Friend's House

A few days after Lucas started nursery, he told me one day 'Go friend's house', and yes he pronounced the 's! I was puzzled for a while. I thought I missed some announcement about his classmates birthday party. Then I realised he meant 'go to school'. I always tried to avoid using the word 'school' as it sounds too serious. He is supposed to go play and 'play school' is a mouthful. So, I usually asked 'Do you want to go to play with your friends?' That's how he made up the word friend's house.

The word 'school' and 'teacher' are never used in the nursery. All the teachers are referred to as Auntie so-and-so. The wall has no sign of alphabets but every inch is filled with the children's artwork - ranging from T-Rex to solar system to snowman.

Lucas is downed with a bout of very bad flu and cough. He missed his friend's house twice. As I tucked him to bed just now, I said to him 'You need to get a good rest. If you still have running nose and coughing tomorrow, you cannot go play with your friends'. He repeated after himself, 'Running nose, no friend's house'.

Saying 'Please'

Lucas finally learned to say 'Please'. And the incident that forced him to say the magic word is also very funny. Two days ago, he was feeding himself using his hand. That of course created a lot of mess on himself and his high chair and the floor. I was worried about the cleaning I have to do and pleaded with him (and half begging him) by saying 'Use your spoon PLEASE'. I must have said the phrase a number of times before he finally replied me 'Mee, p-Lease'. His body language was just like mine, pleading me and half begging me to let him feed himself using his hand. So, the lesson learned is to frustrate him, then it will force him to learn faster?

Holiday in Perth

We just returned from our holiday in Perth. I was a nice place, laid back and suitable for young children. We were there for a week with Dominic's parents. Perth is a 'no action' city. Everything closes at 5pm, and I mean everything! Only restaurants (and that is no all restaurants) are open. There is nothing to do but go back to the hotel which is just as well for Lucas. We stayed in a service apartment with kitchenette equipped with dishwasher, oven, coffee maker. We started of the day with breakfast in the apartment (food bought from cafe or supermarket) and took our time in sight-seeing. Visited King's Park, took a cruise to Fremantle and had the 'world famous' fish and chips, visited the Perth mint (a mint which run out of gold coin), and hang around the shopping area at Hay Street and Murray Street. Then we drove to Margaret River and spent 3 nights there. Eat lots of seafood in Margaret River and of course wine, went to the beach and then drove to Cape Leeuwin where Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.

We went to Perth for our honeymoon and this time we are back with a 2 years old son! Quite thrilling just thinking about it.

Lucas had his fair amount of fun too. He eats adult food the whole one week, get to sleep with us on our bed for one good week, spoilt with sweets and chocolate, enjoyed the children friendlier playground, greener space and air with pleasant weather, and most importantly our and his grandparents 24 hours attention. He has also becomes cheekier - at the apartment lift, he pointed at a main waiting for the lift and said 'big man no hair'! It was funny and embarrassing.

Thanks to the grandfather, we had a collection of 7GB of videos! I am waiting for the photos from the grandfather to publish in the next post.

Going to Nursery

Lucas is attending morning nursery now. Initially, I wasn't planning to send him until he is two and a half years old, but due to baby sitting problem, I am forced to put the plan forward. The nursery is 5 mins drive from the house, has very good teachers or at least I am impressed by them. I took him for observation and Lucas was happy. When I asked him after his observation class if he wants to go back, he replied 'Emm'. That was when the decision was made. His class is for toddlers age 18 months to two and a half years old. The student teacher ratio is 4:1. The activities go like this:
9 - 10am - Breakfast, painting, drawing and free play. The children get to pick their own toys/gadgets and play with others with supervision. If the children 'fight' or 'bully' others, the teachers will step in and give a lecture on discipline.
10 - 10.30 am - Outdoor activities. Before the children are allowed out, they are prepared with mosquito repellent.
10.30 - 11 am - singing / dancing.
11 - 11.30 am - Lunch. All meals are prepared by the cook in the nursery itself. There is also menu for each day. I did not have to pack any food for him.
11.30 - 12 noon - Story telling time.

That's what they do in the 3 hours! I certainly hope Lucas enjoys himself and learns to socialize with children his age.