I rechecked the kids bag. Popo prepared the lunchbox and waterbottle- set.
I happily spent the rest of the quiet night watching my kdrama before turning in at 11.30pm. Shiok ah!
The plan was for the parents to wake up at 5.30am. The kids will wake up after we have used the toilet. We will have to get out of the house at 6.10am to catch the school bus at 6.15am. This routine worked fine since we shifted to Centris in April. However, we don't know how things would work out with 2 kids.
I heard the alarm went off and smacked Daddy Lim when he didn't wake up to hit the snooze button; he is the alarm clock guardian. Turned out, it was Lil Shauna besides me. Daddy Lim must have woken her and snoozed in the kids' room while Lil Shauna crept into our bed to snooze. Lol. We are all very creative when it comes to finding ways to snooze.
The routine then kicked in. The only difference is that I was on leave and didn't need time to get myself ready for work. Popo woke up too but I asked her to not help bcos we needed to be independent. It wasn't too bad and things were right on plan.
The all important 1st day of school picture. Both kids in the same uniform again.
The day before, FB prompted my memory 2 years back. It was Lil Shauna's 1st day of school. Look how cute the kids were.
Now, 2 years later. I think I need a new phone with a proper camera.
We walked the kids to the school bus and were right on time.
I had time for a much needed coffee before heading to the school for an orientation briefing at 8am. I thought I should attend it having missed the orientation day. No need to work = happy!
I arrived to a school of parents.
We were soon invited to the hall for an 1 hr and 15 mins briefing. The Principal and the various HODs took turn to brief the parents about the P1 curriculum. I wasn't paying attention and wasn't the only one. I saw so many others scrolling FB, playing games and texting on their phone. Lol. The Principal and HODs were dealing with a group of very disinterested "students". At the end, I barely remembered 5% of what was being briefed. During the briefing, I was busy getting my connections. I found a FB friend whose girl is also in the same school and managed to get invited to the P1 parents' chat group. I was grateful to find 2 other parents with kids in the same class as Zaky. However, the parents of the group were super enthusiastic and I had to mute the chat. It was scary.
The briefing finally ended on time at 9.15am and we made our way to the canteen to play the "try to find your kid" game. It was a real test of one's eyesight plus who can wave better to get your kid's attention. Lucky for me, 1A was seated nearest to the parents-viewing-area.
It took me a while to locate Zaky. I was blocked by the parents who gloriously claimed the front row and they weren't going to give it up until recess was over. By the time I saw the tiger, he was happily tucking in Maggie mee and his P4 buddy was standing next to him. I was quite surprised that the canteen sold such food that is usually classified as unhealthy.
Zaky appeared to be totally enjoying his noodles. I saw that he ate all of it except for the slice of apple that came with it. Lol. He looked up a few times before finally spotting me in the sea of parents. It must be my enthusiastic wave that I had honed in that 5 mins that I was standing in the crowd. He smiled at me happily and my heart melted. So much for worrying about him crying.
His buddy took great care of him; Zaky finished his food, cleared his plate and then came back with a pack of milo with his buddy. Ha! The boy must be pleased with spending all his allowance; the new founded freedom to buy what he wanted. The bread that he brought from home and his water bottle were nowhere in sight.
I managed to speak with him and reminded him to use the toilet. He had been scared to use the toilet on his own and I was worried that he would end up peeing in his pants. I can't believe that I am so proud of my son using the toilet at 6 YO and even snapped a picture of him exiting the toilet. Lol.
Soon, recess was over and the P1 q to get ready to go back to class. I had to play ninja now to change my location quickly, tiptoed, weaved myself into empty space to try to spot the boy again. I found him! And waved goodbye to him before he went back to class. Parents are allowed to visit their kids at recess for 2 days. Popo said that she wanted to see him today. She had been so anxious about Zaky going to P1, so totally different from 2 years back.
I headed back to JP and had time to do my long overdue facial. I was again coaxed to sign on more facial services. Aging is such an expensive route. Wrinkles 有没有少?
My facial ended right on time to pick up the kids though Popo was already there just in case I couldn't make it. The school bus was slightly later than usual. It must be the messy 1st day syndrome. I was standing by with my phone like other proud parents.
Finally the kids appeared and I had both kids back. The kids have to split their week between student care and the school bus. I had been reminding Zaky that he was to take the school bus on his 1st day of school and worried about him ending up in the student care instead. I also told Lil Shauna to tell the school bus Aunty if Zaky didn't turn up at the right place.
The boy was visibly upset. I found out that he was sent to the gathering area for the student care bcos his name appeared in the student care list despite already informing the student care and him telling his co-teacher that he was supposed to take the school bus home. He said that he sat crying in the waiting area. Apparently the teacher didn't believe him. Lil Shauna was also dramatically relating how she panicked when Zaky didn't turn up for the school bus and was plotting the "save my brother" mission when he finally turned up. It was quite comical.
We had to hurry home bcos we had hungry kids and kids who needed the toilet very urgently. Zaky will probably need a lot more practice before he learns how to ask for permission for the toilet and be brave to do so alone. The way home was also accompanied by animated kids who shared their 1st day with me.
After lunch, the kids got TV time while I tried to sort out the 200 books that they were asked to bring to school the next day. The books would then be kept in school. Looked at the mess!
I had a shock when I checked Zaky's bag. His homework file was missing, his pencils were thrown into his bag and outside of his pencil box. I found these, all . He obviously had a long way to go. When I asked him what happened in school today, he was totally clueless. Maybe he didn't attend class and was hiding somewhere else?!
The rest of the afternoon was spent doing homework, watching TV, playing ipad. The boy was obviously tired. He was so freaking whiney and sticky. Every thing was a potential tantrum spark. I was so hoping that time would pass and bedtime would come. I contemplated sending him to bed earlier but it eventually worked out fine and the kids were all knocked out at 9pm. Day 1 is a success!
This morning, the same routine started. Zaky was obviously a lot less enthusiastic. Daddy Lim had to literally pull him off the bed. Lol. There is swimming class in the afternoon and they are supposed to take the school bus. To make sure that he doesn't get passed to the student care again, I wrote a mini note and asked Zaky to show to his teacher if the teacher didn't believe him. I am quite sure bed time would be easy tonight. Haha.
Mummy Lim
