Monday 20 April 2009

1st Visit to the Zoo

Yesterday finally managed to get into the Zoo. Had planned for the trip on Good Friday, only to find the carpark already full & roadside parking all the way down to the Orchid Garden at 10:50am.

So was rather glad it wasn't so crowded on a 'normal' Sunday at 9:50am (yes, we made the effort to go earlier this time round). Sam still refused to put on sunblock, but after the distastrous Birdpark experience I covered him in the white cream despite all his protests and cries. And am I glad I did!!!! Look how red he was that night after a mere 3 hrs in the Zoo! (and half that time in the shade too!)
Fortunately most of the red-ness faded this morning. Now, only the area around his neck is still itchy from the sunburn.

Talking about the trip to the Zoo, Sam's reactions to it really burns me up! Oh, he did seem to enjoy seeing the hippos & the otters & one crocodile sleeping in the water. But while I was excited we managed to catch the feeding of the mousedeer etc at the Rainforest, Sam was actually frightened by the sight of feeding gibbons. Goodness knows why??

And when hubby excitedly pointed out the white tigers to the little bugger, he found the exhibit of the tiger sounds more interesting than the sleeping big cats. Okay, to be fair, it would really be more fun pressing the buttons to hear the tiger's roar than to watch them sleep............

But not to be interested in the Elephants of Asia show????? The animal show is only 30 min, we had a clear view of the magnificent beasts, and Sam spent the 1st 15 min snacking & drinking (ok, so he was hungry). Then, hunger satisfied, he started sucking his thumb and cuddling up to me, and after another 5 min, told me: "Mummy, no zoo, go 'gai gai'!"

I nearly went up in smoke!!!! He rather go shopping than visit the zoo!!!! What more can I do???????

Friday 17 April 2009

Getting Sam to Drink Water

Sam hasn't been drinking water during his playgroup since last week. He may have finished his biscuits, but his water bottle would remain full when I fetched him from 'school' 2 hours later. Bugging him about it only got him to take small sips.

So yesterday I went on a shopping spree in NTUC Xtra (yes, I know, of all places, but that's the only place open in Jurong Point at 9:45am in the morning) and bought 3 new bottles: a 250ml Rubbermaid, one tall Bob the Builder with shoulder strap, and a very tall bottle with racing cars pictures.

Well, Sam didn't touch his biscuits today, but he finished the whole bottle of Rubbermaid! Talk about the appeal of a new item!!!

So now I'm keeping his Pigeon bottle for home use. Plan to use the small Rubbermaid one for his playgroup. The Bob the Builder one for when my mum fetches him after school, so that there'll be extra water for the journey to his grandmother's place. And the ultra tall racing car version for weekends when we go out, then won't have to worry about running out of water.

Hopefully this will be enough to keep his interest in drinking water...........

Friday 3 April 2009

Teaching Good Friday

Once in a while I'll get into those crazy highly enthusiastic mothering moods that die down as quickly as it came. 2 weeks ago I bought 2 different toys - a 10-piece jigsaw puzzle & a counting puzzle - for Sam in an attempt to improve Sam's concentration & reduce his TV time. Needless to say, I gave up after 2 days and I myself went back to doing my own stuff while he watches TV quietly.

Today was buying Polar curry puffs for hubby when the salesgirl started her sales talk for their cross buns: "very nice, only made for this festive season!". I ended up buying one @ $1.20, thinking no harm letting Sam (& myself) try something new.

By the time I reached home, I'm contemplating how to introduce the Good Friday & Easter holiday to Sam. After all, he's already participated in the Chinese New Year & Deepavali celebrations in the school when we were in KL. Since the current playgroup doesn't do such activities, I thought: why not do it myself?

There comes the problem: I'm no good in teaching kids. Least of all my own son. And I know nuts about Good Friday. And Easter.

Just now I actually went to Wiki up Good Friday, hot cross buns, and Easter. After all the reading, I can only conclude: since we ourselves are not Christians and don't celebrate these holidays usually, I'll just leave it as that.

The most I think I can manage is teaching Sam to eat hot cross buns on Good Friday and chocolate Easter eggs on Easter Sunday. Not exactly the right thing to do, I know, but then I'm not expecting much from my yet-to-be three year old either. I mean, I haven't even yet figure out how to explain a 'holiday' to him, you know what I mean????