Good Distraction

I remember seeing Auntie H armed with paper and colour pencils whenever we head outdoor. I do that only when we have to catch a flight. Lil Shauna can work on an activity book for hours. Unfortunately,  it only works well with Lil Shauna. For the boy, it works magic for like 5 mins.

He must have grown up and the so much writing that we made him do definitely helps too. Suddenly, he is interested in drawing and doodling too, though somebody must engage him while he is at it.

This is them after lunch. So rare to have both of them sit at the table after lunch.

Even rarer, while on the way to indoor playground.

The hand holding only lasted for 5s. Haha.

Mummy Lim

5th Ice Skating Lesson

Lil Shauna had her 5th ice skating class on last Saturday after a 3-week break. We had wanted to escape before the little boy woke up but weren't successful. As such, we left the house only at 9am and meanwhile, mummy made them mugged on homework. Muahahaha. The little boy didn't insist to tag along bcos mummy threw him the ipad. However, Popo complained that he was difficult soon after we left the house. He was difficult that whole weekend. Zzzzz.

Princess and I proceeded for our usual Mac bfast.

We started with the usual drill once we hit the ice. She is already very familiar with what she has to do. Each week, she spends lesser time on the crossovers as she gains proficiency and we added new routines as she picks up new things. I am glad that we popped down to the ice 2 Sundays back for a practice. She is now able to do the new 3-point twist with the extra practice. 

During the 4th lesson, Teacher Raymond taught her the bunny hop, which mummy diligently filmed. We couldn't quite fathom how that was done when we practiced on Sunday on ice and I seriously didn't dare to attempt and demonstrate too. I have old bones! Fortunately, we met Crystal jiejie, who had been the most helpful and gave us a demonstration. Back home, Daddy Lim and I scrutinized the video and youtubes to figure out how bunny hop works. After we got the concept, we did plenty of off-ice bunny hops around the house with Lil Shauna and the work paid off. Back on the ice on Saturday, Lil Shauna was able to do nice little (really little) bunny hops before lesson. Hehe.

Her 5th lesson went well. Teacher Raymond went through the old stuff that she has learnt, the front and back crossovers, 3-point twist, etc and she performed fairly well. She could also do the tiny bunny hops. Then Teacher Raymond asked if we are keen to let Lil Shauna enter a competition in Malaysia in the last week of June. My immediate reaction was, “She can meh?”. Hahaha. I don't think Lil Shauna is super talented and she’s definitely not super good now. But Teacher Raymond said that the competition is for recreational skaters and the skaters compete according to their age group and also base on what they have learnt. Moreover, it will be held during the school holidays, so Lil Shauna can get exposure and at the same time a holiday. I like the latter. Haha. The parents definitely have to tag along for the trip. I didn't find out more about the competition and have time until the middle of next month to decide. 

After the lesson, I asked Lil Shauna if she is keen to enter the competition. I am quite sure she focus on the wrong points bcos she replied that she didn't want to go for the competition but wanted to go to Malaysia for a holiday. Haha. My girl sure takes after me. However, she did have a change of mind and wanted to go for the competition later in the day. Let us find out more before deciding. 

Other than the competition, Lil Shauna also learnt a new move – the Mohawk on Saturday. It looks complicated and I definitely had it filmed. I shall google more about it and we will work on it before class this coming Saturday. 

Lil Shauna is still using her recreational skates that are in a lovely pink. A pair of proper figure skates will set us back by a couple of hundred and have to be changed whenever she outgrows them. Teacher Raymond said that she can still use the recreational skates for a good half a year before switching. I figure out that is when she starts to learn serious jumping. 

I am excited at the journey that Lil Shauna is going through. I cant tell the pace of her progression given that it is an one-to-one class now. Moreover, her other 2 friends are in the afternoon classes now and we do not get to see their progress. I just hope that me practicing in the rink with her helps and she continues to persevere in the sports so that I get to see her fly in the rink one day. 

Mummy Lim        

Some Good, Some Bad

We didn't have it good with Lil Isaac recently. For some reasons, he had been insisting in his wants strongly and when he wants, he wants it NOW. When "no" is the answer, he retaliates with a louder and insistent "I want it now". The ending is usually a tantrum. Though we don't give in to his tantrum, it is tiring to go through the cycle frequently.

Yday wasn't good. I had to warn him several times and had to eventually carry out my threat. Today wasn't any better. We headed to church but he clung on to me like it was his 1st ever visit to Sunday school and I was never ever coming back for him. There were tears and we had to leave the room at one point so as not to disturb the others. I didn't quite know how to react actually. My blood was boiling but it didn't seem to be the best behavior of me to lash out at my kid in the church. He won eventually and I didn't go to service but stayed with him in Sunday School. Haiz. By the end of Sunday school, I was mentally tired.

