"Priceless" labels - An English Lesson

Her weekly homework time, on top of the ones she receives from school is from a very fun workbook I found in WH Smith called "Enchanted English" series from Letts (publisher). In this chapter, they are teaching the grapheme "a-e"/"o-e" ( as in "take", "make", "rope", etc.) and referred to it as the "Magical e" which changes the sound of the original word.

(The Grapheme o-e or a-e)

Then later in another section, they asked to "try writing labels for these objects". And she happily put on her own "labels" -as in the ones you see in the supermarket shelves. I had a good laugh when I saw it because you can't actually fault her because these are proper labels, isn't it? Anyway, I had to ask her to correct these by adding the "magical e" words next to her very special "price labels". I still love the Price Label ideas  more, but a girl's gotta learn what a girl's gotta learn, isn't it?

(Shean Wenn's intepretation of "labels" - aka "price labels")

On another unrelated story : One morning I thought hub's choice of work clothes matched Shean Wenn's uniform. So I made them take a photo together. You can see hub is really not in the mood to entertain my request, but have kindly obliged anyway! 

(Daddy and daughter with matching attires)

Piano Journey

Shean Wenn started learning piano almost a year ago with Kasia. She actually started in Mar last year with another teacher but due to clash in schedule, I decided to stop it and when Kasia had a space, we decided to try her out with Kasia, and never looked back.

I am glad to say she has lots of enthusiasm and most importantly, passion and tenacity to play piano. It has been a journey of discovery for me too, as I had a brief period of learning music when I was much younger, but did not continue because I just did not find that I have the talent for it. But now, because I sit in her piano class at every lesson, I have found that I am learning some musical knowledge too. And I am so thankful that SW has more talent and tenacity in piano music than I do.

For example, we are starting to practice for her Grade 1 ABRSM exams and she has chosen one of her 3 songs to be played - Chattanooga Choo Choo which is an upbeat and happy song. Kasia guided her 2 times (ie 2 classes) before the Easter break. And during the Easter Break (no piano lessons for 2 weeks), Shean Wenn practices on the piano EVERY DAY, so from only knowing how to play the first line, she has now mastered the whole song - all on her own reading and practice! I would consider this a mean feat. Obviously, it is not perfect yet and that is what Kasia is there for, to fine tune her "performance" - getting the rhythm, dynamics and "feel" right.

(Shean Wenn playing Chattanooga Choo Choo ABRSM Grade 1)

This is another video of her playing during her first ever Piano Concert for her Piano School. She was just learning for 3 months during that concert but I was so proud of her performance. The exposure performing really thrills her and I hope it will last her a lifetime.

Adventures in a New School

After being in the waiting list for almost 2 years, the state school called up 2 weeks ago to inform us that there was a space available for Shean Wenn. When I got the call, I had mixed feeling about it - she is doing so well in her current school and not only adjusting well but also coming in leaps & bounds in her reading, maths & comprehension. On the other hand, this state school is only 5mins drive from our place and we would "save" a lot in school fees (state school is of course FOC), and she already has a few friends in the school (but all of them in different classes/years).

So, after putting a lot of thought into it, we have decided to accept the offer. She started her new school this week.


Day 1 in her new school :

"Mummy, my teacher says she is very impressed with me"
"Is that so? Why is she so impressed?"
"Because she says my handwriting is very neat . And I am also very quiet in class, I don't talk over her like some other kids, especially some boys. You know I can't even hear the teacher when the boys talk over her!"



Day 2 in her new school :

She told me during dinner "Mummy, Fred says he likes me a lot!"
My eyes went wide, "WHO IS FRED? Is he a boy???" (My mind was whirling about all the possibilities!)

But, Fred is of course the frog in Ruth Miskin's Phonics Teaching. Fred makes an appearance in class very often to help with phonics for kids this age. Boy, am I glad Fred is a frog!


It has been an exciting week so far for her and she has been made so welcomed in her class too. So grateful for this!

