Happenings at home January

Just noting down some small "milestones" of my 2 kids...

After these years, my boy could finally sit through and revise his spellings or complete his school homework, though it's still with reminders and withdrawal of privileges.

Though he would grumble when being prompted, at least he did his share of revision and managed to pass his spellings so far. *crossing fingers here*

Not trying to pressurise my kid as far as we could; what I did was to share with him it's ok to not do well IF he had already tried his best with revising. But it wouldn't amount to have tried his best IF he didn't revise at all, which was what he did last year in Primary One.

SO, at Primary Two, he is more willing to listen to mommy's nagging, though I still have my fair share of having to talk to him loudly or sternly. *sigh*, but at least it's one small step of "enlightenment".

For my girl, she has started acting like a "big girl" and wants very much to be independent with doing things. She likes to tag with me to Liang Court art school very much and gets very upset when I have to leave her and her brother with my mum on some weekends when I'm shorthanded.

Her current favourite activity, besides play-acting, would have to be doodling her work of art. See, how proud she is standing beside her "dinosaur" drawing. Ok, have to imagine hard to "see" her dino, but I feel it's a milestone for my girl to be able to describe what she draws!

As for me, trying to read these books on possibly helping my kids if needed, since they display imaginative traits. And managed to get a copy of blogging bento mommy Angie's book too. It's a good read, especially fun read for those in the teaching profession :)

Little Big Girl :)

Shan Ee just turned 3 years old this month and lately, we are amused to sense she has "suddenly" developed this little big girl attitude though her comprehension level of things around her is still developing. :)

Her favourite activity at home is currently "play-acting". Sometimes, I would catch her acting out her own "stage script" using whatever items she could grab, like her bags here.

And she sure has a mind of her own with regard to clothing. The other day, she made a lady amused by her suggestions on the tee-shirts I should get for her... "(shan ee) mommy, I like pink clothes and strawberry, ok"; "(me) so, how about this? I think could go with your blue jeans"; (shan ee) "yah, ok mommy, I take this").

Her dayschool had a "favourite things" day on Monday, so she picked this white dress, a christmas present from my brother's girlfriend, which MUST be worn with her jeans. Haha, this is my "cho-lo princess". :)

Zen's portfolio in-the-making

Was tidying my son's artworks collected over his 7 terms of art classes and glad to note some maturity of his coordination with colours and art techniques, though there are also times when he didn't take his lessons "seriously" and ended up with "simple works". Afterall, he's still a kid (to me, anyone younger than 12 years-old would still be a kid).

But glad to note the maturity progression as I uncovered his earlier work of the Rainbow and put it side-by-side to his latest drawing of a similar-themed Rainbow (as he attended a make-up lesson and joined new children at their Art Touch I lesson last week). I took a pic of his work-in-progress just to be sure he completed most of this artwork himself. :)

My boy hasn't fully appreciated the keeping of his artwork, as to him, taking art classes is more a fun activity and a chance to relax his mind off the academics, but I know this is something he likes, at least he is building up a portfolio of his own after nearly 2 years.

Last Day at Toddlercare & 4 Jan Birthday at New School

Shan Ee bade farewell to her toddlercare who babysitted her since 2 months old. Although there was a period when she only attended 3 days a week after I left my fulltime work, she had made friends with few kids of her age and enjoyed being the "da jie-jie" to the babies there (not to mention being a helper to her favourite educaregivers!), so it was pretty sad to be leaving. But the toddlercare don't accept children past 3 years old, so Shan Ee has to move on to her brother's former childcare centre.

Here're some parting shots on her last day at the toddlercare in her new dress given by my brother and girlfriend... but I think mummy here is feeling more sad than her, haha...

Expectedly, we took awhile to get her into the uniform (thanks, JoyfulJazzyMommy for handing me Jaz's which she couldn't fit in anymore :)). Ee Zen was very nice to offer wearing his school uniform though it was way too early for him since he was in the afternoon session. Shan Ee looked nervous on the way there, but did not display any reluctance when we reached. She was really brave. :)

Shan Ee's first day at school happened to fall on her birthday this year. She turned 3 years old yesterday! So it was a good opportunity to "break ice" with her new schoolmates with a birthday triple-chocolate cake for tea, which I bought from Pine Gardens cakeshop. Shan Ee looked dazed as she just woke up from afternoon nap and was clingy when she saw me.

