A Hectic Week
Never in my life have I imagine that so many things can happen in a short span of a week. I am truly drained of all energy, both emotionally and physically.
The week started fairly uneventfully with the usual lessons in school and then on Tuesday I was on childcare leave as Meryl was not feeling well and had to go to the doctor's. On Wednesday, Kyle also had a short bout of fever in the evening which was rather sudden. As usual he demanded the usual pampering, such as massaging his tummy, applying vicks on the sole of his feet etc. Thankfully, his fever subsided and he was up and going the next day. On Wednesday it was my turn. I suspect that the virus was going around and my throat was again first to succumb. I had fever on Wednesday night and had to forfeit my weekly badminton game and stayed at home to rest. I made myself many kinds of flu tea and the fever subsided and I resolved to go to school the next day as I had planned some remediation lessons with my classes. But fate had a different plan for me.
On Thursday morning, I was awakened by the vibration of my phone at 4.40am in the morning. It was to be the most shocking news of the week...to be continued..
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Meryl's Massages
Meryl's Massages
If you ever have a chance to piggy-back Meryl or carry her in your arms, you can always request for one of her massages as payment. She is Great at it!
This is how it goes; She steps on your back and uses a variety of 'steps' to ease your aches away. (she uses the ledge of our platform to steady herself while doing it)
Her routine includes, 'marching steps', 'walking on heels', 'the twist' (latest)'tippy toes' and a funny one that she stands on one leg and uses the other to 'pound' on the opposite side. I love her 'walking on heels' most as the effect is so good especially on all the vital acu-points.
She has perfected her 'art' to the extent that she can read her books while giving one of her 'foot' massages to me or her daddy!
If you ever have a chance to piggy-back Meryl or carry her in your arms, you can always request for one of her massages as payment. She is Great at it!
This is how it goes; She steps on your back and uses a variety of 'steps' to ease your aches away. (she uses the ledge of our platform to steady herself while doing it)
Her routine includes, 'marching steps', 'walking on heels', 'the twist' (latest)'tippy toes' and a funny one that she stands on one leg and uses the other to 'pound' on the opposite side. I love her 'walking on heels' most as the effect is so good especially on all the vital acu-points.
She has perfected her 'art' to the extent that she can read her books while giving one of her 'foot' massages to me or her daddy!
Meryl's sweet talk
Night time. Bedtime. Both kids sleeping over in room with me. Meryl started coughing and it was phlemy. I asked her to roll over and kneel down so I can pat her back to loosen her phlegm. After patting, she turned over and said this to me.
"Mummy, tomorrow you remind me to massage your hands ok?
So thoughtful.
"Mummy, tomorrow you remind me to massage your hands ok?
So thoughtful.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Kyle's request
Kyle's request
Tonight, I showed Kyle my blog about them and read to them what I wrote about their antics. I wanted to acquaint him with blogging as I told him that I would like to start a blog for him whereby he can also try and write about his day's events. He was tickled pink to read with me what I blogged about as he could still recall the events vividly, especially the day when he gave me his $50. Meryl came in halfway and listened to what I read and laughed at all the right places with me. I even verified with her what she said to me that night and she was able to tell me again, verbatim.
After that, he said that he would read me 3 Chinese books (as I had just read him the entry on him making the promise to me) and he did it very well. Then I put them to bed. As I said the goodnight prayer with them, Meryl started doing somersault while repeating what I said. Then Kyle started doing the same thing. I immediately took the cane and told him that I would not hesitate to use it on his buttocks if he does it again.(btw, the canes have all become white elephants as there was no real need to use them)
He asked, "What did I do wrong?'
I told him that he is talking to God and he is being most disrespectful by doing gymnastics in the midst of praying. He then apologised and we finished our prayer without much ado.
Before I left their room, he requested that I 'write it down' in my blog. I ask him, 'Write what?' He replied to write about what he did wrong down. So here I am writing this blog entry!
