Monday, June 15, 2009

NN's road to literacy

Dear NN
Mummy is happy to blog one of those encouraging moments of your attempt to read a book. The book is titled "Me too"


Blending simple words


Enjoy reading!

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy






What a Scare!


Dear YY n NN
2 of you gave Mummy such a big scare last Sunday! We had brought you 2 and didi for swimming and you were trying out your new snorkel sets in the children's pool. Papa had just brought didi to the changing room after a dip in the baby's pool. To Mummy's horror, YY, you actually held hands with NN and jumped into the children's pool with her. You swam abit with your new snorkel set while still holding onto NN's hand, oblivious to the fact that your poor meimei was being dragged along and choking in the water. Mummy immediately shouted for you to stop swimming and yanked NN out of the water.
Poor NN, after getting over the initial shock, you started to sob very loudly. Mummy was badly shaken too. However, when Mummy tried to wrap a towel round you, you actually backed off, and with tears in your eyes, you sobbed "I still wanna swim....."
Gosh. At that point in time, Mummy really didn't know whether to cry or to laugh. You did not realise what might have happened if you were not pulled out of the pool quick enough. Mummy really shuddered to think abt it.
YY, you were quite somber when Mummy explained the dangers to you.
On the bright side, NN, you did not develop any water phobia as a result of this incident.
This incident also reminded both Papa and Mummy of the uptmost importance of getting all of you trained in swimming skills, keeping a 24/7 watchout when you are in the waters, and teaching you not to under-estimate the dangers of water.
1 min difference may cause a lifetime of regret.

Loving all of you
Mummy

PoPo's Birthday

Dear YY n NN n DD
PoPo's birthday is round the corner. We had a mini-celebration with her at Pasir Ris on Saturday.

NN, you, being the seasoned cake cutter, actually issued instructions to PoPo on what to do with her cake!

Here were your instructions!
First you have to sing bday song
Then you blow the candles
Then you take the knife and cut the cake
Then you take out the candles and give us the cake to eat.

My dear ger, you were that precise!
Cute!


Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Our Ben 10 Boy


Dear YY
Maybe 10 years down the road, Ben 10 with his alien force would have become part of your childhood memories. Maybe you would still remember vividly how you "worship" this hero and used to ask PaPa and Mummy to buy you Ben 10 toys and figurines.
Of cos, we would indulge you once in a while, getting one of the latest toys (not always!) for you, and bringing you to Ben 10 events. Sometimes you may not be happy when we refuse your request for that latest Ben 10 figuirine. But most of the time, PaPa and Mummy are glad to note that you understand when we say No. As you sometimes put in your own words " Don't waste money, I already have alot of Ben 10 toys", or "I have something similar at home already". These words that come from the sensible boy in you, simply make Papa and Mummy love you more.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Sunday, June 7, 2009

CM - PTA June 09 (NN)


Dear NN
Ms Carmen, your ex PreN english teacher who resigned a mth back, came back for the PTA session, together with Zhou Laoshi (your Chinese teacher).

Both teachers commented that you have a natural flair for music and songs and would always be the first to volunteer for any music/dance activities in class. You can pick up any songs easily after one or two rounds.
You are super extrovert and very independent. Sometimes to the point of being stubborn. (or "persistent" as Ms Carmen has nicely put across.) You do not want any help from the teachers during dressing or meal times at all.

You pay very good attention in class and are able to answer all your teachers' questions.

Mummy mentioned to your teachers some of the bigtime tantrums you throw at home, and was surprised to know that you are pretty ok in school.

And your best friend in class is Yu Liang. Both teachers remarked that two of you do everything together. Zhou laoshi mentioned that this familiarity probably spring from the fact that both of you are in full day and can converse with each other fluently. And when one is absent from school, the other will start to ask why.

Enjoy your preschool days with your frens, my darling.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

p/s: You were pretty upset one of the mornings and refused to go to school. You told Mummy you had quarrelled with Yu Liang the day before. Hmmm.... Silly girl. I guess this shows how much you value his friendship yah?

CM - PTA June 09 (YY)


It was time for the half yearly PTA at your preschool again.

YY, Mummy asked you this question a few nights before the PTA session.
"Will Ms Adeline or Zhuang Laoshi have something to complain to me abt?"
Mummy had asked this in a teasing note. But you actually looked worried for a moment or two.
Well, my dear boy, during the PTA, your 2 teachers had lots of positive feedbacks on you.

