Sleepy Beauty

It's Jamie's 1st time away from home to attend a full day complimentary art workshop (930-530pm) at Kinderart (Maxwell studio). She took home a huge canvas painting of Claude Monet, autumn effect at Argenteull 1873, which, ideally, to be display at our place, somewhere... Looking at the amount of effort she had put in, no wonder she's so exhausted after a long day of fun and slept on the sofa while I was preparing dinner.

Home Studio

Cannot remember when was the last time we took a decent family photo. So I told CQ to ask one of his photography khakis to help us out. And so we had an about 1hr+ of home studio last Saturday mid afternoon. Am sorting out some photos and hopefully can do up a nice family scrapbook & my preggie mini album too!

Tao Shu, The Award Winning Bilingual Series!

A fren rang me up last week to introduce me a series of Tao Shu chinese reader books. I've seen this from national TV so I knew what's she's talking about. But to get another series of books to squeeze onto the kids' already fully packed bookshelves, I've to be very careful in my selection of new books. But for now, click here for the details. It's definitely a good investment to start your kids in early literacy!

Happy Birthday Granny

This was taken in the lift while on our way to Ah Po's hse to celebration her bday. Jamie did a simple bday card for her granny too !

Mini Scrapbook II

Did this couple of days ago when our helper finally arrived on Monday nite! Am hoping to complete at least 3 more kits b4 lil junior arrives in early August.

More Challenges Ahead ??

Interesting facts

Here's what I've found out about a child who has been trained from Shichida's method. Observation of Shichida-trained children (aged 5) at other pre-schools

• Memory retention is stronger
• Recognise and recapitulate pictures and words from flash cards effortlessly
• Consistently perform well in spelling
• Display keen interest in learning
• Sharp listening skills- able to follow instructions well
• Work well independently. Hardly needs any supervision
• Can converse and recall details clearly
• Can grasp mathematical concepts quickly

I am training my kids using some of Shichida's methods + my own sets of right brain methods that I've acquired from people and centers that I've come across. Yes, I must admit it does help though it also depends on the child herself.

June Holiday Programmes??

As the mid-year holiday is just around the corners, I've already planned out some programmes to keep the kids occupied and fulfilled. I will still be carrying out my daily right brain training wif both of them while on certain days, they will be send out to attend some workshops near our place. As usual, there'll be some outdoor excursions too ! I just hope that they will be as excited as I do.

Tooth Fairy

This is a backlog report.... Jamie has finally dropped her 1st baby tooth on 12th May (Tues) some 3wks ago!! Yea!! It was quite tough for her initiately as she din know what to expect and if it's gonna be painful or not. Thank God she had a painless experience during lunch time in school when she ate some bread ! So I gotten her this little gift bag to safe-keep her lil tooth for memory's sake.

Mental Arithmetic

Jamie will be ending her Montessori Math coming mid June which I find that she has been learning it at very slow pace for the past 7 months from a montessori school near her school. It's solely out of convenience that I've enrolled her since its just within walking distance. But judging at the speed, I've decided to pull her out since she benefits more when learning at home wif me (contradicting right??). Anyway, I'm exploring CMA Mental Arithmetic for her this coming June holiday b4 I give birth so that I can homeschool her during my confinement period in August-September when she will not be able to attend lessons. Meanwhile, I've bought a simple basic book & a wooden abacus to self learnt at home. Hopefully can coach her during her period of absentism.

Kinderart Exhibition

** Teacher's comments : Jamie has been an attentive student in class. Jamie has also been very helpful and friendly wif her fellow classmates. She has also show ability to understand the forms and identify the shapes. She has done well wif her works, but she needs to speed up a little bit.

Mama's comments : Apart from improving in her speed, as expected, I think she is quite detailed and tries her best to do it well in all her masterpieces. Perhaps should ask CQ to frame it up and hang it in our hallway.

Jeremy's 2nd Meet the Teachers' Session

It was kind of rush for me to hurry back after the Jungle Jamboree wif Jamie. However I was very pleased to hear from Jeremy's Form & Chinese Teachers that he is making very good progress in school despite at times being very petty over trivial matters. Looking at the report, 2 things that I'm glad is that he has improved since Term 1 and has scored well areas like recognition of words and reading. I must give credits to Jamie who has been constantly reading to him since he was young. Having said so, as expected, like Jamie when she was in Nursery, communications naturally is not in Mandarin. Hence, he is weaker in expressing himself during Chinese class. Looking at his overall results, there's still alot of rooms for improvement and I recognise the urgency to strengthen his fine motor skills especially when he's in K1 next year when there's alot of writing to be done. Stress sia!!

