Thursday, 16 February 2012

Reading Rain



As I always say to Papa, being able to read is a very liberating and empowering achievement. Sophie no longer relies solely on us (adults) to take her into the magical and imaginative world of stories. She can do it all by herself, slowly but steadily and surely, she would reach there. She struggles like any beginner readers, but she is very determined to do it right. I think she’s very confident in that aspect and I am proud of her.





(Last evening...)


Even more encouragiing is how she tries to read to her little brother and teach him a thing of two of what she knows. We like the fact that she always tries to be a good big sister even though she does not always feel good having a rival for her parents' affection and time.

Building A Relationship


It is simply amazing to watch how the kids interact this morning. Sophie had a bit of spare time before she headed for school so she played Lego with Alfee. As she built the structure, she coaxed her little brother to watch and follow her. And little Alfee really did just that! He was in complete trust that his big sister knew what she was doing and was quite willing to learn the ropes from her. I really hope they would become best of friends and siblings, despite all the sibling rivalry, and take care of each other always!

Reading Rain


As I always say to Papa, being able to read is a very liberating and empowering achievement. Sophie no longer relies solely on us (adults) to take her into the magical and imaginative world of stories. She can do it all by herself, slowly but steadily and surely, she would reach there. She struggles like any beginner readers, but she is very determined to do it right. I think she’s very confident in that aspect and I am proud of her.

(Last evening...)

Even more encouragiing is how she tries to read to her little brother and teach him a thing of two of what she knows. We like the fact that she always tries to be a good big sister even though she does not always feel good having a rival for her parents' affection and time.

Men!

I was trying to come up with some extension or story stretcher for Stick Man by Julia Donaldson since we watched the play last Sunday. However, I was so caught up with everything else that I could only do simple crafts.



I put Alfee on a pram and took Sophie and him out for a late afternoon walk around our estate. It was quite hot but the kids did not seem to mind because we were searching for the STICK MAN (actually sticks and twigs to make the poor guy…)! Sophie has always loved sticks and leaves so she was exceptionally happy. And her cheerfulness was contagious.

After we picked up enough sticks and twigs to start a fire, we settled down at the picnic table to do our craft. Actually, I was hoping that we could “return” the stick man to nature after that. Sophie and I sorted the sticks and twigs and made our Stick Man with a little sticker tape, plastic googly eyes and a little piece of pipecleaner. A pity that Alfee could only look on and chew on his straw.



Next, I took a bunch of straws and helped her make a straw man. It was not as well made as the stick man but that was because the rain was closing in on us and frankly, the heat was starting to affect me. It was also quite embarrassing when the management staff and cleaners of our estate start to stop by and look at our "creations". It did not help much at all when Sophie also started telling everyone she had seen the play and thus making a stick man.



Next, a lump of overused Playdough and we made two dough men. I let Alfee had a go at it but he kept pinching and dropping bits of Playdough on the floor. I had little choice but to ban him from littering.





At last, I thought we could go back and rest a bit but Sophie reminded me that there was still pipe cleaner man to make. So, I quickly helped her made one and completed the family of odd looking men! Finally we could go, after an intense hour of hard work! The sky looked really dark by then and I would do anything to escape the rain. That must be why I caved in when she insisted that the "men" must go home with us! And they did!



Building A Relationship



It is simply amazing to watch how the kids interact this morning. Sophie had a bit of spare time before she headed for school so she played Lego with Alfee. As she built the structure, she coaxed her little brother to watch and follow her. And little Alfee really did just that! He was in complete trust that his big sister knew what she was doing and was quite willing to learn the ropes from her. I really hope they would become best of friends and siblings, despite all the sibling rivalry, and take care of each other always!

Men!

I was trying to come up with some extension or story stretcher for Stick Man by Julia Donaldson since we watched the play last Sunday. However, I was so caught up with everything else that I could only do simple crafts.


I put Alfee on a pram and took Sophie and him out for a late afternoon walk around our estate. It was quite hot but the kids did not seem to mind because we were searching for the STICK MAN (actually sticks and twigs to make the poor guy…)! Sophie has always loved sticks and leaves so she was exceptionally happy. And her cheerfulness was contagious.


After we picked up enough sticks and twigs to start a fire, we settled down at the picnic table to do our craft. Actually, I was hoping that we could “return” the stick man to nature after that. Sophie and I sorted the sticks and twigs and made our Stick Man with a little sticker tape, plastic googly eyes and a little piece of pipecleaner. A pity that Alfee could only look on and chew on his straw.


