Why I like to bake..

(despite having absolutely no talent in it..)

I've not shared anything here about me learning to bake. It just happened one day (in Jul), I signed up for Wilton 1 cake decoration course and never looked back. Not that I've gone far, but it has not been an easy one.

For one, I'm not a very thoughtful meticulous person. I am in short a clumsy fella.

The baking journey has not been without mishaps. Just to name a few:

1. over-beat the batter (there was no indication or hint in most of the recipes about not over-beating or under-beating for that matter. What is over beat? How do I tell whether I over-beat or not? I don't know, I still don't know. I'm still doing trial and error, and feed the fellow guinea pigs.
2. so what happened if over/under beat? I am not sure, some days, my cupcakes just rise and rise and overflow. That's what happened I guess. Strangely, when this happened, guinea pigs will say the cupcakes taste nicer.
3. halfway through measuring ingredients for a recipe and realising, to my horror, I do not have enough main ingredient (read FLOUR)! At that point of time I really feel like smacking myself. The solution would either be go out to buy or substitute with other flour or change the recipe altogether and find one that I have all ingredients for.
4. sudden inspiration to bake (and if I'm lucky to have all ingredients on-hand) and feel really miserable waiting for the ingredients to cool to room temperature. I'll cut the butter into cubes (almost chopping them like minced meat) to let them cool down warm up faster.
5. burn my fingers. The oven is hot, mind you. But my mind is not with the oven, it's with the batter/cupcakes/cake whatever. Seems like my hand really like to test the its limit. I think I'm just excited over the baking.
6. the baking duration takes way longer than stated in the recipe. The oven, seriously, one day, I'll get a good one! (please don't die on me this weekend... pwetty please?!)
7. inherited the ancient weighing scale from my MIL, I can't measure to 1g precision. But lately, when I'm in bread making, a lot of recipes called for 5g of yeast and 1g of salt. How am I supposed to measure that?!
8. to answer my question in #7.. spoil the weighing scale and get a precise digital one. which is precisely what happened last night while I tried to zero the ancient weighing scale and I overdid it. So it's officially spoilt, and I got a new digital one!

But all the above is really worth it, when IZ (self-claimed my Nos. 1 fan) gives me a thumbs up and said "nice!".

On days when my baking's a flop, he'll say "it's a little bit nice, Mommy. You can try harder the next time".

He also tell people he meets that "my mommy is a baker, she can bake everything you know!". Because of this belief, I really do believe I can bake everything. So whatever the little one wants, I'll google for recipe and try.

My little angel, I really hope I show you positive attitude and making effort in our lives. I hope you'll not give up easily and keep trying just like how you encouraged me.

Just to share some of the pieces:

Preparing for K2..

I can't believe we came back from our vacation for more than a week already. I love going on a holiday with IZ and the dad. Living with MIL (and a helper), we basically do not have much privacy. Living together in a small hotel room or a small apartment, helps a lot in our family bonding. Which is why, I'll continue and insist on our family vacation, regardless how near or how far the location is.

And the school holiday has started since last Friday. I've told IZ that we'll have to start a routine, doing more "homework", learn how to spell (as there'll be spelling test for both Chinese and English starting K2), learn more about Maths etc.

All these because IZ buddy's mom told me that it's probably time to put more effort on his studies, build up his foundation, and do more Math as IZ shows interest in Math. She's so kind hearted to give me a pointer. Or otherwise I'll probably still taking it easy till it's too late.

So we started doing some simple work on Sunday. I'm determined to make this a routine so that he doesn't find it a chore. I'll have to work on my patience and the way I do work with him. Definitely a long way to go.

My list would go: violin practice, English, Math, Science.. (see the priority?)

There's something else I would like him to do. To be able to focus. It's really not easy to get this almost 5yo to focus on something. Out came an idea from our fellow friend whose 1st daughter benefited from Word Search.

And so our journey began..

First attempt at Word Search

Not bad for a start!

While he's working on his assessments, I do my Sudoku
It's a perfect win-win situation

Of course, I included some fun time too

Including card games..
They are ancient, aren't they?!

and UNO!

Last PTM for K1

We went to the last PTM for the year yesterday.

Ms Fizah says IZ has no issue with learning, but she's concerned about his inability to have clear pronunciation for certain sound. She asked if we are still working on it. Fact is, I have slacked for a while, not correcting him much as I thought it doesn't call for concern.

Fact is, I thought it's only bad habit of his, since he could speak Chinese really well.

But Li Laoshi also feedback the same. That his pronunciation is not accurate.

So it was a wake up call for me, to continue to work on his speeches.

Li Laoshi says he is a confident boy, very proactive and engaging in her class. He asks questions when he's unsure and dare to voice out his opinions.

Ms Fizah commented IZ has one of the best writing among his peers.

All is well, he is on par with teachers' expectations... well done, IZ!

Coming up to K2 real soon!

Updated on 19th Nov'15:

Comments from Chinese Immersion Class teacher was nowhere near the above. Daddy used the term "far from satisfactory". Teacher commented IZ is easily distracted, didn't concentrate in class and not able to write properly.

Oh well, he's not even 5 yet, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Most importantly this year, the objective is to cultivate such that he embraces the language and not switch off like previously.

Still, I say, job well done, IZ.

Daddy begs to differ although in the end, I managed to convince him there's no call for concern. He kept quiet, means points accepted.

Hopefully daddy can change his mindset before the next negative feedback came about.

Dear IZ,

It's never about the result, it's always about your attitude and your effort. Jia you!

"Do you love me?"

IZ: Mommy, do you love the son that you gave birth to?
Me: of course!
IZ: even if he is naughty?
Me: yes, of course!

And he looked satisfied.

I guess he just needed some reassurance yesterday..

