Trial lesson at Aqua Ducks

It was a parent-child class. The coach sang songs to dispel their fear and she used a little bucket to slowly wet their face and eyes. Everything was done gradually. She encouraged them but did not push them real hard.

Encouraging the kids to lie down and relax in the water.

It was a very quick class, only 30 minutes in total. Joshie was crying a bit initially as he didn't want the coach to hold him, only daddy. We bribed him with M&Ms again =(. Luckily he was willing to try again and didn't fuss much when the coach put his head underwater for a second or two. He was offered a slot with kids his age and he is starting his first lesson really soon =)

How he overcame his fear

My little boy had no problem swimming in the baby pool in our condo. However, each time we drag him into the big pool, he'd scream, cry and cling to either on of us like a little koala bear. All heads would turn towards us and we would cringe in embarassment as the little cheeky hollers away. Even though we kept reassuring that we won't let go, he wouldn't want to listen and would just bawl.

Hubby and I decided that we need to brainwash him and explain to him properly that there's nothing to be afraid of. But that didn't really work too. He'd come out of the big pool and run towards the baby pool. I was about to give up and thought of trying again when he was a little older. However, in the midst of this, I received an email from Aqua Ducks, a swim school, offering Joshie a trial lesson. They would assess him and decide if he can fit into their programme. We have been put on the waitlist for a long time already and I was happy that our turn finally came. BUT, I don't think they'd accept him if he starts to holler away at the swimming pool.

So, we tried again. Brainwash him. Told him he's a big boy and there's nothing to be afraid of. Bribed him with M&Ms too. And the good thing was, his two close friends have already started swimming lesson and can swim in the big pool quite independently. I purposely brought him to the poolside to watch his friends swim and asked him if he wanted to be like them.

So into the pool he went again, during the recent Deepavali holiday. We tricked him and said that his friends are watching from upstairs. He believed and so went into the pool with little fuss. Had his arm floats on and kickboard in his hands. Daddy held on to his kickboard to give him confidence and so he started kicking. With each kick, came words of encouragement and praise from both the hubs and I. Soon he was enjoying himself and didn't even realise that daddy had let go of the kickboard. He was kicking on his own, with his arm floats and kick board. And before we knew it, daddy could move away and he was all OK. He was excited and didn't ask to go to the small pool anymore.

And then, his friend came to join him in the big pool. When he saw that his friend was swimming with just the swim jacket on, he let go of the kickboard too. I could hardly believe my eyes. Of course he was very pleased with himself and asked his friend to look at him too =) I guess peer pressure really works, even at such a young age eh?

My little boy looks so small in the big pool. The hubs and I are real glad that he has overcome his fear =)

His 3yo party in KL

I've been really lazy to write, so these pictures will have to do. Blame it on my lack of enthusiasm to blog or just blame it on the pregnancy hormones....=)

We had his party at the clubhouse in the gated community where we live. One very obvious difference that I noted was the punctuality of our guests. In Singapore, our first guests arrived a few minutes before the time noted on the invite. Within the next 20-30 minutes or so, about 80% of our guests had arrived. However, in KL, there was absolutely no guests present at the time stated. Our family even started and finished eating and still there was no one. I think our first guest only arrived 20 minutes later =)

Anyway, this was what we did while waiting for our guests to arrive.

Take a picture with my dear son in the playroom. As I am usually alone with him, I rarely get to snap a picture of the two of us. So here goes. A picture of Joshie and his 24 week preggars mommy.

And a family picture of the 3 of us which is also rare =)

We hired a balloonist cum clown and gave him the responsibility of entertaining the kids for 1 hour. So the adults got to chit chat =) It was also a good time for the hubs and I to catch up with friends whom we have not seen for a long time.

A group picture of the kids and us before the cake cutting ceremony. Most of the kids were our ex-students when the hubs and I taught Sunday School for 3 years before we moved down to Singapore. =)

Joshie had a blast opening his presents the next day. Thank you to all who came and made my boy v happy =)

His 3yo party in Singapore

Here are some snapshots from the party day.

Children listening attentively to the clown. He was really good, kept the children entertained, even the adults were laughing at his antics.

Surprise of the day. The clown brought a pet rabbit, Peanut Butter for the kids to pat. Needless to say, they were all thrilled.

Dora and Diego cupcakes. His current craze.

Blowing off his candles, surrounded by his little friends.

Good boy. Helping to clean up at the end of the party =)

Another bite from Gaspar

Two rambunctious boys.........

Play play play.....

And then play turns ugly.........

And Joshie got bitten by Gaspar. This time, it was quite bad. There was blood oozing out of the wound. Of course, my poor boy was crying.

Well son, that's part and parcel of life.

Busy busy busy

Have been really busy for the past 2 weeks since we came back from M'sia. Fired the maid the night we arrived home and since then, I've been doing more housework. Hubby's really helpful. He has been cleaning the floor and helping with the laundry.

My dear Josh has been keeping me tired and busy. For nearly a week, he refused to sleep alone in his room and has been crying for either daddy/mummy to sleep with him. He'd wake up at night and come over to our room too. When we finally settled that problem, he came down with a fever and flu. So I had to wake up every 2 hours to check on him.

Things are finally falling into place now. Josh is his usual self again. I guess he got too much attention from his grandparents so he was a bit difficult to manage when we came home. However, after a few visits to the "naughty corner", he has been a lot better. Back to his usual cheeky, lovable self.

Now, yours truly is suffering from stomach discomfort and lower back pain. The pregnancy hormones do no good to my digestion and I've been suffering from constipation. That led to bloating which resulted in abdominal pain. And the extra housework has led to back pain. Have been too pampered so now with a bit more to do, my back cannot take it. The hubs has ordered me not to do anything and said he will take care of all the chores.

Oh well, life is not a bed of roses all the time. However, I am really thankful for a co-operative and understanding hubs, an obedient toddler and my part-time helper who comes in every Sunday to give the house a good wash!!!! And let's keep our fingers crossed that my Myanmar maid will pass all her tests and come in by the end of this month as expected. Till then, I'll take things easy and not fret over little mishaps.