The Kissy Mom

Today is the day I woke up 30 minutes earlier to drop Tiger off in school.

Usually MIL sends him since I'd rather snuggle under the covers for another 5 minutes. I am so not a morning person. Haha. Thank God for my MIL :)

As we walked into school together, his teacher greeted us at the gate. Not like she was being super polite but more for the customary temperature check. She also check his oral cavity. I was so tempted to ask why but nevermind la. Give a good first impression.

Teacher: Morning, Tiger. And you are the....?
Me       : The mother. *Tak kan la the sister. Got so young and pretty meh? Hehe*
Teacher: Oh, I've never met you before.
Me       : Usually the grandma sends him. *smile*
-feeling determined to send my son to school every morning. Hmmmph..

As we walked upstairs to place his bag, my very graceful son tripped and fell. Thank God he didn't start bawling his eyes out. I also noticed a puddle of water in the middle of the playgroup and the OCD in me so wanted to go and wipe it ASAP but sigh....nevermind la.

Tiger wanted to head out to the play structure outside but the teacher at the gate had a different idea, "Tiger, go read your Peter & Jane."
My first thought was, "Ala....kesian nye. Cannot play first?" but my son just turned around and headed back inside.
There, he is becoming a robot already after 2 weeks in school.
I really don't know if it's a good thing or not but since I have decided to send him to Chinese school where discipline will be even stricter, I might as well go with the flow.
Creativity shall be a priority at home.

I was about to leave when I remembered...I forgot to kiss him goodbye!! How could I?
I looked around and NOBODY was kissing their kid. How? Kiss or not?
I grabbed his hands and asked, "Can I kiss you?"
He immediately tried to run off! Rascal!!!
I yanked him and gave him the loudest kiss on his left cheek.
He smiled sheepishly and ran into the school without looking back.
This will probably be the last day I get to send him to school...hahahahaha!

Be grateful I didn't lick you :p :p

PS: It is important to lick your kids. Seriously. The experts think so too. Here's the link to the article.
Lick Your Kid. What Rats Can Teach Us About Parenting

I love you so much, sweetie. Much more than my sleep and that means a lot, k?

Tiger at 3.5 years

He is still not being a loving big bro to Dragon girl.
I force them to hug and kiss each other ALL THE TIME now.
You want biscuit. Go kiss your sister.
Chocolate? Go hug Dragon.
Study? Go sayang mei-mei first.

His fav thing to do?
Saving mama.

If we are walking on the streets and he spots an oncoming car, he will shout, "Stop!"
Then he will bear hug my legs, look at me earnestly with puppy eyes and say, "Mama, NO scared. I save you."
Or he will tell me to roll off the bed and rushes over to 'save' me again :)
See why I haven't been blogging? I'm too busy playing 'damsel-in-distress' and I LOVE it!

After playing superhero, he will usually ask for study.

I try to distract him so that we spend more time bonding than studying.

Papa thinks he is too nerdy already :)

Go Frutti or study? Frutti and then, study

Go shopping or study? Shopping and then study

Mama or papa? Mama and papa.

And is a terrible word.

We are verrry flexible with his study now. Whenever mama is  we are lazy, we will just settle for reading which is something he truly enjoys right now.

His fav books are 

1. The Gingerbread Man

2. Poop book

3. All the Brillkids books

4. Anything to do with the planets/space

5. Peter and Jane..nah, just kidding! 

Some pictures I took of him during school:

Worksheets

He did some Despicable Me worksheets from 1+1+1 = 1

To save on ink, I usually print selected pages only and not the whole pack.

He enjoys these more than I ever will.

 

Montessori

It has been a while since he'd seen the pink tower and broad stairs.

He was immediately drawn to them.

Each time, I can see little improvements in his fine motor skills and creativity

Can you see his stance?

He was doing his booty dance after creating this 'flower'

Matching blue and red rods to the number chips.

We took turns 'teaching' number bonds with the little bracelets

Simple constructive triangle work

Puzzles 

The box on the left in the pic above is a version of the Imaginets

On the right is the Grolier's Logico set.

