Saturday, January 23, 2010

Prepare for CNY

Counting down to less than 20 days, Chinese New Year will be here. So far these are what I have done. Few days ago, got a paid-time cleaner to clean my dirty house. Ya, it was real dirty one, especially the windows. It has not been clean for a year long! She was here for 3.5 hours and she has really lighten all the tough chores that I'm going to take a few weeks to do. Window's curtain all been wash and all in clean and fresh now. Others area left a bit more to do.

For festive food, favor and gift pack, I'm not going to shop a lot this year. It was really so hassle for the past years, so many things to bring. Comes to shopping for new clothes it sure cannot be left out. I was thought that I won't get any great deal and sales on my CNY new clothing. To my surprise when I stroll down to IOI Mall Puchong last weekend alone (also my first attempt to drive to shopping mall by myself :P) I bought back these with great discount too.

Photobucket

Skinny Jean from Bossini RM69.50 (after -50%) and Capri pant from FOS RM22.50 (after -50%). My first pair of skinny jeans and to my surprise I can fit in the size waist 27" *chuckled* (Shiok sendiri, maybe this is big cutting one). Padini Group also got member sales, all normal price items on 20% less and some other items with greater discount too. Bought 2 tops and one of it is a red one. CNY must get a RED festive colour. Only CNY I will buy Red.

P&Co. turtle neck top, RM79.20 (after -20%). A bit expansive to me. After think so long and check out others too before getting this. Love the light and soft material and most important not body hugging type. The other top casual T got a 50% off.

Another set of new year cloth from Liz Boutique at Bandar Puteri, Puchong (Jalan Puteri 1/4). Not that I know, this boutique was own by a local TV host. Total damage here RM95 for top and legging over heel. Plan to get a belt for this top. It is too loose and looks big at the waist area, really looks like preggy.


I still haven't shop for Terry one. Will get him some tops only, pants still got new one. This weekend hopefully can get it done at Isetan or Mid Valley, also planning to go for a restyling hair-cut later.

Bad...bad...I’m starting to get uncomfortable on my nose and throat since yesterday. I'm expecting I will fall sick soon.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

2nd week at school

@ 11/1 - 15/1

Terry has been doing very fine and well adapt at school, no fuss for waking up early everyday even after the tired and fun weekends. Since there is this schooling routine in, he even not used to those days not going to school. Still wake up at usual hours and when we went out to eat or go church during the weekend, he thought I'm sending him to school...LOL!

Early of last week, since after I seriously talk to the class teacher about helping the kids to toilet, they have been doing the job well to bring all to pee pee twice for the 3 hours long there. Now I don't need to lead him to the toilet for every morning and after school. He can stand to pee at the urine bowl very well now and don't want potty anymore. On the 1st week at home, he still not so used to the standing position and occasionally want back his potty. Everyday I just drive-thru the school gate area to drop him and pick-up, without need to go down to get him anymore.

Last weekend, he started to get uncomfortable on his nose. On Tuesday, he was down with running nose, cough with phlegm and mild fever. I brought him to paed after school and since it was not so serious after medicines, I continue to let him goes to school on the next day. He was still alright, just very tired after school and makes him no appetite to eat for few days.

For my own record, his height 104cm and weight 16.3kg.

Teacher was actually confused what language I spoke with him at home, cause he like don't understand what teacher ask him questions and he don't seems to answer. It was getting better towards end of last week and I found that he can answer me well by nodding or shaking his head when I ask him question. Previously he used to answer me occasionally only or don't answer.

Before he nap, he likes to sing those songs he learns from school. There are quite a few I heard in English and Mandarin one. The best one he can sing is "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" song comes with action..haha, so cute and I keep ask him to repeat it and he was happily to do it.

Here is 2nd weekly report and those his works done at school.

Photobucket


So far these works were complete with plenty helps from teacher. I still alright with it, cause he don't really know how to hold the pencil yet. Terry is one who love books a lot. When he plays by himself till very boring, he will grab a book and start reading whatever he knows from the book, objects, letter and etc. I'm so surprise lately, those stories I kept reading to him before, he can read back to me now, even he don't really recognise the words.

