TV (which was covered in dust, cos we have not watched for ages) and discovered that okto was showing Mickey Mouse. Very good, cos it is non-violent, funny and rather educational.

The TV was a good distraction. She allowed me to pat her, and then stroke her head. That did slowly lull her into a deep slumber. I switched off the TV and snapped a pic of her sleeping to send to Angeling. She was so sweet and adorable, with the stuffed toys around her and one hand holding on to a Yan Yan biscuit snack her dad gave her before he flew off to China. (She insisted on holding on to it and of course I obliged. Both my ds have held on to many weird things before, just cos it gave them comfort at that point in time.)

When ds2 returned home, he was so happy to see ML. When ML finally woke from her nap, they both played doctor and patient for a long time, and then they blew candles off a toy cake. So fun. When ds1 also returned, the 3 played happily till Angeling came to get ML. Ahh, with such a disciplined child like ML, having more kids is not a problem at all. Such a joy.

Ok, the rest of the pics are of dd.

At church: (now she has this bib on all the time cos her drool is produced at an alarming rate and in copious amounts)

My mom made this denim skirt for my niece Eva when she was 1 yr old. Since dd is getting too fat for it, I let her quickly have the chance to wear it once. I realised she doesn't look good in top/ skirt combi, cos she's got tummy folds that show up, and it just makes her hips look so big. No waist, some more... not nice.. She should stick to rompers, onesies and dresses.

She loves looking at her brothers play. Here they are playing "cafe world" and serving up food to her, the customer. I turned her chair to face me but she would rather strain to look at them. Her thighs are too fat to allow her skirt to settle properly, so it doesn't look good on her too.

On the hotel bed. She seems to be able to distinguish a higher thread count in the sheets too. So lovely. She enjoyed herself rolling around in them.

She's going to be 5 mth old in a few days' time. I have started letting her taste stuff like pumpkin, brown rice porridge, apple...

She doesn't eat them much now, just tastes them. It'll be a whole new ball game now, with the introduction of solids. It will be messy but it will be fun!

National Museum trip Pt 3

2010-06-28T23:42:00.002+08:00

This is Part 3 of the hotel stay/ Vesak Day weekend. (28-29 May)

After checking out of the hotel, we took a cab to the National Museum (didn't drive cos it was in the CBD).

The museums in Singapore were having this Children's Season and there were many interesting exhibits and activities for kids.

Here's one where many recycled or ordinary objects and stationery were made into strong magnets and can be arranged on a huge metal board. Very fun for all ages.

There were roving acts too, and this robot from Australia was one of them. The boys were very enthralled, naturally. Cos this robot talks and walks like a robot and that's very funny to them. I had to stop ds1 from harassing the robot though cos he was so curious he went to pat the robot on the bum, just to see what he's made of. But since there was a real person inside, I was so afraid it meant ds1 molested him!

Another area was so delightful and cheerful with the colourful and bright props. It's like a giant flannel storyboard and all the props have velcro on them so the kids can arrange the characters or items into pictures that tell stories.

Both ds were using a range of unlikely-to-come-together characters.

Then ds1 sat ds2 down and began telling his story. His voice was pretty loud and animated so it attracted the attention of kids around him as well. He sounded a lot like a teacher, haha.

There were many permanent exhibits and galleries but we only went into one where the opera and film scene in the past was showcased. Dd was so heavy, it was good my sis helped me with the German Didymos sling so her weight was more distributed across my shoulders and I could last longer, walking around for hours.

This other area was the most meaningful for me. The famous cartoon artist Miel drew this long long wall mural depicted the entire history of Singapore, from Sang Nila Utama to other important people, and with many iconic buildings represented. Very beautiful and also entertaining. The kids can really learn history in a fun way through this mural.

Best of all, they get the kids involved by asking them to draw what Singapore would be in future and they paste the kids' work up as well.

So the mural goes from left to right, with it ending here: you can see all the latest developments in Singapore - MBS, Flyer, Esplanade, even UFO and spaceships, haha.

Move further to the right, and the kids' works are featured, to show how Singapore will turn out beyond what Miel has drawn.

These are the boys' works that were pinned up. I felt it was a pity they didn't fully understand what they could do in a meaningful manner. They were just drawing what they fancied... This is ds1's.

And ds2's. I did ask him, there would be dinosaur-like robots in Singapore next time, is it? He just "uh-huh" and that's that. If I had the time, I would prefer going through the whole mural with them and then talk about various possibilities of Singapore in the future, before drawing anything. But then, I was with dd outside the arena. Next time then...

In the green square outside the museum, there was a carnival for the kids. Again, face painting, balloon sculpturing. All free. I wonder is it because I don't let the boys buy guns and swords so they always ask for such balloon sculptures... I would think animal or flower designs are so much prettier. I'll wait for dd to grow up, I am sure she'll ask for that. :-)

The cookie decorating was most fun for the boys cos they get to squirt a lot of colourful icing and then eat the cookie. They are taught how to do it as well. I was watching them being taught, when I noticed someone very familiar sitting with her daughter at the same table. Can you spot the girl with a butterfly face paint?

Turned out her mom was Dh and my NIE senior. She was in the batch before us, who organised our Freshmen Orientation Camp when we first entered NIE. Such a pleasant surprise! She's not in schools now, at MOE HQ. And the last time I saw her she wasn't even married yet. Look at her kids now. Of course, she was similarly surprised to see me and my kids! She also asked after Dh so I told her he is overseas and that he is not in MOE anymore as well.

Her son's tiger face paint was done very nicely. I wish I can do that!

ds1 done with his cookie. He chose a car. ds2 chose a bear.

ds2 took a much longer time with his cookie. He wanted icing of every colour, that's why!

Oh yes, a shot of ds2's wound on his foot. Remember Dh's brother gave us a ride to the hotel from my mil's place? When ds1 was entering the car, he opened the front passenger door and got in. My bil's car is the Mazda MPV with sliding doors behind. So there are no barriers between the front and back doors.

As ds1 was closing the front car door, ds2 was stepping up, getting ready to enter the middle aisle of the car. His left foot was on the step of the middle aisle, but at the spot where the front door will close!

I was right behind ds2 and had to watch it happen!!! Argh. It was too quick for me to do or say anything. I just saw ds1 slam the door close and right onto ds2's left foot. He didn't cry at once, but bent down and clutched his foot saying "ow ow ow".

I had to quickly open the front door. Fortunately it closed onto the part where his sandals had a strap across his foot. So his foot itself was just crushed a little. Still it caused quite some bleeding that took a while to subside and the bruise and scab itself took a whole week to disappear. Sigh.

That's not all. I said there was another long story when we reached home from the National Museum right?

We were all tired from the hotel stay and the museum trip, and were lugging big bags. We were also hungry and thirsty. We also took a long time to get a cab to bring us home.

When I finally opened the door, we realised there had been an electrical trip while we were away at the hotel (most probably due to lightning during thunderstorm)! Cos the lights and fans weren't working. A check at the mains showed that to be true. We got the electricity up and running again, but then I suddenly remembered! Oh man, the fridge!

Oh dear, my ice/ butter were all melted, the milk gone bad.... Fortunately I'd finished my Ben& Jerry's before leaving. There was some frozen beef and pork. It was a mess.

Sigh... Sometimes things happen... That day I was really frustrated with all the extra work clearing out the fridge, unpacking and washing dirty laundry. But now, when I post the pics and look back, it was not a big deal. The happy memories of the hotel stay and museum trip far outweigh this.

