Weekend Break at Orchard
Our Saturday started out as usual. Ballet for Meryl at 10 and Abacus for Kyle at 10.30. We then had breakkie at Mac's after Meryl's class while waiting for her brother. Then it was home to change and pack our luggage for our Weekend Escapade at Orchard where we had booked our hotel stay for 1 night.
We reached Orchard Hotel at about 1.30 and were upgraded to a delux room upon checking in. Then the hubby and son went for their buffet lunch and Meryl and I happily went shopping. We window-shopped at Paragon where I went to ogle at all the beautiful bags and then I bought her 2 macaroons from Canele which she wanted. Then it was off to Takashimaya for the Bags and Shoes Affair at their Atrium. It was packed!! I tried keeping Meryl occupied by buying her a donut but it didn't help. She wanted to go back to the hotel ( she was thinking of the tubbath that her brother was probably having then). I had to think of devious ways to keep her mind off that. I promised her a set of Sylvanian if I can get something for Myself first. She happily agreed and was most obliging after that. Unfortunately, I did not manage to get anything for myself but I stumbled on a beautiful black coat from Bennetton at half price which I bought for Meryl. That was my only purchase for the day. After that we took a bus back to hotel as the taxi queue at Taka was super long. At the bus stop, Meryl was on a sugar high and talking incessantly at the top of her voice.
Back at the hotel, Meryl soaked herself in the tub for about half and hour and then we ate pizza and took a nap. We woke up only at about 7 and went to Forum Toy R Us and then to Yotei for dinner. We strolled to Isetan to buy some snacks and all the time, the kids wanted us to go back 'Home'. Back 'Home', the kids had a splashing good time again in the tub and then we watched TV till about 12am. we were knocked out till the next morning 9am. Kyle declared that it was fun and that he wants to do it again and stay for '10 days'! * faint*
Monday, April 27, 2009
Breakthrough
Breakthrough!!
It seemed like the worst is over. I was getting worried that Meryl may shift her attachment from me to her Tita Jo who has been bunking in their room for the past week.
Last night, I put her to bed and told her that our helper will be sleeping in her own room. She pouted a little and said that she wanted me to be around. I promised her that I'd be around and that her door and ours would be wide open. She gave a few sniffles and then went to sleep unwillingly. In the middle of the night, she coughed and woke up and immediately, my hubby went to the room to attend to her, followed by me. She said that she needed to use the toilet. After that I put her back in bed and left her. Amazingly, she did not protest and went straight back to sleep! It was a great relief for me as I was unsure of how she would react. I guess her trust in me being there for her when she needs me has been restored.
It seemed like the worst is over. I was getting worried that Meryl may shift her attachment from me to her Tita Jo who has been bunking in their room for the past week.
Last night, I put her to bed and told her that our helper will be sleeping in her own room. She pouted a little and said that she wanted me to be around. I promised her that I'd be around and that her door and ours would be wide open. She gave a few sniffles and then went to sleep unwillingly. In the middle of the night, she coughed and woke up and immediately, my hubby went to the room to attend to her, followed by me. She said that she needed to use the toilet. After that I put her back in bed and left her. Amazingly, she did not protest and went straight back to sleep! It was a great relief for me as I was unsure of how she would react. I guess her trust in me being there for her when she needs me has been restored.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ice cream
Tuesday, drum lesson night.
The hubby called and asked if I wanted to bring the kids out to Compasspoint for a walk. I agreed and we rushed back immediately after the lesson on my bicycle. The duo were pestering for ice-cream. We agreed and Meryl was soooooo happy. She exclaimed while we were still in the car park, "Mummy, I love you so much because you are buying me ice-cream.' I jokingly said that it was on account of the ice-ream that she loves me. She was very quick to add that she still loves me even if I do not buy her ice-cream.
We met one of my friend and her kids there and they played together for a while while the adults had a tete a tete, me with my friend and my hubby with her hubby. After that we proceeded to Swensons for ice-cream even though Kyle requested for 7-Eleven. We ordered a 'Topless 5' ($7.90) and the kids get to have 2 choices each. Kyle chose orange and lemon sherbet and Meryl chose strawberry ( because it is pink and she LOVES pink) and blueberrry. I chose sticky, chewy chocolate. W also ordered some fries to go with the ice-cream. The Duo savoured their ice-cream and went 'oohs and aahs' over their selections, each claiming that their choice was the nicest. They ate their fries with the ice-cream and we had a jolly good time. The bill came up to $14.90 and the hubby promised that we will do this again if the Duo are well-behaved.
