Monday, February 28, 2011

Losing Momentum

It is pretty obvious from the dwindling number of posts in the recent months that I'm slowly, but surely, losing my momentum to blog. 

There are still many thoughts that go through my mind and many things that I like to keep a record of, for us to look through in future. I still enjoy going back to my 2007 and 2008 posts from time to time to 'relive' those moments. If I hadn't started writing back then, I wouldn't be able to remember all those wonderful details. 

But now, the will to keep the blog going is also diminishing. Fast. 

Where did the mojo go? 





Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Daily Routine: Tennis Days

Though CCAs are not compulsory for lower Primary school students, we have decided to be supportive and encouraged M to pick something this year. I figured now is a good time to pick up some skills and do more activities outside school hours when his school workload is still light. 

Given my own experience with competitive sports during my schooling years, I must admit that I prefer him to be involved in competitive sports too, than to join a club. 

So I was elated and relieved when he came home after the CCA Open House in the first week of school announcing his intention to join the Tennis team. In a way, I was glad I didn't even have to persuade him. 

So once a week, M has what I called the Tennis Day. It didn't take up a whole day, of course not. The tennis practice is just two hours after school dismissal. 

However, it is by far, the busiest and most tiring day for me. Actually I am sure it is for him too. And perhaps also for little Chip. 

6.00am – E wakes up. Nudges me to wake. Then he gently wakes up M. I make breakfast for M and packs him 2 snacks for school. 

7:00am – M leaves for school bus. I either make coffee for myself or head back to snooze till little Chip wakes, which is usually before 8am. Then it's breakfast time for us. 

8am – I potter around the house, get some work done or play with Chip. 

10am  – We do some learning activities together before getting ready for school. Usually I also squeeze in time to make a quick lunch and pack a lunch box for Chip to take to school. 

11:30am – Walk Chip to school. Then it's my time to catch up on work, housework, eat lunch, run errands, appointments etc. 

1:00pm - Get ready to walk to M's school with his lunchbox, change of clothes and tennis racket. 

1:30pm - M's dismissed from school. I sit with him during his lunch hour and wait till he gets to tennis class before making my way back home again. 

3pm  – I take a little breather at home or catch up on more work. Pack a snack for Chip and get ready to pick him up from school. 

3:45pm - Give Chip snacks at school. We walk to M's school. Wait 10 min for M, then we stroll back home. 

5:00pm- Reach home, all dirty and tired. Boys are showered, then off to play for an hour or more while I get on with my work, housework, dinner preparation etc.  

6:00pm - Husband comes home. He plays with the kids till dinner is ready. 

7pm – Eats dinner. More play/quiet time for boys. Bedtime reading. Pack them to bed at 9pm. Finishes up housework and jumps into showers. Winds down for bed. 

10:00pm – ZZzzz for all. 


After the first tennis practice, M walked out of the tennis court, spent and super grouchy. He grumbled that it was all too tiring and he didn't realized that he had to run!! Hahaha!  

He must have been misled by the few minutes during the Open House when he got to swing the racket and hit a few green fuzzy balls over the net, thinking that tennis practice is just that - can't be tough on his legs at all! 

And since I strongly believe in the merits of competitive sports to toughen the body, spirit and soul, I didn't reveal more details (such as the hardships involved) than I needed to either. The practices will get tougher in future, I just know it, but I am also sure that he will survive them. If others can, so can he. 

He just had sixth lesson this week and it is obvious that he is loving it, despite being really exhausted at the end of the long day. 

Actually, these tennis days have also taken a toll on me. I need to sleep more the next day to recover from it. Maybe it is just another sign that I am no longer young. Darn! 

I know I can make it easier on myself by not bringing him lunch. That will save me a lot of time and effort. But the thought of him eating the yucky canteen food is enough for me to persevere. We tried the canteen food on the first tennis practice and I was shocked at how bad it was. So ever since, I would bring him home-cooked lunch on tennis days and lovingly watch him nibble them for the next 40 min (yeah, he is THAT slow an eater!). 

I decided I would deliver lunch for as long as I could, and for as long as he wants me to. Simply because I can. I am a stay-home-mum after all. :> 

Of course this makes him one of the pampered boys in school, but there are plenty of other children with lunches delivered by caregivers, so I'm glad my presence didn't make feel like an odd one out. He certainly hasn't said a word about it. 

In fact, he is always extremely delighted to see me waiting for him at the school foyer. I also realized last week that he was the only one in sight who was still holding the mummy's hand in school. :> 

I find it amusing that I felt more conscious than he did and for a moment, I shook off his hand before he found my hand again and held on to it real tight. Just like how he always does, whenever we are out and about. Aww.....  So what the heck, if he is not conscious about it yet, I shan't either. I will enjoy these moments of my little boy wanting to hold my hand, for as long as possible.  


Thursday, February 17, 2011

Doomsday Device Part II

Remember the comic on Doomsday Device?

Here is how it should look like. Some specifications and the pictorial manual on how to operate it. 