A great weekend overall!

hotel stay Pt 2

2010-06-28T23:30:00.003+08:00

This is part 2, continued from the hotel stay. Forgot to add these pics.

At Prego, where we had dinner on Friday night (28 May).
The kids went to watch how the pizza chefs were making the wood-fired pizzas then decided to sit below the counter. Then they began striking silly poses. I took many pics but decided to post just this one.

Night view from the balcony of the room. I haven't gone on the Singapore Flyer and probably don't intend to, but I have to admit it does make the skyline more interesting.

The little princess asleep on the bed.

If Dh was around, the boys could go swim in the hotel pool. But since it was just me, and I didn't relish slinging dd and entering the swimming pool together with the boys then having to shower everyone (dd, boys and myself), so I told them to "swim" in the bath tub instead. They managed to have lots of fun, yet I could still let dd nap and watch TV. Sweet.

The MBS structure also made for a more diverse and interesting skyline.

Bday treat with family- pt 1

2010-06-28T18:33:00.000+08:00

A bit backdated:

May 28 was Vesak Day and it was a public hol.

So in the morning, my in laws wanted to walk the Dairy Farm Nature Reserve trail with the grandkids. Hence my bil, who lives nearby, swung by and picked me and kids up and we all went to my mil's.

Dd was already very heavy then, and if I were to sling her, we'd both be very hot (to the point of being heat stroke sometimes), so I told my in laws I'd stay in the house while they went for the walk. It was about 9am but extremely hot already.

Also, the walk was so long, no one would take turns carrying her since Dh is not around, so I wisely stayed home. True enough, it was 11+am when they walked back. All hot and sweaty and red in the face. Bil's dd even wanted him to carry her and she is already 5yo. I thought in my heart, if I went, I probably needed someone to carry me too. Haha.

Then we had lunch and when bil's family was leaving, he kindly gave me and kids a ride to Stamford hotel at Raffles City. (My sil and the eldest niece did not turn up for the family gathering cos she had too much work to do, hence there was space in the car for us.)

It was a day of family gatherings for sure. When we arrived, I met my other bil - my sis' hubby this time.

They were just about to check in, just nice!

My sis has some membership with the Raffles group of hotels so through her, I got a great big room at a discount. My parents also took a room, so all 3 families will be spending 2d1n there. Pity Dh is not around. We do this about annually, and he loves it too. I read in the papers they call it a "stay-cation" now. But we have done this since eons ago cos my dad likes to do it. He doesn't like travelling far away to have adventures, he likes to just spend time in the hotel, so we just book one in Singapore. (At his age, it is quite tiring to take long flights or road trips.)

The boys always shriek and holler and jump around the beds when we enter any hotel room. To them, somehow being away from home means the liberty to go wild. I don't know why they think like that. Even though we're still within Singapore, when I see the crisp clean sheets, the huge bathroom and the magnificent view, I also relax and try to impose less rules on the boys.

Another thing the boys love to do is to start writing notes and drawing on the hotel writing pad. Then they would want to watch TV. Why? Cos we don't have cable TV at home and hotels we go to usually have a whole range of cable channels, so they happily sit down and indulge themselves.

Here you can see ds2 glued to the screen and ds1 is happily channel surfing, in control of the remote.

I placed dd on the king-sized bed in the background.

I think she enjoyed the lovely white sheets too!

From our balcony, we could see the Marina Bay Sands. Such an iconic architecture. I read all about the SkyPark which will be at the top, and the infinity pool. But I am kind of afraid of heights, I wonder if I would dare to go up and walk around without the fear of falling off. :-)

Can see the Esplanade too. The view of that particular room I was given was superb. Also, there were 2 balconies. One facing the MBS and the other facing the other side (I don't know how to describe.)

This is the view of the other side.

Forgot to say their service is excellent too. Despite the hotel being fully booked that day (it was the start of the Great Singapore Sales) and the lobby was full of Singaporeans and tourists alike, waiting to check in at 2pm, they still had baby cots for both my sis and me.

The cots are done up with bright and colourful cot bumpers and sheets. They provide blankets, and a complimentary baby bath kit.

Although dd sleeps with me at night cos I bf, I do use the cot frequently in the day when I want her to sleep in peace while the boys jump around on the main bed.

In the evening, we enjoyed a fantastic meal at Prego. I love their pizzas. And there was free cake. It was kind of a pre-celebration of my birthday with my family.

We didn't manage to do much shopping even though it was the GSS. I saw throngs of people buying tons of stuff but cos I had the 3 kids and Dh wasn't around, it would be tough to lug the kids around shopping.

However, for a brief 1 hour when my mom babysat them in the room, I slipped out with my sis and we bought lots of cookies and biscuits at Marks and Spencers and we browsed the kids/ toy section at Robinsons. Yup, funny that I ended up with only food to show from the GSS. But I thoroughly enjoyed my Jam and Cream sandwich cookies. So so yummy.

The next day, after a sumptuous breakfast, we had late check out and then went to the National Museum for the Children's Season events before heading home.

I got a shock when I reached home but that's another story...

(this is pt 1, pt 2: hotel stay photos contd, pt 3: museum and home)

Students done well overseas

2010-06-25T14:56:00.003+08:00

It's been a while since I talked about being a teacher. I "left" that job 4 years ago to become a full-time mom.

Over the 4 years, I enjoyed being able to give all my attention to my family. I missed the interaction with my colleagues and students, but we managed to keep in contact and meet up regularly till now.

When I was a teacher, there are many chances or moments for me to feel a rush of pride. For example, when a student meets many obstacles, picks himself up and succeeds. Each year's Teachers' Day always leaves me very touched and overwhelmed by my students' cards and appreciation. Results day also make me very proud of them, whatever their results may be, because they have put in hard work and tried their best, and worked very well as a class.

Festivals and competitions too, when hordes of alumni will descend upon the school again, to celebrate together or cheer together. Those occasions never fail to make something in my heart flutter and I get a rush of adrenaline when I hear the songs, the cheers and see the mass dances.

Ok, so why this post? After a long time of endless diaper-changing and nursing, suddenly today I felt that pride again.

I was just reading the Straits Times during lunch, rushing through the headlines as usual, when I saw "Singaporeans shining in Ivy League". I glanced through the article, did a double take, went back to the first line, and this time read everything word by word.

Wow! Since 1999, when Chong Chan Vee (also from HC, if I remember correctly) was valedictorian in Princeton, it has been a few years apparently, for a Singaporean to be named valedictorian again. So now, another was crowned this glory in Dartmouth College. I don't know him...

But in the same article, it was stated that many Singaporeans do very well in the Ivy League colleges in the US and cited a few examples. Shawn Low just won a Hoopes prize in Harvard for outstanding scholarly achievement and research, while Justine Tay won the Merrill Scholarship in Cornell for being in the top 1% in the graduating batch.

Both were my students in HC. Shawn was technically half my student cos I shared the class with another tutor. Of course, both had been excellent in HC already. They had both topped the cohort in Biology in different tests/ exams.

I remember writing Justine's reference letter when she applied to colleges in the US. There were so many outstanding achievements I had to cram in, and so many personal accolades and anecdotes I wanted to include that I had to make the font size smaller and reduce the spacing so I could fit everything into an A4 printed piece of paper.

I am so happy for them. Congratulations.

My boys were with me when I was reading the papers and when I cut up the article and pinned it on the fridge, they asked me about it. And I told them. I felt like a mother when I told my boys how proud I felt.

