Summer Holiday

The last week of school was rather chaotic. There were so much activities. Chloe graduated from Early Years/Kindergarten. She is moving on to Year 1 later this month. Lucas graduated from Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2). He is moving on to Key Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4). So, there were graduation ceremonies parents can attend. On top of that, there were last day of school party where the parents bring some food for the party.


Their year end result were out. Chloe's teacher has 'promoted' her to be on her top tier students. The fact that she achieved it was not because she has grown smarter overnight. The teacher managed to build her confidence and she is comfortable in speaking up in class. I am very grateful to the teacher and I told her so. I am praying hard that she will get a good teacher for Year 1 and she will continue to build her confidence. She is smart by nature (ha ha..all parents said that about their children). She just need some push to build her confidence. At home, she is completely different. She is such as feisty girl. Lucas always complained why is Chloe such a bossy girl.


Lucas was doing good too. His teacher has emphasized many time that he needs to work harder to move his story writing to the next level. I must said I am disappointed with his story writing too. Now that he brought all his school work home, I read all of it.  His work is rush work, he was too lazy to think harder. not that he is not able to. The teacher gave me hips of tips to get him to improve. I need to find time to sit down with him.


There is no plan for holidays this holidays. We had done all the holidays or at least planned out. I would like to take them to snorkelling or beach this holiday but the it was not easy to plan. Plus we are doing a small renovation at home on our sinking patio. Maybe we will do a day trip such as going to Batu Caves. Another 3 and a half week of holiday and they will be back to school.

Second Week of School

Last post was about second week of holiday and this post was about second week of school. Holiday comes and goes. What did they do? They had cousins visiting. Lots of playing time with cousins. And this week is the second week of school. Chloe is in Reception and Lucas in Year 2. When school starts, they were both very excited. I'm suppose I am glad that they enjoy school. There is no problem adjusting. Lucas doesn't want me to walk with him to his class in the morning. He said he can manage. Chloe has the same classroom and same teacher as last year. So, it was not a problem at all. The only adjustment is having to sleep early and wake up early.

These two days have been difficult for me in the morning. When I sent them to school, the conversation is always around why can't I keep a pet. Told Lucas many many times why but that did not stop him from asking.

2nd Last Week of Holiday

This week is the second last week of the kids' holidays. How did they spend their time? Let's see. Lucas spent a few days at his cousin's place, we finally got him his drum set, they had cousins visiting and had a jolly good time playing together and they consumed loads of paper and sticking tape.

Chloe is drawing, coloring, cutting paper into heart shape, making cards, wrapping presents for future birthday cards. She used up a bundle of A4 paper, lots of smaller size paper, and sticking tape. I can never keep sticking tape for more than a week no matter how many rolls I buy. She is just happy doing that all day long.

Lucas is into making paper aeroplanes. I have loads of paper aeroplane, boats or anything he feels like folding. He plays his drum and keeps a diary. His dairy sounds like his life is so boring. He writes, 'Lucas wakes up and changed, He had his breakfast, watched a bit of TV and play his drum. Then he read a bit of Harry Porter. After that, he had lunch and watched more TV. He folded some paper aeroplanes and watched more TV. Then we went out to play, had shower, east his dinner and went to sleep'.

I have all the things ready for school except for Chloe's shoes. Need to make a trip to buy her shoes. It is hard to find white tiny school shoes. I had them write their names on their books and they seemed to enjoy it. They happily packed their school bags. Oh boy, their school fees are getting higher as they move up their school!

Lucas has a performance for his drum in mid September. I had been sending him to his drum lessons and I sit outside his room to listen to him play. I must said he played quite well. But the problem is his teacher made him play that same song over and over again, until it is perfect as he said it. He has been playing the same song for 2 months! I seriously not sure if this is the right way to learn and enjoy music.

Chloe is still underage. I asked what instrument does she wants to learn and she has been consistently said piano. I was suggesting maybe violin and she said piano. That's fine, we have a piano at home. There is no need to buy the instrument. The hardest part is to get a good and children in-tuned teacher. When I casually asked if she wants to do ballet, she showed me her tap dancing instead!

My work has wind down a bit. I don't have to work until 10-11pm everyday. I get to enjoy tucking the kids to bed and watch a bit of TV after that.

