One Less, One More

When ah yee visited during CNY, she commented about how busy our kids are. Yes, they have CEO’s schedule. This is especially so for Lil Shauna, who juggles school and enrichment classes and goes to student care on afternoons when she has no extra classes. Despite shifting some of their classes to the weekdays, our weekends are still packed with classes. Yes, I am a tiger mum. Of course Lil Shauna complains; not so much for the extra classes but the student care. I am quite sure she would love to come home and face the TV after school and Popo would allow all of that so long as nobody fusses.

It is clear that student care will stay. I love how all her homework are done on days that she attends the student care. Lil Isaac would of course follow jiejie’s footstep and do exactly the same when he goes to P1 next year.

I do know how taxing it is for the little girl, who is always very self-driven. After plenty of contemplation, we have finally decided to drop her Chinese classes. I loved how these classes helped the kids built up their foundation. I didn't have to and have no time to worry about Lil Shauna’s tests since she started primary school. Then, she comes home with good results and I accrued all these to her strong foundation. I felt jittery to drop her Chinese classes, it is actually her weakest subject but I believe that it is a subject that can be compensated using hard work. So now, I am the tuition teacher and I have intended to head to popular to buy Chinese assessment books for her to work on during the school holidays. If all that failed, then to turn to tuition teacher, who can come to our house and cut down Lil Shauna’s travelling time.

Lil Shauna is definitely pleased with one class off her plate. She is even happier when I said that she can skip student care on Wednesday even though she has no more Chinese class and can come home to… rest (?). Not exactly, we are going to start swimming classes on next Wednesday. Muahahaha. Wait, hear me out. I am not training the kids to be competitive swimmers. I just needed them to be safe, especially the fearless tiger who jumps into any pool even when he can barely swim with his doggy style. I thought he almost drown in the Centris pool the last time he swam and was about to jump into the pool fully clothe to save him. No, he wasn't drowning but simply playing a fool but my aging heart cannot take this kind of joke.
Lil Shauna swimming strokes are funny. Once I think that they are capable of surviving in the water, we will stop the class. Busy kids.

By the way, we bought a new float from taobao. It is super cool.

It is so big that it had squashed Daddy Lim and it is trying to eat the kids. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Chinese Enrichment

Lil Shauna started her Chinese enrichment with Felicia when she was 5 YO at this enrichment center located near to Centris. Subsequently, the teacher asked if we would like her to give private lessons instead and we had been doing so for about a year. I have never thought highly of this Chinese teacher. Lil Shauna told me that they get to watch Chinese cartoon on youtube at times (or rather frequently?). Well, the youtubes are in mandarin, but doing so during the classes? Hmmmm…I could do that myself. Anyway, truth be told, Chinese had never been my focus (for the kids), choosing for them to do more for English and Maths instead. 

Since my brother’s family shifted to Clementi, it gets a little more challenging and I also think that it is time for Lil Shauna to embark on proper and structure Chinese enrichment program given that she is going to start primary one next year. So, I started my frantic search for Chinese enrichment, heading directly to the well-known Tien Hsia (TH) and Berries (B).

I managed to put Lil Isaac on TH, starting next year. For Lil Shauna, she is basically on the waiting list and I suspect that they have a super long waiting list. It will probably be almost impossible for her to start class with TH next year. I went to check with B and was told almost the same thing. They do have vacancies for a weekday afternoon class but Lil Shauna would be in school then. It is so sucky that WGPS still have 2 sessions next year. There are also obviously many more kiasu parents in Singapore.

Anyway, what strikes me was that B (I think TH as well) has many more time slots (like 10) for higher Chinese than normal Chinese (3 slots) classes. The administrator asked if I was looking for higher or normal Chinese when I 1st stepped into the center. All these left me very puzzled bcos Lil Shauna has yet to start P1 so I wouldn't know if she would take on higher Chinese, which I think would be quite impossible too given her Chinese standard now. Haha. That was when the administrator told me that SAP schools will (only?) offer higher Chinese and for sure WGPS is not a SAP school. She added that most of their kids also started with them years back and will naturally perform well enough to progressed into their higher Chinese classes when they moved on to primary school. Win already. I suddenly felt that I put my little girl in such disadvantage. I should have started her on TH or B years back. Anyway, time cant be turned back and I heeded the administrator’s advice to put Lil Shauna on some Chinese enrichment 1st and switched eventually if vacancies come up and not just sit and wait. I will be checking out this Han Language Center this Sat. Sweat ah!

