Great Time for Kids, Great Time for Mums

Today was my turn to host the ABCD playdate when the kids had a hand in baking cookies.

From ingredients preparation, to shaping, to eating… yum yum, the kids love it!

 

Kiddos busy shaping the cookies

 

Cookies with all kinds of sizes

While the cookies were in the oven, we had a treat from B with a story-telling time for the children. Did the children enjoyed?  Picture speaks a thousand words.

 

All the children drawn to the story

To my dismay, AB had to rush home, but I was delighted to have C stayed on till dinner.  Got to know her better and I’m really thankful for the wonderful time with her and her 2 children. 

I love this picture… While the children were watching Dora, Zoe sat on Cheryl’s lap throughout the whole 45 mins!  Zoe has a thing about big sisters.  She loves them.  She loves Ree Yan, and after today, I’m sure she loves Cheryl too!

Zoe with C’s Cheryl

We have 2 VIPs too!  2 of the daddies dropped by!  B’s for lunch, and C’s for dinner.  It has always been a ladies and kiddos meeting, but it will be really great if ABCD grows into a family friend thingy, where the daddies can also get together and become great pals.  Family tour some day?!  Hmm…

A – thanks for the cookie recipe, its simply easy and yummy. (pls share it in your kitchen blog.)

 

B – thanks for the story-telling time.  You are definitely a great story teller.

 

C – thanks for staying by.  I’m glad that I got to know you better today.

 

ABCD… all the way….

 

 

 

Unschooling

Last 1 month has been a time of unschooling.  I took things easier, we still ‘school’ but not via formal lesson plans, but more through daily lifeskills, nature, playdates, board games, and…. nothing to do day!

One of my homeschool gang does her homeschooling this way with her daughter.  I have always been amazed at how she can teach this way.  But I now have a glimpse of what its like, but perhaps, its only the tip of the iceberg.

I’m amazed at the kind of progress that Ethan has made via this way of schooling:

(1) Ethan started to show empathy.

(2) He is more adventurous and patient.

(3) Instead of only drawing face, he drew this when we were at the fireworks.  I know this is such a simple drawing, but for someone like Ethan, who doesn’t really draws, its a big improvement.

Ethan’s breakthrough drawing of a house, complete with sun, sunset sky, grass and soil.

I have started to see the benefits of unschooling, child-led learning.  Having said that, I’m still uncomfortable with 100% unschooling.  So we will try to do a mix of both.  Proper homeschool when I have the lessons prepared, unschool when I been lazy and have nothing to teach.

And there are many more things that I need to explore in the area of homeschooling, like unschooling, Waldorf, etc.  Which will be my next task during our next round of lazy days.

Its Spring in Singapore!

Our 3 weeks topic on trees have reaped some wonderful result… Recently, Ethan, who is more keen on train than anything else, started to gain interest whenever we talk and observe the trees in Singapore.

Just few weeks back, we noticed that Spring arrived in Singapore with many trees around the island blooming.  It was such a fantastic sight, which unfortunately I couldn’t take nice picture of it… BUT, thank God that coincidentally The Straits Time on 15 April had a feature in the Life! section!! What perfect timing!!!

And recently we noticed the rambutan trees around our estate are also blooming. 

Rambutan blossoms

I have been living here for about 4 years, but this is the 1st time I noticed the blossoms!!! Think I’m the one who benefit most from schooling my children.  Which I’m sure many seasoned homeschoolers will agree with me.

Bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming, its Spring time in Singapore!!!

Bollywood Vegies

 

Bollywood Vegies, that’s where we went together with the CAB gang.  Nice country side, educational, especially with the many fruits, herbs and vegetables nicely labelled, that made walking around without a guide easy.

The Bistrol is not too bad too, either air-con or dine alfresco, and on a hot near noon, we definitely chose indoor.

The children enjoyed each other’s company, but think the timing was too hot not only for them, for we adults too. (can tell from the pic right?!)  Will definitely go there again, but probably in the evening will be better.

Zoe… She was great… Definitely the type who enjoy such activity (just like mummy)… Kept saying ‘na na na na’ (banana) and was very eager to touch the fruits on the tree.

Ethan took a while to warm up to the place… sigh… this boy is only interested in anything on wheels, the rest… hmmm… I’m having difficulty getting him interested in such nature and musical stuffs… he is SOOOOO technical and focus on his train, train and train…

The outing ended with a trip to Hay Dairies Goat Farm, which was our 3rd visit…

Zoo Outing w/ the CAB gang

CAB? – initial of the mums, kee kee…

Friendship

The best thing about today’s trip is definitely the friendship that has blossomed.  Though the children have met each other quite a few times, today seemed to be the day when they really get to know each other.  During lunch at KFC, Ethan was trying to know the names of those sitting around him, ie, Matthew, Mark and Joel.