The hubby called and asked if I wanted to bring the kids out to Compasspoint for a walk. I agreed and we rushed back immediately after the lesson on my bicycle. The duo were pestering for ice-cream. We agreed and Meryl was soooooo happy. She exclaimed while we were still in the car park, "Mummy, I love you so much because you are buying me ice-cream.' I jokingly said that it was on account of the ice-ream that she loves me. She was very quick to add that she still loves me even if I do not buy her ice-cream.
We met one of my friend and her kids there and they played together for a while while the adults had a tete a tete, me with my friend and my hubby with her hubby. After that we proceeded to Swensons for ice-cream even though Kyle requested for 7-Eleven. We ordered a 'Topless 5' ($7.90) and the kids get to have 2 choices each. Kyle chose orange and lemon sherbet and Meryl chose strawberry ( because it is pink and she LOVES pink) and blueberrry. I chose sticky, chewy chocolate. W also ordered some fries to go with the ice-cream. The Duo savoured their ice-cream and went 'oohs and aahs' over their selections, each claiming that their choice was the nicest. They ate their fries with the ice-cream and we had a jolly good time. The bill came up to $14.90 and the hubby promised that we will do this again if the Duo are well-behaved.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Paul Potts
For those who love Susan Boyle's performance, these are another few videos you must watch.
Paul Potts, winner of Britain got Talent 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelJrP3P7tA
Connie Talbot, 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cnRXmMn2Ag&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOfKAPGfd6k&feature=related
Paul Potts, winner of Britain got Talent 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelJrP3P7tA
Connie Talbot, 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cnRXmMn2Ag&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOfKAPGfd6k&feature=related
Friday, April 17, 2009
Singing and reading
Meryl reading me a booklet from school that she has drawn according to the text.
The Duo waiting for their school bus and having some fun.
Meryl's Drawing
No prize for guessing where we were again. Yes, Macdonald's waiting for the brother's abacus class to finish. But this time round, it was upon Meryl's request as she wanted to have fries and nuggets. She started doodling again and this was the end product. The parents are under the trees because it is raining and the mummy is reading and daddy is talking to his friend.
She came back one day and told me that she can draw owls. The next day, she drew this. There is a caterpillar on the tree which then changed into a butterfly. There are many windows in the tree that are housing different kinds of bugs and snake. The 3 birds in the sky are the owls. She also added a pond with swans and fish. Some snakes, ants, mice and snails are also in the foreground. Still have no idea where she learnt to draw all these!Badminton Kaki
The Duo's Badminton Kakis
The kids look forward to Wednesdays. It's our badminton night and they get to play with their friends. The regular kids are Qi Hui, Qi Yin and Tee Yang. Someitmes, Benjamin and Chrissie will join us too. They play games such as hide and seek, blind man's bluff, drawing and sometimes, they simply run around and chase each other. The best part is after the game when they get to go Macdonald's for their fries and nuggets! (trying not to make this a routine though!)
Kyle and Tee Yang playing badminton with the Hubby. Kyle has just finished his swim and did not even bother to change.
The Kids' games
The helper made a 'mini-house' with a door and a window for the Duo out of a box that used to contain a '42 inch tv. They have arranged a kitchen and space for their beds inside the house.
Kyle is having fun modelling toys using LaQ constructions. He has made a truck and a car for Meryl's rabbit family.
What you see here is a bird feeding on a worm, a truck, a car and a frog.
So both kids are happily occupied and the best part is these toys are easily kept into a $2 box bought from Daiso. Very portable.Susan Boyle
British Talent Show
It's been a long time since I was so moved by someone's singing. It further reinforces that there is talent in everyone of us no matter how we look, where we come from and what we do. She really rocks!!
See her here :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
It's been a long time since I was so moved by someone's singing. It further reinforces that there is talent in everyone of us no matter how we look, where we come from and what we do. She really rocks!!
See her here :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Growth Spurts?
Growth Spurt?
Meryl's appetite has been voracious lately. She gobbles up her meals in under 30 mins (same amount as her brother), she munches on biscuits, kueh bahulu, cheese and chocolates. She is hungry in-between meals and she even asks for supper when we go out. She will not say no is we ask if she wants something to eat these past few weeks.
