2020 April and onwards..

Been so so long since I pen anything down here.

For a record, 2020 started with a “Big Bang” as many countries got hit by Coronavirus (Covid-19) from December 2019. Singapore was not spare either but guess we were lucky to steal a movie and a staycay during the March school holiday at Festive Hotel. 

Then came the infamous circuit breaker bestowed to Singapore as most of us have to adhere to 56 days of school closure/WFH. Everybody became homebodies, like it or not. No visitation is allowed unless you are dropping some necessity items for your close/direct family members.

Cars were not zipping through town anymore, ERP was off for a record, public transport were labelled with stickers for passengers to adhere to safety distancing. If out, you have to wear a mask or you face a risk of being fine $300. 

Then school reopened on 2nd June 2020, with HBL kicking in for alternate levels reporting. We can visit but not more than 5 people from the same household. 

Retail and restaurant opened from 19 June 2020 with crowd no larger than 5 to be seated together. Masking on is still mandatory. We can also receive guests but not more than 5 in the house. 

Many regulations are still technically in place. Some people are worried, some people are just lax (wearing masks below their nose). I’m just becoming to getting used to be a homebody. I only dined out once, went to the mall because I need the washroom. Else I’m usually home with the kiddos.

We enjoy our time a lot at home, weekends are just meant for doing more school work, they having more access to screen time while I binge on watching my oppa. Ray papa says this seems like Australia retirement plans already. 

Then came the news of Paliament dissolving over the weekend and also came the polling date that gave my birthday a long weekend. Also came the news of a white candidate brought under the scrutiny of the public eyes then came another one, hopefully a more cohorent one.

What a happening year we have so far.

But in the midst of this chaos, I never forget to give thanks to the Lord, never forget to pray to him humbly and continue to serve Him with all my heart for I know what we are going through is according to His will. 

Another thankful moment that everyone in my family is doing good, my kids are healthy as we are bestow with such abundance of His love. 

Here is Lil I at school, drawing his version of the world.

What more can I ask for.

Dora’s preschool years..

Year 2014:

Dora and Eason.

Here buddy for school and her first self proclaim "boyfriend".

Really interesting to see how assertive she is from young. 

Year 2015:

Still so good with Eason.

Can see how close they are by their body language. And Eason seems quite happy too.

Year 2018:

Seem like they grew quite a bit and she is more shy. Dunno why.

Year 2013 VS 2018.

In a blink of an eye, Dora ended her preschool years just like that. 

Count down to Pri 1.. ??

Hello.. we have been MIA for sometime for now as Mama Connie has been real busy. All mums are busy, its only a matter of time on how we manage and prioritize our duties in every single day. I am not giving up on this blog as I am so proud to say that this blog is turning 12 this year! Oh well.. here we are..

It just seemed like ystday that Isadore just started Pri 1 and come next year.. my little fatty turned skinny little girl is going to be Pri 1! Since when??

Here is a glimpse of her growing up..

8 mths old

 11mths old..

2 yrs old..

3 yrs old..

4 yrs old..

5 yrs old

6 yrs old..

Ok I’m sure Dora is all grown up and ready. But Mama Connie is not! You cannot imagine how fast this girl grow and how soon she is going to embark on this primary school journey.

I guess she is lucky as Isa can still accompany her to school as he will be in Pri 6 next year. But I reckon this Ms Gung-ho will not need much help.

So if your child is stil in preschool years and you are shouting help...? I think you really look into a lot more possible situations that are happening in primary school life. Children asking for stationeries, children asking for money.. or even children bullying your child.. And if you think Primary One is all about academic expectations.. think again. In another post, I will also be sharing with you on what you can / should prepare your child for Primary 1. And it will NOT academics we  are looking at. I bet you are not surprised.

In the meantime.. I still cannot believe my Dora is going to be Primary ONE!!

Kickstart to 2014..

Isa's first day of formal school.

Ray and his mini-me.

Oh my baby.

During first day of recess, parents were allowed to go peep at their children but they were not allowed to buy food for them.

I seconded this idea.

Isa had a P5 buddy whom I suspect he found Isa annoying (haha) as Isa told me he asked for the korkor's name but his response was "shhh" (gesturing for Isa to keep quiet).

How interesting.

Isa with his form teacher, Mrs K.