Not to be outdone by his older brother, little Chip also drew up his version (as below). Haha.. 



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Our Chinese Collection


There are many things I like about our local libraries. But there is one section that I can't stand - the shelves that stock the Chinese children books. 

I can't say if it is just something unique to the branch that I frequent or is it the same for all branches, but the librarians can really do a lot more to organize the books in some order. 

Anyway, I have given up a long time ago to depend on the local libraries for good Chinese children books. It is time consuming to look for interesting books that are at a suitable level for the boys and are also without hanyu pinyin. Whatever that I can find in the library are usually so tattered and filthy that sometimes I can't bear to touch them, let alone bring them home. 

A while back, I spent some time researching and stocking up our home library, which I think is truly necessary to ensure that my boys read their share of good Chinese books. Since we have probably close to 500 English books, I figured I must do more to increase the variety in the mother tongue language. The result has been very encouraging. 

Recently, Chip has taken a special liking for these two series. 



Personally, I think the 鼠小弟 series (12 books) is more interesting and humourous than the second (10 books). But the boy likes them both and has been asking for them everyday. Sometimes he would insist that I read the whole series twice or thrice over in one sitting. 

These two series are a little too simple and hence boring for M. Thankfully, I found the following fabulous series for him. 




Consisting of 6 related stories, this series is by far my favourite Chinese books ever! They are wackily funny and never failed to crack us up. I have been reading them to him, instead of asking him to read aloud. But I think very soon, he will be ready to read them to me. 

Though M still can't read all the words in the books, but at least, he loves them enough to want to bring them to school for his daily reading time. An encouraging sign indeed! 

I still have at least another 40 books that I have yet to introduce to the boys, but I am taking my time. Instead of bringing them all out straightaway, I decided to save some for future when they get tired of the current series. 

Meanwhile, I am on the hunt again for more of such quality reads. 


Friday, February 11, 2011

Hop in the Sun

One thing I like about the HDB estates is the abundance of playgrounds. 

Once in a while, when we are nearby an estate, I like to take the boys to check them out. Compared to the ones near to our residence, the HDB ones seem so much more fun. 

N loves hopscotch! And I love watching him hop. ^.^






We *must* do this more often this year. And I must take more photos of them playing outdoors. 

Very soon, they will outgrow playgrounds and I know I will just look back at the old photos and wonder if I could have done more. 




Thursday, February 10, 2011

Falling In Love: A Daily Affair

A few weeks ago, a close friend interviewed me for a book which she is writing.

It was all very casual and we chatted on a wide range of topics revolving around modern women. Soon, I found myself telling her about the fulfillment that motherhood brings and that after over 6 years of being a mum, I still think that it is the best thing I have done for myself. 

When you are a parent, you get very special love from your children which your husband, lover, boyfriend and friends cannot quite provide. It is simply a different kind of love. 

I fall in love with my boys all over again, at least twice a day. 

Ok, I admit that they also drive me up the wall, usually several times a day. On a super good day, there will be at least a mini-episode that requires me to deliver some stern looks and quick reprimands. 

But the point is, children do not have to go out of their way to do anything special to be loved. 

Just watching them being themselves and having fun is enough for me to be bursting with maternal love for them. 



And in these photos, they were engrossed in their little game of producing as many bubbles as possible and swiping at as many bubbles as possible. 

Giggles of amusement. Shouts of exhilaration. Pure Simple Fun. 

The whole time, I was sitting by the bench next to them, watching them. With a broad grin on my face and contentment in my heart, I thought of how different life would be without them. 

I would never want to live without them. Ever. 

They complete me. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Anti-Arcade



The boys love Super Mario, all thanks to daddy's introduction a few years ago. 

Most of the time, they would just watch E play the games, cheering him on as Mario attempted one adventure after another in his bid to save Princess Peach. 

To the boys, it is a form of entertainment which is perhaps more exciting than watching TV programmes. 

To E, it is a required compromise so that he can still indulge in some form of family-friendly gaming time after work. Right from the time when M was a toddler, I have convinced him not to play certain types of games in front of the kids. With Super Mario, I can't really object though I still don't approve long hours of exposure. 

A few weeks ago, on a rainy weekend, E suggested a visit to the arcade with the kids which I reluctantly agreed. 

The thing is, I abhor arcades. I really do. My last visit to an arcade was a decade ago. Even before that, I used to associate arcade-goers with school drop-outs and delinquents and would simply avoid being seen in one. 

I don't know how people can stand being in a place with such assault of noise and still derive pleasure from the activities. Are they deaf or what?

The kids, on the other hand, were thrilled. All that they wanted to do was to play the driving games.


Even M was not tall enough to operate one on his own. These machines are obviously not designed for those 6 years and below. 

Sorry darling, but I am not going to step foot into another arcade again. Unless it is to drag my kids out of one. 




Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Purple Smurfs



Like all good parents, E tries hard to be fair to both boys. In every way possible.

