Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Some Forgotten Favorites

M did these a few months ago but were in our photo backlog and totally forgotten.

"Puss in Boots", inspired by the Shrek movie.
A

Backview of boy at beach.

I love this "Spider in Web", waiting for flies.

One of boys' fav cartoons.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Laborious Play



M built this last week. Took him between 5 and 7 hours. Can't be sure how long since we didn't really keep track of the time he spends playing Lego. But he said he started making parts of it the day before and finished it the next day. 

When I started examining the parts, I was amazed at how he had joined all the really tiny pieces together. It seems such a laborious process. To me anyway. I don't enjoy Lego, not the least bit, so it is pure labour. But to him, it is a labour of love. And he said he made it for me. 

'For Mama, because I love you.'

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Reading Nicholas

After dinner, my 5yo disappeared from sight for a long while. When I went around the house looking for him, I found him hiding behind the covers reading. He is truly our little bookworm. 



He was so engrossed reading the remaining chapters of 'Nicholas' that he didn't realise I was standing in front of him for a while. I could hear him giggle softly at the hilarious parts. It is always so precious to see the little twinkle in his eyes and smile on his lips as he appreciates the author's sense of humour. 


45 min later, he emerged from the room announcing 'I've finished the whole book!'. 

He loves the book, and recommended that I read it myself at bedtime. :> 

Though this book is recommended for age 9 to 12, he seems to understand the story and enjoy it a lot. So we shall go hunt for the remaining titles in the series now. 

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Oh! That Babyish Voice


I am thankful that I started this blog. It has allowed me to record many thoughts and events in a way that photos and a written journal can't do. 

Tonight, I looked through a few old entries and came across so many that made me smile. It is wonderful to be able to remember the details of these little mundane incidents. What precious memories of my boys when they were little. 

One post in particular, which I haven't looked at for a while, just moved me so much. I listened to this old audio recording of my first-born reading one of his and our favorite books. He was about 2 yr old then. I couldn't believe how different his voice was back then. N, who is almost 3 y.o. now talks just like this. Same accent, pitch and everything!! 

I am so thankful that we recorded his voice. It reminded me once again, of the baby he was once. And I missed those times when he was still my little tot. 

Friday, September 25, 2009

Chipsy With Lego

This photo was taken many months ago.

This second photo was shot more recently. Nowadays, he will sit quietly and make a building for me whenever he walks past his Lego set. They are getting better, certainly more creative in designs, like how M used to make them



With an older sibling around, how and what he plays with will be greatly influenced by how and what his older sibling plays with. It is definitely the case with Chipsy. 

While he is still keen to play with this Quatro set and our Megabloks, he is much more fascinated with M's teeny pieces of Lego which is really more suitable for hands and fingers of a 6 to 12 yr old. 

He will painstakingly try to put together a truck or something and proudly bring it on to show us. He often struggles quite a bit as those small pieces are really hard to put together and take apart, certainly for a under-3 yo child. But he doesn't give up easily. So we focus on the positive side and let him be without interfering until he asks for help.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

35 month old and Letter 'C' Words

A dose of fun on a hot weekday afternoon.




We played our little game with his 'claw' as Chip learns to read some new words. 

As seen in the video, I have added words like 'cheese' and 'clock' to the group because I wasn't teaching phonics. The words are selected for a few reasons and this is one of our transdisciplinary thematic activities for a lapbook that we are working on. 

Both E and I don't teach our boys phonics. As I mentioned before in a previous post, we don't believe that phonics is the most effective or only way for teaching preschoolers to read, despite its popular use in preschools nowadays. We still believe more in the 'whole language' approach. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

What a 5 Year Old Will Remember

I have only very scant impressions of my grandmother. Just the little bits of precious details of two incidents, both took place when I was 7. 

I always feel it is a real shame. If only I had more memories of my grandparents. If only I could remember more of my experiences and time I spent with them. If only there is something that I could look at from time to time, that reminds me of them. A little possession of theirs. Or something previously precious that they cherished. If only I knew more about them. 

This is something that I always yearn for my kids. I wish and hope they have more of what I didn't have.

In years to come, my 5 year old may not remember all the fun he had and places that he had been to when he was small. He may not remember many beautiful memories that we painstakingly tried to create. But I hope he will remember something wonderful about the times he spent with his grandparents when he was small and the warmth he felt when they showered love on him. I hope he would have more of such sweet memories to hold on to.

M enjoying a little cuddle at a park with grandma. When we first got back from London, he would cry every time he thinks of her. He said he misses her and wanted to go back to cuddle her. When I asked him how does he know that his grandma loves him, his reply 'I just know, she cooked nice breakfast for me, read to me and played with me. And she cuddled and kissed me.'

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Too Cute!

This makes me laugh. 

