It is a very sunny day today and as usual, hot and humid! Nonna will arrive tonight and I hope she has light and quick drying clothing! We have some wonderful activities planned with her including going to the beach in Bintan, the Maritime Museum in Singapore and eating lots of noodles! We found some great noodle places. Great that Papa can join us in Bintan! The Botanic Gardens is also a gorgeous place for a picnic and a stroll. The kids' zone is super fun!
Yesterday we went to our new friend's home at The Bayshore. We enjoyed playing and doing some crafts with them. The Larsens are a big family with 4 boys ranging from 7 years old to 7 months old. We met them at TPS. Finally another family from North America!!! 1200 students from Asia + 2 Canadians. Now + 2 Canadians and 1 American. But actually, -2 Canadians as we move into homeschooling!!!
Another story to be told at a later time because now it is time to eat breakfast and get ready for Nonna's arrival! Cheerio!
Monday, 23 April 2012
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Grampa's Advice
Grampa said, "just have fun!" And we needed that advice. We really need to take a break from the pressure. So today Frunty, Pit and I went to Art Friends to buy some supplies and then stopped at the National Library to do some reading and bring home some new books. We came home and worked on some science and art projects and listened to the Jungle Book on CD (part of our homework for Scouts) and had so many good giggles that at dinner time, there were no reports of lowlights! Highlights galore but no lowlights! A gooood feeling!
More laughter, fewer tears. And we still squeezed in math! I am getting the call...it's snuggle time! Thanks, Grampa! xo
More laughter, fewer tears. And we still squeezed in math! I am getting the call...it's snuggle time! Thanks, Grampa! xo
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
A new beginning!
We have travelled far! Not just geographically! I am so happy to say that today Frunty wanted to continue doing math with Melissa! He asked if she could stay longer to do one more math problem on angles!!!!!!
Imagine that?! From crying about math to wanting to do more. This is a huge achievement and I am proud of Frunty but also proud that I found the right teacher for him. And grateful to Papa for supporting our new learning programme!
And while Frunty was working with Melissa, Pit did some independent work and learned his vocabularly his own. Then he studied Mandarin with Melissa. All of this while I went to TPS to learn how to be a better parent. I have been attending a Coffee Talk session once every few weeks with other parents and we share information and encourage one another.
After lunch we will get together with another mother as we are going to begin doing an exchange. I will help her child with English and she will help mine with Mandarin. She works at a tuition center so we can use the office space to conduct our exchange. It is in a fun part of town too so afterwards, we can grab a sorbet.
It's a new beginning and we are taking one day at a time. Taking a break from TPS is the right thing to do and so far, week two, it feels like the right choice. More smiles and fewer tears. Who could choose otherwise?
Imagine that?! From crying about math to wanting to do more. This is a huge achievement and I am proud of Frunty but also proud that I found the right teacher for him. And grateful to Papa for supporting our new learning programme!
And while Frunty was working with Melissa, Pit did some independent work and learned his vocabularly his own. Then he studied Mandarin with Melissa. All of this while I went to TPS to learn how to be a better parent. I have been attending a Coffee Talk session once every few weeks with other parents and we share information and encourage one another.
After lunch we will get together with another mother as we are going to begin doing an exchange. I will help her child with English and she will help mine with Mandarin. She works at a tuition center so we can use the office space to conduct our exchange. It is in a fun part of town too so afterwards, we can grab a sorbet.
It's a new beginning and we are taking one day at a time. Taking a break from TPS is the right thing to do and so far, week two, it feels like the right choice. More smiles and fewer tears. Who could choose otherwise?
Friday, 6 April 2012
Good Friday
At lunch Papa read us a book called, "Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of Easter Symbols" by Edna Barth. I would like to quote her as she does a great job describing how I feel today and how I hope all our loved ones feel too.
"New clothes, a newborn chicken, a lily, an egg, an exploding firecracker- these and the many other symbols of Easter all really say the same thing, each in a little different way.
The sun sets and there is darkness, but at dawn there is new light, a fresh start.
Trees and plants die, but from their seeds new plants spring up. Man and other animals die, too, but leave others like themselves behind.
In winter the earth itself may seem to die, then come to life again in spring. In spring-time all living things are just beginning or beginning again.
No matter what a person's religion, these are joyful thoughts, shared by people everywhere- people of today as well as those who lived long before there was a Christian religion at all. For Easter is a religious holiday and also much more. It is a festival of hope, of awakening life, and of man's joy in being alive."
After the sadness of Good Friday, Happy Easter everyone!
Monday, 2 April 2012
Our Little Boy Scouts
We finished our weekend by meeting up at the Bedok Reservoir to have dinner at a German restaurant. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset together and the boys loved watching the fishermen, while wearing their Scout uniforms!
One day Frunty expressed interest in becoming a boy scout! Pit asked to join too after they both had an introductory visit and met other Scouts from Singapore and beyond. So far they have enjoyed map and compass reading and meeting new friends. Aren't they adorable?
Trip to the Fire Station
On Saturday morning, Papa took the boys to our local fire station which was having an open house. They were the only three visitors so they got a private tour and tried some of the equipment. There were two emergencies so they got to see the fire people fly down the pole after hearing the announcements. They want to go back soon but with me to show what they experienced with Papa!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Impressive Frunty
Frunty is not going to school today. But he immediately told us that he had to hand in his project so he would not let his group down. He cares about his group and I am so proud of him. Remember a time when the character of a child was more important than good grades?
