Hari Raya Puasa and NDP Long weekend - ECP

We have a 4 day break due to the two PHs. But did not jet off anywhere since air tickets were very exp and hb needs to mark. So yesterday, we spent the afternoon at Kidzgo, the indoor playground at Tampines1 because RL loves it there.

RL is coughing a little so I am not keen to bring here to air con places again. Decided to go ECP for a picnic since we have not done that for a long time. Also wanted to try out the new 6 men tent we bought early this yr.

At first, RL was not keen and she insisted on wearing a dress to the beach. She does not seem to be an outdoor kind of gal. Always into pretty dresses and high heel shoes. Faint! Finally persuaded her to wear a short skirt instead so that she can do sand play without getting all wet.

Packed ham and cheese sandwiches and a salad but the food they liked most was the strawberry n milk popcorn I bought from Daiso yesterday. My gals have a sweet tooth or rather sweet teeth.

Weather is very good. Cloudy so it was not hot and the weather stayed that way except in the afternoon there was a constant slight drizzle. We hid in our tent thinking the rain will get heavier but it never did. The gals had a happy time rolling and wrestling in the tent with Daddy. But when the sun come out, I was feeling v hungry so we had a late lunch at Brussel Sprouts. Yummy mussels but lousy wait staff except for a guy with tattoos. The rest of the staff were impatient and can't be bothered with questions or recommendations. The guy with tattoos was the friendliest and respond the fastest. After a v heavy tea, we went cycling to burn calories. Me, not the kids. -_-

Along the ride, we saw a jetty so we stopped for a while. RA was fascinated to see the anglers. One of them caught a small mud crab and a flower crab in that short 5-10 mins we were there. But by 7pm, can tell that their energy levels were v low with no afternoon nap today. I suggested having dinner there so that we can watch the fireworks from the jetty but they were not keen. Guess they had enough fireworks since last week. They wanted to go Nai nai house instead so we ended watching the rest of the NDP on tv. haha.

Birthday celebration at Serenity

Hb surprised me with flowers to my workplace this yr. I am temping part time for my ex company cos 3 staff resigned on the same day after getting their bonus. He picked me up at 4pm n brought me to Serenity at vivo city for my birthday dinner cos he read from hungrygowhere that the food was good. I like vivo city cos there is a nice view of Sentosa n the sea front plus lots of international branded shops that I don't usually find in Tampines. Had time to walk around before dinner started.

Food really is good at Serenity especially the grilled squid, no wonder it is a best seller. It looks simple, just grilled squid with olive oil n salt. But it was so tender and juicy, so aromatic with the right smoky flavour n slightly crispy tentacles edges. If it did not cost so much $18.80 for 3 squids. I would have ordered 3 plates and finished all by myself. I wish I can replicate this at home. Squid is not expensive but how did they make it so nice. Yummy....

Another house specialty was the spanish suckling pig. $98 for a 1/4 serving for two to share. It was just a small plate so I consider it very steep. The meat was tender and moist n there were 3 types of sauces to dip it in - roasting sauce, brown sauce and tomato jam. I like both the brown sauce and tomato jam most. But it was the crispy skin that was to die for. I forgot all about counting calories after eating the first piece.

The paella was also highly recommended, we tried the normal version which was $50+. The crayfish version recommended by the waiter would have cost $70+. This is the one dish that did not wow me. Maybe it was the spices used that did not agree with me or maybe cos I had higher expectations for paella. But I did not feel that the price was worth it. I think Fish n Co seafood platter with rice was better. Smoky n v generous with seafood. Hee.


But all in all, it was a great place to have a quiet dinner. Hb even dedicated a birthday song through the live band but I spoilt his plans a little by requesting to sit outside cos I cannot hear the dedication. But I did like the complimentary brownie cake. Haha.

We hardly splurge on expensive dinners after having kids. Always family dining or kids friendly restaurants. So thanks so much dada for our couple time together. :)

Art trial at crestar

RA is serving notice to end globalart classes by end Aug. She just told me she does not want to learn anymore. I tried switching her to another class with more of her cc classmates but she still wants to stop so i decided to let her take the lead on this. After all, globalart classes are not cheap since we still need to pay for books n materials.

Brought the gals for trial class at Crestar on Monday since they also attend ballet lessons there. The class is meant for kids above 4. Rl is 4 this yr though she is 4 months short. So both gals attended together. It was supposed to be a 1.5 hrs course but they changed it to 1 hr instead. The gals did some water colour n some tracing, colouring. But before they could finish finish cutting n pasting, 1 hr was up. Think it was too short because globalart class is 1.5 hrs though there is only colouring n blending. Not enough exposure to other media.

1 hr is definitely not enough for RL who did not even finish tracing. The other kids who were around 4 did not manage to finish colouring either. So the tcr said continue next week.

