Lunch boxes

Bubs started Standard 1 waaaaay back in January and we've been trying to cope with the massive change of schedule (earlier bedtime, earlier wake up time), given that he starts classes at 7.30am plus the whole of Penang seems to be on the roads at that time. He seems to like his school so far, making heaps of friends and adjusting to the routine. 

I've taken to packing his lunch box the night before so it wouldn't be so much of a mad rush the next morning. Bubs also gets a RM1 daily allowance but I've managed to convince him that if he skips buying junk from the canteen, he can spend his allowance to his heart's content on weekends. Bubs is happy with his lunch boxes and is great at sharing them with his buddies during recess. I also try not to visibly flinch when he says his friends share their canteen loot like fries with him, haha!

Aussie Godma got us some great bento lunchboxes during her last trip back and those are great for packing quick snacks on the go. Bubs loves nothing more than chocolate so Nutella days are red letter days for him :D

I try to pack some kind of fruit for him daily so I've taken to buying tiny fruits that are easy to pop into lunch boxes. These minature paradise pears are perfect to nibble on and don't require any kind of prep.

I've also taken to filling the fridge with single serve snacks that are a tiny treat for him.

Xmas Festivities

December has been a whirlwind of celebrations and emotions for us. I'm still in denial that next week, Bubs will officially be a primary school kid already! Where did that chubby newborn that refused to sleep through the night go to?

Bub's Xmas Festival at school was a bittersweet one. He was so proud and eager to show us his speech, songs and dances, but at the same time, it was the last day of school so he wasn't looking forward to that either.

As usual, the parents were greeted with colourful Santa origami and crayon-coloured paper stars that each child made.

Thankfully the weather was clear and we were able to have morning tea outside. The children baked the butter cookies themselves earlier and this was Hub's favourite. The parents chatted together about the activities, primary schools, worries and traded cherished stories about what the children did playing together.

We were so proud of Bubs :) He performed beautifully even though there were a couple of times where his shoulders tensed up and you could see a determinedly stoic look on his face when he held back tears. Little confession: I was nearly in tears myself at this point, haha! Each child brought back a stocking stuffed to the brim with artwork and a tiny origami ornament.

To celebrate this transition from small boy school to big boy school, we revisited one of our favourite cafes: the Alley. Bubs was flipping through the reading selection at the side.

No place for a tree? This is an ingenious way to still add a festive touch.

The best cronuts and churros in town served with a generous scoop of home made ice cream and salted egg dip (RM18) which is slightly on the pricey side but soooo good and worth every single cent.

Glam Girl was generous in gifting Bubs a couple of tickets to the Gurney Paragon indoor playground. which he thoroughly enjoyed. The biggest hit was the ginormous slides that lead to a pit filled with gazillions of rainbow coloured balls. Bubs was so enthralled, he even dove straight into the balls and swam with them!

Graduation

Bubs was enthusiastic about his kindy graduation. He practised his songs, dances at home and kept reminding Hubs and I to prepare our speeches for it. Bubs even let the cat out of the bag by showing me the surprise song that the teacher taught them for the parents and warned me not to tell his teacher. On the other hand, I was dreading this momentous milestone; I tear up at anything sentimental and not keen on the idea of my sweet lil baby growing up so fast. 

When the teacher started talking about how hard the children have prepared for this day, his shoulders started rolling in, his face glum. The moment the 6 year olds started singing, Bub's eyes turned red and he started sobbing. It went on like that for every single performance, they had to pause a few times for Bubs to go to the washroom to clean his face :(

Bubs cried so much that he even set one of the other mums off! She started dabbing her eyes and was emotional during her speech.

Hubs and I were impressed with all of the crafts Bubs worked on for his graduation. He made a beautifully decorated drum out of a Milo tin for the Rasa Sayang song. There was a star crown that Bubs was reluctant to remove at the end of the day. I was particularly amazed with the hand woven cloth bag that he made himself. Each 6 year old worked hard at their loom with brightly coloured yarn throughout the school year, finger knit a chain of loops for the straps followed by sewing the bag up all by themselves!

We were treated to morning tea with the graduating class and by then, Bubs was back to his old, cheerful self. The 6 year olds set the table beautifully, complete with placemats and napkins.

It felt so different to have Bubs being so attentive to us for a change: he poured tea for us, carefully picked up cakes, buns and fruit with the tongs. Plus it was fun to see how he and his friends chatted to each other about who could eat the most food at one go.

