It is Not Easy Making Friends

Lately, I have been trying to observe how Kyla interacts with her classmates. She has always been one of the earlier attendees and she would also look out of the door to see if her preferred playmates (K and E) have arrived so that she could play with them. However, most of the time, her preferred classmates tend to feel differently about her playing with them.

Kyla would always greet them enthusiastically but somehow, they could be rather 'cold' towards her. If K and E were both in class, they would tend to stick together and ignore Kyla. Like today, they would say to each other, "here she comes again" in a rather displeased tone, which disturbed me quite abit. I wonder if Kyla heard them. If she would, I think she would be hurt. (Maybe, that explained why she kept asking me to bake things for her classmates to gain attention and acceptance). But if either one of them is missing, they would play with Kyla. Kyla is like a replacement friend, which I do not feel good about it. However, even if no one plays with her, she can be also happy playing by herself (which happens most of the time). She did tell me that most of the time when she tried to play with the rest, they do not want to let her join in their circle and she would end up playing by herself. I do not feel good hearing that thou. She is like an outcast. I guess it would take some time for her to develop a good relationship with her 'angmoh' friends. Having no close friends does not dampen her mood in going to school. She still enjoys going to school everyday. I am heartened to have such a a very happy and optimistic girl. :-)

Kyla Started School Again

Lezane picking Kyla up

At the playground

On the way to school

Her school (looks very technical and clinical)

Kyla started school again at Copenhagen International School. It was without tears and she made friends very quickly and enjoyed herself at school. Hooray.... At least now, she wants to go to school. Thank god. Her teacher 'bought' her over by playing Abba music during class and she enjoyed dancing and singing. Her teacher told me she danced crazily...(which is good).

But travelling is a hassle. Lezane tends to cry and fuss on the way back home. He wants to join Kyla at school. He will always wail when we leave school. However, he still cannot attend school. (I cant wait for him to go to school thou...hehehhe).

Anyways, here are some photos of her at school.

Toilet Training

Lezane is finally off diapers for the day now thou there are some misses now and then. But i must say it is a great achievement for him to be off diapers at 2 yrs old. His toilet training all started because in Denmark, he would not be accepted in school until he was toilet trained. It took us 2 weeks to get him to understand how to pee in the toilet (alot easier with kyla then) but our efforts (including my mother in law's) all paid off now. Great, it is alot of savings for diapers...

Happy 2nd Birthday to Lezane

With the Hengs With the Tays

Lezane had turned two last Wednesday when we touched down in Singapore. Overall, he is a very fun loving boy with a super fiery temper (maybe just like me). This year, we held three family celebrations in Singapore and Beijing, all of which I think he had enjoyed much (with the exception of not wanting to wear the jersey).

Although it has been a tiring two years (especially the past four months), it has been a bliss to have him. Mama, Papa and RouRou Love You, Lezane.

Prepping for School

Besides getting things done for the house, we were also preparing for both Lezane and Kyla schooling matters. Kyla will be attending Beanstalk International School (full-day) and Lezane will be attending Kindyroo (twice a week, an hr each session) on Tues and Thur.

In order for Kyla to attend school, there were many administrative issues to settle. We have to get us an "Alien" visa, residential permit, medical checkup done for Kyla (which includes taking blood), clean police records, company's approval, etc etc before she could get permitted to school.

Just yesterday, we went for the medical checkup and I saw the brave side of my girl. During the blood taking session, she did not squirm, did not cry and did not move an inch. She even looked and stared at the dr trying hard to squeeze enough blood samples for testing. But I know she was scared - her palms were covered in perspiration and yet did not make any sound. She is really my super duper bravey girl.... :-)

Fully toilet trained

Kyla has finally graduated from her diapers for 2 weeks. It was a great achievement as she didn't wet the bed when she first try without it for the night. So proud of this cheeky little girl of mine.

Some changes in my Kids

I have started my domestic life a couple of days ago and I have seen some changes in my kids.

Kyla has become more independent like feeding herself during all meal times and cleaning up after the meal on her own accord, which I seldom see it when my mother in law is around. Didi too also self-feeds but most of the time it just ends up in a mess. But I must say Lezane is getting better at self-feeding. But somehow, when my in laws are around, their sense of independence turns to reliance on them. My kids are opportunists, taking advantage of my inlaws.

Lezane's vocab is also expanding to include borbor (my sis), bye bye, nai nai, zei zei (kyla, at times), por por (my mum). He is also getting better at listening to instructions thou most of the time he is still an ah beng.

Sorting game - Shapes

On the very rare occasions that we are home during weekends, I try to engage the kids in arts and crafts and some 'brain food' games if possible. Last weekend, I took out a set of the Montessori sorting game, which Huilin gave to Kyla when she was a year plus for Lezane to try. I thought it would not catch his attention but to my surprise, it kept him engaged for quite a while. I must say he is pretty good for a first attempt. I must keep the momentum going and learn how to use the Logico sets soon.

A Sign of Independence Soon!

Lezane has been 'suffering' recently. He had a bad cough again and had high fever last week, along with 5 tooth cutting thru' his gums. Ouch.. it really took a toll on him. He was super grouchy for many days, refused food for several days and his milk intake was minimal as well. However, this week he was feeling better and last evening, he was on his best behavior.

For the first time, he played with Kyla in the playroom for a good 30-40 min, while i was cleaning up the house after I returned from work. Only once, he came out of the room to look for me, smiled and trodded back to the room. He closed the door behind him as a matter of fact and continued to play. On a usual day, he would need me to carry him or play along side with him. I must be within 1 m radius. The moment he could sense that I would leave his radar for even a second, he would panick and run towards me. This is how sticky he is to me and also to his grandma. Although it was only a brief 30 min duration, I am elated as it is the first time Lezane can do some independent play. This is very much anticipated milestone as I need time for chores and at times for myself too.

Kyla's First Graduation!

Kyla has GRADUATED from playgroup! She has attended one year of school. To me, this is a big milestone as it indicates the start of her independence and social network of friends. Over this past year, she has grown from not being able to speak audible words to complete logical sentences. Her linguistic abilities improved by leaps and bounds. She is able to count competently too. She is able to memorise the 2 times table very well. Credit goes to my mother in law. She is also toilet trained since 2 yrs and 3 mths.

People say when they reach 2, it is the Terrible two stage. But for me, it was a TERRIFIC 2 for Kyla. She has also grown to have the unique nature to be a child jester. Every little action/words from her seemed to have this funny spell in them, which tickles anyone. It just comes very natural for her. Although she has a fair share of tantrums, she is a beauty who is well-mannered, good natured, funny, sweet and a strict disciplinarian (towards her brother) and loves going to school for play (not study). She is also our friendly mascot of the Tay family. She says 'hi' to anyone and everyone (thou at times, she would show some attitude.) Her teachers loved her. My girl has definitely grown.. How I wish time would freeze at this moment. I SIMPLY ADORE THIS GIRL OF MINE>>>