SEA Games

Inspired by SEA Games ongoing lately, he brought Lego play to another level:

Random creations over the weekend

"Pretty dress for the Princess"

"Castle"

"Riding on a horse"

New dress designed for Rapunzel

Violin

"A knight"

"Spider-Iron-Man"

"A car"
Creativity knows no boundary

"king's man!"

IZ's 1st Violin Performance

I was at Willing Hearts Soup Kitchen for community service organised by my company when I got a text from hubby who accompanied IZ to his group lesson.

"Mr Lee ask if IZ like to perform later at Simei CC at 12pm"

I was like, "what? does he even want that?"

"Mdm Teo says he wants"

They came to pick me, went home, ate, changed and off we went to Simei CC.

I didn't even know which song he was going to play. 

Then Mdm Teo told me "Song of the Wind".

IZ was oblivious of what was going on, he just followed suit. He told me he didn't want to perform when we were going to assemble with the rest. I said ok, although my heart fluttered (why did you agree in the first place? beats me, really).. But I also told myself, it's ok, it was not planned, so it's ok if he really didn't want to do it.

The moment he saw so many kids in the dance studio playing their violins, he said "I need my violin", and he started playing.

Mr Lee was arranging the group when we were told IZ was going to play solo and we had to go to the stage right away. The audience was waiting for the next show!

I briefly told IZ to introduce himself (not knowing what else to say/do - I was anxious, nervous, panic, lost)..

He didn't want to go up the stage alone, so I had to go with him, and hid behind the curtain.

He started "Hello! My name is IZ. I am 4 years old"

And started his piece.

I couldn't breathe.

I guess the dad was anxious too, for the video he took, was shaking.. badly.

He was off pitch, but I gave him credit for being so brave, steady and cool on the stage, went on even when there was mistake.

I couldn't have done it as well as he did.

Proud of him.

He's still oblivious of the whole thing.. he said "I practised on the stage, alone".

His first solo performance @
Changi Simei CC Open House

How to be a good sports?

IZ has difficulty admitting defeats. Absolutely nil sportsmanship.

Let him win in a game, he'll smile happily.

Let him start losing lose in a game, he'll sulk.. even cry.

And so the cycles went.. we tried very hard to make him lose in almost every game if we could help it.

Teaching him to be a good sport has been in vain.

Then I thought of a good idea..

To show him how it feels to lose, for real.

The 28th SEA Games in Singapore is the right place to start.

So I had to choose a game. Long enough to let him see how hard the players played, short enough for him to still be engaged.

Naturally, I chose the cheapest one, the free one. Naturally, I chose my favorite, the field hockey.

And so I chose the day when SIN was going against MAS. 

An almost no-fight match. I knew MAS was going to win.

But it was utmost important to let IZ see by himself, what "losers" do after a game.

We reached at half time and there was queue. We were denied entry as stadium was full. We were told there was no guarantee we could go in. We queued anyway, and glad we did.

Started to queue

During the game, he asked 1001 questions.. about hockey.

And I kept bringing him back to the point that SIN was losing, but the players were still playing hard.

SIN was defeated 1-4.

The most important moment arrived at the end.

The players from each team shook hands with each other. The "losers" didn't cry. The "losers" was applauded by the crowd for trying. The "losers" did not say "I don't want to play again!"

Both IZ and I clapped and cheered along that they worked hard. That's the spirit, my son.

How much has he taken away? I can't tell now.. until the next losing moment.

Random drawings

"Pattern colours"

Bye milk bottle!

We were advised there's no need to continue giving him formula milk. And that we could try fresh milk instead.

Since we told him we will just finish up the formula milk at home, he has been savouring every drop of the milk, as much as he could, from the bottle.

He would prop a pillow nicely, and lie down before sucking the bottle. I can't deny he looks really cute sucking!

Then a friend brought her daughter to the dentist and found decay. My friend then took the opportunity to eliminate sweets and milk bottles out of their lives. All has been good.

