The first time he donned a Chinese ethnic costume - Feb 2012

We decided it's time to get him a set of Chinese ethnic costume as he is now older and school is always asking them to come dressed in ethnic costumes on 1. Chinese New Year celebrations & 2. Racial Harmony Day. I think he looks pretty suave =)

This is also the first year I had a real CNY plant at home- we got the pussy willow from Ikea at a cheap price.

See? He is now almost taller than the plant!

Hi FIVE!- 30 January 2013

In a twinkle of an eye, Gerrard is now a 5 year old big boy. Big boy indeed because it seems just not long ago where I was wishing time to pass faster so that he'll grow up sooner. This year, it felt especially 'real' when I look at him and see, oh boy, how much he has grown, physically and emotionally. And I did a silent prayer that time will pass slower, let me enjoy more kid-moments with my boy please. 

We had a family celebration at our place a week before his birthday. Gerrard was really excited and had a really fun time with his cousins. I was just busy with the guests, checking sure the kids are ok, the food is ok etc that I didn't have much opportunities to take pictures with him. However, seeing that everyone is happily enjoying themselves, this means more than anything. 

 

It's my party!

 

Goodie bags for the kids

Our lovely relatives

Gerrard & his cousin, Faith

 I ordered the cake from eCreative and it was a good choice I've made. I did some research online but couldn't find many nice (and affordable) 'Alphabet' cakes. Given that Gerrard loves Alphabets, I didn't want to disappoint him and I was delighted to find a nice one from eCreative and he chose it himself when I showed him the picture online. The 2kg cake was quite a good size for our crowd of about 40 pax and although it had a plain vanilla flavour, it still tasted pretty good! 

Gerrard looks on curiously- he was really surprised to see the Alphabet cake in real life!

 

 

 

  

 

What a busy day- we could only find a chance to take a family picture in the kitchen!

Gerrard had more than 3 servings of the cake and we let him =)

On his actual day, we took leave from work and planned to spend a day with just the 3 of us. As it was a school day, we fetched him to school in the morning and only managed to go out after he woke up from his nap. We decided to explore a new place, Polliwogs at Robertson Walk as I've heard some good reviews about it. Overall, the place is good but Amazonia is still better as it's bigger and the wave slides at Amazonia is still the best. After the indoor fun, we took a leisurely walk along Clarke Quay before settling for dinner at Swissotel Merchant Court which coincidentally was the place we had our ROM ceremony so it felt special when we revisited the place with Gerrard now. 

I hope Gerrard enjoys the celebrations as much as the efforts we've put in and wish him many many many more great celebrations to come!

Of birthday celebrations & new beginnings- August 2012

Our niece, Sheldon held her one-year old celebration at Changi and Gerrard had such fun catching up (literally- when they were running all around) with his cousins. And aren't me so glad that I had finally changed my camera and managed to capture candid shots of the beautiful kids. Seeing them playing and laughing so unconditionally made me feel that childhood is such a precious stage in life where we can enjoy ourselves without a care for the rest of the world =)

 Testing out my new camera- finally some decent pictures after so long

 

 

 With Cousin Belva

 With Cousins Belva & Liv

 

 

 

 Happy Birthday Sheldon - May you grow up pretty and healthy!

Towards the end of August 2012, Soka Kindergarten had a "Celebration of Learning" night at the end of Term 3 where parents and kids were invited to school in the evening that showcased what was taught in that school term. The classroom was transformed into a "zoo" where a variety of animal crafts and works greeted us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2012 is also the month where I signed Gerrard up for class at Eye Level (previously known as E.nopi) I have never heard of this school and happened to chance upon it by walking past Tampines West Community Centre. This came at an apt timing as I was starting to teach Gerrard how to do 2-digit additions. He got the concept very quickly but when it came to subtractions, I was unsure of how to teach him the "borrowing technique" eg. 12-7 where 2 can't minus 7 and needs to borrow from 1. I was concerned that the method I am trying to teach may not be correct and confuse him further when he eventually learns it from school in future. 

I gave Eye Level a call and arrange for a free assessment as Eye Level is based on an educational principle where students learn at their own pace. Hence, even if you are a 4 year old, you may not be put into a "4 year old" class as different child has different pace of learning. The diagnostic assessment results determines the level you should be starting at in the Eye Level curriculum. In class, the teacher goes through a concept with you and you will be given workbooks to do at home everyday until the next lesson where the teacher checks what you've done, correct you if necessary and assess if you can move on to the next concept. This form of self directed learning allows the student to learn at their own pace and I pretty like it. After confirming that the curriculum is aligned with MOE, I decided on a Thursday class for him and a big plus point it also that the centre is a stone's throw from Grandma's house so it saves a lot of time for them to bring him to and fro class. 

Gerrard has been enjoying the classes so far and I find both teachers very nice and approachable. I did a search online about the company and below is an extract from the chairman's autobiography:

"There are six virtues that a learner-individual must possess: 1) diehard "attitude" of competitiveness 2) "humanity" that conditions us against conceit; 3) "principles" that guard against temptation; 4) "passion" acquired through the spirit of sportsmanship; 5) "possibility" as the power that helps to achieve goals and 6) "effort" as the only force that can defeat natural talent."

Couldn't agree further.