An example of how 'hungry' she is nowadays was during our recent morning walk at Macritchie Reservoir. Throughout the walk, she asked to eat her fruit loops cereal and she got angry when I told her to eat after we stop to rest. She hugged the whole container and ate non-stop. Then for lunch, she still had chicken rice (shared with her brother) and after her rice, she had goreng pisang. Another incident was the night we went to Singapore Expo. At about 9.30 she started complaining that she's hungry and kept hurrying us to to pay up so that she could go eat. She shared a bowl of Malan noodles with her brother (who btw was Forced to eat).
I hope her growth(esp in her height) will correspond with the amount of food she eats now.. or else...
Meryl's appetite has been voracious lately. She gobbles up her meals in under 30 mins (same amount as her brother), she munches on biscuits, kueh bahulu, cheese and chocolates. She is hungry in-between meals and she even asks for supper when we go out. She will not say no is we ask if she wants something to eat these past few weeks.
An example of how 'hungry' she is nowadays was during our recent morning walk at Macritchie Reservoir. Throughout the walk, she asked to eat her fruit loops cereal and she got angry when I told her to eat after we stop to rest. She hugged the whole container and ate non-stop. Then for lunch, she still had chicken rice (shared with her brother) and after her rice, she had goreng pisang. Another incident was the night we went to Singapore Expo. At about 9.30 she started complaining that she's hungry and kept hurrying us to to pay up so that she could go eat. She shared a bowl of Malan noodles with her brother (who btw was Forced to eat).
I hope her growth(esp in her height) will correspond with the amount of food she eats now.. or else...
Update on Meryl
Update on Meryl
Report from School
Ms Yee, Meryl's form teacher called and told me that Meryl is very happy in school and shows no signs of anxiety. She also boards her bus willingly and comes back with reports on what she did with her friends on bus.
Homegrounds
Last few days, I came back late due to meetings in school and according to the helper, she was fine. She takes her snack and drink and then go willingly to the room to nap with her brother, on their own. By the time I came back, they were still fast asleep. She did not express any signs of being upset with me that I came back late.
Report from School
Ms Yee, Meryl's form teacher called and told me that Meryl is very happy in school and shows no signs of anxiety. She also boards her bus willingly and comes back with reports on what she did with her friends on bus.
Homegrounds
Last few days, I came back late due to meetings in school and according to the helper, she was fine. She takes her snack and drink and then go willingly to the room to nap with her brother, on their own. By the time I came back, they were still fast asleep. She did not express any signs of being upset with me that I came back late.
The past 2 nights were also fine and she only requested to have books and singing. I had no problem leaving the room after I have tucked them in. The presence of the helper was a big help though.
So far so good......
New Swimming arrangement
New Swimming Arrangements
Last night, Meryl decided that she wanted to join Kyle again in his competitive swimming class. I checked with the coach and he was ok about it. Now we have decided to put her in the same class as her brother since she was able to do the laps and she was able to handle the expectations from the coach.
Kyle : 16 laps
Meryl : 14 laps
Last night, Meryl decided that she wanted to join Kyle again in his competitive swimming class. I checked with the coach and he was ok about it. Now we have decided to put her in the same class as her brother since she was able to do the laps and she was able to handle the expectations from the coach.
Kyle : 16 laps
Meryl : 14 laps
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Latent Anger
Latent Anger
Last night all was bliss as the kids were asleep by 9.30pm. At about 12am, the hubby and I were watching a disc when he suddenly stopped and asked if I heard something. It turned out to be Meryl throwing a silent temper tantrum. She was stamping her feet on bed, clenching her fists and making short grunts. When queried, she refused to tell us what was bothering her. We brought her out in case her brother woke up. The hubby and I tried all means to find out what was wrong but she kept mum and continued with her silent outburst. When the hubby threatened to punish her she still did not bulge but instead she starting screaming. That was when my hubby got tough with her. It took us a good 30 mins or so of threatening and coaxing before she verbalised what was bothering her.
'Mummy, remember you said that you will wake up at 5 just now? Why you didn't wake up? And you never bring me down to playground...'
That was in the afternoon and they were playing with their new LaQ construction set together with their Sylvanian toys in my room while I was catching a nap. I told them that I will wake at 5 to see what they have constructed. I did but then fell asleep again after I praised their work as I was really very, very tired. I remembered Kyle asking me if they could watch cartoon and I gave permission to watch for half and hour. Then they came in and asked if they could go to the playground and I okayed it provided Kyle promised to finish his dinner within 1/2 an hour. Then they were gone, with the helper. And I continued sleeping.