I thought I would bring her home after tea but she went back to her class after showing me where her toothbrush and cup were placed at the pigeonhole, much to my surprise (thought she would be clingy and fretting to leave!). So I went back myself and made a simple dinner for family that night, one of the rare chances I could cook. We had another round of mini cakes (one for her and one for Ee Zen so he wouldn't feel jealous) that night too. :)

On board a (book)ship on Christmas Eve

Squeezed time to bring the 2 kids and my mum on board the Duolo on its last voyage in Singapore. It's a "bookship" and the kids were so excited to browse through the books and run around the deck which had a rustic old feel with its wooden board and creaking sounds when one steps on it. :)

The books were sold at a considerable lower price than the local bookstores so naturally we bought a couple of books, even my mum bought herself 2 mugs as souvenir! But the climbing up and down the old step boards were no joke, one needed to step sideways to balance. So, my mum was complaining all the way up and down, haha...

Heartwarming Surprise Gifts for the kids

My 2 kids received a surprise Christmas gift from another blogging mommy, Vincent's mommy on 26 Dec when she came by the Art School with Vincent. Thank you, Stardust!

It was really heartwarming that Vincent's mommy actually remembered Ee Zen liked magic! :) And she got a set of beginner's animal puzzles for Shan Ee.

Of course, Ee Zen likes his gift VERY MUCH while Shan Ee's still learning how to put the pieces together. Somehow, she is not that "visual" as Ee Zen at the same age. I recalled Ee Zen could complete such puzzles when he was 3 years old. But no worries, I still believe kids develop at their own pace so long as they're keen to explore the things they like.

lamenting

Earlier today, I just discovered a possible amazing shop which already closed its doors last month. And I haven't even paid a visit for a coffee and book! :( I guess this could be the lament of high rentals and overheads here, which I can fully understand, sigh...

Anyway, check out it's blog post on cafes with similar concepts and cosiness; pity they're not located here.

Bedtime Reading

7 year-old Ee Zen developed a sudden interest in "Little Prince". He uncovered my copy of Wu Tan Ru's translation of "Little Prince" at my parents' home and surprisingly, requested me to read one chapter a day of this Chinese translation as his latest bedtime story.

Well, my boy doesn't quite understand much of the Chinese version (anyway, I wouldn't expect 7 year-olds to really understand the underlying meaning of this story!), but I'm glad at least he is willing to listen and asks the meaning of certain terms. 35 month-old Shan Ee has started sharing the same room with her brother and would also listen to the story. She would even try to pretend she recognises the words on the book and "read" in Chinese, haha...

With Kinokuniya located just above the Art School now, it's really a temptation to keep visiting the bookstore every now and then. It's to the extent I have to set a budget of $10 for my kids to spend each week on books. :p

But I always break my own budget, like when I picked up this pictorial book by Ji Mi. It's really humbling to read his quotes on how it feels as a child. At least, it's a little consolation and reminder to me that I should always try to see things from my kids' view.

Meeting with Blogging Mommy

Blogging mommy JDBaby brought her 2 kids EJ and AJ for an on-spot art session at the school yesterday and brought along the stainsteel bottles that would be perfect for Ee Zen and Shan Ee. She started an online store selling these bottles which are great alternatives to the Kanteen series.

JDBaby and I started sharing our experiences with our kids earlier this year and it has been great to finally meet her.

I find EJ very well-behaved during the entire session but the boy does have confident ideas of his own when it comes to art, just like Ee Zen. Same goes with his sister AJ, who designed and painted an excellent rainbow on her t-shirt.

I am so proud! :)

Yep, I'm so proud of my son, even though he got just an average of 70+ for his final year exams (which considering he's only in Primary One, many parents would have expected their kids to acheive much higher scores).

The main reason I'm saying myself being proud of Ee Zen is due to what he told me last night. His words still brings me to near tears even as I'm writing about this account now. ;)

Last night, he told me his form teacher announced the top three students in his class. When I asked how he felt when his teacher made the announcement (based on past experiences, my son usually gets upset when he's not being involved or fails to achieve something, even during games), he said these words, "I did not feel sad. I am still very happy, because I have done my best and passed."

Indeed, as he has been not very consistent in his paperwork, sometimes scoring full marks, while sometimes getting grades like 2.5/15, hubby and I don't really wish to add too much pressure at his Lower Primary stage. Our "expectations" of him are just he should do his best and try to pass all his school subjects. We know he is most often careless or "loses interest" afterall he has short attention span all along.

So, I'm just just happy to hear my son's words. Yes, mommy knows you have done your best and you're happy about it!" :)

The Silent Killer

86 year-old Mum in-law whom I has been staying with for the last 8 years is admitted today to private nursing care for treatment of suspected osteoporosis in her spine.