Anyway, I have a 05S75 student who wished me Happy Mothers' Day this year, so I guess I qualify to be their mom. (Though it sounds so old... i thought i was more of a friend and counsellor. :-))

May all my students continue to succeed in whatever they are pursuing right now!

E 2nd vaccination

2010-06-22T23:21:00.002+08:00

The past 2 weeks or so were hectic. "tiring" would be an understatement.

My sis had some important things that cropped up and my mom was deployed to help her almost full time, staying overnight there too, and then there was the Chinese Bible lectureship last week which my mom had duties, and she needed to be there all 3 days. Besides that she was also host to one of the Taiwanese guests.

So with Dh away till July, and my most trusted help source unavailable, I have had to rely a lot on new and varied tactics to survive.

I am most grateful for the immediate support and help from the church. Dh and I have always made it a point to live near the church. In Utah, it proved really helpful. In Tianjin, the church met at our house. Here in Sg, we live just 5min away.

Because of that, there are many who live near me. Sab called me first to offer help. Asked me not to be shy to ask for help.

So I thought hard and I listed a few areas I would need help. For example I need help in getting to the church building since dd has cried till she vomitted when I drive.

So Lisa was deployed. She lived nearby, and was a grandma already. She usually goes with her hubby in their big European car to church. So I was grateful for her. She was supposed to come just to hold dd in the car while I drove to church. But she came over to my house earlier on Sun morning, to help carry Dd. Turned out very useful cos I was rushing to get the boys dressed and myself too. And I had to clear the breakfast table in a hurry.

Then she took care of the kids at the void deck while I scooted to the multi-storey carpark to get the car. And she entertained Dd all the way to the church. Phew, no crying, and for me, stress-free driving.

Phebe and Vicky volunteered themselves for this same duty too. So I got myself covered each time I needed to go to church, wonderful.

And then, once I reach the church building, I have more help. Many of them will carry dd for me, like when I need to go to the toilet, or just when they think I should have a break and get a snack or a drink. They will carry the car seat for me, the bag... like Lai Mui. She will without fail, carry everything for me from the car to the 2nd floor, and then once services end, she will pop up at the cradle roll to help get my stuff down to the car again.

The youth, have been so instrumental in taking care of my boys. They have been taking turns to sit between ds1 and ds2 during worship services cos I'd be in the cradle roll with dd. The boys sit outside themselves and ds1 has sermon sheets to fill in. People like Leon, ShihShih and Eunice have helped me take care of the boys.

Then there are countless other people who get the boys to the toilet, remind them to drink water, get them food, clean up for them, entertain them...

Even other families' helpers would help me. Very blessed indeed.

Then come my friends from outside the church.

My ex-colleagues and other friends managed to meet up with me over June. Most of them are still with MOE so they are usually more free in June. Knowing my circumstances (hard to travel far), they have all accomodated me and travelled all the way to Jurong to meet me, either at my place, or at Jurong Point, from breakfast/ lunch/ snacks, whatever.

I got to meet up with so many old friends this June, very very happy indeed. May blog about those later, cos no time to upload photos yet.

Today, my mom helped me (cooked dinner, carried dd while I showered, watched the boys etc), so I got this rare chance to blog.

dd was teething and so very cranky, clingy, so it was very difficult for me to sit down to check email or read the papers the past 2 weeks. I got a pile of unread papers now.

So today she was due for the polio/ diptheria/ tetanus/ Hib/ pertussis jab. She was measured and weighed first.

She's now 8.68kg, again beyond the 97th percentile. 63cm long, 50th percentile. Head circumference 43cm, can't remember which %tile but above 50th.

I was again asked what milk she takes. The nurse was very pleased with me when I told her I breastfed fully. She said my baby should be used as evidence that fully breastfed babies do very well. She said she counselled many moms who prefer to give formula milk, but they still expressed concern that bf kids don't thrive.

She said she breastfed all her 3 girls too, and the last 2 are twins! They are 19 mth old now and she bf them simultaneously. Wow... I think she is admirable. Bfg is already not easy, and she has to cope with 2...

I know it is possible cos I have read of many moms on the same parenting forum as me who bf kids in tandem, like older siblings and younger ones... But I just know it would be tougher than bfg one child. And I take my hat off to them.

Dd didn't cry much this time. Just a short wail when the needle went in. Her 2 big brothers being beside her helped I think? They were so interested and curious. Cos they totally can't recall their own vaccinations.

Have you noticed how babies like to look at children more than adults? Kids have higher pitched voices, and they're much more active, so babies are more interested in such creatures.

It's good that even though I am the only adult, the boys can serve as entertainment for dd as well.

My other tactics employed to survive include:

1. laying dd on the boys' bed when I dash off to take a shower every single day. (you never realise how showering or a bath can be such a luxury until you have kids under the age of 3 who need constant supervision)

The boys will just continue talking and playing and she will keep looking at them.

I realised I now need just 5min to shower. 6min if I wash my hair carefully, with conditioner and stuff.

2. Renting an exersaucer and using it when I need to eat or do some housework like washing the dishes or clothes and I don't feel like slinging dd. She is too heavy now!

3. When the boys need their shower and teeth brushed (usually Dh takes care of supervising such tasks), I will get the boys to take turns. One will play with dd on the bed first, and I get the other showered, etc. On days when dd is extremely cranky and crying away, then I will sling her and bark out my commands in the bathroom.

I realised one day that dd was watching everything intently. I was a little taken aback because I wonder if she'll learn all the shouting and then become a bossy little tyrant, thinking she can shout and order her brothers around too??

4. playing "musical chairs". shifting dd around the house so she keeps having a new environment to look around, while I am busy with my work or taking care of the boys. I shift her from bed to bed, exersaucer to mat on floor and so on.

5. I have gotten the boys to be much more helpful and independent now.
They have to be and thankfully they are willing and happy to be.

They now peel their own apples and eat them. So I need not worry about their fruit intake. Bananas also feature highly in their diet now since it is so easy for them to help themselves.

They can help me cook pretty well now. Ds1 can peel carrots, potatoes, etc. He can wash dishes.

Both can sort and fold laundry. Both take out the trash for me every evening/ night after I am done doing the dishes and wiping the table.

They have even mopped the floor for me (using damp rag, not a mop). They have of course swept and vacuumed as well.

When I go grocery shopping, the boys can carry the bags for me. When we reach home, they can sort out the groceries pretty well too. Sometimes I find a box of biscuits in the fridge but that's alright. At least the frozen stuff goes in the freezer, the milk goes at the door shelf, and the cheese and butter go to the dairy box in the fridge.

Many other little things, I have to get them to do. Like replenish tissue paper, arrange shoes properly, charge the phone or laptop...

When we go out, they can push the stroller too.

Sometimes they get too independent.

I mentioned the boys getting lost before right?

This time ds1 got lost in Jurong Point.

I was walking with dd in a sling. ds2 was slightly ahead, with the stroller. ds1 was carrying my bag and a drink behind me. He stopped to look at an Animal Kaiser machine but didn't inform me.

I got too used to them being very obedient and good, so I walked on without turning back until I got to the lift and realised ds1 was not behind anymore. So ds2 and I walked backwards and tried to look for him but didn't see him anywhere. We walked around the area some more and still did not find him.

I started to get a little bothered. Usually he was very good at not getting lost...

So I already started quickening my steps and forming a search plan. Was telling ds2 to stay near the lift area while I walked one round, when I spied ds1 further away, near the Kopitiam, talking to 2 teenage girls. They looked very concerned, and hovered over him.

