The Big PSLE

Finally, the big day is here, the start of the most important exam of her 12 years' life.  Lil Shauna is having her PSLE EL Oral examination tomorrow and CL Oral on Friday. 

She had been screaming about how stress she is since I can't remember when. She doesn't look as stress as what she claimed to be. Lol. Just this evening, I asked her to start revising her CL oral before I went for grocery shopping and by the time I came up, she was back on her phone and claimed that she had finished revising. Nope, I didn't take forever at the grocery shopping. If she really can finish so fast, why stress? Then, she has the cheek to tell me that she cannot find her 6A CL textbook, 2 days before PSLE CL Oral and revision is completed. Zzzzz. 

All mummies have magical sight and can find things that nobody can. Of course I found the 6A CL textbook. 

Anyway, I am not so concerned about her EL Oral. I have kang dang kids anyway. What she needed is probably more calmness and peacefulness before and during the oral exam. 

I am worried about her CL Oral on Friday. So much so that I jumped at the opportunity when her CL tutor asked if she needed last minute help. Hopefully, she can use her short term memory to remember whatever useful phrases and sentences and use them on Friday. Finger crossed. All prayers are much welcome!

Fighting!

Mummy Lim

CCA

If there is anything that I want to complain about the kids’ school, it is the lack of interesting CCAs. Lil Shauna was actually “talent scout” by the music teacher to join the choir when she was in end of P1. She declined bcos she thinks that it is so boring to be in the choir. I totally echoed that. Lol. I would love and encourage the kids to be in something physical. Unfortunately, the school has such limited sports CCAs; they do not even have a basketball club.

As per many primary schools in Singapore, the kids are to sign up for CCA when they are in P2. We managed to opt out on the account that Lil Shauna is in ice skating. It is “compulsory” for the P3s. We ran though the list of CCAs available and found them to be so boring. We were further constrained when she can only join CCAs that take place on days that she goes to the student care bcos we didn't want additional ferrying arrangement.

The application took place in the early part of this year and was through the school’s online system. There were 3 choices and she must fill in all 3, with a choice in the limited list of sports; one in cultural/ musical-related and one in clubs. Lil Shauna had really wanted to join the badminton club. She was eventually placed under the Girls’ Bridgette (GB), her 3rd choice; one that she put in so that we can click on the submit button. She said that the badminton club was too popular. I would imagine that too if the school only has that limited list of sports CCAs.

She did join the GB’s activities for a couple of times and was even given the uniform for free! Has it always been for free? I remembered that I was pleading with my mum to be allowed to join GB when I was in primary school but was sadly denied bcos she said that she didn't want to pay extras for the uniforms.

Anyway, after a few weeks, Lil Shauna came back and said that she really wanted to get out of GB. She basically didn't enjoy the activities and was pleading with me to write a letter to help her resign from GB. I thought CCAs are compulsory for the P3s? Lil Shauna said that the soccer team was recruiting girls and she would really love to switch.

So, she did switch. The soccer club must be an “off” club bcos she attended less than 3 practices before the school closed for exams and then the holidays. Lol. She had been bugging to buy soccer shoes and shin guards bcos the rest of the team were in proper soccer gear except her. I had insisted for her to stay on at least for 4 practices before the mummy sponsorship comes into play; I didn't want to spend money on the gears only to have her give up on the CCA soon after. Daddy Lim is for sure a lot kinder when it comes to spending $$ on his little girl. Chey.

The father-daughter duo had been doing soccer boots and gear shopping. The best part? Lil Shauna doesn't want any cheap soccer boots; she chose only Nike or Adidas boots bcos that is what all her team has. Of course fashion sense comes into play as well. I eventually found out that there are only 2 girls on the soccer team – her and another P6 girl. All the more there is no way for me to splurge on a branded pair of soccer boots.    

Last weekend, Daddy Lim brought us to Queensway shopping center in search of the princess’ soccer boots. I told Lil Shauna that her budget was max $70. She was still very much lured by her Nike and Adidas that are so expensive! She eventually settled for a pair of Puma bcos she knows Puma too and they have pink. Lol.