By the way, I am so glad that I am putting Lil Isaac on TH. I cannot have the same regret 2 years down the road. Haha. Auntie S sent me this picture and I think that it is so true.

Mummy Lim 

Ended

It is confirmed. I have informed Yahama that we are stopping Lil Shauna's Yahama Junior Course (YJC). We have paid for the term fees for February and March but are intending to stop her classes immediately.

Lil Shauna seems glad. When Popo asked if she would want to go for her music class last Wednesday since the fees are already paid for, Lil Shauna told Popo that Mummy said that she no longer need to go for music classes.

Mummy is breathing much better too. There is only school homework and phonics homework to handle now and Lil Shauna enjoys those better than practicing on the keyboard. She gets down to doing them with minimal coaxing.

As predicted, I am on a look out for other enrichment classes now. There is no hurry though. I have been asking Lil Shauna if she would want to pick up dancing or gymnastic. Whatever the case, she must enjoy the enrichment classes and we must not have to do homework after the class. Haha. I am actually fine too if she doesn't want to pick up anything, save my pocket. I wonder if she would pick up music again in the future. Daddy Lim's uncle said that all Lims have good music genes wor. Hmmm.. What went wrong? Lol.

Mummy Lim

Finally Giving Up

I read with envy about AN showing so much enthusiasm in practising music and "pleading" to do "homework". I have to beg, coax, scold, threaten and even turned into a monster sometimes to make Lil Shauna do her homework, learn her spelling and practice on the keyboard. And it didn't help that we only have weekends and that pathetic one hour in the evening on every weekdays.

Since the start of the new year, I have been struggling, juggling with work and home. I think work life balance is a fairy tale. Well, we only have that many waking hours in a day. If all the waking hours make up 100% and have to be distributed between work and family, it is either to put in more for work and sacrifice family or vice versa. Alternatively, to "balance" and put in 50% for both and ended up with minimum time and achievements for both. T.T

I am tired of struggling with Lil Shauna and have finally decided to drop music after discussing with Daddy Lim. We all know that Lil Shauna is not musically inclined. She doesn't show much interest too. She is already bogged down with so much homework so why add on enrichments that required so much more effort and pain? She should be enjoying her non-academic enrichments, like her swimming classes that she looks forward to every week.

I admit that I am selfish. Lil Shauna has told me several times that she doesn't want to continue with her music class. I conveniently ignore her opinion and override her views. Now that I am feeling exhausted from the balancing act, I chose to drop her music class, but I could tell that she is more than happy or I chose to think that she is happier lah. Hohoho. We ended skipping class yday for Mac Donalds.

Popo scolded me. She thinks that we gave up pre-maturely and are wasting $$. And she confidently said that I will look for other enrichment for Lil Shauna after dropping music. Yes, she is right. Lol. I am now looking out for gym class for her. Maybe she is athletically inclined! Whatever the next class will be, it must not come with homework and practices to be done at home after the lesson. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Getting Better

I think we are better greased this week. We managed to practise on the keyboard 3x last week. Although with some pain and tantrums. Lil Shauna didn't become a genius after the practices but at least we had tried our best.

She slept well on Tuesday night and didn't complain about being tired during music class. She learnt her spelling but I am not sure if she could spell and write them at class today. Daddy Lim sent the girls to class just now and said that they were still chatting happily while waiting to enter the class. Yeah!

Lil Isaac hasn't gotten used to school though. He is still crying bloody murder when he has to take the school bus to school. So Popo ended up sending him to school via public bus most of the time. He tells us that he wants to take the "big, big bus".

He also cries in school during assembly. However, his teacher assured that he will hush when he is led to his class. So similar to Lil Shauna at his age. He has no problem taking school bus back home and sometimes napped in the school bus, which is really apt. The nap can last him until bedtime.

The kids bedtime has been pushed to 9ish, 10pm, depending on how tired they are. We get to spend time reading, doing homework, practicing keyboard, etc. before bed. Bcos they sleep later, they wake up later too, making it easier for them to last the day and also easier for the care takers.

Things will get better. Kids are so adaptable. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Mini Concert

Yday marks the end of Lil Shauna’s 1st semester with the Yahama Junior Class (YJC) and the semester ended with a mini concert. I was very gan cheong, much more than her, who spent the day at Palawan beach, Sentosa with my bro’s family. I was so gan cheong that I sort of went into escapism mode and told Popo that it is Ok to skip the concert if Lil Shauna is too tired. Hahaha.

