Last weekend, we...

At AMK Hub for bubbly, snowy Christmassy feeling

But he wanted to drive instead.. and knocked the hell out of me until the father took over the guidance.. seriously sweat like crazy when he was on the wheel!

Supermarketing thenafter, look at the boy, still driving happily

While he was playing cooking.. he suddenly said "look! clock!"

On the way to water play at Bishan-AMK Park.. listening to the Cinderella story..

Happy boy playing water

the deepest water you could find at the park.. we shall go to a pool next weekend!

As he didn't get the oohm to play in deep water, we simulated with our little bath tub..

And then it was block time! let the creativity flow!

My first ever creation!

And this too! Although it didn't look symmetrical

And his creation, grandfather's clock

I made new batch of DIY Playdough over the weekend too! More colours this time, he was so happY!

He made pizza!

My work!

And then he said he made a "snake"! and that the snake lives in a hole (see the small green patch?)

And we ended the weekend with yummylicious Magnum Mini!

And LOTS of reading in between, his favorite past time these days!

Music & Me

A brief summary on my past "musical" journey:

I don't remember when I started piano lessons when I was little, but I always felt I do not have what it takes. Not musically inclined.

But I love how a piano sound, very much. It made me feel at peace.

I started learning piano in a music centre. Still remember I had to go there for pratice before my parents bought me a piano. I'm not sure if I played really badly or the music centre really "eat money" as my mom called them, eventually my mom switched me to a private teacher who teaches from home, citing I was stagnant in a grade for a tad too long.

Switching me to private teacher, I jumped a grade. And I stopped learning when I was in Form 6 after I passed my Grade 6 practical with Merit. My teacher thought it was a waste but I thought STPM was much more important.

And so, I stopped learning piano there.. Although ocassionally I still play, playing a musical instrument is very therapeutic, happy, unhappy, sad.. etc..

But my musical journey didn't stop.

Few years into workforce, I signed up for guzheng class in community club here in Singapore. I couldn't catch up as I was too used to invidivual music lessons, I felt left out, couldn't catch up and gave up after a few lessons.

Why guzheng?

I have no absolute answer, except guzheng is the next instrument I love after piano.

Recent 2 years, I had the itch to take up music lessons again. There was no suitable guzheng lessons near my area, and we do not have the space to get a piano yet.

Finally, in Oct, I found a new guzheng class starting at the community club near our place, and so I registered. I've attended the 5th lesson on Saturday. Oh god, I finally realised teacher plays such an important role. This teacher teaches us from very basic, history of guzheng, the structure, playing with 1 finger, progressed to 2.. and now I can play simple notes.

Hmmm.. the musical talent didn't improve much, but I'm trying hard. I rented a guzheng as I know learning musical instrument without practising is as good as dumping water in the sea. But I dare not invest in a brand new one although hubby told me he would buy one for me. I really do not wish to get a white elephant.

The irony is, I'm practising everyday now, without the nagging of my mom. She used to nag at me everyday for not practising my piano.

I miss my piano... but I enjoy learning guzheng now too.

P/S: the best part of my practice, IZ would not disturb me when I told him I need to practise. He is very supportive too!

How did it feel?

Talking about his experience touching a snake in Bali.

I asked how he felt.

Me: so how did it feel when you touched the snake

(Was half expecting him to say cold? I'm not sure I've not touched any but my hubby said it felt cold?)

IZ: felt GREAT!

Both hubby and I were astonished.

Grandfather's Clock @ 3yo

Built this on his own!

Rainy days

End of the year is usually the rainy days. It has been raining (read pouring) so frequently, I kinda appreciate sunshine more this season.

Yesterday, I reached home from work, right before it started to pour again.

My helper told me luckily I was home, or IZ would be worried about my being.

Didn't understand what she meant, she explained that IZ would say "oh o, it's raining, and mommy is not home, she will get wet!"

Gosh.. That's such heartwarming to know, seriously.

Love him to bits for being such an angel most of the times.

Sidetrack: these days when he hugs is goodbye in the morning, he would say "enjoy your day, mommy!"

Meltz...

Names awareness @ 3yo

While I've always taught him to greet others by name (for those I know), he has never asked what our names are..

