Joshie at school

I enrolled Joshie for the Leap Kids Program at LeapSchoolHouse. The program is conducted thrice weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 9 to 12:30pm.

As we only came back to Singapore on Monday, he missed the first lesson. I've been drilling into his head that he is now a big boy and has to go to school on his own. He nodded his head and also repeated after me that he will be brave and won't cry. Since Wednesday was his first day, the teacher asked me to bring him into the classroom first. When we were there, I pointed out to him that all the other kids are on their own, without mummy or daddy. I think he got a bit worried and stuck to me like a leech. Wanted to sit on me all the time. Slowly, I managed to get him to play with some blocks and then took the opportunity to slip out of the room. I peeped through and saw him looking for me. Walked towards the door and started crying already. I then left him with the teachers and did my own stuff. When I picked him up at 12:30pm, he was ok. I was quite worried that he'd be crying throughout the whole 3 plus hours. But according to teacher, he only cried for 5-10 minutes and began participating in classroom activities.

On Friday, he dilly dallied the whole morning before school. Made excuses when I wanted to dress him up for school. Told me he wants to wear his Thomas pyjamas...........After much coaxing, I managed to get him dressed. He was ok on the way to school. However, when we got off the lift at the 9th floor, he dragged his feet and told me he wanted to go to toilet. So I brought him even though he has just peed like 15 minutes ago. Went to school and he immediately bawled when he saw the teachers. Told me he wanted to go to toilet again.......brought him there again.........and then back to school. Carried him into classroom and he was still bawling. So I decided to just pass him to teacher. Walked out of classroom and the next minute, he stopped crying.

So what should I do next Monday? Just pass him to teacher and leave! Hope he will not cry anymore........

Hello 2011

This is a picture of Joshie sitting by the lake at Singapore Botanics Garden. One of my resolution for the year is to do more outdoor activities with Joshie. Less tv but more outdoor activites where he can run around and release his pent up energy. :)

Two major changes for us this year:

1) First, we've employed a live-in Filipino helper. She came yesterday and today, I've been training and teaching her how to do her chores. Her attitude seems ok but she's pretty slow. And a bit blur. Doesn't seem to really understand what I say. Think I need to learn to talk slower and maybe write down everything that she needs to know.

2) Joshie goes to drop-off school. He's starting tomorrow at LeapSchoolHouse. The programme is thrice a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 to 12:30pm. I am a bit anxious that he'd cry. Pray that he adapts well and enjoys going to school.

I seriously wonder what else is in store for us this year. Hopefully I make full use of the extra ME time that I get!

Goodbye 2010

I know, it's already the 4th day of the new year and I still haven't said goodbye properly to good old 2010. Just a short post for me to recap 2010.

2010 was a year of traveling for us. We did not intend to travel to so many countries but somehow, we have. Mainly because the hubs and I discovered that the little cheeky is quite a good traveller. We first brought him to Hong Kong when he was just 15 months old. It wasn't easy, BUT it was much easier than I had imagined. From a boy who wouldn't even sit in the stroller, he surprised me by taking his nap in the stroller without any fuss. We then became more adventurous and planned a family trip to Australia. Little did we know that before we even booked our tickets to Aust, the hubs had to go to Japan for work. So cheeky and I tagged along. We came back in good shape (not over-exhausted like how some other moms describe their holiday with their tots) and continued to visit Australia and Bali before the year came to an end.

2010 was also a year where I got to discipline and train my toddler better. Although some moms have told me that it's easier to train babies, I choose to concur. I only managed to sleep train Joshie when he was a baby. Other things - FAILED!!!! He wouldn't sit in the stroller nor the playpen; thus I had no time for myself. I remember rushing through housework like a mad woman. Potty training also failed; no matter how hard I tried, he just wouldn't poo in the potty. But 2010 saw my toddler transitioning from a baby cot to a single bed with little fuss, sitting in the stroller while I shop, playing independently and being potty trained (no diapers during the day). I am now a much more sane mom! Hahaha........more ME time and less stress. I have even gone for a pedicure and a massage with Joshie.

2010 was also a year of numerous visits to the doctor! My little boy came down with a cold practically every month. I was just so fed up feeding him medicine. Well, we finally discovered the root of the problem in September - his allergy to dust mites; and since then, we've managed to control the occurence of a cold to a certain extent.

2010 was also a year where the hubs was away from us very often. His business trips are very frequent although he might not be away for long - maybe 3-4 days on average. Except for his longest trip to B, which was 10 days. I used to get stressed up in the beginning because coincidentally, the cheeky would fall sick each time the hubs is not around. My worst nightmare was him waking up every 45 minutes on average throughout the whole night, with a fever that hovers around 39C plus, even with panadol. I even brought him to A&E!!! Sickness aside, cheeky also seems to know that daddy's not around. He'd be cranky and at times, would cry for daddy. Thank God he's much better now, he seems to understand that daddy's only away for a short while and would be back. It helps that he can now talk to daddy on the phone.

Ok, that's all for 2010 I guess. Happy New Year, folks!

Bali - Day 4

A very backdated post. Was running through my list of posts when I saw this unpublished one.

On Day 4, we woke up bright and early and got ready to go to Ubud. We left the hotel at 8am after a really quick and simple breakfast. The driver informed us that the journey to Ubud would take roughly 2 hours.

Bali traffic is quite bad, although not as bad as Jakarta. The journey seemed really long for me, mainly because I had to entertain my very cheeky son. Moreover, I was also having gastric at the same time =(. Really bad timing to fall sick.