He LOVES the Logico set. 

I like the fact that we can play together, unlike that darn Ipad. 

 He enjoys the fake Imaginets too!

 reading & vocab

Most of the books here are early readers.

Others are in the playroom or the master bedroom.

  

CHINESE

Er San Kuai Du

ART

This is Dragon girl's favourite.

I think we have more messy sessions ever since she came on board

Music

Tiger loves doing this

 

When expanded, it becomes this:

Science

Created a mini space area from his art work and some glow in the dark stars

His Water Cycle kit:

Sometimes, I put some blue coloring just for fun.

Nobody uses this desk anymore.

Its main function now: calender cum clock holder  =.="

The rest of the room...

Some toddler friendly material and some dangerous beans :)

 

Tiger thinks its funny to interrupt his sister by playing with her stuff.

Not that Dragon girl is very interested...

The girl just wants to scoop and do little else, which is fine too.

Manipulatives:

Golden beads to compare quantity and some unifix cubes

Baskets: 1. Wooden cubes; 2. Abacus beads; 3. Tangram pieces

We use this section for math and counting / fine motor

The boy who will never be a model

[-_____-]""""

Happy 3rd Birthday, Tiger

Tiger is officially three.

I hope we can focus more on his emotional and social skills this year.

I am gifting him with Bao Bei Reading Wonderland classes. Honestly, I expected waterworks for 2 weeks but he surprised us all by handling the situation well. Tiger surpassed all expectations, ours and the teachers.
Hubs said that at day 4 when he stopped crying, he removed his own shoes, placed it on the rack and washed his hands. Then he waved bye bye and ran into the classroom. Worth my every cent, y'all.

Classes are not cheap at Bao Bei. More costly than regular preschool at RM 410 for 20 days per month and no meals. I expect results!

Anyway, to sweeten the deal, I bought some party packs and a cake for him to celebrate his birthday in school. Positive reinforcement! As suggested by Pavlov.



I also prepared these for the teachers to present to him :)

I don't care what people say about bribing the child. Birthday celebration is legitimate and he stopped crying after that. Three days to overcome preschool anxiety for the scaredy cat.  

*Mommy blows nails*

Three days.

Okay, okay, I admit that he started showing interest in social situations involving children. Social skills starts developing at three, more so for boys. So, there. The reason for our successful introduction to preschool.

If I had sent him maybe a month before his third birthday, I might have blown the thing.

 

 I will give him credit for passion and desire to learn. Even in Chinese. Oh wait, I should credit myself too.

*Blows nails on other hand*

After school yesterday, he was singing to Grandma, "Eat papa, mumble mumble, eat papa"

Grandma was all ??????

It was a song for Father's Day. At night he stood on the bed between hubs and I and started dancing while singing the Eat Papa song. It was 'I have a good father' Song in Chinese. =.="

Halfway, he shouted, "Fang Pi!!!!!"

The Lil rascal farted and started rolling on the bed, laughing. Maaaan, it stank....like worse than hub's gas bombs!

So much for social skills....

Present from papa and Grandma (my mom)
 

Dear Tiger,

I hope you enjoyed your birthday.

Even more than that, I hope you enjoy learning because life is a long journey. You will make it meaningful when you never stop the yearning to learn, to discover, to question, to love.

I hope that I can be your rock, your support, your guide, your friend, your teacher for a long long time.

I love you so much,

Happy 3rd Birthday, my son.

Mama.

Now I have to go brush up on my Tang Poems.

Little Tiger: 29 months old

My baby boy is growing up way too fast.

Has it really been 29 months since he barged into my life?

Speech

He is speaking with confidence and slowly moving away from signing.

His leftover 'baby words' are fuu-fuu and wa-wa.

He can say shoe and water respectively but he does it just to clown around.

I find his baby words endearing and I will miss them, a lot,

when they disappear altogether...

It is so fascinating when out of the blue, he said stuff like, 

"Mama, who throw all the leaves down?" after a storm scattered some leaves

"Oopsie, I fang-pi (fart) oh"

"Mama clean, kakak (help) clean and Tiger clean."

