The best for him.

Well,the past 2 weeks or so have been somewhat mind-boggling for hubby and me.We have to come up with certain conclusions and decisions which at first,seemed so easy...but we really have to consider it carefully,again and again.

So we made a decision at last....to pull him out of his current school.

Were we rash in our decision?Is it premature to take such a drastic step?

We have thought this over...long conversations at night after the kids were fast asleep.We both agreed that this is for his own good,albeit some adjustments need to be done in our daily routine.Never mind that he hasn't even received his school uniform yet or that we have made various payments.Guess it's a small thing when we see the big picture.

So I've tendered the letter of withdrawal today.Even his teacher was surprised and I had to be diplomatically correct when she asked me why.

I don't want to sound snobbish but the past few weeks had left us disappointed and worried.Each time we asked him,what have you learn today...or what did you do today in school,the answer would be 'play toys'.Or sometimes,'sing Twinkle twinkle and ABC song'.Even the communication book denotes little learning on the students' part.I gathered some feedback and it seems that it is a norm for teachers not to focus much on those who happened to know already what is being taught.I mean,I don't want my child to be bored in class or be a distraction to his peers since he has nothing new to learn.I want him to learn something new each day,to have fun learning and to be at a place whereby we can maximise his full potential.

When hubby mentioned this school,we both knew we wanted him to be there.We have been there before and we liked what we saw but at that point in time,we have already registered our son to his current school so we just went ahead with it.But now,it seems this new place is luring our son to be there!We like it as some lessons are taught on a 1 to 1 basis, to ensure every child progresses at his own rate.The class atmosphere is that which promotes fun learning and good communication.I witnessed most kids speak so well and confidently,I was so delighted when they spoke to me!The school's programs cover maths,phonics and writing.And the plus point?Our son gets to learn a 3rd language-one that he could delight in when meeting with some of his cousins,aunt and uncle : )

We are not pushing him to learn like crazy...but we know that to pick up a new language or learn anything new,a child is able to absorb it faster and better.An example...?Just the other day,I got the shock of my life.I scolded him for not sitting down and concentrating on reading some words on the dvd we played for his sister and him.I asked him sternly,"you know how to read these,is it?!" And his casual reply was, "yes,I know how to read." So I pressed the pause button when a word popped up and challenged him to read it aloud,lo and behold,he got the first one right.Hmmm,perhaps it was just pure luck.So I tested him again.Would you believe,he got it right again...and again...and again...wow,now he got me!Maybe he had memorised the sequence....so I printed those words on cards,shuffled them up and tested him one more time....gorilla,cat,dog,clap,arms up,mouth,nose,toes and so on.....I was defeated but truly happy.He got all correct : )

Anyway,hopefully,this change...this adjustment that we all have to face,will benefit him,Insya Allah.

VS...finally!

*giggle giggle...* Finally,after yearsssssss of waiting,VS has finally arrived in Singapore!!yippee!

Now,how super duper cool is that?!

First birthday.

To my darling princess....Happy first birthday sweetheart!

My sweet life has since been a notch happier with you : )

My first day for the next 20 years....

My darling baby boy...(hmm....I shouldn't be calling him baby anymore,right?But he's still and will always be my baby...) starts school as of today!!!

Ohhh...my big,baby boy! Hehehe....

We had been talking so much about it for the past few weeks to psych him up for school.We wouldn't want him to cry or be afraid of separation.We wanted him to be excited and happy to be there.

And he did!

Indeed,I was happy...and so proud of him.He was excited to put on his uniform (albeit only a PE attire is available now) coz he loves to put on anything new (hubby said he got that trait from me! : P ).

Geared up for orientation yersterday.

Checking out his classroom.

Ooohhh...so many things to touch!

After yesterday's orientation,he didn't want to leave the class.He wanted more!So I promised him another day would be a more exciting one...

