Joke?

Popo is very sure that the teachers at the new school are competent - Talent Plus (TP) at blk 661. She was all praise for the teachers after the 10mins trial that Lil Isaac spent there. So the plan was to enroll Lil Isaac.

Soon after Popo reported the good news to me, the teacher at jiejie's ex-school called - TP at blk 653, to firm that there is a vacancy. This must be some kind of joke, right? We wavered.

Popo likes teacher Diana, Lil Shauna's ex-teacher and the location at blk 653 really suits us. It is across the road and no need to drag jiejie out of the house every morning to rush for Lil Isaac's class. Her only concern is that there is no chinese teacher. Teacher Diana is Indian and the new teacher is Malay. Popo has problem trying to communicate with the teachers. Boo.

So, the plan is for Popo to visit the school at blk 653 tomorrow morning. If Popo thinks that it is good, Lil Isaac will start school there. Otherwise, we will rush him over to 661 to continue with the remaining class and likely to continue to be late for the rest of the year. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Playgroup

*Post written yday*

The plan is for Lil Isaac to join Jiejie at the Center of New Life next year. They will take the school bus together. Despite Lil Isaac being really young, he should be alright under Jiejie’s care. He is definitely more daring too and I think he will enjoy school.

Since Lil Isaac is “idling” at home, I thought that we enrolled him into a playgroup for what’s remaining of this year. We started our search 2 weeks ago. There is this one right at the next block with only 6 kids in the class and I thought it was too good to be true. Indeed it is. The teacher is an old Indian lady, who scared the hell out of Lil Isaac, without her having to do anything. Popo said that Lil Isaac couldn’t stop sobbing all the way home when they visited the school. We tried jiejie’s old school but there was no vacancy. We eventually found a slot at the playgroup that we first enrolled jiejie. However, jiejie was only there for a day before I carried her and stomped out of the class. The teachers were totally unprofessional, busied over paperwork and Lil Shauna started crying after she got bored playing the toys but mummy refused to bring her home. I was hoping that the teachers have changed. But sadly, no.

Somehow, we are more relaxed with Lil Isaac. This is the second kid syndrome? Poor Lil Isaac. I prefer to think that it is bcos he will only be there to “play” for a few months before he starts his pre-nursery next year. My guilty conscious is soothed. Hehe.

Popo brought Lil Isaac to school today. His bad mummy didn’t even take leave. I filled up all the necessary forms and wrote the cheque but Popo forgot to bring them to school today, which is our saving grace. Popo called to complain after the class. She didn’t leave but watched from outside the class, as she was worried that they wouldn't watch over Lil Isaac as closely as she would like, especially when there is snack time and Lil Isaac is allergic to nuts. Yes, we do prepare snacks for Lil Isaac. However, he is forever greedy and we are quite sure that he wouldn’t say no to whoever that offers him their snack even if they are nuts. Popo said that the Chinese main teacher spent more than 30 mins repairing the CD player. Gosh, I didn’t know that she has to double up as the handyman. The other Malay lady busied with paper work. Same situation, 2 years difference. The kids were left playing with toys, snacking and walking around.

Lil Isaac will only attend an hour's class for the 1st week. The Chinese teacher asked Popo if she was Ok to bring Lil Isaac home after 40 mins and he had done nothing much bcos the teachers were so busy. I wonder why any parents would place their kids there. Sigh.

So, we have planned to change Lil Isaac to a different school tomorrow. Yippee. A little further but under the same parent company as Jiejie’s ex-school. Popo has seen the school and is more certain of the teachers’ capability. Popo and Lil Isaac will visit the school again tomorrow. If all go well, Lil Isaac will start school on Wednesday. The only problem is that the school will start at 9am and he will be late everyday as it is near Centris and they have to travel from home. Jiejie is a drag every morning and needs to be coaxed before they can leave the house.

I will try to be nice to the old teacher. If Lil Isaac is good for the new school, I will call up the current one, apologize nicely and tell them that Lil Isaac isn’t ready for school, her school in particularly. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

To the BirdPark

Daddy Lim didn't have to work this morning. I couldnt even remember when he last had his Sunday off. The weather was nice and we headed to the JBP. It had been ages. We somehow lost all interest and motivation the moment we bought the annual pass. I somehow thought we should make our money worthwhile.

We spent about 2+ hrs at the park. We caught the hawk show, fed the Lott birds and played in the water playground.

The kids were very excited about feeding the birds until Lil Isaac got bitten by one of the birds. He started crying and avoided the birds. I thought it was actually quite funny. Haha.

Lil Isaac was fussy badly by the time we headed home. He needed his milk and his nap and he wanted them immediately. He was knocked out shortly after we were home and I heard that he refused to wake up from his nap thereafter. Jiejie didn't take any nap and was still full of energy when we headed for her phonics class.

Daddy Lim was even more tired than Lil Isaac. He was supposed to tuck jiejie to bed but was snoring when I went into the bedroom to check on jiejie, who was wide awake. And I heard he woke up from his nap later than Lil Isaac. Hoho.

Mummy Lim

Korea, Finally

We finally booked our Korea tour. We are going Korea at the end of the year!

I had wanted to go Korea in December 2007 with Daddy Lin. However, I became preggy with Lil Shauna and the plan was shelved due to the eventful pregnancy. Then, traveling by plane for 8 hours was something that we wouldn't attempt too often. Melbourne was a good experience but that was more than enuff with a 18 mths old Lil Shauna.

