Boat Project - December 2012

Ee Rynn @ 5 years old

During school holiday, you have decided to build a boat model with daddy. It was a fun journey for us. Mommy helped by bringing you to the library to look for information books on boat.



Books we borrowed from library



After reading the books from the library, you were excited. We have decided to ride on your excitement and support you all the way.

Collections of various boxes and toilet paper roll

Colouring

Engagement - exchange ideas

Decorating the boat with dried leaves she picked from the park

You realized the toilet paper roll in the box can't hold the sail

You have decided to stick the toilet paper roll together to create a firmer base

Beautiful outcome :-)



We enjoyed the journey very much. We believe children spell L.O.V.E. as T.I.M.E. We loves your company very much, Ee Rynn. We loves to see that little sparkle in your eyes that bring daddy and mommy to the world of possibility. We loves you.

Salt Dough

Ee Rynn has asked many times to make home made salt dough. We tried several times in Malaysia but the mixture don't firm up. We have decided to try again and we made it!

The ingredients:
1. multipurpose flour
2. salt
3. Warm water

We had fun. In this process, we learn :
1. Measuring - to ensure the right porposition of water and flour.
2. Addition - When calculating the right amount of the raw material together.
3. Sensory - When seeing the changes of two different ingredient become one, dough.
4. Logical thinking and decision making - when deciding on composition and colour
5. Communication - when we decide and discuss what is next throughout the process
6. Relationship building :-)

Mixing begin

Outcome - dough

She wants to make a mould of her palm

Drying process using hair dryer

Ee Rynn's right hand and Ee Wern's right foot

Colouring

Colourful outcome

Note : You may use oven to speed up the drying process. We may proceed for colouring when the dough is harden.

The dough can be a fun play for kids too. My Ee Wern don't like the sticky feeling on her hand :-)



Hope you may have fun with your children and all the best :-)



Do we prepare our child for peer and world pressure? - Parenting BasicPart 3

In the world we are living in today, everything around us can be seen as temptations. A child might ask us:

1. Daddy, my friend has this, I want it too.
2. Mommy, my friend didn't invite me to her party.
3. Daddy, my friend went to US and visited Disneyland. Can we go?
4. Mommy, my friend had her birthday party in the class, I want it too. Please prepare a nice goodies bag for my friend. I want to have..... inside the party bag.
5. Mommy, I saw on TV that Toy r Us has new Minnie Mouse toys. Can you buy that for me?
6. Daddy, I saw on TV that Jack and the Neverland pirate will be celebrating his birthday. Whoever that make a card for him can go on TV. Can you help me make a card and send to him?
7. Mommy, I like that water bottle. My friend has that Thomas and friends bottle. Can I have one too?
8. Mommy, my friends eat chocolates for breakfast. Can I eat one too?
9. Mommy, my friend wear necklace and bracelet to school. I want to wear too.
10. Mommy, my friends just bought a pair of new pair of shoes. Can you buy a pair of new sandals?
11. Daddy, can I have my own iPad? My friends has one and brought to school today.
12. Mommy, I think it's time for me to have a phone. Friends around my age has their own phone.

Our child is looking for acceptance according to world standard. Have we as parents ask ourselves how can we assist our child to develop a skill to stand firm from these worldly temptations and peer pressure? It will be more as they grow. Even as adult, we often care what others think and do not want to be labelled as too different.

It's our (parents or caregiver) responsibility to help our child to develop a positive identity that is not dependent on a group for her self worth. If our children know her own sense of personal identity, she will know her own limit and capabilities to stand firm against negative influence or peer pressure.

My daughter started school at 3 years old. That was the year she learnt most about Disney cartoon characters. That's was the year she knew what is Barbie and princesses. Nothing wrong with it but the tales of having a Prince Charming and live happily ever after is too easy for an ending. It set a standard to children to look for prince charming to fall in love and live happily ever after. Children especially girls want to dress like princess, be treated like a princess, want to feel special and want to be seen as 'pretty'. Will girls grow up without appreciating who they are but chasing for fame, beauty and material?

Along with these pressure, we come to realize the importance to teach God's standard. Does God value outward appearance? What God value? I remember we struggled every time we walked into Toy r us to buy birthday present for her friend. My daughter will demand to have a new barbie. I will balance and try to influence her on reason she don't need one. It's a challenge. I found it easier to talk to her when we have set a standard on things that we value at home. She understands.

I remember she asked to organize a birthday party in her school when we were in Malaysia. Almost every other week, she came home with goodies bag full of junk food. Deep in my heart, I knew this is not something we value at home. We seldom has junk food at home. So to set a standard, I asked whether does she want to share the joy of reading with her friend? She asked 'how'? So I suggested to give story books one per child instead of party bags. She agreed. I bought a bundle of Level 1 stories book from Big Bad Wolf book sales. I had her write her friends name on the book and thank them celebrating her birthday.

