Artsy Crafty

I didn't sleep until 2 am last night. I was up trying to assemble the stuff toys for the kids. I refuse to consider this as "sewing" because I was basically threading through holes to attach pieces of felt together. Nevertheless, it was a daunting task which I doubt a 5+ children could accomplished independently (don't crush my ego). It was genuinely not as easy as it should be, especially when I have never done sewing before. 

The kids were very happy to receive their stuff toys in the morning. I'm glad I decided against letting Sophie try sewing it herself. She would have got really frustrated and I wouldn't be very helpful because I would need some time to figure it out myself.

A couple of weeks before, I bought a canvas bag with some fabric pens. I meant it as a craft kit for Sophie. But somehow, we never got it out to do. Maybe I was trying too hard to save it for a special occasion. Today, it seemed like a good day for some doodling. I guess I needed the therapeutic effects of art more than the kids, so I drew some cute Ultraman cartoon figures on it. I think I did quite a decent job and Alfee was so thrilled.

 

I thought of stopping at 4, but I couldn't resist drawing the 5th one right in the middle. I will always have a soft spot for Ultraman. 

In the late afternoon, we did some Matisse inspired open-ended art. As usual, the kids weren't keen to just do what I planned to do, they wanted their own versions. 

For Alfee, he did his work very quickly and moved on to painting. He's different from Sophie when she was his age, Alfee is more eager and determined to express himself and less compliant to direct teaching. He's also very imaginative like Sophie. The kids spontaneously identified the subject in the painting as a stegosaurus. 

Alfee then experimented with shades of blue and twirled the "mop" brush to create interesting patterns that they kids called "roses". 

 

Sophie had a rough day with me so her creativity was affected. She rejected the idea of creating a Matisse inspired collage. She chose to assert her autonomy by doing something completely different although she kept the basic frame in her picture to avoid angering me. She's always a challenging one. 

Alfee

Christmas Party @ Seasons Park

It's an early christmas here at Seasons Park. The timing fits us well so I signed the kids up for the event. Ever since we decided to do homeschooling, I have been enthusiastic and forthcoming with all sorts of community events and activities. I must admit, it takes effort for me because by nature, I'm an introvert  with social phobia. I very much rather to be left alone in the safety of my home. However, I love my kids too much to subject them to my kind of solitude and lifestyle.

 

Papa took Sophie to the function room while I waited for Alfee to wake up from his nap. That little man is having such a hard time with his sensory issues that I almost didn't want to put him through the overstimulating celebration. Yet how could I deprive him? It's a daily struggle for me to ensure he's functioning right by balancing his needs with the right sensory diet. 

I doubt Alfee could fully understand what was going on, but he sat there with Sophie nevertheless quite obediently. I was noticeably worried, of course, I could only hope that Sophie would keep an eye on him as they played 'passing parcel'. I don't think anyone can empathise with me and frankly, I have stopped trying to seek understanding as well. It's hard for Alfee to and it's hard for me. 

After the game, the group broke up for food, balloon sculpturing and face painting. Sophie was quick to queue for the balloons but Alfee was too impatient to stay in a line. Thus, I ushered him to the face painting queue which was short. He was quite agreeable. He even discussed with the artist what he wanted and got a red car painted on his face.

Sophie also went for face painting, she was very patient and waited for her turn. After a long discussion with the artist, she got a princess painted on her face. Although she wasn't very happy with it, she went away quite graciously. She even waited in line for the second time to get another painting on her hand done. This time, she was very specific - pink and tiara. I suppose you can't go wrong with that.

There was a magic show when the group was once again gathered. It was quite entertaining and the kids were mesmerised by the magician's charisma and tricks.

 

Before the event ended, the children played another simple game. I wasn't sure what it was because i was all focused on Alfee. He was starting to do his usual 'kungfu' stuff and losing focus. I had to intervene a few times, removing him from the crowd in attempt to calm him down. Of course, he went all hyper again the moment I brought him back.

In fact, I was so preoccupied with Alfee that I got quite irritated when the organisers insisted the children stand together for photo taking. I was almost going to pull my kids out when I saw the reason why there was a need to take photo so hastily. Even then, it wasn't a pleasant experience to witness such insincere display of publicity.

All in all, the kids did enjoy themselves and I guess that's all it matters. I just wanted them to have a social life outside school and our family, especially Sophie. She has finally found friends in our estate and I hope she can continue to build lasting relationships with other children.

八仙 Restaurant

This was our second lunch at 八仙 at Tower Club mainly because the tim sum is really good and there is a 50% discount on Saturday. Although I'm not a fan of Cantonese cuisine, I really like it here. The place is also quiet and very comfortable. 

Alfee is always a very obliging photographic model and he's a darling when he's in control of himself. Sometimes I wish he's a easier time but I guess everyone will have their own challenges in life. And my kids will always have their sensory issues to deal with.   

Recently, Papa introduced them to the game of 'not smiling' invented by himself. Basically, he challenges the kids to outlast him in not smiling. Only Alfee couldn't do it. He's all happy and grinning always. It might seem like a childish game to others, but it is a way to help the kids learn self-awareness and self-regulation unknowingly.  

Sophie is starting to show a lot of interest in handphones and computers. She took Papa's phone and took a picture of the scenery outside the window. She also captured her own t-shirt reflection by accident. The end product was an adorable picture. 

