Aaron - 16 months old

Aaron is finally calling Daddy and Mummy - Dad Dad and Mi Mi. He can also call Jie Jie, MaMa, Gong Gong and PoPo.

Like Jie Jie, Aaron is a climber. He now can climb down from his high chair and up various cupboards. Makes us really nervous, especially since we don't have any grilles on our windows. Daddy keeps saying he'll call the contractor, but .....

Aaron can now mount and dismount from his toy car like nimbly. Here's him, with his own running commentary ...

End of pre-nursery for Nadine

In a blink of an eye, Nadine has finished her pre-nursery school year.

We started the year with a lot of excitement, anxiety and apprehension. We had no doubts of Nadine's ability to adapt to school and ability to learn. But we were just not too sure how she, or rather, her teachers, can control her mood swings (which, really, is just the typical 3-year-old swings that are nothing new to the teachers); and whether she will know how to share, care and love - knowing that she's quite aggressive by nature.

True enough, Mummy received a number of calls from her form teacher during the year, about Nadine hitting her friends. But her principal doesn't seem too worried about that. She felt that Nadine's just being a 3-year-old who acts faster than she thinks. The good thing is, she's quick to apologize. Nonetheless, we're trying to find ways to tame her!

That aside, Nadine's overall pre-n report is very good. And she made an improvement in the Chinese department! Last semester, she scored 'H' (needs help) for "I sing familiar Chinese songs" and "I am interested in Chinese stories". This semester, she scored 'I' for improving! Well done, Nadine!

Being a first time pre-school mum, I was really surprised when the school gave us a CD of photos, documenting Nadine's learning journey in pre-n. How lovely to get glimpses into her school life! Thank you for your thoughtfulness, LSK!

This must be during water play

Nadine loves to paint

Tea party

Making an image of Mummy, which she proudly gave to me

A little pan-flute orchestra! So creative!

Show & Tell - T for tyrannosaurus rex

Signs & words from Aaron

Aaron is sprouting new signs and words every day now.

Signs:
- dog
- eat
- bear
- hot
- cold
- star
- sleep
- apple
- train
- good night

Words:
- go
- dog dog
- bear bear
- more
- oh-oh
- bye bye
- knock knock
- ple ... for apple
- tar .... for star
- Goal! ... said with a lot of enthusiasm when he is kicking a ball
- pad ... for iPad

but... still no Papa or Mama  :-(

Fun in the rain

Nadine loves to jump on puddles of water. She does that to every puddle of water she sees along the road. So today, Daddy decided to let her have some fun, 'properly'.

Daddy told her that if she wanted to play in the rain, and jump on water, she'll need to be suitably dressed - in her raincoat and boots. She gamely put on the gear, and asked for her little umbrella. And off she went to have some fun in the rain!

Nadine's first kindergarten concert

Nadine's very first kindergarten concert.

Daddy and Mummy were more excited about the concert than Nadine. We were not sure if she'll have stage-fright, whether she can remember her parts, or if she'll go into one of her uncooperative moods. But turned out that we worried for nothing. Nadine did so well. She danced enthusiastically and vigorously, and remembered most of her parts. She made Daddy and Mummy so proud of her!

Even with the grand finale, in which students from all levels performed 3 songs together, Nadine remembered all the actions and lyrics, even the Chinese song!

Mummy bought Nadine a bouquet of flowers to reward her. Nadine was really happy to receive those flowers. Her joy translated to even greater joy for Daddy and Mummy!

Nadine, we're so proud of you and your performance! Well done, precious!