Flying to another planet

Overheard, a conversation between J and the husband.


J: Papa, I am flying to Neptune
Husband: Oh, then where next?
J: Ok, maybe Mars...


They were whispering, as I was in the room and un-fun Mommy will scold if anyone is caught talking; but I heard enough to know that this was not the first time they had played this game before, and then sometime later, when I got up to use the loo, I peeped at the boy to see this:

Someone had fallen asleep mid-flight

I smiled and marvelled at how much he has grown, at his intelligent conversations and inquisitive nature. I can imagine him pretend flying... until he fell asleep with his arms still open mid-flight.


This morning, I had an adult conversation with my 7yo. I asked her what she does when she feels sad, and she tells me that she will play, or 'go to my room and take deep breaths' - that made me smile because I don't know if she actually does that, but I have definite dished out that piece of advice to her before. She hugged me when I asked her to and I know that I am loved. I do not need to be told.


What are the true gems in life? Do we need the downs and sadness so that the norm seems so much better? Perhaps a timely reminder to evaluate what is most important in our life; how much of our lives do we control, or allow others to impact?

Winding down 2016 - a month to Christmas

Things have been hectic.I know I keep saying it, but it is true. Work has been busy, our schedules have been packed with activities and this year, I feel more overwhelmed by everything everywhere than actually feeling like it is nearly Christmas.


So when I was home and able to set the tree up with the family on this wet, cool, lazy Saturday evening, it felt right and I was reminded of the things that truly matter, who anchor me; a reminder to not sweat the small stuff (too much) and to be thankful.

Strength in unity

Our tree is up

I'm ahead of schedule this year and am all done with my gifts. It feels awesome to see the tree lit up and I cannot wait for my mood to match the time of the year. It's truly time to wind down, count my blessings and welcome the new year.


In a few days, it'd be December already and no matter how rough the year has been, I wish to be reminded of the lessons and walk away stronger than before. What a ride, 2016.

A treat for K

Mommy's elf duties after the children go to sleep

It has been an eventful year for K, because Primary 1. It marks such a significant milestone for all of us, and after the enormous amount of stress I put myself through - logistics, routine, scheduling, tween attitudes, extra classes, tuition, feedback sessions, homework, school-bag packing, performances... the list is endless! - it is now time to enjoy the down-time because, school holidays. Everyone say HOORAY!


I decided to give K a treat for all the pains and lessons we have gone through together, also because she did perform pretty well. Her year end report book showed pretty decent grads and I cannot say how relieved and proud I am of her. While I try not to be too conscious of grades, it is the attitude that I hope she carries through for the best way forward.

Discovering her present the next morning

Tearing the gift open

Counting down to Christmas

It makes me so happy to see her appreciative of the gift. It is the first time I am exposing her to the idea of an advent calendar, and I must say I have mis-judged my girl. I had thought she will be too impatient to open up the boxes a day at a time, and that she will cave and open them all/more than one a day. So far, it's been a week and she has been patient. I must remind myself not to judge her so quickly! Each day, she opens up the mystery box and shows me what she got. It's also amazing watching her role play with the little characters with her brother.


Ahh, what lovely sights to behold.


Well done, my sweet child. You have been amazing, and despite our pains and trials for the year, you have emerged pretty unscathed, I think. Good luck to us next year and hopefully, it will be better. I know we can do it!

Sundays with me

Last Sunday, I had half a day all to myself as I had a work activity to attend. It was an easy afternoon of play, and I had the whole evening to myself as the husband took the kids on the usual family meal.


As if the time to myself wasn't enough, I also indulged in a very tasty meal that I devoured wholly and heartily.

Katong Laksa - all for me

It has been a very long time since I ate laksa. When I was young, it was my favourite food and I loved the broth - I'd always slurp every single drop of it. I guess calories and age got in the way so I've not had this properly for a while (sharing is not as sinful, obviously).


On this evening, I was brought back to my childhood memories as I recalled how I'd have this with my parents... it was pretty nice.


All in all, very thankful for a peaceful, quiet evening all by myself. Love it!

End of Nursery for J

Just as K successfully ended her year in primary 1 (such a big, big year for us, really), the boy also graduated from Nursery. It's his 2nd year in school and I think it's been less of a ride for him. School to him is about outdoor play, physical activity fun and while he does his work as is needed, it does not challenge him too much.


The husband, the Grandpa, K and I all managed to go to his graduation concert and while it all seems rather un-coordinated and silly, it never fails to bring a smile to my face the earnest attitudes of these young ones, prancing (crying), singing on stage and craning their necks, looking for their loved ones... I do realise my little boy will never be a Nursery boy again and it does make me wistful at how quick the year is flying by and how much they grow right under our noses.

The graduating Nursery class of Joy

Just like that, the year has whizzed by and another chapter is closed for this little boy. Onwards we march!

Sick bee

This little bee was so sick and caused so much distress and fatigue the last
few weeks. She's on the mend now so thank goodness for that.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair

That's what they were playing.