Tonight, I showed Kyle my blog about them and read to them what I wrote about their antics. I wanted to acquaint him with blogging as I told him that I would like to start a blog for him whereby he can also try and write about his day's events. He was tickled pink to read with me what I blogged about as he could still recall the events vividly, especially the day when he gave me his $50. Meryl came in halfway and listened to what I read and laughed at all the right places with me. I even verified with her what she said to me that night and she was able to tell me again, verbatim.
After that, he said that he would read me 3 Chinese books (as I had just read him the entry on him making the promise to me) and he did it very well. Then I put them to bed. As I said the goodnight prayer with them, Meryl started doing somersault while repeating what I said. Then Kyle started doing the same thing. I immediately took the cane and told him that I would not hesitate to use it on his buttocks if he does it again.(btw, the canes have all become white elephants as there was no real need to use them)
He asked, "What did I do wrong?'
I told him that he is talking to God and he is being most disrespectful by doing gymnastics in the midst of praying. He then apologised and we finished our prayer without much ado.
Before I left their room, he requested that I 'write it down' in my blog. I ask him, 'Write what?' He replied to write about what he did wrong down. So here I am writing this blog entry!
Daddy's New book
The Choice
Their uncle and aunt brought the kids out for dinner tonight and the parents tagged along! We had a meal at KFC and then walked around a bit and the kids had ice-cream. Then when we gave the kids a choice, as to where they want to go next, surprisingly, Kyle chose Popular Bookshop over Kiddy Palace! He went straight to his Ben 10 section to browse through Book 9 which was opened by some others ( I had already bought this book but he has yet to earn it from me). Meryl also settled down very quickly on the floor with one of the Princess book for a good 20 mins.
I left them to entertain themselves and browse through the adults non-fiction. I came across a book titled, 'A gift to my children: A father's lessons for life and investing' by Jim Rogers. I had happened to watch an interview given by him that very afternoon on Channelnews Asia while having my lunch at 4.30pm. He is a very successful investor, fund manager and had made enough to retire at the age of 37. He had since penned a few books on investment but this book was a collection of wisdom that he hoped to pass to his children. It struck me that the he uses a lot of his life experiences as examples to teach important values for the young. It was vaguely similar to my hubby's nightly 'Thinking Game' ( a term that Kyle coined for the time the dad spend with them before they sleep) with the Duo. Every night they will 'talk' about a topic and the hubby will ask them questions and they have to 'think' and then answer. The Duo loves this 'Game' and looked forward to it every night. They also compete with each other to see who can 'think' faster and come up with the 'answer' faster. More often that not, they have to explain their answer before the dad is satisfied with it. So as I thumbed through the content of this book, I thought that the topics Jim Rogers touched on would provide a more structured guide for teaching the kids 'Character Development'. The Content includes topics such as 'Swim your own races: Do not let others do your thinking for you', 'Focus on what you like', 'Learning to Think,'Good habits for life' etc.
I bought it as a gift for my hubby hoping that it would be his gift for the Duo.
Their uncle and aunt brought the kids out for dinner tonight and the parents tagged along! We had a meal at KFC and then walked around a bit and the kids had ice-cream. Then when we gave the kids a choice, as to where they want to go next, surprisingly, Kyle chose Popular Bookshop over Kiddy Palace! He went straight to his Ben 10 section to browse through Book 9 which was opened by some others ( I had already bought this book but he has yet to earn it from me). Meryl also settled down very quickly on the floor with one of the Princess book for a good 20 mins.
