MindChamps Year End Concert and Pre-School Graduation

2014 was a good year for us.  It was the year that both of you get to go pre-school together and spend loads of time sharing common experiences.  The year end concert took a different approach as compared to previous years.  For the 1st time, it was a school centered concert with all students from every level.  This meant that both of you got to perform on stage together.  In the past, traditionally, K2 students from all centers would perform together in a separate concert.  It was fun watching both of you perform.  The rehearsals and actual day performance revealed a lot about your distinctly different characters.

In the build-up rehearsals, En Xi's classmate, Lucas, stands beside you and was very mean towards you.  He dug in his finger nails into your forearm when the segments calls for holding hands to form a heart shape.  It happened on 2 occasions and we had to intervene and asked the teachers to separate both of you.  The funny thing is that you did not complain on getting hurt because you wanted the performance to be as perfect as it can be and not disrupt the rehearsals.  After teachers found out about this, they stressed that you must sound out if the bad boy does it again.  Together with us reinforcing this message at home, you suddenly felt upset, not knowing if you are the cause to all this unhappiness.  I guess you are just sensitive and didn't know how to handle the situation.  You kept asking if you had done something wrong.  We assured you did not, but it was to no avail, as in your eyes, the concert was more important than anything else.  You simply wanted the performance to be perfect.  On the other hand, En Jun was rather timid in the rehearsals.  While, you display an extremely loud and vocal character during class, it seems that you do this to hide your fears.  Still, your teacher did not give up on you and pressed on to make sure you are ready to be one of the leads in your segment.

During the concert, En Xi was totally into the performance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  En Jun, well, seems a little overwhelmed at times, but still managed to pull through his segment as one of the lead.  Enough said, some pictures from the very day.

Another indicator that you will grow up to be a stewardess

Don't understand why you always have a funny look

Keagan on your left is 'bio-ing' you

See that contrasting 'stunned' look

You are a painter and hate this outfit because it made you felt like a boy

Fat boy on the right (Lucas) is a bad boy

This 2 persons has milked a lot of money form your parents

I'm about to cry, but I'm holding it look

One of your best pal in pre-school, Paige and your Chinese Teacher Zhang

En Jun's teachers in N1, Ms Eloisa and Ms Zhou

Your English Teacher, Ms Ijah

My Day, Your Day, Everyone’s Day

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Came up with a fun idea recently.  Broke the usual Sunday routine and opted for a “My Day” concept, where individual can decide what to do with the whole family.  Somehow, it didn’t quite work out.  Started with Mummy Day, but she couldn’t figure out what she wants to do as a family.  Finally, she decided on a trip to IKEA for some sinful food (meatballs and chicken wings!), children’s play in the play area and window-shopping for En Xi’s writing table and chair.  It was also En Jun’s first foray into the play area without our supervision.  It was a whack and we had En Xi to thank for taking good care of you.

The 2nd Sunday was En Jun’s Day.  You wanted to play basketball and I took you to the Community Centre Basketball Court to do just that.  Mummy and En Xi were as always…  All snug up tight in their beds.  But its ok, we did our boys stuff and bonded great!

Then came Daddy Day and we went for the Duck Tour, which turned out more to be kid’s day then my day.

Last, but not least, came En Xi’s Day and unfortunately again, En Jun was sick yet again.  We didn’t want to disappoint En Xi and it was just you and I to the Wild Wild Wet at Pasir Ris.  Water Play!

Anyway, today is Boxing Day and we just spend Christmas Day at home as it was En Xi’s turn to get sick.  I guess it must be the over exhaustion from all the fun we had from our Adelaide family trip (Grandparents, our family and Ah Peh’s family – Charlene and Julian included) and your binge eating. (Neighbour Sham made us some Longan Jellies, you gulped down at least 5-7 pieces and puked after that)

Out in the Malls.  So Posey!

Conversations with the kids

Another great haircut from Ann, the hairdressor.  $5 only.

EJ: Daddy, why the snail not moving?

Me: He’s tired.

EJ: Why he tired?

Me: Because he was crawling all day.

EJ: Why he crawl all day?

Me: He needs to work hard.

EJ: Why he work hard?

Me: He needs to survive.

Ej: Why he need to survive?

Me: He is slow that is why he needs to work harder.

EJ: But….. (suspense)…….. Why Daddy, Why?

Me: The lift is here. Let’s go.

En Jun is a curious kid.  For the past half year or so, you have been constantly bombarding everyone with your “Why” questions.  Its funny how even our neighbour, Sham’s bro, Shawn remarked, “stop asking me why, I don’t know how to answer your questions”.

The sale you been waiting for!

Ex: Daddy, I’m sorry.

Me: For what?

Ex: For being difficult at Smiggle (stationary store) just now.

Me: Its ok.

Ex: I cannot control myself. Can we don’t go Smiggle again.

Me: Why?

