Siblings

Yesterday the boy did not know how to do his school work. His sister came to help him. He gave her a hug in return. She hugged him back and they both smiled. Perfect sibling behaviour.

Now, if only this would go on daily instead of the .....

"Mummy she ate 4 prawn crackers. I only had 3"

"Mummy, he pushed my hand away."

"Mummy, she hit me."

"Mummy, he is too noisy!"

Blah blah blah.....

I wonder how will they be like when they grow up.

I hope they grow up loving each other and always keeping an eye out for each other.

First half school term break

The first school holidays is almost upon us. This week is easy on us as it is exam week. No after school classes or activities and no homework. We are much less rushed this way. All that is required is a little bit of revision in the afternoon.

The holidays are too short. Its just 5 days if  you don't count the weekends. Their father may take two days off to spend time with them, they have two days of replacement piano classes to catch up from the time they were sick and they have been invited to their aunty's house for a pot luck lunch on another day. Thats it. All 5 days taken up. It will go by in no time at all.

However, they have grand plans for the holidays. They want to do all sorts and manners of crafts, and science experiments and play with their toys which they have no time for during school days, and play pc games and ........... "Mummy, we must do this if we have the time. Can we? Can we? If we have the time?" Looks like mummy will be as busy as ever, school holidays or no school holidays.

Before and After Photos

With my boy falling sick at the tail end of Chinese New Year, I had no mood nor time to post up any post about Chinese New Year. Now, this is all the energy I have left to post before it becomes end of the year. :P

We went to Kek Lok Si in Penang at dusk. Watching the fairy lights being switched on was magical, simply magical. We climbed the Pagoda, something I've done many times before but not with the kids. I was tired but the hubby and the kids were excited so I managed to find some reserve energy to climb.

At the top, the boy said.. "Mummy, look! I can see the whole town! So lovely!" His excited look and happy expression when he said that, made the tiring climb worthwhile. :)

This year we also went to Gurney Drive to play fireworks and let go some wishing lanterns. That was magical too.

We had a wonderful time at the beggining of Chinese New Year though not at the end but things are back to normal now.

Homework "Guidance"

Boy: Mummy, mummy, must do this homework or not?

Mum: No need. No need. Just do today's homework. The rest leave for later, slowly do.

Mum: Eh? What for you colour so nice for. This is not an art lesson. Cincai colour enough. Don't waste time.

Girl: My class teacher say exactly the same thing as you because she is always in a rush too but my music teacher say must colour nicely or else she will scold.

Mum to boy: What have you been doing while I was gone? Why nothing done? Playing with stationaries again ah!

Mum to girl: What have you been doing while I was gone? Why nothing done? Reading book again ah! Put away that story book!

Are 7 year olds smart enough to choose what to have for lunch?

Are 7 year olds smart enough to choose what to have for lunch? Will they choose a balanced diet, with fruit, vegetables and water? I don't think so. I don't think 7 year olds should be given pocket money to buy lunch on their own and decide what they should eat. I think it is ok during a short break or recess in the morning but not for lunch.

At school, I saw some kids who had catered food from the canteen for lunch. Some had lunch catered from outside. Some had lunch brought by parents. Some were flanked by maids. Some had very balanced meals, fried chicken, vegetables, rice. Some had warm porridge brought in a container. Some older kids who were perhaps more hungry could buy rice or noodles for themselves.

Then I saw this 7 year old, who ran to the canteen counter, bought himself two packets of junk (usually with names like tam tam or miao miao or something ridiculous like that) and he sat and enjoyed his two packets of junk for lunch.

I think not allowing pocket money and just allowing him to eat a cold sandwich prepared in the morning would have been much better.

I know that kid. He is in my son's class. He will have more junk food for tea. Then he has to wait for the older kids to come out later in the day before going off in a bus... not home but to another daycare centre.

I don't think that 7 year olds in my time had such a schedule but it seems to be getting more common now. :(