Since M has tons of fun reading comic books such as Calvin and Hobbes, Tin Tin and Peanuts (Charlie Brown) everyday, E must have felt that the little brother cannot be left out. 

He finally found something that is a good introduction for Chip -  the Purple Smurfs!

It was one of those presents which Father Christmas brought specially for Chip last Dec. :> 

The kiddo was so surprised and delighted to finally have a comic of his own! Just like his brother. 

He loves it so much that he requested for it every night for a few straight weeks. Luckily for me, daddy is always happy to read the same book night after night if it pleases or amuses the boys. 

Though I am not crazy about the content, it did bring back some happy memories. After all, I grew up watching Smurfs. 






 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Painting Project

I am no feminist. 

Despite my support for any movement that advocates equal opportunities for women, I don't deny I also have passionate beliefs that some jobs just suit the men a lot more.  *.*

Perhaps the boys too. 



(photos in late Dec 2010)

The man in the house can do a superb job, but there was no harm enlisting some assistance from the willing and enthusiastic little helpers.  :> 

When we decided to paint a particular wall in the living room last December, every member in the family had a say on the color to pick. Unsurprisingly, everyone had a strong preference. 

E always likes something yellowish or orange for walls. M wanted black with white stars to create the look of the Universe. Chip insisted that the wall had to be pink because that is the color of his favourite pigs. I would love a warm and classy shade or a hue that is pleasantly surprising and eye-catching (think magenta). 

In the end, a major compromise was called for and E ended up painting two walls in two short hours! 

And I must add, at this point, that I'm thankful that the hubby is just so capable and happy to do stuff like this around the house. DIY men are just plain sexy and so attractive, especially when they are just as dependable to bring home the bacon, babysit and cook up a storm.  :> 

Um.. before I digress further, let's get back to what I was supposed to say. 

Now we have a corner that feels so warm and welcoming in the dining/living area and another that oozes sweet charm and promising coziness in the boys' room. 

The latter surely pleases little Chip to no end as E gave in to his choice of color. It didn't sit well with M at first, who thinks that shade is for girls.  Luckily, M let it go and is soon oblivious to the lilac wall behind Chip's bed. (The pink shade that Chip picked turned out to look more like lilac.)

Maybe later this year, we shall paint again. Like E said, it has become kinda addictive. 



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Game of Confidence


About two weeks ago, I learnt from M the interesting titles held by the children in class. There are Maths Captains, Class Captains, Green Captains, Thinkers Captains etc...  

He wasn't sure of the full responsibilities of each role, but I reckon this must be part of the school's effort to train character, instill a sense of responsibility and leadership skills.  

After his form teacher selected a few children for the various roles, M told her, in front of the class, that he thinks he can be a great Maths Captain too. He proceeded to inform her of his ability to do plenty of difficult problem sums, additions, subtractions and that he knows his timetables very well and can do mental sums etc...  

I almost fell off my chair!!  I know my kiddo has more than an ounce of confidence in himself, but I have not imagined him self-promoting himself just yet. 

Of course I couldn't wait to hear the teacher's response. 

'Oh she said it is not good enough. I also must not be blur.'  That came out in a matter-of-fact tone and he didn't seem the least bit affected by the teacher's response. Nor was he curious enough to question her on the use of the term 'blur'. 

Hahaha!

I complimented him for having the confidence to speak his mind and pursue what he wanted, i.e. to be a Maths Captain. 

But he later told me that on second thought, he would like to be the Thinkers Captain, a role which was still unassigned. Perhaps that is a sign of optimism on his part. :> 

I couldn't stop thinking about the level of confidence M has in himself. I admire his assertiveness, a quality that I wish I had more of during my growing up years. 

When E heard this story the same evening, the first thing that he picked up was the implied message in the teacher's response that his boy is blur. Could it be? Nah, no way could his boy be described as 'blur'. 

As a very typical born-and-bred-in-the-West parent, E places tremendous value on the self-esteem of the child (not that I don't). For the rest of the evening, he made sure the kid hasn't suffered a dent in morale. :>

Ironically, the boy was fine. He even started making little jokes and calling himself Baby Blur. 

But I think the adults (E and I) are the ones who are left with some self-doubts as we speculated on the causes for the teacher's assessment. 

Perhaps he didn't listen to instructions in class, though M assured us that he is always listening and following instructions. 

Or maybe the teacher has judged based on one incident. He did come home one day wearing someone else's shoes which are identical to his. But this was totally my fault really as I forgot to label his shoes. That said, I won't be surprised if there are teachers who will label the child after a stand-alone incident. We all know they exist. 

In the grand scheme of things, this incident is really no big deal. The class roles are assigned to different kids every term anyway, from what I've heard. To me, this is just part of the learning process. 

As far as I'm concerned, my kid has learnt two lessons well: (1) don't be afraid to speak up and go for what you want (2) the teacher called him 'blur', which means there is room for improvement. 
 
This is good enough! 




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