Reuben Learning Phonics

We started Phonics class for Pb when she was about 4.5 years old. Rb is 3.5 when we started Phonics for him. I didn't really put on high expectations on him because I thought he was still young. However, Rb was able to achieve beyond my expectations. He is able to read and blend after one month of Phonics. We are very happy with his achievements and he enjoys doing all the blendings. We keep practising with him. We also video down his achievements to show it to him, as a form of encouragement. I'm so looking forward to seeing him read independently on his own. I always pray that my children will grow up into independent avid readers and I am witnessing this prayer being answered in Pb. She is already moving to Roald Dahl and Nancy Drew's books!! :) The day will come when Rb will read to learn, just like Pb. Right now, he is still learning to read, and I'm already very happy and satisfied with his achievement! Praise God for answering my prayers!

Learning the Piano

Phoebe has started learning the piano in November 2010. She has progressed well, but she is quite reluctant to practise the piano. Maybe it's my fault because I know how to play the piano, so whenever she plays wrongly, I would bark at her. Hence, she is rather afraid to make mistakes and is very dependent on me to guide her in her home practice. I have to find ways to undo my mistakes and encourage her to play the piano more confidently. I will show her video clips of my friends' children playing the piano and also video her playing the pieces that she is familiar with. This has helped to boost her morale. It works, well, sometimes... :) So until she becomes more independent in her playing, I still have to continue with my nudging and pushing :)

Racial Harmony Day

Last year, during Hari Raya Puasa, Reuben's school encouraged the children to come in traditional costume. Since it was a Malay celebration, I decided to borrow a set of Malay costume from Aunty Suhailah as her son, Izzat was the same age as Reuben.

For this year's Racial Harmony Day celebration, I decided to let Reuben try on the Chinese costume which he wore during Chinese New Year last year. Viola! It fitted him, although the top was obviously a little too short for him tummy because he has indeed grown up a little taller without us noticing it :) He was gamed enough to wear the costume and they had a splendid celebration in Little Learners, with all the other children wearing traditional costume too :)

I wanna do Kungfu fighting, Hah!

Holy Communion Time

Our church will have Holy Communion on the first sunday of each month. Holy Communion is a time for Christian to partake a small round wafer and a small cup of red juice (usually grape juice). We practise Holy Communion to remember that Jesus Christ has died for our sins. The round wafer signifies Jesus' body and the red juice signifies His blood that has been shed for us. When we have Holy Communion, it means that we're one body with and in Christ.

Phoebe and Reuben had been baptised since April this year, hence they are able to take part in Holy Communion. Since then, I've been teaching them the proper behaviour when we're at the altar of Jesus Christ. They have to maintain silence, kneel down and stretch out their hands to wait for the Pastor or church elders to give the wafer and cup. Before they partake the elements, they had to say a prayer and I'll usually say the prayer with them. It goes like this,

"Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for us. Thank you for taking away our sins. Help us to remember you when we eat this wafer and drink this cup. Help us to grow close to you each day. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

Then they'll comsume their elements and make way for other church member to practise their Holy Communion. We have been carrying out this act for about 6 months since they were baptised and the children know what is expected of their behaviour. I think they have done it well and I hope that they will always carry out Holy Communion with awe and respect. I'm very sure that God must be very happy with Phoebe and Reuben's act of worship during the Holy Communion! :) I'm so proud of them!!! :) Love them bits!! :)

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you,
All about you, Jesus!

This song is very meaningful! Please enjoy :)

Gong-gong's 70th Birthday

We celebrated Gong-gong's 70th Birthday in Nyonya and Baba Peranakan Restaurant. I know my dad especially likes to eat spicy food, so I decided to take him there on his birthday. I bought the vouchers from Groupon. The food was delicious but the family time was even more precious! :) I really appreciate my dad and mom because they really love us a lot and especially my children. I am able to go to work every day without worrying because I know that they would definitely take good care of my children! :)

The folks really enjoying themselves! :) Everyone tucked in!! :)

Everyone was eating, except the 2 kiddos who were engrossed in self entertainment :)

The deco was beautiful, with strong Peranakan influence :)

The food, though a little expensive, was delicious - Gnoh Hiang and Sweet Babi Stew. The folks had lots of praises for the Curry Fish Head. It was the best dish of all :)

Lime juice goes best with spicy food!! :) We'll always order the Chup Chai and the Crayfish was fresh and juicy!

The A Cha was crunchy and we love the Hee Piao Soup. The Curry Chicken was soft and tender...

I'm so glad they had enjoyed eating the food! It was money well-spent! :) Yippee :) Happy 70th Birthday Gong-gong! I pray that you'll have great health and that your golden years will be spent with the people whom you love dearly! :)

September Holidays

September holidays may be short but for last and this year, we manage to go on 2 trips without the children. Last year we went to San Francisco for 9 days and this year, we went to Bangkok for 4 days 3 nights. It's like a couple retreat for us, with no children, friends or families. I think sometimes we're just so consumed by the children that we may neglect each other. Hence short retreat like this is really good for the both of us. I hope that we can make this into a yearly event :)

Cathay flight to BKK / First meal in MBK-BKK : Tom Yam soup with Pineapple rice, Phat Thai, sweet & sour fish, and fried spring roll

Pathuwan Princess Hotel. It was luxurious and convenient

Breakfast in Pathuwan Princess Hotel before taking the skyrail to Chatuchak Weekend Market / Rail ticket : 39 Baht = S$1.50


Many many many stalls in Chatuchak Weekend Market, we spent the whole day there!

Time for lunch. We settled it in Chatuchak Market. Fried rice and Phat Thai.

We eat donuts everyday! In total, I ate 7 donuts in 4 days. We love this Meiji Yoghurt drink!
We also went to Platinum Fashion Mall and Prathunam Market. We did Thai massage and had pedicure. It was a tiring trip but we did find time to pamper ourselves.

Some of the stuff we bought : Snowman Christmas lights and coin purses for Children's Day presents for my school kids and Phoebe and Reuben's Birthday goodie bags

After so much shopping, time to go home... tired feet.