4y 10m old

Sharp tongue

23 August 2012
Jesslyn just threatened me. She came across a colourful page in her Maths book and insisted me to teach her although I know she is not ready for it. Example of sum was 11+4, 9+3.... So, I ignored her. She got impatient and threatened me "Teach me. Faster or else, I'll simply write."

Later that day, she rode on her car and invited Jerilyn to go to the pasar malam (imagination). Her sis happily agreed but she replied immediately, "but no space wo. You stay at home with mummy ok?"

25 August 2012
Jesslyn was looking for me and when she saw me, she said "Eh, I thought you were lost." I answered "No, I am not lost." Very cheekily, she replied "I said I THOUGHT you were lost. I thought...." It's hard to win this girl. Very sharp tongue.

Apology

Since months ago, Jesslyn knows to demand for an apology. I have never made a record of it. Today, I heard it again while trying to put them to sleep. While it's still fresh in my memory, here it goes.

Jerilyn did something, which Jesslyn thought had offended the baby (Jesslyn's Mr Bean bear) and Jesslyn demanded an apology.

Jesslyn: Jie2, say sorry to baby.
Jerilyn: Sorry baby. (Loud)
Jesslyn: No. It's too loud. Say sorry again to baby.
Jerilyn: Sorry baby. (Loud again)
Jesslyn: It's too loud. Say 'Sorry baby'(soft).
Jerilyn: Sorry baby. (Loud again).
..

This ordeal repeated several times I began to think they were enjoying it. I stopped them after that or else it would never end.

Jesslyn still sings lullaby to the bear and cradles it like her baby.  She calls her bear 'baby' and if the baby is naughty, she scolds it. If the baby is scared, she puts it against her chest and pats its back while telling it not to be scared. There was once she brought a pillow, blanket and bolster down to the living room so that the baby could sleep comfortably. Jesslyn is usually a messy person. She throws things around as if my house is a huge garbage bin. I am surprised that she would put her baby cozily with blanket and bolster. Hmm.. Should I get her a real baby doll to play with? 

Development (in progress)

What the kids can do.
Jerilyn (5y6m)

1. 'recognise' words just by spelling it out to her. Sometimes, I try to communicate with my husband with them knowing it. Nothing obscene, just about some forbidden food when they are sick. So, one day, I spelt out 'N-U-G-G-E-T' and she knew immediately what I was talking about.
2. can do addition below 20. for example 9+5. How do children learn to do addition and subtraction? She uses her fingers. I seen some draw dots on the paper. I used to teach her that way but somehow, she has the habit of adding with her fingers.

Jesslyn (3y6m):

1. spell her own name and Jerilyn's name
2. spell dog and cat orally. She doesn't know how to spell the whole word she has 
3. read Peter and Jane book4
4. play Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano by memory

Today, Jesslyn used a big word "Mummy, Jie2 DISTRACT me." I exclaimed "Wow! A big word." Jerilyn asked "Big word means the word is large?"

Racist

I don't know how but Jesslyn has always demonstrated discrimination towards the ugly, the blacks and the disadvantaged.

The first time she showed discrimination towards the ugly was about a year ago when she said this to her sister "eh! why your ugly face look so pretty today?"

The next incident was at a restaurant. She showed her displeasure seeing a down-syndrome baby boy "I don't like that boy." as she pointed at the boy.

After that, there were many other instances. For example, when Jerilyn was overly dressed, Jesslyn commented "Aiye, you look so Indian. I don't like it."

Today, the teacher took some photos of the kids at the Montessori. Jesslyn was reluctant to take photos with her own sister.  I asked her why. She answered "Because she is ugly."

I love to ask the girls about their schoolmates and Jesslyn loves to share her experiences in school. For a 3yo kid, she has quite distinct words to describe her friends. John is a naughty boy. Y is very beautiful. She likes to play with me. M is a quiet boy. They also talked about their teachers. Jesslyn said "I like teacher B but teacher B is black and brown."

first piano lesson

Date: July 3rd
Jerilyn's first official piano lesson went on pretty well. She was obedient. She paid full attention to the teacher. She showed nervousness as she did not look at the teacher (Ms Yap) when the teacher was explaining. She looked down at the keys instead. Other than that, she didn't show much response although the teacher posted the same question several times. She only managed to nod her head. She could play the pieces quite well. At the end, Ms Yap complimented "She understands very well and steady. Unlike some kids who tend to be restless and turn here and there. She is very 'Tong Xi'(knows stuff)."

Jesslyn wasn't bad herself. As it was the first time Jerilyn had her lesson, Jesslyn and I waited in the same room. Jesslyn was super quiet. She understands the seriousness of the event that she whispered with me. It was funny looking at her whisper and doing sign language.

Overdue posts

Finally, I can sit down and update my long overdue posts. I had to rush and make perfect my assignments til I haven't been updating my blog about the girls for ... let's see.... 2 months?
Just for memory sake, here are some of the quotes I want the girls to know when they grow up.

1. Although the girls don't come into contact with their Ah Yee much but the way they talk about Ah Yee sounds like they have frequent contact with her. For example when the girls fight over the ipad, Jesslyn sulkily said "I dont want to play your (mummy) ipad, I will play Ah Yee's ipad."
2. Jesslyn asked "Why Ah Yee never cry when the doctor take rachel out from Ah Yee's stomach?" [as if she was there when Ah Yee delivered her baby]
3. Jerilyn shows responsibility again when she said that she was late to return to her classroom after breakfast because she had to wait for Jesslyn to finish her breakfast. Jerilyn explained that if she didn't wait, Jesslyn would cry.
4. Sometimes, we encourage and boost the girls confidence by being ignorant. One night, Jerilyn explained something about how earthquakes work and Daddy asked "How do you know?" She answered "Of course I know." Daddy replied "But, I don't know." She answered smartly "Because some boys never use their brains."
5. Jerilyn was reading her knowledge book (she has interest with the solar system, the nature, science etc.) when she suddenly asked "Mummy, is ocean bigger or the sea bigger?" That caught me off-guard. 

On July 31st,
Jerilyn - 18.8kg
Jesslyn - 14.5kg

Piano Assessment

in June:
Since I started my Masters studies, I didn't have the time to teach Jerilyn piano. She was on her own. She hardly played her piano. Maybe once or twice a week. I realised that I could not let that habit continue so, I decided to enrol her into piano classes. At least, the classes will give her some sense of responsibility and she will practise at home.

I called the piano teacher and made an appointment for an assessment. The assessment was to determine which level should Jerilyn start her lessons. According to the teacher, children her age should start with sth called Mozart, which I wasn't very keen. I wanted her to play. So, there - the assessment. I was quite apprehensive about this assessment. What if she freaks out and doesn't play? What if she was so nervous that she makes mistake after mistake? What if the teacher isn't happy enough with her performance and insists that she starts with Mozart level? I was stress  and so was she.

When she first knew about the class, she cried. She didn't want to go. However, as the actual day drew nearer, she began to accept that she has to go. Still, she was restless the whole day. You see, the appointment was in the evening.

When it was time, we went and she played. She played very well. Better than her performances at home. So, the teacher said she can start with Pre-Grade 1 book 2, whatever that means. For half an hour lesson every week, the lessons cost RM60/month.

I went home feeling proud of my daughter. The teacher was impressed with her ability to read the notes without any theory lesson. Yah. I told her I haven't taught her any theory. There was another thing which I have forgotten. Let me think.