Flash cards

A parent of one of my ex-pupils from school gave me some handy tips today on how to raise bright kids. I asked her for tips – not that she thought her boys were bright. And after I lamented on the lack of time I have to actually engage them in enriching activities every day, she told me to make full use of the six weeks of holidays, and that I am going to do.

So I pulled out some of the old flash cards that I made last year. I abandoned the flash cards the moment M started pre-school. I just didn’t have the energy to keep it up and that’s a lousy excuse. And while M started on flash cards when he was eight months old, I have not even started L on that and he’s already fourteen months. L also doesn’t know as many words as M did at the same age. M’s vocabulary at fourteen months was perhaps thrice as wide, no kidding.

M was keen to review the cards. I’ll see how long we can keep this up. I cannot do the Glenn Doman method of doing this five times a day, five sets of five words. Mine is the abridged version. But I suppose any exposure is better than none. Today’s words were of some of his favourite food – egg, spaghetti, cake, ice-cream and bread. L’s words for tomorrow would be Mummy, Daddy, car, clock and socks.

I wonder why

kids never seem to tire of playgrounds and parks.

MacRitchie Reservoir - one of the places we frequent

I need some new places. One would be the Jacob Vallas (or Ballas?) Children’s Garden, as recommended by two friends. Another is Fidgets, which I came across in a local forum. Neither is new. Just that we’ve never been there. Now I’ll just have to try to convince the hubs to try these out without his usual skepticism.

What won’t I do for him?

The best thing about M’s music class is that he thoroughly enjoys it. Which is fantastic. The worst thing about it, though, is that the parents (read: I. Me.) have to do the homework

which consists mainly of materials preparation for the following week’s lesson. Cutting. Pasting. Attaching.

The poor boy has got a gut infection. Was given Pedialyte (an electrolyte-packed drink), Colimix for abdominal pain, Lactogard and Reutofene, both probiotics for gut health. That, and the horrible swelling of the gums where the molars seem to be erupting, has caused him much discomfort and that, trust me, has got an effect on everyone else in the family.

Early this morning, after the boys were awakened, little L reached out from the father’s arms to get to me, wanting me to carry him. Seeing this, the elder brother wrapped his arms around my leg to stop me from moving any further. Any other mother might have irritated to have to deal with such sibling rivalry before the crack of dawn but I was thoroughly elated. Barely half an hour later, I was saddened by the thought that while I am so loved, so wanted and so needed now, I would one day become only the second most important woman in their lives. Silly me.

I can’t believe he’s three…

“I can wear my own underwear…”

 

“Done!”

Just another day

Had a late brunch with all of the in-laws today. We had booked a private room at the Jade Room at Hotel Royal. With six kids, the oldest being three and the youngest two months, it’s difficult to have family meals without a private room these days. The last meal we had at Ivins with the children getting in and out of their seats, running, singing and with two hawking photographers, I think we irritated many other restaurant patrons.

Then in the evening, we had another heavy meal. Took the folks to The Villa Bali. The waiter made good recommendations and it was a charming place but I was literally feasted on by the damn mosquitoes. I counted. Thirteen bites on my legs. Yeah… my lucky number. Fortunately this wonderful mother had attached a mosquito patch to each of her sons’ clothes. We had a great time and M really enjoyed being able to walk about during the meal, especially to the landscaped mini garden and fountain.

The Villa Bali

On a side note, I really need to get a remote control for my camera. The 10s self timer just doesn’t cut it. The photos turn out blurred.

Quell the tempest

Sometimes, when I get riled by the maid, I behave in front of the kids in a way that I really do not want to. But I cannot help it. When it comes to my children, my standards for everything from hygiene to their needs and wants are set ridiculously and unreasonably high. I know that it is hard for many others to live up to my expectations and when I lose control and reason evades me, I must say I am a pretty nasty monster of an employer. Tonight is one of those times. When I have calmed, though, I went over to say that I had over-reacted.

E, thanks for reading. YOU who do read are my closer friends and quite a few of you prefer to read and not comment. I am fine with that. I appreciate your pms though. Cheers.

Motherhood magic

Whenever I’m at work, I really miss my kids. How’s M at school? Are there going to be complaints from the teachers again? What about the little one? How’s his appetite? What does he have in his porridge today? Simple, seemingly trivial questions, yet they mean so much to me.

When I get home, the sparkle in their eyes. Yells of ‘Mummmyy!’ His little arms around my neck. The other’s flailing in excitement. Pleas to carry them. Implorations to take them to the playground. Earnest, almost piteous. My heart could literally melt.

A daughter. A wife. A sister. A friend. A teacher. I am, above all else, a mother.

Sometimes, I laugh at my stupidity

Dome at Dempsey Hill – Andrew was trying to decide between the fish and chips and the lot burger when, knowing that he loves lamb, I suggested that he ordered the ’sea-red’ lamb.

I blame it on reading too much to the kid and pointing at the big words and breaking them up into syllables.