Jiejie's New Toy

They are finally here!

In my previous post, I blogged about the possible temporary closure of the rink for renovation and how Lil Shauna was lured by Zaky's aggro skates. After multiple researches, we finally bought our Inline Artistic Skates. Woohoo!

Not only does this comes after much research and knocking into walls, it is also very expensive. I was referred to several overseas websites. The boots and frame come separately, just like advance level ice skates. Wait... this is ice skating boots to begin with.

Online purchases always come with a risk of wrong sizing. It is worse when it is from overseas. Then the overseas vendor takes so long to reply. Aiyo! I explored the option of buying only the frame to mount on Lil Shauna's old ice skating boots but that would mean that I would not have pro looking ice skates to skate with the kids on Sunday pm. 

Again while browsing Carousel, I saw another pair of Edea Chorus, which is the exact same combination as what Lil Shauna is wearing for ice now. This pair is older but cheaper at $300. Hohoho. The seller has stopped skating for over a year and the skates are still in very good condition. Buy!

Then I reached out to one of the ice skaters (Y) who has recently started inline artistic skating, with the intention to ask about the Golden Horse frame that she is using. I also know that she does ice blade and inline frame mounting service. She gave me fantastic advice, telling me the difference between the Presto and Advant Lt frame. The former is the generation 1 and the latter is the improved version with rocker, which mimics skating on ice better. Ahhhh... I also found out that she is able to help to order and mount the frame. Zzzzzzz... Her experience will save me so much trouble. I should have been thicker skin and ask since the beginning.

So voila! She helped to order the right frame size and we paid $399 for the Advant Lt frame and another $25 for mounting. I know, so expensive right. Ouch! 

Golden Horse is a Taiwanese brand and it carries ice skates too. The inline frame is actually gold in color but Y helped us to spray paint it silver. 

We collected the skates on Sunday afternoon and the Lil Shauna was eager to try them. We found an opened are near to Y's home. 

It wasnt too bad an experience. Lil Shauna was able to do the basic footwork, as well as most of the single jumps. While the kids are well-protected, the new skates are not. Her boot were scratched after a few failed axel jump attempts. Time to look for cover. 

On Sunday, we were carrying  a total of 5 pairs of skates - 3 ice and 2 land. So many skates. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

I also Ice Skating

Once upon a time, I was on the ice weekly to help Lil Shauna practice. Soon, she got too advance for me to give her practical help and my role was converted to rink-side tuition teacher, telling her to do this and that when I personally can't. Hohoho. 

Once upon a time again, I was doing core 3 group lessons with Zaky and started dreaming that I could continue learning ice skating and advance. It is indeed a dream and I woke up shortly. I only did core 3 and didn't progress. Falling down was too difficult to overcome but I constantly tell the kids that falling down is part and parcel of learning. Do what I say, not what I do. Hoho.

Lil Shauna finally moved on to her new skates and her old Jackson Freestyle was calling out to me. I also dreamt of inheriting them when Lil Shauna outgrown them. I finally wore them and hit the ice 2 Sundays ago. 

For 2 consecutive Sunday afternoons, I was on the ice with the kids without sticking together to abide to the law. It took me some time to get used to the skates but I think I started skating better in them last Sunday. Practice makes perfect. Yay! Slowly, I was trying my crossovers and learning how to do mohawk. What looked so easy for the kids were so tough. My body and feet were not listening to me to do what they are supposed to. 

While it was overall fun, I fell 2x. The 1st while trying to do a crossover and I tripped over my own skates. The 2nd, Zaky was "holding my hand" and asking me to do a bunny hop. I cant feel my toe pick and he didn't have the strength to hold me when I fell. Zzzzzzz.. while I didn't break any bones both times, I thought I had post-trauma aches later in the day. #oldbones

I think it is more enjoyable looking at the kids skate on the spectator seats. Hoho. 