A social playgroup with girls definitely make loads of different to the group dynamic.

Ethan and Joy Anna

 

Pravan, Joy Anna, Cheryl and Ethan with Brandy, the collie

After lunch, while we were still at the KFC, I saw Joy-Anna pulling Ethan when he tried to get out of KFC… This girl is strong!!! She was actually able to keep Ethan from getting out of the restaurant… and ethan is not small!!!

okie, anyway, Ethan was annoyed, and when he fell at the glass door, he stood up and said “I don’t like Joy-Anna!”

Amy and I tried to find out what happened… well, actually, Joy was trying to stop Ethan from getting out of restaurant without me! ie, she was trying to “protect” Ethan… and of course, Ethan wasn’t that used to it…

Explained to Ethan Joy’s intention.  At first, he wasn’t convinced, but as we leave the playground, he walked to Joy, held her hand, and said “sorry…”…

It was REALLY a sweet sight… To see children quarrel and patch up… My hearts melted… And I’m sure Joy’s heart melted too… They left holding each other’s hands

No waterplay? – its ok, lets feed the animals

Though we skipped the playground and waterplay area (due to HFM), it was a great day. We managed to catch feeding times for Parrot, Giraffe, Fragile Forest, Orang Utan, Goat, and the Siamang just at the entrance.  Zoo time is more fun with all these feeding sessions.

Finally – Friends of Zoo

I finally signed up for Friends of Zoo.  Been waiting for Ethan to be over 3 yo to join, which is when it will be worth it.  Figured that it will take us only 3.5 trips in a year to breakeven… Good deal too with the freebies. I’m definitely looking forward to more trips to the Zoo.

 

Hello Car! Goodbye Home…

We have the car till 23rd, soooooo, let’s put schooling aside and go to the great outdoor!

Slimy Playdate

The week started with a playdate at Claudine’s.  She made slime for the children, But only Ethan and Cheryl are more keen.  Joel and Matthew took a while to warm up to it.

The texture really felt interesting… It actually slipped… will do it at home someday… Especially since Ethan enjoyed it so much that he was the last to leave the slime.

 

Upper Pierce Reservoir

 

Started the day with something ‘sinful’… The famous Roti Prata!!! And Ethan certainly enjoyed the Choc Prata.

It was pretty timely especially when we are suppose to be doing Trees, which is a follow up from last week’s bugs activity.

And thanks to Evelyn, she caught a caterpillar!!! Unfortunately, it died at our home today   Thought we could see the caterpillar trasform into butterfly…

Sunset Picnic @ Labrado Park

 

Thanks to Claudine, we got to know that Labrado Park is such a wonderful and relaxing place.  Pack our dinner, cool orange punch, sunglasses, and off we go…

 

The playground is unlike the usual playground we see at most housing estate.  Its pretty challenging and helps the kids balance a great deal. 

 

 

Love one of the game that teaches pulley system.

  

And of course the evening ended with a beautiful sunset, whch I have not watched since I have children.

Tomorrow???

Ikea sale…

Physical & Social Week

I’m lazy to update the week before last’s homeschool.  But excited to share our suppose to be lazy, but turned out to be buzy week.

Monday @ Grans

We usually spend our Sundays with in law’s but last Sun we were super busy, so could only meet them for dinner.  Decided to make a 2nd trip on Monday play time was a good catch up time.

Ah Gong not home, but good time with Ah Mah.  Chose to go my in law’s place after lunch and before dinner so that we don’t need to trouble her to cook meals for us, but she can relax and enjoy her 2 (and currently only) grandchildren.

The children have a good day there, to be spoilt (instead of the constant discipline from me ), pampered, and someone whom they can bully.

Tuesday @ Toa Payoh Safra Kid’s Adventures

 Nearly 2 hours of non-stop climbing, sliding, throwing, running, etc,,,, everything physical.  And not forgetting the 15 minutes walk from TPY library to Safra… How I wish I have such amount of energy that children possess.

 

When we 1st reached, Ethan seemed super excited, and quickly went climbing, crawling, like and outburst of energy, he even tried areas that he had never tried…. but… after that 1st try, he stayed for a loooooong time at the ball play.  Think he got so excited that he didn’t realised where he went…

He also had fun with Kynan.  Ky was too keen to be the leader and kept encouraging Ethan to try new ‘maze’… which he managed to with one of the slides, but not the other… still good job for both kids.

