Learning Concept

It's a thoughtful decision to move Ryan back to his Year 3 Kindy (Hi-5).  

The reason that I changed him to this new kindy is because the environment is cleaner, there're air-filter and CCTV in each room.  Academic wise, more or less the same except that the new kindy does not emphasis on character building concept and the teachers are less motivated and caring.  Furthermore, I could not see "discipline" apply to the children.

For the pass 3 1/2 months, we could not see what he's learnt/achieved from Hi-5 last year, for example, the confidence, discipline, inner discipline, independence, etc.  Besides, I like the thematic and fun learning for the children in Hi-5 and it's also a christian based kindy.

Conclusion:
Hygiene vs Learning Concept
Finally we've chosen learning concept.

I think I always worry too much and I really need to have faith to God and surrender all to Him.

Thanks for the prayer from Hi-5 Teachers to Ryan.

Ryan_Year 4 Books @ Hi-5 Enrichment Center
25 Apr 2013

An Anklet

My anklet was broken and James bought me a new one, a stainless steels anklet from Bausch K.

Thank you dear, you are always the best...

20 Apr 2013

Smart Kids 2013

Ryan's kindy is organising a trip to visit Smart Kids Educational Fair at PWTC on 19 Apr 2013.

19 Apr 2013

KLCC Park

My old colour printer is almost dead, it took me an hour to print animals picture for Ian's art class.  I think it's time to buy a new one.  Therefore, dropped by PC fair to check whether I can afford to buy one.  The price for the printer is not expensive but the consumable does kill...  Currently, I'm using HP and in my mind, I'll either choose from HP or Canon.  Finally I bought Canon.

Thereafter, we'd a walk in KLCC Park.  We'll go back again...

Ryan @ 3y7m

During our breakfast, we were talking to Ryan about not crying when we sent him to kindy.  By talking to him that we say good-bye mummy, give a kiss and hug.

Suddenly, Ryan came out with this:

Ryan:  when I big boy, I have kid, I send him to kindy

Mum:  and then...

Ryan:  if he cries, I quickly go up into the car and go off

Mum:  huh, so I treat you the same

Ryan:  NO NO NO

Little Helping Hands

From a very early age, household tasks can be a place where children stretch themselves. As well as; bond with you, strengthen their sense of home and belonging, learn team work, develop responsibility, learn commitment, build skills, feel a sense of accomplishment, discover the value of cleanliness, learning that work is a natural part of life, develop gross-motor skills…

  

Lovely Ian asked for some ideas on age-appropriate chores for children, especially for him, what he can help me.

These are some sample guides:

Some points to consider:

Patience
Don't get them helping if you're feeling rushed, they'll sense your impatience.  Accept that their 'helping' will make chores take longer.

Forget perfection
It's not about getting things done to our standard, it's about being involved together, and as they become older, doing it so that they feel they're doing it well enough.

Praise
Don’t forget to praise them by appreciative words as  it’s an important motivation to them.  Like saying “Thank you” or “Good boy! What a brilliant job you did putting books away.  You’re amazing”

Consistency
Fitting chores into your routine, like living in a general rhythm anyway, helps children accept chores as part of the daily life.
If you really are rushed and choose to do something yourself, choose something that they probably won't notice it's been done for them. If a child learns it's optional, that's such an easy way out, for any of us!

Teamwork
I find that just asking a child to do a task can be hit or miss.  If I can do something side by side with them, there's a better chance of success.  If I remind them the toys need tidying, I'll also mention that I'll start lunch.  When he was younger, we tidied his toys together.

Be Specific
Tidy up, clean your room, clean that mess, even set the table....  Try instead, time to place the toys in their boxes, please could you pick up all the dirty clothes from the floor/your room, here are the cutlery for you to place for each person.  The wording would change, but being specific goes for every age.

Fun
Make it fun whenever possible.  It can also be a time to chat together.
Children love 1-2-1 time with their parents, so if household tasks means also special time with mum or dad, wow, what a motivator, right?!

