Something we are looking forward to...

Communicating to Ethyl always opens up a different perspective of things that are happening around us. Her upcoming concert performance is something we are all looking forward to.

“Mommy, I am very scared”, she told me one day. Asked her why, and she said she is unable to bow nicely to the teachers’ requirement. I taught her how to do it properly and in a minute, she regained her confidence.

“Mommy, teacher said I look very sweet in the pig’s ears”. She will be playing one of the 3 little pigs. She will be the third pig that builds its house with bricks.

“Mom, I am no longer afraid to perform on stage. If I am afraid, I will look at you and I will be able to continue my performance ok? I will be brave and I will do well. You have to support me ok?” She was all confident when she told me these yesterday.

She has been practicing herself at home. I do see her enjoying her skit and really hope to see her do well on stage. Whenever she felt tensed thinking of the actual day, I will reassure her that things will go well and she shall not fret as we will all be supporting her. This assurance from us really boosted her confidence.

Will try and take a video on the day itself…they actually BAN us from bringing cameras and viewcams. Shall see how things go.

On School and Siblings

Several things happened lately. Mom is planning to work part time, i.e. on weekends when she need not look after the kiddos. Well, we very much wanted her to rest, but she insisted that she is too bored and rather go out and work. We had no choice, let her be.

Next, my plan for Ethyl to go to a new school is brought forward. Unexpectedly, I received a SMS from the bus driver that he will stop sending the kids to her current school from December. I had a quick discussion with Hubby and started to make calls to both the current school and the new school that Ethyl’s going to be enrolled into. Made some arrangements on paperwork, and things were all settled in morning.

Further to settling the main issues, I discussed with Hubby on Brayden’s schooling plans next year. I wanted to let him start at the same time with Ethyl; however, both Hubby and Mom were against it and felt he should start in March. After much thought, I decided that I shall oblige and he shall start in March whilst Ethyl shall start in January.

I told Ethyl the decision on withdrawal and the new plans for them next year. She was pleased and said she can’t wait to be able to go to school together with her brother.

She has three months to adapt to the environment before Brayden joins, and she will then be the peer of her brother and help him blend into the school environment.

Aside from this, she told me last night that whenever she misses Brayden, she would look at her communication book. I asked her, why look at her comm book, and she replied, “Because you wrote Brayden’s name inside, so I will look at his name whenever I miss him”. This little girl’s eyes turn red and teary…oh, I see the love she has for the brother!

About the Kids

Being with the kids these days really brings much joy to us. Hubby and I spend really quality time with both our 宝贝 (Ethylyn) and 臭臭 (Brayden). Seeing them running around the house, dancing to the songs and music, laughing and mimicking the cartoon characters are really pure bliss!

Brayden seems like a late bloomer. He can’t really speak at this age. He does blabber a lot, but nothing really proper comes out from his mouth. I am not worried. I believe he will speak some day. Once in a while he will say “EEE” this refers to (eyore), he will say “too-doe” (oh-too-doe when mickey mouse needs tools), he will shout “hurray” when we sing “If you are happy”.

He likes music and movements a lot, just like Ethyl. The siblings have been our entertainer. They will be singing and dancing a lot and especially our clumsy ball, he looks clumsy when he dances. We were really amused.

Ethyl was tasked to read books for Brayden once a week. My intention is to nurture her patience in handling her little brother and learning to take on some responsibilities. Probably I have indulged her too much previously. There were a few occasions when I see her school bag lying around and her worn clothes were still sitting in her bag, I would pick up the bag and took out the clothes, gently remind her to do it by herself the next day. This happened several times and my words simply didn’t register in her head.

Once, I flared up and threw her bag on the floor, took her clothes and wanted to throw in the bin. Since she doesn’t treasure and was not diligent in taking responsibility of her own belongings, why should I bother? From that day onwards, she would clear her dirty clothes and put her bag in place whenever she comes back from school.

Not too long ago, I told her she has to prove that she is capable of looking after Brayden is she wants her little brother to go to the same school as her. Since then, she has really proven she herself to be a good elder sister who really knows how to take care of her brother. SIL commented that Ethyl is capable of watching out of her brother and taking good care of him when I deposited them at MIL’s place on one occasion, when both Hubby and I needs to attend a wake. She has done me proud.

Initially I was still fiddling with the idea of having one more addition, Hubby is pretty reluctant though. Looking at me adorable pair, I think with or without an additional one, I will not regret having just the both of them.

Family Photo

We celebrated Mom's birthday last Saturday! This is our latest family picture. I love to see how Mom and Dad kept themselves busy with food and the grandbabies. A loving sight.

Happy 53rd Birthday Mommy!

