Love notes

Since the start of this year, K started enrichment classes for Reading and Writing. We made the call to enroll her because she didn't seem to be catching on to the basics of A-B-Cs well, and unfortunately, we were not engaged enough (lack of time/ patience) to take her through the work on our own. 

It's turned out to be a worthwhile investment, in my opinion. 

As much as I try not to compare - oh irony, it's exactly what I am doing - she is in a class with most of her peers a year younger than her. I blame this on our own lack-of-initiative/ awareness; but I think it is not a lost cause In fact, I think she's at the right stage for herself. She's improved tremendously through the year and while she is still not as good as I think she can be, I'm so proud of her excellent progress - and no, this is not the Tiger Mum speaking. I honestly think she can do better. 

Part of her class involves spelling and she started off with a list of 10 words every fortnight. Then it's been amped up slightly these few weeks to weekly tests - but 5 words only. She still learns the words by memory and still mucks up her "b" & "d" and her upper-and-lower-cases.... 

But I digress. 

The point is, she can read basic words now and even write them and for that I am so proud. And as a most endearing side-product.... I get hand-written love notes from my little girl.

I love Mum

I must thank the teachers for introducing such endearing and important words to my child - like Mum and Mother and Dad...

And the sweetest surprise a couple of days ago was this lovely note:

She asked for help for the words "because" & "heart"

In case you can't decipher her writing properly, here's the note in English
"Mother, I no (know) that you love me because you are in my heart"

Happy Friday!

BFFs in BKK - coming home

16 November: our morning spent leisurely by the pool and hotel food

Critical mission before the airport - I got myself this lovely crepe again, along with my morning coffee

The end of our beautiful trip

I've known these ladies for 21 years and between us, we have 5 children. The husband asked me what the highlight of our trip was - and I said "spending time with my BFFs." It was not easy to organise our time to make this trip and it was 4 years ago - too long ago, if you ask me.

The days we spent together here, here and here are memorable because we are best friends and all time spent together is precious, building memories and reinforcing our friendship. I'd say that we're nearly the same, yet not. And I'm so thankful that I have such loving friends that I can talk with, eat with, party with, play with. Hopefully, it won't be another 4 years that we get away together.

Thankful for BFFs!

BFFs in BKK - Day 3

15 November: After the late night, I did not make it to the gym. I treated myself to my usual perk-me-up.

And this is true happiness... the crepe I waited a year to eat!

How we spent out day at Chatuchak

We got "home" at 6pm

Well-deserved break. We'd chill by the outdoors and chat. Talking about anything under the sun.

Tuk-tuk to dinner

Mookata

Again, we ended off the night with a 1.5 hour massage at the hotel lobby at midnight. Again, another long day.

Read what we did yesterday, here.

BFFs in BKK - Day 2

14 Nov: Kickstarted the day with some yoga in the gym. Beautiful view.

Then introduced the girls to the famous wanton mee on soi 19. I think the man in the green tee is the boss! The sister may also remember him as the one who told me off for eating outside food in the stall last year. Oops.

Happy brunch

My favourite part is the kway chap. Too bad the intestines were too chewy - not well-cooked enough this time round. The previous time was way better.

We spent the day - very hectic-ly at the mall all.day.

Desserts at dinner-time

From L-R: Strawberry waffles (best), Oreo cheesecake & Ferrero chocolate cake

Coconut juice FTW - with the friendly coconut man

Dinner for the night was simple fare we tapau-ed by the roadside

We ended off the night with a 1.5hour massage at the hotel lobby from midnight. Aaaahhh.. 'twas a long day.

Day one here.

Pretty Princess Playdate

Clara-belle, Jaz-belle, Clarice-Elsa, Kate-Elsa

Seven dwarves from Snow White

Cinderella with her fairy Godmother

The Beast missing Beauty (I think the Beast rocks!)

Candy floss treat

Looks like they are doing kung-fu? But cute nonetheless

The tickets were purchased months ago and the day finally rolled around. It was the perfect opportunity to indulge K to wear her gown and frolick with fellow princesses alike.

The show was pretty entertaining, but I was surprised (not sure what I expected) that it was all pure synching. There were some bits that surprised but generally, I think it was acceptable for the kids, enough for them to be WOW-ed. It's quite a price to pay per ticket - we got pretty good seats for S$85/pax (yes, child and adult alike!) but I guess it's considered a good spend to indulge the adoring princess occasionally.

The playdate was a success with the girls meeting their new friend, Clarice. Hopefully we do a few more playdates for these princesses to get to know one another better.

Date night

Decadent food spread

With my man

#feelingthankful

BFFs in BKK - setting off

November 13 - Our last holiday together was 4 years ago!

My near-empty luggage - there

Our sumptuous and cheap dinner by the road-sides

Check out the oil

Sooo yummy

Our dinner spread - all for 660b (S$26.40!)

Beer fest with another old-time friend

Happiness is travelling with friends and hanging out with them over cheap beers (a tower for  about S$20!)

My little Superman

S for Superman, Superhero, Superboy

It has begun. As much as the little girl is into princesses, pink and anything pretty, this little boy has developed his interests the likes of Superman, Batman, Ironman... Superheros. 