Every week, when back to my parent's house, he will also grab books to read before his nap. He don't really like to draw or doodle much, maybe because he cannot master and control the pencil yet. But, what I know he is more a study person and quiet one too. I hope later I'm not wrong to prove this when he starts to get more in read and write.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

1st week of school

The first week of school just over so fast. So far the boy is coping well with his school timing and all and he enjoys going to school too. Everyday say bye-bye to me and obediently follow teacher go into school. 2 days ago, I saw him taking his own bag go into the classroom without teacher helps after takeoff his shoe. The only thing he still not used too is the toilet time.

When teacher ask everybody go toilet, he don’t want to go even he got urge. On Thursday, he even keeps the pee till back home since morning. So now every morning, I will lead him to toilet once we reach and when school ends, ask him go toilet again before back home. He able to do it when I’m there watching it. I think he scared to go. I believe some other students also not go toilet during the school hours, as what I observed during the first 2 days not many kids in his class can go toilet all by themselves, for sure they keep till back home. They are just still very new to the environment, some not even like to answer back to teacher when asking and everything also say don’t want, just like my boy. So far Terry not ever wet his pant, but for sure it is not good for them to keep the pee for 3 hours at school.

Next week, I will suggest to teacher that they should lead every of them must go to toilet one by one and thereafter wash their hand too. Just by plainly asking, many still afraid, shy or don’t want to go for it. If everybody is doing it then it will be different. I hope my opinion will get accept by them and works well later.

Here briefly share with you what is the procedures have in this school. Monthly fee RM290, December month school holiday no need to pay. No school uniform here, dress code is shorts/pant with shirt and show/sneakers, as long as no singlet and slipper. Every day in his school bag, need to pack 1 or 2 sets of clean clothes and 1 clean handkerchief pack in a plastic bag and 500ml water store in a transparent bottle. So far, Terry can only finish half down of his 420ml water. I don't find they need to bring any stationery or activity books for his age. I think this is good, less things to take care since they still young. They will have a simple snack time at 10.15am for 15 min, given bread only (can have more than 1 if you want more) with plain water. Parents/guardians are advised to collect your children on time. Late of half an hour (or less will all adjust to 1/2 hour) will need to pay extra of RM5 charge.

Every Friday, they will bring back a weekly progress report and those activity worksheets they've done on the entire week. This is the 1st weekly report.

Photobucket


My first reaction after reading this was a LOL! I find it too cute for those colouring works he done. I even guide him to re-do the colouring and tracing again. I'm not going to trash all his kindy days work during year end will get a file to keep it nicely for him to see in future.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Terry goes to kindy!

My big baby was now all by himself in the kindy and parents are not allow to accompanied them at school compound anymore after first 2 days. Today consider we adjusting and coping well on everything. Days before the school starts, I'm more nervous than him. Lets see what happen on the first 2 days.

DAY 1 (9am - 10.30am)
He woke up very early after me at 7.05am. I'm just worried of the traffic even it is just 10 minutes drive from my place plus it was a wet morning. I know I'm always a late person :P so better make it early on the very first time and first day.

Terry still in sleepy mood after he woke up. Got him to drink his milk and hot shower and he was all freshen up. After everything ready, it was still quite early, so let him enjoy his cartoon and play before out, so that he won't feel the day start off in a rush way.


To my surprise, the traffic was quite smooth and I reached at 8.25am. I even got a nice space to park my car right next to the school gate. The boy followed me to greet 'Good Morning' to the teachers while entering. Teacher showed him where to placed his shoe at the shoe rack with his name on then show him where to place his bag and bottle.

Later, teacher bring him toy to play to settle him down, while I sat at the end row of the table to watch. He not come to sit beside me or wants me to sit next to him.