I left them to entertain themselves and browse through the adults non-fiction. I came across a book titled, 'A gift to my children: A father's lessons for life and investing' by Jim Rogers. I had happened to watch an interview given by him that very afternoon on Channelnews Asia while having my lunch at 4.30pm. He is a very successful investor, fund manager and had made enough to retire at the age of 37. He had since penned a few books on investment but this book was a collection of wisdom that he hoped to pass to his children. It struck me that the he uses a lot of his life experiences as examples to teach important values for the young. It was vaguely similar to my hubby's nightly 'Thinking Game' ( a term that Kyle coined for the time the dad spend with them before they sleep) with the Duo. Every night they will 'talk' about a topic and the hubby will ask them questions and they have to 'think' and then answer. The Duo loves this 'Game' and looked forward to it every night. They also compete with each other to see who can 'think' faster and come up with the 'answer' faster. More often that not, they have to explain their answer before the dad is satisfied with it. So as I thumbed through the content of this book, I thought that the topics Jim Rogers touched on would provide a more structured guide for teaching the kids 'Character Development'. The Content includes topics such as 'Swim your own races: Do not let others do your thinking for you', 'Focus on what you like', 'Learning to Think,'Good habits for life' etc.
I bought it as a gift for my hubby hoping that it would be his gift for the Duo.
Meryl's sweet nothings
On Monday night, I lost my cool when my girl took extra long time to get in bed despite it being way past their bedtime. That night we allow the Duo to stay up till 11 to watch Survivorman on Discovery, as it was Kyle's current favorite show (and only show that he can watch on TV besides Man vs Wild). The girl, as usual, refused to sleep any earlier than the brother. By that time, she was already showing signs of tiredness but was trying to keep up a strong front. So when the show ended, I quickly whisked them to bed but the girl was still trying to prolong the bedtime. By this time, I was getting impatient especially when she whined and insisted that I repeat the prayers as she wasn't paying attention. She took an extra long time to climb up her bunkbed and I refused to start the prayers over again and lost my cool with her. She burst out crying and her dad came to her rescue. I went out of the room to collect myself before going up her bed to explain to her why I was angry with her for wasting time and how it is already so late and that it would affect their rest for the next day. She was appeased and went to bed. After my hubby settled the Duo, we went to do our own things. About 10 mins later, she called for me. I went in, prepared to lecture her again. Instead I was surprised by her.
"Mummy, I want to tell you something.'
"What is it this time, Meryl?' I asked her impatiently.
"I'm sorry I was so rude to you just now." she apologised.
"It's ok, but try not to do it again ok? Mummy is sorry that I shouted at you too'.
At that, she suddenly burst out crying. I realised that it must have taken a lot out of her to apologise to me but I was glad she did. At least she was reflective and realised her own mistake.
On Wednesday night, the dad was out of town and the kids requested to sleep in our room. I agreed and the Duo bunked in with me to 'keep me company' whilst the hubby is away. I was dead tired that night and was in bed by 10 as I did not take a nap in the afternoon. Before sleeping, we talked a bit about the day's events. The I told them no more noise. Meryl turned to me and cuddled my hands and commented that my hands is always 'so nice and warm'. Then she said something really sweet to me, out of the blue.
'Mummy, thank you for everything that you have done for me. I love you sooooo much.'
Of course, it brought a big smile on my face. I have no idea what brought upon such a remark and I have no idea if she really understood what she was saying. All I know is that she one expressive kid who is in touch with her feelings.
"Mummy, I want to tell you something.'
"What is it this time, Meryl?' I asked her impatiently.
"I'm sorry I was so rude to you just now." she apologised.
"It's ok, but try not to do it again ok? Mummy is sorry that I shouted at you too'.
At that, she suddenly burst out crying. I realised that it must have taken a lot out of her to apologise to me but I was glad she did. At least she was reflective and realised her own mistake.
On Wednesday night, the dad was out of town and the kids requested to sleep in our room. I agreed and the Duo bunked in with me to 'keep me company' whilst the hubby is away. I was dead tired that night and was in bed by 10 as I did not take a nap in the afternoon. Before sleeping, we talked a bit about the day's events. The I told them no more noise. Meryl turned to me and cuddled my hands and commented that my hands is always 'so nice and warm'. Then she said something really sweet to me, out of the blue.
'Mummy, thank you for everything that you have done for me. I love you sooooo much.'
Of course, it brought a big smile on my face. I have no idea what brought upon such a remark and I have no idea if she really understood what she was saying. All I know is that she one expressive kid who is in touch with her feelings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