I often assured my children that God made them very special. God loves them and know them personally. I remind them that they do not need to be someone else to be acceptable to Him. In Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I always pray together with them that they will have personal relationship with God, that God will grant them wisdom and principles to help with any problem or temptation they have when we are not there for them.

Knowing that peer pressure is coming into our children life is one thing, making decision to prepare them is another. Are we leading by example? It's not easy as it will put parents into 'out of control' moments. We, as adults don't like uncertainty and out of control. But if it's for the betterment of our children, is it worth our time and effort to prepare our child at home? Are we studying God's word and use the real people in bible as example to teach them to resist temptation and negative peer pressure? Eg. David did not give in to peer pressure when he could have harmed his enemy Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-7). Irregardless our faith, parents know what is best for our children. Every child is unique.

We can starts doing little, little things at home. Chatting with them is good starts. Tell them how you have overcome peer pressure and temptation at work and in your life. Soon, they will honestly tell you theirs. Trust me, it's fun to hear their stories. I often learnt the most from their example.

Let's help our children appreciate and accept who they are and lead them to learn and practice the right value so they can create a better world for more generations to come.

My Daily Routine

I pondered again.

The routine I have set for the girls is very predictable each day. Sometimes I had to drag myself to follow the same routine every day. Yes, my day is very predictable.

I need to reflect and look into my priority list again. This will help me to be on my toe again. This is when I need quiet time, time to bring the girls out to playground longer ( so I can get some fresh air ), time to blast music at home ( so we can let loose a little ) as I need to ensure my emotion is intact so I don't yell or raise my voice. We ( me and Ee Rynn ) always hold each other accountable when we raise our voice to each other.

As I look at my journey, there are a lot of things I can count my blessing. I have the opportunity to see them grow up. I have the opportunity to plan lessons for my girls. Lessons in character and value building, academic, general knowledge, science experiment, art and craft, music and the list goes on. I am the first person to observe and experience their achievement or milestones. I am the person they look for advise, the person who offer them shoulder to cry on, the person they seek comfort from and the person whom they think know it all ^^. I have the opportunity to create learning opportunity so they can acquire important life skills daily. I am the person to ensure they have a balance meal. All in all, I am the most important person in their life. Their experience growing up depends entirely to me.

I learnt again that I have to have one to one time alone so I can love myself and continue to do good work to grow my family. God is good. When I am in doubt, His words will pop up right in front of me. He knows, he knows all the time. Finding purpose in things I choose to do will bring meaning to my life.

It's time to have a good massage! ^^

Growing Up - Ee Rynn from 3 to 5 years old : Part 1

You started school at 3 years old. You walked bravely to the classroom holding daddy's hand. Though you need us to be with you for a good 30 minutes, we departed with an agreement to fetch you after school. You were strong. We knew you felt a little uncertain, but you managed your emotion well.

You don't jump into the class and gain everybody attention by saying hi. You walk into the class quietly with your friends shouting 'Hi EeRynn'. You did well in second day. We hug and waves as you walked to your class. You asked me to pray for you. Since then, we have prayed every morning before you enter your class. The 3rd day was a defining moment. You hold onto my leg and reluctant to let go. I gave you option and you reluctantly choose to hug, pray and walked into your class room. I knew you were testing your limit. So I walked away and you started to run after me. Wow, what a scene. A scene where a mommy trying to run away from her daughter. Your day care teacher, Maria came to hug you and brought you to playground. I was sad. Mommy did call the school again to ensure you were fine. The teacher said you were more than fine. Since then, you knew the limits. You sailed through your preschool years.

When you entered K1, things starts to change. School start to prepare students for more learning. I meant 'homework'. That's when we change you to Chinese medium class. Back then, we weren't sure which Primary school to send you to. You don't like to write Chinese character. Deep in our heart, we knew you will struggle if we send you to SRJK(C). We feel having homework during this tender age will eventually burn the interest of learning. True enough, you started asking to stay home. When I asked why, you said you wanted to play. That's when we knew you were lack of 'fun' time at school.

When we moved to Singapore, you continue your K1 in a Montessori school. That's when we sees another positive change in you. We can sees your steady progress in academic and social. We were delighted. You enjoyed going to school everyday. I learnt so much listening to your story and from your worksheet at school. You have grown to be an outspoken, sociable and relatable girl. You can strike a conversation with children at your age, children older than you and even daddy and mommy's friend. You have grown to be a curious learner too. You ask 'why' all the time.

All these changes has lead me to change too. I had to become a 'bigger' mommy. ^^ I mean I have to learn to lead you. Meaning not feeding you with answer all the time and not guiding you all the time. At times, I had to see you fall. This is a real reality consequence. I am glad we have create a safe learning environment at home that allows you to fall and be back up again. I have to lead you so you have opportunity to find you voices and strength that help you achieve and continue to achieve more as you grow. It's a tough skill to learn. Mommy has to read a lot.