At least I have funky socks to go skating. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 17 and 237

Zaky mentioned that he wanted to stop his ice skating class when he was bugging for his aggro inline skates. Did he stop? Not yet, we agreed to continue with May's lessons as we have booked Coach's time. Is he still as passionate with aggro skating? The forest fire seems to look more like a bush flame now. Will he stop ice skating? He doesn't know but agrees that he would at least cut down on the number of lessons. 

He still looks like a dead fish many times during lesson. I know that it is not fun doing the same thing over and over again and yet barely getting it. In the 2nd picture, Coach asked him to stand straight to do his 3-turn and he ended up with a protruding tummy. Hoho. But I saw him improving. Slowly but surely. 

Lil Shauna is no doubt still with the sports. Ice skating has become more and more interesting for her (as compared to Zaky) with good skating peers and inching improvements. Oh, the competition results are not out yet. It had been more than a month and the judges must be scrutinizing the videos so closely. 

Lil Shauna is still trying for her double salchow jump. Mastering the double jumps is one of the elements to move on to the next level. When I checked back my blog, she was introduced to the jump in July 2020. I heard her and even Coach say that she is "almost there" so many times. Almost every lesson, I will see her fall until 四脚朝天 when attempting her double sal. Ouch!

It is jumping, falling, studying the video and repeat. Coach says that she is crossing her feet but not tight enough. As a result, she either lands on her wrong foot or 2 feet. 

She is aware of the issue but the problem is that she can't feel her legs/ feet when she jumps. Zzzzzzz. She said that she only knows what happen after she lands. Hohoho. I am not even surprised if she tells me that she closes her eyes in the air lor. Lol. 

She is more of a jumper than a spinner and I am waiting for the Eureka moment when she suddenly gets it, just like the axel jump that she had been stuck so long and suddenly gets it. Then one fine day (actually last Sunday), she was skating leisurely with R and attempting her double salchow jump. She didn't even look like she was going to try hard to jump and she nailed the double salchow jump effortlessly!

I do not always look at her when she is on the ice but right at that moment, I saw her did her 1st even double jump. Hohoho. She was more in shock and doubt. For while, I was wondering if she had executed an axel jump instead. Then, we were all jumping around in excitement. I got the next successfully double sal on video. Hohoho. The "almost there" is finally "there". This is like a Mothers' Day present wor. 

All in all, she got 3 good double sal jumps and then kept falling when attempting to land. Why? She landed with her CG on her butt but she cannot feel anything in the air and cannot adjust. Remember? 

I am hoping that she would not lose her double salchow jumps like she sometimes does. She is worried too, such that she volunteered to come to the ice for practice this morning. 

She is so enthu also bcos she has companion leh. 

Did she lose her jump? Well, she still managed and I saw her land one properly and the rest ended with her sitting on the ice. Hohoho. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 11 and 229

I realised that more and more, I look forward to seeing the kids doing their ice skating classes, hoping that they nailed the next spin/ jump. I loved standing by the rink, encouraging the kids to try another crazy thing. 

Zaky never fail to surprise me. While he needed to still work very hard on his foundation and refrained from being a shaky skater with flappy arms, he impresses me with what he can do - when he is in the mood. Last Sunday, he was in the right mood towards the 2nd half of the ice time. His spins are getting better, he can manage a couple of different jumps and even attempted some spirals that aren't very up to standard but still impressive for a 1st timer (or maybe I am easily impressed). 

I love to also see the kids interacting with each other and with R and J, whom they skate and train off ice together. Skating seems to now become so much more fun. I recalled those days where Daddy Lim and I had to each take one kid to different classes or times that we had 1 kid and had to wait for the other one to finish his/ her class. Now, one stone kills 2 birds. Very good. 

Last Sunday, Zaky had his class while jiejie had her ice time - the online booking is so good! Thereafter, they proceeded with their off ice training. It had been a while since I peeped on them during off ice bcos I usually chose the comfort of the aircon mall. 

There I was, looking at the kids attempting the jumps and trying to see if I can capture them in mid air. Self entertainment. Hoho. 