Cartoon Drawing At YCK CC

I never agree with art classes conducted by individuals even if they claim to be trained and experienced in teaching art to children. Basically they want children to 'copy' them and reproduce their works in different permutations. It arguably similar to the idea of an apprentice learning from a grand art master.  And parents are often convinced that this is the most efficient way to help their children become little artists. However, it's not like that at all. As an apprentice, you get to 'copy' not only the composition or content of the grand master, but also the habits, skills and the whole process of the artistic expression. The grand master probably won't draw a sample for the appreciate to copy and verbally instruct him to complete it. He most likely ask the apprentice to prepare his work space or clean up the mess after him. Meanwhile, the ownership is then on the apprentice to observe, ask and learn as his teacher works.  

Although I haven't got very little formal training in art and only a few years in teaching it to children, I know too well how to elicit professional looking creations from unknowingly hands of these children.  If I have full control over the composition, style and technique, all my art pupils would have produced brilliant works of art. Yet, my pupils would probably learn to be obedient copycats, nothing more. Copying, of course, has its merits. Children need some sort of examples to follow, especially if they are clueless to what to draw or how to do it. Through copying, they can learn techniques and styles as well.  However, children need opportunities and space to break away and explore. They need encouragement and courage to experiment and express themselves.  

Despite all this, I signed up a three session holiday art class at YCK CC for Sophie. Today was her last lesson. I am quite relieved, really. For three Fridays, I took Alfee with me when I sent her to the CC for class. We waited for 1.5 hours in the neighbourhood and I usually sighed when I looked at her unfinished work at dismissal. Even though I knew what I had signed her up for, it was still hard for me to hide my disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be too critical of her works. I just wished that the teacher managed time better, taught the children more about composition, painting and colours.

So why then did I subject her to such poorly structured classes? I wanted her to experience other teaching methods, make friends and be independent. She was definitely independent enough, she was able to assemble her materials and clear up by herself. Many parents would rush into class to help their children clean up before they left. Sophie had to do it herself because I was with Alfee outside. As for making friends, she has no problem interacting with others but she doesn't make friends. She doesn't remember names or attempts to maintain the relationships. So nowadays, I will always ask her for the names of those children she speaks to. I need her to learn how to establish friendships.

Alphabet Art

Sophie's Love For Her Grandparents

Sophie occasionally verbalizes how much she misses Naenae. She openly talks about her death and how sad she feels about never seeing her again and slowly forgetting how she looked. Today she said this to me...

Sophie: Mummy, do you know who I pray for the most?

Me: (feeling a bit happy, thinking its me) No.. who?

Sophie: I give u a hint.. they are from my maternal side... 

Me: Oh.. who? (a little disappointed)

Sophie: It's Gong Gong and Ah Mah!

Me: Oh.. (truly puzzles) Why?

Sophie: Because they are really old.. I don't want them to die... I love them... so I pray to God.

Me: (I should be the one praying) ...

Sophie: Mummy...

Me: Hmm?

Sophie: Can you take a picture of Gong Gong and Ah Mah with me and Alfee? I want to remember them! 

Me: …

I was a little teary because I, too, fear the day when I finally lose my parents. I lost my sister years ago and the emotions never left me. Unlike Sophie, I didn't take a picture with my sister before she died. All I need to do is to look at myself in the mirror. I look like her. Some day, the kids will have to face the pain of losing their folks. It's a necessary process for our soul to mature. I hope they will deal with it wisely. 

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Papa took Sophie to the Grimm's Fairy Tales while Alfee and I stayed at home. It was a long show and Papa dozed off a couple of times but Sophie nudged him awake successfully after a few seconds and elbows. 

It was the last day of their performance so the crowd was reasonably smaller and thus, Papa could get a picture taken with the cast. He told me the performance was quite good and Sophie enjoyed herself. She was still talking about it at night.

During naptime at home, I was trying to coax Alfee to sleep by buying some sympathy. I badly needed some rest so he had to sleep. 

Me:... Mummy's not feeling well. You sleep with me, ok? Hug hug sleep...
Alfee: Ok… 

(1.5 hrs later, he woke up and placed his hand on my face)
Alfee: Mummy, you feeling better? Do you still want to sleep? I want to get up… 

Fortunately for me, I did feel better after an hour of sleep. Still, I wish I could rest a little more.

Satay By The Bay

Papa said he wanted to try something different for dinner tonight and suggested Satay By The Bay. It sounded quite nice so we happily headed there. When we saw the actual place, we thought it looked a little like a hawker centre. It's spacious and airy but the resemblance to Newton Circus is uncanny.

Then I did something unscrupulous. I saw a young chap leaning against an empty table with no chairs and happily assumed he was waiting for something other than chairs to appear on their own. Honestly, he didn't look like he was taking the table until I brought the two kids to the table and told Papa to get a highchair. Papa then told us to go because he realised the chap was probably occupying the table. Too late, he got angry and left, shaking his head as he stormed off. We were left there, feeling awkward. Yet I must admit I was glad to have got the table. 

My kids aren't hawker trained. They would do everything they aren't suppose to do and I've this OCD about food mess and filth. And fortunately, the family next to our table gave us 3 chairs so we were ready to sit and brave the dinner. It's hard to explain but we are usually very tensed if we have to eat at crowded places. 

Frankly, the food is not worth our effort. The kids hated the satay and they barely touched their chicken rice. They enjoyed the fruit and BBQ chicken wings though. Alfee kept asking for macaroni and cheese, which I thought was really strange. We don't usually eat that either.

We took a walk after dinner to wear off the satay smell but it didn't work very well. The kids wanted to run but it was too dark to run safely with kite flyers everywhere. The grass was also wet from the rain and some parts were under construction or repair so the debris and equipment were lying around.

We headed home soon after the sky grew too dark to see where the kids had run off to. I wish I could say we enjoyed the evening but it wasn't that fun at all. Maybe I was just too tired.