The evening was spent with Meryl doing some writing and Kyle playing sudoku and word puzzle. By 9, they were showered, changed, drank their milk, brushed their teeth and then it was storybook time till about 9.20. We did the routine stuff, like pray, sing songs and then in no time, Meryl was asleep.
Therefore it came as a surprise when she woke up in anger. Although she claimed that it was because I did not bring he to the playground I felt that it runs deeper. She is getting more demanding with her expectations from me, wanting my fullest attention and presence. The perfectionist streak in her (as seen from her drawings) cannot accept anything less than what she perceive to be perfect. To her, I have fallen short and she is angry. On top of that, her brother of late has taken to teasing her mercilessly and she has fought back by punching him and calling him names such as 'shut-up face' but still he continued, taking delight in seeing her reactions. She may have bottled up her anger as we do not approve of her hitting her brother.
I will need to moderate her expectations from me and I may need a talk with my son soon.
Last night all was bliss as the kids were asleep by 9.30pm. At about 12am, the hubby and I were watching a disc when he suddenly stopped and asked if I heard something. It turned out to be Meryl throwing a silent temper tantrum. She was stamping her feet on bed, clenching her fists and making short grunts. When queried, she refused to tell us what was bothering her. We brought her out in case her brother woke up. The hubby and I tried all means to find out what was wrong but she kept mum and continued with her silent outburst. When the hubby threatened to punish her she still did not bulge but instead she starting screaming. That was when my hubby got tough with her. It took us a good 30 mins or so of threatening and coaxing before she verbalised what was bothering her.
'Mummy, remember you said that you will wake up at 5 just now? Why you didn't wake up? And you never bring me down to playground...'
That was in the afternoon and they were playing with their new LaQ construction set together with their Sylvanian toys in my room while I was catching a nap. I told them that I will wake at 5 to see what they have constructed. I did but then fell asleep again after I praised their work as I was really very, very tired. I remembered Kyle asking me if they could watch cartoon and I gave permission to watch for half and hour. Then they came in and asked if they could go to the playground and I okayed it provided Kyle promised to finish his dinner within 1/2 an hour. Then they were gone, with the helper. And I continued sleeping.
The evening was spent with Meryl doing some writing and Kyle playing sudoku and word puzzle. By 9, they were showered, changed, drank their milk, brushed their teeth and then it was storybook time till about 9.20. We did the routine stuff, like pray, sing songs and then in no time, Meryl was asleep.
Therefore it came as a surprise when she woke up in anger. Although she claimed that it was because I did not bring he to the playground I felt that it runs deeper. She is getting more demanding with her expectations from me, wanting my fullest attention and presence. The perfectionist streak in her (as seen from her drawings) cannot accept anything less than what she perceive to be perfect. To her, I have fallen short and she is angry. On top of that, her brother of late has taken to teasing her mercilessly and she has fought back by punching him and calling him names such as 'shut-up face' but still he continued, taking delight in seeing her reactions. She may have bottled up her anger as we do not approve of her hitting her brother.
I will need to moderate her expectations from me and I may need a talk with my son soon.
The MOM Song
The MOM Song
This is really good and funny and I must admit that I am guilty of doing the same.
Click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7R9SFBLvIk
This is really good and funny and I must admit that I am guilty of doing the same.
Click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7R9SFBLvIk
Monday, April 13, 2009
Anxiety Attack
Anxiety Attack!
' Mummy, I don't want you to go to school. I want you to stay at home with me.'
'Mummy, but why my school so long. I don't want to go to school'.
'Mummy what if you forget...'
'Mummy can you write down in your brain...'
The cries from a distraught Meryl can last up to 2 hours per night and 1 hour in the morning. She seemed to have developed this 'phobia' of going to school and is worried about not seeing me in the morning when she wakes up, right after the March school holidays. SUDDENLY, overnight, she doesn't like school anymore and is complaining that her school is too long when prior to this, she acts up whenever we threatened not to let her go. It was a trying as well as baffling time for both the hubby and I. She would go on and on about how she was worried that she cannot remember things, about things that she cannot bring or wear to school and wanting me to be home ALL the time. Nothing could pacify her except my presence. I tried to ease her transition back to school by letting her sleep with us in the 1st week. She needed to hold me hands before she sleeps and will say things like, 'Mummy I love you so much.' In the morning, when she discovered that I was gone, she would break into her crying spells again.