I must have said but I must indulged in my mummy's pride again. 不知何时, Lil Shauna seems to improve tremendously, she is still stuck at her double jumpss but her actions now are a lot more 到位 than a while ago. 

She had her SISA ice on Tuesday evening. Coach said that she will try out her program with music. Yes, this is in prep of the upcoming competition that may be taking place in beginning April but we have heard nothing much so far. Haiz, dreadful Covid. 

Lil Shauna had been very resistant in partaking in the competition despite me telling her that the music is the same and majority of her program would be the same as per what she had been practicing for months for the elementary test. I have asked her to decide after she tried out the whole program with the music. 

Indeed, 85% of her program is the same. See, mummy knows best. Her lesson on Tuesday was not the best having completed her school netball training before rushing to the rink. She was tired, her muscles were sore and her uncompleted homework was nudging her. Haiz, I have nagged a million time that she needed better time management now that she is so busy. 

It was obvious that she was exhausted and started the lesson poorly. She got to try out her program 2x with music. The 1st time was a disaster, she couldn't even do her camel spin but the 2nd one was a vast improvement. By the end of the lesson, she was flat and we rushed home for whatever homework that she needed to complete. 

While classes at 8.30pm is super exhausting, at least the ice was so much emptier. We just have to adjust and see how things go. Fighting and lots more practice!

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 6 and Skating Together

After Lil Shauna's outburst of how doom she would be for her Elementary test, we have ramped up the amount of ice time for Lil Shauna. On Sunday morning, we booked SISA ice for her to self practice - her very 1st SISA ice without Coach. The SISA ice was at 7am, which meant that Daddy Lim and I were out of the bed at 6am. Yawnz. 

The ice was fairly crowded for SISA ice. I was working on my laptop to reply a couple of emails and then ended up spending the rest of the time chatting with 2 other skaters' mummies and exchanging tips. Hoho. I didn't see how Lil Shauna's practice went. She said that it was ok. Ok lor. Lol. 

Miraculously, we managed to get Lil Shauna back into the ice for practice in the afternoon. It had been such a long time that we had both kids on the ice at the same time. Zaky had his lessons and jiejie was happy to just skate around and practice her stuff, meddling with Zaky's lesson at time, chatting with R and J at others. 

Zaky learnt the entry to 2-foot spin as well as the lunge. Coach got jiejie to demonstrate the spiral much to get protest. After all these years, she still hated the spiral but definitely did it well after all the camel spin practices. 

Zaky got the lunge but have way to work on the 2-foot spin. I still think that he really need a lot more practice to build up his foundations. He is like "so messy". Haha. Maybe bcos Zaky is used as a comparison, I was so awed by jiejie when I saw her practicing. Lol. He obviously sets a very low standard for jiejie. Haha. 

Then Lil Shauna, R and J all started doing the basis 2-foot spins and lunges like they were beginners. Lol. There were plenty of laughter and I saw Lil Shauna enjoying herself, hugging Zaky and chatting with her peers. She definitely is enjoying the companionship. 

The ice time was followed by off ice practice. Zaky has started off ice training together with the rest last week. I like that bcos it gives him the reason to do some core exercises, jump around and hopefully lose some weight. His tummy has worked "so hard" during the school holidays and d have become so much rounder. 

The restriction on skaters is still very much intact. I was hoping that the limit would be increased in phase 3 but bo leh. The rink still requires people to q and physically register for a slot starting at 9.30am. Last Sunday, we saw patrons starting to Q when we arrived for SISA ice before 7am. A significant Q was already forming when we finished SISA at 8am. Sob. I read that there is a NEW reservation system from February 2021 onwards and I really hope that it is better than the current one. If it had been one off, I probably would have q for my kids but how to do that every weekend to get a slot for ice practice? Haiz. 救命啊.