Boat Riding

I received a call from Golden Horses Health Sanctuary, it's about a free 1 night stay with the selection from either one hotel in Palace of Golden Horses, Mines Wellness Resort, Country Heights Resort, Ancasa Resort Allsuites, Perdana Beach Resort or Equatorial Hill Resort.  Besides that, there's also a 10 min boat ride from Palace of Golden Horses to Mines Wellness Resort.  The term & conditions is husband and wife must attend an hour briefing on their product.

On the 7 Apr 2013, after the boat riding and visiting their premises, it almost took us 3 and half hours for the whole briefing and ended up with less choices of hotel to select.  Finally, we've chosen Country Heights Resort in Kajang to stay.  Due to the Palace of Golden Horses and Mines Wellness Resort are not in the list of our voucher.

Futsal

Ian has stopped his kids futsal training nearby our place, coz the time table crashed with the English lesson.  James found another one in Sunway, so we just went there have a trial session, but only 1 big kid + Ian.  :(

Kid'z Paradise

On 5 Apr 2013, Ian & Ryan were no school, after picking up Ian from the tuition centre, we proceed to have fun at Kid'z Paradise which is located at Level 4, The Mines.

I grabbed a deal from Livingsocial on Jan 2013, it's only RM10 per child for a full day admission.  I bought 4 tickets, so we can still visit one more time with this special offer.

The normal rate is:
Admission (per day)
- Weekdays RM25
- Weekend, School Holidays & Public Holidays RM38

Business hours:  Mon - Sun 10am to 10pm
For children from age 6 months to 13 years old

I think the specialty is the black sand pool, they enjoy playing...

Sand Pool

Trampoline

Uniqlo Opening @ Alamanda

5 Apr 2013, the first 500 customers will get an exclusive UNIQLO tumbler at Alamanda store grand opening or with every RM200 nett spent in a single receipt.

We'd attended the last 2 grand opening in KLCC and Setia City Mall and the freebee was the Uniqlo recycle bag.

Ryan was no school, so brought him along to get the tumbler, and we managed to grab some good deals.  Altogether 4 tumblers.

After shopping, we'd our lunch at Old Town Kopitiam @ Alamanda.

A Secret

After picking up Ian from school, on the way back, Ian said:

Ian:  Mom, I've a secret with Daddy
Mom:  What is it about?
Ian:  It's a secret, secret means cannot tell.
Mom:  Ok

So I checked with James, what's this "Secret" about...

The secret is:
He has a plan to bring me to Riverside Grill & Bar on Mother's Day.  So sweet...

Ian 8th Birthday

Ian is turning EIGHT.  He's been awaiting his birthday!!  Coz he knows there'll be a present for him.  I promised him to buy LEGO for him, initially he wanted to buy police station, but it’s out of stocks, so finally he’s chosen fire station.

Weight:  25 kg

Height:  130 cm

Summary of the Year:
7 

- May have trouble concentration in school;

- Can blame mom for something go wrong;

- Sometimes unkind to Ryan, must win;
- Start to like sport & Daddy let him to explore on football game, it’s involving good physical control, but still need more practices;

7½ 

- He’ll know to turn off the TV (Rule set by Daddy).  Get used to routine of doing homework at 7:30pm and showing me the homework after finished;

- Ian has rewarded the Attitude Improvement Award for the month of August among primary 1 in school.  

7¾ 

- Strong on personal preference like what to wear, eat;

- Helping out around the house.  He always lends a hand with tasks in the kitchen and garden.

Milestone:
Sleep - 8:45 pm goes up to bedroom, drink milk, read bible/story book.
Talking - He mostly speaks Mandarin, but still can speak English and Cantonese.
Separation & independent - He's still clingy with us, especially need one of us to accompany him to sleep.  And I think he still has a shy, anxious or timid temperament.

Self-Care
- He’s comfortable taking a bath or shower on his own
- can tidy-up/pick-up the toys after playing
- packing his school bag daily

- Wash his own dishes

- Carry in groceries

- Could not tying shoes lace

- with annoying habits

Prayer:
God, thank you for Ian and this day, his birthday.  Thank you for the cake, the presents, the party, and for everyone who loves and care for Ian.  Bless Ian and grant him many, many more memories in the years to come.  May God continue to equip you to be a great person of God & walk in the light of His love, in Jesus name, Amen.