I also went to her school in that 1st week to see what was affecting her. I needed to see if she was settling well and getting along with her new classmates. There was also a girl whose name kept popping up in our conversation. I arranged to go down to her school that Thursday and informed the teacher that I will be peeping in to see how she is in class. The form teacher was a very nice and experienced teacher and in the course of our conversation, she mentioned that the girl Meryl had mentioned is a very domineering girl and can be controlling. When I reached school, she was having music lesson and happily singing and dancing and whispering to her friends. Not exactly the traumatised girl that I was expecting to find! Ms Yee informed me that she had gotten the girl to apologise to Meryl and that Meryl had 'forgiven' her. I watched her play with the girl in question at the loft. They talked alot, pretended to vacuum the living room, changed diaper for baby and iron the clothes. She was of course delighted to see me when at last she spotted me. She introduced many of her friends to me and chatted animatedly with them as well. I thought things were solved but I was wrong. That night, she again turned into a pool of tears.
I had to keep reassuring her that I will be back home when the school bus reached home. And if she misses me, I am only a phonecall away or even bring my photo with her to school. But she was not appeased. My hubby and I had to resort to writing it down cos she was afraid that we would 'forget'.
My hubby's note looked like this:
It is ok to forget things
Daddy forgets things all the time.
Mummy also forgets things all the time.
Kor kor also forgets thinsg all the time
because we are HUMAN!
My note looks like this:
Daddy will look after Meryl in the morning.
Kor kor will look after Meryl in school.
Tita Jo will look after Meryl when she comes back from school.
Mummy will be home when Meryl comes back from school. (Initially I wrote that I will be back when she wakes up from her nap but she kicked up big fuss and started crying)
Thus began the frenzy everyday for the past 2 weeks. By 3pm I needed to try and finish everything before I rush home on my bike and reach home before her school bus does, usually at 3.15 or 3.20pm. Then I will be knocked out for the next 2 hours with them!
In the 2nd week, I decided not to let her sleep with us but I ended up having to spend about 2 hours with her, holding her hand and putting her to sleep (something which I had never done before with her). Then in the middle of the night, the hubby and I will get a visit from her. She will go, 'Mummy, I don't like your school. Why your school starts so early?' In the end, she either ended up sleeping on our bed or I will cramp in her bed with her till the next morning. In the morning, I will give my routine call home only to find her crying. I was a walking zombie by then cos I did not get my 8 hr sleep per night and even had a pimple outbreak! That weekend, I brought the kids to town and bought her another set of her favorite toy in order to 'bribe' her as I had a full week of meeting next week and may not rush back in time when her school bus arrives. It did work but not as good as another strategy I used.
The 3rd week was better only after I decided to ask my helper to bunk in with them. I will pray with her, then sing her a song (many times) and then stay on her bed but refusing to let her hold my hand for about 5 minutes before I leave the room. She will still attempt to whine and even be on the verge of tears but then the hubby would come in and give her a stern warning and her cries turned into sniffles. In the middle of the night, Jo will also help to 'stall' her nightly visit to our room but she took to waking up in the morning at about 6 so that she can get a hug from me before I go to school. We finally got uninterrupted sleep that week.
This is the 4th week and I thought she would have gotten over that phase. But last night (Sunday after the long weekend) she was all super-glue again. I 'threatened' to confiscate her Sylvanian toys and my helper 'dangled' a lollipop if she promised to be good and not cry but the most effective was when I got my hubby to go in and give her a stern warning. Then it was all peace and quiet. Tonight was better. She skipped her afternoon nap and by 9.30, she was so tired that she fell asleep after we prayed and sing song, within less than 10 mins. I promised to remind her to draw me an owl which she had learnt today.
We had tried to analyse what was it that made her so insecure all of a sudden. The most logical one is she is suffering from a bout of separation anxiety after spending 9+2 days with me during the March holidays whereby we did lots of things together. Then there is also the new environment to consider as she has just been transferred to her brother's school. She never had to travel to school as it used to be a 5 min walk from home but now it takes about 35 mins to reach her school and another 35 mins back. She also had to adjust to new friends - which in my opinion is not a problem as she is a very sociable girl with high EQ. She comes backs from school telling me that everyone wants to hold her hand because she is so cute and how her teachers are calling her 'chilli padi' and even her teacher commented that she is very confident and outspoken and participative in class. Another possible reason could be I have jumped the gun by telling the kids I will look after them myself when my helper goes back home end of the year. Kids need instant gratification and she may not understand that it will be another 8 months before it happens and wants me to stay at home NOW. Right now, I just hope that this phase will pass soon and until then I am keeping my mouth shut and my hands to myself.
