Artfully Busy Week ...

It's been a busy but rewarding week for us. First, we went to watch "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, followed by Disney Live, 3 Classic Tales and then a workshop at the National Museum. All in the same week!

I was so impressed and proud of Kimi who sat through both shows! Amazing right? Well, at least for me cos Kimi is such an active, active child.

I think he enjoyed the Caterpillar show best cos he still (till now) mentions the caterpillar! After the show, I did not want to miss the opportunity, so when we reached home, I quickly read the story to Kimi again and we 'revised' our learning of the lifecyle of the butterfly with the toy set. Kimi surprised us by imitating the movement of the caterpillar by 'leopard-crawling' on the floor! haha! It was so cute!

Well, he was so keen on being a caterpillar that he repeated it all week! Guess we were lucky too cos in school, it was also the Caterpillar theme and they also read Eric Carle's story and did crafts related to butterflies and caterpillar. What excellent timing!

Although the Disney show featured 3 princess tales, Kimi was really rooting for Mickey and everytime they came out or the 3 little rats appeared, he would clap and scream, "wow"! I was so happy he sat through this 1.5 hours!

Lastly, we went to the Museum and this week's theme was on food. It covered foods from the past and present. There was a singing session, followed by image play of eating in a restaurant with play-food and then doing up a craft of the hawker baskets of the old. Then we were given a complimentary visit to the Food Gallery.

Didn't feel this was exactly a fabulous workshop but well, it kept him occupied for Sunday and Kimi get to go on a date with his favourite little friend, Estelle!

Kimi so captured with the things behind this wall

My fave shot - a nice smiley one! Precious!
Kimi is so like me - we love all things Xmas!

Before the workshop started, there were free play and of cos, Kimi would head for the puzzles!

Then of cos boy's play things - he loves fiddling with these!

Then it was singing time

Image Play - Eating at a restaurant and Kimi grabs his favourite food - corn!

The Mobile Satay Man of the old. Kimi helping to 'cook' the food.

Kimi handling over his craft for the adding the final touch of a stick so that he can carry on his shoulders like how the mobile hawkers used to.

Here's my little Satay man!

A visit to the Food Gallery. Kimi looking on at another boy pounding the mortar

These stations are his favourite. You place the thing near your nose and pull the key and you get a whiff of what's in the glass containers. There are cinnamon, cardamon, coconut, etc to try out!

Lovely isn't it? All the cake moulds of the past!

I love this pix even though it is overexposed cos Kimi is smiling so sweetly!

Can you spot Kimi's craft?

The 2 kiddos caught on the large video wall - nice!

Glimpses ...

This is the 2nd week that I am receiving the school's newsletter and it never fails to warm my heart and bring a smile to me.

It is really so nice to have glimpses of what your child does in school. Every week, I look forward to these newsletters that were put together by Kimi's teacher. It is just wonderful!

Letter D - Part 2, Jamming Sessions

Some videos of father and son jamming ...

Kimi loves to step on the paddle

Letter D - Part 1

There are so many things to do and learn about Letter D. It has been a slow week (s) cos I did not want to stress Kimi, being well aware of the change of school environment which he is going through.

Well, trust a mother's instincts? Although Kimi is well-adjusted in school and happily playing & learning with his new little friends. I think he is going thru some sort of stress. Cos he is not as keen as before in learning and throwing quite a bit of tantrums.

So, I kept learning to short bursts. Hopefully, we can both settle down soon. We may be stopping alphabet learning temporarily as I hope to spend the month of December doing Christmas-y learning things. Well, let's see how first...

We were lucky that one of the learning days, hb was around so I let the 2 boys jammed and Kimi learnt that D is also for Drums and there are many different kinds of drums. I think Kimi liked this best? Keke!

I stumbled upon this book, Five Little Ducks by Ivan Bates. I would highly recommend this as it is a fun book. Instead of reading, you can sing and it also also teaches counting. Kimi is not like speaking loads but he suddenly counted from 1 to 3 and in a meaningful way too, not by rote memory.

Why I say this? Cos there were 3 shapes on the bath screen and Kimi used his fingers to point at each piece and counted with it. You can listen to the song here and play the game with your little one. I did not make the craft but used rubber duckies - I was lucky I had 1 red and 5 yellow ones!

We also played "Pin the Donkey's tail" where I printed out pictures of Donkey, Dog & Dinosaur but "removed" the tail. I used velcro to stick on. Showed Kimi 10 seconds and had him him stick the tail back to the respective animal. It's both a memory and sorting game.