After a pause.

"Tiger clean so nice"

He is learning his pronouns, which is really cute,

"Nai-nai, Mama scold you"

Huh?

"Wahaha, no, mama scold ME"

During a short break to Penang, I asked him to name some sea animals.

"Dolphin"

@.@

Mind you, I was expecting fish.

"Mama, I want to bwush teet"

This is his code for splashing water all over the bathroom.

After 5 minutes, " I help you wash glass"

NO

"Okay"  Proceeds to wash glass

SIGH..

Socially

Still slow to warm up to strangers.

Non-confrontational.

Sharer.

]On two occasions, I caught him snatching his toys from his peers.

Wonderful big brother, he loves the sister to bits.

Smothers her with kisses.

Must have caught the kissing bug from me >.<

He has a habit of holding his sister hands and calling her name.

Can't express in words how that simple action melts my heart.

Toilet-training,

well, let's just say we made zero progress.

Names 50 animals but he cannot control his bladder. Go figure.

Gross motor

Climbing stairs

Water sliding!

ALONE!

My scaredy cat..hehe

Daddy's waiting at the bottom, of course.

So much of difference from the boy who wouldn't go near

the slide last year at Hard Rock hotel.

This year, the sand is evil.

He is starting to drive me mad with his sassy two year old attitude.

Thank God grandma's with him 24/7 and not me!

To date, I have lost my temper at least 3 times.

By this, I mean, screaming at a helpless toddler for something that

he has done which totally defies reasons by my standard,

not his. Like climbing book racks, etc.

After each outburst, I end up ashamed and sorry.

I am not proud of myself but I am only human.

And as humans, we will screw up.

Motherhood is such a steep learning curve.

I am blessed to have a forgiving child who readily loves me back

each and every time....



Letter: Happy Birthday

Letter to Tiger

Dear Tiger,


Happy Birthday!

I cannot believe you are actually two...how time flies!

Here's what mommy posted on Facebook (which is a social network created by an American named Mark Zuckerberg. If you can do the same, I would be very happy).

My little birthday boy is 2. 

Dear Tiger, since you came into my life, not a day goes by when I don't feel blessed and contented just by looking at your little face. Your hugs fill me warmth every morning. Your "I love you"s and kisses completes me. 

Everyday, I ask myself' "What have I done to deserve you?" It is a question that I cannot answer. 

Thank you for bringing love, joy, hope and meaning to my life

 I mean every single word.

You are such an awesome little man that the presents started coming on the eve of your birthday. I am posting your gifts so that you will remember to be grateful for all the little luxuries in life that you are in no way entitled to, just very blessed to have. 

Here's one from my boss's missus who haven't even met you in real life :)

Here's the gift that YOU picked and  'forced' ku ku (hubby's sis) into buying.

She was planning to get the Mini Cooper which was half the price of this gorgeous blue one.

SPOILED!

Yes, you are...I wouldn't have allowed it if I went along....

 Mommy took the day off to spend the special day with you and Daddy decided to join us :)

See how blessed you are? I hope you will enjoy yourself on your special day...Mommy's off to bed now...

Just for the record, this was when you were 1 year old: 

 

 Love, 

Mommy

Letter: Loving Tiger at 23 months and Fatter at 33 weeks

Letter To Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,

Things I love about you at 23 months:

1. No matter how grumpy I am over the state of our country's political situation (For example, the question of how many Birkins do our Prime Minister's wife own? A LOT), I always forget all my troubles when I see you waving to me at the door the moment I get home.

2. You are still such a gentle being.

Whenever I ask you to whack Prettichubbi (my very chubby niece), you will NEVER do it. In fact, she would hit you instead and you would just brush it off.

3. At this point, when I present you with choices you would say, "Ummm..." while considering your options. {so like ME!}

4. You have a wicked sense of humour.

Mommy: What's your name?

Tiger     : Ipad! *giggle giggle*

Mommy: How old are you?