Today,I was so anxious,I got the timing wrong! lol. So we were at his school more than half an hour earlier!haha...We waited patiently,let him check out the other classes and when it was time,he kissed me goodbye and said, " See you later,umi!". He didn't glimpse back after that.I just heard him called me once,I replied and he was on his own.....I watched him through the closed windows and grinned...that's my boy! Within minutes,he was up exploring the classroom.

Today!! First day of school...excited to enter his classroom.

Attendance taken...now time for temperature check!

After about 2 minutes of sitting while waiting for the other kids to enter the class,he was up and about,exploring the room on his own!

By the end of his class,this was how 'untidy' he got.

Look at that paint on his shirt! Obvoiusly,he had his fun...With so much stories to tell,we headed home gleefully.

This was the first day for my next 20 years or so....of my kids being in school : )

Burrrp...!!!Ewww......smelly!!!

It was postponed so many times but eventually,we all made it for our durian date!Yay!Liz was so excited,she messaged me early in the morning to confim.Of course,it's on,babe!

Met at my crib and right after asar,we zoomed to the durian shack with much excitement!It was a great,stinky durian evening with good laughs...thanks everyone!

Our ladies rummaging the toybox.

Check this out! Ooohh la laaaaa!Those fingers belong to my hubby who really couldn't wait!

Our durian expert making the sellers laugh...

Now this is the nicest,creamiest one!

Roadtrip on our sti!

A much-awaited roadtrip for all! Daling hubby was as excited to drive as we were thrilled to feel the adrenaline rush!


5 days of fun,laughter and oh-so-much-food (burp!).The kids had a whale of a time and so did their mum and dad!



*sings* All my bags are packed,I'm ready to go...

Big eyes.

Sweet surrender to his afternoon nap during the ride.



Dinner time at Sunset Retreat Seafood.

She giggled after sucking on a lemon!

What's for dessert?These!!!!!!!Ooh la la....

Usually sleeps at 8,this was way past her bedtime,she was slumped in her carseat.

Before bedtime,read a book or eat a book?

Done for the night....

Next morning,bright and early,we headed to KL next! Woo hoo....Shopping and good food,baby!

Before we head off,must read newspapers first!

Stopped by a fast-food outlet,but the food took ages to arrive....so big bro was trying to amuse his sis! So cute!

Yay! We are here at the hotel...checking out the lobby...

Huge bed with lots and lots of fluffy pillows!

Love the room...love our Marriott...on the 23rd floor no less!! : )

Oooohhhhhh....bathtub...my fave!!!

Exploring the room,found some pens and papers so it's drawing time!

Another one exploring...hello,is this phone working?

Everyone in the tub!

All freshened up,watching TV...

Dinner at Tony Roma's...the nicest,warmest french loaf!*drool*

Back to Marriott hotel.Big bro teaching his sis to walk!

A surprise treat for all! Cakes for desserts!


The final days of out getaway was spent indulging in lots of sinful,guilty but no doubt super-yummy food!What we ate were more than what are shown here!lol

It was such a great vacation...can't wait to do it again!

P.S. Thanks love!Muakks...

Time to hit the pool!

Look at that sweet,cheeky smile!

Baywatch babe....phee weet...

By the pool....

My baywatch babe using a float?hehe...

Waterboy.

Having fun!

After swimming,we waited for many hours for the kids to get up from their nap to get here! We have to have arab food!

Our fave-hummus!!!The best we've ever tasted! And the chicken soup was amazing!

Sunday...lunch at Food Garden.

Just when you think we had enough,we got doughnuts! First time trying Big Apple.

Doughtnut Dracula.

Doughnuts,gelato...then we were returned to our room,we found this on our table!Super,delectable chocolates!

"Your phonecall,umi!"

"No,it's for me...hello?"

After all those food and the kids in bed,I had this in my tub to wind down and deflate...hehe...

Darling princess asleep in my arms on the way back home...

*Lots more pics for my personal friends in Multiply.See you there!