As in my hubby's and mine..

Last week, when he turned exactly 3 years old, while we were in Bali (post about the holiday at later date)..

He suddenly asked "daddy, what your name?" and "what mommy name?"

And we went in length about daddy's and mommy's name.. He even asked how to spell our names.

So now, he knows our names. He would go:

"Daddy's name is XXX!"

"Mommy's name is YYY!"

Saying bye to Ready Steady Go Kids!

This Sunday will be the last Sunday we are going for the multi-sports class in RSGK AMK.

Yup, you read right, we are not continuing with them. Actually when we decided not to continue mid of the term, I was 100% sure about our decision.

But the last 2 weeks proved me wrong. Issac did benefit from the classes.

1) He likes to ask where is his sports class, and I reply "Ang Mo Kio". So now, he knows he is in AMK when we go to sports class. He would say "we are in Ang Mo Kio".
2) He can now count backwards, from 5 to 1. As Teacher Imran always teach them to wake up their muscles, Teacher Imran would count backwards to 1 and then said "blast off!", the kids will raise their hands up into the sky.
3) He can now make butterfly using his hand and then do a bend and says "butterfly fly slowly to the toes" and then count to 5.
4) He is also very anticipating, excited to wait for the class to start. He usually go to the circle time on his own while his peers' parents stay with them.
5) He can take instructions much better now compared to when he first started the class.
6) He learnt T-ball, cricket, golf, soccer, athletics, basketball in 1 term!

On why we decided not to continue:

1) we thought bringing him to nature, water playgrounds, playgrounds, parks will make him equally happy and excited nonetheless (without paying anything)
2) we thought the sports class would expose him to more kids his gender, which it does, but there's not much interaction between IZ and the peers as they would be guided by their parents as well as teachers (to make sure they follow the instructions). So this really defeated half of my purpose. (The other half is so to vent his energy on a weekend, but this could be achieved by #1 above, although by doing #1, we will have to actively participate)

And so, I'm not that sure anymore. But I've told IZ that we would be going for a final class this Sunday, and then we'll be going for fun on other Sundays, until his art trial class at the end of Dec. He agreed.

Feel sad to part with Teacher Imran who is a fun guy, Teacher Is (or Iz) who likes IZ alot, and Teacher Siti who started teaching them the last 3 weeks.

Well, I guess all is not the end here. One day, when IZ is old enough to participate in a sports all by himself and his peers, then it would probably be more fun.

Thank you Ready Steady Go Kids for the fun time!

My previous posts on RSGK:
Arranging for trial class
First class

Edited on 11th Dec'13:
We are in heavy consideration to continue with RSGK next term that will start on 12th Jan'14. Why? Coz IZ couldn't stop talking about sports class and what he learnt there. He even did short put well during our holiday in Bali. So, stay tuned on the updates!

Edited on 16th Dec'13:
We decided to continue with RSGK! We are given a 10% discount if we make payment within this week. I'm excited for IZ!

Writing progress..

Well, this is not guided by me, but our helper. They have nothing much to do since it's holiday season, but to play and play. She likes to teach him stuffs. I'm really grateful for that, although I have to keep reminding her not to drill IZ, just let him be if he doesn't feel like doing any of the activities she wants to do with him.

I know, I'm indeed very blessed for having this helper. She's not just our domestic helper, she's a tutor to IZ, a friend to me, my saviour for the past 3 years. I wouldn't be able to work and travel at ease without her in our family.

IZ regards her as family too.

So, here it is, yesterday's writing progress. She's trying to correct his G, S and C.

He's still writing mirror image of G, S and C. Sometimes, I wonder if he is dyslexic. But he has no problem with relating phonic sounds and the letter sounds, and reading out the letters loudly. He only has some difficulty writing the 3 letters above.

He can recognise his own names now (can cite and can spell out as well as write his first name), being able to distinguish clearly, the correct spelling of his name ISSAC, compared to ISAAC. (I was very proud when he could do that)

I believe we have to monitor further if he needs some sort of intervention.. or probably just more time is needed. I shall remember not to rush him...

Can you believe this is done by a 3yo? :-)

PS: Another thing that triggered my concern is if you ask IZ "how old are you", he'll reply "I'm fine, thank you". As if you asked him "how are you?". Sometimes vice versa "how are you?" he'll reply "I'm 3!".

