His first camp

Am I going to be having peace of mind in the next 3 days 2 nights? Well, it certainly going to be a lot quieter without him around. 

For the first time in almost 13 years, he's gonna be away from home, and for quite long too, 3 days and 2 nights.  

The motherly side of me would be missing him a great deal. That's not surprising at all as he's been with me most of the time ever since he's born. I could also be worried about whether he's having proper meals and what not. 

On the other hand, I really NEED A BREAK. For the next 3 days, at least, I don't have to think what's his meals are, whether he's going to be fussy with his food. I don't need to be bothered if he's on the computer, playing games or if he's with his gadget. I think I won't be peeking into his room the first thing in the morning as soon as I wake up to see if this boy is awake with his gadget or downstairs in front of the TV.  And the daily ritual of Kumon drilling, that will be forgotten for a while. No more questioning and reminding if he's completed his homework. Ahhh... I think this is more of a time-out for Mom than for him. 

For the first time, I'm for this kind of camp.  He needs this kind of exposure, considering his 'not-so-independent' attitude.  He's definitely going to mingle with his friends and learn to get along harmoniously with them.  He's to get physical a little instead of being a couch potato or a mouse potato, not to mention other skills which this camp is supposed to teach the participants.  

Mom can definitely relax for a while. 

Trading in an iPod

He traded in his iPod for a Samsung S3 without our knowledge and consent. Well, it's not that he always gets our consent before making his decisions. My only surprise was the source of the money needed to top up the price difference between the trade-in value and the 'new' phone. And, of course, it was done with quietly without even him mentioning about it. 

When questioned,  he said he went to Low Yat after school and traded it in. I probed and got to know he paid another RM200 to get a second hand S3.  The reasons he gave for doing this was that he needed a better phone than his old one.

Subsequently, I got to know that he got the extra cash from his Chinese New Year angpow money. With a smart phone, I could only foresee more deliquent behaviour from him.

Delinquent Hoe

Eager beaver

After commuting between KL and PJ for about 7 months just to send Wyng for his Robotics class, our travelling woes were over when Cr8 has finally opened a franchise outlet in Cheras.  We couldn't say no to an eager beaver like Wyng.  

He will always asks to attend the class on a weekly basis. As the fee is based on attendance, we have the flexibility to come when convenient. Hence, most of the time Wyng attends it on fortnightly basis.  No doubt he asks to attend it on Saturdays and Sundays, ie twice a week, but his wishes never come through!

Our new pets

They don't need to be bathed and poop everywhere, so it's fine.  Mom has no better reason to reject these pets except that the aquarium has to be cleaned frequently by someone.  The new occupants moved in last week, occupying the little corner at the car porch.  So welcomed were they that the three men of the house cooperated to set up their new home.

Filling up with more water

More fish moving in

Finally! Enjoy yourselves!

The Oscars are aggressive fish, I was told. And the other silvery, bigger and smaller ones are put into the tank as prey to the Oscars. Let's see how long they survive.

First Robotics class

For someone who loves to assemble robots, Transformers or aeroplanes and what not, Robotics is just right for him.

It got me thinking and looking for a while the kind of activities that Wyng may like. I finally found something which I think will be his cup of tea.  When I introduced the concept of using a computer software to assemble robots, Wyng jumped to the idea.  And he actually waited for more than a month before he finally managed to lay his hands, for the first time, on those small pieces of Lego parts.

It was quite a memorable first day at the class as we were late. Actually, we would not have been late if not for the slow service at the eatery at Summit where the centre is. While waiting for our lunch and in order to maximise our time, we actually hurried to the centre and registered Wyng.  Registration was a breeze, no hassle at all.

Hurrying through his lunch but didn't finish it, Wyng started the class 15 minutes late.  Every child has a computer in front of them and fortunately a seat seemed to be deliberately left vacant for Wyng.  We were convinced that Wyng had only missed a small part of the session.  After making sure that Wyng was all ready for the session we left the centre.

Looking patiently for the right parts 

6cm, 10cm, where are you?

When we went back to fetch Wyng after about 1 hour and 45 minutes (it's a 2-hour session),  most of the kids had their robot models successfully assembled.  Wyng was seen still busy scampering but in really serious mode between his workstation and the boxes of Lego parts on the floor, searching for the right parts.

As it was about time to round up the session, a teenage boy was seen helping Wyng with the getting the parts and assembly.  In just a while, Wyng was asked to be at the competition board.  He, just like the other kids, was given a time span to shoot the targets.  Alas! He managed to score -60 because he also shot down a police which gave him a demerit!

Done, finally!

Wyng's first robot assembly, with some guidance.  To make sure that Wyng is able enough to handle the course, I went to enquire the reason for his 'slowness'.   I was told that the mission (robot assembly) on that day was slightly on the tough side and being his first class, Wyng faced some difficulties.

