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.

En Xi cares for En Jun

Dear En Jun,

If you ever get angry with your sister and are not talking to one another.  Read this and remember that your sister cares a lot for you.

2311hrs.  En Xi was having a hard time using the pencil sharpener and kept breaking the lead. (It’s a weekend; you get to stay up late)

Mummy: Why don’t you use the battery operated pencil sharpener?

En Xi: It’s noisy.  I don’t want to wake DiDi up.

(So sweet right?)

1937hrs.  It was Sunday evening.  Mummy is away on holidays and it’s just myself with the kids.  My limited culinary skills compelled me to order home delivery pizza for diner earlier.  En Xi begins whining about being hungry and having a tummy ache.  The doorbell rang and it was the pizza guy.  I opened the door and quickly took the pizzas in.  At this very moment, there was a loud glass breaking sound.  En Jun just dropped “Yu Yee Oil” bottle on the floor and it shattered to pieces.  I screamed at En Jun, fearing that he will walk over the glass pieces.  After all the commotion was over and the mess all cleared up, En Xi walks over and spoke to me.

En Xi: Daddy, don’t be angry with DiDi.

Me: Why?

En Xi: I had tummy ache.  He wanted to apply “hot hot” for me.

Me: Okayyyyy. But he could have been more careful.

(Defending DiDi yet again)

Sibling Rivalry 2 and Father-Children's Weekend

Another Milestone, Milk Teeth are starting to fall off

Every time I come home from a working trip, En Xi seems to grow a little taller and display a new level of maturity. (Sorry, not you, En Jun, you continue to look too small for your age and exhibit traits of a big baby… :p) My recent trip to Hawaii was only 18 days and again you never fail to amaze me.

You are taking good care of your brother and often look out for him.  At times, even defending on his behalf when I’m lecturing him.  What’s even weirder, is that both of you have a real “love-hate” relationship.  Not in a BGR sense of course, but in a “sibling love-rivalry” kind of way.  En Jun delights in being a nuisance and takes great pleasure in irritating the hell out of you.  His groundless accusations and taunts agitate you.  You stand absolutely defenceless and all you can do is whine.  Whining on En Jun is akin to “fuel on fire”, the more you whine, the more En Jun gets a kick out of it.  Despite all this, I think you guys will be great pals when you grow up.

 

Happier Times Together

It seems that the same situations happen in pre-school as well.  At night, we shared about our day and hear similar stories about who was nasty and said not so kind words to you.  You rant about them and displayed the familiar behaviour at not being able to resolve your own conflicts without help.   We wonder how to help you?  But, I guess, this is part of growing up; you learn how to resolve your own conflicts and disagreements.  Sometimes, parenting is also about taking a step back.  Letting you fall and be there to support you when needed.  Not rushing to you at the very first sight of danger.

Father-Children Day @ S.E.A. Aquarium

Talking about trips, this weekend was a get away trip for Shichida Gang. Xuan Ying’s mummy, Auntie Angie and Azela’s mummy, Auntie Amy and Your Mummy, Rei Wang went to Bangkok, Thailand for a shopping spree.  So, for this weekend, it was just the both of you with me.  We visited the S.E.A. Aquarium at RWS Sentosa and this was our 2nd visit.  Given that both of you are older now from the last visit, I really believed that you guys would appreciate marine life better.

Everything at Sentosa is seriously overpriced

When queried about your best part of the day, the unanimous answer was remarkably the heena on your arms, which cost me $10 each.   You never know what goes on inside a child’s head.   I absolutely enjoyed the quality time we spend together.  Without your mom, meant new rules, lots of running around, exploring the unknowns and pushing boundaries beyond your comfort zones.  En Xi literally took matters to a new level and I had to be on a constant look out amidst a swamp of people.  En Jun held my hand throughout and was within 5 metres radius from me when he wandered off to explore.  Nonetheless, we still miss Mummy by Day 3.  We miss the healthy and sumptuous dinner you prepare for us and the routine that helps us stay balanced.  I have a bad feeling that both of you are going to be sick on Monday.

 

Daddy's futile attempt at Selfie

Another futile attempt. I think you guys are just trying to irritate me

En Jun turns 3!

'Twist!' Boys are so crazy over cars!

En Jun turns 3!  The saying "Terrible 3" is for good reason and it has time and again proven to be true.  It happened to En Xi and now its your turn to transform into a "Nah Na Na Poo Poo!" irritating boy.  The cutesy form has all but dissipated.  The white wearing angel on your left ear is now on sabbatical leave, leaving only the dark cape wearing devil with horns whispering in your right ear, "Throw all the toys on the floor... Pretend to cry... Ask to carry.. Break mummy's arm..."  Still you get away with all your naughty doings on most occasions, especially with strangers with those big watery innocent weary look.

'Double Twist' I wish I can bully my ah ma, yeye and jie jie forever...