The classroom

The Montessori tools surrounding the classroom


His class birthday baby list, class name and calendar


I just let him be and follow what teacher wants them to do. When the class begin teacher asked to sit in a circle and sing song he still want to continue to play. Of cause a bit havoc too, some kids crying, some still stick to parents, some wants to run away. Overall in his class, no one is crying badly and normally boys are the one crying. For those crying, they will be seperated in another room and helpers will comfort them till they stop crying then only let them join back in the class.

For Terry, so far so good as long as he is not crying and stick to me, it is good enough. But when teacher call to keep the toys back and lined up to wash hand, he refused to follow. He still wants to continue to play after all toys keep. He don't like the idea of lining up yet. He went other area look see even after placed him in the line, he tried to walk away. When teacher show them lined up with hands on friend's shoulder in front, he don't let others touch him and he move away ppl's hand. But, to me this is just a small matter. As time goes by, he will be able to accept it and follow instruction.



First day basically nothing much, they got outdoor time, where kids can play at the playground. After that is refreshment time, they have bread only (everyday bread with different taste and style) and given a cup for them to drink water.

Terry not really good in using cup to drink yet and wet his top a bit. The school dismiss at 11am. It was a bit late than the expected time. After he wore his shoe and ready to go back, he still wants to go for the slide to play for the last round.

Not able to cook, so went to pack mixed rice and noodle then back home. He naps at 3pm+ and slept between 10.30pm-11pm. When asked about school, he likes it. He able to sing the song that just learn and most of all it is still about play...


DAY 2 (9am-11am)
Woke up at 7.20am, reached school at 8.25am. I make a point to reach early everyday around 8.30am, so that teacher got more time to interact with him personally and the boy got to play as much as he wants. As like the first day, he plays before school start.

I thought I can leave since he looks fine. But, when class began, teacher call to sit in a circle to sing, again he refused to do it and want to continue to play. I don't think I can leave by then, I drag him in and sit with me. He was more concentrate by then on what teacher is doing and say. He did a small demo too to the student, when teacher invite volunteers to show how to keep back the toys at the right place (by matching the same diagram stick on the toy back to the rack with the correct diagram). He earns a small sticker after performed that. When he given a choice to choose a sticker - very funny, he cannot choose...too many for him to choose, I help him to pick a snail sticker and he is very happy for it.

Later, teacher gave them newspaper to tear straight down to train their thumb and index finger tip. He not so concentrate doing it and I keep guiding him, but he likes to tear on his own way.

Times to drink water, teacher brought over the basket fills with all student's tumblers, called out the students' name and one by one they go take their bottle, this he can do it. Teacher also teach them to read ABC in small capital, I keep pushing him to read louder and he did it. They sang ABC song too. He don't open the mouth and sing in group, but at home love to sing it loud. Again still the same, he cannot follow the order of line up. Since it was raining, they not able to go outdoor play.


They continue to sit in the class and can choose to play those Montessori tools (toys) in their classroom.


When it is refreshment time, they shift to another area to eat and teach them how to keep the plate and cup after use. Overall this is good too, he can do it. Another circle time to introduce name, he cannot sit still even I accompanied him. He also cannot concentrate, move around and keep wants to play those toys again.

The school ends on time at 11am. Pack foods again then back home. He naps at 2.30pm for 2.5 hours long. I really tired this day too and I nap for 1 hour+ after lunch.


DAY 3 (9am-12pm, normal school hour)
He woke up himself at 7.30am. Sent him in at 8.25am. Teacher lead him down from the car and I step in later. Cause Day 4 onward I will just drop him off that way. Went into the school for awhile and talk to teacher about his pee situation then I bid good-bye to him. I told him I'll go market then will be back shortly to pick him up. This have been actually told him over and over again about leaving him at school, so he was all ok with it in this real day.

8.45am - Went to market, buy some vege, meat and fish then head home to cook (lunch + dinner).
11.15am - Back to school to wait for school dismiss. I peep him from the window outside, he was all fine and happily playing the plastersin.
12pm - The boy called out 'mami' and greet me with a big smile when teacher bring him out from the school gate. Parents are to wait outside the gate before school ends.

Thats all about his first 3 days at school, I don't need to worried too much of him during the school hours and I'm sure he can learn a lot of things without me along.