I walked quickly up to them and they said he was asking them for help to look for his mommy. They were about to lend him their cell phones already.

I thanked them. And later found out from ds1 that after he looked up from the Animal Kaiser machines, he realised he had lost us, he walked around the area, and then saw the 2 girls who looked kind, and told them he was lost. They asked him what clothes I wore, and wanted to help him look for me but he said he didn't know (boys!!). However, he said I was with a baby, an orange stroller and another boy who is 5 yrs old.

And then he told them he knew my phone no. and asked if he could call me using their phones.

Phew... I once again had another talk with both of them, what to do if they got lost.

To think, I was even thinking of training ds1 to walk over to JP to help buy food in the near future. I was already getting both of them to lead the way from our home all the way to different places within JP, like Long John Silver, or Crystal Jade or Kopitiam. They already know how to get there via the sheltered walkway and via a different shortcut.

The only thing is, I don't know when I can fully trust them to cross the road safely and if they can really fend off strangers if the need arises. I guess I need to wait at least another year?

For now, I just wish Dh would return to Sg as soon as possible. I am soooo tired...

dd turning over, tree near Istana fallen

2010-06-12T16:03:00.002+08:00

More records of milestones:
1. dd can lift up her head and shoulders (forgot to record this earlier, I think)
2. She just started turning over from front to back. Back to front - not yet.
3. She can sit in the middle of the bed (no support) for about 20-30s unassisted. I think it's cos her bum is very big and wide, lol. Usually after a short period of time, she will gradually tilt and loll to one side, or forward.

I read about the tree with rotten roots falling over and injuring an elderly lady, near the Istana. I remember posting not too long ago, about me and both ds playing there on our way to Plaza Singapura from Dh's office. Oh man, it could have been us! And I was almost going to pop then! So dangerous. Really, life is like a vapour, can die anytime.

This truth hit home again with the passing of my friend. We went for all her wake services, in English and Mandarin and then the cremation at Mandai Columbarium.

With each day, I am better able to accept her absence. So I was rather composed at the cremation, just tearing up a little in the eyes. However, when my friend's hubby told their almost 3 yr old son to "Say goodbye to mommy, come, quickly, tell mommy byebye" as the coffin was moving in to be turned into ashes, I couldn't take it anymore, and the tears just flowed. The same for everyone in there. Everyone was crying when the coffin entered the area and the sliding doors closed.

1st tooth

2010-06-05T15:27:00.002+08:00

For the record: dd's 1st tooth - lower incisor - has emerged.

ds1 had his 1st tooth emerge at 4mth+ too, last time. ds2 about 4mth+, 5mth. now dd is on the dot at 4mth.

Perhaps has to do with the calcium content in the milk? Not sure, but kids today have too good nutrition..

She's drooling a lot and putting everything into her mouth. Not good for keeping hygienic. No wonder she caught her brother's cough, and is coughing a little now. The only consolation is her cough is not too serious because she is still nursing and getting all her antibodies from me.

Update to my previous post: my dear friend and sister has passed on. I received an sms this morning that the docs say her brain function has ceased and thus she was taken off life support.

I know she is going to a better place. I have to learn to accept that. I will pray for her family, for comfort and strength. And then on my part, I need to treat everyone around me with more concern, cherish them every minute. I am also going ahead with the Toy Story movie with her sister's family. That's what she would have wanted.

Linda...

2010-06-04T21:29:00.002+08:00

I have a dear friend and sister-in-Christ. Her sister is also my dear friend and sister. Her parents have known my parents for years. Her son was born around the same time as my niece. Since we were young, we have seen each other around church, attended the same camps/ lectureships/ gospel meetings...

She also shared some similar interests, like music/ piano/ Biology. She graduated from Pharmacy at NUS. She is just a year older than I am. She used to love going to concerts and buying good classical music CDs. She bought me several great ones. She is very generous and I end up receiving many precious things from her. She always thinks of me when she goes shopping, it seems.

After she became a mom, we became even closer. She loves her food and often buys me treats. When I told her I loved the Thai iced tea at Thai Express, she told me there're even nicer ones and brought me to a really wonderful Thai restaurant downtown. It's unique and expensive, but she is just so nice to me.

Whenever we confide in each other, and sms and email about parenting issues, we'd always marvel how much our kids have in common, or rather, how the problems we have always seem so similar. We often explored solutions together, give each other advice, or just listen to each other.

Even while I was in Utah and Tianjin, the emails never stopped. She even sent parcels and letters, and beautifully decorated cards (all self-made) to me, across so many miles.

We've often talked about going out together with our kids. We seldom did because both of us were just too busy. She still works as a pharmacist at SGH, way too busy, and I just gave birth to yet another baby.

But she managed to come to ds2's birthday party. Even though she just found out she was sick then.

When we returned from Tianjin last sept, she still hasn't found out she was sick yet. That was only a few months ago! After she found out, we were all devastated but we thought we still had time. The doctor said up to 5-10yrs maybe?

We trawled the internet. I sent her links in an email. We talked about the treatments available. She asked me about this clinical trial. It would give her free treatment but she may not know which group she is in (double blinded) but she would be given free checkups all the time. And these medicines are not cheap. But there are side effects.

Yet she bravely went for it. We supported her. But it affected her appetite greatly. She lost so much weight in such a short time. She had gastric problems. She was so tired. Yet she still turned up week after week at church. She still came to my house for the birthday party.

She still wrote me a beautiful card, no reason, just cos she bought nice stock paper. I feel so bad about not making a card and writing at once back to her then. I smsed a reply then. I was "too busy". She told me how much fun she had at the birthday party and how much her son enjoyed it too.

Then her birthday came and I gave her a gift but I hadn't written a long nice card like she did.

And then my birthday came and in her extreme pain and suffering, she still remembered me and 2 weeks before the birthday, presented me with a package of Toy Story 3 tickets for me and my kids. Plus herself and her sis' family. She was excited over it (it would be on June 19th), and I was too. It has been so long since we last went to a movie together.

We smsed about it and talked and laughed over how the kids would enjoy it and we also laughed at the organiser's email reply (cos it was quite funny).

That was just 1+ week ago.

How did it happen so fast?

Since I received her last sms on Sat night telling me she feels really weak, she has not had any more chance to sms me. I am not sure if my reply to her on Sat was read by her. I only know on Sun, she did not turn up in church as usual, but she was still resting at home.

On Mon, I received an sms from her sis that she has been hospitalised. And then after that, the smses came one after another. Each one bearing worse and worse updates.

I heard from her mom that she was lamenting in the hospital (about the Toy Story movie) and at that time still hoping to go for it.

By Wed afternoon, she was unconscious and requiring machines to help her breathe. Evening, things looked up a little when they said she breathed on her own for a while. But then later the same night, I again received an sms saying she was back on the machine.

Thurs morning, they said her heart failed and then liver as well. So more tubes were required, more machines hooked up to help her perform all those functions.

I think I started crying Wed night. After that, every time I had a quiet moment (ie not talking to the kids or caring for them), most frequently when I was nursing dd, I found myself tearing up again. I can't help but keep thinking about the Toy Story movie.

How I wish to hear her wish me happy birthday. This year is the 1st yr in at least a decade that she didn't wish me. She always remembered my birthday every yr.

Initially I didn't go visit cos the family said not to visit. Then on Thurs my mom called her mom and her mom let my mom go just to keep her company outside the ICU. My mom said her condition didn't look good. So I knew I had to go. The family was ok with visits by that day.

