His first performance

Last month, Joshie's enrichment teachers prepared the kids for a mini performance. The performance was part of the school's aim for the kids to build up their confidence to perform in front of an audience. It was only a 20 minute performance and I must say, the kids did a very good job. I was impressed especially when the ang moh kids sang Chinese songs so well.

This was the scene that greeted us when we entered the room. The kids were hiding behind the trees. To our amazement, the teachers controlled them so well. They did not rush out to mum and dad and did not make much noise too.

The kids singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Throughout the whole 20 minutes, they sang a few songs, both Mandarin and English songs, together with the actions. They were also required to introduce themselves to the audience. Joshie was a bit shy when he was required to speak up but when it came to singing, he was all comfortable and performed very well. Good job, dear son. Mummy and daddy are proud of you =)

Nasty words

I dislike certain words/phrases that come out of my son's mouth.

"I don't like anyone/ so and so"

"I want to chop him/beat him!"

"I want to call police to catch him and put him into jail"

"I don't like him/her. Mummy, I want you to kill him/her"

The last phrase really shocked me.

I think he picked up these words/phrases from his friends as we don't say such things at home. Moreover, I do screen whatever he watches so I guess it's peer influence. However, it just dawned on me that it could due to be books too. I've just recalled the story about the little mermaid which my mom recently read to him. In that story, the mermaid's sisters had asked the little mermaid to kill the prince and make sure that his blood falls on his feet so that her life will be spared.

I know that at the tender age of 34 months, he does not yet know the severity of the words that he utters. It is my duty as his mother to teach him, correct him and guide him along the right path. But sometimes, I am totally at a lost. Don't know whether I reacted appropriately when he mentions those nasty words. I guess I just have to trust in God and believe that He will always guide me in parenting my kids.

A visit to the Singapore Flyer

It's a tourist attraction which I have visited twice, and TWICE when I am pregnant. I was the one who suggested that we bring Joshie and ask his best friend's family to come along too. It was rather unfortunate that we chose to go on the day of the National Day Parade rehearsal. The roads were blocked and we couldn't park at the nearby carpark. Instead, we had to park at Marina Square which was 15 minutes walk away. Thank God we brought their strollers, I can't imagine walking along the busy road with 2 active boys.

As we were early, (we reached by 9am), we managed to get our own private capsule.

Here's a picture of me and the 2 boys before they got all rowdy again.

Inside the capsule.

The view.

Joshie watches as Gaspar monkeyed around. Thank God we had our own capsule as the boys were really noisy. Jumping, singing and dancing away.

I think the admission ticket was around $20 per adult and free for kids below 3 year. Good view of Singapore and the boys had fun trying to spot objects such as car, fire engine, etc etc.

God's protection on my 2 Js

Last Sunday, it was raining heavily in the morning. We were watching tv as we usually skip church when it pours. It is quite a distance to walk from the roadside where our car is parked to church and there is no sheltered drop-off area. The church is working on that though.

The wind was so strong (coupled with the fact that we live on the 25th floor) that our foldable clothes line fell and blocked the doorway which separates the kitchen and laundry area. Hubby put it back properly and we continued watching tv.

Before long, it happened again. This time, my curious son who was no longer engrossed in his toys went to check out what had happened and came back to tell us that "something dropped". The minute he finished talking, we heard a loud smashing sound and saw bits and pieces of glass all over our kitchen floor. The wind had blown our kitchen door shut and the impact of the door hitting the clothes line had caused the glass to be broken. Our kitchen door has a wooden rim with see-through glass in the middle. I was so shocked and realised the severity of the situation had Joshie not ran out in time. I quickly hugged my little son tight and whispered a grateful prayer to God. Hubby asked me to bring Joshie into our room while he and the maid tidied up. It was a mess as there was glass everywhere.

When we were in the room, it dawned on me also that had the door slammed a little later, hubby might have walked into the kitchen to pick up the clothes line and the broken glass would have hit him directly on the face. Either way, it might have been either hubby or Joshie injured. And we would have to rush either one to the hospital. It was really God's perfect timing and protection that both my Js are safe and sound. I thank Him daily for always watching over me and my loved ones. I can't always be there for them but I can always count on Him.

First bite

Well, well, what happens when 2 rambunctious boys play together? Especially when both are supposed to take turns playing with a certain toy.

Look what happened to Joshie's left arm.

He got bitten by his best friend Gaspar. The boys were supposed to be taking turns playing on a mini manual motorbike. Gaspar refused to give up the toy to Joshua after going for a few rounds. Joshua kept chasing him and tried to hold back the motorbike with his hands. Before I knew it, Gaspar turned around and bit Joshua.

So did he cry?

Nope. He just stared at the mark for a while. I think he was kinda shocked. After that he was quite 'manja' and clingy to mummy till we left the playground. The next day, both boys played happily again =)

These 2 friends are so unpredictable. One minute they'll be playing happily, hugging each other and the next minute, they fight! But they patch up really quickly too. Guess kids tend to forget and forgive easily.

Here's a picture of the two good friends.