My sweet Ryan

Ryan, by comparison to my other kids, is the sensitive one, the one which emotions is played to the max. Very emotional, very sensitive, very quickly cathes on your moods, and also the very understanding one.

Last Sunday, at Sunday School, the teacher ended with asking if anyone has a person to pray for. Being the newbie, he was very brave to raise his hands and asked that the class pray for his sister, who has leukemia. His gesture touched many people in the class without him knowing it. The teacher made everyone promise to pray for little Megan every night. I felt so thankful for that.

A few days later, Ryan asked for some photos to be cut out for his family tree homework. He brought our photos and passed his sister's to everyone in class to show them his sister. I asked why did he do that, he said "So that everyone will know who they are praying for." My heart melted.

Just now, I asked if he wanted to eat out for dinner. He said no, I asked why ... he said "Keep the money for Megan to see doctor." I was near to tears when I heard him say that.

His drama class teacher said Ryan is a very co-operative and polite boy. I have heard so many nice things that sometimes I wonder how he can get so nasty with me. I guess behind all those dreadful scenes, there lie a lovely boy which so many people can see but sometimes it escapes me. My sweet little Ryan, I hope he will continue to melt my heart more and more each day ...

My baby leaves school

It was just like yesterday when I sent Ryan to school for the very first time. I still remember all the guilt I had when I sent him at 3 years old. He was still a baby then, still nursing and still with diapers. 


After 4 years there, today, we have to move on and close this chapter of his life as we embark on the next phase. 


As always, I will pick him up on the first and last day of the year, today I did that too. In the car, I explained to the best I can for him to understand that the journey has been long and was filled with joy, laughter, tears and sometimes frustration. But I said that this part is now closed and we will move on to another school with good things to come. 


I am not sure if he understands it fully, but he expressed some sadness as he said he wants to always remain where he is ... he loves the play concept very much! 


Tomorrow marks a new journey for me as I will undergo orientation for Megan ... and I am sure it will be an eventful journey for all of us. 

Ryan participates and wins!

In this last week, Ryan has taken part in 2 quiz sessions and he won! Ok ok, some may say it is no big deal, but I am his mother, and I think it is a very big deal!

So last Tuesday, after we finished his music class, we hung around till about 7pm where the centre had a pretty Japanese girl come to perform and sell the features of their electone and piano. After some playing, she announced that there will be some questions and if the kids answered them correctly, they will get a small keyboard like pouch.

When she played that Korean song "Nobody Nobody But You", Ryan's hand shot up and answered the title of the song. He got a red pouch. Then he said "I want one for my sister". So when the next quiz came on the instruments that was played on the electone, his hand shot up again and he answered "Piano". This time he got a block pouch. He happily declared that he was going to get another one for Dylan.

Unfortunately, on his third attempt, the lady said that they have to give other kids a chance ... so Ryan's hopes were dashed. No matter, I still praised him for a good effort put in. The pouches were later filled with sweets from the centre and presented to the sister - both were delighted!

Yesterday, we participated in another one. It was the cast of Aladdin at MPH Mid Valley. They came to introduce themselves and later tell a story. After that the kids were asked questions.

The first question was answered wrongly and Ryan felt his ego hurt when kids laughed at him. Early start to teaching him it is ok to be wrong and laughed at so long as learn and move on.

The second one was answered quickly when asked who did Aladdin love, or something like that...I was too excited to remember the exact thing. For getting that right (and the effort put in), he won 2 tickets to watch Aladdin the musical at Sunway Lagoon. But hor, they are very clever, give you 2 tickets ... you still need to buy extra ones if you want to go as a family. Which makes me think now ... should I buy 2 more or should I just make do with 2 tickets? Meaning I will just bring Ryan to the musical since he won it ... Hmmm ...

But coming back, Ryan gave good tries to both and I am really proud that he did not need me to poke him into participating. He did that all by himself. Looking forward to the next ones ...

Morning Talk

So my kid says "mummy, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can take care of you when you are sick".

Melted my heart in the middle of rush hour. Have a good day folks!

Conversation which made me laughed

So last night I was making banana cake and the family gathered around the oven to see "Mummy's banana cake" cause it was te first time I made it.