' Mummy, I don't want you to go to school. I want you to stay at home with me.'
'Mummy, but why my school so long. I don't want to go to school'.
'Mummy what if you forget...'
'Mummy can you write down in your brain...'
The cries from a distraught Meryl can last up to 2 hours per night and 1 hour in the morning. She seemed to have developed this 'phobia' of going to school and is worried about not seeing me in the morning when she wakes up, right after the March school holidays. SUDDENLY, overnight, she doesn't like school anymore and is complaining that her school is too long when prior to this, she acts up whenever we threatened not to let her go. It was a trying as well as baffling time for both the hubby and I. She would go on and on about how she was worried that she cannot remember things, about things that she cannot bring or wear to school and wanting me to be home ALL the time. Nothing could pacify her except my presence. I tried to ease her transition back to school by letting her sleep with us in the 1st week. She needed to hold me hands before she sleeps and will say things like, 'Mummy I love you so much.' In the morning, when she discovered that I was gone, she would break into her crying spells again.
I also went to her school in that 1st week to see what was affecting her. I needed to see if she was settling well and getting along with her new classmates. There was also a girl whose name kept popping up in our conversation. I arranged to go down to her school that Thursday and informed the teacher that I will be peeping in to see how she is in class. The form teacher was a very nice and experienced teacher and in the course of our conversation, she mentioned that the girl Meryl had mentioned is a very domineering girl and can be controlling. When I reached school, she was having music lesson and happily singing and dancing and whispering to her friends. Not exactly the traumatised girl that I was expecting to find! Ms Yee informed me that she had gotten the girl to apologise to Meryl and that Meryl had 'forgiven' her. I watched her play with the girl in question at the loft. They talked alot, pretended to vacuum the living room, changed diaper for baby and iron the clothes. She was of course delighted to see me when at last she spotted me. She introduced many of her friends to me and chatted animatedly with them as well. I thought things were solved but I was wrong. That night, she again turned into a pool of tears.
I had to keep reassuring her that I will be back home when the school bus reached home. And if she misses me, I am only a phonecall away or even bring my photo with her to school. But she was not appeased. My hubby and I had to resort to writing it down cos she was afraid that we would 'forget'.
My hubby's note looked like this:
It is ok to forget things
Daddy forgets things all the time.
Mummy also forgets things all the time.
Kor kor also forgets thinsg all the time
because we are HUMAN!
My note looks like this:
Daddy will look after Meryl in the morning.
Kor kor will look after Meryl in school.
Tita Jo will look after Meryl when she comes back from school.
Mummy will be home when Meryl comes back from school. (Initially I wrote that I will be back when she wakes up from her nap but she kicked up big fuss and started crying)
Thus began the frenzy everyday for the past 2 weeks. By 3pm I needed to try and finish everything before I rush home on my bike and reach home before her school bus does, usually at 3.15 or 3.20pm. Then I will be knocked out for the next 2 hours with them!
In the 2nd week, I decided not to let her sleep with us but I ended up having to spend about 2 hours with her, holding her hand and putting her to sleep (something which I had never done before with her). Then in the middle of the night, the hubby and I will get a visit from her. She will go, 'Mummy, I don't like your school. Why your school starts so early?' In the end, she either ended up sleeping on our bed or I will cramp in her bed with her till the next morning. In the morning, I will give my routine call home only to find her crying. I was a walking zombie by then cos I did not get my 8 hr sleep per night and even had a pimple outbreak! That weekend, I brought the kids to town and bought her another set of her favorite toy in order to 'bribe' her as I had a full week of meeting next week and may not rush back in time when her school bus arrives. It did work but not as good as another strategy I used.
The 3rd week was better only after I decided to ask my helper to bunk in with them. I will pray with her, then sing her a song (many times) and then stay on her bed but refusing to let her hold my hand for about 5 minutes before I leave the room. She will still attempt to whine and even be on the verge of tears but then the hubby would come in and give her a stern warning and her cries turned into sniffles. In the middle of the night, Jo will also help to 'stall' her nightly visit to our room but she took to waking up in the morning at about 6 so that she can get a hug from me before I go to school. We finally got uninterrupted sleep that week.