She has started complaining of backaches (she's quite headstrong, so any complain of pain would mean it's REALLY painful) and couldn't properly walk, get on and off the chair/bed since 2 weeks ago. There was an afternoon when we returned home to see her lying on the floor and soiled herself. Guess it was still a task we wouldn't complain, since I still am experiencing cleaning after my 2 kids, but it's no simple feat to clean a grown-up who may have fractured her backbones. Few days ago, she even suffered a nasty bump on her head as she couldn't steady herself while sitting on a stool. Hubby took her to a GP twice who admitted there's nothing much he could do except prescribe painkillers and recommend physiotherapy.

Hubby and his brothers debated on various options. Initially hubby and I were set on hiring a live-in domestic help to tend to her needs, but expectedly we would also required the other siblings' willingness to at least visit regularly and supervise. In the end, the conclusion was to admit her somewhere with fulltime medical care and physiotherapy service.

Though I'm somewhat relieved mum in-law is getting the needed medical attention (though I passed basic first-aid, I was quite anxious when I saw that nasty cut on her head after her fall and placed the gauze pads on the bloody patch), I still hope her condition may improve after the treatment and if she could be more mobile to return home. But I know if it's indeed osteoporosis, then could only hope physiotherapy and more calcium intake would help relieve her pain.

A month that passed in a blink!

October seemed to pass in an eye's blink. Perhaps it's because of the few major happenings which includes Ee Zen's first 'official' exams and the start of my art outlet at Liang Court.

I'm glad to note this venture somewhat allows me to bring my kids along, though admittedly I can't bring BOTH of them at any one time as they really treated the mall like their home, playing and running around. But so far it's manageable if I bring just one at a time, and that's when they could stay within the outlet and even helped around, like the other day when Shan Ee tagged along. :)

Ee Zen had a week's break from school due to PSLE's marking days and as it's right before the week of his first SA exams, I had to "enforce" he revised his files and at least went through those worksheets that he had to do corrections, especially with Maths which he is weaker and more careless with.

I must admit I'm lousy with tutoring my boy as he couldn't sit through more than 15 mins. But I noticed my boy worked better when he drew out images of the Maths questions. So his art lessons paid off in a way with these "visual aids"!

Last week's Children's Day happenings

Ee Zen and his daddy fell ill last Wednesday with possible stomach flu (possibly infected by his sister who fell ill the week before).

My boy was super upset that he was unable to attend school that day as his class was going to celebrate Children's Day with a class party. I was to bake some choc chip cookies for him to bring to school.

Well, didn't want to disappoint him too much, so I went ahead with baking the cookies after bringing him to the doctor, and they turned out quite ok, though I think the cookies were somewhat over-baked. :p

Anyway, I brought the cookies over to his school but expectedly, not allowed to enter the school compound and had to hand over the items at the General Office for someone to bring to his class. The school clerk certainly didn't look too happy having to run this 'errand'!

And the very next day, I was also feeling nauseous with a bad migraine, even threw up in the taxi to Liang Court (no choice, had to be there to receive some furniture delivery), but luckily I had a plastic bag with me. Thank goodness I was feeling well enough to last me through the Open House weekend.

open house weekend

It has been quite a while since Ee Zen acted hyper at public places.

He was his usual self on Saturday evening when hubby brought him and Shan Ee to fetch me after the Open House. But yesterday morning, he went back to running and lying around at the mall when I brought both of them to the outlet as I was shorthanded this weekend.

Don't know if it's the crowd at the Open House that overwhelmed him or it could be due to one of the younger kids pouring back his Hama beadings that he so patiently did for Shan Ee (Sorry, Ee Zen!). I tried to ask him to bead again, but guessed he was too upset (hence turned hyper).

I tried to restrain a reproaching tone and ended up feeling upset (and defeated) with myself. :p So I just left him like that and "allowed" him to run around the mall and played near the escalator (*gasp*, I know. I tried to pull him away from it and made him sit on the stool in one corner, but he was back to running almost immediately) with Shan Ee tagging behind him.

I was afraid he and his sister might fall in the course of their run or knocked into people or kids as the corridor was rather narrow. But I was too tired to chase after them, after a couple of rounds while the regular class was going on.

I guessed my boy was also feeling very shy to meet a longtime friend as JJMummy brought Joy Joy and Jaz to the Open House yesterday morning. Thanks, JJMummy, really appreciated your support to drive the kids all the way to Liang Court amidst your busy weekend schedule. :)