And when Ryan was poking his daddy too much, the following conversation took place...

Daddy: You do that again and I will put your hand into the oven ah. Burn it ah.
Ryan: You want me to die ah? So you got only one son ah?
Daddy: No la, burn already will grow back one.
Ryan: What?! You think I am a starfish ah? Hand can grow back ah? You see? I got 1, 2, 3, 4 (referring to his limbs) - you think I am a special kind of starfish ah?

It was too funny to continue cos we all burst out laughing.

Kids, you just never know what they know and what they will say.

Ryan's first day in school

I still remember Ryan's first day in school. It was 3 years ago. I had felt very guilty then, having to send him to school at such young age. However, I am glad I did it cause he really benefited from it.

Today, it will be his first day of his last year in pre-school. It has been a great journey for him, and us. Last night, I wrapped his communications book and I am really touched by how far he has come and the many developments that has taken place.

This time next year, my baby will be in Standard One, oh, how time flies. I am so so proud of him, although there are challenging times which I am sure is normal.

Today, as in the past 3 years, I will be off from work and will be sending and picking him up - a tradition I hope my kids will treasure for many years to come.

I thank God each day for the chance he has given us to help in moulding this child. May He blesses him with many more happy and healthy times as he journeys through life.

Have a great day Ryan!

I pulled out Ryan's tooth!

Yes, I did! I know, I am a little crazy not to have brought him to a proper dentist, but hey, I did mine on my own too many, many years ago.

I remember my first 2 front teeth extraction was done by some nurse at the local hospital. And I was rewarded with a bar of chocolates for being so brave.

Yesterday morning, Ryan's tooth was already half way out, it will fall anytime. Rather than miss it, I took a piece of thread and tied it to his tooth. After a couple of attempts to tie the thread, it was a go. One small yank and he did not even realised that the tooth was out! He was laughing all he way, think he was feeling scared and excited at the same time.

I had bought some gauze a day before, anticipating that this will happen over the weekend. He used 2 pieces and then it was cleaned. Good boy.

We made a small box to put his tooth in for the tooth fairy ... and I think she came ; ) But he is not up yet, so I am not sure how he will react to the little coins left to him. Yes, I became the tooth fairy - it will be another 19 times for him, 19 times for Megan (since she already lost one tooth) and hopefully, 20 times for the little one. Motherhood has so much to offer, but the challenges are unbelievable too!

I am so proud of Ryan - he is all grown up! And he was rewarded with a Elmo Play Doh set and a dinner at his favourite "cup cake" restaurant - Delicious.

My 5 year old hero

Yesterday was Ryan's Sports Day and I had spent the entire day on my feet. I was really tired. By the evening, my legs were so sore that I could not feel them. Slumping on the sofa felt really good ... and I did just that.

The kids were in the TV room playing, while I was trying to catch a quick nap there, although the kids were noisy!

I had told the kids to leave me for 10 minutes because my legs were sore. And after 10 minutes, I will do their wizard hats for them. Now because they did not know how long is 10 minutes, I managed to get time exceeding this!

And I did get up after my so-call 10 minutes were up and were doing some artwork with them. Their daddy came back and sat himself right in front of the TV and started to dictate some work to me about his product photos.

My 5 year old hero spoke up for me and told his daddy "Dad, don't ask mum to do anything. Her legs are sore. She deserves a rest!"

Wow, when I heard this, I was so happy that despite scolding them the most, I think they ultimately still believes that the mum is the best!!

I think gender dictates which toy section you go to

Ever since Ryan was a small boy, our visit to the toy shop has always been to the normal baby/ toddler toy section and as he grows, we will be heading to the Lego/ PlayDoh and more recently, to the computer games section.

Megan, on the other hand, has no interest whatsoever in any of the above sections. The last time we went to Toys r Us, she headed straight to the dolls section and began to press and cuddle the dolls there.

Hmm ... isn't that curious? I never thought that the kids are so different at such a young age.

But for sure, I will not buy any Barbie dolls for Megan. I really think that that doll promotes unrealistic views about the fairer gender.

I am wondering now, in a month's time, if we go to the toy shop again, if this behaviour will reveal itself again ...

Ryan is in love ....

