Primary School Leaving Exams : Apr-10

2010 key highlight will probably be our first gal going thru' her PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examinations) this year.

Beginning of Qiqi's school term, we could already sense the significant amount of pressure and workload from the school to prepare the P6 students for this exam. It is now less than 4 months to the first exam, despite the heavy amount of homework, Qiqi is still not giving up her favorite TV show and many adhoc hobbies. I suppose with 'appropriate' amount, these could relieve some of her stress level. Nevertheless, I think it's about time the family also help to prepare and work together with Qiqi towards one of her important milestones in education. This exam must be Qiqi's victory in 2010... 加油, 文淇！

Please comment to support and encourage Qiqi... :-)

PSLE Timetable from MOE:

Mynah Bird & Its Family : Apr-10

About 6 months ago, we have noticed two mynah birds constantly flying around our air-con compressor unit. When I investigated further, I discovered that the mynahs have been pecking on the outer wooden plank which was used to cover up the HDB air-con compartment.

Shin Yang and I decided not to cover up the hole as we were afraid that the mynahs might already laid their eggs there. So, instead of sealing, we even provided some shelter to prevent rain from entering the hole.

A few weeks ago, we started to hear more and more activities coming from the compartment. Although we have suspected that some eggs might have hatched, we were curious to know how it would look like within that space. Thus, with some aid of 'technology', I managed to place a fluorescent lamp into the gap and video tape it. Do you want to find out what we discovered? Take a look for yourself, you won't regret it, it's almost like the discovery channel... :-)

Lunch Affair : Apr-10

Last year when Qi was in the morning session and Xuan in the afternoon, I thought things should work out better this year when both of them will attend the same morning session. Boy, was I wrong! With En in the pre-nursery, and Qi and Xuan dismissed at different timings almost everyday, I have to make four trips out of the house juz to bring the 3 girls to and from school!

We, the 3 girls and I, never had lunch together on a school day. We, the 2 older girls and I, never had lunch together on a school day either. Qi has no additional class only once a week, and after this week, she will have additional classes and taking lunch in school everyday. Xuan stays back in school twice a week, and on the one day her sis can come home early. Ma is also more active than last year, and do not join us for lunch anymore. In the end, En is the only one who takes lunch at home everyday! Even then, it is not a proper lunch either as she would have taken her breakfast less than 2 hours ago and she would be taking a snack upon arrival in school which would be less than 1 hour thereafter.. With a nearby confectionary shop that sells seemingly healthy and tasty porridge for breakfast, En's lunch is easy.. So, lunch is seldom homecooked now. Such a pity I am not able to polish and further improve my culinary skills.. ;P

Anyway, I do get some time alone with the girls separately.. ya, over food. Qi, who always prefer western food like subway or mcdonalds, also enjoys laksa and even its spicy gravy. Xuan who cannot call a meal without rice a meal, tried Long John Silver and liked it.. without a grain of rice. En, who enjoys all food, especially likes orh-kueh or yam cake now; she even enjoys the black and ugly gui ling gao from the same shop!!

All these eating out has taken its toll on me.. Now, I take lunch twice a day, snack on both healthy fruits and I-forbid junk food to 'clear stock' in-between lunches and dinner. I no longer like to step on my room scale; in fact, i hope its battery will go flat soon and I can continue in my world of denial!

Another look at our Papaya tree : Mar-10

http://shinykoh.blogspot.com/search?q=papaya

This papaya tree which we planted more than 2 years ago had been working so hard. It is now almost 3 times taller than Xuan and the tree is full of fruits! And all these happen when Xuan decided to give the tiny seed a chance to 'revive'.

Looking at how this tree grows, I thought it is so similar to our lives. If we constantly start to take small positive steps in life, it would definitely make us a person of great value in the long run. Don't you think so? :-)

Photo Montage on the PD P6 Camp : Mar-10

Beautiful pictures, all natural expressions, and all in action.

Swee ah! Must see.. captured by Aunty Ying Ling and Aunty Tiew Ling, and put together into this lovely montage till the wee-wee hours during the camp by Aunty Ying Ling. Aiyah, i should have captured her catching forty winks in her chair in front of her laptop at 5am in the morning.. Anyway, enjoy~~

Dancing from the PD P6 Camp : Mar-10

For the past few years, Aunty Lay Lay has never failed to entertain and bring all feet to dance at the end of every PD P6 Campfire. This year was of course no exception, except that I managed to capture on video, the most delightful way she always did it! Yes!! ;)

In addition, this year's camp was extra special and despite with almost no role at the camp, I asked to stay overnight.. because my very own daughter was attending the camp this year! She almost did not want to go for the camp, but fortunately her decision was overturned.. but to be fair, she was a willing camper too due to the friends she has made over the years in PD who also joined the camp. Look at how our Hougang cubs enjoyed putting up their little dance item at the campfire. They may not be the best dancers or those with the most suave moves, but looking at the smiles on all their faces, I'm sure they enjoyed the dance as much as we enjoyed watching them. Their spirit was admirable, isn't it? Really hope they will remain steadfast good friends for life. :)

Mama's Birthday : Mar-10

It is Mama's 63rd birthday and we're celebrating this joyous occasion with our usual cake cutting.

En'en is probably the most excited one, and she kinda directed the entire flow of events during this celebration. En'en has also been practising the birthday song almost the whole day to prepare herself for this. And in order to let her catch up, we have to deliberately sing the song slowly.

Xuan Xuan's photo skills : Mar-10

I was trying to drain off the camera's battery and decided to ask Xuan to help me with the job. I told her to take whatever pictures she likes around the house and to my surprise, she could really take them very well. All the soft toys seemed to come alive with her camera skills, great potential.

Litte Pink Riding Hood : Mar-10

It is a norm that En'en will go around the house after each bath, requesting whoever is at home to smell her freshness. This is how she will look like while walking around, we call her the 'little pink riding hood'. :-)

Qiqi performing at a dance competition : Mar-10

Throughout Qiqi's entire primary schooling, she has participated in all kinds of dance and performances. The range varies from Indian dance, Malay dance and this year, a Hip-Hop dance. After winning the top and only culture performer in school during Pri 2, her passion for dancing never seems to ease and outside school, she is still pursuing her Ballet skills. Dancing seems to go well with Qiqi's happy-go-lucky character and she looks good dancing confidently with a big smile on her face.

This year, HIPS decided to participate in a dance competition in the anti-drug abuse campaign organised by Dance Works. The crowd which turn out is amazing and some schools even send many supporters for their team with their teachers being the cheer leaders. It is exciting for us to watch Qiqi perform and we hope she enjoys her dance as much as we enjoy watching it.