Daddy Lim came to fetch us from church. The rest of the afternoon wasn't any easier. He whined and squirmed and just wasn't cooperative. He jumped and ran into people when we needed him to simply walk. It was like walking is the most difficult thing to do on earth. It was very frustrating when we had to constantly call out to him to behave and eventually resorted to threatening.

We had intended to either go for a movie or to Rollerblade in the afternoon, after Lil Shauna's class. Lil Shauna wanted a movie but Lil Isaac wanted to Rollerblade and there was quite some squabble. We couldn't get tickets and it started to rain. Lil Shauna was ok to go to the movie another time but Lil Isaac went into his "I want to go rollerblading NOW" fit. Then he had a meltdown in the car sobbing like it is the end of the world despite us explaining that rollerblading cannot be done in the rain.

Eventually, the kids bought toys, using the homework stickers that they have earned so far. In addition, we did Rollerblade at the void deck eventually and the kids had fun.

Back home, they were quick to do their homework at the promise of playing their new toys. I totally enjoy their efficiency and they had a great time too playing the new toys too.

Let's hope that it is just a passing phase.

Mummy Lim

Sick while in School

Maybe bcos the kindergarten school is only 3 hours or Popo kept the kids in if they weren't feeling good enuff for school, we never have the school call us up to inform about sick kids or to bring them home... until today.

I received a call from school at 3.30pm. I was about to start a meeting. Ms Teo, the form teacher called to inform that Lil Shauna complained of a headache and asked if we would like to bring her home early. I didn't know schools are so nice now. Anyway, Daddy Lim couldn't leave and Popo was bringing Lil Isaac to Chinese class. It was decided that I would grab a cab to pick up the princess. Given that the meeting had just started, I stayed for about 20 mins, making sure that the important points were covered before I tried to get a cab to leave the office. Murphy's law - there will be no cabs when you desperately needed one.

It was at least 15 mins later before I got a cab and Lil Shauna waited for an hour for me. When I arrived at the General Office, she was sitting on a bench by the wall with her school bag on her back and water bottle sling across. She looked very pathetic.  Poor girl.

We took the same cab home. She said that she had a huge headache before recess. It was so bad that she had to tell Ms Teo. I did tell her that if she comes down with a fever again, she has to tell the teacher that she is not feeling well. So good job for telling the teacher this time.

I think it was nearing recess and she was told to go to the General Office. Ms Teo then called me to inform. She didn't even had the opportunity to eat the bread that Popo prepared and was famished. I think the headache was much less intense by the time I fetch her. She seemed very well.

Back home, she was very much alive. She had dinner (alot), watched TV and even play toys while I mugged at my laptop. I see no sign of any sickness. Lol. This time, I told her that if she's badly sick in school, then tell the teacher. If it is a mere headache, then asked for a little rest to see if she feels better - no need to call mummy to pick her. Haha. But I also assured her that if she's really sick, Pappy or Mummy will definitely pick her up.

New milestone, new experience.

Mummy Lim

Interesting Sunday

We did something really interesting on Sunday. The 1st half of the day proceeded as usual – occupied by church and classes. Then the kids split ways. 

We had missed the ice for about 2 weeks as the rink was closed for the last 2 weekends for ice hockey tournament. Lil Shauna has ice skating class this coming Saturday and I think she needed some ice time before that. I didn't want to bring the tiger long bcos he is always so dangerous and I always ended up watching over him and couldn't practice with Lil Shauna. This is even the case when Daddy Lim is on the ice. On the other hand, Daddy Lim doesn't quite know what to do with the girl. Quick, celebrate Mothers’ Day. See the importance of mummy?

To distract the boy, we cracked our brains to find program for him. Daddy Lim would love to bring him guitar shopping but the idea wouldn't fly. We thought about bringing him to nainai’s house, swimming, kicking some ball somewhere and even picnic with the usual gang. Eventually, we opted for a safe option – the Spongbox movie. The boy was thrilled and was looking forward to the movie and didn't at all ask to go to the rink. He even asked for nachos with cheese and kept asking if it was time the whole day. 

On the other hand, I was really impressed with the princess. Despite missing out on the fun, she didn't at once really complained and practice really hard on the ice. She was easily pacified when I suggested buying the DVD for her instead. I am amazed and super proud at how convicted she is to do well in ice skating.  

So, we headed separate ways and met up for dinner in the late evening. Daddy Lim said that it was a silly movie. Haha. Lil Isaac definitely enjoyed the movie a lot more but I heard that he was restless midway through.