Well, Ryan started to notice girls very early on, think round about when he was 3 years old and first started school.

And throughout the years, he has been having good friendships with girls and you can tell that he is rather fond of them. With the boys, they are his fight mates, really. When he talks about a boy, it is usually the one he fights with. The girls, well, he usually has nice things to say.

Last weekend, he had asked me to wrap a present for his class mate. I had asked "whatever for? and he said it was his gift to her ... and it was ball which I bought him, the kind which bounces and has a blinking light. All throughout the weekend he was very excited.

Yesterday, after getting up from bed, he immediately went to look for his present and proceeded to give it to his friend in school. And this morning, he told me that he loves her ... oops.

I met the little girl's mum in school and she said ... "My little girl says Ryan loves her but she wants to marry Christophe!"

We were both laughing hard about it. Isn't it cute? Kids, they really make your day. Of course, it is a different story if this happens in 10 years' time.

Lost my child in Ikea

Yesterday, I was at Ikea with Auntie M with the kids. We figured, between the 2 of us, we can take care of the kids. I wanted to get some accessories for the wardrobes.

Somewhere in the middle, the kids were bored and Megan wanted her milk. I then carried her and Ryan was between Auntie M and I. Between Megan in my hands and trying to find my stuff, Ryan was getting a little restless and he wandered off. Before anyone start to scold me, understand that I will never leave him unattended. He was about within my ear shot because I heard him talking to me.

And then, at the blink of an eye, he was gone. I started to get anxious and then, I panic. He could not have wandered far and we tried in vain to look for him. I finally approached a Ikea personnel and said that I had lost my child.

She calmly phoned customer service. And then, it happened - my phone rang together with the announcement over the PA system "We have a Chinese boy aged 5 years named Ryan with a red Ben 10 shirt here". My heart almost stopped.

The man on the other side of the line told me "Miss, we have your son here".

Apparently he walked off when we were talking and then, after a few turns, he was lost and cried out for me. The Ikea personnel figured he was lost and so, led him to the customer service centre where he gave her my phone number, his name and age.

The lady said he was so clever when I collected him. My poor baby was all traumatized and he was silent for a good 30 minutes or so. I was beside myself and could not resist giving him a lecture. Auntie M came shortly and told him about bad people who cut limbs etc. of kids.

After all that, I must admit that I was proud that he could talk so calmly and could also remember my number in those times of panic.

I will now think more before taking them along with me to these types of places. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I could not find him.

Bless him. And thank goodness for the staff of Ikea. Thank you.

How my kids delight me

In one of those horrible tired days, my kids delight me in so many ways. Amongst them ...

RYAN: Mum, let's play hide and seek.
ME: No, of course not.
RYAN: Why?
ME: Cause I am too big and I have no where to hide.
RYAN: Aiya, you just hide somewhere lo, your stomach is so soft, people will think it is a pillow!
ME: *not sure I should cry or laugh*

But I should go to the gym more often!

In another, I was on the floor lazing around when Megan came to me grinning away and then proceeded to SIT on my tummy. Then, she decided it was more fun to bounce up and down on me!

Now, she is not exactly light and my tummy is not exactly toned, and so, the pain is truly felt! When I push her off, she comes right back at me, grinning. On top of that, she has discovered that it is more fun to poke my navel than hers!

Her ko-ko is of course finding this all amusing and is rolling off the bed laughing!

Me learning phonics

For the life of me, I cannot remember learning any phonics in school. Most of my English is learnt through my reading habits. The foundation came from my mum who was adamant that I should learn my tenses and verbs and past/ present participles - I still don't know all this theory till today.

I usually just speak and write according to what seems right grammatically and if all else fails, there is always spell check!

So when Ryan came back one day and showed me a list of words I was supposed to practise with him - I was dumbfounded. It was a list of phonics which we had to practised on the sounds and the emphasis etc.

To him, it was almost easy since they converse this way - they actually have a ABC song sang to the phonics way. Can you believe that? And I had to struggle to say it out. Finally, I owned up and said that I will ask his teacher to go through with me before we learn together - I don't want to say the wrong thing and be laughed at, you know.

