Well Done, Eli!

 

What a lovely surprise to be given such a tangible reward for the hard work and effort! 

We marvel at how far he's come, our Eli. He's always shown himself to be a bright and enthusiastic learner but these years have also displayed how God has grown him to be a hard worker with integrity and perseverance. Though we are grateful for this award, we recognise that our son is more than just the grades and we are proud of the young man he is shaping up to be. Well done, Eli!

Since we still had to adhere to safe distancing regulation. Eli gave the honour of attending the short award ceremony to daddy (who was very pleased). They decided to make it an adventure by taking a bus back home but not without stopping at McDonald's for a celebratory sundae. I think they both liked that bit the best. 

I am a BB Boy

 

First official parade event: 12BR Enrolment Ceremony

He was just one of 6 boys to march in the parade and one of 3 boys selected in his year to attend the ceremony. He was very pleased and so proud that he would have that opportunity. 

I am so delighted how he's grown in his love for the Boys' Brigade. While initially surprised that he would want to pick a CCA that would take up half of his Saturday, I see that it was God's influence at play to bring my son into a community of fellow Christians. While 2020 seemed to have wiped out the good foundation that seemed to be in place with IGNYTE at church, God still had a plan to make sure that Zac would have a consistent avenue to be around other like-minded people, to be moulded and guided with Christian principles, and to have mentors who would groom him into a fine young person.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect,

but I press on to make it my own,

because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

Philippians 3:12

Lance Corporal ZKP

Congratulations to Zachary on getting promoted this year at the last parade of 2020! 

The change in rank not only captures his growth within Boys' Brigade but also incorporates the growth he's experienced as a young man this year. We are so proud of him and are so blessed to witness the glimpses of the person God is fashioning him into day by day. 

 

More Days Like This Please!

PSLE Marking Days are the best!

Or rather, it can be if you make it special. Eli's been working hard prepping for his end-of-year exams coming up. I signed him up for the CCI course at Pique Lab to help him review his science and he's had his usual twice weekly lessons with Zhong laoshi (the first time back the house since Circuit Breaker). It's been pretty intense but we've both actually enjoyed it because we get to do a breakfast/lunch outing, just the two of us! 

Zac is a little envious and can't wait for school to be over so he gets "you and me time" with me. (Note: I am so touched and happy that he still values time alone with me! *heartmelt*

Prata breakfast at Holland Village

 

Let’s Go to the Zoo

I wasn't sure if the boys would be all that excited about going to the zoo but it turns out you can't really outgrow this place. 

The Covid-19 regulations certainly didn't rain on our parade even though we had to contend with the inclement weather. We were well-prepared with disposable raincoats and umbrellas but it was a relief that the rain eventually died down.

Sec 1 Discovery Camp

We have barely started the new school year and Zac is already off to camp! The ACS (Barker Road) Outdoor Experiential Programme and Sec 1 Discovery Camp will be at Labrador MOE Outdoor Adventure Centre over the next 4 days and 3 nights. This will be the very first time that we won’t have contact with our firstborn for more than a day since no one is allowed their phones and contact with the "outside world" is only when there's an emergency. I’m already feeling that tug that happens when you realize how quickly they’ve grown and are starting on this journey that certainly feels like it leads away from you. How apt that the theme this year is "Beacon of Truth and Light" because even though navigating this new season of life could be quite dark and unchartered for us as parents and my little boy who is turning into a young man, we have the opportunity to let Jesus shine bright to lead the way.

He was excited and nervous leading up to camp day. It seemed to help quell some anxiety to have some new gear from Decathalon so he'd be well prepared. I noticed how his overseas experience on the trip to China really honed his planning and preparation. Each time he goes on an adventure away from us, I feel like he finds a bit more of himself as Zachary and not just who he is to us.

I am excited for him and am praying that he will find his tribe and his best mates this year starting at this camp. This is a precious experience for him and his classmates so I hope that he will approach it with an open heart and mind. He’s a lot braver, a lot tougher, and more able than he thinks!

I’ll be counting down the hours before I get to present him with his badge on Thursday.

Updated on 9 January 2020:

Badge presentation

He's back! Each young man was several shades darker and stood a tiny bit taller. I was certainly not the only parent in the room whose heart swelled with pride to bear witness to this slight shift in their carriage. Though they were exhausted, there was still this pride and sense of camaraderie they shared with their classmates.