And I told myself to do it later, while thinking of all the possibilities that the transition ain't gonna be easy.. then opportunity chanced upon us..

My sister bought a cute cup-bottle with straw for IZ during our trip back to KL last week. So I told him during our trip to Bukit Tinggi, that it'd be the last night he sucked his bottle, we need to say bye bye to the bottle.

Last night with the milk bottle

Hello new cup-bottle!

Amazing how the kiddo could adapt so easily!

Now, how do we wean off formula milk smoothly? The last can ain't gonna last long!

The unlucky weekend..

I made meringue
- I burnt 2 fingers

I went for dinner with friends
- I started having diarrhea before the dinner ends

I went for company wellness program
- we had to cycle in the rain
- I near missed an accident at a slip road
- I missed a turn and had to make a big detour on the way back

I went to pick IZ up from art class
- I got complained by the school neighbor for parking illegally opposite his house

I sent IZ to violin class
- I near missed an accident at a slip road
- I accidentally pressed the faulty side mirror switch and the side mirror folded out of shape
- IZ spilled yogurt drink on his shirt and pants in the car

I sent IZ to swimming class
- I missed a turn and had to make a big detour
- he panicked in the water and cried throughout his lesson
- someone took our float, we had to look for it around the pool

I'm just so glad the weekend is over.

Random..

"transformer holding a sword"

"you must take from here also, Mommy"

So, I took from all 4 angles

I don't remember what he said... :-(

Copying Kinder Surprise

Skinny "spiderman" - all from his memory

Skinny "captain America" - referred to cousin's iPhone

Ninja Turtle - all from his memory

Put this piece in my wardrobe to give me a surprise
"A man looking for Easter Eggs"
Noticed the man looking side way? It's intentional

Random updates over the weekendI

Dr Tan polishing and scaling his teeth
Super co-operative!

Strawberry Cheesecake, anyone!

The first title I could read ever since I took up Guzheng for real

Free performance by BHSO
I saw a Lute today!

How about modern guitar in Baroque music?
Thumbs up!

Project BESAR (Vesak Day Distribution)

It has been a  year since I started volunteering with Teck Chen Choling Temple. How time flies. I'm thankful I'm still able to volunteer, still find it in my heart to continue giving. I'm thankful IZ could join me too.

Date: 10th May'15 - Housecall

I went for the housecall with YJ and my cousin, V. I hoped to show V the other side of Singapore. For her to know that there are people in needs in Singapore too. It's not just about being a nice city and all glamorous.

Again, I managed to talk to the Cantonese speaking Aunty. This time round, I chatted a bit more.

For each work I carry out in the name of volunteering, I stay grounded, deeply humbled and grateful for what I have. And my heart goes all out to people who are in the receiving ends. It's not easy to survive, but they are hanging on.

Even then, they did not take advantage of kindness. One particular door we knocked on, we saw this. The message simply says do not waste the food, do not hang food on their door. And they ended with thank you.

Date: 17th May'15 - Packing

IZ and I joined later after violin class. Managed to help just the last bit of the packing.

He was perspiring, but he was happy to be able to help.

IZ helped to put 2 toilet rolls in each bag

Swimming update..

IZ started swimming lesson right after he turned 4.

The first few months was predictable, given his timid character. He took a step forward.. two steps backward.. half step forward, a step backward.. back and forth.. until.. right after our Melbourne trip.

Not that we went swimming in Melbourne, he just some, like a light bulb suddenly lit up. He has never looked back since.

He's been progressing, albeit slowly.. Teacher Victor is working on water safe stage.. get them accustomed to the water, able to float, able to paddle..

Last weekend:

Mustered courage to jump into the 1m pool

Learnt to float

Walking in the water

Really proud of him!

Drawing Lessons

"Transfomer"

"Angry birds with egg and clock"
HUH?!

"Rapunzel"

"Kings men"