Hubby downunder and comments about the kids...

It's a little back dated. But the IT system in my workplace is down so it's no better time to catch up on blogging my memories.

Hubby went to Melbourne last week.

About Melbourne, it was cold, he was unprepared. Had to borrow some clothes from his cousins in Melbourne. Good thing he had relatives there. The bad thing about relatives though is that they buy so much stuff for everyone else back home and ask you to carry it on their behalf. He literally came back with half a suitcase full of stuff for his mum. And he had to leave another luggage behind coz these Aussies are really strict with what constitues carry on luggage and what is the weight of the luggage checked in. So anyways, my MIL was also disappointed not seeing her 2 tins of 2.5 kg Milo.

Hubby got me opal from Aussie. I love opal. But I forgot to tell him about the 2 layer and 3 layer opal. So, he bought the 2 layer one for me. At 50%, he got it at AUD30.

While hubby was gone, I had to take care of the 2 kids with the help of my parents. And I realised that there are 3 ways external people deal with my kids when they misbehave.

One way would be to tell me when they misbehave and expect me to deal and stop with the behaviour.
Number 2 would be to scold them to stop their misbehaviour.
And finally some would take it upon themself to distract them away from their misbehaviour.

Do you know which way is best?

Even the Pastor in my church smiles at me and comments "They are realy active arent's they! I will pray for you."

I also realised why I don't yell at my kids as often as some would expect me to. It's because sometimes they will get over it and stop. Sometimes I have gotten used to their ways and am able to overlook it. And mainly I am too tired to yell at everything they do. I just pick the battles that build character and leave misdemeanors as misdemeanors.

Oh well....I guess I will have to accept that some consider me strict and some consider me lenient. I just pray that God help me bring up my kids to be sensible kids.

Last day of 1st test

I am so glad it's the last day and that we have holidays to look forward to.

Christopher had his English, Malay, Chinese and then today Maths test this week.

Initially I didn't know what or how the test will be So I coached him mainly in his reading and spelling. After his first day which was English he told me he didn't answer one of the questions coz he didn't know what they wanted.

Gosh....he doesn't know how to read the instructions. I never coached him in instructions. And you know there are some words there that he has not learnt. Sigh....

Malay turned out good. Hubby told me the teacher told him that he got everything correct. All my scoldings turned out for something after all.

He said Chinese was ok. I don't know what he means by OK but never mind. It's OK.

Maths should be ok for him too if he doesn't make careless mistakes.

I feel a reward is required after all this hard work. But with Caylee still sick and hubby and I on the verge of coming down with something, his reward may just be a day out eating in a restaurant. Kids don't ask for much.

Tommorrow is party day so we are going party shopping tonight for some party goodies. It's nice to be a kid.....exams aside.

Hunger Games trilogy

I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy yesterday evening.

Wow....I have never found a series that engaging since......Twillight.
Once I started on Book 1, I was practically reading any chance I got. And kept bugging Simon to pass me the next, pass me the next! :)

I can't say much for the ending. I feel it created to allow for what Katniss did.

I like who she ended up with and the reason why she ended up with this person.

If you have never read this series, it's a good series to consider. And read it before you watch the movie. There seldom is a time where a movie potrays a characted better than words.

Caylee's talking....but...

Caylee followed me speaking yesterday.

What was I saying that made her follow diligently at last?

Ma ma, Pa pa, Ke Ke - all in mandarin.

Now....how in the world am I going to continue teaching her when my mandarin is so limited?
I really think it's time for kindy for her.

Ordinarily when I try to teach her English words she would not even follow what I am saying or even show interest in what I am saying.

So....anyway.....she is talking.....but....

IUD update

OK....this is a strictly female post. Read at your own risk.
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Today is the first official day my bleeding seems to have stopped. It has been 6 weeks 3 days since. I still have very bad headaches come this time. Guess some part of my hormons are still working pre-IUD days. I shall see how things go till next month.

Christopher's learning

This year is a year of creative skills for me and Christopher.

I have started on my sketching while he has been going for art classes every Saturday.

It has been his 3rd class and he still looks forward to going. In fact in his 2nd class, he even told me I can leave him there and go off. He has no problem following the class and making new friends. Very unlike the 1st time I brought him and he voiced concern about making new friends.

I have received feedback that he always waits for instructions to do things. And if he is unsure, he will wait for teacher to help. That is my boy. He has imagination but not creativity. I am hoping the 36 classes I signed him up for will help him learn how to work out his imagination.

