2nd Day of School

I'm not working on Alternate Mondays. Starting from today (yippeee).

That also mean, I will be working on alternate Saturdays - FULL day (boohoo).

This is a new working hours set by my organisation. I am adjusting to it.

Not working on Mondays does not need much adjustment.

We woke up 6am, prepare ourselves, then took a deep breath, in preparation to wake our lil Cute Tot up.

She woke up crying as she slept pretty late the night before.

When we reached the school, Cute Tot wasnt ready to enter. She cried, so I nursed her. After 15 minutes, she unlatched herself, pushed me so she could stand on the floor, and bid goodbye to me.

She knocked on the door to the play area, asking for her teacher, and.....

Another school day for Cute Tot.

I miss her. I do, seriously. Not in a mushy feeling feeling emo way.

*Bonda*

The one who needs the adjustment.

The Last Hari Raya visiting

Cute Tot and I went visiting to a friend's house.

Cute Tot wasnt her usual self that day.

Very clingy. I observed that she is extra quiet when there are a lot of people around. As if, she is busy observing and making assessment of the stimulants around her. It will be interesting to observe her in a large class and how she behaves.

Note to self: to register Cute Tot to a Play Gym programme. 

A big ball which attracted many children, including Cute Tot

Cute Tot has yet to develop social skills fully, and as a result, prefers to play on her own. At the void deck, Cute Tot enjoyed running freely!

Returning from Bu'Yah's house, we met Yahnda to purchase diapers (running very low). First time we let Cute Tot to sit in the trolley. She enjoyed being pushed :) (Who doesnt??)

Great Sunday, as usual!~!

Bonda

Weekends are the busiest!



The Day we Had Lunch at Shangri La

The verbal invitation happened 2 months before the event.

I was asked, repetitively, to book 2nd October, and attend a lunch session with a Director from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Well, because my profession deals a lot with confidential matters, my description needs to stop here.

We almost didnt want to go, because we just spent the early morning at the A&E.

But we still did, so we could see Cute Tot in her fine dress :)

Cute Tot clapped excitedly when everyone else clap.

She babbled LOUDLY when the guest of honour was giving a speech.

Fortunately, there was another baby who babbled loudly. But I decided to stand a lil bit outside the ballroom, so as to calm Cute Tot's excitement.

Guess, I'm the kind of parent who is very worried about others' response towards my child. The highly vigilant one... u know the kind?

We were less vigilant when it was time to eat. Cute Tot explored the silvers and discovered 'utensil fight' game with me. She held the spoon and i held the bread knife. The 'clings' sounds made her happy. She ate the good food too. Oh gosh! This kid is a joy when it comes to feeding her adult food. She LOVES them!

Bonda

Extremely Exhausted

The Day Cute Tot went to School

*1st October 2010*

Most children do not go to school on this day. It is children's Day.

But Cute Tot is a toddler.

(hehe)

And 1st October marks her first day in school.

Refusing to wake up.

I was excited. I told anyone we met along the way that the little one is going to school for the first time! All of them bid her good luck. 

My husband was the anxious one. Is she going to like it there? is she gonna be safe? will she cry?

I'm ready for school, Bonda

Only one parent is allowed to feel that. I give my husband the honour :)

I'm just soo excited!!!

Cute Tot doing an Environmental Scan on the play area.

Assessment: Ok Can!

Cute Tot too!! She allowed the teacher to hold her hands and tour her around the play area!

Teacher introduced Cute Tot to other school mates.Cute Tot can now say "Beebee"

Hello Friend! May i have some of your puffs?

She didnt look back. Didnt even take a peek. A big part of me is proud, and a small part is sad that she is growing independence so soon.

We lingered around outside the play area for about half hour. She settled in BRILLIANTLY!

What Happen to Tot School now that cute tot is in Infant Care?

As mentioned here, homeschooling will still continue despite Cute Tot being in school outside home. Early Education begins at home.

At the moment, I am still getting the hang of work, and fetching Cute Tot from school. We are still in the Orientation period as Cute Tot is fetched at 1pm. I hope to resume Tot School once the Orientation period is over.