Next, I took a bunch of straws and helped her make a straw man. It was not as well made as the stick man but that was because the rain was closing in on us and frankly, the heat was starting to affect me. It was also quite embarrassing when the management staff and cleaners of our estate start to stop by and look at our "creations". It did not help much at all when Sophie also started telling everyone she had seen the play and thus making a stick man.




Next, a lump of overused Playdough and we made two dough men. I let Alfee had a go at it but he kept pinching and dropping bits of Playdough on the floor. I had little choice but to ban him from littering.


At last, I thought we could go back and rest a bit but Sophie reminded me that there was still pipe cleaner man to make. So, I quickly helped her made one and completed the family of odd looking men! Finally we could go, after an intense hour of hard work! The sky looked really dark by then and I would do anything to escape the rain. That must be why I caved in when she insisted that the "men" must go home with us! And they did!

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

我要向山舉目


Sophie learnt this song from her school for their anniversary mass. It took us a while to figure out what she was singing (with the help of lyrics provided by her teacher upon request). And thank you Auntie Annie for the link to a more professional performance of that song!

我要向山舉目



Sophie learnt this song from her school for their anniversary mass. It took us a while to figure out what she was singing (with the help of lyrics provided by her teacher upon request). And thank you Auntie Annie for the link to a more professional performance of that song!

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Stick Man

Today, we went for our second play for the year - Stick Man based on a story by Julia Donaldson. It was another play of Kids Fest! at DBS Arts Centre - Home of the SRT. This time, I opted to watch it on Sunday because the seats and timing were better. I deliberately bought this book in anticipation of the play and prayed Sophie would like it. I want her to be exposed to more authors and genres so I picked the one that she was not familiar with. But by the end of the play, she has become very well acquainted with Stick Man and his family.

Here’s the story read by the author herself!




And here’s a trailer of the show we watched.



As usual, I could only take pictures of the empty stage. It look less elaborated than The Tiger Who Came To Tea, but the play was brilliantly done. Some parts of the story has been either ommited or simply narrated, but those scenes acted out were executed very creatively. I thought the actors and actress were very good, not too exaggerated or "hyperactive". There was hardly any dull moments and we were quite captivated throughout. Certain parts were a little abstract for young children but no one seemed to make any noise so I guess they still enjoyed those scenes.




I cannot speak for Sophie though. She was grouchy and she complained about everything even before the show began. She seemed to have enjoyed it, judging from the laughter and wide-eyed focus on her face throughout the play. Yet never ask her because she would search for something to complain about.


Papa sent us there and waited for us with Alfee. It was an hour of "walkaton", "street photography" and "bonding" for the pair of father-son duo. I am still looking for his shots to upload and I woould do it asap...

Stick Man

Today, we went for our second play for the year - Stick Man based on a story by Julia Donaldson. It was another play of Kids Fest! at DBS Arts Centre - Home of the SRT. This time, I opted to watch it on Sunday because the seats and timing were better. I deliberately bought this book in anticipation of the play and prayed Sophie would like it. I want her to be exposed to more authors and genres so I picked the one that she was not familiar with. But by the end of the play, she has become very well acquainted with Stick Man and his family.

Here’s the story read by the author herself!



And here’s a trailer of the show we watched.


As usual, I could only take pictures of the empty stage. It look less elaborated than The Tiger Who Came To Tea, but the play was brilliantly done. Some parts of the story has been either ommited or simply narrated, but those scenes acted out were executed very creatively. I thought the actors and actress were very good, not too exaggerated or "hyperactive". There was hardly any dull moments and we were quite captivated throughout. Certain parts were a little abstract for young children but no one seemed to make any noise so I guess they still enjoyed those scenes.


I cannot speak for Sophie though. She was grouchy and she complained about everything even before the show began. She seemed to have enjoyed it, judging from the laughter and wide-eyed focus on her face throughout the play. Yet never ask her because she would search for something to complain about.


Papa sent us there and waited for us with Alfee. It was an hour of "walkaton", "street photography" and "bonding" for the pair of father-son duo. I am still looking for his shots to upload and I woould do it asap...

Monday, 6 February 2012

Aww... Aww... Caught In A Traffic Jam


Alfee loves music just like his big sister but unlike her, he has more groove. In the car, the two of them enjoy singing and bopping. Usually we do not encourage pop music but… our bad! Since there is no G version of the MTV available...

Aww... Aww... Caught In A Traffic Jam



Alfee loves music just like his big sister but unlike her, he has more groove. In the car, the two of them enjoy singing and bopping. Usually we do not encourage pop music but… our bad! Since there is no G version of the MTV available...