We attended the concert eventually. They made it back at 7.30pm, leaving us enough time to take a slow walk to the school across the road.

The concert wasn’t that bad. In fact, I actually made Lil Shauna practiced on the keyboard 4 times over the last week. Our maximum was like 2x on normal week. Yes, I am kiasu mummy. She is quite skilled in her “hot cross bun” by yday. The concert consists of some song performance and memory singing. It was pretty obvious that Lil Shauna wasn’t very confident of some of the songs. Then again, most of the kids are like that, but some are really good.

She breezed through her “hot cross bun” too. As expected, the rest of the kids performed harder pieces. Hers was definitely the easiest but it was her choice. It is more important that she enjoys it. The kids received a Christmas pressie at the end of the concert, which made them happy kids.

Lil Shauna did mention to Daddy Lim that she enjoys the music classes. Phew. However, when I asked her last night (after the concert) if she wanted to continue with the class, she said “no” again. I am cleverer this time and again suggested that we try for one more term without asking her why she doesn’t want to continue, which she agreed easily, so I guess she doesn’t hate music classes too much.

Seriously, I don’t know why am I am insistent that she continues with her music class. Actually, I don’t think I am insistent, only Daddy Lim thinks so. At least I know that I will not pull hair (maybe I would, but not too hard and too much) if Lil Shauna finally decided that she will no longer want to go for her music classes, just like what she did to the ballet class. Maybe I like it that she’s learning something good. Maybe I like attending the classes with her. Daddy Lim and I both recognize that she hasn’t a natural talent in music. Still, maybe she will still make it big somehow? Hahaha.

Mummy Lim

Mini Concert

Lil Shauna would have attended Yahama Junior Class (YJC) for 6 months come December. Teacher MH informed that there would be a mini class concert in end December. Among the many group items performed by the class, there will be individual notes reading and also solo keyboard performance.

Lil Shauna did a solo song performance during her Music Wonderland mini concert many months back. She sang really well with actions then. But who couldnt sing? This solo note reading and keyboard performance is totally different and I am stressed. There needs to be plenty of practising before the big day. However, Lil Shauna appears not at all affected after Teacher MH shared about the concert. Haha.

So why am I stressed? I think I am worried that Lil Shauna didn't perform as well as her class mates, that she's not one of the better ones. Die, I am imposing my competitive nature on Lil Shauna, even when she's only 4 and on an enrichment program!

The kids were given a list of songs to select from for the solo keyboard performance. There are some easier ones and some are more complicated. I asked Lil Shauna which song does she want to perform and she immediately chose "Hot Cross Bun". This is the 1st song that she learnt in YJC and the easiest among all. I was initially hoping that she choose something more challenging and perfect the piece and wow her class! Muahahaha. I think I should just be glad that she is already so familiar with Hot Cross Bun and I need not grill her too much.

Kids, beware, your monstrous tiger mummy is watching you. *evil grin*

Mummy Lim

Teacher-Parent Meeting

Today is the Parent-Teacher meeting and I found it really awkward to face the teacher after what I wrote in the feedback form. I really didn't mean to criticize her teaching methodology. Really!

The meeting was basically a brief of the program and checking with us on how often we practice with the kids. We were encouraged to practice 3x a week, 3 freaking times. I think we have to find a permanent home for the portable keyboard, then to lug and set it up everytime we need to practice. Interestingly, the teacher commented that Lil Shauna could play on the electone pretty well and thought that I practice on the keyboard with her frequently. I laugh if I could manage once a week.

As expected, I was one of the more vocal parents even when I didn't intend to say much. I wanted I leave midway but still felt bad about my feedback. So I stayed back to apologize to the teacher after the session. The teacher seemed to avoid me and try to entertain other parents instead. Chey!

Well, she definitely painted the picture that she took the feedback well, wasnt offended and that it was a good wake up call. She claimed that she too thought that she went overboard accommodating that mischievous boy at certain point in time and all that coaxing didn't succeed very well in enticing him to behave. I felt less embarrassed thereafter, at least I had apologized if I had offended her. I was afterall trying to be objective. I do sound objective, don't I?

I bet the words "difficult parent" are painted on my face in caps and bold even when I tried to look and sound nice and friendly. The teacher seems scare of me. Rooaaarrr, beware, I bite. Muahahaha.