*Bonda*

to a school going Toddler

The Week that we Went to the Zoo (and Cute Tot had a cast)

It is TOUGH keeping up with the Cute Tot!

The week before, we spent time Hari Raya visiting to as many houses as we could. Last week (the last week of September), we decided to visit animals instead. My husband and I are animal lovers. We kept hamsters while we were dating and during our early marriage. We decided to postpone our pet-keeping behaviour when Cute Tot arrives (wise decision!).

So to the Zoo we went.

Cute Tot enjoyed pointing at animals and she made the cutest sounds of 'wah', 'ooo', 'woo'. She walked miles too and didnt complain much.

We will definitely visit the animals again. I am even considering to sign up as friends of the Zoo. That will cost me S$180 per year for unlimited access to the Zoo. Will do my calculation and decide.

*The Part about Cute Tot being in cast*

Long story short, her hand was pulled hard, by me =(

Rushed Cute Tot to the A&E, and the doctor put her in cast.

The poor thing had to wear that for 2.5 days. We took it off on Wednesday (29th September). Unfortunately, we had to return to A&E again when she complained of pain again on Friday (1st Oct). Apparently, the joint wasnt properly located.

She's all well now :)

More pics of Cute Tot in cast.

Bonda

Lesson on Love, Security and TAWAKKAL (Let go).

3rd day of homeschooling

*7th September 2010*

I was still on child sick leave today.

Our school day was similar. Just spent time together and practiced more fine motor skill exercises.

In the evening, we went over to Nyayi (grandmother) Yah's place to visit Nyayi Mi who just reached from Saudi.

Cute Tot was elated when we prepared her. She loves going out.

Once she reached Nyayi Yah's house, her mood changed. She was irritable and refused to play with the other tots.

This girl needs time to warm up to strangers.

It was a good thing we went out. Cute Tot sleeps earlier that way. =)

*Happy Bonda* 

And Cute Tot's fever has subsided.

Day 1 & 2 of Homeschooling

5th - 11th September 2010

Cute Tot turns 13 months old on the 5th. I decided to officially commence the Tot School system.

Some series of unfortunate event happened.

Cute Tot fell and knocked her forehead from our PC table.

The curious her climbed up our sofa bed to watch anime with her Yahnda. I was busy ironing work clothes in a room next door. When i entered the room, my husband turned around to see me and Cute Tot fell. Everything happened very fast. She cried LOUD.

I cried too. It was traumatic to see her little head bang loudly onto the floor. I was too stunned to react. My hubby quickly picked her up, checked the goose egg bump, and i took over from there. The only way I know to soothe a distressed toddler is to nurse her. Which i did, and she fell asleep soon after that.

We had a birthday celebration at Cousin Syasya's house, and Cute Tot went with her bruised forehead that made her right eye smaller.

Oh the poor little thing.

Cute Tot had fever that night. And I had to take leave from work and care for her. Good thing is I can start homeschooling her the whole day! yay!

The second homeschool day started at 8am.

We read our pledge.

Feed Cute Tot breakfast.

Showered. And we started playing....

with container and lid

with magnets...

trying to climb the chair...

Fine motor skills exercise: closing pill containers. Banging plastic bowls...

and wearing them...

tasting flashcards...

picking up calls...

By 5pm, i had no idea what else to explore with her. I found some circle papers from my scrapbook stash, and decided to throw them all over the living room and tasked Cute Tot to pick them up and put them into the bowl. She could pick the papers, but instead of putting them into the bowl as instructed, she put them into her mouth. Predictable!

Final homeschool for the first day: playing with magnetic alphabets given by Aunty Fidza.

Observation:

Cute Tot has GREAT gross motor skills. Most of these activities focus on fine motor skills. I need to read up more on activities to tumble around.

Lesson for Bonda:

Even when I have planned and scheduled lessons and activities, get ready to not do any of them and attend to the Tot. She LEADS the school. Not me.

*Pancit Bonda*

Out.