Do boys get intimated by girls?

Do boys get intimidated by girls? Or is it just natural that boys dont like to play with girls?
Jerilyn has always been a tough girl and prefers to play with boys than girls. She loves tools more than dolls. She loves active activities more than passive ones. She watches the boys play computer games and makes sound effects just like the boys. I notice that other girls dont watching boys playing pc games.
However, not many boys welcome her. They shove her away when she comes near. They think that she is invading their privacy. They claim that she is loud. Probably, they dont like it when a girl makes better sound effects for example a car roar or gunfire than they do.
How much can you tolerate your kid being bullied? Me, it's almost Zero. It's ok if they fight over space or toys but if other kids say things like "Go away." or "Dont touch this." and my kids look helpless, I will defend them.

Terrible Twos

Kids change and learn everyday, sometimes at a slower speed, other times they experience growth spurt. Just last week, I was saying that Jesslyn had added Why questions in her dictionary. Now, she is bombarding us with endless Why questions. Here are some examples I remember:
Mummy, what are you doing? I am cutting the oranges.
Why are you cutting? For you to eat.
Why for you to eat? because you like orange.
Why you like orange? ???

Mummy, where's the beetle? I have thrown it away.
Why you throw it away? Because it's dead.
Why is it dead? Because I killed it.
Why you kill it? because it's a nuisance.

Mei2, don't stand on the stairs like that.
Why dont stand? Because it is dangerous.
Why is it dangerous? Because you may fall.
Why you may fall? Because if you are not careful, you may fall.
Why not careful? ???

They are very opinionated too, with character.
When Jesslyn doesnt want something for eg food, she says I don't want, folds her arms firmly and looks away with her head high. It's really cute to see that from a 2yo toddler.
Besides having opinions about themselves for eg choosing the clothes to wear, they also have opinions about you. For example, Jerilyn used to tell me if SHE THINKS I don't look good wearing something or if my hair is messy and needs a brush.

This is the time they test their freedom and rights. They want to exert independence and give us the 'I can too' message. Jesslyn is going thru the phrase Jerilyn went thru such as wearing her own clothes and shoes. If you so much so as to help her, she might throw her tantrums. She would remove her clothes and put them on again!!! When she is done, she will parade in front of you and exclaimed You see! You see!Sometimes, 2 legs would end up in 1 pants hole. When this happens, she walks around slowly until some1 sees her.

I came across 'Terrible Twos' and found that it means a development stage when a toddler is about 2yo. I have never associated my condition with this term until now. However, I have a different understanding of this term. To me, 'Terrible Twos' means having 2 mischievous kids esp if they are about the same age. When alone, they play quietly. But, when put them together, things become chaotic. When they play, they bring the house down. When they fight, they bring each other down. Look at what Jesslyn's bite did to Jerilyn's arm.









This is what I call 'Terrible Twos'.

The Lost World - 16/10/2010

Over the past few weeks, Daddy had been very busy with work; so busy that he worked more than 15hours a day and weekends too. I had been patient and tried to be an understanding wife. Finally, his ISO project was approved last week. Although this is not the end of it, at least he can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

As compensation for abandoning us, he took us to The Lost World of Tambun last Saturday. It's a combination of natural limestone hills and hot springs and the man-made sandy beach and amusement park. It's priced at RM38/adult, RM32/child below 12yo but above 90cm. Hubby said that parents often hope that children will grow up faster but this is the time we hope they grow slower.

Our first station was the Petting Zoo. As the name suggests, most of the animals are fit as pets. You can find raccoons, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, monkeys, parrots, hamsters, skunks, snakes; to name a few. As the zoo is created against a hill, complete with waterfall, the walk was more interesting and adventurous than visiting a normal zoo where you walk on smooth tar roads. Another plus point for this zoo is that we can have a closer look at some animals, so close that there are zoo-keepers who also serve as guards to guard against animal abuse and stealing. I notice this when we were at the hamster booth. Some naughty kids were pushing and disturbing the hamsters. The zoo-keeper watched the kid like a hawk. She didn't say anything though. Other than that, you can also touch the rabbits, guinea pigs and some other tame animals. They may be tame but for people who haven't been closed to animals much, the close contact can be quite an experience and a shock. A rabbit, for instance, stood suddenly with their paws on the fence. I was kneeling with Jesslyn and imagine our surprise when the rabbit came eye-to-eye with us. Both of us actually jumped out of fright. Nevertheless, I encouraged the kids to touch the animals but Daddy was against the idea. He is quite paranoia about diseases and cleanliness.

After exiting the zoo, we spotted some swans, geese, tigers and horses as we walked quite a distance around the park. A sculpture of a gorilla caught the kids attention and even til today, Jerilyn is talking about it as if it's a real gorilla. Later, I was excited when I saw a sign 'Pony Ride' ahead but was I disappointed when I saw 2 horses(which claimed to be ponies) locked up in a small ranch. I was disappointed for 2 reasons: 1 is because the pony ride is not available (for the kids) that day. 2 is because I feel sad for the confined horses. I am no animal activist but I don't understand why these horses are confined in a 20'x20' ranch when the park is so spacious.