So Fri morn (this morn), Dh took a day off and drove me, ds1 (on hol), dd, my friend's sis, and my mom to SGH. Kids below 12 are not allowed into the ICU area, so my mom stayed with ds1 and dd in the carpark area while we went up.

I met my student at the ICU but didn't talk to him. He's a doc there, and was rushing to get radiologists to do an urgent scan.

Then I saw her. They say her kidneys have also failed, and so an additional machine - for dialysis- has been hooked up.

I prayed as I looked at her. I know she is suffering but how can I pray for her to go in peace? I know heaven is a good place, but I can't bear to tell her that. Perhaps I am selfish, I just wish I had more time to treat her better. I just feel I haven't treated her as nice as I could, yet... I wish we can have many more outings together. I wish we can watch our kids grow up together...
So I prayed hard for her to come through.

I prayed and I talked to her in my heart... I asked her to wake up because she hasn't wished me happy birthday yet. I said "it's ok you are late, just wish me a belated one. And please, you have to get well soon cos our movie date is on the 19th".

And then she opened her eyes. Just for a sec.

The doc says the eyes can give mixed signals, according to her sis. That sometimes it can get dilated so it opens up involuntarily. However, the doc did say he noticed her straining to open her eyes when he called out her name.

Could it be a glimmer of hope?

The doc did tell her family members the scoring system for ICU. If 3 organs fail, then survival rate is 1%. She has 4 organs down now. And pupil dilation may be a sign of lower brain stem failure.

I don't know... I only know the doc says the machines will be on for 7 days. We can only pray, and wait...

No exams for P1 and P2

2010-06-03T23:11:00.003+08:00

I was surprised to read in the papers that only 16 schools in Singapore had done away with the tests and exams for P1 and P2. I had the idea there were many more who took up MOE's recommendations from the high level study in 2008/9.

No wonder, when I talk with my friends, I felt that ds1's school is the odd one out. Other than his good church friend, Mx, who also doesn't have any tests or exams, most of my other friends with P1 and P2 kids were busy swotting for the mid-yr exams just a few weeks ago.

The most impact was felt with his cousins. His cousins study at a well known school in the Jurong West area. Apparently stress levels are high there and it is very competitive. His cousins are smart but their classmates are also very smart. So my sis in law has to keep them on their toes all yr round, it seems. She has 4 kids, and 3 are in the school already. The oldest one is taking PSLE this year.

Normally we meet every week at my mil's place for dinner. However, since the oldest one started P5, she had lots of homework and needed every minute for revision. She also had to spend a lot of time on her CCA. So my sil sometimes did not turn up, and stayed home with the oldest girl. My pils were very unhappy, they always grumble about it.

This yr, the situation was worse. However, my pils made their whole family come over a few times when there are important occasions like birthdays and so on. During these times, the cousins will bring their homework over to do and once dinner is done, they retreat to do homework with my sil. My pils were again not pleased. They also leave early because they have more homework to rush out.

As tests and the mid-yr exam approached, they stopped coming and my mil decided that meeting at her place will be 1x a month instead and the rest of the weeks she will come to our house and their house on separate days. This is to help my niece cut down travel time so she can spend more time on her revision.

So gradually we see them only 1x a month. Then my niece got even busier and she stopped turning up for the 1x month gathering as well, so we haven't seen her for some time now.

When I see this, I am glad MOE is lightening up and implementing all these new measures for kids to learn more optimally and spend less time mugging for exams.

ds1 enjoys his alternative modes of assessments by way of the portfolio, listening and oral quizzes (non exam format but more for practice and evaluation of how well the kids understood the lessons).

He also has poetry recitations for English and Chinese. The Chinese one involves actions and dancing too. Dh says it is so cheesy but it's just cos his teacher is from China and they do it like there that. It's fine if the kids find it fun, I think.

Next term, he will have show-and-tell as part of the ongoing assessments for language. For Math, it is like a checklist and the teacher will tick the appropriate level the child is at for us parents to be aware of their progress. Eg, able to write an addition story, or knows his number bonds up to 10... There are something like few levels corresponding to "very well", "somewhat well", "getting there" and "needs more effort".

Other than that, the marks the teachers show us refer to the past yr papers and quizzes they attempt. They are timed but they do not need to revise for it, nor do the teachers have to prepare them, so no lesson time is lost and the kids are not stressed over it. Since us parents don't even know they did those papers in school, like when or where, we don't stress over it too. These marks are not counted as well.

I thought since it was an MOE initiative following a study, many schools would have adopted it, so I was surprised the number is only 16. I hope more kids get to benefit from this, and also from the PAL programme as well.

(As for project work, so far, ds1 completes them in school. Every project has been a group effort so far, and he did not need any parental help. I hope it remains this way cos I heard and read that project work at upper primary level involve taking them home and requiring the parents' help.)

ds1 is enjoying his holiday immensely now. Reading, drawing, playing FB games via my account, playing board games, cycling, fooling around, taking care of his sister and helping me with housework. I've got pics of that. Will post soon. :-)

NEWater field trip

2010-05-27T17:50:00.006+08:00

18 May
Tue
10.45am - 1pm

ds2's class is doing Water conservation, the Water cycle and Water all around us currently. They did experiments in class, like on the displacement of water, and how things can float or sink in water. They also played games and learnt how to conserve water.

ds2 did become a lot more aware on how to save water around the house after that.

So the field trip for this topic was a visit to the Newater plant.

His teacher knows how much I love photos, so she gave me a CD of those she took using her cell phone. Not that clear but at least it's a record and it allows ds2 to tell me, Dh and ds1 all about the trip using the photos. He is usually very enthusiastic when he tells us about things in school.

This shows their class (without uniform, in foreground) and kids from other kindies in the background. They are listening to an introductory talk. ds2 did return and tell me about filtration and about sewage processing, so I guess he was attentive, even though one of his classmates looked very bored here, haha (the one lying on the ground).

Since the school doesn't have a uniform, for each field trip, the teacher will tell us what colour tee to wear so they at least look like they belong together. They also wear a pin badge for easy identification during field trips. This time, the colour is orange!

In the pic below, ds2 is in the center. The teacher asked them to bring water bottles with straps and he didn't have one, so my mom and me used ribbons/ strings to make a temp one on his current water bottle. Didn't want to buy one especially for this occasion since his water bottle is still new. You can see the thick homemade strap across his neck here.

They are playing a game that teaches them about water, according to ds2.

Some interactive displays around the center that caught he and his friend's attention.

One classmate forgot abt the orange tee, I think. :-)

Watching a video in the auditorium. ds2 said it was very interesting, all about how dirty water becomes clean. And they came back with a bottle of Newater. Not sure if any of you still have reservations on drinking Newater? Long ago, when it was just produced, I was very hesitant. Only now, after so many years, I would think, since no one died, perhaps it is really safe to drink.

And no choice, since Singapore is so small, without natural resources, we can't rely so much on Malaysia for our water demands for too long. Better accept this Newater.

They apparently have "educated" our young ones very well. Ds2 returned to tell me that Singapore has 4 sources of water. Reservoir, Sea (desalination), Newater (purify non-potable water by reverse osmosis) and "buy from other countries". lol. And he can also tell me "buying from other countries not so good, you know".