Princess run 2016

Last year, the children participated in their first ever Princess Run. The sister and I had gone for our adult version of the GE run over some years and we kinda had a tradition of sorts... until we didn't. So for the second year, the children participated in the Princess Run again this year. Maybe this can be the new thing, for them.

Pre-run

I was all excited to bring the kids because of the fun we had (with our friends) last year, but I fell sick over the weekend. There was a chance the kids had to forgo the run, but thankfully, super-grandparents saved the day! So thankful that they were able to bring the children to have some fun.

The original plan of going with my best friend also backfired as she had a work travel on the same weekend, but things still worked out ok (again!) when another friend with her troupe rocked up.

Little girlfriends

Post-run reward, the tiara perched proudly on their head

Little friends

Posing on the podium

The boys didn't run but had fun nonetheless

Am glad they had the exposure, even without me, and at the end of the day, it's about the fun we all have as sports is play.



Loving this shot!

Performing Arts Day - the end of Primary 1

As part of a holistic education, K's school encourages arts and performances beyond academics. The school is pretty good at gymnastics and ballet, and in the past few months, K has come home telling us about her 'ballet classes' during PE... which is part of the lead-up to performing for the school's 'Arts Day'.

Primary 1 Arts Day 2016

It's pretty cool, and I appreciate the efforts that the teachers put in for rehearsals and training the children. It's performed by levels (I know that P2 has their own, not sure if this is the case all the way up to P6), and each class performs 3 segments.


Through this performance, I learn (unsurprisingly) that K loves to perform. She likes to dance and be on stage (while acting coy that she's terrified - and while I do think she gets nervous, I think she loves the limelight/attention and performance adrenaline!). She comes back with tales of how her rehearsals went, how she is annoyed by friends who 'XX went the wrong way and it will ruin everything!', and how much she enjoys practising and is yet worried 'Mommy, I cannot do this u'noe' - then proceeds to launch into the segment, self-practising.

I pulled in 2 supporters to join me at the performance

First performance, English speech & drama - The Candy Man
(terrible pic I know, K is in brown in the middle row, 2nd from the left)

2nd performance, Chinese speech & drama - here, she is a firefly.
(Pic taken by another parent who obviously grabbed a better spot than me)

Paying attention

3rd and last performance - ballet.
This is the finale and that's K right in the middle!

As a parent, I just felt thrilled to see my girl on stage, but more importantly, know that she enjoyed herself. I also felt proud that she revelled in performing, it's a great experience to be on stage and many lessons she can take out - from the hard work that needs to be put in at rehearsals, the discipline to learn and master the acts... and the lovely pay-out and sense of fulfilment. I'm glad that she's being exposed to it all.


And with this performance, she ends the school year on a high. We received her report book and she did pretty well. I am proud of her grades, and while there are definitely areas of improvement (namely, instances like this), I think we all fared pretty fine for the year. It's been a year of learning for all of us, in terms of juggling new challenges, routines and ready or not, here comes Primary 2!

Scatter brain K

This is the last week of school for my Primary School daughter. Yesterday evening, we got into a little squabble about her filing.


So, I have been really quite bochap relaxed about how she packs her stuff. In this year, I remember we did a mid-year spring-cleaning where we attempted to pack her things after we bought a shelf just for her. I've then relied on verbally asking if she's packing her bag/materials... and I do notice that things seem to be messy in her drawer but I did not actively check on it.


Last Saturday, it was a day with no activity and I requested that K packed her whole set of drawers. I told her to pack everything properly and neatly because it's nearly the end of the school year and we need to be clear to know where everything is, so we can make way for new materials coming in for Primary 2. She spent the morning stacking papers about her room and I did not check, I just let her run this activity because, well, it's her things, right?

Yesterday night, I happened to look into her bag (I tend to do that occasionally to pick out sweet wrappers, crushed worksheets, loose stationery, check through her books, take out the damp umbrella...) and what do I find? Loose worksheets crushed (not filed into file, just stuffed into bag), and some junk which really riled me up!


It made me so mad that she had not attended to the task properly when time had been set aside to do it. I was mad that she does not care enough to bother. I was mad that it is already the last week of the school year and she is still this haphazard?!



Situation last night

I dished out punishment (no e-time for the whole week!) and set her to work right there and then to clear her worksheets - properly this time.


Sigh. What do I do with this child of mine?! Patience... is key. On this note, I am pretty ready to say 'Goodbye Primary 1!'

Hello November, busy bees

Things have been hectic. And here we are, in November. NOVEMBER! Gasp. Seriously, what a year. It's been highly eventful, to say the least, and I'm happy to say that I am in a good space now. Why good? Because I'm feeling better than I was compared to months back, and better is always a good thing.


Small victories, small matters to give thanks for, small joys in life... that all mean so much more and are way bigger than we give them credit for.

Loves

Pic above was last Friday, where we had dinner and brought the kids bowling at their request. They were so happy, and while it's not great that they only went to bed at midnight, such occasional treats are thoroughly enjoyed and are what will make their memories pop beautifully (hopefully!).


Soldiering on and keeping my head above water. Let's go, November!