2020 Here We Go!

(Taken on 2/1/2020 First Day of School)

We are starting the year with a lot of new changes to our routine and the boys will also be in different schools. Zachary is making his first foray into secondary school and this year marks his first as a teenager. Eli is an upperclassman (Primary 4!) and though I’m anxious to keep him small, I know this year God will grow him in marvellous ways and it will be amazing!

Though I feel wistful about how quickly my children have grown up, I am constantly surprised and astounded by how much they have matured especially in this past year. They are both different in their personalities, interests, likes and dislikes but I can see the pattern of good character that developing in both their hearts. I am so grateful that God makes up for this mama’s shortfall in so many ways. His hand is truly on my family and we are better for it.

I’m ready to take in 2020 and to see how God can work through me!

(Taken after school at pick up time)

PSLE: Done and Dusted!

Up till this year, PSLE was this mythical beast that we were destined to encounter and battle. Even though I already endured this right of passage in my youth, it feels like the beast has metamorphosized into a creature that is more complex, more demanding and slightly more intimidating than I recall.

I get that education has changed to adapt to the changes in the world we live in and to accommodate the societal needs our country sees in the years to come. We all have to move with the times and shouldn't adopt a head-in-the-sand approach when it comes to tackling the new and undiscovered. However, I do find it dumbfounding that six years of preparation and training culminates in one single examination that can seemingly make or break a person not only in terms of their academic future but in many cases the trajectory of their lives. No pressure.

It's heartening to see that there is a growing voice, particularly over social media that there is life after PSLE regardless of how a child fares. Even if you don't go to a top-notch school or a prestigious program, life isn't set in stone determined by the number you get as your T-score. We are moving in the right direction and are bucking the trends of the past

Taken on 1 October 2019 - last day of the PSLE

See Zac Run!

Zachary was selected to participate in this year's school Track and Field Championships. He was quite looking forward to being part of the 8x60m class relay though waiting his turn under the hot tentage was a bit torturous. It was really really nice that Len managed to come in time to watch his son race.

Even though there was no medal to take home, it was a fun first experience and the first (hopefully) of many. 

Back to School

An after-school treat and why not?

It's back to the grindstone again. The year always starts with a bit of apprehension and a slight feeling of not wanting to leave the past behind us. However, once you get started, you're off and running into the new year at full speed. Zachary is now in Primary 3 and Eli in K1. Time waits for no man.

There are lots of occasions where I wish they'd stay at the age they're at and not be so quick to grow up. In their own way, my boys are charming and funny and incredible. I am trying this year to see them as they are and not try to project in my minds eye how far away they are from where they "ought to be". One of the goals I had this year is to get to know my boys better and to build our relationship on a solid foundation. As the adage goes, the days are long and the years are short. It's no secret that what I have with them now will not come back to me again. I mourn for the loss of their childhood already and want so very much to truly treasure the time I have with them.

For now, I'll savor every cuddle and store up all the love in their kisses.

Challenge Accepted: Learning to Write

The title of this post should read "Challenge Accepted: Teaching my 4-year-old to write". A challenge it has been thus far to get my E to pick up a pencil and start writing/drawing/colouring/doodling. It is just NOT his thing. Unlike his brother who loves to draw and doodle, putting pencil/crayon/marker/pen to paper is really not his favourite activity in the world. His teacher in school tells me that his first response is usually to say that he can't do it and that he wants her help. He hasn't tried it on his own yet and chooses not to for a reason known only to him. I can only guess what goes through his little mind and these guesses range from "he's feeling intimidated" to "he's just testing his teacher to see if he can get her to do it for him".

Jesus, please give me patience and perseverance as I teach Eli to value of hard work and to not be afraid of failure. In your precious name I pray. Amen.

What's Your School Song?

Yiyi Mel asked Eli what his school song is and he responded by breaking into song:

(Sung to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb)
B-U-T-T-O-N-S
On your shirt
On your pants
B-U-T-T-O-N-S
Always dress your best!

(This was the song he learnt in school and rehearsed for the Open Day!)

SJCK Open House 2014

Welcome to Sunshine 2 where the magic happens!!

It's Eli's very first Open Day at SJCK. We are so proud and so was our little man as he brought us around the classroom to show off the work they'd been doing this term. Their topic was on buttons!

Super happy that daddy could come and see the exhibition!

 Mega art - St James' Church Kindergarten in buttons and hand-drawn people surrounding the building!

 

The green guy in the middle is Eli!

Paintings and crafts in the middle of the classroom. Eli astutely points out how you should push the pins in on the rounded side and not the pointy side so you don't prick your fingers.

 

Eli with his Sunshine 2 teachers Auntie May and Auntie Rui Rui:

Mini-concert time!