Just for record, we didn't shortchange you just because you are the 2nd child.  We still held 2 x birthday parties for you, 1 at home and 1 at school.  Its great to see you so happy.  En Xi was equally thrilled and joined your celebration as well.  I wonder if she enjoys celebrating birthdays with you; or the candy in the goodie bag.

'Twist!' This is my class N1B.

'Twist!' En Jun forever in "twist" pose.

Update on your health.  You are still sick on every other week/month and it happens after every review with the pediatrician.  I have a strange feeling that your "Ba Zi" clash with the Doctor.  We will be switching you to another doctor and introduce some form of TCM for you as well.

My very first gun cum sword

By the way, Mummy was disapproving with me to buy a toy gun/sword as your birthday gift.  I pressed on anyway and explained, "Not buying a toy gun or sword for En Jun is like never buying Barbies for En Xi".  So please, thank me when you grow up ok?

Just recently, we went to Hello Kitty Town again, but this time with all your childhood friends.  Family 1: Auntie Angie, Uncle Terrence, Xuan Ying and Wei Hao.  Family 2: Auntie Amy, Uncle Cheong, Azeala and Eton.

Finally a different pose from En Jun, albeit with an irritating look.

Shichida BFF! Azeala, En Xi & Xuan Ying

Best Pals.  En Jun and Wei Hao.

Daddy tried a new hairstyle.  Mummy says it looks irritating.  What do you think?

The Boy is Sick Again

Very Expensive Medication

You have been sick every 2 months or so.  Body immune system is weak and largely contributed by your poor diet that is filled with biscuits, cookies and more snacks.  You had stomach flu and puked non-stop.  Anything that went in your stomach, food or fluid, all came out within 5min.  Mummy washed and mopped and cleaned.  She was a maid on that very first day when you fell ill.  We visited the pediatrician twice and were extremely irritated that he didn't diagnose you with the right medication on our first trip.  And he had the cheek to make us pay his $80 consultation charges on our 2nd visit a day later.  After 3 days, you are now much better and more energetic.  Anyways, the antibiotics are making you more hungry and we are hoping that will improve your diet.

Out for a ride after 3 days at home

Your scooter in your favourite colour green and your sister's bike in her favourite colour pink.

Spelling using Visuals

En Xi's Spelling List (10 words) every Week for each Term in K2

At the start of K2, we started revising your spelling using the Shichida method.  The 'flashcard' method seems to work in the beginning until the number of words jumped from 5 to 10 and each word becomes longer and seemingly more complicated.  Learning soon became a chore and laborious.  It was no longer fun and the treats no longer motivates you anymore.

As always, mummy to the rescue.  She thought hard about it, stared at her birthday gift and asked........  Mr Google on her Samsung Note 3 answered.  There were many sites that offers alternate means of learning for the right-brained child.  The Visual Way.  By using different colours to write the letters of the word to differentiate the phonics sounds and drawing related objects within the flashcard should work.

Daddy's best shot

Daddy tried, but somehow it didn't feel right.  You were still not intrigued.  Often, you pointed out that the picture should look otherwise.  We spend more time discussing about how the flashcard should look, than learning the words.  So, we let you do all the drawing instead.

It is tough to decipher what your drawing is all about.  They all look fascinating, filled with imagination, full of flavour.  Yet, we can't really figure out the story behind the drawings until you tell us about it.  At times, the stories are beyond the ordinary folk tales.  Sometimes, its about your day in school.  We still spend more time talking about your drawings than practising your spelling.  But the outcome cannot be more different.  Your spelling results have improved tremendously.  Self confidence has been regained and you are much more engaged.

En Xi's favourite "Damsel in Distress" theme

Another Day in En Xi's Life

Perhaps, the best part behind all the drawing and learning is the time we spend together bonding.  The story telling from you connects us and allow us to know you much better.  To understand why you do things the way you do.  To understand the way you think and what matters to you most.  To know the little things that occurs everyday in your life.

Our Fantastic Neighbour, Auntie Sham

Taken in Nov 2012.  Sham bought your outfit.

Everyday, as both of you walk out to the corridor, we past by our neighbour's place, Auntie Sham.  She is a great neighbour.  Always taking time to stop and listen to both of you as you rave about your latest adventure, new toys or simply stuff you learn in school.  She is patient and kind, always baking something for you guys to feast on.  When she travels she buys stuff for you, such as the traditional Chinese outfits for both of you.  Sometimes, we pop by her place and have snacks as we chat.  There's so much wonderful people around us.  There's the great tenant, (I still don't know her name) who plays with both of you often.  Sham's best friend, who stays in Toa Payoh and visits regularly.  The occasional visits by Sham's brothers form Australia warrants a mention as I hit off with them very well and again they bring presents whenever they are back visiting.

Well, I guess, if both of you read this, I sincerely want you to remember Sham and her wonderful friends and family.  Share your love with them because they played their part in molding your childhood memories.

Awesome cakes with a delicate touch.