3rd Week

It is the 3rd week of the kids' holiday. After the Sabah trip, we have not been anywhere. I was very busy with work. Could not take time off. I wish I work a bit less hours. Dominic was busy chasing a deal. So, the kids stayed at home and keep themselves entertained. All the need is paper and paper. Lucas is keeping a dairy. He writes what he does  everyday and he writes himself as the third person. He writes 'Lucas woke up and changed. Then he watched some TV and had breakfast. After that he reads Harry Porter and had a shower. Then he went to a fun place!......' When I asked him why is he using so many 'then', áfter', he replied, Í am using time connector'. He is learning to make paper aeroplane, reads his Harry Porter, making treasure map for me to hunt for treasure in the house. At 5pm, he will ask to go to the playground or neighbours' house.
Chloe is busy with writing and drawing. She has tons of notepad with all the heart shapes, tons of paper with her flower drawing and wrote Í love you mom and you dad'. I have papers everywhere on the floor.
We do take them out on weekends to indoor playground and eat out. That's pretty much what they have done so far.

Holiday Comes and Goes

In the last blog, I was worried what to do with the kids during their school holidays. In a blink of an eye, the school holiday is almost over. Of all the things Lucas wrote, we did almost all except for the part 'Go on holiday to Japan'. Lucas has a few play dates with his friends and cousins, visiting the grandparents a lot more often, and has his Mandarin classes. He even started on his guitar lessons. One day, the wind swept him and he asked to go for guitar lesson. He had 2 lessons so far and said he would like to continue after his trial lessons finish (4 trial lessons in total). Let's see...
At home, the kids play and fight till their hearts contend. There is the sandbox, play dough, water colours for painting, bubbles, bicycles, balls and of course iPad and TV. I bought a new board game recently, called Rummikub. It is a good board game to play as a family and the game finishes a lot faster than Monopoly. Lucas is also into Tin Tin. He has been reading Tin Tin books and watching Tin Tin movies. Chloe is reading her brother hand-me down books. She has shown more interest in reading lately. Painting is still her favourite pastime. Now, after she finishes her painting or drawing, she will take a tape and tape her masterpiece on the wall!
Dominic and I will be going to London next week. No kids. The kids will have some bonding time with the grandparents. We will land at home on the first day of school for Lucas. In fact, we will not be able to send him to school. I felt bad for my bad planning. Miscalculated his term start date. The consolation is he is going with my neighbour cum his best friend. Luckily, Chloe starts on Tuesday. And my chauffeuring duty is commencing soon after 5 weeks break.
But I'm happy that the kids will be back to school. It is not because I will have some peace and quiet at home, but they will have friends to play with in school.

Year End and Holiday

This week is Lucas last week of school. He had his final year progress report, and I had met his teacher. His teacher was so generous in her phrases for Lucas. I was a bit too embarrass to read to him what his teacher wrote, just in case the comments make him arrogant. He had English and Math assessment that are part of UK standardised assessment. Boy, he had perfect score for his English and made 1 mistake in his Math. Dominic told him that his English is better than an English. The teacher showed me the test paper. The English was very simple at the beginning but the last few pages required more reading - a few sentences on a story and then a question that relate to the sentences. In another word, to do well, the kids have to be able to read decently well. I was surprised with the high standard expected from the kindergarten children. Math assessment was not so much about crunching numbers but understanding the questions and problem solving. The reason Lucas did well in Math was he listened to the whole question before answering. The teacher relate some incidents to me - she was asking the class what number minus with another number will gives the answer 11. Lucas was answering '200 - 189', '1611-1600'. The teacher was shocked and burst into laughter. She was expecting 2 digits number and she asked Lucas, 'Are you real, Lucas??' Last week, they were learning to read time. The teacher said it's 1.45 and my smart aleck son answered, 'You mean it is a quarter to 2?'. Story cut short, I'm very proud of my boy.

I asked Lucas to write down what he wants to do during his school holiday. Here is his list (unedited):
(1) Celabrat dad's birthday
(2) Play blind fold with Jaedon.
(3) Go sand clmbing when dad is at home.
(4) If you are at home, we will play until 7 o'clock.
(5) If dad is at home we will play hide and seek and if you are not at home, we will eat ealy.
(6) One day maybe we shold try eating breakfast at 12 o'clock.
(7) Go on holiday to Japan
(8) Shall we try cohekting two ballons on a string?

Let's see how much we achieve.

Chloe's Ready for Nursery

Well, Chloe completed her playschool and will be starting Nursery in January. She will then be in school Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to noon. And, I will have some peace and quiet in the morning when both kids are in school.......yah!

On her last day, her Playschool had a Christmas party. The teachers turned the classroom into a playroom and lots of music, dancing, Santa Claus, presents and food. She had a great time, and now I will have difficulty telling her she is not going to school for the next 6 weeks.

She is 11.5kg and 88cm tall. Grown 2 kgs heavier and 4 cm taller since June. Not bad. She has been eating well lately - she eats meat more than her brother.