I definitely miss the babyish stage.... which is fast vanishing. 

Monday, September 21, 2009

E-I-E-I-O

Whenever there is a chance to take a little break from the concrete jungle, I try not to miss it. So when we were told there is a farm that is just a bus ride away when we were in London, we coaxed the little Chip to tag along, hoping to find some cows and pigs.

Pretending to throw the tot to the herbivores...


Working out a little sweat... 

The sweet-looking fluffy ball.... 

Chip's all-time fav! 

Wondering how tasty they would be on a plate....



Up close with a turkey... yikes!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Nature Calls




The older I get, the more I find allure in nature. There is something so inviting of the countryside. Especially when it is green for as far as my eyes can take me. 

And I love the idea that my boys get to explore the same....  take a little stroll, pick some stones and just lie on the grass and snooze.... 

Lovely. 

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Homeschooling Or Not

Do I homeschool Chipsy? That is, entirely homeschooling, without him attending a pre-school. 

A while ago, when we were considering changing M's kindy, we thought it would be a good idea to enrol Chipsy to a Playgroup (or what is known as N1 in some pre-schools) later this year. We thought we could just let him try out a structured programme for a term. I like it that the school has a strong Chinese curriculum, so the exposure is good for him. Plus it will give me a good 2 hrs break from the kids to focus on my work at the Tots University. That way, when the boys are back from school, I can just focus on them. 

As for next year, we already know that Chipsy won't benefit that much from the N2 curriculum, except for the Chinese language appreciation. But for that fee, it may still be worthwhile sending him. It is like getting some babysitting for that duration at a place that I can trust and he gets to play and interact with other kids without me having to organise daily playdates. 

But I am also wondering if I should just homeschool him next year and enrol him only in K1. If I do that, I will most likely take a break from the classes at the Tots University. 


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Daily Stuff


A little update on the homeschooling front... 

I have started on another literature-based lapbook with Chipsy and have mapped out a whole list of thematic activities that we will be doing for the month. In addition, there are a few areas of interest that I have identified as suitable 'windows of opportunities' to work on with him from now, given his recent zealousness and increasing adeptness in these areas. Yes, I am a believer of the Montessori method, 'child-led learning' and 'windows of opportunities', otherwise known as 'sensitive periods'.

I am trying to work out a new routine that allows me to spend a good hour (at least) with Chip daily on something structured and another hour on unstructured play/learn. This doesn't include time that the boys spend together with me doing stuff like crafts and reading.

On a daily basis, I am also setting aside an hour with M to work on his Chinese and twice a week, we work on other areas like Science/general knowledge/maths and English. 

At the moment, M is already involved in two lapbooks with two different groups of kids, which will be finished in a fortnight. In October, he will start another one with the class on a very relevant and exciting theme (I just discovered today that one of the lapbook's main themes is so coincidentally in-line with the theme which his school will be covering this term). So the content that he will be learning for this upcoming lapbook is certainly going to supplement whatever that the school is teaching concurrently. But in any case, it will be a nice revision and reinforcement. 

I am also in the midst of preparing the materials for another non-literature based lapbook which we will work on at home, perhaps in end October. 

Gosh! My boy will be entering K2 next year. Hmm....  I just glimpsed at some K2 assessment books at Popular the other day when I had a few minutes. And I am very pleased to note that M is doing real fine. :) He told me last week that school is so easy for him. He likes the teachers so much because they are giving him such easy work and he can finish them so fast. I am happy for him but there are also other nagging thoughts in my mind...... 

Monday, September 14, 2009

Are You Getting Enough Primary Colors?

A new treasure that I came across recently is The Well Grounded Life -  a blog aiming at helping busy mums take care of themselves. There is much to read, but I love the post on Are You Getting Enough Primary Colors?.

From the post...

Can you remember when you were young and you would get so engrossed in something you loved doing- whether it was building dams in a creek in the backyard, or constructing an elaborate leggos city– the thought of eating was the farthest thing from your mind? Don’t we see this happening all the time with our children?  When we have to drag them away from what they are focusing on to get some calories in them!  They were being fed with something called primary food.   

“…what really feeds us as human beings?”

This concept, ”primary food”, explores all the non-edible ways we nourish, nuture and feed ourselves. ....


Go read more at the blog. 

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Little Here and There About Dinosaurs

M was extremely amused when I showed him this picture of a 'gunsaurus' which E found. After drawing countless versions and telling us so many stories of this dinosaur which had guns for hands, it is no wonder that the little boy is delighted to see a picture that comes close to his imagination. Though this dino is not exactly like what he has described, it suffices.


For the last day of school in July, M woke up half hour before school and insisted that he wanted to be dressed as a dinosaur for his end-0f-term party. That drove us crazy, especially when he had insisted for the whole week prior that he would be wearing 'only normal clothes'. 