It started on our holiday to Korea some months back, where the husband bought some socks for the boy in the designs of Superman/Ironman. He loves the Superman socks and wears them nearly every night. I recently purchased 3 sets of pyjamas for him in each Superhero-theme and he loves them. The cape is the favourite of the lot. 

And what's endearing is when he dons the apparel, he stakes claim to their namesake too.

"Superman is going to the playground" / "Batman is going to eat now" / "I am Superhero"

I find it extremely cute. I love my little Superboy.

Emo like a 天王

Attitude juxtaposed with his sloppy pyjamas. And that little sticker on his neck? It's the sticker that was stuck on his new glasses... No idea why it ended up there!

Tradition... of a different kind

For the past 3 years, the sister and I have been running the GE Run. It's become our thing - 2011, 2012, 2013.

This year, it took some effort (reluctance, somewhat) on our parts - part unfitness, part bad timing, part sloth, part supposed-to-be-Jay-Chou-concert-the-night-before.... well the point is - there were many parts. But despite all the uh, struggles, we still signed up.

The run was meant to be on November 9. The night before, there was thunderstorm. Not just any thunderstorm - but one that was uberly thunderous and lightning flashes so bright it lit up the whole sky at one go, and thunderous sounding sounds that shook homes and made me jump - type of storm.

The sister and I communicated the night before and made plans; I set my alarm clock for 5.45am ... and then we went to sleep.

The next morning, the cool early morning post-storm, I awoke. With. A. Start. The sun was up, the skies too bright... good morning me, it was 6.35am.

We broke the tradition this year, by signing up but not going for the run. But. If you look at it a different way; with how we tend to have odd glitches and, uh, situations like this and that time when we bought movie tickets for the wrong location - the sister and I still kept one part of tradition going on!

Kate's year at school

Two weeks back, we attended the parent-teacher session for the second time this year. Six months ago, some of the academic bits were deemed as areas that needed improvement; and I'm proud to say that her report card this time round was favourable and showed improvement. While her handwriting - in both English and Mandarin can be improved upon, her ability to read has improved - her extra classes are paying off and I'm pleased! Good on you, girl!

K's lovely personality continues to shine through. Her teachers were unanimous in describing her as an out-going, sociable, confident child who likes to lead. None of which surprise me, and pleases me that she enjoys school and her friends; so it's good.

The teacher cited that K2 will be a significant leap in terms of academics - with introduction of a lot more to the children; and Primary 1 will be an even more significant leap. I cannot believe that this little girl will need to be registered for Primary 1 next year. Wow.

Overall, I'm happy that K's made good progress; and that the teachers see her blossom. 

School's officially closed now; and it's a long holiday again for her to play! Hooray!

K's art piece

PS: on this note of school, we settled J's entry to pre-nursery next year. We settled his school uniform and it seems like he is set! 

She's really an angel

So in my last post, I was sharing how lovely my little baby girl is. And she really is an angel... in her school's Christmas concert!

Angels get tired and need to sit down too

She was involved in two segments - the first being a dance that she practised hard for; and the second is the school play where she was one of three angels. This little girl can memorise scripts - I missed the concert but my heart sure burst with pride and joy when I heard this from the husband; and received all her pictures!

Angels

And just like that, the school holidays have started *cues Christmas carols...

Angelic K

I was feeling sneezy last night, so I popped my magical yellow pill and laid in bed. My head was heavy and I just wanted to sleep.

The kids, however, had a different opinion. J was tired but fidgety, and K was just in the best of moods; skipping about happily.

The boy started to fuss, and I refused to cave in to his request to pat him. He didn't want me anyway, and started to whine for Aunty T to pat him. I was no state to fight back. I literally flopped about and tried to sleep.

K (in her angelic mood): J, Mommy is sick. You want cheche to pat you?
J (grumpy): NO.
K: OK, you want me to call Aunty T for you?
J: OK
K: You just wait ok? Mommy is not well. I go call Aunty T for you.

In my groggy state, I felt so warm knowing that this little angel is so beautiful and she does look after her brother (in the right mood).

In a bit, when the husband got home, he asked me what was wrong with me and she - who had asked me what was wrong with me earlier - responded to him the same time as I did.
She does understand that Mommy is not well. She is growing up so quickly.

Love

The weekend past

I indulged in a spiffy, pricy lunch instead of our regular food-court food.

Discussing peas

On Sunday, I brought them to a wedding lunch. Alone. 

Sleeping angels

And just like that, the weekend passed.

Dancing princess

I snuck these pics (she would cower from shyness otherwise)

That's my girl, practising for her school's Christmas concert.

She's been at it for weeks, and she seems to genuinely enjoy grooving. I'm not too impressed by the choice of song (some Mandarin pop song), nor the moves (the teachers choreograph the dances), but I am extremely impressed by her enthusiasm to practise, and how she sings along and just seems to be enjoying herself thoroughly.

Seems like she enjoys pop music and dance. I will go research and allow her a proper avenue to explore this interest.

So fun!

1 November

An early morning start

Some warm milk for this little boy

#movember