Multiparenting Cayen & Cayson

I recall that when Cayen was 3 years old, he was quite comfortable with Chinese and in fact was quite ahead of his peers in class as we speak Chinese and English interchangeably at home and we have been reading both English and Chinese books since young. However, think as he grew older, and perhaps there were just a few months we read more English books than Chinese books, and his new classmates in new school spoke predominantly English, his interest in Chinese dwindled rapidly. In fact now he's dreading Chinese. As such, we decided to up the intensity of teaching Chinese at home. Previously I have never used flash cards but thought perhaps I can make some games with some Chinese word flash cards.   That day, I was teaching him the word 皂 as in 肥皂. He promptly asked, "is it running ?"  I laughed out loud. "Zao" is run in Hokkien, and not quite soap in Chinese.  Yesterday, he was peeking at the stock prices I'm seeing on my iPhone. He saw the word "Ulta...

Cayson is like an alarm clock - he knows exactly when to do what even at this tender age. Today, he took it to the next level. In the morning , he saw Ah Gong. Then he did the smoking action (two fingers to lips) and ask Ah Gong to go smoke (because he had observed how Ah Gong would go to balcony to smoke every morning).. Then he saw Ah Gong making tea, and he asked Ah Gong to go eat his breakfast.  When we leave the house, he would ask for his bag and then he would pick out his shoes. Then , he would proceed to fetch Cayen , Ah Gong and my shoes out for us (although we keep telling him we can do it ourselves).  When we reach school, he would also want me to say "school" and "star" as there's a billboard just outside the school.  When we reach his class, he would know to put his bag and shoes.  When I reach home every night , he would motion and ask me to go "eat". And by 8pm (no matter we are at home or outside) , he would ask for milk . And by 9pm, h...

After the long new year weekend, Cayson has started crying during dropoff again, maybe also because his favourite teacher hasn't arrived yet.  But apparently he would stop once we leave. Let's hope he gets over separation soon. In any case, now as he learns to speak more, he refers to himself as Baby . So when he wants something and Cayen is also wanting to take the same thing, Cayson would squeeze for his share of it too , pointing to himself and saying "Baby ! Baby!"  Apparently , he has taken his self awareness to the next level. Whenever his teachers call other children Baby, he would get upset. He would point to himself and explain that he's Baby .. haha.  This cutie also has made a new friend downstairs as well . They would have play dates on an impromptu basis. 

We went for curriculum updates last week for Cayson and the week before for Cayen. Bumped into the English teacher who told me that Cayen eats his lunch very well including vegetables (doesn't sound like him at all). She also mentioned that Cayen likes to test boundary. Recent case in point , teacher would ask the children to not talk in the toilet as it could be noisy for the children in the adjacent classroom. As he wasn't allowed to talk, he purposely started singing instead. Then our discussion was cut short and I wondered how the teacher responded to his singing eventually.  Nonetheless , this is one of the many instances where Cayen would not do things the conventional way. In Cantonese, I might even call him "Seng Mok" (savvy). For instance , previously , he was spotted sipping lime cordial juice on a plate -he has helped himself at the dispenser without my knowledge . One would have usually told him off but I decided to ask him why he did that. He said that he...

Cayson's key milestone this month was starting school. Now he has finally taken to school and his teachers (including the new one last week) and the auntie who dotes on him. He still doesn't like to take off his shoes at the checkpoint but that's about it. It's a little sad that his "best friend" has left but hopefully new friendships will be forged.  Apparently, he likes to hide in books and corners, in boxes, enter prohibited areas, climb high and low, and purposely do the opposite of what's told in a teasing , charming way. He will also help his classmate if they fall down. Apparently he's the most active in class right now and can't sit still (but honestly this is expected of a 19 month old boy right?) so I'm not too bothered by this.  At home, he continues to be very hardworking, fetching all our shoes for us when we are heading out. Perhaps he's scared we will sneak out without him unless he personally ensures that we get ready in his...

31st Jan is the special day of the blue moon, super moon and total lunar eclipse, and it's also the day that young Cayson has to face the first farewell in his young school life. It's his best friend's last day in school - he is only one who is with him in the afternoon session. He's his partner in crime as they learn new tricks from each other. Cayson can even pronounce his two syllabus name accurate. Hope he takes to his new friend today.