Mummy Lim

Discovering Morning Open Ice

With the covid-19 capacity restrictions, it is almost impossible to get slots for the kids to practice on ice unless they have lesson. Lil Shauna used to hit the ice 2 to 3 times a week but is now reduced to 1 or even none at all. It is bad, so bad. 

The date for her Elementary test had been set on 26 Jan 21. Her program has been firmed and while she can do most of the elements, she still struggles with her camel, sit, scratch combine spins and unfortunately, a critical component in passing the test. As the test date draws nearer, she had been whining and whining non-stop about how stress she is. I concluded that what she needed is simply more ice practice to gain confidence in the elements. 

A few weeks back, we attempted the impossible. We dragged the kids to the rink at 8ish in the morning to q, hoping to get a slot for the ice. Lil Shauna grumbled when I dragged her out of bed, asking me why she had to come along. Bcos the kids should work for the slots if they want to go on the ice; it is hard work and not just privileges dropping from the sky. 

We had bfast and I went to peek at the rink after the kids were settled at the table. At 8.15am, the q outside the rink was at about 10m long and this is when the registration starts only at 9.30am. Zzzzz. We didn't have a choice but to join the Q. Ended up, the slots for the entire day were fully taken up before we even reached the register. We had a very upset Lil Shauna, who then believe even more that she is doomed. Lol. 

It is not the end lah. I promised her that I would book her extra SISA ice to practice. The SISA ice online booking has resumed and the earliest sessions start 9 Jan. Then I remembered that she sometimes go on JCube morning full ice lesson with Coach Raymond and saw those on the Rink's calendar. Heng, I moved my butt to call the Rink and found out that those were open sessions also for advance skaters to walk in. While there isn't a real definition of "advance skaters", there would be plenty of skaters who would be jumping and spinning and amateurs are advised to stay away. 

Zaky had been wanting to skate with jiejie but no such luck bcos usually one of them would be taking lesson at one time. Why? The pocket says so. Thus, he was really excited to do the open ice with jiejie. I was pretty worried for I have seen how advance these skaters are and how crowded the ice could be. Nevertheless, we attempted, reporting to the Rink before 7am for the 7.15am session. Zaky was reminded times and again to stay out of the way of the advance skaters. 

I had to keep my eyes on Zaky the whole time. I saw jiejie teaching him a couple of drills before going off to do her practices. Zaky was fine generally until he tripped and fell. Then he was so grumpy and I took the opportunity to pick him off ice and send him off for bfast with Daddy Lim. Hoho. Lil Shauna handled the crowded ice much better though it irritates her much. 

The next open ice, we conveniently skipped Zaky. I think it is safer and more peaceful for everyone that way. The rink was again very crowded but I think some practice is better than no practice. 

This morning, we hit back the ice for the last open ice practice before school reopens. Oh yes, I was absolutely stone from the lack of sleep, having gone to bed at 3ish after the RI. It took a couple of nudges from Lil Shauna before I managed to crawl out of the bed. 

It was an absolute pleasant surprise to find an empty ice. Lil Shauna was so thrilled. Though the ice slowly filled up, it was still much emptier than the earlier 2 sessions. 

Despite skating for so many years, Lil Shauna hasn't made many skating friends and her practice sessions are usually quite lonely. For once, I had to thank IG and she had been following some same age skaters and started chatting with them on IG. These are K and E and they were competitors once. 

Ice practices are definitely more enjoyable when there are companions. Though they spent a lot of time chit chatting, the girls being more advanced than Lil Shauna also taught her a tip or 2. Lil Shauna also didn't forgot her purpose on ice and practice the needful. 

Like I had expected, the practices absolutely helped to boost her confidence towards the upcoming test. She has 4 more lessons and a SISA ice practice session before the test. I think she will be fine. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 218/ Ice Skating 2

Lil Shauna had her ice skating full ice on Thursday morning and I could accompany her at the rink with my laptop. It was nice to be able to see her do her lesson. 