Your Learning Attitude
According to your teachers, your concentration span is wonderful, and you have a very positive attitude towards learning. You are very inquisitive and ask alot of questions in class.
Sometimes, you can get quite wild and carried away when you play, but once the teachers remind you that it is lesson time, you are able to concentrate pretty easily.

Your Penmanship
Your penmanship is better now but there is still room for more improvements. :)

Maths
You are considered quite advanced in your Maths. While other classmates are still struggling with the basic multiplication concept, you have no problem multiplying all the way up to 10. Earlier, we had already received an email from Ms Adeline complimenting on your remarkable understanding of this concept. So this comment is no surprise to us. But Mummy still feel very proud of you.

English
You are advanced in your English too. You are able to read quite well now and Ms Adeline is working with you on your spelling based on the phonics skills you have picked up. She also encourages you to read to Nicolle, which Mummy reassures her that you are doing so at home now.

Chinese
Zhuang Laoshi commented that you have a good memory and are able to retain most of the things she has taught.

Zhuang Laoshi reminded Papa and Mummy not to brush you off when you wanna share any updates with us on your presch activities. Being the smart and sensitive boy that you are, she is worried that you may pick up the vibes and selectively feed us information which you perceive we may be interested in, and hide others which you think we may not like. Mummy really have to thank Zhuang Laoshi for this reminder. Mummy has failed to see this issue from her point of view.

Your 2 teachers also commented that you are very quick to pick up both desirable/ undesirable habits from desirable/ undesirable frens. This is something which Papa and Mummy have noticed too, and definitely one of the considerations that is affecting the choice of Primary School for you 1 mth later.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

3 is Nice!

Dear YY, NN and DD
Sometimes, it is really a joy to just sit back and watch the 3 of you play with one another. :)
True, there are tantrums and tempers at times, but when you are good friends and in good moods, you are really great playmates to one another.
Love and take care of one another.


Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

THE BIG GAME (FAMILY FUNFEST) @ HDB Hub

Children and adults can play this Big Games with their own dice and own teams. It's a play-off with children as the tokens and the audiences as the cheer squad. By Polyglot Puppet theatre (Australia)

Dear YY, NN and DD
We happened to chance upon this fun activity in between SM lessons at HDB Hub on Sunday.
YY and DD, you were quite taken by the colorful big game board arrangement and those pawns-come-to-life characters.
DD, you were pretty mermerised by the colorful costumes and couldn't take your eyes off the gameboard for a min.
YY, you even had a go in the game while waiting for DD to finish his SM lessons.


Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Badminton

Dear YY
You enjoy sports games very much and this is one area that Papa and Mummy are very happy to indulge you in.
Almost every sunday evening now, you always request for a badminton game or two when we go over to Grandma's place for dinner.

Dear DD
You are equally keen to join in. See how much you enjoy yourself in the pixs!


Love
Mummy

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can.


Synopsis of show:
A classic tale, carefully crafted, and cooked to perfection! Succulently served with a selection of wonderfully catchy songs, and a colourful collection of crazy characters, and seasoned with some valuable lessons to learn.This tasty tale – the one you know so well – is presented a À la Arte, especially for the younger audience. Once upon a time there was a little old woman and a little old man. The little old woman decided to make a gingerbread man. She rolled out the dough, and cut out the shape. She put raisins for his eyes, peppermints for his teeth, and icing for the hair. Then she put him in the oven to cook right through. But the Little Old Man was impatient. He just could not wait… it smelled so good! He opened the oven door a moment too soon to take a peek - before the Gingerbread Man was cooked right through – and as he opened the door, out jumped the Gingerbread Man! Can they catch him? Can ANYONE catch him? You’ll just have to wait and see!


Dear YY n NN
Finally the day of the long awaited Gingerbread Man Show had come.
We watched the first performance of this season.
There were some hiccups with the lightings and we were ushered into the theatre 15mins late, but you 2 still had a great time watching the show.

NN, for a brief moment or two, Mummy actually worried whether you would be overwhelmed, cos we were seated at the front row. It was really great to see you enjoying yourself throughout the show. However, first row seemed a tad too near the stage. :P

YY, as usual, it was real rewarding bringing you to any shows. You really knew how to appreciate and enjoyed every single minute of the show.

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can
You Cannot Catch Me
I'm The Gingerbread Man

Until now, you 2 are still singing these lines while you skip along.

Dear DD
Grow up fast! Mummy is looking forward to bringing one more darling into the theatre.


Hugs & Kisses
Mummy