Tiger     : Two...ummm, no ONE!

Mommy : Are you sure?

Tiger      : Monkey smile and runs away before I tickle you into submission, shouting out the correct answers.

5. You are very helpful.

When we are grocery shopping, you would always fill up the cart with packets and packets of mushrooms. I have no idea why mushrooms. Then, you would insist on pushing the cart and filling it up with all sorts of stuff as we move along. You will also insist on unloading and reloading after checking out.

6. You have mild OCD like mommy.

You will arrange or stack things without being asked.

7. You are developing Montessori habits like using mats for lessons

One mat for "mama", one for "tiger"

"Mama, sit"

My reaction?  LOVE. Madly in love with you.

8. You are becoming quite a reader.

Currently, your favourites are The Carrot Seed and Thomas Book with the sound button. Monkey and Tiger puppets must be around for reading sessions

The scene after 'reading'

You make Mommy put on the puppets ALL THE TIME

They are starting to frustrate me a little.

HEADLINE: Monkey and Tiger Mysteriously Disappear

*evil laugh*

Us

Little Dragon

You are 33 weeks now.

Another 49 more days to go

You are still breeched;

punching and kicking my right side.

Last scan: You weighed 1.8 kgs

I get cramps in my left arm from sleeping on the left lateral side.

I am 9 kilos heavier already

I have mild edema on both legs.

Currently, there are demands for mangoes and pork.

Preparation:

Almost done with the list.

Just need to mentally prepare myself for the birth,

which is weird because I didn't have the jitters the first time

Love, Mommy

Letter: Tiger's 22 months and Dragon's 29 weeks

Dear Tiger,

Time for another letter, my love.

Despite the fact that I try to capture glimpses of your childhood as much as I can, I still feel like I am failing in so many places and losing out to time.

In 2 months, you will be 2 years old. TWO!! It's the hormones wrecking my tear ducts...*wipes tears*

When I am old and wrinkly, I can imagine myself going through our blog and reading about our crazy adventure in homeschooling. How proud I am that you love to learn.

I just want to make a note here that it is NOT about the fact that you know your A to Z or that you love numbers. It is our special Mommy-Tiger bonding time. It is here in your study room that I sit in a corner and watch you as you put together puzzles, learn your words or simply gleeful from making a mess. It's just different from being anywhere else.

You always make me smile and laugh. I was just thinking the other day, if one kid gives me such happiness, I really can't wait for another to join us :)

I must admit that I am happiest when I see you dance and sing in your goofy manner, espcially when you sing The Planet Song where you stick your tongue out after getting tongue-tied from reciting the planets so quickly. It always sounded like this "eee-ry, ehehehehhehehehehehheeh, Neptune!"

Grandma love watching you perform to the Push and Pull song, where you will fall to the ground, then get up quickly to jump. Then you will spin round and round and blow like the wind.

At 22 months, you surprise me daily with new words like: dark, wear, hold, put, feet. You are calling all beverages soup.

Your fav phrase at the moment is, "Uh-oh, who? *Tiger*

Here are some of my fav moments with you:

Naming the planets, at least ten times a day

 When I asked for a smile, you gave me this:

Surprised!

Copying the ELC expression flashcards

<<< >>>

Dear Little Dragon,

Currently, we are at 29 weeks POG and Mommy's enlarging in all directions...hehe

You are quite the jabber cum kicker.

Already, you are making waves :)

We had a 3D scan last week and I thought you looked like me, until

Daddy said you were alien-like.

 =.="

Yeah, I felt like kicking him then. Not that I am a violent person...

Can't wait to meet you when the moment arrives...

PS: I really hope you look like me...hehe

<<< >>>

At 29 weeks:

Appetite: Increasing (bad news)

Waistline: history

Weight: 54.5kg

Sex drive: Nil...LOL!

With lotsa LOVE,

Mommy

Letter: Little Dragon is 19 weeks

Dear Little Dragon,

You are 19 weeks now and about 6 inches. How the heck did I gain another 1.5 kilos when you are only 8 oz?