Aside all these, both teachers commented that Jeremy is a very bright boy who is able to sit still to focus and concentrates very well during lessons. Although he can be restless when doing work (eg coloring or drawing), but he is exceptionally quiet and very attentive during lessons that do not require any writing or coloring. The chinese teacher even commented that he has strong memory retention & his words recognition is fantastic! I was like "WOW" so all the right brain training that I've been doing wif him indeed showing some +ve results. This is something good although he is weaker/slower in motor skills but at least his concepts and IQ are not compromised.

Jungle Jamboree StoryTelling Workshop & Performance

During one of our NLB's trips, I took a brochure re ACE Festival 2009 (May 18 to June 14). Just a year ago, I remembered attending a storytelling workshop organised by Asian StoryTelling Network and it left a deep impression in me till to-date. Hence when I knew that they are running a workshop & performance during this period, I immediately signed up wif Jamie.

I wouldn't say its entertaining wif spotlight and excellent surround system during the performance, however, through these storytellers' intonation, expressions, gestures & body movements and creativities, I had learnt something which I seldom been doing when I tell stories. Definitely a worth trip!

Daily Work

Now that Jamie is going to complete her 9 months English daily language work that she has been doing (except Sat & Sun), I've added Chinese and Math for her. In fact, I believe that consistent work is essential for long term success. Good thing is, each exercise is pretty short so it won't bored her yet she is learning!!

Canon PowerShot A570

I was shocked when I knew that this photo was taken by my digital cam!! See the blurring image at the background? I thought such camera cannot achieve this effect ley!

Thank you papa for the lovely flowers. Jamie also did a Mother's Day card that she drew it herself.

Mini Scrapbook Completed

This was completed last week. Another one coming up next week so stay tune!! Meanwhile, here's the completed 4x6" scrapbook that I did for Jeremy. Ask me what's so good about scrapbooking? Hmm, well, its the joy & satisfaction of seeing how beautifully it can be nicely presented in an acid lignin free scrapbook for many years down the road. These albums will ultimately be a life treasure for our children and generation to come.

Blessed Mother's Day

Jeremy handed this to me after school today. I thought its for me but the cookies ended up in the children's tummy!!

Special Award ??

Jamie handed this "Award" to me at school entrance after school yesterday. Amazingly, she wrote why she gave this special award to me..."for buying me toys" Btw, I do not frequently buy toys for the children. Only occasions reward stickers or small little gift that cost few bucks to light up their day. Anyway, its nice of her to do up this card for me though.

Mother's Day Cards

Was impressed that these 2 Labor Day homeworks were done shortly on Sunday night b4 we did a final touchup today! Don't they look similar? Aiyah no time for more creativity lor!

Using Chopsticks

Bought a new set of Thomas Train chopsticks for Jeremy in order to stimulate his right brain. And both kids enjoyed using it so much that Jamie can even eat her meals using chopsticks through out!

Goodbye Mrs Melissa!

Today is Jamie's form teacher last day teaching her class. This teacher has been teaching her since K1 and she knows Jamie pretty well inside out and its a pity that she has to leave as her husband will be outstation to Australia to work for 4 years. Hence she and her 2 children will be following him. Anyway, it took me less than few mins to complete this scrapbook card & quickly asked Jamie to write and draw something which Mrs Melissa can remember her. As usual, she drew her fav star, basket, pineapple & Mr Bean soft toy, hahahhaaa..

Term 2 Meet the Teachers Session

Met Jamie's teachers after sending Jeremy to school. Generally she is progressing well and was told that she will be ready for P1 next year. However few things which I am praying that she will overcome it soon. #1 complete work faster #2 improve her handwriting #2 speak up more in Chinese lessons.

First Excursion

This is Jeremy's first excursion at JCK! And coincidently its the entire school Nursery all the way up to K2 kids school wide excursion !! It's from 830am - 230pm. Yipppee!! I will have a long 6 hours of break to run errands !

Welcome to God's Family, Jamie!

Did this especially for our dearest daughter who took a step of faith to trust in God. Enjoy the slideshow preview for part of a mini scrapbook kit that I've done for Jamie.

Oh My!!!

This is soooooooooo sweet! I found this in one of my folders, hidden among those that I've never bother to see what's inside. This was taken 1.5years ago. Now, I am REALLY missing Jamie's straight long hair :(

Is Life Tougher ??

Life has never been too tough for me even though I am without a helper for 3 months. Thank God for giving me enormous strength to pull through life's difficulties and trials. But life has never been traded off for those precious time I've wif our 2 wonderful children who are indeed a blessing from God. Seeing them growing each day, warm my heart, knowing it have been a priviledge to witness (and will be) wif them their every small little milestones that they have gone through and will be going through. What's more do I hope for except for God's mercy & grace to continue to flow throught this family all in all. Amen!

Nice Shots

These are CQ's recent works wif his khakis which I love it most!

