After the food poisoning incident, all of us gain weight instead of losing. What is happening here? Did all the diarrhea and vomitting left our stomachs so empty that opens up our appetite? The kids are finishing their meals faster than before. Sometimes, Jerilyn even gobbles up her food as if she has been starved. They also take food that they used to puke. Food like beans, sizable meat, onion etc... Going out for meals are much more fulfilling for me. Happy am I to see them eat without fuss.
I have another few days to prepare Jesslyn (2y8m) for kindy next year. For the past 4 weeks, I haven't taught her much other than writing letters. She can actually write very fast if she puts her heart into it. Today, she wrote N, O, L, I, H. Yesterday, was P, T, R, Z. But, when she is not listening, she cannot even draw a line. Yesterday, I used more than 10 minutes to force her (I know I shouldn't) to match a picture with its word. Her reading skills are as follows:
lion, cat, car, cup, dog, mummy, daddy, door, fan, fish etc...
This kid is an audio learner where she learns through listening. According to research, less than 20% of the people are audio learners. I guess this is why until now, she cannot identify animals. She can recite Multiplication for 3, 4 and 5 in Mandarin after listening to Daddy for not more than 10 times each.
She is also a
Tell-tale. She can recall and convey her experiences easily. For example, when we fetched her from MIL's house, she told us this "Small go-go (age 8) cried like this 'weh weh weh... because he fight with the big go-go." I asked hubby to confirm with MIL if it really happened. She can create stories, reasons, excuses in split second. I wonder if she needs to think at all. Most of the time, she will provide reasons without being asked. For example, "I don't want to eat this because it is lat-lat." "I want to go swimming (shower) because I am smelly." "Eee... I dont want that (insect) because it will bite me like this armm... armmm.... armm..."
We are used to her authoritarian style too. She would be the one who tell us what to do esp her sister. Today, she saw a scribble on the book. I told her that it was Jerilyn's doing. She asked "Why did you draw this?" No answer. "Tell me. Why did you draw this, Jie2?" She'd ask til she gets an answer.
She is
selfish as she doesn't share. When JErilyn peeps to see what she is doing, Jesslyn would stick her face to the book and push her sister away. THese are the things she would say: Do your work. You haven't finished your work. Go go go, quickly. Don't disturb me. Mummy, you see. She is disturbing me." She doesn't defend her sister when I beat Jerilyn. She will stay away quietly and then come to you in a very affectionate manner. Instead, she helps me to reprimand her sister "I told you. Don't ... Mummy will scold." or "Don't cry. Nah, tissue paper."
She is the
keh poh in the family. "Aiyo! Look at the floor. There are so many ants." "Aiyo! What have you done?" "Aiyo, don't touch my .... You are spoiling it." When I scolded her dad, she copied what Jerilyn would say "Don't scold Daddy. If you scold Daddy, you go out. I don't love you anymore. I love Daddy. You love Jie2."
She is the
honey of the family. Honey because she attracts attention in the public. People like to tease, play and talk to her as she has a beautiful smile and face, she talks interestingly and simply attractive.
Jerilyn, on the other hand, is a
Thinker. She likes to solve puzzles and play with tools. She is more discipline. I am much tougher on her as compared to Jesslyn. I make her sit and do her work. She is the
peace-maker. When an argument breaks out, she will be the first who reminds us not to argue. She shouted back "Why you shout at Daddy?" or "Don't talk to Gong-Gong like that." That usually makes us cool down immediately. She is
nostalgic. many things remind them of my mother. Yesterday, I was telling them about a dying dog. Jerilyn said immediately "The dog is dying like Po-Po? Is the dog going to stay with Po-Po?"
The kids complement each other. Through Jesslyn, Jerilyn is more chatty and brave in public. Before Jesslyn learned to talk, Jerilyn was quiet and although she was playful. Now, she talks like an adult. On the other hand, Jerilyn taught Jesslyn to be more kinetic and creative with her hands.
I am proud of them. For their age, they are very mature. More so when I compare them with other kids (I know I shouldn't). I don't have to worry when we go shopping. They do run around but I still love shopping with them. They are independent eg wear their own shoes, carry stuff for us and get up and down the car themselves. They seldom cry in public. They never argue or fight in public. They stop other children whom they think are not behaving correctly. They reminds me of important things.
- When I give Jerilyn milk, she reminds me to add medication.
- When I forgot to lock the gate, Jesslyn reminded me.
- When I left out a clothe from Jerilyn's school bag, she reminded me.
They make me proud.