That's their sweet and beautiful teacher (the main one). They have another Chinese teacher who followed them on this trip too, cos all their lessons are bilingual (school's bilingual immersion policy). This English and Math teacher is very patient, kind and understanding.

ds2 adores her. An eg: ds2 is fussy with food. He eats the top of the broccoli, for example, and dislikes fruits like honeydew and papaya. But from day 1, this tr has been firm and consistent. She said everyone has to eat some fruit. If that day, honeydew is being served, then ds2 has to eat some. He needn't eat the whole big piece, but he has to eat some.

So from not eating it at all, he would eat a small bite now. He still doesn't like it, but he will try to eat a small mouthful. And he tells me papaya is not too bad now. haha. We still haven't succeeded on durian though. It is not served in school and at home, he still refuses to try any.

ds2 and his very good friend, who is Dh's JC classmate's daughter. ds2 doesn't do the "V" sign at home at all, neither does he normally pose in pics with that sign. But when R does it, he does it too! He just follows his friends in whatever they do!

Jurong Bird Park

2010-05-26T23:19:00.007+08:00

22 May
Sat
9am to 1pm

My Uni alumni sent me notification of her Family Day.

For several yrs I had not joined because we were overseas.

The last time we joined, it was held at the Singapore Zoo and we enjoyed it a lot with my sis' family. That time, she didn't even have kids yet and it was just the boys for us. We always felt it was very good fun and good value too. The admission tickets are often discounted and goodie bags, meals, games, stage entertainment and snacks are all thrown in free.

Dh happened to be overseas again so I asked my mom if she can go with me and the kids. Without her help it would be tough. With her there, I can at least have hands free to take pics. She helped me carry bags, collect food with the coupons, etc. I slinged baby most of the time, except when she was awake and I wanted to eat or go to the toilet. :-)

I haven't been to the Jurong Bird Park - a world class attraction - for many years, maybe 15? The last time I went must be with my school, on a field trip! Somehow adults don't go to these places unless they had to bring friends who are visiting from abroad huh?

I was so pleasantly surprised with all the changes.

This is the Panorail ride. It goes all around the park and into one of the 4 aviaries. Cool ride in A/C comfort.

We stopped at the Lory Loft which is an aviary housing many many lories. You can buy nectar for $3 a cup and feed the birds. They really come flocking to you. I have a video on FB where my mom was swamped by the birds. One of them was on her head, several on her arm and one even pecked off a bit of her finger. serious! There was a small cut. I think she might have spilled nectar on her hand.

The boys were similarly thrilled to have all the birds surround and "love" them. ds2 also had one perched on his head. ds1 had a few on his shoulder, arms and even the back of his neck, which made him drop the cup of nectar cos it was so ticklish and sensitive. He was so sad he cried for awhile but my mom went with him to explain to the service staff what happened and they gave him just a bit more for free.

My mom was truly overwhelmed, haha.

ds2 was very steady. He loves animals of all kinds. He is less jumpy than ds1 and could stay very still and let the birds feed. Hence he was the only one who did not get pecked or scratched. He did have claw marks on his baby soft skin along his arms though, but he did not mind them at all. That's my boy!

I couldn't take the screeching of the hundreds of lories after some time, even though the boys would have wanted to stay in there forever. It was very loud and piercing. I thought dd might be scared but although she was startled a few times by sudden near screeches of several birds, she did not cry and was very alert and excited to see these weird things flying around. At least, they must seem strange to her since she mostly see moving humans only in her short life so far.

Took the Panorail again in one loop back to the Main station.

Dd was in a great mood! She enjoyed the sights a lot, like this fountain. There were pelicans, flamingos, swans, ducks swimming/ standing/ flying around.

Then we watched the Birds of Prey show, which is at 10am. It was beside the Picnic Grounds where the Alumni events were, so it was very convenient. My mom helped me collect breakfast, the goodies bags and so on using the coupons the alumni assoc sent me.

After that we went to the picnic grounds for the kids to jump all over the bouncy castles, and play on the playground. There was a splash area too but I didn't bring extra clothes for the kids, so no water play.

But then we used the coupons to collect popcorn, ice cream, lunch (a bento box with drinks and mango dessert) and let the kids play all the games at the games stalls. The food was ok, but the games left much to be desired.

The type and variety of games are ok, they are the usual at carnivals. However, each stall is manned by only 1 young student (volunteer or paid, I don't know). The poor guy at the basketball kiosk was the worst off cos the balls kept bouncing off the sides and into bushes and far away places and he had to bend so much and run after balls. While he ran after balls, everyone had to wait in line.

Queues for all the games were sooooo long. ds1 was pretty good at some games and won a couple of prizes. Eva (my sis arrived late, we met them at the picnic grounds as the kids were playing) saw one of the prizes and liked it very much, so ds1 gave it to her at once, and said he'll go try get another for himself. But then, after that, all the games he played, he did not win a single prize! He felt rather disappointed and told me he really liked that prize but he gave it away already.

I told him it was great he could share it with his cousin and I asked him to look at her happy smiling face. My mom also told him that is his prize, that can make him very happy too, to make others happy.

ds2 also didn't win anything. This game below allows you 4 tosses, and you need 3 to loop successfully before you get a prize. Not easy, cos the target bobs around in the water. But they had lots of fun!

ds2's turn. ds2 tends not to take risks and dislikes anything after he "loses". After trying all the games once, he kept going for the colour spin wheel. That game solely relies on luck cos you spin the wheel twice and if both times it stops at the same colour then you get a prize! I am like, oh man, it's so like him. Or maybe it is just this stage cos I remember ds1 hating to lose anything too.

Now he is slightly better because he can lose, like in chess. Sometimes though, when he feels he should have won easily but yet he lost, he will still be very upset. However, adults also behave like that, so all I do is to try and console him and explain to him how playing games are not always about winning (even though in my heart, I know so many people who don't like to lose, including us parents ourselves).

After that the skies did pour heavily for quite a while. Fortunately there was a huge marquee and we all just sat there and ate our bentos. When the rain reduced to a drizzle, we left. It was tiring but really fun!

Boys' craft and school PTM/ project day

2010-05-26T22:32:00.004+08:00

22 May
8am

ds1's pri school Parent meet teacher (PTM) and SEED exhibition day.

First, pics of ds2's craft in school. He likes me to take pics of his work, especially when he sees me capturing ds1's work.

Btw, you see the chinese words describing the art technique used because his school has the art, PE and cookery lessons in Chinese. They have 50%-50% split in usage of English and Chinese so the kids will hopefully be more bilingual.

I did see a marked improvement in ds2's vocabulary, speech and reading after he started school here, so we (Dh and I) are very pleased.

A viking helmet they made in Chinese speech and drama class, also during school hours.

Now on to ds1's school. This is his classroom door.
I arranged to meet his teachers at 8am because we could choose timings between 8am to 12 noon on that Sat. We had already planned to be at the Jurong Bird Park that day, so I wanted to get done with the PTM and go to the bird park.

The notice board in the class. ds2 is very interested as well and you can see he looks up to his brother and wants to "go to xx pri school" just like his ge-ge.

ds1 showing off his various projects and artwork. This particular project involved using only recycled materials.

What did his teachers say about him?

Initially I told ds1 I was very nervous about meeting his teachers since his daily behaviour at home is so.... hyperactive/ mischievous.. He tries to fool around whenever he is bored and according to him, that happens all the time in school.

Also he always regales me with tales of how he joked non stop during story time, and how he'd walk around the class talking and playing with all his good friends (during lesson time)... how he fought with R and S during PE... how they play with erasers..