Mini Celebration for Jamie

I did a certificate for Jamie and bought 4 mini muffins for tonight after dinner as to celebrate Jamie accepted Christ on Easter sunday. Nothing fantastic but just to make her feel important to be part of God's family ya.

Easter Sunday

Cannot Believe that Jamie is growing FAST!

Being a SAHM to my children sometimes can be a physical, challenging and emotional strains but it also means that witnessing them growing and crossing their milestones each day a joy to me !! Just today, I've noticed a small little white tooth emerging out from behind one of her canine tooth ! I am now beginning to learn to let her "go" and have her own decisions made whenever its appropriate/necessary.

Check it out here!!

Easter Week

Here's the usual red egg in a "basket" the kids brought home today. Wonder if Jeremy really knows the true meaning of Easter ? Hope Jamie will recover fast so that all of us can attend Easter Sunday.

Spot the Different

Jamie did such similar books before though the pictures were much complicated which I reckon Jeremy can accomplish it at this age so I bought this instead. He definitely needs some prompting for now but its surely a good headstart for a 3y 4mths old boy !

Tang Poem

While I was browsing through some books at Popular, I've found this "treasure" book by chance which I find it very useful though its kind of late to introduce Tang poems to Jamie but better than never right?? It comes wif an audio cd wif some activities to complete after reading the entire poems. So this will be part of our homeschool program for the next few months.

DIY Materials Again

I've started sourcing and making flash cards for linking memory exercises that I am going to use it for the children. Very tiring but I think its very worth it. Also getting some cheapo puzzles to drill Jeremy as I realised that while working wif puzzles, it helps to stimulate the child's right brain. So, I've bought 3 sets for Jamie too since she wants to play. Will get the pictures printed out so that they can reference while solving the puzzles.

Off Blogging

It's been a bee-zy week last week + I was down wif very bad UTI + Jeremy suddenly developed mild stomach flu on Sat. And it was also my birthday on 1st April!! Nothing fanciful but am not asking for any present from CQ since there's really nothing much that I am lacking. Anyway, we had a simple dinner outside w the kids and decorated a mini cake to bring home after that. Sounded boring??

Mirror Cube Puzzles

I simply love this IQ game that I've managed to get it from a fren through a Msia supplier ! It's so challenging yet requires a child to think and solve the puzzle at a different level. This was found to be very useful to train Jeremy's observation and problems solving skills. To Jamie, it's just a piece of cake !

More Flash Cards ...

Got these stacks of Chinese flash cards from Lisa lately. It's meant for K2 kids in preparation for P1. After browsing through the words, I think its relatively easy and Jamie can read about 90% of these cards by now. Hmm, wondering how's the standard for higher children kids at P1 level and is Jamie being trained too far beyond P1 ??

Sea Horse Riding on Unicycle

This was done by Jamie during recent weeks while we were relaxing playing some games together. Thought its quite interesting wif her fav "mini" sitting on the Unicycle.

Pre-Primary Ballet Preliminary Preview

Tonight I've witnessed Jamie doing her exam dance items one by one and this is one of my fav! She did it so well that I almost cannot believe my eyes! Well done, Jamie!

“Head Over Heels” Couples Run 2009

Above are most of the freebies (few magazines & bottles of mineral water etc) from the goody bag that CQ took back in an orange color Guardian Pharmacy recycled bag after volunteering for

some Couples Run photograph shoots at East Coast Park. I din "woo-ah" over these loots though since I have my own usual sets of skincare products. Shall see who to give it away...

Cooking Session w Mama

Tonight Jamie became my assistant in the kitchen in preparing dinner for the family! She is such a great helper indeed and she did it wif so much joy! Hence I have decided to allow her to help out once a week as I've noticed that there's so much things I can teach her beyond what books can give!

Parent-Child School Holiday Work

This time I am so much caught up wif their daily activites on top of the piling up chores and preparation of their meals that I simply do not have the time to do this work nicely wif Jeremy. Nevermind, there'll be more of such chance (hee, excuse!).

DIY Materials

Wondering why I have no updates lately?? Ya since CQ is on reservist till 27 March, I somehow sleep late and so wif this extra hours I've, I quickly finish up my DIY teaching materials I've planned for the children and #3. So blogging has been put on "hold" for a while....

School Holiday

This is the kids' first school holiday without papa as he will be on reservist till end of March. That's very long to me ley!!!! Should be able to handle... just tat not used not seeing jjpapa at home at night lor.

Logico

This gadget has become Jeremy's daily "dosage" for his right brain stimulation. This set has been handed down from Jamie and Jeremy's turn now. Soon it will be for #3 too!

PanCake

Bought this from Cold Storage and the kids love it so much! And its so easy to prepare vs those premix powder selling at NTUC ! It tastes so much better and easier to cook too!