Well, at least it was a happy ending for all of us; Lil Shauna with the new boots and me on our pocket. Let’s see if the new boots will propel her to be the next soccer star. Haha.

Mummy Lim

How to End the School Term in Style

First, order a delicious lava cake.

Eat like there is no tomorrow bcos school holiday starts! Woohoo!

Mummy Lim

Making my Blood Boil

Lil Shauna didn't have to go to school today.  There is this home based learning today where she need not turn up for school but complete some assignments via the school MConline portal.

Last night, we had the computer set up. I also showed her how to log in and reminded her of the login password to the portal. There were 2 Youtube videos to watch and overheard him teaching her how to key in the website address while I was teaching Zaky his homework. There is a timetable to follow starting at 8am but Lil Shauna said that there isn't a need to stick to the timing so long as she gets the needed done. Fine by me.

This morning, before I got busy, I called home to make sure that the little girl was awake. She was and said that she was watching the required Youtube. Great, looks like it is a good start already. I reminded her to log onto MConline and wanted to remind her of her password but she hung up on me. Slightly later, I saw plenty of watsapp on the mummy group chat about the irritating portal; how it wouldnt load and stuff. I was getting worried but I got busy the whole day and didn't find the chance or remember to check on Lil Shauna.

Daddy Lim managed to knock off earlier than me today. I had a late call at 7pm and eventually decided to take it in the office. At 7.30pm, Daddy Lim watsapp me to tell me that Lil Shauna didn't do any of the MConline work at all! Why? Bcos she don't know the password... and she has no decency to call me to ask me the password! My blood boiled. The kids bugged me constantly when they fought at home over the ipad and expects me to play judge over the phone. Now with an assignment to complete, she totally chose not to call me but treated the day happily as a holiday. Spray blood. Daddy Lim sent me this while I was on the way home.

She was still at it when I reached home and was on it until almost bedtime at 9pm.

I also found that the boy didn't complete the homework that I assigned him last night. There was 听写to learn and I hated it when he is not concentrating. He gets frustrated by his inability to learn, followed by plenty of whinning and the final escalation to a tantrum. We go through this almost every time over Chinese. Arrggghhhh.. vomit blood the 2nd time.

Finally we were done with his 听写. It wasn't satisfactory but I think my blood vessels will blow if I continued with it. It was the girl's bedtime and she was on the ipad. I asked her to go to bed, which she defiantly told me that she hasn't finish her Youtube video. I was so pissed; MConline not at all done and here complaining that she didn't have enough Youtube.

I didn't snap, I simply walk away to the room and told Daddy Lim to take over the kids. If the kids' sole agenda is to make my blood boil, they are very successful today. I shall go and vomit more blood.

Mummy Lim

"New" Pickup Time

Since school starts, we never miss the school bus. I think it is a great achievement bcos it meant that we had been faithfully waking up on time.. ok, almost on time. The snooze button is just too tempting.

After more than 3 weeks, the bus had never arrive early and not even on time. It normally comes at 6.20ish am. That is more than 10 mins later than the designated pickup time. While there are some buses at the nearby pickup points waiting for kids, we are always waiting for the bus.

We were earlier than the pickup time in the 1st week. It was an awful long wait each morning and I was secretly cursing. Lil Shauna could have slept a little bit longer or I could have rush her less.

In the second week, we left the house only at 6.10am and leisurely strolled to the pickup point.  The additional time means less rushing and less stress. The other family with 3 kids always arrived before us. If one day, we arrived to find them missing, it would probably mean that the bus have left. Then we would send Lil Shauna to school. No big deal.

Last week and counting, we pushed our luck even more and left the house after 6.10am and still didn't miss the bus! This means 5 precious more mins snooze for the girl. The bus continues to come after 6.20am. I wonder why wouldn't they officially shift the pickup time if they are never on time. I think it is super irresponsible of the bus company but I am not intending to complain. Bcos I wouldn't want them to buck up. I rather stick to our "new" pickup time.