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

Stress

We attended the 2nd lessons for Yamaha Junior Class (YJC). I hope Lil Shauna enjoys the class as much as her previous Music Wonderland (MWL) bcos I find this one so much tougher and therefore, less enjoyable in my perspectives. The teacher expectations are much higher and there are more homework, practice and preparation to do. I am a typical kiasu Singaporean parent and gets stress when Lil Shauna lags behind in class or does not follow instructions. Arrghhhh, she’s only 4 and this is not even real school. Relax, breathe, enrichment class lah. I won’t die if she decides that music is not in her blood. Children who do not know how to play any music instrument still grow up anyhow. Breathe…

I am definitely enjoying less. I found myself constantly looking at the clock and willing it to move faster. There are so much homework and practice to be done after class. The homework is not tough but needs time and time is something that I do not have, at least not in excess especially when the little tiger has delayed his bedtime. This week, we are required to watch a few of the song pieces on the DVD and also learnt part of a song by heart. We tried watching the pieces in the car but Lil Isaac demanded noisily for Dora to be screened. And in order to teach Lil Shauna, who must learn too? Your truly has already mastered the required part but our princess is not even paying attention. So I kept singing the song aloud the entire evening. I sang it so many times until Daddy Lim learnt the words too. I hope Lil Shauna will learn through osmosis.

We have yet to buy the Electone and will be dragging it a little while more to make sure that Lil Shauna is really keen to continue learning. She still looks happy in class. I guessed the fact that it is a parent-child class helps and she is probably happy to get the attention, no need to fight with didi. I will press on until Lil Shauna tells me that she has enough and I hope that day doesn’t come.

Oh, we have not done her phonics homework for this coming Sunday class. -.o”

Mummy Lim

Yahama Junior Class

Lil Shauna has been promoted! Actually she transit naturally to Yahama Junior Class (YJC) after completing her 6 mths of Music Wonderland (MWL). We need to buy her an organ but have been putting it off for fear that she gives up shortly into the course. This second level course requires parents to practice with the kids after lessons. Plenty of hard work.

Lil Shauna seems alright for the first lesson. This time, we have a seat towards the front of the class. During MWL, we were seated at the last row and Lil Shauna was often blocked. This is an hour class, 15 mins longer than MWL and she seems to lose steam and focus towards the end.

The teacher is definitely livelier but stricter too. Or maybe bcos the expectations are different now that they are in level 2. Lil Shauna did well and it appears that MWL did help. She's familiar with most of the exercise that they did in class.

We will probably hold the purchase the of the organ for a little while more. Yeah, we are turning Lil Shauna into a musician.

Mummy Lim

Music Class

Lil Shauna finished 2 terms of her Yahama Music Wonderland classes yday. The class ends with a mini concert and family members were invited. The kids were to put up a solo and also performed as a group the pieces that they learnt in class.

Lil Shauna is the only girl left in the class of 7. A few of the boys were extra mischievous last night, interrupting the performances at different points. Lil Shauna was an angel amidst the monkeys, superbly well-behaved. I can picture Lil Isaac like a monkey too if he is to perform.

Bcos the kids were so distracted by the audiences, the performance was sub-standard compared to what they usually do in class. I was secretly glad when it was finally over.

Lil Shauna was issued with her ever first certificate for completing the class. I am so proud of her. We are starting her Yahama Music Wonderland next Wednesday. I was still hoping for a break. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Music Class

Lil Shauna has attended her Yamaha music introductory class for 2 terms. She wanted to continue and I have signed her up for the next level, which involves playing on the keyboard. We need to get a keyboard. I hope she doesn't give up after that bcos a keyboard is not cheap.

The introductory class will make it easier for the kids should the parents decide to proceed them on with the some kind of instruments in the future. Actually, I was skeptical of how useful the introductory classes are. I know my kids are no genius and I have no intention to convert them into some musical prodigy. I am just happy to accompany Lil Shauna for classes, something that I used to do before she turns 3. Now, all her classes are independent classes.

However, interestingly, she really did learn something. We were at Mac last night with the Chan Family and Mac was blasting the usual pop music. Lil Shauna actually caught the beat of the song played and counted and clapped to it. I was amazed. Hohoho. At least my investment didn't go down the drain. Now, I feel justified to pay more for her to proceed on. I can also fulfill my dream of learning the keyboard. I had always wanted to learn piano. I guessed the keyboard isn't too bad either. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Again??!!

We had to skip music class last Tuesday bcos we were in Hkg. Yday, we missed it again bcos Lil Shauna refused to go. It looks like her excitement has died down, just like ballet, and we might have to drop music soon.