He even joined the girls in their "slapping game". I asked him, what slapping game. He said this girl who is one of the class leaders, and also one of his girlfriends, will stand in the middle of the circle and call out actions in quick succession. The rest in the circle must quickly do all those actions accurately. This sounded ok, quite fun... It's like "Follow the leader".

But then ds1 says whoever did not do the actions correctly will have to stand in the middle with the leader and let her slap him/ her. After she is done with that person, the rest of those in the circle gets to slap him/ her as well. I was horrified. I asked if the slaps were painful and if those who got slapped cried. He said no. They all found it very fun. But he said mostly the girls played this game. He joined them once only and kept getting slapped. The girls laughed and laughed, he said.

I forbade him to ever play this game anymore. Because I don't want him to slap others and get others hurt, neither do I want him to be slapped, however much it is a game they enjoy. I don't know if I am being an overprotective mom, but I just feel that this game doesn't sound very right.

(Anyway I can understand why this is a game girls play cos only girls slap. Boys punch.)

So ds1 also tells me a lot of other games he plays with the boys, usually during recess or lunch. They also involve a lot of rough housing. It is fortunate that he wrestles a lot with his brother at home so he can take care of himself in school, but I just wonder if he plays and someone gets hurt, will the other party's parents come and find him/ me? I still cautioned him against playing too rough. Don't know why kids cannot play zero point or five stones nowadays, so much more "gentle" in my opinion.

Ok, back to his behaviour. I am not sure if I mentioned his monitor position was taken away cos he was far too talkative. Even after the teacher reprimanded him, he was still talking with his friends, so now the class leaders (they don't use the term monitor anymore) are both girls. haha.

He also got kept in during recess time once. According to him, lots of other classmates get detained and cannot go for recess, but he only got punished just once. I was still not very happy... He is so thin already, he has to eat all the time, with his high metabolic rate. So I told him never to commit the mistakes that would get him kept in class during recess cos he needs to eat!

Other than this, he also was not allowed to participate in PE a few times. Was sidelined with a couple of other boys because they were fooling around or fighting and not following what the teacher said.

So with all these stories he relates to me everyday when he returns from school, it is natural that I would feel worried that I'd have to find a hole in the ground to jump into when the teachers complain about him.

I guess the teachers are being very nice. They forget a lot of the little mistakes and so this is what they said during the PTM, in brief.

English, Math and form teacher:

ds1 is very strong in English and Math. He finishes his work very quickly and will help his friends. He also contributes very actively during class discussions and can provide very interesting facts and nuggets.

She comments that his knowledge is very broad-based and he can point out and bring up a lot of stuff that she does not expect a child of his age to know. And the rest of the class would not have heard about it. She would ask him to explain and he would do so very well. She said that is very commendable. She said she had asked him why he knew so much and he said because he read a lot of books. I told her that was true. Ever since he could read on his own, he has been devouring many different subjects and topics on his own and knows a lot more facts than I do now.

She showed me his portfolio and his marks for the ongoing assessments in school. They were all very high. The school, in line with MOE policy, does not have any formal exams or tests till Primary 3. A lot of other elite schools still have exams and CAs because the parents want them but I think they place unnecessary stress on the child.

So the teacher showed me his oral, listening comprehension, writing, reading etc assessment tasks as well. She said I need not worry about his academic progress. He is definitely doing well.

She then talked about his weaknesses. She said he is very talkative. He can go on non stop. I had to agree with her.

He would also walk around the class to talk to his friends. When he does sit in his seat, he would be restless and do a lot with his hands and feet. Distracting movements and so on. She would always ask him to help his friends or read a book when he finishes his work ahead of the rest. She said when he reads, he will concentrate and he will be very absorbed in his book but when he comes to a funny part, he will laugh very loudly. (oops, that means I cannot let him bring funny books to school to read...)

He tends to dirty the classroom with his many projects as well. For example, he would tear up many pieces of paper to fold into different objects. There was once, he divided a piece of A4 paper into 100 smaller pieces to make 100 boats. But in the course of doing that, he created a lot of bits of paper rubbish around his table area and was asked to clean everything up.

Other things, like fooling around when asked to line up, or making corny jokes non stop when the teacher was reading a story... and changing names and words and diagrams in the test papers and worksheets...

She showed me a test paper where the setter's name was Mrs Sandra Soh. It was printed at the top of the test paper. He changed it to Mrs Sand Oh.

Then he changed the timing of the test from 30min to 30 hours and changed diagrams within the test paper to nonsense drawings. For the multiple choice Qs, he would answer correctly but would change the other options to some nonsense funny words too.

She said she understands he has too much time and feels bored. So he does all these extra things. But she has to constantly remind him not to fool around. I agreed with her and I told the teacher I would reinforce this at home. I said it is about respecting rules and respecting the test questions, and the teacher, so I would definitely talk to him about it.

She rounded it up by saying he is a very lively boy and she loves having him in her class, and enjoys his antics sometimes actually. So hopefully it is just a phase and he will outgrow it soon.

Sigh... this fellow...

Then the Chinese teacher:
She also showed me his various marks for academic tests first.
His tingxie (spelling), written tests and listening comprehension were all pretty good, surprisingly because I expected his Chinese to be weaker than his other subjects, since he hardly spoke or read in Chinese. But the tasks weren't difficult, so maybe it was still sufficient to just listen to the teacher in class and then perform well.

His oral however, was the part that pulled him down. The teacher said his vocabulary was not adequate enough for him to do well in the section that required him to look at a picture and talk about it. He was not hesitant but he had no further contributions apart from a lot of 这个，那个。 Eg, if it was a picture of the playground with kids playing in it and families having fun/ picnics, he would be unable to name the slide, swings, sand pit etc in Chinese, so he would just say, "they are playing this", "this boy is playing that", "the family is eating this"... that kind of thing. Which only got his 3 marks out of a 5.

She says while this is still ok for P1, she says it would get harder and harder as he progresses and she foresees this component will pull him down if he doesn't improve soon. I agreed, because now, the emphasis and focus should be on speaking skills. If we learn a language and cannot use it to communicate effectively, then it is useless.

Very often, the most useful thing about knowing a language is being able to talk to others. Eg when ordering food at a stall where the owners are Chinese.... or doing a business, or making friends... or visiting the countries where it is being used...

Writing skills are not that often used in daily life, in comparison. So I think the order of importance would be speaking, listening, reading then writing? In terms of usage...

Anyway, back to the teacher. I asked if ds1 was being banded because he mentioned some of his classmates not being in the same class as he is. She said there was no banding in their school, not at lower primary levels. The split of his class into 2 was because there were kids taking other mother tongue like Malay language and it was to make up rounded numbers. It was a totally random split. I was rather reassured to hear that because despite a simpler Chinese syllabus being offered in Singapore, I want my kids to learn a higher level of Chinese if possible.

I don't wish them to lose their language... So I must myself buck up and use more of it at home as well. It is tough to change because we are so used to it, but I have to start using more Chinese...

Then she also went on to his other aspects. She said his voice is loud and clear and she liked having him recite passages. She will also often refer to him if she could not hear what his classmates said. He would repeat what they said to her loud and clear. I said that must be his dad's genes. haha

Then she said she noticed his hands cannot keep still. At the beginning of the year, when she first saw his fingers always busy with twirling pencils, playing with the eraser, poking it and erasing on the table blindly, or fiddling with all kinds of things like sharpening a pencil that is already sharp, she thought he was not paying attention to her lesson and would regularly ask him questions.

He always answered correctly which led her to conclude that his restlessness did not affect his attentiveness or understanding. However, she said it could distract his friends and the teacher herself. Hence she would often remind him to keep still.

