Violin Exam for Preparatory Class 1

This is it! Rb has just completed his first violin exam for his Preparatory Class. I stuck my ears to the door to hear his playing. It seems ok. The results will be sent to us in a week's time. All Glory to God always! :)

Chef Ong

Rb came back home with a chef hat on his head last Friday. I'm thankful to SKMCC for the wonderful integrated thematic lessons. The teachers had spent time thinking through the lessons. This term's theme was on occupation. The teachers thought of creating a chef hat out of plastic bags n cards boards. Ñevertheless Rb looks really cute, :)

Loving Her Back

Pb gave me name stickers three times! 

http://thetiredmommysdiary.blogspot.com/2014/05/feeling-loved.html

I decided to reciprocate her love back by making her a name stamp which she wanted. She had mentioned it once to me before and I remembered it. I'm glad that Pb loves the name stamp that I've made in my school bookshop. :) It's just my way of reciprocating her love and expressing my love for her :)

Gardens by the Bay Outdoor Drawing

Previously, I have blogged about Pb's outdoor drawing experience with NAFA at Gardens by the Bay. 

http://thetiredmommysdiary.blogspot.com/2014/05/nafa-outdoor-drawing.html

I was pleasantly surprised to see her art work being displayed on the notice board of her classroom in NAFA. I love the brilliant use of colors. One semester with NAFA is about to end. I hope she has enjoyed herself learning. She looks forward to the next semester, at a different timing with a different teacher. Thank God for His love for Pb :)

Feeling Loved

My girl made this for me from her school bookshop! :) this is the third time she made this for me. Thank you God for this lovely precious girl. Mommy loves you bits!!! :)

NAFA Outdoor Drawing

We are still in the midst of preparing for her mid-year exam, with the last 2 papers, Chinese and Science, hot on our heels. However, Pb's art enrichment class organized an outdoor drawing activity at Gardens by the Bay on 17 May 2014 Saturday. I thought it was a good opportunity for her to gain experience in outdoor drawing since she has never had that exposure. It'll also be a good break from her study routine for exam. Moreover, NAFA only has this event for alternate levels, P1/3/5. Pb was totally excited. 

In the morning, it was actually raining at 7.30 am and we were contemplating if we should let her go. Pb overheard our conversation and voiced out that she really hope to go. She prayed for no rain. I didn't want to break the little girl's heart, so I decided to let her go. Pb reminded me of a lesson that I've taught her quite sometime ago; if we have prayed, we must believe and trust that God will work. Indeed, it didn't rain when the children went to Gardens by the Bay. I'm glad that God has used Pb to teach us a lesson on Faith and we thanked Pb for reminding us to have Faith in God when we pray :)

Exam Fever

Pb has been working hard for the P3 exams. Beside going through the course books, school worksheets, activity books and assessment books, this year we also started looking into other school's assessment papers. There were at least 5-6 school papers in each pack for each subject but after looking through the papers, I only sieve out the papers from 2-3 schools for her to attempt. It will be a good benchmark for me to gauge her ability. So far for most of the papers, Pb is only scoring Band 2. Thus I know that I should learn to manage my expectation. I know that she has been very conscientious and diligent towards her studies although she does make quite a few frustrating careless mistakes. As long as she's learning well and is having a positive attitude towards learning, I'm very thankful to God. Having excellent grades will be a bonus! :) Marks is not everything and it doesn't equate to who you are as a person. This is an important message I want to convey to Pb. No matter what marks she gets, as long as she has put in her effort, she should be thankful to God. And mommy and papa will always love her as who she is, our precious daughter!! :)

Feeling tired after going through the Chinese papers, two of us decided to play a fool & take some crazy selfies :)

My precious Baby Girl, my joy always!! :)

Dog Tag

Ordered a dog tag from Taobao for Abby. Waiting for it to come. So excited to see it!! :)

Taught vs Caught

I came across this article in Facebook Straits Times and I concurred with what the journalist had written! I especially love this part of the article,

"Currently, we are doing the opposite. We are sending our children to school for holistic development and character building, expecting teachers to mould them into well-behaved people. At home, we are hiring tutors to teach them the skills and knowledge that should have been taught in school.

Character and values are not taught but caught."

I must remind myself to be a good role model to my children!!! Parenthood is a tall order from God. I hope I'll not disappoint Him!! 

A Young Writter

Ok I know we shouldn't be doing these nonsense while in the midst of exam fever. We kind of got distracted when Pb suddenly blurts out that she wants to write a book.  She did her draft and then typed into the computer using the Word Document. I helped her in adjusting the alignment. We brainstormed on suitable and appropriate words to use. It will be a long exciting process for Pb, albeit tedious and laborious. I just hope that her interest will last. God gives everyone of us talents and interest. I hope Pb has found hers! :)

Labouring on Labour Day

How did we spend our Labour Day holiday? We laboured at home!! Pb had a Math Checkpoint and Chinese 听写 the following day. Even though marks will not be accounted for for the overall assessment, I still want to send the subtle message over to her, and that is, every assessment is of equal importance and we need to be serious in our work and put in our best to fulfill the responsibility of a pupil, to bring glory to God. Diligence is a virtue and Self-Control is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. I'm glad that Pb did not whine about doing work and she cooperated well, though she did comment that didi has such a good life, no need to study. Haha! I comforted her that Rb's turn will come in half a year's time, let him enjoy his honeymoon period now :)

We did have pockets of time to relax; playing Master Mind, Wii game and in the evening, we went out for dinner with the grands and Yiyi.

I thank God for blessing me with an obedient girl. Whatever her achievement may be, I will always be very proud of her coz I know that she has put in effort! :)

Rb can Blade!

After about 2 weeks of learning and practicing, Rb can roller blade now! Yippee :) He's looking forward to year end ice skating, wear the real ice-skating boots instead of the junior double blade :) when this boy puts his head and mind into doing things, he's always v serious and determined. I pray that this good trait will remain in him even in adulthood. Thank you God! :)

http://youtu.be/O0VCxXIqKb8

NAFA SYT Preparatory Master Class 2

Lil boy had his Master Class 2 about 2 weeks back. We arrived early so that Rb had a chance to warm up and papa can find parking lot. We adorned Rb with the same shoes, pants and shirt but accessorized him with a new bow tie and vest to create a different look. 

Rb played A Major scales, A major Arpeggios and May Song. I felt that his previous performance was much better than this but his teacher was encouraging and felt that he played well. Nevertheless, I know little boy has tried hard and I give him credit for his perserverance  and diligence. Thank God for His patience and  favour upon Rb :)

http://youtu.be/qMIAC7iphhg

Happy May Day

Abby: Labour day holiday? What is that? Everyday IS a holiday to me!!!! Oh well! Happy May Day any way! *woof*