I am upset, more than when she decided to drop ballet. Yes, I heartache over the $$ spent but I guessed I am more upset that she gave up so easily, even when I go to the class with her.

She already said that she didn't want to go for her class at Centris. Regardless, we made our way to Yamaha. That triggered the tears and I felt embarrassed standing outside the class with a crying pre-schooler, who refused to go for class. She refused to be coaxed and refused to compromise. I was so angry and made nasty comments to her like she's lazy and I am ashamed of her. Oops. Nevertheless, it didn't work and we went home.

Lil Shauna claimed that she was tired. She reluctantly agreed that she would go for class next week. I threatened that I will get Daddy Lim to go with her next week with Mr Cane.

She came alive when we reached home! Arrrggghhhh... So much so that she's bouncing around with didi before bedtime. We had a hard time trying to tuck them to bed last night. Did somebody say that she was tired?

Actually, I don't really mind if she decided to give up music. I just didn't like that she gave up so easily. I am now worried that she will one day decide that she no longer wants to do phonics or one of those academic enrichment that I will put her on in the future. Then how? So stressful...

Mummy Lim

Music Class

I always thought that we spent very little time with Lil Isaac. In comparison, the witty and chatty jiejie is definitely more entertaining to be with. So yday, I encouraged Daddy Lim to go with jiejie for her music class while I spend time with didi and he did. That was after we checked with jiejie if she was ok with the Pappy going with her and she was. To be doubly sure, I asked her 2x and also asked her why she didn't want mummy to go with her. Our princess replied, "bcos you go with me so many times already." Ok lor.

I ended up struggling with the little tiger while taking mrt home bcos he so wanted to walk but he has no shoes. But I did spend time playing toys with him or more so throwing toys around until jiejie came crashing home.

Jiejie was in a good mood and said that she enjoyed herself in class. Interestingly, Daddy Lim said tgat he did not.

I bath her and while helping her to change into her pj, I asked her what did she learn. Then she secretively told me not to tell Pappy bcos she didn't like Pappy (to go to class with her). But she couldnt tell me a reason why. Muahahahahaha.

Daddy Lim guessed that it was probably bcos he wasn't too enthusiastic during the class. He found the class silly. He thinks that the teacher probably taught that syllabus for too long and didn't appear passionate. In fact, he said that he didn't like the class. Bleeehhhh....

So, it will be back to me the next week... and probably the many more weeks to come. Daddy Lim's ego was bruised by his little girl. When we asked jiejie who will go with her next week, she chose me and after pausing for a while, she told us that we should take turns. It is as if we are fighting to take her to class or that she's trying not to hurt either one of us by rejecting us. Lol. It was really funny to hear such things from her. Help, the kids are growing up too quickly for us.

Oh, did I mention before that I love the 'zi pai' function of my iPhone 4s? Great photos.. The mummy of course, kids always look darn good in pictures.

Mummy Lim

Enrichment Classes

Lil Shauna went for her 3rd music lesson yday and so far so good. I hope that my presence in the class will help her to continue with the class. Well, I am not trying to turn my kids into geniuses, I just thought that it is good if they can persist in a particular interest. My heart broke when Lil Shauna decided that ballet is not for her. I can already picture her in her leotard and tutu performing gracefully on stage but I know that the most important thing is for her to enjoy herself and I thus respected her decision.

I mentioned previously that I had expected the music class to be more interesting. However, Lil Shauna seems to be enjoying herself. I have to admit that the course material, which consist of a textbook, a workbook and stickers, are of really good quality and vibrant color. They cost us $90! The kids get to paste the stickers in the books upon accomplishment of certain tasks. Kids love stickers!

The class requires the kids to sit and follow instructions most of the time. I see boys monkeying around and I can't help being thankful that I am attending the class with my little lady. She's fairly well behave most of the time. Then again, I wonder if it will be hell when it is Lil Isaac's turn 2 years down the road.

And there are plenty of opportunities for me to savor proud mummy moments too. The kids are often asked to go to the front of the classroom to "perform". I just couldn't help smiling at my little princess and be proud of her.

Ok, phonics, music and swimming for Lil Shauna and adding on Lil Isaac's play gym, I am really a busy mummy now. There is still abacus and chinese classes which I suppose can wait a little. Maybe when she has learnt how to swim and she can stop taking lessons. Ouch, my pocket!

Mummy Lim

Swimming Lesson

I always thought that it is important for the kids to learn swimming. Unlike our time, there are just too many swimming pools around. Lil Shauna can now take instructions and I thought it is the right time.