RA said she likes the art class n will like to continue but I find it too exp.$267.50 for 11 lessons. $24.75 per hr. Even more exp than globalart. I am also not keen to burn monday nights after getting rid of wed nights. So I think I will just ask hb to teach in the meantime. Save $ n Time. :)

First NDP fireworks show

The initial plan was to book 1 night at Marina Bay Sands on National Day so that we can enjoy the fireworks close up while watching the National Day Parade on tv in the comfort of our hotel room. But that plan did not come to fruition because there is a minimum 2 night booking for National Day and 1 night was $599++ for MBS. So two nights would have easily cost $1300? Faint! If I have that kind of budget, I might as well bring the girls on a short holiday.

So when I received an email on the NTUC U family 'Baby Day Out' on 3 Aug to watch the fireworks for NDP Preview, I quickly registered. The event was free anyway. We set off late cos after Yamaha music class and lunch, we were tired out and had a nap. We did not drive as there were road closures plus we weren't sure where exactly was The Lawn. Unfortunately, the taxi driver we engaged was equally clueless. When we finally reached the lawn, it was already almost 6pm. The place was crowded and no good spots were left for a picnic. So, in the end, we registered, got our goody bag and left.

We went back to Marina bay link mall, had dinner at Swiss bake. Then we bought water and chips at 7-11 and crossed the underpass back to the bayfront where we had seen some families with picnic mats when we were trying to locate The Lawn. The picnic mat included in the NTUC goody bag was very useful so we settled down nicely at around 7pm waiting for the fireworks.

Forgot that this year's NDP was extra long so instead of fireworks at the usual 8pm, it only started around 820pm. The gals were busy munching on their cookies and posing for pics at first. But when the sky grew dark with no fireworks in sight, they started to bombard me with the same question: "Mummy, why no fireworks?" Duh...




When the fireworks finally started, they went oohhh and ahhhh cos it was so beautiful to see them on close up. This is their first time. Since we did not ballot successfully for NDP tickets again this year, this is a cheap and good way for them to enjoy the fireworks. We had to walk more than 10 mins back to Raffles Place mrt station to take the mrt back but the gals didn't mind. They were thrilled that we were taking mrt train because we hardly take the train plus their favourite double decker bus.

Wish we discovered this way of watching NDP fireworks earlier. But better late than never, maybe we can go back again next Fri or next year. ;)

First Science project - Volcano

I must blog about this to credit 爷爷。Last fri, RA was given a project to do, to build a volcano model using recycled materials. I must admit that I was not very pleased when I read about the assignment on her comm book.

There is the usual weekend homework for eng, chi n maths every Friday. Why add on a project? Weekends are busy enough with ballet, music n swimming lessons. Really no spare time to do projects. This type of homework should have given during long weekend like next week's NDP long weekend.

When the gals wanted to stay over at ILs place on Sat, i jokingly told RA to ask 爷爷 to help her with the volcano model because we don't have time to do it with her since she does not want to go home. And 爷爷 really rose to the occasion. He did such a nice volcano model using recycled pet bottle and masking tape that RA got a message from Teacher Laila that it was a job well done. If I were to do it, I would probably have just moulded a volcano shape using crushed newspapers or brown paper. Definitely would not have bothered to cut up the plastic bottle. But now, all I needed to do was touch up with a red marker to show the lava. ;)

Whose drawing is this?

Looks so much like RA's drawing style but it is actually RL's. 她说: "这是姐姐。姐姐喜欢长头发, 姐姐不要剪头发。" she knows her sister so well. Haha.

The minds of a 3 yr old versus a 5 yr old

A picture tells a thousand words. I think the drawings by the girls give an insight on their different characters too. ;)

Bold, messy, not into details. 粗枝大叶、性情豪迈。

Detailed, Colourful, but complicated. 心思细腻，敏感脆弱。

First spelling & 听写

RaeAnne had her first 听写 on Thursday and spelling on Friday. Blur mummy did not check the communication book so I did not even know spelling n 听写 are starting this week. Neither RA nor I saw the 听写单 n spelling list. I only found out because Teacher Samantha told me on Thurs evening when we picked up the gals that English spelling was postponed to Friday. I thought RA failed 听写 for sure. But luckily, the first 听写 was quite easy. Just 一,二,三,四,五. So she got full marks though she did not study at all.

English spelling was challenging though. There were only 4 words: man, moon, mouse, mother. She knows how to spell man and moon without coaching. But mouse and mother were beyond her. I let her copy each word 5 times. Then I did a mock test. But she cannot spell mouse and mother. Teach her the catchy M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E jingle from my time. Then ask her to do correction for mouse and mother 3 times. Then do another test. She still doesn't know how to spell mother. So ironical that it is the word that is most difficult for her. After correction, I ask her how to spell Mother. But she is still stuck after M-O-.... Grr...