Lil Isaac came along and traveling to Korea became even more remotely possible until now. By the end of the year, Lil Isaac would be 2. We should be able to handle him then. Lil Shauna should be easy breezy.

There was pre-NATAS fair at Suntec and Marina Square today, we visited all the agencies and found them to be all about the same, both in terms of price and itinerary. We eventually booked with ASA. Yeah!

The trip left a big hole in our pocket. But it is ok. I would rather skip some meals to save up for it. I need to diet anyway. Lalalalala... I am happy.

Mummy Lim

Mystery Solved

So it was indeed part of school work. Something about postman or postage. Every kid in Lil Shauna's class will receive a "Love Letter" from a friend and every kid wrote a letter for a friend. Lil Shauna knew that she was going to receive a letter from Mingming and she wrote (actually more like "drew") a letter to Vista.

Popo said that Lil Shauna was really excited when she reached Centris from school and asked to go home to open the mailbox. I guessed the kids were reminded at school that they would be receiving their letters.

She rushed to the mailbox when she alighted from Tiguan and was excited to go home when told that the letter was already at home.

She tore opened the envelop excitedly but her excitement only lasted that long. She saw the letter/ picture and replied that it was from Mingming when we asked her. Then she was distracted by something else and the letter was left on the dinning table.

Ok, so much for her very first Love Letter. Poor Mingming.

Mummy Lim

Love Letter?!

Daddy Lim sent me an image. It was a letter addressed to "主恩". It got us really curious as not many uses her Chinese name. Moreover, her name and our address was hand-written.

I asked Daddy Lim to open the envelop to see who is it from, which he gladly obliged. I bet his curiosity was killing him too. It turned out to be a drawing from "智民". Hmmm... Is this the same "Mingming" from Lil Shauna's class? The same Mingming whom she declares to be her best friend and sometimes "boyfriend". Sometimes only as our little princess can get a little fickle minded at times. Jeeezzz, how did he get our address? And who helped him? Hmmm.. Is this part of school work?

Daddy Lim laughed and said that we have opened Lil Shauna's very first love letter, so much for her privacy. Guessed what he did? Well, he put the letter back and sealed the envelop. He has intended to pass the re-sealed letter to Lil Shauna tonight and pretend that he didn't do what he did. Faint.

Mummy Lim

Big Fat

I was browsing in Guardian and waiting for Daddy Lim. Then I was chased by this irritating sales auntie who started asking what product I was looking for. I wasn't looking for anything in particular and told her that I was browsing.

The auntie was very persistent and asked if I was looking for body lotion. I smiled. Then she suggested slimming products.. Tummy trimming products... Arrrggghhhh.

Yes, I know.. And Daddy Lim has to eat laksa yday. I couldn't resist drinking his gravy! Then Popo has to cook curry and asked us to go home for dinner today. Boo! Today, I am probably "big fat" in Lil Shauna's lingo.

I need to learn how to live on air and water.

Mummy Lim

The Middle Sound

I was worried for a while when Lil Shauna didn't seem to get her middle sound. I know it would be easy breezy once she gets the idea but couldnt help wondering how long this phase will drag.

We always have a difficult time when we tried to do her Phonics homework. Sometimes she get it, others not and it gets very frustrating when she doesn't. She tried guessing and we could go on and go until I gave up and tell her the answer.

Last week, we were at her homework and she seemed to suddenly recognize her middle sound. The middle sound was stuck with the last sound but it was fantastic progress. I asked her to sound words every now and then and she really did seem to get the idea and was getting better. Hehe.

Today after class, her teacher came to talk to me and asked me what have I done to Lil Shauna bcos she is getting all the middle sound and very quickly. I told her that I didn't do anything and was impressed too but I was über proud. Hehe.

She finally crossed that barrier. Now she can move on. I think it will get more and more challenging. Mummy needs to go for phonics class too.

Mummy Lim

Wonder Pets

We were watching Wonder Pets and I asked Lil Shauna what is the tortoise's name (there are 3 mains, another duck and hamster).

Lil Shauna replied, "Lim Puay Teck".
Muhahahahahahahaha.

Mummy Lim

Toys

The kids are outgrowing the toys. I have given away those meant for babies but continued to keep the others. I am hoping that the kids will one day discovered them again and find joy playing with them. That explains the amount of toys at home. We have reached the point that when I do buy a new piece, the first thing that I consider is how compact the toy is when it comes to storage.

Lil Shauna is outgrowing her toys fast. Her whole collection of Strawberry Shortcake figurines are accumulating dust along with her many other collections. We take heart that at least there are some evergreen toys like Lego, Playdo and cooking toys. Lil Isaac is also approaching the age to join in the fun.

More importantly, I also see jiejie slowing down in her requests for new toys. I am so glad that she doesn't always end up in tantrum when we refused to oblige to her request or she actually relents when we tell her that the particular toy that she has chosen is too expensive. My jiejie is growing up!

There seems to be lesser suitable toys as one grows. It is so difficult to find a suitable toy for Lil Shauna now and we are switching to art and craft. Fortunately, there are many if such craft works in the market. We now have so many homemade bracelets and necklaces at home, homemade caps, drawings, etc. Well, at least those are good for improving her fine motor skills.

I am actually thrilled at the thought of cleaning the toys out of the house. They take up so much space. Then again.. how to entertain the kids then?

Mummy Lim