Mummy Lim

Adapting to Student Care

Lil Shauna seems to have adapted fairly well to the student care. I think it is still fun time since homework and whatever enrichment work has yet to set in. She got to play games at student care on Tuesday.  

She has 2 other classmates in the student care and she also knows a few of the other P2 kids. Additionally, the center only has P1 and P2 kids now. It is good that it is not overwhelming for her, that she has friends and is not lonely. Now, I think it is a good decision to send her to student care only when she is in P2. God must be in charge. To think that I was lamenting about her in the afternoon session last year! I hope she will prepare the way for Lil Isaac, who will join her in the student care next year.

She appeared to be less tired when we picked her up from the student care on Tuesday evening but still went to bed at 9pm. This shall be our new bedtime. While she spent a little time watching TV and then Daddy Lim tucked her to bed, I was struggling with the little boy on phonics. We spent 1 freaking hour going over the sight words and revising the spelling. There were tears of course and I vomited buckets of blood. Hopefully, things will start getting better and soon. 

The student care is thoughtful and set up a whatsapp group chat for the mummies for communication. I am impressed with their promptness in pushing information to the parents. Just yday morning, the student care sent us pictures of the students as well as how the center looks like. 

It didn't look too big but bright, clean and cheery and feels much better than most of the basement student care centers that Daddy Lim and I had visited.

Oh, they also took the initiative to make improvement. I emailed to feedback on a more conducive waiting area for the kids and pn Tuesday, the parents were allowed into the canteen to wait for their kids. All the parents were on time but I assumed that kids could continue to wait in the canteen for parents who turn up late, instead of pathetically beside the gate. I have good vibes about the student care.

Yday was also the 1st day that Lil Shauna takes the school bus home after school. She has Chinese enrichment to attend. I was worried that she would miss the class but P2 is a big girl already. She managed fine. When we picked the kids in the evening, Lil Shauna said that she prefers the school bus bcos she didn't have to stay so long in school. Awwww...  I just heard the song on radio says "you can't always get what you want..." from rolling song.

A separate point, a colleague asked how old are our kids a couple of days ago and I said turning 6 and 8. Oh gosh, they are so old already!

Mummy Lim

Buying New Books

As a child, I remembered the whole saga of buying new books and wrapping them for the new school year. Ahh, the smell of new books! Now as a parent, I still get happy handling the new books. Lil Shauna was polka face about the whole experience though bcos it reminded her that she still has to go back to school next year. Lol. She should count herself lucky, bcos Lil Isaac will get hand-me-down textbooks. I don't remembered using hand-me-down in primary school, maybe I did. See, memory is a funny thing. So Lil Isaac shouldn't feel so bad. 

Yday, I brought Lil Shauna along to get her new books and uniform. Her school is 15 mins walk away. It isn’t exactly that far but imagining walking home with all the books and uniform! I am quite sure Lil Shauna wouldn't help much with the carrying. I should count my lucky stars if she doesn't complain about the walking. I have no idea what bus to take but know that there isn’t a direct bus to the school. Nevertheless, I have a plan.  

We were out of the house within minutes of waking up to avoid the little monster. His nobody-is-beside-me device sounded off very quickly and he caught us when we about leaving the house. Fortunately, he was half awake and the afternoon visit to USS was a perfect bait in exchange for him to stay at home. 

And our plan? Lil Shauna and I each carried an empty backpack. Additionally, we scooted to the school! Clever ah? I made sure that we were safe. We didn't go very fast and dismounted to push the scoot at every road crossing. We also stopped along the way to have Mac bfast. Woohoo!

It was a really sunny day. The trip back was more tiring with a full backpack and no pit stop. Lil Shauna totally enjoyed herself. She said that it was the best scooting journey ever and no complains at all. Truth be told, it was really quite fun especially when there was a big slope along the way. We were sweaty and messy at the end but we didn't mind.

Mummy Lim 

Getting Ready for the Morning Session

This is the last week of school. The kids are thrilled. Lil Shauna will be in the morning session next year. To help getting the kids ready, this week's classes will all be in the morning.