Getting her hand painted.

Her favourite toy, the balls.

Another favourite of hers, musical insturment, maracas.

Little gardener at home.

What Do We Do?

Trying to get the kids busy during their waking hours in school holiday is a real challenge. They are either too hooked up to the TV or iPad and that is not good at all. Since, I am not working, I have no excuse not to get them off the TV or iPad. So, what do we do??

- We go swimming more often, like twice a week.
- We have playdates where we meet with Lucas's other friends in indoor playground and let them play for hours.
- We try to cook/bake more together like making jello. Will start on making cupcakes soon (once I'm confident it is going to be turned out well).
- We go to the outdoor playground more, whenever the weather permits.
- I took them to grocery shopping with me.
- They go to the grandparents' place more often.
- I sit down and get them to do some activity (like homework).
- I send Lucas for whatever trial class I can find. So far, he has attended drum class and Wing Chun Kung Fu class. He is asking for piano class and I will sure find him a trial class to attend. Chloe has also been asking for music class but nobody wants to take her at such tender age. I am trying to find a ballet school for toddler for her.

Honestly, I am more exhausted now than when I was working.


Learning to hold the drum stick correctly in his first lesson. The teacher initially was reluctant to teach him as he was saying Lucas is too young. After the first trial, the teacher was impressed enough to take him on for the full trial program i.e. 4 lessons. I was impressed too. He remembered all the drums names and can follow instructions from the teacher. Now, I am trying to brain-wash him by saying playing drums is cool. His grandmother kept asking if I really want him to learn drums - all the noise during practice. Let's see how long his interest goes.

I wasn't there when he had his Wing Chun Kung Fu but according to Dominic, the first thing Lucas said after the class was, 'This is so tiring!'. What a worm! But according to Dominic the class is not suitable for him. The kids are from 5 to 17 and he is too young there. It is very frustrating for his sparing partner whom is older. So, no more Kung Fu. Next, I will try him for football.

I'm not neglecting Chloe either. Had been calling so many music centres if they teach any instrument to a 2 year old and the answer is always NO. I will just have to accept it. Now, I'm looking for baby/toddler ballet. She loves dancing, unlike her brother. She can just hyme some tunes and starts dancing. Also, looking for a playschool for her. Found one but the fees are rather pricy. Let's see if I can find a cheaper alternative. Planning to start her with playschool when Lucas is back to school in September. Then, I get some peace and quiet in the morning. :))

School Holidays...Half Way

Lucas had 2 weeks out of his 4 weeks holiday. He said he missed school. It is quite amazing we all survived. Last 2 days, his temper was horrible. He threw things, smacked me and screamed when he doesn't get what he wants. I had enough and punished him today after his lunch. Locked him in his room but he walked out through Chloe's room (both their rooms are inter-connected via the bathroom). I closed the stairs gate, which he hasn't figure out how to open. So, he was trapped upstairs. He kept calling for me and I ignored him. He finally stopped and played by himself upstairs. Half an hour later, I asked him if he is going to behave himself and he said yes. He has mellowed down since then. Managing kids is no easy tasks!
Things he did during his holidays:

Having friends over.

Jump on the trampoline at neighbour's house.

Play in his sand box.

Play in his baby pool.

School Holidays

Lucas is having his month long school break and it is a challenge to keep him occupied. He is not able to keep himself entertained for more than half an hour. He wants to be accompanied when he plays and I am running out of ideas. We subscribed to the Astro cartoon channels hoping to keep him busy for an hour a day. This does not seem to work - he is only interested to watch Bob The Builder and Mickey Mouse and I do not know what is the showing time. He also has colour pencils that works like water colour - can mix colours with water to create new colours. He only played with it for the first few days for 20 minutes each time. Now, he is bored with the colour pencils. Bought him some new books and he is only keen to read for 20 mins every night. I realised his concentration span is less than 30 mins.

His grandparents are understanding enough to take him out - twice a week instead of once a week. So, during his outing with grandparents, he will get his ice-cream.

He enjoys going outdoor like cycling and playing tennis. Maybe I should get him playgroups to play with. My neighbour has 2 young children and one of Lucas's classmate lives in the same neighbourhood. But then, he needs to be accompanied when he is with the playgroups. When I am stronger and Chloe is older, I can take both out.

He gave me a scare this morning. He woke up with tens of 'mosquitoes bites' on his arm. I thought he was bitten by insect and took him to the doctor. It is an allergy. I do not know the definite source of the allergy but suspected the new shower gel he is using. Doctor think it could be food in the nut family or seafood, but he hasn't been eating anything new for the past few days. I changed his shower gel and see if it is the source for his allergy.