Lil Shauna practice really hard for one over hour. She tried some of the new moves that Teacher Raymond taught her 3 Saturdays back and didn't quite get them but I would think practice would help her master it.

We were both so tired. Us at the dinner place while waiting for the boys.

I was really glad that I accomplished my mission to practice with Lil Shauna. On the other hand, I think that it is great that we get to spend time alone with the kids. The kids should be happy too to get sole attention. Bb, let’s do more of this in the future. Don't worry, the tiger doesn't bite. 

Mummy Lim

Homework Overload

We have busy kids. They are busy with school and many enrichment classes. Don't like that hor. I am just a typical Singaporean parent. However, school homework coupled with homework from the enrichment classes do get a little overwhelming at times. Most of the time, we have to ration the homework, completing the ones that are due 1st.

Time has been set aside for homework almost every day. We do cheat on weekends sometimes. Lil Isaac only get his school homework on Friday but we would make him do some writing too while jiejie is hard at work. We basically made him do plenty of writing.

I am a cheater bug. Sometimes, the amount of homework gets a little too overwhelming and I literally help the kids with their homework. I colour for Lil Isaac and help to do the maths sum for Lil Shauna. She has this whole booklet of multiplication to do last week from her enrichment class. We tried our very best to complete pages per day but to certain point, I started telling her the answers and she simply wrote them down.

Last week, her Maths enrichment class started 30 mins later than usual and she had the time to complete her homework before class starts.

When I see her painstakingly writing and trying to be as neat as possible, I had to suppress this urge to snatch her homework from her and help her complete her writing. Hahaha. I was thinking - some kids do need to learn how to write properly (like Lil Isaac) but most of them should be ok by the time they start P1, so why spend precious time and energy doing writing? But of course I didn't. She completed her homework, right before her teacher step in. 

Mummy Lim 

Bag Day

Lil Shauna started bringing her bible to church and had asked for a bag. The ones that we have at home are either too big or too small. I got her a just right one at JE yday for $15.

Lil Isaac whined for a bag when he saw jiejie with one. Popo dug out a really old one from the store room. That bag belonged to jiejie and she brought it to the playgroup school then. It was later passed down to Lil Isaac, who brought it to his playgroup school too. Long history huh..

They were told that they have to carry their own bag and it worked pretty well now that they are older. Lil Shauna is used to the idea. She carries her heavy school bag every weekday and does well with her ice skating bag on ice skating day. Lil Isaac needed some reminder but his bag was featherlight anyway.

So cute. I think we will have more of these in the future.

Mummy Lim

Make Believe

Kids have such good imagination. They are playing meimei and gorgor. Yes, their roles have reversed. They each have a pet dog. They love to walk their dog. Haha.

Pardon Lil Shauna's messy hair. She just climbed out of the tad too small self-made home. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Teacher-Parent Meeting

I missed the last few teacher-parent meeting when Lil Shauna was in K2. I realised that the teachers usually had nothing much to tell me. I guessed teachers would have more to say for naughty kids like Lil Isaac. Haha.

Lil Shauna is probably one of those students that teachers would like. She's well-behaved, hardworking, has her academia foundation and learns fairly quickly. She's definitely not one of those gifted, but doesn't give problem.

Given that it is the first teacher-parent meeting since she started primary 1, I decided to meet the teachers to check that she's really fine and adapting well. She looks like it to me. She's happy to go to school and comes home sharing her joy.

I met her form teacher and Chinese teacher this morning. They didn't have much to share with me but assured me that Lil Shauna is doing fine. Hehe. However, they both highlighted that she's quiet and would be great if she could speak up more. Well, Lil Shauna had been shy all her life and it would probably take a long time to improve on that point. I also shared that with the Chinese teacher about Lil Shauna not daring to ask to go to the toilet at the end of the day, which is usually the Chinese lessons and had to endure the bus ride home. The teacher mentioned that she would take note.

So, mission accomplished. I think I better attend the next teacher-parent meeting for Lil Isaac. I think the teacher would have loads to share with me. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Happy CNY

We had a fruitful CNY.
On the eve of CNY, we had a reunion lunch-dinner at my brother's place. The feasting started at about 3 pm. Ah yee and Uncle C were with us this time. Last year, ah yee skyped with us while we tucked in. She must be drooling like 10,000 miles away.

After round 1 was round 2 at Daddy Lim's auntie's place. I was bursting by then.

On Chu Yi, we went visitation before heading off to Bangkok.

A few days ago, the kids got to open their ang baos. They probably haven't understood the significant of money but opening ang baos is always fun.

Yday, we met at Auntie DL's house for the usual monthly gathering complete with steamboat. Yummy.

Happy CNY people, huat ah!

Mummy Lim