Here's the masterpiece!

Some kids who had completed assembling their robots first were competing in some kind of shooting competition on the floor.  Here, it was Wyng's turn with his shooting mission. Not that successful but it was all about fun.  Somehow, his name was announced as the recipient of an excellence award. Anyway, it's a good way just to get the kid's enthusiasm going.  The reward is a little 'achievement' sticker in his record.

Is your kid desperate for computer?

Mine is. After numerous attempts to hack the computer successfully and later being discovered, Mom has learnt her lesson and has ever since been wiser and more vigilant.  Once bitten (definitely more than once) twice shy,  Mom has not forgotten to log off now whenever Hoe is expected to be lurking waiting for any opportunity for Mom's mind to fail or slack.

One evening, Hoe was found busy in the study room, attempting to revive the dinosaur laptop of ours.  This ambitious attempt was aborted  by Mom, of course.  He said if the dinosaur can still work, it will be HIS. Wait a minute. Who has given him the green light to possess the laptop even though its functionality is still uncertain?  He was reprimanded for making that assumption.  What if it works? I do not know how far was his patience taking him to try to boot the laptop. All I know was he didn't manage to go further from there.  The laptop remains on the shelf, collecting dust.

IT gadgets, a boon or a bane?

Here are the scenarios....

In the company of the wonder gadget

The iPad is a toy to these enthusiastic kids

Gone are the conventional toys, picture cards, cars, Lego puzzle, even the favourite toys for boys, the guns are not seen anymore.  An iPad seems to be the must-have now, in most households.  We now see kids engrossed in playing Angry Bird or other digital games on either an iPad, iPhone or any smart phone or laptop/Netbook.

I often see preschool kids in front of such gadgets in public places such as restaurants while the parents are busy chatting away. No communication with the kid while the kid's eyes are glued to the small monitor.  So, this IT gadget has replaced toys? Is it going to limit communication soon?

3 fighting for a laptop, to Facebook, of course!

For most teens, Facebooking has become a daily routine for them.  I doubt they will pass a day without updating their status on Facebook.  If this gadget brings these teens closer together, this seem to be a good thing.  What if one of the become an evil and start to dominate the laptop? What will ensue? A fight for computer? Well, this happens when there is only ONE of such gadget around. So, is less better so that they learn the meaning of sharing?  Imagine, a laptop to each kid. Each will be in his world, no interaction among them.  They may probably be 'talking' in the cyber world, but not in person.You know what I mean? More isn't necessarily better.

All huddled together, just to get a glimpse of the iPhone and other smart phone

From this picture, the gadget seemed to draw them together. How often can you see such closeness among cousins other than to browse the ever amazing things on the net?

Wyng has been in this squatting position for a good few hours, using his aunty's Netbook

Wyng, as seen here in Aunty Flo's house, enjoying hours (at least four) of games without any interruption and restriction.  Yeah, this can only happen during family gatherings.  During this time, we didn't see him visit the toilet. Understandable as he didn't drink much.  Guess what? He suffered cramps after this indulgence.  What an unhealthy pastime? He will never get to do this at home!

Here are how kids behave without the wonder gadget..

Without an iPad, restless and frustrated?

Since there were no toys around, these kids seemed restless in the absence of the gadget.  Nothing said, just sulking.

A 'hostile' kid, walking away after the iPad was dominated by an older cousin

Let's take a good nap since there is no iPhone

I hope they were indulging in some kind of cousin talk. At times, it is better to be free from the wonder gadget for a while.  Afterall, it's always the 'personal touch' which is better. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting the physical aspect of it but the personal sharing of thoughts and ideas.

Look who are helping to springclean

Having no maid at my disposal, maintaining the house can get really challenging.  Thankfully, I have two guys who can give me a great helping hand in such times.

Spring cleaning can be really backbreaking for a house like ours.  After some delegation with clear instructions and the compulsory follow-up after a chore, we have a reasonably clean house to usher the Chinese New Year.

Wyng taking out the bulbs from the Christmas tree

Back into the box until the next year

Cobweb..you can't go anywhere now.

Magic wiper does the job better here

Lesson from the kids - When Mom gets too tired from her endless chores, get the kids involved. Sometimes, the kids, especially the younger ones, will be too happy to be part of what we are doing.  If they get too reluctant or lazy bones start to appear, 'bribe' them.  Do the job together with them, not just sit back.  At the end of a chore, the kids and you will feel a deep sense of satisfaction, having accomplished a tough job together.

The kids at the world's longest indoor tube slide

As soon as we stepped into the mall from the lift lobby, Lex Slide, the world's longest indoor tube caught the guys' attention.

Make sure you watch til the end of the video for great sound effect!