Her remarks brought me back to his kindy teacher, who told me she would often see him peeling skin off his fingers. You know, those bits of skin at the corners and edges of the nails?

It seems it is his way of coping with having to sit still. He doesn't like to sit still but he has to, hence he transfers his need to remain active and moving to his fingers/ hands and feet. I just hope slowly he can outgrow this and channel his "activity" to just his thoughts?

I read about it in articles and on some parenting websites too. It seems boys, and some girls, at this age, have the need to do so. It at least keeps them sitting still.

Finally, the teacher informed me that she is leaving the school to go to NIE for further training. Argh... just when ds1 got used to her. Sigh.. No choice, I used to have to take maternity leave pretty often last time and my classes would have relief teachers. It is a fact of life...

So they will have a new Chinese teacher next semester.

Today is the last day of school for ds1, he has a full month of hols coming up. Woo-hoo!

West Coast, and other outdoor play

2010-05-19T12:14:00.003+08:00

7 May
Fri
5pm to 7.30pm

West Coast park picnic

Gathered with my parents and my sis' family for a picnic, this time at West Coast Park. Our spread of food was more lavish this time because it was a celebration for mothers' day as well.

There were durian puffs and macarons for dessert!

The boys had a blast in the playground. This is ds1 on the spider web. He used to have one at the school in Tianjin and of course his primary school doesn't have such a large playground now. ds1 is the figure right at the top of the "pyramid". ds2 is the one nearer the base.

ds2 received a bicycle for his 5th birthday too, just like how we got the ah pek bike for ds1's birthday. Being the younger brother who just looks up to everything the older one does and has, he loved the basket in front of his bike too.

However, while ds1 started riding his bike without trainer wheels early on, even before he turned 5, ds2 seems perfectly happy with his trainer wheels. So we are letting him decide, in his own time, when he would want to "go faster, and be a big boy" (the way ds1 wanted), and request to remove them.

Now the 2 of them enjoy their rides around the estate very much and I would be sitting or on the swing with baby, keeping an eye on them. As they ride past me though, they always unabashedly shout loudly a big "hi" to me and their sister and "i love you, mom!".

People around tend to look at me once the boys shout so loudly, so I always feel a little embarrassed. But I always shout back, because I know one day they will be embarrassed for me to call out to them in public loudly. And I better treasure this now, for I know not how long it will last. :-)

[ds1 still hugs me and tells me he loves me very much. I shall keep a record and see when it will last till. ds2 of course, is still very much stuck to me. He still wants to marry me when he grows up, although sometimes he changes it to "I love E so much, I want to marry her when I grow up, ok, mommy?", while hugging and kissing dd all over.]

Now that Dh is away, for so long, I have to continue bringing them out to release their energy. Yet I cannot manage trips to the zoo or faraway places with all 3 alone, so I've used the playground and ball courts downstairs very heavily these 4 weeks.

When my mom helps, she brings them for a cycle or runaround too. And when she agrees, I can get everyone out further... Like the Jurong Bird Park. Cos at least I get another pair of adult hands and eyes.

The boys enjoying their ball kicking and throwing in the court just below our apt. I could stay upstairs and peek out at them too, but I decided to bring baby out as well to tire her out. Then she sleeps better as well.

Only my back and shoulder aches from carrying and slinging her, and my wrists get painful holding her upright, cos she likes to stand on my thighs and jump, and she refuses to sit in the stroller. Sigh. (once they enjoy the closeness and warmth of the sling, they somehow don't like their car seats, their strollers, cots...)

Again, I bear with it now, cos one day soon she will grow up too. And she will no longer need me to carry her. :-)

E's 1st polyclinic vaccination

2010-05-19T11:47:00.004+08:00

18 May
12pm

Dd's first vaccination at the polyclinic. This Hep B 2nd dose was supposed to be given at 1mth of age but she kept having it postponed because of various illnesses in the house. With the boys going to school, they bring home all kinds of viruses and kept having either a cold or whatever, and ds2's school had a HFMD round. He was spared but the clinic didn't allow dd to take the jab, which is wise.

She also had her 3mth old Developmental assessment at the same time, by the doc. She passed it with flying colours. The doc says her neck muscles are very strong and her legs can support her whole body's weight already.

Given that her weight is 7.8kg, which places her above the 97th percentile, the doc says that is very good.

Her height was recorded to be 61.5cm which is at the 75th percentile and her head circumference was 42cm, which is at the 90th percentile.

The last reading was a surprise to me cos our family are all small-headed. (note: small head does not equal to small or reduced brain capacity, in case Dh reads this. he often chides me for saying negative things about our kids.)

The boys had head circumferences that always hovered around 50th percentile and lower. I don't know if the nurse made a mistake in calculating, but I just take her records in the health booklet and type them here.

Her height to weight ratio is also at 97%. Then they asked me, "wah, what brand milk powder you give her?"

At the waiting area, many other parents will come and ask how old she is, comment on how chubby she is, then ask me what milk I feed her. Only one mom asked, "you breastfeed her, is it?"

Oh, and a funny thing occurred. This undergrad at NUS doing her final year project came to me with a survey. She's attached to the psychology unit at NUH I think. She completed the survey with me then said my score indicates I have some trouble coping with my newborn and she gave me hotline numbers to call should I need someone to consult, or confide in. And gave me a pamphlet on parenting workshops and counselling sessions. The brochures are printed by the NUH psychiatry dept that specialises in postnatal depression.

Wow, thank you very much man! So I look like I am depressed, which is why she approached me, and then I really am, from her questions, huh?

All I did was be honest, and a little sarcastic too, when she asked what services would be good for new parents. Her list gave a lot of useless things (I think) like a lot of theoretical sessions and workshops. I told her practical things like having childcare facilities at the sports stadium, at gyms like Amore, and swimming pools would be good for a start.

And I mentioned the Ministers supporting what Prof Hans Rosling from Sweden said, mentioning fathers should step up and play an equal part etc...
And I said why the society hasn't viewed SAHMs as contributing much is because of mindset. And so many families rely on foreign domestic workers that there hasn't been much support or facilities out there that can help relieve SAHMs or WOHMs without helpers.

Maybe my slight ranting caused her to rate me as being depressed... lol.

I told her about the situation in USA and Australia, where I've personally seen and experienced such support and facilities. Very cheap and good childminding when moms want to exercise. And then I read about Sweden, it's terrific there, if you have kids.

Ok anyway, I recycled those pamphlets in the paper bin.

Back to dd and her vaccination. She was perfectly happy and in good spirits till the jab went in. Her wail was eardrum splitting. So unlike ds2 who remained quiet, and did not even feel the needle. Maybe it was the skill of the nurse?

She stopped crying soon after I pacified her but has been super complaining at home so far, and waking often to require my reassurance. My mom says it could be that she thought I pinched her real hard and was now insecure as to whether I still love her. lol.

And oh, this pic in this post shows her sleeping in a baby patch romper that Dory sent (thanks!). The size is 6-12mth, but it's just nice or a little snug for her now. Her sizing for other brands like Carters (9mth), Mothercare (9-12mth), Pumpkin Patch (6-12mth) are all way above her age.

This is similar to ds2. He was like that below 1yo, then after 1yo, all my kids shrink in size. Such that now, when ds1 is 7, he can still wear 4T sized shorts (for 4-5 yo). So I guess I need not worry about dd's weight yet. We'll do a review when she's 1yo. :-)