Yesterday, his teacher finally sat me down and went through with me. Imagine, he was running around while the teacher and I sat on the small little chairs and went through EACH word and then she told me to think of a begin sound and see how it linked up. Thank goodness the teacher is older than I, else it will be utterly embarrassing!

Can you imagine next time he goes to primary school and I had to go back to his teacher to learn how to do maths and such? I think I had better go do some work books before he reaches there!

Power to charge

Yesterday, we were in bed in the morning. The kids were lounging around and I was to get up to make some pancakes.

I asked Ryan to give me a big fat juicy kiss to charge me up so that pancakes are on the way. He came, gave me a big hug and a big fat juicy kiss.

His daddy asked for one too and this is what he said ...

"I only have enough energy to charge one battery only la"

*doink*

The story with Angel(s)

So, this morning, before I send Ryan to school, I said my bye-bye to Megan and called her my little angel. And this is what Ryan has to say ...

RYAN: Don't call Megan little angel.
ME: Why?
RYAN: The Angel in my school is a very rude and naughty girl, so please don't call Megan, angel.
ME: But mummy has a friend called Auntie Angel and she is a nice lady.
RYAN: Yeah, but you have an auntie ya? This girl in school is not an auntie. She is not nice. So, don't call Megan an angel.
ME: Haha, I think Auntie Angel will think you are very cute.
RYAN: Yes, she will think I am a cute little Ryan.
ME: *laughing very hard*

How la like this? He is only 5 years old and already so witty. Wonder what it would be like when he grows a day older tomorrow.

Situations where my son stumps me ...

I remember when I was a kid, I never had the last say. Mum was always right, mum always had the last word, no matter what.

So, when my son said the following things, I was a little stumped and frankly, I actually found it amusing.

SITUATION 1 - One of those busy mornings where I had to nudge him along.
ME: Mummy is sick, why do I still have to nag you? I cannot talk properly now.
RYAN: But you are still talking so much??
ME: *Blink, blink*

SITUATION 2 - I usually bathe Ryan first so that he can dress himself while I bathe Megan.
ME: Aiyo, I am done bathing you sister already, why are you still not dressed? What if you catch a cold?
RYAN: Because I am waiting for the moon to come down lor.
ME: *Blink, blink*

SITUATION 3 - I sometimes have problems getting Ryan to sleep at night.
Ryan: That is because you night time is my morning and your morning is my night time.
ME: *Blink, blink*

SITUATION 4 - Last week Ryan got sent to the Principal's office because he was fighting with another classmate. When he came back, his class teacher asked him what the principal said.
RYAN: I don't know what she said, she talked so much, so much, I cannot remember already.
His teacher shared this with her colleagues and they all had a good laugh.

SITUATION 5 - Ryan hates to cut his nails.

RYAN: Why you always ask me to cut my nails? Your nails are so long too. Why you don't cut it? Huh? Huh?

ME: *I finally cut my nails cause it was too much trouble, but it still stumped me*

I am sure he will continue to brighten my day in the coming weeks. For now, I am still thinking about whether I should continue to put on a stern face and laugh to myself or should I just burst out when he says these things. What say you?

I am one proud mummy!

Today while I was sending Ryan to school, his gym teacher stopped me on my way out. What she told me for the next 5 minutes or so made me beam from ear to ear.

Her first comment was that Ryan is a very nice boy. He is very caring, gentle and makes way for the others in his class. Not only that, he is also nice to the others during his day care session. This coming from a teacher who sees him 3 times a week for gym and sometimes in the afternoon for day care. I'd like to think that it is sufficient a time for her to know him in the last 2+ years that he is in school.

When I think about all the time that Ryan has been with his sister, I do see him as a gentle soul. Of course, there are those times when he can be a terror. But I think one should expect to have some downs to compensate all the ups that you will get when you have kids.

Whatever it is, I am one proud mummy today!

First day at school 2010

Today is first day of school for Ryan in his 5 year old class. What an exciting time!

We had tried to be early and aimed to be in school by 8.30am. However, we only left the house at 8.30am. Hubby had sent Megan to baby sitter while I took Ryan. Hubby was to have come straight from the baby sitter to Ryan's school.