Lessons on friendship

Sometimes you think as a parent, you have to be the one setting a good example and that you are the one teaching your child(ren), but at other times, I really do learn a few things from my daughter.

Last month, when I picked her up from school one day, she declared to me "I AM REALLY CROSS WITH ROSIE" (Rosie is her best friend in class).

Why?
Because she doesn't want to be my friend anymore, hmmph! She said I'm not her friend anymore! (Crosses her arms in annoyance)
Why did she say that?
I don't know, she just said that to me. 
Oh, that sounds a little mean, but did you argue with her?
No, she just said that to me.
Well, sometimes people want to be left alone, maybe she just wants to be alone that day. Don't worry, you'll be friends again.


Then the next day, I was a little worried she is still upset from this incident, so i tried to tiptoe around this issue. So instead, I asked her how was her day and she said "Oh, Rosie is my friend again!"

Really? How did that happen?
Oh, I said sorry to her.
Said sorry? Why did you say sorry to her? I thought you said you were not mean to her yesterday?
Yes, I wasn't mean to her, but I think if I said sorry, she'd be my friend again!
Oh.. so what did she say to you?
She said sorry too. So we are now friends.

And then, my heart fluttered, with a million butterflies. She's so forgiving. And so sweet. It just takes a simple "Sorry" to mend a relationship! And that is my lesson in friendship showed to me by my 5YO daughter that day.

Anyway, Happy Children's Day (20 November) and may we always be reminded of the kindness children show to us everyday.

I dance because it's not groovy!

I was listening to one of my current favourite songs from Faye Wong (duet with Eason). Shean Wenn was dancing and shuffling her feet to the song.

Me : You like this song, don't you?
SW : No, I don't. 
Me : Oh? Then why are you dancing to it then??
SW : If I am dancing like this, it means I don't like the song. See? See how I am dancing?

@.@

Then another Faye Wong's song comes up. She stood still.

SW: Oh, this is my FAVOURITE SONG! See, I am not dancing. If I am not dancing, it means I love the song!

@.@ @.@ -____-"

Remember remember, the 4th of November...

Having some silly fun with Shean Wenn

Happy Movember!

Fragrant Tea Leaf Eggs 茶叶蛋

The weather has started to get wonky again, sunny for two days and then rainy for the rest of the week. And this morning, after coming home from sending both Meng off to the station and SW off to school, I came home and rain started to pour. In such weather, all you want to do is curled up in a blanket infront of the TV! I've also felt like having some tea-leaf eggs... The first time I made it was six months ago and I can still remember how tasty it was. 

I have seen it in "Mummy, I can Cook's" blog and was really amazed at just how easy it seemed and since I have all the ingredients in my kitchen, there is no reason why I can't do it. I brewed my 茶叶蛋 (Tea Leaf Eggs) for a good 3-4 hours. The longer you brew/marinate, the better it taste.

The end result : Beautiful marbling effects and tasty goodness all in one egg! I will always remember how its fragrance will draw me into the Chinese Herbal shops in Malaysia, always buying more eggs than I can eat. But really, who am I kidding? I will always be able to finish all of them, even if it means eating it the next day.

(Shean Wenn enjoying the tea leaf eggs I made in April) 

I have followed Shu Han's recipe here.

Easter Break at Peak District : Day 1

We spent our Easter Break last week at the Peak District with some close friends of ours. The journey from London to Peak District takes about 3.5 hours drive. It rained the WHOLE day but we didn't let it dampen our spirits.

Here's the British Countryside, as seen from our car on the M1

Signboards to our destination, exit 26.

We have arrived at Bakewell! A picturesque town nearby to our accomodation. It was still raining when we arrived, and hungry! We quickly found a place (Italian) to eat and that place did not disappoint - the good was good!

I was so hungry after the 4-hour drive that I could eat a horse! 