The children were getting antsy at being indoors and having to sit quietly that by the time the teacher opened the door for outside play, they all surged into the garden. Most of the girls sat by a bowl of water, scrunching the butterfly pea flowers into it while exclaiming excitedly as the water deepened into a shade of indigo.

Another group of children were equal parts fascinated and respectful with the tiny caterpillar cocoon they found at the tip of a leaf.

And that was it! My not-so-quite-a-baby-anymore has graduated from kindy and will very soon be stepping into primary school :)

Bub's Birthday at School

Bub's 6th birthday celebration at his school was so bittersweet for me as I still can't get over the idea of it being his last year at kindy. Was it really years ago that I held that small, sticky hand tight in mine as we eyed the school with suspicious trepidation? Bubs is having none of it though, he enjoys his worldly status as a 6 year old gege where all the little ones practically look up to him. #stillalwaysmybaby

Hubs and I arrived early at school to bake a cake with Bubs and some of his chums. Following instructions from his teacher, we sifted flour, cracked eggs and poured cocoa inside. We sang songs while stirring the batter and it was so cute to watch Bubs interacting with his friends!

The children then tidied up with the older ones helping the younger ones with the apron knots.

It wasn't raining this year so we followed the children out into the garden to pick flowers for the birthday table decorations. They carried small plates in their hands as they pointed out the different blooms that they wanted the teacher to snip for them.

They were all mightily proud of their colourful selections. They went in to decorate and set up all the crockery and cutlery, complete with dainty napkins for each child.

While waiting for the cakes to be baked, Hubs and I played indoors with the children. As usual, I was fascinated with their toys, all made from natural materials: wood, felt, stones, shells and wool.

I couldn't stop picking each toy up to admire it.

The delicious scent of chocolate cake wafted in and we were then ushered to the table. After Bubs decorated his cake with fresh banana slices and candles, everyone sang Happy Birthday with gusto.

Each child then washed up their plate at the sink.

Hubs and I then joined in circle time with the children while the teacher talked about Bubs at school. At one point, I think Bub's emotions got the better of him and he looked choked up a little, haha ;) Happy Birthday, Bubs - no matter how big you get, always remember that we love you!

Lantern Festival

Hoay kim cheh, chap goh meh

Chia lu ku wah lai jiak teh

The first time Bubs recited this Hokkien ditty, I was confused and it took me a while to understand the words. He practised it daily his school's lantern festival. To my surprise, when Bubs was reciting the first few lines, my Dad completed it - I'd no idea it was such an old poem. 

The children worked hard in preparing for the festivities. They made dozen of colourful little lanterns that were strung around the garden. They also made their own mooncakes that were coloured with the blue flowers that grew in the school.  

They performed many songs and dances for the proud parents who gathered eagerly around them. I can't help but feel wistful that it's Bub's last year in kindy. Bubs was so proud to be considered one of "big children" and took his duty seriously in leading most of the dances. He was happily skipping and prancing away at being the farmer in the dell when his shoe fell off mid performance - it didn't help that when everyone was stunned into silence, Hubs was the first one that started laughing hard at him. 

After a mini dinner of fried noodles, fresh fruit and mooncakes, the children's handmade lanterns were lit up. The rainbow-like glow from the paper lanterns was beautiful in the darkness and the children were singing as they lined up to walk around the garden.

It was a good thing that it was a relatively clear evening as it was pouring cats and dogs earlier in the day. 

I think the children were really excited when the school gates were opened and they were allowed to around out onto the little side road with parents supervising them at the sides. 

Bub's 5th Birthday

Bubs was half excited and half confused about his 5th birthday last week.

"Mummy, since this year, I'm a 5 year old ge ge (big brother) in school, does that mean that I'm now 6?"

"No, you turn 5 on your birthday."

"But I'm already a 5 year old at school! Teacher said so!"

"Ummm ... look, a fire engine!" ;)

We'd a few mini celebrations this year instead of a big bash this year. Bubs was thrilled with all the attention plus cakes, yes, as in plural, that he enjoyed.

Hubs managed to get his hands on the Halloween Lego minifigs he found at Toys r Us and they made cool cake toppers. For lunch with the in laws, Bubs had a coconut and gula Melaka cake from Mon Delice. This was a really interesting cake with top layers of creamy coconut, a middle layer of fragrant gula Melaka and bottom bits of crushed, somewhat crunchy biscuits. It was immensely filling and a small slice was enough to fill everyone up, including Bubs who is insatiable when it comes to desserts.