Ex: So many pink and pretty things.  I cannot control myself.  I want to buy everything.

Me: ………….. (I think she is turning into a shopaholic!)

En Xi is a sensitive kid.  You can throw quite a tantrum and be unreasonable at times.  Somehow, you just need to let off some steam to get over things that don’t go your way.  We can see that you are having trouble with emotional control and hope you can get better over time.  However, on the plus side, after you straighten your mind, you will always apologise and know where you have gone wrong.  Somehow, sometimes, Daddy feels like having another girlfriend in the house.

Pinky (2009 - 2014)

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The origins of Pinky is unknown.  You received her as a gift for your baby shower, but we never figured who gave her to you.

Meet Pinky.

She is your best friend since you were one.

Her kind eyes, always so compassionate.

Hugging her never fails to comfort you.

Those cutesy ears, always so furry.

Finger nibbling them never fails to sooth your mood.

That funky smell, always unbearable to others.

A quick sniff never fails to brighten your day.

Until she was lost in school one day.

You found a new friend, Fluffy, but she always never same again.

Grand-Auntie Margaret bought her for you in a Funfair.  I think she looks like a boy.

Somehow, Daddy is more upset than you do and I can’t figure out why.

Primary School Registration

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This picture has no relation to P1 registration.  I just think its hilarious to see you milking the cow and I really think this picture will come back to haunt you when you grow up.

In our country, we have a rather complex way of enrolling our kids for primary school that proves to be vexing, tiresome and nervousness all at the same time.  Registration for most good schools proved to be impossible.  The majority of the available places are always taken up by the schools’ alumni members and parent volunteers.  Leaving only a measly number of places for the general public to slog it out via balloting.  Your parents were not from top schools and didn’t have enough money to throw away to be alumni members of so-called ‘premier’ schools.  Volunteering was also out of question, as it means shifting our home to be within 1 km distance of the school.  Hence, like all parents would, we weighted the pros and cons of our neighbourhood schools for En Xi.  First, the question of all girls’ or mixed school?

You want to be an Air Stewardess when you grow up because its pretty

CHIJ (Toa Payoh), as the name suggests, is a Catholic all girls’ school that focuses on character building and values creation.  It’s the closest (distance wise) and we trust that it can provide an environment where you can be safe (from Boy-Girl-Relations) and strive (education).  Moreover, you are always fascinated by churchgoers and always asked your grand-auntie Margaret for church visits.  Having said all that, CHIJ is a popular school and it doesn’t take in parent volunteers that would have increased your chances for enrolment.

So should we opt for a mixed school instead?  Kheng Cheng is slightly further away, but still within walking distance.  It has a whole lot more places for enrolment and it’s almost certain to get in.  After all, your uncle Dylan and auntie Jolene graduated from there and are doing well with their further education at the moment.  Besides, having you in Kheng Cheng will guarantee En Jun’s enrolment in the same school.  Back to the question of BGR again, will you be lured to the idea of ‘lesbian’ in CHIJ?  Which is worst?  To see you kissing a girl or coming home with a big belly?  Sorry, paternity instincts kicked in and I apologise for the not-too-kid’s-friendly description.  

There are other schools as well, Pei Chun, Marymount and First Toa Payoh.  We ruled them out as it will require you to travel a lot more and with school starting as early as 7.20am, we figured that adequate rest is of paramount importance to yours truly, Sleeping Beauty.  So, will it be CHIJ (Toa Payoh) or Kheng Cheng?  We did what’s best for you.

I think you are serious about this ambition

You are placed in Phase 2C and the enrolment results announcement date was set on 6 Aug 2014. We were fortunate this year as Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that there would be an additional 20 dedicated places allocated in Phase 2C.  Together, with the remaining places from the previous Phases, there were 53 places up for grabs.  The 3 days for registration in Phase 2C was nail biting.  Day 1 and 2 saw the take up rate to be around 40-ish.  The number of applicants slowly crept up towards 50 and I was ever so confident that there would be no balloting exercise.  In my mind, I was thinking who would risk their application on the final day?  The third and final day was only half a day with 4 hours for registration.  I was proven wrong.  There were 54 applicants for the 53 places available.  Hence, there was to be a balloting exercise to determine your place in CHIJ.  This was going to be an important milestone in En Xi’s life.  Will you grow up embraced by Catholic values or will this mark the start of a frantic search for another school?  Odds are high, you might say, but you never know who will be the unfortunate one.