This is the 4th week and I thought she would have gotten over that phase. But last night (Sunday after the long weekend) she was all super-glue again. I 'threatened' to confiscate her Sylvanian toys and my helper 'dangled' a lollipop if she promised to be good and not cry but the most effective was when I got my hubby to go in and give her a stern warning. Then it was all peace and quiet. Tonight was better. She skipped her afternoon nap and by 9.30, she was so tired that she fell asleep after we prayed and sing song, within less than 10 mins. I promised to remind her to draw me an owl which she had learnt today.
We had tried to analyse what was it that made her so insecure all of a sudden. The most logical one is she is suffering from a bout of separation anxiety after spending 9+2 days with me during the March holidays whereby we did lots of things together. Then there is also the new environment to consider as she has just been transferred to her brother's school. She never had to travel to school as it used to be a 5 min walk from home but now it takes about 35 mins to reach her school and another 35 mins back. She also had to adjust to new friends - which in my opinion is not a problem as she is a very sociable girl with high EQ. She comes backs from school telling me that everyone wants to hold her hand because she is so cute and how her teachers are calling her 'chilli padi' and even her teacher commented that she is very confident and outspoken and participative in class. Another possible reason could be I have jumped the gun by telling the kids I will look after them myself when my helper goes back home end of the year. Kids need instant gratification and she may not understand that it will be another 8 months before it happens and wants me to stay at home NOW. Right now, I just hope that this phase will pass soon and until then I am keeping my mouth shut and my hands to myself.
Hectic Weekend
A Hectic Long Weekend
On Friday, we went to Brighthill but gave up going in cos the traffic was CRAZY and ended up in Junction 8 for lunch at Pizza Hut. Then we went home for our usual afternoon nap. We had popiah and sushi for dinner and then headed to Singapore Expo for the Book Sale after dinner. Bought about almost closed to 20 books for the kids, my school kids and some crochet stuff for Jo. Ended up having supper at about 10pm cos Meryl was hungry at Ma Lan Noodles.
On Saturday, I had to go back school for invigilation whilst the kids went for their classes. Then we rushed down to Long Shan Shi to pay respects to my grandma and the cousins and I had a mini-gathering cum 'buffet' there. Then we attempted to go Brighthill again and circled the place 3 times. After failing to get a parking lot, we gave up again and went to collect our Lenovo s10 free gift from Singtel. By then it was pouring and Meryl had a good 2 hour nap in the car. No wonder the hubby was complaining of legache! After collecting the notepad, we decided to head for Giant Tampines to do our grocery shopping. The kids chose a DVD each as we told them that we will stay-in for movies at home tonight. Meryl chose 'Thumbelina' while Kyle chose 'Clone Wars'. We had porridge and then started with Merly's show cos she finished faster. At 9, we retired for bed and by 9.30, the WHOLE family was knocked out.
On Sunday, we all woke up at about 9am. The hubby had plans for an early start to the day and was mildly surprised that we slept till so late despite our early night! In the end, we managed to get out of the house at about 10, headed to Kovan for breakfast, bought stuff and then made our final attempt to Brighthill. 3rd time round and we were finally successful! Hubby had to drop us off 1st and then parked the car outside the temple. I brought the kids to watch some lion dance performance and saw a student there. We finished everything by about 12.30 and then headed for United Square. Both of us ended up spending about $100ish on an encyclopedia on Human Anatomy for Kyle ($14.90), a Sudoku for Kids, travel pack (11.90), a set of Yoshiritsu construction toy that costs $63 after 20% discount and a gift for a new born. None of us seemed to notice that we still have not had our lunch until I mentioned that it was already 2.30pm. That's when Meryl exclaimed that she was hungry. The kids had chicken pasta and the hubby and I shared soup and a chicken cutlet. After the late lunch, we explored the place trying to find hubby's friend's new restaurant, Pasta Bresilia. We ended up having a drink there and the kid got balloons and Easter Eggs from a customer.
We went straight to my father-in-law's place. Meryl only napped half an hour that day. Sleep was furthest away from their minds when their cousins came. When their aunt came back from her flea market shopping spree, all of the kids had presents, including the adults! We then went for a spin in her convertible to the airport, bought bread from Crystal Jade and then back home again. We reached home about 10 and the kids settled into bed by 10.30. Meryl was lapsing into her 'I don't want mummy to go to work' mode so I quickly sent in her dad to reprimand her and Jo to sleep in their room. Then the hubby and I finally had some time to ourselves and we watched some videos on youtube on fishing for GT.