On the few occasions that school starts in the morning, we didn't manage to get the school bus at 6.10am. It was seriously crazily early. I don't know if we are looking at the same pick up time next year but I was determined to let Lil Shauna try this morning. We could send her actually, but she said that she was super early the last few times and felt a little scared to be the only P1 among the big boys and girls. It also took a while before the rest of the younger kids arrived.

She went to bed at 9.15pm last night in preparation of the early morning.  However, nothing can prep the need to wake up at 5.40am. She got dragged (almost literally) out of her bed and flopped onto ours when she walked into our bedroom. It takes coordinated efforts to get us and her both ready and on time.

We finally made it this morning after plenty of clock watching. We arrived at the pickup point at 6.05am. Murphy's law kicks right in - we were on time for the bus the last time and it was early and left without us. Today, we were early and the bus was 5 mins late. Zzzzz.

Lil Shauna was chatty while waiting for the school bus. She didn't have much bfast. Who has a crazy appetite so early in the morning... Other than Daddy Lim? Haha. Her half eaten bun is in her bag and I hope she wouldn't need to starve.

We might have to rethink this whole school bus saga if pickup remains at the same unearthly time next year. We have already paid for Jan and Jun's fee next year, as per the school-bus SOP and would probably let Lil Shauna try for a month. The stress is not only about waking up so early but also the constant hurry to be on time for the bus. We would still need one-way back and the price wouldn't be much different; what we saved is the heartache to chase the morning bus. The heartache will be doubled when Lil Isaac joined jiejie in another year. The pain is definitely magnified many times when you have somebody who absolutely doesn't adore school.

Mummy Lim

School

Lil Shauna came back with this on Thursday. Popo said that she was super proud and happily declared her achievement.

Lil Shauna said that there is one winner per class per month. I wasn't surprised that Lil Shauna received the award. I would be surprised if she doesn't. Her kindy teachers were all singing her praises when I went for Lil Isaac's PTM last term. She's usually quiet in class, well-behaved and cooperative - the kind of students that teachers would love bcos they seldom make troubles. Haha.

Today, Lil Shauna didn't have to go to school. I think the P6 were having some prelims. The school should just give these kids a holiday.  Instead, they were supposed to log on to a website to do assignments! They were even given a time table to follow.

I taught Lil Shauna how to login to the website last night. It wasn't alien, she had done so severe times in school. However, Daddy Lim's gaming mouse is super irritating, racing across the screen. Even when I adjusted it to the lowest sensitivity, it was still dancing everywhere on the screen. Arrggghhh. I wasn't sure how successful Lil Shauna would be in logging in but she was given until Sunday night to complete her assignments despite the timetable.  The school probably know that many kids would have problem logging the totally user unfriendly platform if they have working parents, like us. Even I had some trouble navigating the site.

I called Lil Shauna in the afternoon and she said that she managed to login and finished her assignments. I was secretly hoping that it was true. Unfortunately, almost nothing was done when I checked just now. Lil Shauna must be hallucinating. Popo said that she was on the computer for barely 10 mins and claimed that she had enuff. Win already.

The mouse and keyboard proved to be a big challenge for her. In the end, she read out the answers and I either helped her to click on the answers or type them in. Otherwise, she will probably be in front of the computer for the whole night. She takes painfully long to move the cursor to the right place and find the letters on the keyboard.

I don't quite understand the school's enthusiasm in introducing the computer to the kids. As they grow a little older, I am quite sure that we would have trouble trying to pull them away from the computer screen. So, why rush?

Mummy Lim

What kind of Homework?

Lil Shauna brought these home some time back. She needs the computer to work on them.

According to the teacher, these are good to do but not compulsory bcos not all families have a computer at home. We do and I attempted to log onto the system once but wasn't successful initially and gave up. Haha. Not compulsory mah. 

However, I think the teacher had been constantly reminding the students to go into the system and so we tried again. We were finally successful and Lil Shauna started using the computer to do her homework. 