I paid some RM820 for his 36 classes and he got a free tiral because I signed up on the same day.

The classes usually start with a song/show/story featuring some thing and then they draw/craft things relating to that same thing. His frist craft of a kite fish was soooo interesting. So far he has also made plasticine sushi and last week a card.

There are about 4-5 students in his class but most of them are buyers of a Groupon deal and not really students. So, I am thinking this number will drop in a few months time.

I am glad he is enjoying the class. And I pray his creativity will make real his imagination and take him far into his dreams. If he can dream it, one day I pray he will make it happen.

As for me....I am still trying to find a good book on sketching. Getting there, we are.

Caylee's skills

What my little girl has been up to so far:

She took her kor kor's scissors and cut her hair. A huge turf on hair right of the top. It wasn't cut too close to the crop and she has quite fine hair. So, it still managed to fall down and not stand up! And she handles the scissors very well for her age. Held right with the right use of strength.

She knows how to wear her shirt and pants. She also knows how to put own her socks and wear her park shoes. ALL CORRECTLY! It was quite funny when she first put on her shirt coz she was mimicking me teaching Christopher how to help put on his mui mui's shirt. And next thing I know, she had it all bunched up in her two little hands and over her head. With her pants, she know to put her hand to the back and pull up the back part of the pants over her diaper.

She colours...but not within the lines like her kor kor. She doesn't like to be controlled in that way. So unlike kor kor, she prefers a blank piece of paper.

She loves the piano and has so far told me everytime she is interested to learn.

As for speech, she won't talk. And then one day surprise you with phrases like "No more" and "Sit down". She can call me "Mami" loud and clear when she wants to. Otherwise, she shows no motivation to speak. I still think it's the 3 languages that she is being exposed to that is causing this confusion. A simple word like 'dirty' can also be 'cha cha', 'u cho', 'dirty' depending who is talking to her.

I am continuously still amazed at her dexterity. I am praying for the day when she would surprise me with her gift of the gap.

Awwww moment

I always have to do ironing on Wednesday evenings. For the sole reason that Christopher only has 2 sets of uniform which is used 2 times a week.

So, like every other Wednesday, after hanging up the load to dry, I would put the freshly washed uniform on the dining room chair and get my ironing board ready.

Before turning on the iron, I always am aware where the kids are. And to my surprise yesterday, when I was taking count of where my kids were, I saw Caylee do the sweetest thing.

She was sorting out from the Tuesday's load of half folded clothing Christopher's other uniform and bringing it for me to iron for her brother.

After passing me the uniform, she also brought me her daddy's working shirt from the same load.

I thanked her for Christopher's uniform but told her I won't be ironing daddy's shirt. For which she dully attempted to fold the shirt and put it with the rest of the un-ironed clothings.

Little girls are really different from boys. They are helpers in a different way. Thank God for my little girl, and my little boy.

Normal boring weekend....

We have been having 2 'fun' filled weekends.

The first weekend being the celebration of Caylee's birthday. Yes, our little girl is TWO. And nope, she still has a mouth of gold. But she loves carrying hand bags now. Still loving her clips and other hair accessories. Nope, still refuses dresses unless she is in a grand mood. Sings and dances sometimes though we don't know what gibberish she is saying.

Action wise, loving to kick the ball. And learning to open packets of Mamee. She has mastered the tunnel slides and climbing stairs unaided. Still scary! But I have learnt that she is quite steady on her feet as long as you don't scare her and she is concentrating.

She had 2 meal celebrations with each side and 2 cakes to blow.

It was really comical coz she knew exactly what to do. She sat quietly while we sang to her. 1st cake she blew out the candles when told to. 2nd cake she kept on blowing out the candles and we kept on having to light them again. After that, she would take the knife and attempt to cut it. Then she knows she can leave and let mummy do the serving.

And last weekend we had a pool party in my hubby's boss' condo. The place was exquisite...spoiled only by the evidence of kids! hahahaha.....We had loads of church activities as well last weekend so it went by very fast. I was literally dragging my feet the entire weekend trying to just get by.

I tell you KIDS ! They sleep like 8-9 hours and jump around like crazy. While I sleep 8-9 hours and wish the sun would not rise! What is in THAT MILK???

Anyways.....I am looking forward to a quiet weekend coming up. Maybe we can bring Christopher to the Joy Arts Club we found earlier. He is looking forward to it and I hope it would spark some of his creativity.

Don't you like a normal boring weekend sometimes?