Side notes:
In the short 2 days, he learn 2 new things - stand to pee and drink from cup.

Terry was potty train very well on pee and poo. But, for a boy, he cannot stand to pee yet and everytime I encourage him to do so he was crying and shouting. He don't have the confident to do it yet. I'm just worried on the first 2 days messy situation and no potty at school, so I put on diaper for him actually.

I told the teacher about his sitaution and they said, they have keep the potty away since after they done major renovation to the toilet (now with 3 urine bowls, 2 kid's seat toilet bowls and 1 adult), unless for girls it is fine, potty will be given if want. For boys are encourage not to use potty. They promised will slowly train him and convinced him by watching other boys pee.

Happened that on the 2nd day there was a boy pee in the toilet, I quickly show him and ask him watch how to pee and I encourage him to do so later. Back home, I keep telling him no diaper on 3rd day and no potty at school, have to stand to pee. Sigh...I supposed daddy can take the job to show teach him how to pee, but I got to do it too :P I show him the fun of doing it which can see fountain and let him flush the toilet. Finally....guess what, he can stand to pee before the night diaper on. He shows his ability very hard standing in front of the toilet bowl before the urine past out. Hai...when things are just get me too worried, he makes it and shows me he can.

Another one is drink from cup, he never likes it and also no confident to pour the water into mouth. It always wet his cloth as he don't know how to control the water when past in. Finally after 2 days at school when they need to drink with cup during refreshment, he is getting better and better. I also follow to let him master it by letting him drink from cup too during meal time at home.

We've left the school for 12 years, now need to get back to schooling day hours like those days when I go to school need to wakes early, check school bag and set alarm before sleep. Anyway I still like the timing. After he start schooling, I find the days went on so fast and pack too. Many thought that I got free time when he goes to school, in fact it is not. While he away, I need to go do marketing (alternate day) then back home cook lunch, laundry and do house chore a bit. When that done, it is almost time to pick him up. When the boy back, shower him, feed lunch and by 2pm only I'm free to do what I want. Looks like my routine should be that way now.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Who take off your shoe?

Back home, standing at the gate.

Me: Come, take off your shoe here.
Terry: shoe ahh... *leg kicking and waiting*
Me: Take it off yourself, who going to take off for you at school later?
Terry: TEACHER...
Me:...*rolled eye*

Too lazy or too pampered?

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Welcome 2010

Happy 2010 to everybody, how did the new year new days has going on with you so far?

New Year eve, we not went anyway to count down and see fireworks beneath us. Me and my brother (hubs too tired, rest early) brought Terry to OUG Pasar Malam for the first time. A new thing to him to shop under the night lights. For myself, I think got 4 years long I'm not visiting Pasar Malam. It was quite a pleasant one to shop as compared to last time when those days pirated VCD were hot selling, loud speakers everywhere playing songs. I found many cute-cute stuff now, jewellery accessories, crocs shoe and etc..bought an UV protection arm sleeve and a 3x3 square Rubik's cube puzzle (RM10) for the boy. He was happy with it and wants to go again.

When the clock strike 12am, Terry was busy searching the firework noise. It was too far away from us but still able to watch it. Staying at the height of 10th floor, we able to spot 7 places fireworks all over at PJ side. When its over, we hit the sack at 12.20am.

Next day, we woke up as usual. When we woke up daddy was already busy with his sales reports. We have a quick brunch then headed to Genting Highland. Another first time for Terry to the place and experience some cold weather. He slept through the journey. We only explore the First World Hotel and not go outdoor. To our surprise, the crowd is just as usual, the weather is at 15'C.

Views from the Caterpillar ride




Happy with the ride and wants more

After spending a good 4 hours there for 2 rides (Monorail and Rides de Paris), walking up and down, queue for ticket and rides and a tea time, we head back to KL for dinner at 6pm. Terry also slept through the back journey, I think he found the car ride was too dizzy and too long for him.

Nowadays daddy hardly have time to brought us out. Indeed this trip was so precious to us for family bonding. That's how we spent our New Year holiday =)