There are so many activities inside, English, Maths and Chinese. While she was at it, I had to stand around to supervise. Zzzzz. I was surprised that she knows how to log in, used the keyboard and the mouse. Apparently, she learnt these in school. 

The activities/ quizzes are easy for Lil Shauna. However, she took painfully long to find the letters on the keyboard. Haha. And Daddy Lim super sensitive mouse that darts around the screen at mere touches isn't helping much. Hello Mr Mouse, where are you rushing to?

It is recommended that the children shouldn't spend more than an hour each time on the computer. Errrr... At the speed that Lil Shauna progressed, she couldnt get much done in an hour. Hahaha.

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

No Time and 3rd Day Drama

Daddy Lim had to work late last night. It was almost 8pm when he picked me from work and we headed home for a simple dinner that Popo made. Lil Shauna was taking her shower when we reached home. By the time that we all settled down and finished with school bag packing, it was already 9pm. 

While I was packing school bag, Lil Shauna was floating around. She has finally brought home the timetable. Unlike when we were in primary school and had to painstakingly copy the timetable off the chalkboard, hers was a nicely printed sheet of paper. I was worried about missing out on books and files that she was supposed to bring and was even more worried when Popo kept nagging and asked me to pack extras bcos she cannot help if I really missed out. How to pack extras?! Some of the books that Lil Shauna brought to school on the 1st and 2nd day were already kept in school. So I took a while to figure out if the books that she needed for lessons today are already in school or still at home. To add on to the confusion, English textbooks are called Grammar and there are other kind of Stellar and don't-know what workbooks and I cannot figure out if she needed to bring them. Well, I did my best.

Bedtime wasn't very far off after we have settled down. The kids were tired too and didn't take too long to drift off to lala land. It makes me wonder where we would find time to do homework either from school or enrichment classes in the future. Then again, I think it wouldn't be too often for us to work so late… I hope. At times like that, I am affirmed that I made a good job switch. 

This morning at 11am, Popo called me. I heard Lil Shauna yelling in the background about her Chinese homework. It wasn't really homework but a form that she brought home on Friday from Chinese class. We completed the form and I remember putting it in her bag together with 2 other forms. When I checked last night, I did see some forms still in her bag but didn't check what exactly they were. Since the little girl insisted that the form is no longer in her bag, I told her that her teacher has probably collected it. She was fearful and refused to go to school despite my assurance.

Popo called back again a short while bcos our dear girl has escalated into a crying fit, insisting that she hasn't handed up the form and refusing to go to school. I have to resort to lying that I would call the teacher to explain when I don't actually have the teacher’s hp number. I also explained to Popo what happened. 

My phone rang for the 3rd time. This time, there was good news. Popo said that she checked Lil Shauna’s bag and found the form together with the other 2 forms in her bag. Apparently, our big girl hadn’t looked carefully. Zzzzzzz. Popo said that she was crying one moment and broke into a big smile the next when she saw the form. Aiyo. And of course, she headed off happily to school.

Ok, drama already on the 3rd day of school. I think our lives will be very exciting henceforth. Now, did Lil Isaac cry in school today?

Mummy Lim  

1st day of School - Part 2

We headed back home after recess to rest. We eventually decided to head back to school despite knowing that we might not see Lil Shauna at dismissal as she's taking the school bus. Lil Isaac agreed to stay at home bcos an interesting cartoon was on TV. Daddy Lim and I escaped the house in lightning speed. Lol. It was really fortunate that he agreed to stay at home bcos we spent the next hour waiting and waiting doesnt go well with our tiger.

The P1s were released at 6pm instead of the usual 6.25pm.  The parents were allowed to pick up their kids from the canteen on the 1st day and had already crowded the gate when we arrived. We joined in and took we-fie without the photo bomber this time. Hehe.

At almost 6pm, we decided that we would split ways. Daddy Lim will proceed to the canteen while I would go to the back of the school, where the school buses were parked, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lil Shauna boarding the bus.