Readings on dyslexia:
1) http://www.dyslexia.com/library/symptoms.htm
2) http://www.medicinenet.com/dyslexia/page2.htm
3) http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

1 week to 3yo..

I bought this set from Jann phonics for some time.. Hmm before he was even 2yo.

This is the 3rd attempt. 

First 2 attempts were disasters although he knew all the alphabets then. He was not interested in making up the words. And made a mess out of the alphabets. I concluded that he was not ready.

Last night I tried my luck again, taking it out with the stack of storybooks I intended to read. He saw and asked to do it after our reading.

I have to say I was impressed. While I may not remember how to do phonics correctly, at least I was able to read the phonics and he managed to find the letters. He didn't mess with the letters and he asked to complete the whole piece!

And tadah!

He did his first sheet today! 

Searching for the letter

Putting the letter onto the board

Spell it out loud

Good start to spelling!

The start of the long holiday...

The dreaded almost 2 months school holiday is here!

As faced by many parents, IZ wakes up as early as 7am these days since the holiday has started. Just do not understand how their brain is wired, we had to dig him out of bed if it was a school day, but he was on automatic biological clock when it isn't.

This morning, he wanted to do crayons. He asked for white crayon and told me "egg is white". But he didn't get any trace on the white paper. Then he came to me and asked me for black paper. I told him I do not have black, I have brown. He took the brown paper, and immediately sat on the floor to try with his white crayon. Satisfied that the white crayon was then visible on the paper did he nod and smiled and went back to the desk.

Busy scribbling



I tried asking what he wanted to write, but he didn't want to answer me - this is the first time he included some alphabets in his drawing

We attended a party on weekend. The mother provided the kiddos with playdough set. IZ sat there for some time playing playdough.

He then asks for playdough every night and could spend a good 2.5 hours for the past 2 nights.

If you notice, he only has dark blue colour playdough. I DIY-ed the playdough some time ago, and they are in good conditions although he has been playing with it rather often. I'm too lazy to make other colours though the recipe is simple. And I really dread IZ mixing all the colours together just like what he has done to the good expensive playdoh. The playdohs get dry and crack easily after time too.

If you are looking at making your own, please note that you can modify the recipe a little by adding colorant when you are done cooking. I dumped the blue colorant just according to the recipe and got it too dark for my liking, but thankfully IZ was not disturbed by the ugly colour at all.

What's best.. they are edible **wink**

He was painting "monster"



Flower for me - using my trophy



Sand time!

In preparation for his birthday...

As we embraced the arrival of November, I was very excited. The last 2 months of the year have always been my favorite. They are months of CELEBRATION as there will be birthday parties, Christmas party to attend.

In less than a month, IZ will turn 3. Just like last year, we'll be having a mini party at home, inviting only closest friends of both him and I. I've just ordered his birthday cake. The theme this year would be Humpty Dumpty. The happy thing is, he's no longer allergic to eggs, so this year, I have plenty of choices!

This would be my first attempt to fix a theme for his birthday.

For the past 2 birthdays, as I personally did not think he was aware of themes, we chose blue colour for his 1st birthday, and clock for his 2nd - the so-called theme applicable to only the cake! Hahaha!



Chocholate chip walnut cake from Coffeebean



Celebrated 1st birthday in With A Pinch Of Salt

 


Eggless clock cake from Delcie and Cupcakes from Sweetest Moments



Celebrating with friends at home

I'm looking forward to his happy face when he sees the Humpty Dumpty cake.

Scissor Cutting @ almost 35 months

On and off, IZ would ask to "play" with a pair of scissors. Well, I do let him "play" with them, but I watched him really closely and have been telling him consistently that playing with scissors are dangerous and that he can only use it to cut papers.

For months, he has been using both hands to open and close the scissors to cut. He refused guidance, so I would tell him how to cut properly and then let him be. He would ask me to hold the piece of paper or dough strip he wanted to cut and then cut roughly.



Using both hands to cut

 Just 2 weeks ago, he was still struggling with 2 hands.. this week, he surprised me.

