Drum

Lucas had a month of drum class when he was 4. He asked for it and I sent him. The teacher said he was too short. His legs can't reach the bass drum pedal. The teacher said come back when you are 6. When he was 6 and a half, we went back. The teacher looked at him and said, ok, you can take the class now. He has been going for the class for 3 months now. I did not go inside his class, so I have no idea how was he doing. But I always tell him that he must show some enthusiasm when he plays drum. Teacher doesn't like to teach students who doesn't show much interest, I said. It was funny. Once in a while when I was driving him to his class, I asked if he has shown some enthusiasm, he replied, "Yes".
Now, to practice he needs a drum set at home. It is really a challenge. Drum is noisy (for the acoustic) and bulky. We are hesitant to buy one set and he then decided to quit after a few months. We went drum shopping. The teacher recommends Roland. Roland is an electric drum set where you can play to hear on the headset only or via speaker. One gets to control the volume and it is less bulky. We found one set today. Lucas loved it. He played non stop while we were at the shop. But the problem is, it is not exactly cheap. RM6000 (US$2000) plus RM2000 (US$700) for the speakers. If he stays with his interest, it is worth it. If he loses his interest after a year, this is going to be expensive.
I told him maybe we will get it for his birthday if he is still serious about drum by then.

Chloe is 4

Chloe turns 4. Everyone said she has grown a lot taller recently. Behaviour wise, she is still the same. All the promises she made earlier on things she would do when she turns 4 are well.....tossed out of the window.
I am not a party person. I don't hold birthday party for myself or my kids. It is just a family affair. I asked them what they want for their presents, and what they want to eat. And I will fulfil their wishes.
For Chloe, she wanted to bring a jelly cake to school and some party packs for her friends.

Opening the presents from the parents.

Wearing all her presents from the parents, the dress, the tiara. the ring and the bracelet.

Opening more presents from the grandparents,

Admiring the cake baked by the grandmother.

International Day

It was the kids' international day again. Lucas's class is Norway and Chloe's is South Korea.
I helped a bit in what I could. This international day is getting grander by the year. There is competition amongst the parents to out-do each other.
The kids have fun because on that day, they get to play all day with no lessons.

The decoration outside Chloe's class. One of the mummies, who is a professional artist, designed and conceptualised this. Other mummies like myself just helped to put it up.

The ''Koreans'' on parade. The Korean community in school is big enough for the class to get enough costumes for the girls.

 

 

The early year children giving a performance.

Lucas wrote this trolls' fact. I was very impressed.

Lucas's class, the Vikings.

There was a fashion show. Lucas and his buddies were at the front row!

Lucas's class in full Viking gears.

Why Bother with Cooking

My previous maid left in April. I have a temporarily 19 year old maid (who claimed to be 22 in her passport) whom had been helping me for 3 months. And my permanent maid arrived last week. It was lots of training and adjustment.

Because of all the dynamics, I decided to cater food. The caterer sends me dinner from Monday to Friday in tiffin. I don't have to worry about dinner and the kids have lunch in school. Last week, I've decided to stop the food catering since the kids doesn't like the food. I'm cooking again! The new
maid is still learning. Today, I cooked meatball spaghetti in tomato sauce. After all the work, Lucas did not want the meat ball. He only wants the tomato sauce. Chloe did not want the meatballs and tomato sauce. Just plain spaghetti. Dominic was not eating at home. I was wondering why did I even bother. I should just cook plain rice and plain spaghetti for the kids, and they can have their gummies bears, smarties. M&M as dishes! :)

The challenge of getting my kids to eat well...

Chatterboxes and Smart Alecks

They have grown to speak so well...a bit way too well.
At four, she says I am an old lady.
At six, he says I am fat.
I am guessing, at ten, they will say I am senile. At twenty, I should go to nursing home.

Chloe was being naughty.
Me: Who is the naughty girl?
Chloe: m-u-m (she spells it out )
Lucas: Mom is not a girl?
Dom: Then, what is Mom?
Lucas: Mom is an adult.
Chloe: Mom is an old lady!

Lucas was practicing his Bahasa.
Lucas: Emak, awak sihat? (Mom, are you well?)
Me: Ya.
Lucas: Then, why are you so fat?
Me: There are a lot of mummies who are fatter than me.
Lucas: But J's mom is skinner than you.
Me: There are also a lot of mothers who are skinner than me.

Some of the conversations we have:
Lucas: I have not been star of the week for Year 1?
Me: Did you tell Ms E (teacher)?
Lucas:Yes.
Me: What did Ms E say?
Lucas: Ms E said I have to work harder.
Chloe: You just have to try harder.

Lucas: Chloe, let's have a race. See who can change faster (change clothes after shower)
Chloe: Ok.
If Lucas wins,
Chloe: Loser wins.
If Lucas loose.
Chloe: Winner wins.

Lucas got very frustrated and complained to me.
Lucas: Mom! Each time I win, Chloe will say loser wins. When I loose, she will say winner wins.
Me: You don't have to race with her.
Lucas: Chloe, you are Little Miss Fickle.

One day, I was in a car with a friend. Chloe was sitting at the backseat. Once my friend left, Chloe said to me, 'Mom, you talk so much'.!

These days. I have been walking around with Tabasco sauce. It seems to be the best threat. When they are not behaving, I will flash the Tabasco sauce and threatened to put a few drops on their finger. I did not just threatened, I practiced it too. And it works, for the time being.