We waited for a long while, way past 6pm before we suspected that the P2s were dismissed at the normal time and the P1s had to wait for the seniors. Daddy Lim also managed to locate Lil Shauna, who was made to wait with the other P1s and told her that we would wait for her back home. Despite so, we continued waiting at the back of the school, still hoping go catch a glimpse of her. I quite felt like a thieve. Haha.

Our efforts were paid off and we saw her boarded the bus and even waved goodbye.  We headed back home and anxiously waited for her school bus to come. The bus finally arrived at 7.15pm and a tired Lil Shauna finally came home. Yeah!

I was so excited to find out how her day went. However, her reply made it sounded like they didn't do much the entire day.  Lol. She did share that things went well. At least she didnt make school sound like a monster... or maybe not yet. Haha. The books that she brought to school were also mostly collected and she came home with an almost empty bag. I think it would be fantastic if the school helps to keep most of the heavy books in school and not overload the little ones. I did check her handbook on the things that she had copied and had to bring on Monday. One of them said, "peon Monday, Wednesday and Friday". I was scratching my head and wondering what book that is until our neighbour (whose daughter is Lil Shauna's classmate) told me that it is "PE on Monday, Wednesday and Friday"! Lol.

I realised at the end of the day that i had been too excited about Lil Shauna's 1st day of school that I have forgotten to buy the Chinese textbooks from the bookshop. The books were out of stock then. Haha. Still, it is a happy 1st day!

Mummy Lim

1st Day of School - Part 1

The FB is filled with kids' 1st day of school. Our Lil Shauna had her fair share of experience today as well. I had been telling her days ago, giving her a rough idea of what would probably happen on the 1st day of school (I am not exactly sure myself). I think it did help to prepare her. She said that she was a little excited this morning. Hehe.

Lil Shauna woke up bright and early. Daddy Lim and I took leave having not wanting to miss this significant milestone. Her school bus fetches her at 11.10am and thus Popo had to give her brunch. She was ready by 10.30am but spent quite some time trying to tie shoelaces.

We sent her to the pick up point and was glad to find 4 other WG kids taking the same school bus. Her school bus is a 40 seater and the bus driver is definitely less caring as compared to their kindergarten bus uncle. He didn't seem to bother how many kids he is supposed to fetch and whether he got everybody. The bus pulls out within like 30 sec.

We drove to school only to find out that we were not allowed in the school. We were asked to come back at 3pm to see how the kids were during recess. Parents are only allowed to enter the school today, which suits me fine bcos I didn't intend to take so many days of leave. Haha.

Since we were denied entry, we headed to JP for coffee and cake and more food! Lil Isaac enjoyed his soup and bread very much.

With 2 hours to burn, we visited Ikea and there is always things to buy in Ikea. Haha.

We were on time, back at the school at 3 pm and joined hoards of parents waiting at the gate. Did you see the photo bomber? Lol.

The gate finally opened at 3ish and we followed the others blindly to the canteen. The canteen was barricaded and the parents can only stand outside the canteen to see their kids. Luckily, Lil Shauna's class was allocated to sit right next to the barricade.

After like forever, I finally saw the princess. Lil Isaac was super excited to see her and yelled very loudly for her, helping me to inform Lil Shauna of my presence. Good job, Zaky boy.

The school has arranged for an upper primary jiejie to buddy her and help her to buy food. I saw the group of them discussing for a while on what to buy for lunch before joining the long q for noodles. Can you spot Lil Shauna?

Her buddy was super nice, maybe way too nice and helped her to carry her noodles to the table after the purchase. The rest of the kids had to do so themselves. I even saw her buddy advising Lil Shauna on how to use the fork and spoon. What??!! And helped to bring her empty bowl back to the stall while our princess sat at the table as if she's really a princess. Win already. Lil Shauna took a while to finish her noodles and I saw her buddy peered over her head a few times, as if to suggest that she should eat faster. She left the canteen after she was done and so did we.

By the way, I found out that our neighbour 2 floors below us had her daughter in the same class! My mummy network instinct went into action immediately and I have gotten her contact and started whatsapping her. Woohoo!