Our Adventure Book

Shy to say, my lazy butt has been on my comfort lounge for too long. It is finally time that I start doing my job as a Mom, a teacher and learning partner for her.

I have dedicated my evenings for her. A maximum of an hour on getting the materials online, preparing the teaching materials a week in advance, and next she will get to start to surf online for information twice a week, and each session will last for 20 minutes.

We went to Popular to get the materials and books few days back, I started letting her keep a diary, an attempt to start her on writing proper sentences and creative writing.

I got her a jotter book with an empty cover to let her creative juices flow.



We worked together on the theme this week - herbivore. This particular assignment is actually in line with the theme in school.





This is the simple assignment. I am planning for a trip to the library this weekend and borrow some books related to this theme and we will do a small project for her to submit to school when the assignment is due.




Next assignment is carnivore, followed by omnivore. Currently I am cracking my brain for her chinese homework as well. I hope we can help create a funlearning environment at home.

Measly Bit of Updates

This was taken with my iPhone when we were having breakfast at Sentosa...See the cheerful little babe!

Our cheeky little boy...He enjoys his breakfast too!

I brought little boy to meet Hubby at Tampines for Ethyl's PTM.

Brayden had a bus ride again! Just him and me!

See how curious he was!

Pats on our backs

I always enjoy the parents-teachers meeting (PTM) whenever the school has it. This will be an indicative meeting to let me know how Ethyl has been adapting and performing in school be it intellectual or social skills.

Hubby and I took leave last Thursday to the school and attended Ethyl’s PTM session in her new school. She joined for 3 months; I prepared myself that the teachers may not have too much to share as she could have spent more time adapting and making friends.

We were welcomed by the friendly school administrator and the Principal. Sat down with Teacher S and she showed us some artwork that Ethyl has done, some photos of the experiments she does, last but not least, the reviews/feedback by the teachers.

Teacher S mentioned she is a very enthusiastic learner; she displays leadership qualities, has the initiative and pro-active in activities, loves to share and is able to follow instructions well. She understands what is being taught and expected of her and got along really well with peers.

Her English communication ability is good as well. She can converse really well and read story books/role play with emotions. Teachers all find her performance very entertaining. She loves music and movements, enjoys experimenting, outdoor activities, basically everything!

Teacher F, her Chinese teacher has really good feedback. She is the top student in her mandarin class. She excels far better than her peers, is able to learn and grasp meanings of words really swift. New songs that were taught to her, she can remember the rhythm and lyrics almost in one session. She is very impressed and asked if she is attending any Chinese enrichment class. Teacher F was shocked when I replied “No”.

Her Chinese ability supersedes her peers at the moment. She is able to converse in mandarin to the Chinese teachers without mixing English. She loves to share with teachers and friends what she has done over weekends, what is on her mind etc. One thing to note from the Chinese teacher, Ethyl finds her Chinese bored at times as she already know many words and able to read the Chinese readers that was given out. Thus there will be times whereby she requests teacher F to let her rest as she already knew what was taught. Teacher F agreed to let her rest and read or learn on her own while the peers gets the work done. Compared to her peers, she enjoys general knowledge learning rather than just reading stories from books.

Now, my worry comes in. This review is far more positive than what I expected. I know we have been reading Chinese newspapers with her; Hubby and I took turns to guide her through math, English and some general knowledge exercises. When the teachers both pointed out that Ethyl is excelling in most aspects, shall I change a ore academic environment for her?

Before the PTM, she has been telling me she wanted to change school as she has been waking up too early in the morning, and complained about the lack of school holidays. Mom also thought having school holidays for her is good as she gets a break and can enjoy more self learning activities or holiday camp programs.

Just so happened that I spoke to Ericia, and she shared with me the new school her little boy is joining. I have seen them at a road show once when we went to E!hub, and decided to give the Principal a call.

Hubby and I were impressed with the curriculum and Ethyl gets to have a feel of the K2 materials. I never like the idea of focusing too much on academic at kindy stage. This time, I succumbed. I decided that both Ethyl and Brayden shall be enrolled to this new school next year. Firstly because of the curriculum, secondly, closer to our vicinity, thirdly, they need not take school bus, but 3 stops bus ride away and Mom said she will send and fetch them to save me 600 bucks on bus fares.

I convinced both Hubby and myself that we will let Ethyl try, at least a more academic focused K2 session can prepare her for her P1 better. Having said that, I will revise our timetable based on her needs. If she felt she still wants to do her assessments after school, by all means, else we will trim down the number of exercises she needs to focus on a weekly basis.

Kids are the ones schooling and why am I so stressed up?! Nevertheless, we are proud of Ethyl and she has done a good job!