My Family

The weekly theme at Rui's childcare is currently "My Family".

Rui reiterated to us that the teacher asked them questions about their families.

Teacher - What's your mummy's name?
Rui - Huiting
Teacher - What's your daddy's name?
Rui - Chan Wai Kean
Teacher - What's your sister's name?
Rui - Yan Yan
Teacher - Who do you like most of all?
Rui - All!

We thought that was a brilliant answer.

p.s. the following morning, while on the way to school, Rui suddenly remembered and said "I forgot Auntie Narti".

Children of today

We have all heard this before. Children nowadays lead a stressful academic life.

If I remember correctly, my pre-school life was mostly about play and learning the occasional alphabet or number. I enjoyed pre-school life immensely, partly because I am the sort who don't like to stay put at home. I even studied 2 years of K1 (instead of a year of K1 followed by another of K2) because my nanny had wanted me to get more sleep! (K1 was afternoon session, K2 was morning).

Rui is now in K1 and it is a different ball game altogether. At a tender age of 4.5years, she now has to go through weekly 听写and spelling. For her first 听写, the words she has to learn are:
1. 一(i know what you are thinking "aiya, this one simple la")
2. 海 (oops...I don't recall being able to write that word till I am in primary school)
3. 男生(oh oh, 2 words somemore)

Fortunately, Rui relishes the idea of having 听写. I guess she is the "tak chay gia" sort (meaning the academic type).

If her first 听写 is this tough, I wonder how will her first exam be?

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

It's a practice in Rui and Yan's childcare centre that the children go around the neighbourhood wishing neighbours Happy CNY during the lunar new year period. On that particular day, the children will be decked out in festive clothes.

Momma bought the 2 girls a new cheongsam each (cheap, I must say, at $10 each only!). To add to the festive mood, the girls posed next to the newly bought pussy willow.

Yan also picked up "Xin Nian Kuai Le" and "Gong Xi Fa Cai" from school. She will shout the greetings out at the top of her voice. She sounds strangely like an ang moh.