Elmo's World

28/11/2007 Wed

Today the kids and I went to visit their granddad at the nursing home. Despites their various attempts to wake him, he remained fast asleep, oblivious to their singing and shoutings. I decided to bring them to Takashimaya since we were already out. Meryl slept on the train until we reached the event hall at basement 2. Kyle and I went to buy lunch and some groceries while Jo stood in the queue.

We had a fantastic view of the stage and the kids were most excited. 10 mins before the show started, a 'magician' (so he claimed) came on stage to try and work the crowd. He chose 4 boys, one of whom was Kyle, to go on stage to compete. They were supposed to shout 'I love Sesame Street' and try to hold the last note for as long as they could. Kyle and another bigger boy won the 1st round and in the finals, Kyle held the note for 9 seconds and beat the other boy who managed to sustain only 6s. He recieved a balloon 'garland' and a balloon Elmo sculpture. He was very pleased with himself. (go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Tj5czXa74 to watch him on stage). The show was really good and they sang about 5 songs featuring Elmo, Ernie, Bert and Cookie Monster. We will definitely be back for more!!

On the way back, Jo and myself had to keep the kids awake as it was already past 2. Even though Meryl had slept earlier, she still wanted to sleep. After their milk, they went straight to bed. Kyle woke up only at 5 and Meryl slept 3 and a half hours till 6.20pm!

As usual they took a long time eating their dinner especially Meryl tonight. Our earlier plan was to go Giant but changed it to Karaoke night. The kids had a great time singing to their favorite tunes on the microphone. They then watched Tom and Jerry and an episode of Noddy before we sat down to give out smiley faces and black Xes. Kyle got 3 Xes for disturbing Meryl and being rude to me and he also forfeit the chance to sleep in our room tonight as tonight was his turn. Meryl was given the privilege but she chose in the end to sleep with her brother in their bunkbed. ( she also 'lectured' and comforted her brother when he was being punished)

Conversations with Meryl (Part 2)

As recounted to me :

1) After one of their swim at Granddad's house, Tagu showered the kids as we weren't around. As they had just shifted into the new place, the baby shower gel was missing and she used the shampoo to wash the kids hair as well as their body. Kyle did not notice anything different but when it came to Meryl's turn, she asked, " Tagu why are you using shampoo to bathe me?" Tagu was amused and her reply was, " Because you are so hairy!"

2) At the resort in Chiang Mai one afternoon

The kids woke up from their nap and Tagu attempted to tie meryl's hair. She tried looking for a comb but to no avail (as it was with me and I was out enjoying!). In the end, she tried sometihing innovative. She found a plastic fork which she used to divide Meryl's hair and then combed it. Meryl's question to her, "Tagu, why are you using a fork to comb my hair??!!"

3) Grocery shopping with Tagu alone

In the car, Meryl tried to strike up a conversation.

M: Tagu, I don't look like you.

J : Why you don't look like me?

M: I look like my daddy...

M: because I very hairy!!!!

Dora the Explorer

27/11/2007 Tues

The sky was ominous looking and our plans of taking train was dashed. Instead I found myself having to call for a cab and found none even after 2 attempts of calling. In the end managed to get an Smrt cab and found out that it was pouring all over Singapore except in Sengkang.

We reached United Square at 11.10 and while waiting for Vic and QQ, the kids played with the lights on the floor where they try to catch the images. After they arrived, we went out to see the Xmas tree and then went to have lunch. The last time we came here together was last year for the Barney Show and we had forgotten how it was like. Only after lunch we realised our mistake; we should have sent Umi to queue earlier. In the end, we went to have ice-cream at Ben and Jerry on the 3 rd level and had a bird's eye view of the show.

Meryl fell straight asleep as usual once we boarded the taxi and woke up for milk when we reached home. Kyle refused to sleep and played with his toys and read books. Tagu joined us for dinner and we watched Goerge of the Jungle on cable. The kids played on their scooters and bicyles outside the corridor but headed back at 9 to watch their favorite show, Tom and Jerry. At bedtime, Meryl refused to let me go and wanted me to stay in the room with her. In the end I let her sleep in our room where she fell asleep contentedly.

A day at the Zoo

26/11/2007 Mon

A visit to the zoo with parents; boring. A visit to the zoo with friends; explosive! The zoo outing today with Zachery and Cheryl and the 3 mommies was anything but boring. The kids had so much fun with their friends around and Meryl at one point just had to boast to her brother, ' I go zoo with MY friends!'

We started off from home at 9am with a very excited and impatient Zac waiting down stairs. Chery and Mom had to take a cab there themselves. We took a group picture at the entrance and then began our adventure. Our first task was to look out for the False Gharials( crocodile) which Zac was persistently asking for but we couldn't see any. Then we proceeded to see Meryl's favorite, otters. Fortunately for her, they were wide awake and basking in the sun and pool. We then took the tram to Fragile Forest where Kyle 'rescued' a butterfly and then chased the whistling ducks. After that, we had to quickly catch the tram again to be on time for the Splash Show by the sea lion, on request of Cheryl. We managed to get some seats and the children snacked while waiting for the show to start. Kyle and Meryl and Cheryl were also dancing to the music!

