Starting Tuitions

We stopped the kids LCentral when Lil Shauna started P6. Popo thought that I was crazy when PSLE was just around the corner. We didn't want to overly pressured the kids and they are kang dang kids anyway. Could Lil Shauna had done better if we had continued with LCentral? I don't know but I think she had done well enough for PSLE overall. LCentral or not, she continues to impress me with her English proficient and ability. 

I would say that Zaky was a free rider and benefited when we stopped jiejie's LCentral. He is not as strong as jiejie but isnt too bad either. He is well aware that we would put him back if he screws up SA2 (their school has no SA1 this year). 

Zaky is now on Maths and Chinese. We didn't start him on Science and told him that he should let us know if he needed help. Lil Shauna has all the tuition lessons ceased when she entered Sec 1 and we said the same to her. 

I am blessed with academically responsible kids. Zaky came back a few weeks back to ask for help in Science. He understands the topics but is doing badly for his practice papers bcos he is not answering using the right key words. After asking around, we put him in Agrader, like some of his peers. 

While he attended the 1st of the 4 trial lessons last Thursday, I enjoyed my McD chocolate pie. 

Look, the cup lid has been improved to be straw-free friendly. 

The lesson went on without a hitch. Yay!

Lil Shauna has just completed her WA1 and had been lamenting throughout the journey. It is afterall new for her to do real self study. She had most of her papers back and had done fairly well so far but acknowledges that she needed help in Maths. So here we are, putting her back into Matrix Maths. 

Let's see how the kids progress. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 147: Competition Mode On

We had a long break bcos of the holiday. While she took a while to warm up as a result of the long break, I am just super glad that she had no complaints at all about her new skates. Yeah!

Her new Jackson skates are so much softer than her last pair, making it easier to break in. It is just a tad too big, which we mitigate through double insoles and making sure that we laced the skates extra tight. If there are any complaints, my poor fingers are complaining; it is super painful to tie the laces tightly.

Coach Raymond made her do quite a fair bit of foot work.

Then jumps and spins too.

There is a competition coming up in March and Lil Shauna has agreed to join. Woohoo! I am already excited at the thought of her owning the entire ice! She will be repeating the program that she last competed, so there isnt much new things to learn but a lot to refresh and refine. Coach Raymond has already made us book Sisa ice so that she can train on the entire ice.

This is the 5th year since Lil Shauna picked up ice skating and this competition will be her 4th. On the other hand, Zaky has started his TKD in 2015 when he was 5ish. This marks his 4th year. He had attained his junior black belt but never to any competition. I dont know if there are any to begin with.

Just last month, the masters told us that there is some sparring competition coming up in March and the boy was super keen to join. So he too, has started training for it. Yeah!

It is contact sparring and it happened that there were 4 kids in the class. It was pure hard work. Now Zaky has a taste of what Jiejie gone through preparing for her competition. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Back on Track

Lil Shauna's drilling continued on Sunday in Coach Raymond's absence. It started off with treadmill running early in the morning. I dragged her off bed plus the nasty fall under her belt, she had zero enthusiasm for the treadmill. Too bad, too sad. Nevertheless, she completed 2.5km though at a lower speed and with multiple short breaks.

Part 2 of the drilling started in the afternoon - we headed to the ice. Bcos most coaches were in the Skate Japan, the 1/3 was so empty. At some point, there were only 3 skaters; the perfect ground for hardcore drilling. Muahahahaha.

T, a talented skater, who is 1 year older, was also on the ice. I kept telling Lil Shauna to model after her bcos she pushes herself so hard everytime. We worked very hard on the change foot spin, then her sit spin before moving on to the jumps. The finale had to be the program. Bcos it was 1/3 ice, she was able to do complete her program without feeling that she would die from exhaustion. She was made to do the program a few times until she screamed murder. We would only know the fruit of our training during this evening full ice lesson. We only have 3 more to go.

Lil Shauna said that I pushed her harder than Coach Raymond. Haha. Then again, she really did work hard the last 2 ice time. If only she can have the same attitude everytime she hits the ice. That is all that I ask for; not even winning the competition.

Remember Zaky was considering if he would continue with his TKD? He took a short break and used the Perth holidays to consider. He eventually decided to go back and was in class on Sunday.

