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Many firsts - downtown east

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For Cayen , that will be his first bowling game where he threw balls a third of his weight. He's so into it , he went for a second game. Thereafter he had a good time with his new friends in the indoor playground. After the game, he wanted to "see you forever" (in response to "see you tomorrow")  For the first time, we tried letting him try the bunk bed , he woke up midway sleep-talking about something so we brought him down to the queen size bed.  Then he experienced his first time rolling off the bed in between.  It's the first time Cayson slept in the lower deck of the bunk bed. All was well until 3am when he sat up, and knocked his head on the wooden side and woke up crying.  Cayson was up at 6.30am in the morning so I brought him to walk around. He  said his first double words (except Ah Ma, Ah Pa), he said "Big Bird" after I repeated it a few times in the morning when we saw so many birds.  On Day 2, most of the other kids have arrived and we...

Scary thing

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We were standing at the balcony, just looking down at the roads. Cayen suddenly turned to me and looked very serious.  C: Ah Ma, I want to talk you something . Me: yes?? C: Don't tell me scary things. I will remember it for very long, like for one year.  Me: Huh? What scary thing ? One year ? What did you remember for one year ? C : You know, if you tell me something in December 2016, I will still remember it in November 7 2017, I can remember very long.  Me: Oh .. tell me what was so scary from 2016 December ?  (Feels a bit worried about what's upcoming .. hope he doesn't tell me something too scary like ghosts or what )  C: you know the scary thing is that Pokemon called cxx (I forgot the name) . That's scary. You know I call this Pokemon Xxx Yyy, and Pokemon Aaa Bbb..  Me: Oh !!  * very relieved *  Me: Anyway this is called code name  C: Yes code name  And I'm glad that's the only scary thing that has plagued him for one year .. ...

all that big emotions

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Despite the much improved behaviour in Cayen  this year versus last year , the last two months were less optimal compared to first four months at home. For example, in the first four months, we no longer have the morning struggles of the routine from eating breakfast to teeth brushing and less of the disobedience of instructions in generally. Recently some of the bad habits have crept back in recent weeks and that got us quite baffled so I tried to understand what has changed in the last two months. And I have a sense of the potential reasons. So I interviewed Cayen .  Me: why you don't listen to instructions nowadays ? Is something wrong ? (Silence) Me: is it because of Didi (Cayson)? C: Yes, I feel jealous ? Me: when do you feel jealous ? C: when you 抱抱弟弟..(carry Cayson)  Me: when else do you feel jealous? C: when you give didi biscuits  And so, the truth is out. The dysfunctional behaviour is his way of getting attention when he feels like we are focusing more on ...

Parent-meet-teacher Session

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It's the first parent meet teacher session since the change of English and Chinese teachers this year. I was heartened to hear that he has made progress in leaps and bounds since last year.  As per last year, he has no problems with his academic stuff at all , and he learns things real fast. The only thing he should work on is his overly competitive streak which lends him into trouble sometimes, i.e. Trying to race his other kid to the toilet , to make his bed etc. And he likes to do things fast i.e. He will rush to do his Chinese writing etc so the strokes might not be so precise etc , but overall it's already better than before as teacher will erase and ask him to write again. I think a lot of the credit goes to the teachers who have been nice yet formed with him in terms of rules and boundaries. I would also like to think that my briefing to the form teacher before start of year also helped as I shared with her that he's a strong willed kid who needs clear boundaries and...

First love

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When I speak to Cayen at night before bedtime, I would usually asked him who are his friends in school that he likes to play with etc. And recent trends seemed to be the boys and selected girls who also like Pokemon.  Hence, last night, it was truly shocking to me when he proclaimed that he's in love with this Girl , she's his girlfriend and he wanted to marry her. He wanted to go to the same Primary school as her. He wanted to bring her on holiday and to Kidzania.  And for his birthday party, he only wants to invite her - just the two of them (candlelight dinner??) . He also asked Ah Pa to get her phone number so he can keep in touch.  When he goes home every day, he wants to prepare a surprise for her, just to make her laugh. (So sweet!) He said he made her laugh every day (so sweet!)  I asked Cayen how he did it. He said he will splash water at her and call her funny names. (Boy, that's not the way to impress a girl.. better come up with a better strategy!)  ...

Kidzania

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Have heard much about Kidzania but didn't expect it to be so fun and so cute. Lots of occupations are made into miniature versions with role play. Fun , educational and very cute.  Even the one year old had a small area to play and entertain himself. Give the liberty to walk and roam , he walked his furthest independent steps thus far without tumbling.  A very fun day , especially as there isn't much crowds on Monday.  Some quick tips : - check for credit card promotions.  I had 15% off for Maybank card. Else, enjoy 50% of Senior's ticket with every kid's ticket. If you buy online, there's further discount but can't buy on actual day, need to buy at least one day in advance. You can also check out Carousell for deals - some look very cheap but do buy from reputable sellers.  - Apparently, the crowd is the lowest mid week so keep that in mind for your next visit. Each activity is on average 20 minutes so you won't be able to cover enough stops unless it's...

Mystery of the water

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It was start of July - the month where water will now cost 30% more. So when I passed by the pantry , I made sam talk with the pantry auntie as she was having the water run on full blast.  Me: Auntie you know right, the water price has increased by 30% already, Auntie: is it ? Oh , but I must use a lot of water one. Me: why?  Auntie: Cox I washed the cups using Jif , so must wash until very clean :  Me: Jif? The one I used to scrub the basin ?? And wash the toilet floors? Auntie: yea , the Jif . Then I can remove all the coffee cup stains? Me: why can't you use Mama lemon ? Jif is used for washing cups ?? (* oh my god * ) Auntie: Yeah, only Jif can remove the stain , so I mix some inside. Don't worry, I have been doing this for ten over years  . Anyway, the procurement system can only buy certain things.  Me: (Gasp!) But I think it's too strong? Since people use it to wash the basin ?  Auntie: Anyway, don't worry, that's why I use ...