I bet Lil Shauna will do fine for the rest of the day.

Mummy Lim

Preparation for Primary One

We missed the orientation bcos we were in Taiwan but was informed via mail of the days that we could do books and uniforms purchases. I took leave this morning and lugged both kids to school to do the needful.

There were like so many forms to fill in the office.  The staff told me that all the information that I need is in the handbook.  I flipped the handbook but there doesn't seem to be much information. I decided that we will take it easy and proceeded with the next agenda.

We bought 2 sets of school uniform, 2 sets of PE attire, a pair of black shoes and 3 pairs of socks. Damage: $80.

School books were next and there was a q in the room converted book shop. It took like forever before it was finally our turn. By then the kids were getting impatient. There were so many non-textbook related stuff that we had to buy such as files and art and craft and whatever. The bookshop lady said that those made compulsory by the school and we ended up buying everything on the list. I wouldn't want to make another trip back to the school just to buy a compulsory item that I didn't buy earlier. The books and whatever weighed a ton. Damage: $165. Total damage: $245! Ouch! I wonder how low income families send their kids to school. Also, I flinched at the thought of the damage when both the kids are in primary school on 2 years' time.

We headed home and popo and the kids stopped along the way for a bus to go to SDC. Our stroller was temporarily converted to a trolley.

By the time I was home, I was sweating like a pig. Zzzzzz.

I was super auntie too with a messy ponytail, no makeup, stroller and a T-shirt. By the way, LIL Shauna asked me this am why was I wearing a T-shirt for sleeping to go out. Faint.

There was barely time to rest after I reached home before I had to rush to work. This is so hard work. Next year, I must take the car. Lol.

The preparation is not done. We still have to buy the school bag and whatever to read up and to put on the name tags and books cover. Zzzzz. How come I don't feel excited that Lil Shauna is going to primary one? Hehe. Mummy is lazy worm.

Mummy Lim

Something that We Already Know

We finally received the blue chit to inform us that we have gotten in WGPS.

Hmmm... tell me something that I don't know.

Now, it is which BASC to sign up with. By the way, we met one of Lil Shauna's morning class classmates while cycling on the downstairs park this evening. Unfortunately, Lil Shauna doesn't know her name (but she knows Shauna's!). Her mummy said that they are intending to register for WGPS too. I hope Lil Shauna will have future classmates from her current kindergarten. Cross fingers and toes.

Mummy Lim

P1 Registration

Today is the day.
After 40 long laborious hours, we qualified for phase 2B. There are 4 registration slots over 2 days and we opted to register during the last slot. I have been monitoring the vacancy status everyday and at this point, I am very sure that we will get into WGPS without balloting. The school staff even called us up this early afternoon when they realised that we had not registered. Their school must be not very popular. Lol.

We visited 3 nearby before/ after school care (BASC). The intention was to enroll Lil Shauna into one. We will send her to school in the morning and pick her up from the BASC at the end of the day.

Happy Kids
This BASC is nearest to the school but very run down. It is located in a bomb shelter, in a basement. It is air condition and has 4 classrooms. There is a small dining area one level up and right next to shower cubicles and toilets.  The dinning, shower and toilet areas are bad. They aren't exactly dirty but not clean and feel very old.  I thought there was an awful smell too. I can already imagine Lil Shauna telling me how stinky the area is. This center is definitely our.

DStar
I remember reading quite good reviews about this BASC.  This is a few blocks away from the school and it is also located in the in the basement with air conditioning. The center is not very new. However, in comparison to Happy Kids, DStar is so much brighter, cleaner and cheerful. I also see a number of WGPS students enrolled in this BASC too. The shower/ toilet is also next to the dining area, though old but much, much cleaner and there is no awful smell. The administrator was helpful to suggest that we could enroll Lil Shauna in mid December to help her get used to the center before school starts in January. I thought that is a fantastic idea.

Peach Tree
This is located on the other side of the school and the kids have to cross a road to reach the center. It is the only center on the ground floor but not conditioned. However, it is bright and airy. It is the furthest from the school and smallest of the 3. There are only 2 classrooms but the shower and toilet area is the cleanest. The other drawback is that the center only opens from 7.15am though the administrator assured us that the cleaning auntie would normally be in the center by 7 am.