It was then that the Master better explained what it meant to be given a provisional pass for his junior Black belt. It is as good as a pass and he would get his junior Black belt (comes in the form of black and red) during the upcoming ceremony. However, to make sure that he really knows his pattern, he needs to take the grading test again in end August. He is given the option to order and buy the new uniform. His name will be embroidered on it and it has a red and black strip at the collar, matchy matchy with his junior Black belt. The uniform cost freaking $190!!!! Then again, Lil Shauna's ice skating stuff are a lot more expensive. He can wear his chio chio uniform for the ceremony as well as his August grading test.

Upon attaining his junior Black belt, he can continue learning and attain his poon, which is the different levels within thd black belt. There are altogether 9 poons. Each level comes with increasing amount of difficulty and will take at least a year to prepare. Even the Masters are not all the 9th poon. It only make sense to buy the new uniform if he is intending to continue. Otherwise, we should be happy with bringing the junior Black belt and the certificate home. This certification is recognised in Singapore and also duno what TKD Frederation. He will be stuck with a junior Black belt until he attained his 2nd poon or 15 years old.

Zaky said that he is happy with just passing his August grading test. I think he is bored with TKD already. Let's see what is next. Meanwhile, we stopped the kids' swimming class. The kids had been learning from Coach Alex for almost 2 years and had attained their Gold certification in March. Theoretically speaking, they are now more competent swimmers than I am and I have a greater risk of drowning. Hoho. They are now learning the butterfly style and also improving their other swimming strokes and timing.

Lil Shauna was initially reluctant to stop bcos she takes the swimming class with her best friend in school. Zaky wanted to bcos he is plain lazy. Haha. In the last week, it was Zaky who wanted to continue bcos he said that he likes swimming with Coach Alex. All good things come to an end. Like it or not, time and money can be better channelled as the intention to make them competent swimmers had been achieved. Popo said that Zaky cried in the last lesson yday.

New adventure awaits.. what is next?

Mummy Lim

Swimming 2 @ JW

Last Sunday was lesson 2 at the JW swimming complex. Coach Alex said that the kids probably needed 2 more lessons in prep of the swimming test. The kids were happily relaxing before lesson; obviously ignorant of the hard work ahead. Lol.

We headed down earlier for the kids to go around the lazy river.

Then C joined them and they went for a few more rounds. I had to fish them out of the river when it was time for class.

When Coach Alex arrived, the kids started their 2 laps of front crawl. Lil Shauna said that it is the most difficult stroke for her and I can totally relate to that bcos swimming front crawl is so tiring. She said that Zaky could manage front crawl alright. Nevertheless, I was watching Zaky closely just in case he couldnt manage the full lap and needed help. At times, I thought he looked like he was struggling but he eventually completed the 2 laps fine. I think I was more stress up looking at the kids then the kids themselves. Haha.

The completed 2 laps were followed by 2 laps of back stroke. That should be easy, isnt it? But Lil Shauna said that it was Zaky's worse. I was puzzled; backstroke is so easy, your face is constantly above the water, how difficult can that be as compared to front crawl?

When Zaky started his back stroke, I understood why it was difficult for him. He couldnt tell where he was going and it irritated him when he got water in/ splashing on his nose. While the girls were swimming directly from one end to another, he was going in "zic zac" direction, checking where he was only when he knocked into somebody/ something. At one point, he did a complete U turn and Coach Alex had to go into the pool to steer him to the right course. Lol. Bcos so, the girls had a lot of time to rest while Zaky had used more energy to swim a longer course. Double whammy.

They proceeded on for other items after the 4 laps. I wonder how they would survive to do all 8 in different strokes. Scary.

The rest of the lesson turned out fine. Zaky proudly told me that he easily picked up his goggles that was dropped at the bottom of the 1.8m pool on his 1st attempt. Lil Shauna had to take multiple tries. I thought she couldnt dive, which is strange bcos I seen her dive many times. She later told me that she couldnt "see" where her goggles were when she arrived at the bottom.. oh yes, she is so blind.

Their test is likely to be scheduled on 4 Mar and they have 2 more practices at the big pool before that. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

Swimming Lesson @ JW Complex

The kids started learning swimming when they were little bcos there are too many swimming pools in Singapore and water survival is crucial. I still have this pic of baby Zaky in his googles during one of his many lessons, pinned up on my office wall. So cute!