Don't close the videos until you have watched Hoe (in red tee shirt) spiral down

As we were window-shopping, they couldn't help but kept wondering which floor the tube starts.  Their wish came true when we went up to the top floor and saw two young chaps manning the entrance to the tube.  Three enthusiastic pre-school kids were already getting ready for the exciting ride.  Wyng and Hoe were anticipatively observing them.  Thanks to Mom, the kids got to ride in this spiralling tube.

For something thrilling but (too) short during the holidays to make the kids happy, RM10 for each kid for 3 rides, it's not too heavy on our pockets.

Starting the holidays with Kumon

The kids were full of enthusiasm when I decided to sign them up for Kumon Maths. Hoe is not new to Kumon, having attended their Maths classes for a year.  He quitted after having trouble completing his daily worksheets alongside with his school homework then.

I have decided to let Wyng try Kumon after quitting his short course in Olympiad Maths. Both were very excited when I enrolled them two weeks ago.  Yesterday was their first class in the centre.  Wow! the centre is packed with hopeful students. 

It was Hoe's idea to join Kumon this time.  Daddy has no problem 'investing' in him. He wants to occupy his time with something useful, it seems. So, Mom is okay with it as long as Daddy is not complaining about the additional commitment. Afterall, Kumon can play a role in instilling discipline and a sense of focus in this boy, not to mention helping him to excel in Maths.

Should I let my teenage son attend more music lessons?

Hoe sat for his Grade 5 practical exam yesterday.  This exam will mark the end of formal piano lessons for him.  After August, there will be no more piano class for him.  Mom can bid goodbye to stress due to constant nagging and reminder to play the piano in preparation for examinations. 

He has been playing the piano since he was six, starting with the Yamaha system which he took until he was eleven. Realising that too much time is spent attending classes jointly with Hoe, Mom decided to switch him to the ABRSM system.  After sacking two teachers, Hoe finally ended up with his current teacher.  With her, he had sat for two practical and theory examinations each. 

The journey to his musical life will no longer be driven by Mom.  He has to decide if he wishes to continue playing the piano.

His second play

Groom: We are finally married and you look so beautiful today, honey.
Bride: Behave yourself and listen to the priest, honey.

Wyng had, so far, acted in his second drama production in Helen O' Grady since he joined last year. In the main cast as the bridegroom, he wasn't so much of the groom the picture portrayed here.  A picture means a thousand words but it can also deceive.  Saying his lines almost flawlessly and at the right cue, he still lacks the facial expression of an actor.

Well, all Mom knows is for him to enjoy the drama as much as to learn the right speaking skills so that he can speak confidently in public.

How much of computer time is enough for kids?

I have been branded as two extremes 'too strict' and 'too nice'. Accessing the internet once a week is all that I allow H. And this is provided he has completed his homework and housework promptly. The maximum time allowed for him to go online is between two to three hours and this is normally on Saturdays during school days.

Well, this rule is imposed since sometime last year when he is becoming more and more active in Facebook. Initially, he showed resistance to this rule as he will not be able to post or responds to Facebook as frequent as he would like to, as what most of his friends and other teenagers do.

I was labelled 'too strict' as I was supposed to permit him computer time or else he would have no other pastime and he is supposed to be 'grown-up' enough to access the computer apart from his other duties. Questions and remarks such as 'How will he spend his time if not going online?', 'He will retaliate if you don't give him what he wants', 'He will demand for other things such as going out if you don't give him his computer time', 'It's hard to control at this age' were posed to me. Yet, I took no chances and proceeded with this rule. This rule is relaxed when there are public and school holidays.

'Too nice'? I don't agree at all. Once a week is not over-indulgence at all. Afterall, this is a modern era. No one can live without IT now.

How to keep the kids occupied?

I am killing a few stones with one bird. Not only they are my handyman (well, fixing or assembling furniture pieces is never my cup of tea) who lighten my burden and get the piece assembled fast enough, they learn to work together cooperatively as brothers and workers to accomplish the given task. Not to mention that Hoe can put his Living Skills to test whereas Wyng can learn,as a beginner, some carpentry (no sawing please) skills.

My kid's rollercoaster

One of Wyng's drawings. He would love to ride on a rollercoaster. But, can he? with his height?

My kid's bonsai plant

An art piece I found while packing Wyng's school bag. Got to ask him what gives him the inspiration to draw this plant and where could he have seen such plant as we don't have one at home.

According to Wyng,his Arts teacher in school drew similar picture on the blackboard and students were supposed to draw any kind of potted plants. And, he drew exactly what the teacher drew.

Building a mosque

He incorporates so many details in this drawing. And I wonder why he drew a picture of people building a mosque and not other building. What inspired him? Let me find out more from him, if I can.