The following are a mish-mash of things accumulated for the last 2 weeks. Basically, we learned about and did the following:

1. Subjects
   Durian, dates, dragonfruit
   Dogs, dinosaurs, ducks, dragonfly, donkeys
   Dice(s), Drums (Percussion instruments)
   
2. Reading List
   How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night – Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
   Dino Pets – Lynn Plourde
   Five Little Ducks – Ivan Bates
   What’s Up Duck – Tad Hills
   I’m A Duck – Teri Sloat
   Fun Dog, Sun Dog – Deborah Heiligman
   Playful Puppy – Lisa Alderson
   
3. Exploratory Fun
   Did crafts like Clay Duck Painting & played with Dragonfly Balloon at the Children’s Garden Carnival
   Visited a dog farm
   
4. Alphabet & strokes practice, etc
   Letter D in big and small caps
   Vertical and horizontal strokes
   Learning about number 1 and what is same and different (workbook)
   
5. Sensorial science
   Touching & tasting fruits
   Learning about the life-cycle of a Dragonfly
   
6. Matching & ESP game
   Using Dinosaur themed cards
   
7. Refining fine motorskill
   Transfer pouring of Dices into containers
   Learning to cut with scissors
   
8. Linking Memory
   
9. Craft
   Making a paper-mache durian
   Making a paper Stegosaurus
   
10. Flashcards
    Types of Dinosaurs, drums

Learning about a Durian and what is spiky and soft. Touching, squashing and smelling it and of course loving it! Hmm!

Learning about the life-cycle of a Dragonfly, rolling and cookie-cutting the play-Doh and having a go at the keyboard after playing with the Drums

Kimi doing his leter and stroke practice using the latest workbooks I bought at Popular Fair. It's so cheap and good! In the middle pix, Kimi learnt about the number 1 and the concept of same and different. A very cute workbook about maths!

Kimi's favourite game! Transferring the dices! He is so tickled and happy whenever all of the Dices fall into the containers. Having a go at matching Dino cards and Linking Memory game.

Our craft Dinosaur which came from a craft book bought at Popular Fair at only $3! It's easy enough for toddlers to handle but you will need craft glue rather than UHU as the cardboard is rather thick and heavy so doesn't really stick well. But the spikes may be a little tricky - just need to cut the slits slightly longer and that will do the trick and allow stubby fingers to insert.
Our completed Dino craft - a Stegosaurus. Kimi playing with his craft and the figurine.

I have a stash of expandable toys of different animals. I know kids love these stuff cos I do too so whenever I see these, I will buy and keep and take them out when the time is right. So, out came this expandable egg which after soaking up water will crack open to reveal a Duckling. A more 'interactive' way to learn about hatching of eggs.

Sadly, this egg seemed 'defective' cos even after soaking for more than 24 hours (and at the right temperature, initially). It still did not 'hatch' as well. I must feedback to the staff cos I buy from this store quite regularly. A little disappointed and upset but Kimi was more than happy to squeeze and play with it! See, different expectations! Haha!

Carnival @ Children's Gardens

I was still 2 minded the night before whether to go. Cos hb is not around and the carpark at CG will be closed. A little apprehensive about logistics in case Kimi decides to be uncooperative. Anyhow, Cam repeatedly asked me to go so decided to brave it. Hee!

After some rain in the morning, the air was rather cool when I arrived and I was happy to see many old friends who were so welcoming and excited to see how much Kimi has grown.

At the entrance, we were greeted by this huge inflatable clown with a bubble machine that spewed hundreds and thousands of lovely bubbles! Kimi was so happy and excited and spent at least 15mins there before I could pull him away.

Kimi decorated a gingerbreadman and I was surprised that the gingerbread was nice, so unlike many I have tasted. He then had a huge Dragonfly balloon (letter D, in line with this week's alphabet learning) and had an Elmo painted on his hand. Never expected he could sit there for the pix to be completed!

Next stop was clay painting and we chose a Duck figurine (needless to say why right? hee!) and the ladies at the same painting table were so fond of Kimi and he really entertained them. After that, we heard some banging but by the time we got there, the percussion workshop using recycled materials like pots, pans and sieve were ending and Kimi was so disappointed!

Luckily the Chinese orchestra was due to start and Kimi's face lit up again! Overall, we both enjoyed ourselves and Kimi had on his best behaviour. Sadly, we couldn't stay longer as it was inching towards Kimi's nap time. After 3+ hours of walking and activities, we both slept like a log when we got home!

Bubbles fascination - never mind the DANGER sign! *Faint!*

The plain gingerbreadman

Then Kimi wanted to bite into it - it smelled really nice! This really evoked X'mas feelings for me ...

Decorating with hands

Adding some final touch

The completed gingerbreadman

Kimi's Giant Dragonfly courtesy of Michelle. Tks Aunty Michelle!

Aunty Sharona painting an Elmo on Kimi. Amazed he could just sit thru the entire painting

Kimi so happy with his painting and kept pointing to it

Getting ready to paint the clay Duckie

Little artist hard at work

In full concentration

Dancing to the Chinese Orchestra!

Guess what we found? Kimi so happy to find a Parasaurolophus hanging on 1 of the branches - what sharp eyes he's got!

Kimi's first clay artwork!

Puzzles, Puzzles Everywhere

Post Update : 2nd Puzzle Video Updated below.

Kimi really enjoys his puzzles - just like me, I love puzzles too! But, I really don't know what to do with the completed work. I only want to piece them and not keep or frame them. So, that's why I've stopped piecing them. :(

But, I'm really happy Kimi has taken this side of me. Kimi could piece a 6pc puzzle when he was about 20months and now he tries to go for speed. He is starting to get bored now as the most I have is up to 6pcs.