It is just wonderful that Felicia can learn swimming together with Lil Shauna and there are plenty of private swimming lessons in Centris.

They now have lesson once a week and today is their 2nd lesson. They totally enjoy their class. It helps that they love monkeying in the water to begin with.

The swimming lessons now are definitely very different from the past. There are 7 kids in the class, each of different level. The coach not only have to teach them but have to mind over the monkeying kids. No wonder parents stand around during the lesson to offer extra supervision. They are really a bunch of monkeys.

Mummy Lim

Arrrggghhhhh!!!!

Today is Lil Shauna's first lesson with Yamaha's Music Wonderland. The program comes with some course material. We left them on the dining table and they mysteriously disappeared like many of our other stuff do. They usually ended up in the storeroom. Yes, we are many a times lazy and left things lying around.

I only remembered about the music lesson this morning and was scampering around looking for the material, which I suspect was somewhere in the storeroom. I couldn't find it and got irritated. I hate the feeling of not knowing where my things are in the house. This phenomenon is common after we engaged maid, who often keeps things which they don't know what they are and ended up unable to retrieve them when we need them. Or the stuff was kept by the previous maids... Things are made worse when Popo shifts in, which doesn't know what she keeps and has this irritating habit of tying whatever in white plastic bag before throwing the bags in the storeroom. Like that how to find???!!!

Long story short, Popo insisted that she had asked NRT to keep the stuff in the storeroom but NRT insisted not. The stuff was not found and I couldn't tell who is lying. I gave up on the storeroom and eventually found the stuff in one of the drawers at the tv console. Popo said that she couldn't be sure if she was the one who kept it there. There are so many things that she needed to do everyday. NRT still insisted that it wasn't her. Arrrrggghhh...

This is not the first time. The same thing happened to Lil Shauna's birth certificate and Lil Isaac's health booklet. I just wanted to feel like the lady of the house. I know it is a pointless struggle. I gave up that right when Popo came to stay with us. And it is brainless to try to get that across to Popo. I can only foresee another big quarrel if I attempt that.

The only way out? Avoidance. Move my butt to keep important things myself. Haiz, what a way to start the first workday of year 2012.

Mummy Lim

Good Job!

I started Lil Shauna on her phonics with LCentral (LC) on 21 Aug 11. To date, she has completed almost 2 terms of the most basic class (aka Foundations). The Foundations focus on the first sound. Other than the actual phonics, the kids also do lots of colouring, cutting, song and movement and games during the class. Lil Shauna loves the phonics class and asked to go to Teacher Rebecca’s class all the time.

The classes are seriously expensive. However, I was really glad to see Lil Shauna enjoying herself. I was a little sad that I don’t get to participate in the class with Lil Shauna like how we used to but I was also glad to have free time to run errands and read a book during that 1.5 hours that she is in class.

I managed to speak to the teacher during the last lesson 2 weeks ago and was told that she’s performing really well and is able to hear most of the 1st sound. Teacher Rebecca also commented that Lil Shauna is starting to open up and is beginning to speak up more during class. She thinks that Lil Shauna can be “promoted” to the next level (LaunchPad) next year! I am so proud of the princess.

Last Sunday, while I was at the school, the admin made arrangement for Lil Shauna to move this coming January and was telling me that she is really fast. It usually takes 2 to 3 terms for them to progress. The admin also conveyed that Teacher Rebecca was impressed and commented that Lil Shauna is really small but is really good. LaunchPad is usually for K1 student, Lil Shauna will be in Nursery next year. In fact, Teacher Rebecca says that Lil Shauna can be promoted now but thinks that she lacks self confident and recommended for her to move next year. I think so too. It can be very daunting for her to be in a class of bigger kids. The last thing that I want is to kill her interest.

I was a little sad for Lil Shauna bcos Felicia just joined her class. Lil Shauna really enjoy going for such enrichment classes with Felicia. It is also a cute sight of the 2 of them interacting during such classes. I hope Felicia will pick up quickly and join Lil Shauna soon. I bet Lil Shauna would like that.

I am in the league as the rest of the Singapore kiasu parents. Next year, I will want to sign Lil Shauna up for swimming and abacus. Of course, I will have to work hard on Lil Isaac too. I will be signing him up for My Little Gym next year. I seriously think he should burn some energy during such classes.

Mummy Lim

Ballerina-S

This is jiejie in her full ballerina costume, monkeying in the lift.



And this is poor didi.


Mummy Lim