At the age of 4, we made decision together (based on your knowledge on the limit we set at home). We negotiate a lot! Yes, a lot. You confidence rise as you grow because you made small decision at home daily. You analytical skills improve. You learnt to think and include us in your decision making. You demand for respect too. You know your rights at home. At time, you demand me to listen to you. Yes, you still has tantrum. ^^ You are still a child at 5 years old. You understand when you reach the limit. Though you will cry, you learnt to manage your emotion and bounce back again. I enjoyed seeing you grow.

I believe all these don't happen over night. All these are the evidence of reading a lot and guidance from His words. I remember I read tons of parenting book before and after you were born. Your mommy worries too much. ^^ I need to have a compass before things happen. I have learnt to rest my worries to Him and use my ability to read and look for answer. You too, please remember to be on solution mode all the time when uncertainty arise. Don't forget to pray, He is there for you.

Mommy loves you.

Growing up - Ee Wern 13 to 16 months

After your first birthday, you demand for more attention.

We (mommy & jie jie) brought you to Dr Tan at Loyang Point for your 1 year old vaccine. Dr Tan expect you to cried. He said it's expected and every baby that came to him will scream on top of their lung during vaccination. Mommy was distracting you with songs and a plush toy. Jie Jie was performing in front of you with songs and dance. As Dr Tan insert the needle into your arm, you make a sudden glance at Dr Tan then your arm. Dr Tan was astonished with your reaction and gave you a smile. Haha, you made it without a whim. Similarly, like your jie jie, she never cried at every vaccination. Mommy thinks both you and jie jie are brave :-)

You understand us. When mommy said where is the wet wipes, you will look for it. When daddy said put the block back into the container, you will too. You will show your cheeky face to attract attention. You will try out different expression when stand in front of mirrow. You will shout excitedly when you see daddy appear after work. You will scream to jie jie when you can't get the toys you want. You will comb your hair with mommy's comb and smile in front of the mirror.

From 14 months old, you called daddy and 'mum mum' (means food) fluently. Sometimes mommy mistaken you of being hungry because you said 'mum mum' all the time! You show no interest in walking. The only interest you have is explore, explore and explore.

Mommy always fascinated with your concentration. You have figured out from opening a cap of any bottle to emptying the content of a basket/can. I am amazed with your ability to learn by observing and practicing. You started to doodle at the 15 months. You can hold a pencil the way it should be to draw lines. You would point to the CD player so we played your favorite songs.

You knew when we are upset with your behaviour. You would exhibit sad expression so we can empathize. Mommy always amazed with the ability of a 15months old child in communicating and understanding.

After Mother's Day on 12 May 2013, you started calling mommy! Yay! Subsequently, you called 'jie jie', baby, duck, come, here, there, Barbie and ball. When things go wrong, you will call for attention and babble 'oh'. You enjoys attention as all toddlers are. When you stand up on your own, you will cheered and clap. You make sure we clap and recognize your milestone too.

You love to explore. You would stack a block on top of each other and cheered. You would take a magnet and fascinated with the 'sticking' effect. You would doodle and call us to join you. You would direct us to direction you want to go. You would walk into the toilet to flush and giggled hearing the sound of gushing water. You would squeeze lotion in to your palm and apply on my leg. You would kick very hard when I applied nappy cream. When I looked angry, you would shout in your sweetest voice 'mommy'. You would play peekaboo by pulling up your shirt. You would 'fall down' on your own on jie jie's bed and giggled and said 'bom' (means falling down). You like to experience cause and effects moment. You loves to smash your sister's castle and giggled. 'Jie jie' will end up crying because she puts effort in building it. When mommy sing 'rock a bye baby', you would anticipated the falling effects and giggled. You like it when 'jie jie' dance and stop and act like a statute.

You started walking wobbly at 16 months. This is when we were back to Malaysia for a month holiday. You started crawling up at staircase in our Malaysia home. You were so curious. Mommy is exercising every day at the staircase without stopping your curiosity. At every outing, you will call 'mommy come'. You want mommy to be with you all the time. This is when daddy said you need to go to day care so you are not too sticky to mommy. Hahaha, daddy is jealous. :-P 

You are a happy toddler. Your endless excitement and smile warms everyone that meet you. You are very comfortable around people. Your gesture is gentle and polite. You will show your cheeky look with a smile to show 'no'. When daddy prohibit you from doing something (by showing a serious and disapprove gesture), you will stay quiet with a sad face. There are times we saw you would hold your tears from flooding your eyes. We feel you manage your emotions fairly well as a 16 months old. 

You love to flood your lap with lots of books. If I didn't hear you for more than 5 minutes, mommy knew that you will be in sister's room, sitting by the book shelf. You will empty the shelf and pick your favorite book. Then, you would hold the book and trotted out to show me. You will continue to walk around with the book and babble continuously. It's a pleasant moment to watch your excitement. 

Watching you growing up is a previous experience for daddy and mommy. We love you.