However, I do keep some away and bring them out once in a while so he finds them interesting again. Hence, there are a few which he hardly plays like the Insect set but he was still able to piece all 4 sets. I'm so proud of his patience and achievement. (I've taken the video but can't upload, I've only uploaded a short one. Will try to do so later).

Puzzles indeed have made him a little more patient so I'm actively looking out for 6-12pcs puzzles. I really don't want to see this interest sizzle out. I've seen 2 sets but the pix were far from those we bought! These that we have are so colourful and pretty! If anyone knows where I can get these, pls leave me a message ok? Tks!

Btw, Kimi don't really fancy those that comes with a supporting board and frame. Think I may have no choice but 'train' him to like those?

2nd Day @ School

Today is Waterplay day and Kimi is so happy and so are all the other kids!

I spoke too soon yesterday re Kimi's lunch ... I've been warned before. My friend Elly once blogged about how we shouldn't say anything good about the kids in our blogs as she suspects that they 'read' our blogs and will do opposite of what we said good about them! It was hilarious, I thought till it happened to me. To the more superstitious, we call it 'pantang' but well... Kimi didn't even eat 1 scoop of his lunch today. :(

Maybe he just didn't like the macaroni? Let's see how tomorrow!

Kimi enjoying a private moment with papa
Look how bored Kimi was while waiting for the teacher to fill up the pool. Look at his hands, he can never NOT hold anything ...

Playtime! Kimi so happy splashing around!

Then he got on his knees and pretended to 'swim', 'kickwater' in the shallow pool! Think Kimi missed his swim class ...

More such splashings! Kimi was the only one who did this ...

Kimi looking sad as it was time to leave the pool ...

BB Honey Glazed Chicken

You can also serve this for the whole family on top of steamed white rice. I paired this with steamed sweet beans and sweet potato. Up the portions if serving for the whole family.

Ingredients

• 2 pc chix fillet
• Some sesame seed toasted lightly

Marinade

• 1/2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp dark soya sauce
• Dash of pepper and ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp of minced garlic
• 2 tsp of lime/lemon juice

Method

1. Cut chix into thin strips and add to marinade
2. Let it marinate for at least 30 mins
3. Heat a little oil in pan and place chix strips on pan on medium fire
4. Once chix is almost cooked, add in balance of marinade and let it simmer and caramalise for 3-5 mins on medium low fire or until marinade is absorbed and reduced.
5. Dish and sprinkle sesame seed over chix strips and serve warm.
6. ENJOY!!

1st Day at Kids'

We set off early today as I wanted Kimi to eat brekkie at his new school. Hoping for him to get used to the environment quickly.

The day did not start as well and Kimi was cranky the moment he was awake. I knew that means disaster. I hoped and prayed hard that it will be a good day.

Anyhow, at school, Kimi decided not to eat the brekkie there after just one bite... well, I can't blame him cos I wouldn't too. The supposedly butter & bread combo had sooo little scrapping of butter. Maybe, I've been too generous with Kimi that he can't appreciate such 'sandwich'? Frankly, I can't too. So we skipped that.

Lessons started with circle time with singing and all. Kimi also didn't want to participate after like a minute into it. But, it's ok said his teacher, let him explore. Well, he was happy to explore and play on his own.
Kimi was most happy with the indoor gym-play of running, singing and dancing. My proudest moment was when Kimi finished his bowl of lunch (consisting of rice, minced chix & veg), self-feeding himself in like 10 or 15 mins? Wow! I was so happy!

Overall, Kimi seems to be adapting well. I even left for 30mins to get lunch and he was ok too. But, the teacher did say that when he saw some kids going home, he kept wanting to take his bag and leave too! Haha!

So far, I'm happy with the place. The teachers are nice and they kept enforcing personal hygiene/cleanliness and being nice to your friends. The asst teacher also stressed the importance of constant and close communications with parents and gave me her hp no. She also informed me that there will not only be weekly newsletters emailed to us but constant feedback to parents via hp or email.

I've also been asked to provide a family pix as there is a pix wall for the kids and that serves to let the kids get to know their friend's family and I guess, like a security blanket for them? I noted that the teacher constantly had her digi-cam in her pocket and would not hesitate to whip it out to snap shots of the kids at work, etc. Nice!

Tomorrow it's water play and I'm sure Kimi will enjoy himself loads!

In the lift, on the way to the car, Kimi gives me a reluctant smile.

The only shot of Kimi is full gear but it has to be blurred! Exasperation!
Anything that has animals makes Kimi happy!

Then Kimi got a little bored as he didn't want to join in.

Ahhh.. read a book, another favourite too!

But when the building blocks were out, he was there in a shot!

My favourite happy shot!

Lunch time! Kimi scooping the rice ...

And aim accurately ... goes into mouth! Another milestone achieved!

After lunch he had a slice of apple - seems like enjoying ya?

While the girls were showering, the boys stayed in the class for some more fun. Kimi and his little friends. Look, the boy even used his leg to try and tilt his chair back. Aiyo, his feet is so near Kimi's face.