The timetable of the centers are more or less the same. I have no preference between the 2nd and 3rd centers. Daddy Lim prefers the 2nd one given that it starts at 7 am and it is nearer to the school. So I guess we more or less have made the choice.

While visiting the centers, we were told that WGPS would still be double sessions next year as their facilities would not be ready in time. This was confirmed by the school and it screwed up all our plans big time. I am still keen to send Lil Shauna to the center before school, which brings us to the next question of how to be in time for work after sending Lil Shauna to the center since it only opens at 7 am. One of the options is to hire the school bus to send get to the center. I am not sure if we would have this option and would only be able to find out at the end of the year after we linked up with the bus company. The other is for me to take the car in the future - I will drive to work after sending Daddy Lim to the yard and pick him up at the end of the day
 The thought of driving is so scary.  But I guess practice makes perfect and I have to start somewhere. Anyway, that has been my new year resolutions for many years.

Now, we just have to wait for the school to Send us the confirmation that we have been accepted into the school. Yeah!

Mummy Lim

The Race has Started

Primary One registration started in early July. Phase 1 is for those whose siblings are still in the school. Phase 2A (1), for those whose parents are alumni just ended and the results will be concluded tomorrow. This is the standing of WGPS as at today.

There are 240 vacancies this year and my heart dropped when I saw that 103 places were taken up in Phase 1. Luckily, there were no takers for phase 2A(1). I guessed not many parents would want to pay to join as alumni for neighbourhood  schools. Phase 2A(2) for kids whose parents are old boys/ girls for sibling who previously studies in the school should start soon. We, who served as Parental Volunteers and completed 40 hours will register on 21 or 22 July. I hope no balloting will be required. We will know at the end of phase 2A(2). If there aren't many who register, we should be very safe. Afterall, the school only took in 15 volunteers last year.

I also don't know if it is a right choice to send the kids to WGPS but since we have done the 40 hours, let's just do it.

Mummy Lim

40 Hours!

After our desperate attempts to volunteer for whatever PV duties that the school has put up, we have finally crossed the 40 hours mark today! To make sure that we have buffer, we still have 7 gate duties (which is 3.5 hrs in total) and 1 reading session (2 hrs) to go. 

Through these activities, I come to realise that WG is likely not any superior than the other schools in the neighborhood. But since we have completed our 40 hours, we will probably just stick to it. Well, at least their uniform looks decent enough. Lol. Now, we just have to wait for the admission exercise and also visit the few after-school student care centers (with Lil Shauna) in the vicinity. I am quite firm about sending Lil Shauna to a student care when she enters Primary One. Though I heard horrible stories about such student care, it still beats her wasting her time watching TV at home after school. 

Today’s PV duty was a breeze. We accompanied the students for their swimming lessons and there isn’t much for us to do. The PV ended early and I still have time for my morning coffee at MacDonalds and then shopping at JP before I head back to office. Happy.

Mummy Lim

  

Clocking our Precious 2 Hours

Daddy Lim and I have snatched up as many PV duties as possible so that we can meet our 40 hours requirement. We are nearing our 30 hours mark and have 10 more to go.

I am now in front of one of the school gates clocking my precious 2 hours from 12 noon to 2pm. I have escaped from office and would need to rush back right after the duty.

Today is the school's non-teaching staff day, whatever that is supposed to mean. So the non-teaching staff, which include the security guards, would be celebrating at the school hall and they would need somebody to guard the gates, right? Thus, here I am, taking over the security guards, looking after one of the gates.

Actually, it is not that bad. It is definitely much better than the last Newater Plant trip. At least I have peace and time to blog. And I get to sit down. But the weather is so freaking warm, I should have brought a book and an ice cold coke. Lol.

I have 1 hour and 15 mins more to go. Yawn. I wonder if I can sleep with my eyes open. Haha.

Mummy Lim