Dinner was with my family and I shamelessly recycled the candles from the earlier cake :D This time around, we'd popped on Scooby Doo Lego minifigs on top of a decadently rich chocolate cake also from Mon Delice. Even my Dad who doesn't really fancy chocolate proclaimed it good and requested for another helping. Before anyone could stop him, Bubs sunk his teeth into the white chocolate Happy Birthday sign for the 2nd time that day, someone was definitely on a sugar rush ...

We'd a play date at Golden Sands' Adventure Zone with Jaz. This is the super freaky and did I mention, steep slide that you need to take a slight up stairs up to. Bubs loved it and so did a bunch of other kids there so much that I decided I'd to go see what the fuss was about. I peered down at the edge and it literally took my breath away. Bubs, Siew and the staff convinced me to give it a go and let's just say, being graceful is not one of my strengths. My squeals of terror drowned out the music and Hubs is gleefully keeping the video of me sliding like "like a corpse" (his exact words)

Hubs and I were invited to celebrate Bub's birthday at his school and we didn't really know what to expect. Bubs told us the night before that we'd have to help bake his cake and that he'd requested the teacher for "an orange cake, not chocolate, because I like orange better."

It was such a beautiful experience and I felt truly grateful that we were given a sneak peek into a day at his school. A few children were selected (apparently they take turns to be the "baker") to help bake Bub's cake.

We sifted the flour, cracked eggs and took turns mixing the batter. Since it was raining, the teacher gathered flowers from the garden (usually the children would pick them). The children then set the tables and placed the colourful blooms around the cake serving tray. Bubs decorated his cake with banana slices and dusted icing sugar over it. The cake was sooo good, fresh out of the oven, all warm and buttery.

Hubs and I were invited to watch the children at play. I was so fascinated with their toys that I couldn't stop taking photos. They had pine cones, seashells and rubber seeds in wooden bowls that looked so inviting. There were even cut sections of tree branches that were carefully sanded.

The teacher then delighted Bubs by giving him a hand crafted felt gnome as well as paintings from all of the children bound into a book, featuring Bub's drawing on the cover.

Happy Birthday, Bubs, may you always be surrounded by love and laughter and never know a day without happiness. I know that you're in a rush to grow up and embark on your journey to life but deep within my proud mama's heart, you'll always be my little boy with joyful eyes, windswept hair and laughter of a thousand bubbles.

Bub's CNY Celebration at School

Gong Xi Fa Chai everyone and may the year of the goat brings everyone love, health and wealth! Here's a quick post of the Chinese new year celebration that Bub's school had last week.Hubs and I are beginning to see the rhythm to each festival.

The children started out with songs and dances. They particularly loved this one called the "scarf dance" where they swished around little fabric squares of pink and yellow.

Bubs, to our surprise, burst into tears during the dance and started sobbing for Hubs. It took quite a lot of cajoling for him to complete his performance.

During the break,  all the parents were invited outside for some CNY goodies. See the small basket of ribbon kuih in between the mandarins and kuih kapit? The children proudly made it themselves while the Auntie helped them to fry it.

The festival was concluded with a puppet show by the teachers. I've to admit, I'm always impressed by the miniature props they manage to do. Look at that intricate lion and the tiny decorations on the house!

Xmas Festival

In just the 2 months that Bubs has been at his new school, he loves it and we're surprised that he's been adapting so well to it. This time around, the school had its annual Xmas Festival and all parents were invited to watch the children sing and dance. To be honest, I love this concept ... mainly so I can skip paying concert tickets and costumes *cheapskate mum alert*

The doors were decorated with origami Santas and trees.

Hubs went bonkers for the very yummy butter cookies baked by the children earlier in the morning.

While I wandered around in the garden, examined the tiny veggie patch with its cheery ears of corn and sunflowers.

They sang so many songs this time around. I'm amazed that Bub's Chinese vocabulary has grown significantly in just a couple of months through song and play alone.

Peekaboo, Bubs, I see you! :)

All of the children were invited to hold flower candles and make a wish for the other underprivileged and ill children around the world. I thought this was a very sweet thing to do.

We were then treated to a puppet show performed by the teachers before we went back.

End of year comment cards, a beautiful origami ornament complete with the teeniest tiniest crane nestled in it and all of their artwork were distributed to parents.

Bubs delighted with his Xmas stocking stuffed with sheets of his artwork.