My appetite's already increasing. Can you imagine, on Valentine's day, Mommy went to the mamak with Daddy for supper and I ate a roti telur followed by McD's large fries AND a Fillet-O-Fish?  He he...
(and yes, we celebrated Valentine's at the mamak, so original, kan? ^.^) I do love mamak food anyways.

I felt the quickening at 18 weeks plus and you are already a real kicker now. I love the little squirmy sensations. It is like you are saying, "Hello, I am here, remember?"

I already love you so very much. We will be reading & singing a lot more since you can hear my voice now =)

Can I tell you a secret? The other day, I stuck in a jam and irritated (as usual). Then I saw two young boys in the car ahead of me fighting, like real punching and stuff. They were probably in their late teens. Then at the next light, they were laughing and all's well.

At that point I really didn't mind anymore if you are a boy, as much as I want a girl.

~~~@@@~~~

Dear Tiger,

This week you are really THE tantrum master, especially without your pacifier.

You have started smacking me last night. It seems that as my pregnancy progresses, you distance yourself more and more. That really hurts..

I was thinking about the recent changes in our lives and I realised that you were modelling after my behaviour. I have become more hot tempered and started yelling at the maid a lot since I was pregnant. It is going to be a mammoth effort but I have no choice.

I am going to start chanting and meditating...Ummmmm.....


Love you guys so very much,

Mommy


Note to reader:
You will not understand my predicament unless you have hired a Cambodian maid before. I am not prejudiced but these Cambodian maids are some of the most stubborn and pompous people I have ever met in my life. Nine out of ten employers I know have the same issues.

Don't get me wrong, I grew up with many different Chinese and Indonesian maids all my life and I loved every single one of them. Despite the fact that one of them smacked me all the time and made me do most of the housework. At this point I must make a note myself to never ever hire Cambodians again, even if I get one for free. Seriously.

Letter: Why I Love You So?

Letter To Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,


I am not sure how you perceive my growing belly but you rub it affectionately. So, I hope that's a good sign. Without a doubt I know you will be the best big brother in the world because you have such a big heart and don't mind sharing anything with others (except Grandma, who you bully to the max). I am already excited about you having a playmate and best friend.

You are such a rock star. When I come home tired, all it takes is your smile or a cheeky monkey grin to lift my spirit. Can you imagine the effect when I see you bouncing up and down, crying for me at the door? I know it is because you want to go to the park but what the heck, I'll take it as a sign of extreme affection.

Everyone keeps telling me that you have grown so much, so tall. Unfortunately, you will always be a baby in my eyes, even when you are fifty years old. On Tuesday, you surprised me by going down the slide alone. I guess it is time to let go a little...

When you climb up the stairs, you will always count in your haphazard manner.

"Six, four, nine..."

Here you were taking a break, pointing at me :)

What did I do?

Getting ready to go down.

You sit down way before the slide and shuffle your butt over.

So cute that I want to smack you but don't worry,

I didn't, that would have been disrespectful.

You will say  Wheee! when you slide down...

For some reason, you have always been a serious kid, even at play.

See?

When it is time to leave, all I have to say is let's go see Snoopy (the neighbour's dog who died 3 weeks ago) and you would gladly take my hand and say bye-bye to the playground. No tantrums or major showdowns.


That's why I love you but what on Earth did I do to deserve you?

Lots of love,

Mommy

Linked to Melissa's What's New Babe @ Vibrant Wanderings

Year End Report Card

Letter To Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,


We haven't been doing much school work this week and I know you miss it.
Sorry, babe. Mommy's working late this week and I miss school time too. You kept asking for Up and when we are 'up', you will knock on your classroom door even if it's near bedtime.

Since it is school holidays for real in Malaysia, I think you deserve a break too for your stellar performance.

Report Card For 2010

Name: Tiger

Age: 18 months



Dear parent/guardian:

We have enjoyed having your lovely child in our class. He has shown excellent enthusiasm and an intense love of learning.

