Random Conversation - Empathy

While trying to egg KY on to get his bum off the chair and out the door (for once! usually its me he will be nagging at) so that we can be at church on time without having to zig zag through traffic and hurtle down the expressway at speeds I will not disclose for fear I will get an online speeding ticket(!)...

M (to KY): So...are you ready to go? Or are you still going to play your stupid games on the computer? (Yes, I am SO encouraging. Much as computer games are my sore point with KY, so is my perpetual rubber timing and nagging an annoyance with him. We have our endearing ways for each other! Haha!)
J (who was entertaining herself pulling her school worksheets out of her file and thus creating more mess for me to put away) : Papa do stupid things!
KY : What??
M (to J) : YA! Papa is playing stupid games on the computer!
KY : ...
J : Mommy is angry!
M (playing along): Yes! Mommy is angry!
J: Mommy is angry with Papa!
M (laughing) : Yes! Mommy is angry with Papa!
J : Janine is angry!
M : Oh! Why is Janine angry?
J : You angry, I angry also!
KY (to M): YOU! What are you teaching my daughter!?!

Ho ho ho!

As simple as that!

Things I have learnt after this exchange:
1. Children ARE listening to what we say. Even when they appear not to!
2. Children are VERY sensitive to the emotional vibes going on around them. I guess they pick it up from the tone/volume of our voices when we talk.
3. Children tend to pick up words that you rather they don't pick up!

I am reminded once again that children are not only mirrors or little sponges, but they are also like loudspeakers, sensitive enough to pick-up and broadcast the nuances characteristic of their family! Not that we use expletives freely at home or berate one another incessantly, but unless I am looking for embarressing moments (not as if I am lacking in this aspect...my dear friends in office may NOT comment further on this thankyouverymuch!!!), its best if we be more mindful of what we are saying to one another!

Random Conversations - Fear

Last night, the little girl was trying to tell me about a story her class teacher, Mrs Yeo, told them.

J: Mrs Yeo tell me a scary story.
M: Oh is it? What scary story did she tell you
J: In a dark dark room....
M: Oh...in a dark dark room...and then what happened?
J: (cocks her head to one side) Hello anybody there?
M: Oh...was there anybody there?
J: (waving her hands frantically at me) Mommy don't talk!

And although she doesn't want ME to talk about the scary story, the little one OBVIOUSLY can't get it out of HER system. She brought up the story again while waiting for me to prepare her bottle of milk.

J: Mrs Yeo tell me a scary story...in a dark dark room...
M: (by now I have some recollection of the story that I had also read loong looong time ago) Oh...in a dark dark room...and then? There was a dark dark cupboard...and in the dark dark cupboard there was a..
J: (waving hands frantically again) Mommy don't talk! Don't talk the dark dark room!

So then it dawns on me that the story had given Janine the heebie-jeebies. And no wonder. The story ends with a GHOST popping out of a box @.@ Eeeps! Even I would get the creeps *shudder* My poor darling.

Of Red And White, Crescent Moon And Stars

Janine's school celebrated National Day yesterday and we enthusiastic parents excitedly squeeeeeezed into the small hall to see our little ones sashay, dance and marched their little hearts out to the tune of some of our favourite National Day songs.

And of course, what's a party without FOOD? The spread was "downsized" to cater to their little taste buds (and perferences), but even then, look at the variety!!! They are on their way to being your typical food-loving Singaporean :D

I leave you with a short clip of Janine, together with her classmates, performing "Rasa Sayang":)(yes her DEBUT performance!) Look out for their little turn-on-the-spot at the beginning. The teachers spent many hours helping them to "perfect" that little turn so it definitely deserves some special mention :D

[Edit: Apologies! Having some problems uploading the video clip @.@ Ack! I promise it will be up akan datang!]

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY SINGAPORE!

Random Conversations

Once, KY was vacuming the carpet while the little girl, perched on the sofa, was watching her all time favourite Veggietales. At one point, he had to stand in front of the TV to vacum a spot and inevitably blocked her view. Then...

J (after craning her neck this way and that): Papa...
KY: Yes Janine?
J: Please Papa, can you don't block me? I want to watch the TV.
KY: ...

Confirm TV addict @.@

Just the other day, while I was giving her a bath...

J (pointing to my toenail-less toe): Mommy pain pain
M: Yes, Mommy fell down and hit my toe. So pain pain (its a long story but that's generally what happened :P)
J: Mommy toe pain pain...got blood...mommy must go see doctor and put medicine
M: *chuckle* yes, must put medicine then not so pain
J: put medicine then not pain already

Doctor Janine is in. Btw, did I mentioned that she has her own doctor's kit? Complete with stethoscope (with heart pounding sound effects), thermometer (that displays temperature), kidney dish, syringe, etc which is all contained in a pretty and matching pink carrier case. Gift from one of KY's teacher friends. How cool is that.

This one is a classic for me. When we visited KY's parents this week, I had parked the car rather near to the drain that runs alongside their house. I had to fish something out from inside the car, and as a result, was standing rather close to edge of the drain.

J (after a moment of observing what her crazy mother was trying to do): Careful the drain, mommy
M: OK...
J: Careful the drain wait you fall down...then I cannot help you...
M: !!!

How true. From the mouths of babes comes words of wisdom :P

Rather precocious coming from a 2-and-a-half-year old, I must say. Whatever the case, her sentences are getting more and more complex...more coherent and still quite funny! ^^