Finally, I asked her why after so many times, she still cannot spell mother but she knows M-O and she said teacher never taught 't' yet. Duh. So I went to check her phonics book. True enough, they stopped at letter 'L' for June. So 'M' is probably just learnt last week. Asked my mummy friends with kids in zoophonics and they said it should 'Mmm - oorh - Th - R. I have never learnt phonics so I don't know how to teach her to blend.

Decided to ask Teacher Sam in the morning. When I asked her, she told me 'th' sound will only be taught in K2. huh? Then why test this word? No wonder she never got beyond M-O... Teacher Sam said they have taught the 'M' words including Mother. But I told tcr Sam that it will be difficult for them to try and spell Mother phonetically if they have not even learnt the 'Th' sound yet and she got my point and said she will revise with them before giving the spelling. Teacher Laila has taken over English lessons wef 1 July so Tcr Sam is not very sure what was taught in class.

One of my teacher mummy friends subsequently told me that actually 'mother' is a sight word. That means children should learn how to spell it with constant exposure. No need to use phonics, just need to read more. Hmm, hardly see the word 'mother' in P&J nor scholastic reader books. In fact, if the word is Mummy, I am sure RA will have no problem because she is drawing and writing cards to me and hubby.

Anyway, with Teacher Sam and my drilling, she finally learnt to spell Mother. Conclusion, I think her Chinese std is ok so I really need to help her with English. My mummy friends gave me tips. Some showed me what English reader books to borrow. I need to be consistent to point out word by word as I read to her. Then give her chance to read to me too. Her son who is born in Dec 07 can read JS books by himself. RA cannot even read JP books. :P

It is so difficult to juggle studying and playing. Since the gals have 8 hrs of school everyday, when they came home, I usually leave them be and let them play whatever they want or bring them to the playground after dinner. But now, looks like I got to allocate more time for academics. :(

New study desk for Raelynn

I have been shopping at Qoo10 quite frequently since I was introduced by my friends in end April. So much that I qualified to be their VIP member recently in fact. Most of the time, I buy home organisation stuff but yesterday early morning, I ordered a study desk for Raelynn. It was just delivered at 830pm. Talk about fast service.

We have bought assessment books for the gals during Popular book fairs. But we have not been giving them seat work to do. The books are there on their kiddy bookshelf and they can take and do it if they feel like it. Recently, RaeAnne has been more diligent to do work and then mark on her own. RA will also ask Raelynn to do her assessment books then she will mark. Maybe she aspires to be a teacher.

RaeAnne has a study desk which we bought for her early this year. But we often find Raelynn lying on her tummy on the bumper mat doing her 'homework'. Posture is bad and lighting is poor in the dining area. She has been asking for a table for some months because I told her I will buy her a table when she needs to do work like Cheh Cheh. But I cannot get her the similar table from Casa Kidi because her room is cluttered because she still insists on sleeping on her baby cot and the ikea baby changing table is still in the room, on top of a wardrobe, a single bed, and a foldable sleeping mat.

So when I saw this ergonomic table and chair set from Qoo10 at $157. I was tempted cos the height of the table and chair can be adjusted and the angle of the table can be adjusted for reading, or drawing. Raelynn is only 95cm tall so the table and chair are still set at lowest height. But we can adjust it slowly as she grows up.

It is not a big table, just 45cm by 65cm. Similar to a normal classroom table in fact. Though you cannot put a lot of things on the table, I think it is good cos it forces the kid to organise. Things that are not needed should go into the drawer below or into the school bag. There is even a hook at the side of the table just for hanging the school bag to keep it off the floor. This is great for people like me. I hate to see bags on floor because I will always end up tripping over them at night after 'lights out' for the gals.

I wasn't sure if Raelynn will like this table because it was so different from RA's. Much smaller and there is no cartoon or castle design. But my worries were unfounded. She likes it and quickly protested when Cheh Cheh tried to share the chair. I guess as long as it is in pink, we are quite safe. Haha.

First homework for RA

RaeAnne finally has homework from school last Friday. There were 1 pg of chinese, 1 pg of english n 1 pg of maths homework. Some of my friends' kids started having homework since they were 4 years old especially those studying at more academic focused schools eg. Zoophonics. It's no big deal.

But RA is at full day childcare so all along they have been doing their work in school so no need to bring work home. RA's chinese teacher saw my jaw drop when I opened the homework bag and took the chance to remind me that they will be starting spelling n 听写 soon too. Haha. She knows Mummy is lazy to coach homework.

On Saturday I had to nag RA to do her homework cos she did not do it though I reminded her on fr night. Her chinese and maths homework was still ok but she stumbled on her English homework. Only found 1 word when she is supposed to find 6 words. I had to guide her to use a ruler row by row to find the alphabets and words.

Sheesh, looks like my many years of nagging and coaching homework have finally started. I better add a new 'Academics' posts' label too. Haha.