Tiger is a sharer and bonds well with children of all ages. He is also a neat and organised boy who loves to assist with cleaning.

He has a preference for numbers, puzzles and music which we hope you will continue to cultivate.

His gross, fine & social development is on track and satisfactory.

Although his speech development is a little slow, he shows good understanding of several languages.


Problems we have identified:
1. He is very keen on his pacifier.
2. He has made an unhealthy habit of linking Tweedlewink classes to biscuits/snack time.
3. He likes to pretend-fart

In summary, we are very pleased with his progress and we look forward to another fruitful year in 2012. He is a very bright child which is a trait we are sure he has inherited from his mother.


Teacher's signature:                                                                        Parent's signature:


.......XOXO...........                                                                        ................................


Note: A copy of the report card will be sent to Grandma and Daddy (for show off purposes as requested)

Year End School Excursion:
1-day Trip To Malacca aka eating trip
Models: Crazy Mommy aka teacher & Cutie Pie Tiger aka student
Prop: A pimped out trishaw



Yours truly,

Mommy

I'd Pick More Daisies

Letter to Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,

I am not going to pretend that I read poems all the time and serenaded you with my beautiful sing-song voice. I have neither the patience nor intelligence to decipher what the heck the writers/poem-ist are trying to say behind their flowery and complicated language.

This one poem struck a chord when I first read it because I hope when I am fifty, I don't have to write about my regrets in life. I hope it leaves an impression on you to live your life to the fullest and to reach for the stars.

Mommy will be right behind you every step of the way.

So, if you tell me that you wish to be a ballerina in thights, I will bite my tongue and nod my head encouragingly. Should dementia set in early, please print out this letter to remind me, ok?

If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies

Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Note: The line I would go to more dances does not translate to clubbing every weekend, well unless you take me along. Then, can...


Lots of love,


Mommy

Why Won't You Say Mama?

Letter To Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,

Mommy's a little irritated with you.

My sweet 17 month old boy, WHY WON'T YOU SAY MAMA?

You just won't say it spontaneously. Only when you need me for something, you will wail "Ma Ma MA MA" but never a two-syllabic mama.

I am a little upset because you can make the letter M sound and say mum-mum (food). Also, you sing this:

Ah, ah, apple

Beh,beh, ball

Khe, khe, Khe (cat)

Mmm,mmmmmm

If you are making letter M sound, why won't you say mama? *Bang head against wall*

To add salt to the wound, you call the maid in 3 different ways: Kakak (sister in Malay), Ah Kak (short for kakak) and Ah Kek (her name). *Bang head against floor*

When Kakak say "Tiger" (Well, not exactly Tiger but your real name), you will reply, "Ah Kak". When I do the same, you look at me and blink blink. *Insert cricket sound*

Daddy thinks it's hilarious that you call me "Eh" or "Papa". Honestly, it is driving me up the wall. I have tried bribing you with food, toys, books, etc....arrrgghhhh....I'll have to think of something else, hmmm, maybe I'll starve you...but grandma's around (who you call "nai nai' nowadays because you are allergic to M-words)

Maybe no Tot School until you say Mama. That'll teach you a lesson! *Insert evil laugh*

Lots of Love, Not That Much Love (cause my ego's bruised and squashed),

Mommy

Letter: Angry Bird

 Letter To Tiger Thursday

Dear Tiger,


These days, you are the king of tantrums. I have a foreboding sense of your growing autonomy as we approach the terrible two.

Hopefully it is just part of your recovery that you are a little clingy and demanding. Your bouts of tantrums are scary ~.~"

Last night, we truanted from school and went grocery shopping with Grandma :)

When we came home, you wanted to sing your phonics song

Then you thought it was more fun to swing the mouse like a pendulum.

After that you decided that school was OUT and play was IN

You insisted on wearing your sandals indoor  =.="

Overnight, you transformed from the cheerful cutie pie into an angry bird. Perhaps last night was the eye of the storm?

You cried when you woke up, then..

Cried during breakfast.

Threw another tantrum in the playroom

Resemblance?  

 If you weren't so adorable, hmmm...

Lots of love,

Mommy