TD's Instructions

Since young, TD does not really like to be directed. Now, we realise he is actually a little bossy! While it is definitely positive that he has a mind of his own, Daddy and Mummy are often directed by his instructions.

Here is one example. Well it is not a very good example, still every piece below was made under his instructions!

Playdoh

First, TD asked for the vacuum cleaner, then he played with it for a few seconds like he is vacuuming, and asked for a pillow for the vacuum cleaner. Then he asked for a blanket for his v.c.

Next he asked Daddy for a lamp, which Daddy volunteered a lamp that comes with a side table. Then he asked for a blender on a table.

Then a bus, and lastly, the moon.

I guess that very much sums up TD's favourite things at 22 months and three weeks old!

TD loves to read




That's Daddy and TD at the library. We have meant to attend the Dinosaurs Stomp mini concert at Forum, but the loudspeaker was unpleasantly loud. We have decided to hide at the library upstairs instead. Somehow TD was not in a reading mood that day. He was more immersed with the different coloured stools, and asking Daddy and Mummy to sit on the green, the red or the blue stool. Yes he loves to give instructions.

Mummy makes half an hour before bedtime a reading routine. I hope that can calm TD down before bed, and hopefully he would ease into sleep with less effort...athough these days he can take up to one hour after his last milk.

When TD is in the mood, he likes to complete the last few words of every page. That makes reading to him easier!

Last Day of Chinese New Year

It was the last day of Chinese New year yesterday, so we went to Ye Ye's house for dinner. Only Tai Por came. This year's Lunar New Year felt a little crazy with a 22 months old toddler. Juggling between his meal times, nap time, and being wary of individual or children who are sick. We also invited Ishitani-san and family on the sixth day of Lunar New Year. Celebrated with champagne and beer rather than the traditional chinese tea.

Seventh day of Lunar New Year, there was a dragon dance downstairs. We thought TD might be scared, but he acutally enjoyed it a lot. He kept saying 'See dragon, see dragon' when we wanted to cut the walkabout short.

Ok, this has to be a short entry...it has been a little crazy these days... hope to have more time to do reading, and to post an entry from time to time!

Theodore Learns



At 20 months, TD attended the holiday program at Julia Gabriel. This video is of him on the 5th consecutive day when he had lossened up and decided to particpate!

After weeks of no classes, and today was his first in 2012, he was a little difficult this morning.

He knows his name is 'Theodore' and says it many times at home, but would refuse to say his name when the teacher asks him so.

When the teacher asked him which colour card to choose for his fun pass between red, yellow, blue and green. He said 'purple', as Jovanah's nails were purple. Jovanah asked TD again, which colour, and TD said 'fun' as he recognised the word 'fun' on the card. Jovanah was very surprised that he can read words; but anyhow TD still did not choose a colour.

The letter of today was 'h' for helicopter. When the teacher turned on the remote helicopter, all the kids were thrilled and took turns to take it from Jovanah and place it back to the centre of the mat after taking off; but TD said 'off, off, off'.

Slowly, slowly, I hope with routine, he would be back to how he enjoyed class during the holiday program!

Holiday Program




23 November 2011, I brought TD to the holiday program at JG, where we spent half a day at the Bird Park.

It was a five days, two hour each playgroup at Forum.

So, I spent the week bringing TD to playgroup in the morning; and then rushing off to work in the afternoon, and then being home by about 7pm for dinner.

I had a lot of fun and felt a lot of love spending so much time with TD together.

On the flipside though, I seemed to have burnt out a little haha..

When I return home after work these days, I stop playing flash cards with him....guess I just need some time to get back to routine haha

After work these days, I am pretty exhausted. After reading to him at bedtime, I will kinda glue myself to my computer, although doing brainless stuff.

When I first moved in, I will spend some time reading on my bed before bedtime. Now, even when I have time, I don't get down to chanting nor reading a book (which I should).... I just stone and surf the internet....kinda like a waste of time...hmm what is happening to me?

Hopefully, I will get some useful routine back ;)

Everybody Loves Coke

It's amazing how a can of coke can be highly desirable by a 19 months old. TD's development has been amazing to me.





Here are some of his funny conversations that are memorable to me.

Saturday Nov 19 2011, I woke up and decided that positivity starts from home. So I gave TD three to four big smiles while playing flash cards with him. On the fourth smile, TD smiled back at Mummy, and said "What's so funny?"

Tuesday Nov 22 2011, I was having breakfast with TD, and he wanted some of my fresh milk. I gave him a spoonful.

TD: Thank you.
Mummy: :)
TD: What must you say?
Mummy: surprised, and giggled back uncontrollably "You are WELCOME!"
TD: So loud
Mummy: ?

Its Playtime!

Theodore started an once-a-week, two hours playgroup at Julia Gabriel at 18 months. It is an accompanied playgroup with myself so far, and my mum for one lesson. TD is the youngest in class with most toddlers being older than 20 months. So to the rest of the class, TD is like a baby. TD clings onto me almost half the time, with the exception of playground time. This is the only time where I can disappear and TD does not really care. He can play with the teachers, while I chat with the other mummies not within his sight...



Today is Deepavali, a public holiday. Hubby is in Hong Kong for a few days, so I had the opportunity to spend an entire day with TD.

It is amazing how his speech has developed from singular words of 'fan', 'machine' etc to phrases and now sentences. His favourite daily sentences/ phrases these days are:

• Daddy makes coffee in the morning.


• Mummy uses the hair dryer.


• Barrier goes up...inside (trying to say that the barrier goes up so that the car can go inside the carpark)


• Wipers dry the window.


• Washing machine.. dirty clothes


• Metronome please


• Put Back

Seems like his favourite phrases are all to do with machineries or something mechnical. Rather focused and peculiar to me. Thats why I have been wondering if Montessori might be more suitable for him than a fixed curriculum. I do not have much knowledge in this area though...researching and trying to understand at this point...