Frustrated Zoe who couldn’t go further up the maze

Zoe… ha ha ha… that girl wanted to crawl up, but only managed the 1st level, and was frustrated when she couldn’t go higher… well, well, let’s try again 3 months later…

She also had some interaction time with Kayla, who was again, all excited to have Zoe follow what she did… My girl apparently have a mind of her own…

While waiting for the bus home, I was talking to Ethan, but noticed no reply from him,…

“Mum, I’m too tired to talk…” (ha ha ha)

Another great time, library, physical, friends, all-in-one… Added bonus was that the maze was not crowded, big place, and most times, its just us with another pair of siblings…

Wednesday – Playdate with Yvonne and her 2

Not met Yvonne for a long time.  And both her children are about the same age as mine.  On map, her place is far, but thank God we have a direct bus there.  But the walk from the bus stop is long, nearly 20mins, but again, thank God the weather at 2pm was great.  (A pillar of clouds shaded us .. )

Yv’s Angel is so pretty, and she has suuuuuch great appetite… How I wish Zoe is likewise, but… thank God still that Zoe has started eating…

Both girls are still in the parallel play stage, so not much interaction.  Plus Angel is 2 months younger… well… this is a good beginning…

But this play date that was supposed to be for the 2 girls turned out to be great for the older siblings.  By 3:30pm, EJ was back from nursery and we were greeted by his warm greetings in Mandarin.  Charming boy who looked so different from the last time I see him (2 years ago?!) Matured quite a fair bit.

And I was amazed by how well the 2 boys played together with little adults’ supervision.  Both took turn with the farm set, and happily cleaned up before playing another toy… The thought and image of 2 of them playing simply bring smiles to my face. ))))

Thursday – Baking day @ home

Waited for Zoe to nap before Ethan and I could have some good bonding time baking… But couldn’t take any good pics cos my hands were simply oily… oh well, words good enough for me…

Usually only allow Ethan to help with sifting the flour, today taught him how to scoop using the measuring tools.  By end of baking, at least he managed to recognize 1/2 cup/spoon/etc..  Informal homeschool can still be good.

Phew….

Meant to be a lazy, but turned out to be physically demanding week…

CNY week break

eh… I thought we just had a CNY 2 weeks break!? Anyway…

Just in case and before anyone think that I have un-ending energy to homeschool, well, here I am, my 1st lazy week of the year….

Last Sat night – suppose to update what we did last week, eh… not done!  Updated kids’ video instead…

Last Sun night - suppose to get ready today’s lesson, eh…. KO together with kids at 9pm, slept through till 3am, wake up, changed into PJ, and back to dreamland…

okie,,, be it… let’s have an easy week…

Monday – Go in law’s since the children didn’t spend much time with them over the weekends.

Tuesday – Baking or maybe join the gang at Toa Payoh maze

Wednesday – Playdate for Zoe

Thursday – Bake if not done on Tuesday, or go library

Friday – Sports day with the gang…

Hmmm… the week can still be very well occupied… it may not be academic, but physical and social are still important aspect … Right?!

What’s more important is::: Mummy needs her break… and need to be herself…ie, TO BE LAZY!

Volunteering

Together with Ellen and her 2 children, we went to River Valley Primary School for a project to help pack some school bags w/ stationery for the children in Sri Lanka who are affected by the Earthquake.

We were kind of early and Ethan has a chance to have a look at what a Primary school is like.  With little help from me, he managed to buy his own lunch, a glimpse of primary school life.  Even though pr school will be so many years away, everytime I talk to Ethan about it, he used to be pretty negative.  But today, I can see that he was very positive about the environment and was happy to see the big boys having their band practise.

Back to the volunteer work, Kynan and Ethan made us proud.  They were eager to look for areas where they could help.  When the big aunties and uncles were lining up the chairs to prepare the setting, the boys tried to help carry the stacks of chairs.  We asked them to help arrange the chairs in a row instead. And that kept them busy for a little while.  Later on, the in charge were kind enough to look for simple wrapper removing job for the 2 boys, which I was very impressed that they sat patiently to help for a good 30 minutes.

“Well done Kynan and Ethan!”

As for the 2 little girls, Kayla and Zoe, they ‘played a part’ too.  Kayla happily used her teeth to remove the plastic transparent wrapper from the ruler, while Zoe… sigh,,, whinny half the time.  But after a little serious ‘lecture’ from me, she also settled down to ‘help’ put the unwrapped rulers into the box.

Really interesting to see the 4 kids at work, but sigh… my camera’s battery flat.  Only thing I could capture is the volunteer sticker on Ethan’s T-shirt.

Look forward to more of such opportunity to expose them to volunteering for the needy.