After a very long wait, my main course finally arrived. We waited a little bit for our starter and this main course. When the starter arrived, we were extremely pleased that it was so good. My main course of Pan Fried Sea Bass Fillet (comes with warm caponata, new
potatoes, gremolata dressing) was extremely good, and matches our expectation after the starter. I guess it was all worth the wait.

 

The kids had ice-cream each after their main course.

 After a satisfying lunch, it's time to head out... let our legs run free! (Afterall, we've been stuck in the car for almost 4 hours)

After a short walk in Bakewell, we drove to Darwin Forest Country Park - our accommodation for the next 4 nights! What an amazing place. We booked a log cabin with 4 rooms. 

This brand new (only 2 months old) lodge with waney edge larch, has oak floorboards throughout the living area and bedrooms. It has two double and two twin bedrooms. One double bedroom features a flatscreen TV. The light airy lounge has full length patio doors. The lounge is beautifully furnished with the latest soft furnishings. It has two modern, fully fitted bathrooms. The contemporary kitchen has stainless steel appliances and all the mod-cons. 

Double bedroom that Meng & I occupied. Views out to the countryside. ♥!

Bathroom #1.

The kids already "choped" this room... see their respective teddies/soft toys occuplying the bed! This was the other double bedroom, but comes with its own flat-screem TV!

We were so smitten by the place.

 

Shean Wenn was smitten by the fireplace.

Beautiful larch (a type of log used to make the cabins in Darwin Forest Country Park) throughout the cabin.

 Outside on the patio.

3 of us outside our rented log cabin : This brand new (only 2 months old) lodge with waney edge larch, has oak floorboards throughout the living area and bedrooms. It has two double and two twin bedrooms. One double bedroom features a flatscreen TV. The light airy lounge has full length patio doors. The lounge is beautifully furnished with the latest soft furnishings. It has two modern, fully fitted bathrooms. The contemporary kitchen has stainless steel appliances and all the mod-cons.

 In the evolution spa, they have a swimming pool & above it, a state-of-the-art gym (much better than MY GYM!).

Kid's playground!!!

Climbing stuff.

A stream runs parellel to our lodge, not too far away. So breathtaking.

The woods area near to our cabin. You can see our cabin in the background if you look hard enough.

At night, Laura made pasta! It had been a great day. Day 2, we explored the Peak District. I'll upload more tomorrow.

Test : Resisting Temptations

Today while I was on the laptop, Shean Wenn came to me asking me to let her watch her favourite youtube channel by Ochikeron on my laptop. Then I decided to test her :

Me : No, go watch it on daddy's iPad.
SW : No I can't! Daddy said I can't play with it today because I played on it yesterday
Me : Don't worry-lah, mummy says you can.. just go play on it.
SW *pauses for 2 secs* : No, he will know and will scold meeee...
Me : Don't worry, he won't know if I don't tell him. You don't tell him too, ok?
SW : No, he said I can't play with it today so I won't, Mummy!

You would agree she did very well on both aspects : Realising the consequences of her actions (or it could be a deep fear of her father!) and being able to resist temptation.

I told Meng about this and he smiled. He said I am terrible to do that to her. But hey, she will get tempted in life, esp when she goes to school later. At least we can be sure for now that she is able to stand firm on her opinion. Actually this is not the first time that I have seen her standing firm - but that is another story for another day.

Diane von Furstenberg for GAP

The DVF range for Gap just launched last week. I saw their e-mail on my inbox on my mobile but didn't pay much attention to it until a friend of mine texted me to say that she has just been to the shops and the range is selling out FAST. That evening, I sat infront of my laptop, glued to it. OMG, I am in awe. With a few clicks, the dent left by it in my wallet has been done. The parcel arrived within 2 days and Shean Wenn tried on the goods - I must say I am so pleased, esp with their signature DVF pattern (the tights and on the flip flops)! Their jacket which I LOVE has already been sold out in the first 3 days. All these designer collaborations with high street retailers is really selling well.

Tell me it's all worth it!