This is the kind of crowd that you can expect to see at the side gate - 

and I mean these are the caregivers of the Primary 1 students as there were to be release earlier than the stipulated time.

One of the teachers holding up the sign that shows the class.

My happy baby after school.

I think I am one cool mom because I was not there for my son's first day of formal school as my work does not permits me so. Maybe I should consider not being there too when he goes to the army next time *huhur*.

 But I am only more than glad that at least my baby said that "school was fun but tiring".

So how had your child's first day of school been?
here was Isa on his first day in childcare - way back in 2009.

Dora goes to school..

Day 1: 

"My mama says I am a big girl and I can go to school!"

Day2: 

"Wee!! I get to take the bus to school today!"

"This is the we wash our hands!"

Mama: I bet all new toddlers in school sure find turning on taps at the sinks a very interesting thing to play with. 

""Thank you God for the food we eat, amen!"

Someone acting dainty.

"I love story time!"

"Double yay for Papa and korkor come together to pick me up!"

"This is my new friend Asher. 

His mum must be thinking dyed hair is as cool as his name. 

Mama thinks otherwise though."

"I just had to hug this Jie Jie cos she looks so sad!"

"4 days of school and I survived!

Uhmm I poten ysterday as we had to attend a special birthday party to attend. Oops!

I did cry bit but Mama thinks they are too unglam to be publish here so we shall skip them" :)

Going to school is "so much fun"!

Gonggong, Popo and Yee Yee, you guys must be so proud of me right?

Are you ready for school?

Oh my little girl. I am SO ready to send you to school. *gulp*

(Read: NoOOOooooOOo!)

Let's see how you fare tomorrow.

09 Dec 2013.

I simply love mini montages like these.

Happy Teacher's Day 2013 all the teachers and myself..

To the teachers in CK

To Ms Ng and your team of teachers

I would like to thank you 

For your patience and love.

To the teachers at Gymnademics

To Tr Selene, Tr Joseph and team of teachers

thank you too for imparting so much knowledge to Dora

for your innovative ways of teaching

I cant thank enough for all of you.

I would sincerely like to thank you 

from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Teacher's Day!

National Day / Sports Day celebration in school 2013

人三红海

How often do you see these much of people all dressed in red.

Isa's school usually incorporated National Day celebration with their Sports Day thus the dress code was very straightforward.

The whole big crowd all jiving to the "DJ got us falling in love again".

Though a catholic based school, their selection for songs are usually very hip.

Dora enjoys herself this year very much as she explored around the school.

"You will be attending school here too, mei mei.

I believe the teachers would take care of you as well as how they took care of korkor." 

How I will miss the frequent updates from the teachers and the heart warming smiles from them.

My baby. 

See him way back in 2011 and 2012.

The weather was actually a bit gloomy when the whole event started. Then indeed, the rain came about halfway thru and the contingency plan was to move the children and some parents to the indoor music hall where the K2s did their interclass race. 

Isa read to have his go at the rice sack race.

About 30 minutes or so later, the rained stopped and the parents' race was moved back to the open field area.

Can you see Ray papa?

Ray papa in action

Consolation prize.

Patriotism should be expressed right from the heart.

Happy National Day everyone.

I wish for 国泰民安.

Registration has been done.. for Primary School 2014

Many may ask, why this school?

• the recommendation from my secondary school teacher. He was the one who told me this school focuses alot on project style learning. A teacher recommending the school. Cannot be that bad right? .
• then I knew of some parents whose children were attending this school also have positive feedback about the school's team of teachers
• I prefer a middle range school so that Isa would enjoy learning and have a good memory of his primary school. In another words, I will not be too stressful guiding him in his work too. 

So the choice was made.
40 voluntary hours make this day a very long awaited one.

Then we also went for the Open House on 13 July.

 

A goodie bag?

The performance by the children.

Isa with Z

Someone whom he can look up to.

A typical size classroom for the primary 1s.

Vision.

A showcase of the harmonica group.

Pretty impressive I must say.

The layout of the different exhibitions for the Open House.

Then came the day of registration, 

a day when I was about to sign on the line.. 

Wait a minute.

Photo credits

You mean this little fellow is going to formal primary school next year?

Hmm.. 

I need a tissue please.

I can expect lots more work to be done.

Sniff.

Linking up with Jennifer's