My First Mandarin Class @ Playdays

Mummy decided that the time had come for me to increase my exposure to the chinese language. Considering that the only chinese words I know are "yi" and "er" and "ba" (which are all numbers), I had my work cut out for me.

I was a little apprehensive at first during free play time and it took some coaxing to sit down at the table but once I got my hands on that play dough - I couldn't get enough.




I had a great time with the 2 arts and craft tasks. Here we are in the first painting glue before sticking on different "green" textured items onto the page.













In the second task, we had to fish out marbles from bowls of paint to test our hand skills and then we had to shake the marbles from side to side in the tray to create our own patterned drawing. What fun!




Mummy was very amazed to see how quickly I took to the language as I easily picked up a few key words during snack time. What can I say? I love my snacks!


And of course, who could forget my favourite singing session. It was great that there were some familiar tunes such as itsy-bitsy spider which the teachers sang in chinese instead of english. I think it was a learning experience for mummy too!













We ended the class with my favourite "Bye Bye Bubbles" song or should I say "Pao Pao". I hope we will see more of my friends soon.

An all kids affair at PS Cafe

Mummy and Daddy are always game to meet up with other new parents and 2 weeks ago, we met up with Uncle Kiam Hwee, Aunty Michelle, Alyssa, Uncle Michael, Aunty Shin Yii and Jia-en.

This looks like a very nice place and I settle in Daddy's lap to take a look at the menu. What should we order?

















Looks like Jia-En is thinking of the same thing as well.













Before everyone's food arrives, I get a headstart with my mid day snack of fruits.













Oooh. I see Jia-en has her own stash of snacks too! Too bad Alyssa is still on an all milk diet and can't join in the fun. Grow out your teeth soon okay Alyssa?













I think Alyssa and Jia-En are such cute babies. Mummy & Daddy think so too!

























Now what I really don't understand is how these baby girls can just doze off like that in the middle of an outing. I didn't even get a chance to say "bye bye" before they slept. Well, guess there will be a next time. See all of you soon!

Where are the Aeroplanes?

Today, we are off to the airport to catch the aeroplanes taking off and landing. Since I'm so proficient in naming household objects and animals, Mummy and Daddy decided that its time to learn more about transportation. Here I am all excited during my car ride there.

















Wow! I didn't know the airport was such a HUGE place. Lets see where we should go next.

































Look at this precarious position I found. I love looking down at people walking by.

















First things first - its time for lunch!













At the airport, I discovered this unique sculpture which is able to move on its own. It looks like a flower yet it looks like the wings of an aeroplane. I'm fascinated!

































And the icing on the cake is the freedom to roam free at the kids area in the basement. What joy!




Now...what happened to all those aeroplanes?

Time to hit the pool!

Mummy & Daddy bought me a new thermal swimsuit and arm floats last week as my Easter present. I could not hide my excitement when they asked if I wanted to go for a swim. Duh! Of course! You don't have to ask me twice.

Don't I look absolutely delighted in the water?



Swimming with my new floats on is a piece of cake. hehe. Ooh, except that I tend to drink some of the pool water now and then. Maybe my folks can consider getting me a backfloat so that I can float around independently?














Here we are all wet after running through the waterfall at the main pool.

















Alright! Now for the baby pool.

An evening stroll at Labrador Park

Earlier this month, all of us went down for an evening stroll at Labrador Park. It was nearly sunset and the sky was a perfect orange-red. I'm all excited as we arrive and I climb up and shout at the top of my lungs - we're here!

















I recognize all that expanse of water and the giant ships from my Baby Einstein books and I keep on pointing them out to Mummy & Daddy. Just in case they are not as observant as me.
















Daddy, thanks for driving us here! I'm going to give you a big squeeze...are you ready?

























What a beautiful sunset!













We'll be back soon...

I'm 17 months old

What can I say? I love talking! I'm able to imitate nearly every word you say as I listen in to the adult conversations around me. Mummy & Daddy think I have superb comedic timing as I laugh out loud when someone shares a joke. (And yes, this includes the jokes the deejays crack on the radio).

Motor skills
I'm able to walk up and down stairs by myself now. Hooray!




Language
I'm getting more and more proficient with 2 syllable words/sentences (eg: Mummy, Daddy, Open, last one, no more, read book, tummy, stomach,happy etc.) but this month, my achievement has to be the pronunciation of 3 syllable words like "Strawberry" and "Newspaper".

I'm progressing really fast in learning new words and I'm now forming sentences of 3 to 4 words in length.

Cognitive
I've moved on to Level 1 of the Ladybird book series which is meant for 4-5 year olds who are ready to take the first steps in reading. Don't get me wrong, I still love my board books but these books go one step further from independent words and pictures to develop a storyline. My favourite books of the moment are:
- Lost in the Wood
- The little Red Hen
- The Enormous Turnip
- The Billy Goat's Gruff; &
- Run Remy Run!

During storytime, I have begun to grab a book and start to read it myself by turning the pages, pointing at the key objects Mummy/Daddy talked about, and articulating the key words of the story.

I've also begun to recognize words in books that I read. Daddy was amazed when he wrote down the words "Good Night" on a blank piece of paper and I looked at it and pointed to the words and read it out loud!

Social
I'm getting better in my social skills and I fuss much less in public especially when meeting Mummy & Daddy's friends for the first time. Does this mean that I get to go out more often? Hmmm...=)

My grandma thinks that I'm a little too guai and may get bullied so Daddy is trying to toughen me up by showing me how to exert my rights when my toy gets snatched away from me at the playground.

Emotional
I have improved my control over my emotions. I will let you know by saying the word "happy" and smile.

Zoo-Out!

It has been some 7 months since I last visited the Zoo and Mummy & Daddy thought it was about time we visited the new exhibits - especially the new Children's World since Mummy's friends are always raving about it.

Here we are acting silly at Ben & Jerry's before entering the Zoo.




























Here are my 2 favourite animals - the white tiger and the wallaby. I was so fascinated when the wallaby hopped just in front of me in the Australian outback enclosure.






















This time at the zoo, we decided to take the tram so that we can zoom right through to the Children's World after seeing some key animals of course. Pity it was going too slow for my liking.

















Mummy & Daddy found it a little strange that I didn't enjoy myself as much as I should have at the water play area at Children's world. Maybe its because there were so many kids around and all that water spraying everywhere was like nothing I have ever seen before. Maybe we can try this place again when I'm a little older?