Money, Money, Money!!

I am subtly introducing Jamie what is the value of money/coins since the start of this year and today, she is more confident in handling money. I am not in a bit hurry to rush her but it's good that she starts learning it now since she has to buy food herself on every Tuesday and Thursday. She has completed the "Coins" workbook and now she is going into "dollar" workbook.

Reading

Joshua loves to "meddle" wif board books whenever he gets a hand of it. Instantly he will try to lick it before flipping open the pages, whahahaa!!

Classical Ballet

Jamie had her 1st RAD exam this morning at 10am. It's her "1st" because this time she will be graded by an overseas external examiner. We reached the school by 835am. By 915am, we were all ready to enter the studio for her assessment. Nevermind the results, most important is that she did her best and had enjoyed every moment of it! She will be promoted to Grade 1 after the exam.

** Jamie & her group rehearsing for their dance items while waiting for the 1st group to end.

How much change???

Since the start of the year, I've been giving Jamie opportunity to buy food over recess on every Tuesday and Thursday and the rest of the weekdays, bringing packed food from home. She is coping with money with a new sense of learning yet couldn't fully understand the virtue of saving. What do I do then?? Well, first of all, I opened a saving account for her at POSB. Next papa brought her to choose a piggy bank that she can save her pocket money. And lastly, with the recommendation from L, I've managed to get this wonderful Money Sense board game for her to learn how to deal with money diligently. It's F-U-N!!

Heuristic Problem Sums

Call me "kiasu or kiasee" mummy, anyway I'm not in the lest bothered for I know what is best for my children so as to prepare them well for the challenges ahead. Here, I started Jamie solving problem sums using model bars instead of writing out the equations and steps which I've been coaching her since late last year. She has little problems in solving these herself without drawing out the models but I think it's good that she understands and knows how to derives from these models so that come P3, she will have minimal hiccups in adapting these steps.

Yoohoo!!

** Click PLAY to view the video.

An Overcomer Jamie

I remembered Jamie started her 1st swimming lessons wif an instructor at my fren's condo some 1.5yrs ago, in Y2008 Oct. Back then, the instructor just let her be whenever she refused to try to blow bubbles or head down. It only lasted for about 3mths and she ceased learning there due to unforseen circumstances. And I continued her wif another coach around February last year and she's still wif this coach since then. But stopped swimming for another 3mths from Sept'09 due to recovering of kawasaki diease.

*******

So, in between she still didn't try hard to do head down or even jump into the pool etc. But the breakthrough came about some time this year when she suddenly "open" and tried it herself during every swimming lessons, slow but bit by bit. Perhaps gotta thank Jeremy too since he started swimming early this year and has been progressing faster than expected. Now she can even swim wif the kicking board wif head down, completely. Praise the Lord! What a breakthrough!!

Reading

I rarely have time to read alone wif Jeremy. This evening, while I was free from Joshua, I quickly grabbed some phonics readers, sat him down and he read to me. I'm glad that I've made reading an enjoyable pastime for my children to cultivate. They will probably grow up to be an avid readers if we continue this reading habit together wif our children.

1st Porridge

Yummy fish porridge!! Today shall mark the start of Josh's porridge journey till he is ready for rice (started semi solids abt 1-2wks ago).

I Can Feed Myself

Surprisingly he can hold it so well even for the 1st time!

My Breastfeeding Journey

It's been 8 months since I've started bfg Joshua and I am glad I've persisted right from the beginning. When will I stop then? Well, shall see how then.

Caterpillar

This beautiful caterpillar that hanged from a tall tree instantly caught my eyes when I was rushing to the supermarket this evening. I supposed iIt was struggling to go back to the tree before it changes into a coccoon. Isn't it beautiful?

Morning Excursion @ West Coast Park

Due to Papa's busy work commitments, he seldom have the time to go outing wif us. But today, I had managed to "squeeze" out some of his morning slot to go out for a short breakfast and outing with us together with Sandra's family. It was a good one though the weather was very humid towards noon.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yay I'm another year wiser.... do I ??? This year, being "cheapo" we had my celebration twice, yes not once, but twice, at Swenson! And I got my free firehouse ice cream twice of course!!

Kinderart Assessment

It's the end of Term 1 and here's Kinderart assessment on Jeremy's arts enrichment wif the kindergarten. Also attached is one of his artwork he had brought home.

** double click to read teacher's comments.

Internet Connection DOWN

Sickening, don't know what happened...couldn't log in since last weekends!! But finally its OK (thks papa :P) and I'm back online again, yea!

Happy Birthday, Amanda

Jamie was invited to a "All gals" art n craft party at an Art shop at West Coast Plaza for 2hours. After dropping her off, I went for my own hi-tea at Fish & Co while taking a breathe from my 2 boys who were at home wif their daddy.

Head Down

I am tired of waiting for the "big day" when Jamie finally can head down COMPLETELY but while waiting, I am very pleased that Jeremy is making steady progress to do head-down since 1 month ago (pix above was taken on 27th Feb when he did his 1st head down.)

Been Lazy

I've been a little slackened for the past few days.... perhaps due to fatigue or long- term burnt out?? Anyway, gotta get back on track again and need to prepare Jamie for oral and comprehensive drilling soon (thanks to Levine for her "pre-warning) as her 1st SA1 is coming up pretty soon. Stress sia! And Jeremy has just started his 1st spelling in K1. So far so good as the school only started them in 3 letters phonetic words (eg fat, mat, cat, sat etc). I think I've too many things on my plate for our 3 kiddos and I still have to clear stuff from our storeroom and at the same time gotta finish up wif some DIY right brain materials for the kids...who says Money not Enough? I say, Time not Enough!!

Splashing Time @ 7.5mths

Joshua has been enjoying water fun time every time he's being put into the swim tub. It's proven that babies who are exposed to early water experience benefit them tremendously and the obvious reasons are quoted as ..."fostering a growing sense of self-esteem, confidence and independence. As a child's ability to freely move through the water increases so does their sense of well-being." Read up more here.