The full ice was super crowded with a mixture of advance skaters and what appeared to be non-skaters. Hmmmm.. was it a public ice session? Fortunately, nobody got seriously knocked over; the skaters all have common sense to give way to the very advance skaters who would be executing that very difficult jump. Speaking of which, I saw how the skaters cleared the ice when one of the advance skaters started her program and filled the ice after she had completed her very difficult jump. I was reminded of the railway market in Bangkok. Hoho. 

Lil Shauna was practicing her program for her elementary test. At the end of the session, she exclaimed how expressive she was with her hands during the program. Got meh? How come I never see? 

What I saw was her attempt at camel, sit and scratch spin, a combination required for her test and how she flop on the ice bcos she couldn't hold her spin. Hahaha. She has plenty of work to do. 

Bcos Lil Shauna had other commitments on last Sunday afternoon, Zaky took jiejie's usual Sunday session with Coach Raymond. This is his 2nd individual lesson. 

We arrived slightly earlier to warm up. While he doesn't have expensive Zuca bag, I at least bought him a backpack to carry his skates instead of the recycled bag. The skates can be safely and securely tucked at the side pockets. 

I also bought him skating pants. With the right attire, his pro-ness increased by a notch, regardless of whether he can really skate or not. Haha. The pants have also lengthen his legs and the oversize T-shirt covered his tummy. Wah, so 显瘦! What he needs is a face mask to hide his chubby face lah. 

Zaky hit the ice and had forgotten what he was taught the last lesson. *Palm-face* I vaguely remember the mohawk, the backward crossover and got him to practice those. 

It was more 3-turns and footwork during lesson and he was also taught how to do 2-foot spins. We continued practicing after lesson and I was so reminded of the times when Lil Shauna was little. Bcos Zaky is older, he also grasped concepts easier. He is a lot more daring too as compared to when Lil Shauna 1st started her individual lessons. What doesn't change is how they all whined to leave the ice after short practice. Zzzzz. 

Lessons for the kids have been booked for December. With 2 kids on the ice, it also meant more pain on the pocket. Aiyo. 

Mummy Lim

Core 3 with Zaky Lesson 4 and Ice Skating 58

After the gigantic fall on my poor left knee the previous week, I seriously wasn't looking forward to class. I was keen to listen to Daddy Lim's advice to wear the knee pad but also didn't want to embarrass myself. So, for a 1st time in a long time, I wore 3/4 pants to ice skating. I am usually in shorts bcos we spent so much time outdoor after ice skating class.

I wore the junior knee pads that I bought for Lil Shauna and was glad that I could squeeze in. I know that if I were to fall, the knee pads wouldn't help much with the physical pain but at least it would help psychologically during lesson.

After one week of usage by other users, the skates were better. At least I could move on ice but I was still extra careful and paying extra attention especially when I have to do the twist. Teacher Raymond only asked us to twist while going in anti-clockwise direction; I fell going clockwise the last lesson. Maybe we would be tested only on one direction?! Then I would have fell in vain! Noooooo!!!!!

The test will be next week. Zaky and I are confident of passing actually. However, I will have to think very hard about continuing Core 4 bcos I don't want to fall down. Lol. Zaky is very game though.

We headed for bfast after class before returning for practice. Lil Shauna did most of her practice herself but asked for water break shortly after hitting the ice. Zzzz. After another short practice, she asked for another break. Zzzzz. This time complete with snacks.

The lesson went fine. Teacher Raymond concentrated on her jumps and she also practice on her half-past-6 loop jump. She has a long way to go.

Mummy Lim

Core 3 With Zaky Lesson 2 + Ice Skating 56

Zaky and I had been looking forward to the next Core 3 lesson; lesson 1 was so fun!

The boy woke up earlier, had bfast and Popo gave him sweets early in the morning. Don't ask me why. It was probably sugar rush and he was moving non-stop, throughout the lesson! Even Teacher Raymond looked irritated and called him several times to behave. I would be irritated too. Imagine a group of well-behaved kids listening to instruction and practising hard and then this monkey skating everywhere, not listening. Arrgghhhh!