Number 32 for the 30th place (4th row, 3rd from the left)

6 Aug 2014.  We send both of you to pre-school and proceeded to attend the balloting exercise in person.  I was always, as cool as a cucumber; and your mom was always, as ‘kan cheong’ as a spider.  The event started with the principal explaining the rules of the balloting.  She spoke about all the potential points of dispute and left no contingencies unturned.  Its funny how the whole event was played out like how lottery would.  Your fate is decided by a little numbered white ball spinning in a gold cage, waiting for it to be scooped out and called by the teacher.  Together with us, was Auntie Angie (Xuan Ying’s Mom), her number was the 7th number to be called.  So lucky! We waited and waited.  Such fantastic odds (98% to be called) suddenly seem not-so-great after all.  The 20th number was called and the 27th number quickly followed suit.  50% of numbers called!  When is your number going to be called?  Your heat rate starts to pound a little harder and sweat begins to gather at your forehead.  At last, at the 30th number, number 32 was called. Heng Ah!  Such Relief!  Tio 4D also don’t feel so shiok!  And we feel so sorry for the last name that was not called.  Seeing the mummy cry was so heart wrenching.

Let's hope Xuan Ying and En Xi are in the same class

It was all fun, until……

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"Dainty" En Xi, "What's up" Julian & "I'm so Irritating" En Jun

Mad cow trying to sniff the flower that En Xi is holding

It was the September School Holiday Week.  Although both of you are still in preschool, we had to time our holiday trips during school holidays as your cousins are all in primary school.  We planned for 2 back-to-back budget short trips.  A local 3D2N stay at the SAF Treehouse Villas @ Changi and an overseas 3D2N stay at the Bintan Lagoon Resorts, Bunganvil Villa (SAF).

En Jun is starting to pick up all the wrong things from Shou Cong

This SO looks like Mummy

The local getaway was mainly for the Ong family and we were glad that both Charlene and Julian get to sleep over.  It was a lot of fun for the 4 of you, but not so for us.  Usually, we have it easy when both of you are playing with other kids, not this time.  En Jun, bring the youngest one, tends to be a little more impatient, sometimes unreasonable and most of the time, reckless.  First, there was the spiral stairway in the chalet, your continual running up and down the stairs meant that we have to be watchful over your shoulders ALL the time.  It was like, “Watch Out! Hold the Rails! STOP running up and down the stairs!” multiply that by 100x.  Then, came the emotional outrage during board games, Monopoly and Pictionary.  You were like, “Noooo, its like that…. not like this…. Arghhhhh!” and throws the dice on the floor.  But, alas, it was still all good fun.  We went to the playground by Changi beach and took strolls along the Changi boardwalk.  It melts my heart and makes me feel the trip is so worth it when all 4 of you kept telling me to bring you guys back here again.

And they wonder where is the dog?

I like the funny look on your faces.  Or is it just me?

The Bintan getaway was for the Wang family.  We decided to do this because Uncle See Chernn (Shou Rei and Shou Cong’s Dad) just started on a new job and Uncle Sam is having night classes.  So instead of a long trip like the last Taiwan holiday, a short weekend at Bintan island.  Everyone was looking forward to the trip as a great BBQ feast was planned for.  Just thinking of Gong Gong’s Sambal Kuning Fish with lime is enough to make me salivate.  In addition, Auntie Sophia will be bringing her sister’s kids, Estia and Damien along as well. Great fun awaits!

All Set and Ready to Go!

Unfortunately, disaster struck.  It was a day before the trip, En Jun started to have tummy runs and we knew what was coming.  We were prepared and cool about it, but what was about to happen was unprecedented.  One thing led to another and you started to develop fever.  After 1 day of oral medication, you began to vomit any oral medication that you took in.  Nonetheless, we pressed on and bought the family to Bintan.  You continue to vomit, had diarrhea and the fever was not coming down. I was convinced that you did this on purpose and literally went berserk with you.  I was relentless in forcing oral medication and you kept throwing up everywhere until we got sick of cleaning up.  You look at us with those sad and watery eyes, “I dun want to vomit.”  Looking back, I must now apologise for making you go through such an atrocious ordeal.  I was being plain silly.  Eventually, we bought you to the clinic and you were prescribed with suppository medication.  Things still did not improve after 1 night in Bintan and we took the next earliest ferry back to Singapore and immediately send you to KK hospital.  After about 3 hours of observation, you were warded.  All tests were inconclusive and your fever persisted for another 2 days.  Fortunately, on the 3rd day, your fever subsided.  All was well again and your appetite began to pick up.  Mummy took the biggest hit and was totally burnt out from the sleepless nights.  She was comforting and nursing you since the start.  You took sleeplessness to a whole new level.  She did not have a good sleep for close to a week and her belly button was severely hurt from your maniac digging. (Please don’t ask me why you do that, we are wondering as well.)  We are glad the entire episode finally comes to an end.

Still able to salute.  Hmm.. Potential Guards Opicer

Uncle Sam and Auntie Sophia bought you a Lego F1 Ferrari

Better times, you are eating and not puking!

A lovely card from En Xi.  That's you with the cold patch on your forehead.

You protect Mummy and Mummy rewards you with a medal and ice-cream treat.

I think you hate needles.  A mega syringe on the bad guy.

Morale of the story: Never plan for back-to-back trips.