So, our next stop was the carousel. The kids took only one slow ride on it before we headed for the water park. The video and photos(which I will upload later) speak for itself. Daddy had a spot for himself too that is the hot springs & spa. The water was more than 40 degrees Celsius. Jerilyn only put the tip of her toe into the pool and retracted. She is one who h

ates anything burning or hot. As she walks on the sand, she was complaining that it's hot. At other times, she won't eat if she thinks that the food is too hot for her tongue.

As for me, I am happy watching the kids having fun. I enjoyed watching them play and laugh. They are definitely more daring than mommy. At less than 2yo, Jesslyn went on a slippery, very sloppy slide. Jerilyn moved her limbs like a 'desperate' armateur swimmer. Probably 'determined' would be a more appropriate word. She depended on her stomach to keep afloat. Adorable! I, on the other hand, isn't as adventurous as my kids. I don't like to get wet. I only allowed the water to go up to knee deep.

All in all, we spent 4 hours at The Lost World. That's enough for the kids to be lost in their dreams the moment they got into the car.

Jesslyn @ 22months

Can't recall when Jerilyn started bombarding us with WH- Questions but I am sure it's way after 2yo. As for Jesslyn, she picked up questioning skill from her sis since she was 19months old. Lately, she has added WHY questions as well.

• Why you cry? (she may also get a tissue and rub your tears. So sweet.)
• Why so sad? (if you look sad)
• Why close the door?
• Why Daddy go swimming(bathe actually)?etc...

Some of the Don't instructions she gives are:

• Don't touch.
• Don't read. (when she needs me while I am reading)
• Don't sit. I want to sit.
• Don't sing. (if you sing when she is singing. Very possessive, isn't she?)
  

As for toilet training, I mentioned that she doesnt use the napkin during the daytime. Although she wears diapers at night but based on the past 2 weeks records, she manages to control her bowel til the next morning for more than 60% of the nights, meaning the diapers are dry. I will still put her on diapers. Can't take the risk yet. Other than that, she hasnt been pooing her in her diapers for at least 2months. When she needs to do her big business, she will announce it and we will take the time to go up the stairs to use the toilet upstairs. We have one of those baby toilet seats but the two of them hardly use it. Jerilyn didnt use it because she tend to shee outside the toilet seat. Is there something wrong with the mould? How do other kids use it then? Jesslyn doesnt use it simply because I never make it habit for her to sit on it. If you put her on a baby toilet seat, she feels uncomfortable.

Voice Mail

If you are familiar with the voice mail system in Malaysia, you would know that it comes in at least 3 languages, all in one voice mail. This recording was taken when she made a call to her dad and the call was forwarded to a voice mail Dont expect much, just want to share. Do listen til the end.

Our Routine

After the application for the maid has been cancelled, we decided not to employ any maids for 2 reasons. Firstly, by the time the next application to be successful, which could take 3 months, Jerilyn would have started schooling and we dont really need the maid anymore. Secondly, I dont have to go through the 'Life with a Maid' ordeal again(sounds serious huh?). So, instead of getting a permanent 'pain in the back', I'd chosen part-time maid who only comes once a week.
It has now been 2 weeks since the semester commenced. Things have been quite manageable with the help of my dad and MIL. When I have full day classes on Mondays and Tuesdays, dad will take care of Jesslyn while Jerilyn with my MIL.
On other days when I only have half day work, the kids stay with my dad. The routine is dad coming over at 7.30 as that's when I go to work (for this sem). He lingers around til the kids wake up between 9.00a to 10.00. Ah Gong prepares them for another new day and they usually go out for lunch 2 hours later. By the time they return home, I should be on my way home. When I reach home, my dad goes home and I dutifully continue my work at home; play with the kids, teach some reading and writing, chat and later, put them to bed. While they sleep, I sweep and mop and clean. While waiting with anticipation for the door to open and footsteps down the stairs, I surf the net and enjoy a cup of afternoon coffee.
On a lucky day, they could sleep for 2 hours. After they have recharged, they continue messing up the house again. Sometimes, they watch some Barney or Strawberry Shortcakes shows. We have our dinner at 7pm. This is the only time I can enjoy my one hour tv programme for the day. I only have to cook rice. The dishes are home delivered. For RM138 per month, I get 2veg + 1meat for 6 days a week. After the 7pm Chinese programme, I mop again and bathe them. After that, we normally do some reading together (I dont like the kids to get sweat again)although the kids prefer more hyper-active activities while we wait for Daddy to come home. When my assistant is back, we begin to wind down and prepare for bed. It used to take my an hour at least to fall asleep but nowadays, I easily doze off the moment my head touches the pillow.
This summarises my routine from this month 'til dec. After that would be another story.

* Jesslyn's new skill is drawing a Fish. Dont have a picture to share yet.