The driver suggested that we stop by the batik factory and souvenir shop. As I was planning to look for a batik sundress, we agreed to take a look.

Balinese batik painting in the background.

Following that, we stopped by "Rumah Orang Bali" (a typical Balinese house) before heading to the temple. I can't really remember what was the name of this temple. We had to cover the lower part of our bodies before entering the temple. Also, women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter as they are deemed "unclean".

Stopped for lunch and the scenery of the paddy fields was breathtaking. Village life seems so serene as compared to the hustle and bustle of city life.

This was where we had lunch. I highly recommend this place. Bebek Bengil, which translates to Dirty Ducks.

We had two plates of their famous crispy duck. The meat was really tasty. Tender and crispy. Joshie loved it too.

After lunch, we headed to the Monkey Forest. Bought a comb of bananas to feed the monkeys. I was quite amused to see the monkey peeling the banana carefully before gobbling it up. There were monkeys everywhere. I got followed by a monkey because I was carrying the bananas in my hand. To save myself, I quickly threw the bananas to hubby.........=P Let him handle the monkeys. He's much braver than I am.

The driver also brought us to view the hilly paddy fields as pictured below.

After that, we left Ubud for Kuta. Went to Hard Rock to get myself a t-shirt =) Then walked along the beach. The weather was really hot and I felt that the sun was biting my skin!!!

That's all for Day 4.

Bali - Day 3

Won't blog in detail about day 3. Else will be too boring and might put my readers to sleep =)

Joshie and I stayed in the hotel practically the whole day. The highlight of the day was the spa! Hehe, yes even Joshie had his fair share of enjoyment and relaxation. The spa, Jiwa Spa at Conrad Hotel also caters to children. We signed up for the "Mum and Me" package. Mum gets a footbath and a 1 hour massage while the kiddo gets a footbath, 30 minute massage, chocolate bath and snacks which comprises chocolate milk & cookies.

Here are the pictures:

The cheeky modeling in his spa attire.

Footbath

Massage time. I had to ask the masseurs to place the beds right next to each other because my son refused to lie down on his own.

He also had his chocolate bath. And after that, they fed and entertained him while I relaxed. Even managed to take a catnap! =)

We walked around the hotel before heading to the restaurant for our lunch and then back to the room for our afternoon nap. Life is bliss eh?

Bali - Day 2

I had already planned to do some shopping so right after breakfast, I got the driver to bring us to Seminyak whilst the hubs attended his conference. It wouldn't be sensible to bring Joshie along to Kuta and Legian which is packed filled with people so I had to settle for Seminyak. Already did my own research before going to Bali.

I had two streets in mind - Jl Raya Seminyak and Jl Oberoi. The latter has more expensive shops so I only ended up buying 3 tops from the former. It was really hot and sunny. Both Joshie and I were already sweating like crazy and I was tired. It was not fun carrying a toddler on my hips while tackling the broken pavement along the road. It was only 11am when I told the driver I've had enough and would like to go back to the hotel to rest. He suggested that I visit Seminyak Square before heading home as it's just down the road. So we went there but I didn't buy any clothes, ended up buying ice-cream for the both of us.

Reached the hotel slightly after noon. Had our lunch and the cheeky took his nap without much fuss. After he had woken up, I brought him to the pool.

Crystal clear water with a breathtaking scenery.

His signature smile.

After playing for a while, we headed to the kids club. He had his face painted and it ain't free. Cost me IDR40,000 for face painting and tattoo. And the lady was really very slow. Kept referring to the book too. In the end, the enthusiastic boy got fed up and ran around. Didn't finish the face painting.

After taking a shower, we headed to Bumbu Bali with hubby. That's us in the restaurant, right in front of the kitchen.

The food was really superb. The seafood satay was succulent, juicy and tasty. Vegetables appetising. Beef curry was also flavourful and the meat was tender. Too bad Joshie didn't enjoy the food. He ended up eating biscuits!!!!

That's the end of Day 2.

Bali - Day 1

The hubs had to attend a conference in Bali last week. So the cheeky and I packed our bags and followed too =) Hehe, I've never been to Bali before so better grab this opportunity.

By the time we arrived at Conrad hotel in Tanjung Benoa (near Nusa Dua), it was already evening. After checking in, we quickly got into the car and headed over to Jimbaran. I know the best place to watch the sun setting is Tanah Lot but it's way too far for us. Moreover, there's nothing much to do there other than watching the sunset. Thought of heading over to Cafe Menega for our dinner as I've read good reviews from the internet. However, the driver recommended Jimbaran Bay Seafood (JBS), which according to him was nearer too. Without thinking much, I agreed as I was worried that we'd miss the sunset. It was already close to 6pm then.

The spectacular scenery. This cafe's not too crowded and the beach is clean too.

Joshie was so excited when he saw the sand and immediately took off his shoes =)

A family picture

Bought this grilled sweet corn from one of the beach vendors. I actually read about grilled sambal sweet corn in Bali before but since we were sharing it with Joshie, I told the hubs to buy a non-spicy one. It turned out to be sweet.........and it was really delicious too!

Our dinner - grilled prawns, fish and clams and deep fried calamari. It was a set dinner and it came with chicken soup and sambal kangkung too. So how was the food?????? Not nice! Disappointing in fact. I was regretting my decision to listen to the driver! Should have gone to Cafe Menega! And it wasn't cheap too. Costs us IDR800k +++++.

So did we patronize Cafe Menega? If yes, how was the food? Stay tuned.