Even typing the events that had happened for the last 3 days is tiring. My intention of doing my work did not materialise cos there was no time. This morning, I really regretted lugging my laptop back during the long weekend cos now I have to lug it back to school. And nothing had been done! Fortunately I am a fast worker and completed it in the morning during my free-time:0)
On Friday, we went to Brighthill but gave up going in cos the traffic was CRAZY and ended up in Junction 8 for lunch at Pizza Hut. Then we went home for our usual afternoon nap. We had popiah and sushi for dinner and then headed to Singapore Expo for the Book Sale after dinner. Bought about almost closed to 20 books for the kids, my school kids and some crochet stuff for Jo. Ended up having supper at about 10pm cos Meryl was hungry at Ma Lan Noodles.
On Saturday, I had to go back school for invigilation whilst the kids went for their classes. Then we rushed down to Long Shan Shi to pay respects to my grandma and the cousins and I had a mini-gathering cum 'buffet' there. Then we attempted to go Brighthill again and circled the place 3 times. After failing to get a parking lot, we gave up again and went to collect our Lenovo s10 free gift from Singtel. By then it was pouring and Meryl had a good 2 hour nap in the car. No wonder the hubby was complaining of legache! After collecting the notepad, we decided to head for Giant Tampines to do our grocery shopping. The kids chose a DVD each as we told them that we will stay-in for movies at home tonight. Meryl chose 'Thumbelina' while Kyle chose 'Clone Wars'. We had porridge and then started with Merly's show cos she finished faster. At 9, we retired for bed and by 9.30, the WHOLE family was knocked out.
On Sunday, we all woke up at about 9am. The hubby had plans for an early start to the day and was mildly surprised that we slept till so late despite our early night! In the end, we managed to get out of the house at about 10, headed to Kovan for breakfast, bought stuff and then made our final attempt to Brighthill. 3rd time round and we were finally successful! Hubby had to drop us off 1st and then parked the car outside the temple. I brought the kids to watch some lion dance performance and saw a student there. We finished everything by about 12.30 and then headed for United Square. Both of us ended up spending about $100ish on an encyclopedia on Human Anatomy for Kyle ($14.90), a Sudoku for Kids, travel pack (11.90), a set of Yoshiritsu construction toy that costs $63 after 20% discount and a gift for a new born. None of us seemed to notice that we still have not had our lunch until I mentioned that it was already 2.30pm. That's when Meryl exclaimed that she was hungry. The kids had chicken pasta and the hubby and I shared soup and a chicken cutlet. After the late lunch, we explored the place trying to find hubby's friend's new restaurant, Pasta Bresilia. We ended up having a drink there and the kid got balloons and Easter Eggs from a customer.
We went straight to my father-in-law's place. Meryl only napped half an hour that day. Sleep was furthest away from their minds when their cousins came. When their aunt came back from her flea market shopping spree, all of the kids had presents, including the adults! We then went for a spin in her convertible to the airport, bought bread from Crystal Jade and then back home again. We reached home about 10 and the kids settled into bed by 10.30. Meryl was lapsing into her 'I don't want mummy to go to work' mode so I quickly sent in her dad to reprimand her and Jo to sleep in their room. Then the hubby and I finally had some time to ourselves and we watched some videos on youtube on fishing for GT.
Even typing the events that had happened for the last 3 days is tiring. My intention of doing my work did not materialise cos there was no time. This morning, I really regretted lugging my laptop back during the long weekend cos now I have to lug it back to school. And nothing had been done! Fortunately I am a fast worker and completed it in the morning during my free-time:0)
Swimming Report April
Swimming Report April
Last week, Kyle resumed his swimming lesson and Meryl insisted on joining him even though her lesson is on Friday. This is the report:
Kyle : 10 laps and 10 breaths
Meryl : 8 laps and 6 breaths ( some holding on to coach and some totally on her own)
Even the coach was surprised that she had the stamina to go on for so long without any complaints. Her usual lesson consists of periodic breaks while he coaches other kids her age at the same time. So she usually swim 2 breaths and then rest for a long long while until her turn again. Tonight was a breakthrough!
Last week, Kyle resumed his swimming lesson and Meryl insisted on joining him even though her lesson is on Friday. This is the report:
Kyle : 10 laps and 10 breaths
Meryl : 8 laps and 6 breaths ( some holding on to coach and some totally on her own)
Even the coach was surprised that she had the stamina to go on for so long without any complaints. Her usual lesson consists of periodic breaks while he coaches other kids her age at the same time. So she usually swim 2 breaths and then rest for a long long while until her turn again. Tonight was a breakthrough!
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