We did plenty of practice. The only new thing was the forward to backward 2-foot twist and vice versa. With that, we have learned all that are in Core 3. I remembered practicing that with Lil Shauna 2 years back.

Time to brag - I could do all of them. Teacher Raymond commented that I could actually do Core 4 and asked if I would like to join the Core 4 class instead. See, I am good. I opted to stay; it is a different joy learning ice skating with the boy. It feels like a parent and kid class that I used to attend with the kids years back. Lol.

I guessed Zaky wasn't behaving also bcos he was bored. He too could do most of the strokes and therefore monkeying around when the other kids were practicing hard. He did pay attention when he was trying to do the twists and worked hard at them. He even practice the twisting during the 2-hr practice session on his own. Well, he did manage to do what looked almost like the real thing eventually. Lol.

The 2-hour practice was less interesting this round. The older Isaac was also on the ice but Zaky didn't play with him as much. At times, he was bugging us while Lil Shauna was trying to practice. I thought she was doing quite well during practice. I think she is also encouraged that we are learning ice skating now.

Lil Shauna's class went well. The girl was exhausted after class. She was learning loop jump and didn't quite manage the real one. What matters most is that she enjoyed class. I had been trying to get her to swim laps whenever she hits the pool. I hope it helps to strengthen her legs; she still lacks so much power in her strokes.

I didn't take a single picture bcos I was kept so busy with the kids and only realised that I didn't bring my phone midway through the practice session. But never mind, we have made so many friends at ice skating that I could find so many people who could loan me their phone to call Daddy Lim. That is an achievement on its own. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Core 2 and Ice Skating 52

It was back to 2 kids on the ice. I was also on the ice so as to distract Lil Isaac and allow Lil Shauna to practice before class.

It was the last lesson for Lil Isaac and he will have his test next week. I think he should do fine; Core 2 isn't that difficult. I am looking forward to just Lil Shauna on ice. It is super tiring to yell at 2 kids. Lol. I dont think Lil Isaac has the flair for ice skating. I think he is better off sticking to his TKD.

Lil Shauna practiced hard. She lost her jumping beans the last few weeks but seemed to have recovered it. She put in hard work and seemed to jump better. Her spins looked good, just needed a lot more practice.

She practiced hard, maybe too hard and not much energy left for actual class. Boo. I shall not push her too much. She will only have 1 class next month. Teacher Raymond will be away with the rest of her off ice friends to compete in KL. She is still adamant about not joining competition eveb when Teacher Raymond thinks that she is ready. My dream of seeing her flying on ice! Wait long long.

We will head down on our own next month to practice. As for the boy, he would take a break from ice skating, I am too tired. Ya, not him. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Core 2 and Ice Skating 51

It was my fault. I miscalculated the time needed and allowed the kids to take their own sweet time. In the end, we had to run like crazy. I think my heart rate was faster than when I worked out on the step machine earlier in the morning.

We were slightly late and Lil Isaac jumped right into the rink upon arrival.

His snowplow stop was still not stopping but definitely better. Lol. He was taught backward swizzle and stationary half turn. He didn't manage the latter.

I was still dragged into the ice and he was so clingy and whiney. Aiyo. I regretted sending him for core 2.

Lil Shauna was alot more relaxed bcos I wasn't hawking her. It is all my fault. Lol. She was largely on her own, practice and headed off for class. Teacher Raymond made her spins so much today and taught her a new position. She managed somewhat. Towards the end of the lesson, she was made to do her jumps.

The little girl was so exhausted at the end of class. Teacher Raymond said that her spins and speed improved but her jumps seem worse?!!! I think she no strength liao. She almost had to crawl out of the rink.

While we were walking to the MRT station, Lil Isaac admitted that it is better for him to stick to TKD. He is really good! Just look after his pose!

 I also think he should focus on TKD. When both of them are on ice, my blood naturally boils. And therefor we need ice cream to cool us down.