After the show, we went back to Children's World where the kids stripped to their underwear(actually mine started first) and frolicked at the water play area. According to Zac and Cheryl's mom, this was the 1st time they actually played in the water, although Zac did a good job of not getting his hair wet. They had a splashing good time of about 45 mins, after which they changed and got ready for lunch at KFC which was timely as the rain poured. There was an incident of a little Indian boy who came to our table and snatched a piece of Zac's pop chicken. The irony was when Cheryl offered to give the boy the chicken , the mother replied that he's vegetarian! He didn't stop crying for about 5 mins after the mom pulled him away. Poor boy!

The rain stoppped and we dropped by the pigmy hippo and white tiger enclosure before we left. It was by then 1.30. Meryl fell asleep almost immediately in the cab but woke up for milk when we reached home and slept again till 5pm. Then it was playground time followed by dinner and some disney channel programs whilst the parents went out for their own program.

Trekking at Bukit Timah

25/11/2007 Sun

I had to will myself to wake up today at 7.30am. We were going to Bukit Timah Hill today. I woke Meryl from her dreams at about 7.45am by whispering 'Bukit Timah' and immediately her eyes were wide open. While I was changing her, she said to me, 'Mummy, I slept so long today, right?' and I told her 'no' to which she answered, 'because you woke me up.' I ended up apologising to her! When she was all dressed, she told me this.'Mummy, can you hold my hand and bring me to the toilet and help me brush my teeth (verbatim).' I was very amused as she really put in effort to construct the sentence whole. Of course, I obliged since she put it so well together.

We reached Bt Timah Hill at about 9 and began our ascent. We took the Rock path today and was treated to a very challenging terrain with lots of rocks and boulders. The kids had fun climbing them and not a single complaint was heard. We took about 2 hours with 2 breaks in between to have some breakfast and finish some business (for Meryl). It was an enjoying time and a good workout for all.

After lunch, we had to pick up Jo and buy some groceries for tonight's dinner. Kyle went with us while Meryl was sleeping. When we reached home, she woke up and it was her turn to go shopping with Ta Gu while the rest sleeps.

Cousin Jay and Jon arrrived at 5 plus and the Movie Marathon began! They watched Curious George followed by Mr Bean's Holiday and then Transformer. It kept the kids entertained while the adults also entertained their 2 guests. By the time, we left Granddad's house, it was already 10. Another long day and late night.

Alex's (Er Jiu's) Birthday

23/11/2007 Sat

Today we celebrated Er Jiu's birthday at a Toa Payoh restaurant. The kids had an assortment of food as I want them to try out different things instead of always having ee fu noodles at such places. Surprisingly, they ate most of the things given to them, chee cheong fun, carrot cake, glutinous rice, fish dumplings, char siew pau etc. After lunch, we headed to the library just next door to borrow some books and then went home for their nap. The kids were kept entertained on the way back with tales of lizards, hippos and chicken

I attended the soft launch of the new Anchorvale CC while the kids nap and signed Meryl up for a ballet course. It was such a god-sent that the dance school is now just a mere 5 mins away from my place and I need not waste time ferrying her to classes. We headed for the Yacht Club for a swim and then had dinner with their granddad and Auntie. The highlight of the evening was the Karaoke where the 2 of them sang their Hokkien song to the amazement of the audience. The kids were so thrilled to hear themselves singing instead of the singer and they sang very Loudly. It was 10 by the time we left and Kyle was so worn out by then.

On Their Own

23/11/2007 Fri

The kids was left to their own devices today as I was out whole day for a conference. According to my helper they were angels especially Kyle who finished his lunch and dinner very quickly today. They had their share of artwork, reading and TV today. After their nap, they headed for their usual haunt, the playground and played with Krishna.

After dinner, Kyle was granted permission (finally!) to play on his new scooter. He was delighted and couldn't wait for Meryl to finish her dinner. He called daddy many times to counteract my decision but in the end, I prevailed. He had fun on his scooter whilst Meryl play with her little car. They also took turns learning to skate onthe scooter.

Our neighbours were back on holiday from England and we had a good time catching up. The kids played for a good 1 half hrs before we shooed them back to shower and get ready for bed.

Downtown East

21/11/2007

It was a cold windy Wednesday morning. Perfect day for an outing.

8.55am - All dressed up and waiting at the bus-stop
9.00am - Auntie Cheryl and Zachery arrived and kids had fun playing around the sculptures.
9.30am- GAve up waiting for the free shuttle bus and took 372 instead
9.50am - Boarded bus 89. Zac and Kyle fought for their seat.
10.10am - Arrived at Downtown East
10.20am - Kids checked into the PLAY GYM and mothers promptly proceeded to have their cuppa.
11.00am- Booked the venue for Meryl's 3rd birthday celebration on 18/12
11.20am - Hanged around the kiddy rides while I exhanged my points for a set of boxes.
11.45am - Boarded double decker 89 heading home for lunch. Meryl slept.

Children had lunch and napped till 4+. Did some artwork and headed for playground.