He changed to holding it inward. He still refused help. But when my helper corrected him that he should hold it properly, he insisted I taught him this way.

Holding inward

 This week, he finally got it. I believe he learnt a fair bit in school, it looks easy on him.



Cutting it almost properly - well done son!

The whole night he played cutting and pasting.

Now, I read the following, that proper scissors cutting is good..

Why?


Because, correctly done, it provides the child with lots of practice in using the tripod fingers together – ie the thumb, forefinger and middle finger. Have a look at this pic of a mature pencil grip and you can see how these tripod fingers are working well together to control the pencil.
Scissor cutting, with a proper scissor grasp, will give these fingers lots of practice in working together, and will strengthen your child’s hand muscles. This will help to improve fine motor skills and to develop the correct pencil grasp for good handwriting.

I shall wait for the day he's willing to change his pencil grasp..

Meanwhile, I'm going to print some cutting skills print for him to polish his new found skill!

DEATH

When I was younger, I felt death is such a far thing..

Now, I feel death is coming really near.

I am scared of death.

Heart of gold? Maybe not...

Sometimes, I thought I have a heart of gold.

That's when I am always full of dreams to help people who are in need. Sick, poor, you name it. There is a desire to help out, to volunteer. But it's not easy.

I've tried searching for opportunities within organisations to 'offer myself" to be replied by "we have enough volunteers for now", "we'll keep you in view when we have event", "we do not have any event now" or "we need working hours volunteers". And so, each time, the fire would burn out. Till the next ripple.

It didn't come easy. For me to offer to commit. I have commitment issues.

In 2004, I committed to a programme called Meals on Wheels. But I was such a workaholic at that time that I had to change my mind at the very last minute due to work commitment. Someone from the programme called me, and he gave me an upside down lecture.

"Do you know that it is ok for you to just say you can't come?"

"But what would happen to the old folks that are waiting for the food? They still need to eat!"

I felt like shit.

From then on, I've never tried to go close to committing myself to charity. Except for donations in the temple, that is.

More than 10 years on, I picked myself up again.

Maybe, just maybe, I am not destined to do good.

I do not believe in monetary donations. Call me skeptical, call me anything you like. There are just too many cases where the people in-charge of the charity organisations misused the fund. And I'm really very skeptical of the kids doing fund raising at MRT stations for example. I really wonder where the money would all go to or whether they are really fund raising for real. Ya, not that I'm going to donate a million dollars to care, but I do care. I do not want to condone misdeeds, nor I want to check their license to confirm if they are for real before I donate a few dollars the most.

Lately I found out that I can make donations in kind to charitable organisations. I went into a few old folks home and check on what they need on regular basis.

And then I found out something interesting.

On NTUC Fairprice website, there's a link for Donation to VWOs, it has a whole list of VWOs that you can make donation to. If you click on any of the VWO, you'll be shown what are the items they use regularly and the brands they preferred.

There you go.. alternative to my skeptical mind about donation.

On the other hand, I believe I have an evil heart too.

I was on the MRT to make my way to a sale. The guy beside me gave the seat to a woman in her 60s or 70s. She spoke in a strongly accented Chinese. No doubt where she came from. She asked me the name of 2 stations away. I told her I would alight with her as I would be going the same way. Then when the train stopped at the first station, she panicked and said something along the line that she went the wrong way and then she alighted at the station. I was still glued to my seat.

Just when the train doors closed, I felt really bad. I regretted not helping her find her way and make sure she knows her way before leaving her like that. I prayed that someone else would be able to help her.

I was angry at myself, why can't I just sacrifice a little of time to help her? I have no other answer than I was selfish and self-centred.

So you see? I have a very confused personality.

I'm good, or I'm actually not good afterall.

Train in a flower

Random post @ 33months

26th Sep'13: Pretended to be Snow White (you read right)




20th Sep'13: Pretended to be a doctor: checking grandma's heartbeat



Taking her temperature



And she needed an injection



18th Sep'13: Eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, he said Happy Birthday to Me!



17th Sep'13: Having fun with stickers from classmate's goodie bag!

12th Sep'13: Yummy durian in KL!



11th Sep'13: Very hardworking at the piano - as if he was reading a story



With cousin Sabrina in KL