Damn sinful. Weekends are not good for the  already non'existing waistline.

Mummy Lim

Burn Time

We had a jam packed Sunday, moving from class to class. It was the usual Maths class starting at 9am before heading to church. Lil Isaac had to makeup for his TKD class in the late afternnon that we missed last week while in Batam. We had 3 hours to burn in between church and TKD. Daddy Lim was on afternoon shift. Bad combination.

I contemplated mall crawling but we are all sick and tired of the malls in Jurong. The lazy bone in me refused to let go anywhere beyond Commonwealth, where church is. The best way to burn 3 hours? I threw the kids in the ice skating rink. Muahahahaha.

I didn't have to worry about Lil Shauna. The 12.45pm to 2.45pm slot was lovely, usually the less crowded on weekends. At least I didn't have to worry so much about Lil Isaac knocking into somebody or vice versa. I didn't go into the rink; Lil Shauna was tasked to look after Didi. Muahahahaha.

It wasn't too bad in the beginning.

Lil Shauna performed her role very well until she started to practice a little on her own and then got distracted bcos her favourite C jiejie was in the rink. Lil Isaac then complained that he was bored.

Still, nobody got killed. We didn't stay very long, slightly over an hour and everybody was happy... for a while. We were all tired from the jam packed Sunday, perfect for brewing tantrums. Still, nobody got killed on the last school holiday.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating with 2 Plus 1

I have been contemplating about signing Lil Isaac up for ice skating classes. This would replace his very expensive gym classes and we can also avoid the need to escape the house on early Saturday morning.  The only thing that stops me is the thought to have to look after 2 kids on the ice. I wasn't sure that I can.

Truth be told, I wasn't satisfied with Lil Shauna's performance in class on Saturday. We decided that we would head down to the ice on Sunday too, with Lil Isaac in tow. I thought to myself that if I could handle both kids, I would be very much alright and could start considering signing Lil Isaac up for classes. We were supposed to meet the Chan family in the late afternoon for water play in JBP and I dated Boo to the rink too, thinking that she could entertain Lil Isaac while I practice with Lil Shauna.

The day didn't start very well with the princess throwing a tantrum bcos she wanted specific pants and shoes.. what the... angry. I laid down ground rules too - Lil Isaac had to go round the rink while I practiced with jiejie and jiejie has to practice the crossovers on her own when I skate with didi. I had to constantly warn the very excited boy that he has to behave. Sweat.

We met boo at the entrance and trying to wear skates for 3 kids is no joke! I was perspiring before I went into the rink. I sent the kids into the rink while I wear my skates and brought the bag to the seats. Once in the rink, I was busy yelling at the boy to skate straight and not do tricks. Zzzzz. He was skating so fast, posing a big risk to other skaters. Then I realised that Boo and Lil Isaac are 2 same ends of the magnet and they repelled each other than snack time. Strategy failed. Luckily Lil Shauna and Boo were very independent and I only had to worry excessively for Lil Isaac. Still, that was very mentally tiring.

Lil Shauna spent 1 hr practising and performed fairly well on the 3-turns and mohawk, remembering to do bigger strokes. She then left for her Chinese class and I had time to focus on boo and the boy. He was still such a hazard and I had to warn him so many times. At one point, he swerved into a man's path and caused the man to fall hard so as to avoid him. Poor man. Lil Isaac also fell like countless times and some of the falls looked quite hard. The staff who helped to pick him up a few times commented that he was so brave. I think he was implying that Lil Isaac 不知死. Hohoho.

We spent almost 2 hrs in the rink and I was so exhausted at the end from the worrying and yelling. The last fall before we left the rink left Lil Isaac in tears. He fell on his bum and hit his tail boy. I hope lesson learnt but probably not. That boy is like fearless. Zzzzz.

I would still need to think harder about looking after 2 kids on ice. It is so exhausting and I duno if I want to be so exhausted every Saturday morning.

Mummy Lim