We arrived at the school in good time and were waiting in the car for hubby to come. One thing that truly touched me on this day is that hubby came despite his busy schedule and all he had to do was to send Ryan up to his class, said a round of bye-bye and then leave. For a brief 5 minutes, hubby battled the morning traffic and busy schedule and turned up to bring his bag and hold his hands.

Isn't it good? I took the whole day and later went to fetch Ryan. He was truly delighted to see me, as I am to see him.

The teacher said that the whole day was good for Ryan and it was a bliss for everyone.

Ahhhh ... so big boy my Ryan is now ...

I am not sure how I feel now ...

Today Ryan went back with my mum to PD. And I cannot describe how I feel now. Strange. I thought I should feel relieved, because there was a lot of stress in the last 1 week. Ryan got sick, work was a little stressed, then Ryan went into a relapsed, then I was told by the eye doctor that he possibly needed glasses, hubby was edgy as well, men, then Megan got sick last night. Sigh, the whole week has been a non-stop drama.

When my mum said she wants the kids, I was like "Woo hoo!" Freedom for a week. I was to go back this Friday to fetch them back. At least a few nights on my own, to do my thing.

And then, today, we decided that Megan stays behind with us while Ryan goes home with my mum. I was told that as soon as we were out of sight, he started to cry all the way to PD. He had wanted my dad to turn around and he said he misses us and wants to come home. My heart broke.

What I thought would be a few funs nights now feels like something I do not need after all. I would much prefer that the nights that Ryan was around adding to the fun and flavour with Megan's constant laughter.

I will be going to fetch him this Friday with Megan. Can't wait to see him.

Tender moments with my kids

Both my kids are quite different in their own styles. One of it has to do with sleep.

When Ryan was a baby, he slept in the sarung and we would put him in and set the electronic timer in motion and voila! he will soon be in la-la land. However, we were always fearful about the times we would be away on holiday, how will we be dragging the sarung etc. around??

With Megan, we have conditioned her to sleep on the bed. Although she is on the sarung in nanny's house, at home, she goes on the bed.

Because they both have different bedtimes, Megan about 9-ish while Ryan is about 10-ish, the juggling has to be done right so that while I put Megan to sleep, Ryan is occupied with activities, toys, games etc. so that he does not feel left out.

Tonight was no different and he was on the NET playing with his Handy Manny game. I had gone to put Megan to sleep at 9.30pm and by 10.15pm, she was still nursing! Wow, I had not realised cause I drifted off to la-la land already. What woke me was Ryan's soft steps into the room, he wanted to tell me that the computer had stopped working and he wanted me to go have a look.

I gave him a hand gesture which said "Wait, I will come". He looked at me and then he walked out. Some minutes later, I could feel him next to me cause he got bored outside. This time, he gave me a smile. I gestured the same. After a long while, I could not hear him nor see him. Hmm, quite unusual.

When Megan finally drifted off, I went out to find Ryan playing quietly with his toys and he was telling me "Mummy, I want bread, I am so hungry." Wow, I felt so proud of him, cause I thought that he was actually quite matured considering he is only 4 years old.

Later we sat down for a light supper, fresh milk with biscuits and bread. He was happy all the way and finally went to sleep at 11pm. Barely 10 minutes and he already went off to a good night's rest.

While he was sleeping, I lay beside him watching him sleep and wondered where did all those nights go where I had to pacify him when he was sick, when he was agitated by his tooth growing, the nights when he would nurse and refused to be put down on the bed, the nights I lost my cool and the nights when he was still in my bed. Now, my little baby is growing to be on his own and insist that he sleeps with daddy cause he has his own mattress, he is insisting that he does things on his own simply because he is a "big boy". Sometimes he pushes me away saying that he does not need my help. While I am proud, I am also tearful, although they are tears of joy and pride.

When I sleep at night with Megan and I wake with her by my side, I cannot help but to wonder when she will also tell me that she does not need me, when she will finally graduate from mummy's bed to her own. Megan now takes comfort in knowing that I am around her when she fusses at night. She will soon one day be able to comfort herself quite well without me. I cannot wait for that to happen because it means she has grown really well, but to some extent I also dread that moment. Selfish me ya?

Sigh, these are tender moments in my life which I would protect and preserve for me to reflect and smile, one fine day in the future. What are some of your tender moments with your kids?