Random Drawing

Random talking..

11th Oct'15

Daddy promised to make a car in the night...

2 hours later.

IZ: Grrr.. why the Earth is spinning so slowly!
Me; why do you say that?
IZ: I can't wait for night time to fix my car!


3rd Oct'15

IZ asked for big drawing paper as usual, the first thing he does when he wakes up.

Me: you need to eat more to reach the paper on your own (I deliberately keep the drawing blocks high so it is out of reach or we'd risk chopping more trees)
Iz: why not you put it down so I can take myself now?

#talkingback


2nd Oct'15

#1:
IZ: I want to study in the United States of America

#2:
Today, while I showered him with my mask on (ya sickbound)..
IZ: mommy, you know where you came from, the flag is almost like United States of America. Just that Malaysia has the moon and stars
Me: Good observation, IZ!

#3:
Early morning..
IZ: I was just thinking where Mexico is
IZ: come! Let me show you where Mexico is!
And he went to the atlas on the wall and pointed right there, one shot.

Amazing, I wouldn't be able to pinpoint where exactly Mexico is without checking the words.

@-@


Few days before:

IZ: I think I want to open a dessert shop
Me: wow, dessert shop! Great! (deep down thinking what happened to the "I want to be a policeman!")
IZ: yes!
Me: great! So what do you think you'll sell in the shop?
IZ: desserts.. cake, candies, chocolates, drinks..
Me: wow, that would be a great shop, ^5!
IZ: ^5!

The Solar System

To make use of The Solar System book I bought for years, I started reading to him last week. The same book every night, and he really enjoyed it.

Then I thought of activities (because of reminder to self: create more fun learning) for Solar System, and then mind mapping came into my mind. I'm not exactly a person for mind mapping, but for his age and his interest, I guess drawing it out will be the best.

While I read, I described, he put it in illustration.

We also went through the way to remember "My Very Energetic Mother Just Serves Us Noodles". We learnt not just the Solar System, but spelling/phonics too!

Very serious at work

He said he wants to display and show his Serangoon friends
that his mommy taught him Solar System.

I also let him watch YouTube on Solar System, and I guess he really benefited from it.

Last night he went "Jupiter is made of gas". I couldn't remember.

Then he started singing "I am a giant gas" in the manner of the YouTube song.

The dad randomly uttered a question "how many moon does Jupiter has?" IZ answered 60 (that's according to the book anyway). Looks like Jupiter now has at least 63 moons. How ah?

Edited on 16th Sep'15:

He captioned "I'm cold"
as it can be very hot in Mercury, and it can be very cold too

He captioned "mmm nice" on Earth
the only planet with living things

He captioned "why I have so many volcanoes on myself"
for Venus who has many crates

Parents Teacher Meeting: 31st Aug'15

Feedback from Ms. Fizah:

1. IZ can draw really well for his age. Robots that he draw are very detailed.
2. IZ can do his work independently.
3. IZ shows empathy by asking a peer's parent on the allergies. He told the parent that he wanted to share his cake.
4. They are learning time now, IZ's favorite subject so he has no problem.
5. IZ did well for his show and tell. He asked his friends to wait till he finished before asking him questions. He was also very excited to share the photobook with his friends. Looks like Melbourne was the best trip ever for him. Each trip is?
6. The only concern is about his speech. Ms Fizah asked if we are still going for speech therapy. I guess I've slacked a little these days. Time to buck up!

Feedback from Li Laoshi:

1. IZ is a happy, active and sunny little boy.
2. He participates actively in class activities and dares to speak up. 
3. He is able to complete his homework as per teacher’s request. 
4. After class he is able to help his friends.
5. IZ is very helpful not just to friends, but to teacher too.

Pray that he continue to enjoy his lernen-reise.

Session #3

I can't disclose any information that would reveal the identity of the child I befriend. The child (X) is diagnosed with leukemia.

Yesterday was the 3rd session with X. I knew from social worker, X's mother would like X to catch up with schoolwork since X stopped going to school due to the sickness.

Every time I leave after our session, I will be deep in thought.

Because of their close age, I thought about IZ too.

I tried teaching ABC last week, but X was not interested.

So, yesterday, I resorted to making fun lesson for him.

I used similar method to what I've done with IZ when he was young. When I was doing revision on the fun lessons, I felt disappointed with myself. I've not done fun lessons with IZ for the longest time. We read a lot, he does worksheet everyday under Aunty's guidance but we did not do fun lesson anymore. I've forgotten he's only turning 5. I blamed my impatience, I blamed his hyper-activeness, I blamed his inability to focus and I blamed his passion for drawing that he draws every minute I see him.

While I was at the revision, I promised myself to do more fun lessons with him. Play as we learn.

And I was really happy X paid full attention to me for whole of 15 mins. And the fun lesson worked, he had fun, he learned about A, and he did some craft. I can't wait for our 2nd fun lesson.

I hope the same for him.

The volunteer work reminds me again that I'm not a good person, so I will continue to volunteer to remind myself to be a better person.

IZ draws

Something different this morning.. took him less than 15mins..

SG50 - from IZ's perspective

I asked IZ to draw SG50 related for his drawing class, but he refused. He said he'd draw one for me when we g to my brother's for SG50 makan.

So, at my brother's, he sat there, and started drawing these. 

There is (clockwise):

1. SG flag (albeit a star - not sure if it's cause of space constraint)
2. USS (the palace looking)
3. Merlion
4. Gun
5. Flats
6. Helicopter
7. People
8. Clock tower
9. Singapore Flyer

All these he drew from his own imagination

Little Perfectionist..

The little perfectionist was not satisfied with this piece of work..

I really don't know how to tone down his perfectionism.. Rather, I need to find a way round his perfectionist character.. how do I do it?

Boy stuffs!