7.30pm- Finished dinner and shower
8.00pm- arrived at Giant with TaGu and met Daddy.
9.00pm-Home Sweet Home

Kyle received 4 black Xes for misbehaviour and Meryl received 4 smiley faces.

On Smiley Faces

20/11/2007 Tues

Tonight we totalled up the number of smiley faces each child got since last Wednesday. Kyle got a total of 22 smileyf aces while Meryl had only 13. This was by far the most they had received within one week since we started the reward system about 2 months ago. The kids receive a smiley face sticker for everything they do right and a Black X for every wrong deed committed. Initially the plan was to reward them with a present for every 10 faces received and punishment for every 5 black Xes per week but it seemed difficult to get any presents as they have as many number of Xes as smiley faces. Now we give them 20cts for each smiley faces and deduct 20cts for each Xes.

This worked out to be $4 for kyle this week ( 22 :) - 2X = 20) and $2 for Meryl (13:) - 3X=10). This high number of smiley faces for Kyle was partly due to his dad giving him 5 :0) for his excellent report from school on his behaviour and performance. Kyle was so excited and kept asking me what he can buy with the money. I told him to accumulate more smiley faces in order to get a bigger present. This system seemed to be working much better now than in the beginning.

Below is a list of some of the things he did this week:

Eating lunch fast
Teaching Meryl to read
sharing snacks with Meryl
Massaging mummy
Read Hop on Pop on his own
taking care of baby at the playground
Behaving well whilst mum and dad are busy
helped to carry food up to give to the poor
Sat still while cutting hair
washing own plates and cups
jogged with mummy
observed safety when on the road - held hands
eating dinner fast
doing well in school

Meryl's Playgroup Graduation

19/11.2007 Fri

Meryl 'graduated' today amidst much fanfare. Today was her last day at her Appletree Playgroup and they had a party. There were snacks aplenty, much to the children's delight, especially Meryl's. Jay and Lincoln also gave out paty packs to all the children, a double bonus for them.

The party started with the Graduation Ceremony whereby the Vice-chairman of the RC gave out the certificates. Some kids had to be cajoled to get theirs while others like Meryl went readily up to receive theirs and gave a well-rehearsed bow at the end. After the ceremony, they gave a performance before heading for the snacks!!! Meryl was most obviously the shortest in class as she was almost a full one year behind most of her classmates born in the beginning of the year.

After the party, we headed for Zachary's house where the kids continued to have fun together while the moms get together to chat.

At Auntie Queenie's

20/11/2007 Tues

Today's plan was to go Auntie Queenie's pace for Montessori with Belle and Joel. When we reached there, there were another 3 boys present with a mother. They were busy playing with the instruments. Kyle and Meryl were told the rules and they quickly settled in . Kyle was easily bored and flitted from one to another but Meryl was very focused on each task she chose to do. They took a break at about 10.30 for light snacks before they started to explore the house. Kyle was intrigued with the cats. I spotted 3 but was told there are 4. Joel's granny read them a book entitled 'The very hungry caterpillar' and then the boys went to climb on a tall structure, all trying to balance themselves. Only Meryl continued doing her task. Her favorite was pouring water from a teapot into little cups and cleaning the mirror! We left at about 11.40 and the kids had lunch and played a little on the computer before they went for their nap.

At about 5 after Meryl woke, we all got ready for our jog. Today's mission was to spot for frogs in the field across our house. Unfortunately we didn't see any but the kids found another mission. They 'rescued' snails by placing them back on the field in case they get stepped on. We headed for Compasspoint library to return and borrow some books. We bought some donuts from Breadtalk as Missy Donut's queue was too long and then shared a large fries from Mos Burger before heading for home. Despite their diligence, we still did not spot any frogs. Kyle complained that it was still too early and that he wanted to follow daddy to jog cos it is late in the evening and he is sure to spot one. I reminded him that he will not be able to keepup with daddy as he jogs very long.

I doubt they will be interested in jogging tomorrow cos they said that their legs are very 'painful' and they don't like to 'perspire'...sigh..

Kyle's Holiday Resolutions

Yesterday after dinner, Kyle asked to wash the dishes. He did a good job of it and was given a smiley face (each smiley face gets him 20cts).
He also set the rule that since it is now holiday time, he will take turns with Meryl to sleep in our room cos during school time, they only get to sleep with us during the weekends. The previous night before the rule was set, he faked stomach ache as an excuse to sleep with us but was exposed and thereafter he thought of the new rule. Last night he willingly let Meryl sleep in our room whilst he slept in his own bed.
He also volunteered to go jogging with me and yesterday was our first. We jogged all the way to Fernvale and then took a free shuttle halfway back and then walked home. Tonight we will jog to CompassPoint to return our books then across the field back..ie..if weather permits. The kids and I will try to jog at least twice a week.
We will also go to Auntie Queenie's place once a week for montessori play and have Meryl's playgroup come over once a week to play.
There are also plans to go Sentosa, Animal Resort, Zoo, Downtown East, Cycling, and beach with some SAHMs. Hopefully these 50 days will get by without me pulling out all my hair!!