They took swimming lessons at Centris for at least a year with Uncle Shawn. His lessons were really cheap at $20 each. However, with a class size of 6 to 8 toddlers and pre-schoolers who could barely sit still, let alone take instructions, progress was slow. Then again, at that age, it was more about water confidence than really swimming. Zaky did gain so much confidence that he would jump into any pool of water despite only learnt the doggy paddle style. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

We stopped for a long time after my brother's family shifted out. Lil Shauna could do the front crawl and self taught the breast stroke. Zaky was largely contented with doggy paddle style that would allow him to waddle back to the pool side after jumping in.

I started the kids back on swimming lessons soon after we moved into Centris. The kids' schedule was too pack to do weekend lessons with Uncle Shawn and we found Coach Alex instead. It had been coming to 17 months since they started with Coach Alex and another of Lil Shauna's classmate.

The kids' progress is very obvious. Lil Shauna is now a strong swimmer; she can now swim faster than me. Then again, I am the ultimate lousy swimmer in the family. As for Zaky, Coach Alex said that he can swim better than the girls "when he wants to". Lol.

The only down about private swimming lessons is the lack of structured certification. After 17 months, we have no idea how competent they really are and started bugging Coach Alex for progress report.

It was probably timely bcos Coach Alex was planning for the kids to take the Gold test in March before the syllabus is revised to become more difficult. He said that the revision will be done on 15 Mar and we must take the test before that. I do agree that the syllabus is way outdated; one of the test itmes is for the kids to swim in those long sleeves buttoned up PJs with long pants! How many kids still wear those to bed now!? I even had a hard time hunting for those and managed to find them in one of the old-school shops in Gek Poh.

To prep the kids for the test, we had to take some swimming classes in the JW Complex pool. I guessed that is where the test would take place and familiarity helps. More importantly, the Centris pool is much shorter and shallower; the kids need to experience the real thing and also learn how to tread water in the deep pool.

We headed to the pool earlier bcos the kids were eager to play in the lazy river. Then, they enthusiastically played in the big pool while waiting for Coach Alex to turn up and start the lesson.

Lesson started proper soon after. Coach Alex gave instructions for the kids to start swimming.

The kids started with 2 laps of breaststroke, followed by 2 laps of back stroke. I wasn't worried about Lil Shauna who had experienced swimming laps in the same pool when she did her swim safer program with the school last year. My eyes were fixed on Zaky, who never really tried swimming laps. He started with the girls and soon was 1/4 lap behind, then half and finally 1 full lap behind. I was worried that he would drown actually but he proved to be a more competent swimmer than I thought he would be. Coach Alex said that they have to swim a total of 8 laps in 4 different strokes for the test. 8 laps!!!!!

Bcos he was so slow, the girls went for an extra lap of front crawl without him. Maybe that was his plan. Haha. After the laps, it was swimming in PJs, taking them off while swimming, wearing and taking off life vest and of course water treading.

The kids complained that the lesson was much tiring than usual. Haha. Nevertheless, they found strength to jump into and float in the lazy river after class.

Coach Alex said that the kids needed another 4 lessons at the complex before the kids would be ready for the test.

Mummy Lim

Swimming Lessons

Lil isaac has joined jiejie in the swimming class. Their swimming classes are on every Saturday noon after Lil Shauna and Felicia's Chinese class. I bet all other parents aren't as crazy as us to let their kids take swimming lesson under the midday sun. Thus, their class consists only of Fione, Felicia, Lil Shauna and Lil Isaac. Haha.

Previously, Lil Isaac waddled in the baby pool while the jiejies have their lesson. Popo often had to intervene when Lil Isaac tried to pull dangerous stunts like jumping into the deep pool or yanked out his float. Popo still have to stand around now to hawk Lil Isaac during his swimming class. However, he actually takes instruction and is pretty obedient during the class. Popo can relax one corner, using only eye power to ensure that he is safe.

I saw him on Saturday taking his lesson and bought him a new pair of googles. He was thrilled to have his new pair just like the jiejies. But i think his head and ears are a little too big for the goggles to fit nicely. Like all kids who don googles for the 1st time, his eyes can barely open and he does look a little funny. Still, he seems to enjoy himself and was proud to be a big boy now. He can blow bubbles too! Our zaky is growing up! Too fast, too fast!

Mummy Lim