We didn't have anything on hand that we could make into a dino outfit in under 30 min, so the witty dad persuaded the son to agree to a special hat instead. Together, they made a Evil Emperor Gunsaurus hat - complete with jaws and claws - which totally did the trick. He was so proud of the fearsome creature on his head the whole morning! Haha!



Some pieces of unknown dinosaurs which he said are waiting for paleontologists to discover. 




Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Heaps of compliments

Just the other day, Chipsy  said to me... 

'Mummy, I like your dress. It is so beautiful on you!'. 
'I like your hair like this. Can I touch it?'
'Your shoes are so nice. You are all dressed. Mummy looks so pretty.'

That made me laugh. I remember M saying similar things to me. It is funny simply because they are little boys and we have never taught them to pay compliments like these to anyone. With girls, it is sort of to be expected as they are more inclined to compliment about dressing and appearances, and they probably learn faster as others complimented them. 

Recently, he is also very into the phase of saying... 

'I only need my Mummy and Daddy and my Marcus too.' 
'Where is my Marcus?'
'I always want both Mummy and Daddy. I want to see both of you everyday.'  (both boys went through this phase of wanting both of us to be in the house at the same time. )

I love the way he expresses his feelings. One day, I overheard him say to M as they were playing in the room...

'Why do you hit me? It hurts me. Don't do this to me! It's not nice!'

'Mummy, when you are not around, when I cannot see you, it makes me sad.' (It wasn't even anything dramatic - I was just leaving the house for a grocery shopping trip or to my classes)

Ahh... the joys of motherhood. 

Friday, September 4, 2009

Learning For Life

(Children Learn What They Live)

If a child lives with Criticism
He learns to Condemn

If a child lives with Hostility
He learns to Fight

If a child lives with Ridicule
He learns to be Shy

If a child lives with Shame
He learns to feel Guilty

If a child lives with Tolerance
He learns to be Patient

If a child lives with Encouragement
He learns Confidence

If a child lives with Praise
He learns to Appreciate

If a child lives with Fairness
He learns Justice

If a child lives with Security
He learns to have Faith

If a child lives with Approval
He learns to like Himself

If a child lives with Acceptance and Friendship
He learns to find love in the World.

Dorothy law Nolte

Thursday, September 3, 2009

To My Son

Dear Marcus

Happy birthday, my baby boy. 

I hope you had a nice day today - with your double celebrations - first in school, then another one with just daddy, Chipsy and mummy. 

You were upset last night when you realized that you will turn 5 in a few hours' time. You said you are not going to eat breakfast when you wake up. You announced that you are not going to celebrate your birthday, so you can't be 5. You want to always remain a 4 year old. 

As I baked the little cakes for your school party, I kept thinking of the years I have spent with you. I was choked with emotions when I think of how time flies. You are now such an independent little boy. You no longer need mummy that much anymore and soon, very soon, perhaps too soon, you will be ready to take care of yourself entirely. At the same time, I am really proud of you.

I love it that you have a beautiful soul and a really kind heart. You are such a sensitive sweetheart, always with the kindest words and most gentle touch. Every year, at this time, when I reflect on the changes I see in you, I am always amazed by how much you have grown. It just reminds me once again, that I have to cherish everyday with you. 
 
Happy birthday, my sweetie. 

Love from all my heart, 
Mummy

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Teach Me More

Recently, M has been telling me everyday how much he enjoys learning. He wants to be clever. Very clever. And that is why he is delighted to go to school to learn everything there is to learn. Those were his exact words. He kept asking me to teach him more. Of this and that. 

Actually, I find it amusing that my 5yo is talking like this. Perhaps, a little too precocious. I had to ask him if he has learnt to say that from his teachers. He denied, insisting that he knows it is good to have knowledge and 'feed his brain' - an analogy I used a long time ago when trying to explain to him why we need to learn constantly - the importance of feeding our brain with knowledge, the same way we nourish our bodies with nutritious food. 

Or perhaps he has been inspired by a little someone. ...



though this little guy isn't really that clever, once out of his Cleverland. But of course it didn't matter... 

We have many of this series and the boys love them for bedtime reading. Some nights, I read as many as 5 of such little (but wordy) books at one sitting with both boys by my side. They are mostly fun to read and funny too. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Homeschooling Theme: Elephant Lapbook

Our 14th lapbook but I did it mainly for and with Chipsy. He is really into elephants so the theme is easy to pick. 

He drew the elephant on his own, with only my verbal instructions to guide him. *smile*





Trying hard to straighten the elephant pieces. :)   He has a little perfectionistic streak in him too. Just like M. Just like me..  

We will be starting another lapbook real soon on another interesting topic! Till the next update... 

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