Brothers

Brothers = God Choosen Best Friends.

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Best Friends

Best Friends - My two boys had a great time on Monday. It was a public holiday and they had an awesome time together. In the morning, we explored a new playground. Bryan had the time of his life exploring the playground. Gabriel was very brave with all the slides.

In the afternoon, I let them out of the house for a bit. Bryan went cycling. While Gabriel tried out his scooter. I made him go slow. But it was great fun for him. Better than just the garden. I do need to get him a proper helmet.

I think they are beginning to realise what fun having a brother can be. A God-given best friend. And together they learn how to share things with each other, play together and care for each other. Which are great life lessons for their own personal growth. (And since they can keep each other company, they don't pester Mommy so much)

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Pony Ride

The weather was great last weekend. It was also the weekend that I knew lots of kids would be at home studying. So I brought the boys to the zoo. It was just the 3 of us. And we had a lovely time. The zoo was definitely quieter that morning. And there was hardly a queue for anything.

Bryan wanted to go down to see the kangaroos. So we went that way. But the kangaroos weren't in. Maybe it was too early? So he was a bit disappointed. Since it was still early, Bryan wanted to go on his pony ride. But that was quite a distance away. I thought we should take a lazy ride on the tram around the zoo to the pony ride. And Gabriel was happy with that too. He liked the tram. Although he kept calling it the train.

At the pony ride, Gabriel also wanted to sit on the horse. And he was really brave about it too. Even though it was rather high up for him. And it was his first time. When he got off, I asked if he wanted another go. Gabriel said, "Tomorrow." Bryan on the other hand, enjoyed himself tremendously. He had a great time.

I bought the boys a drink and off we went on the tram back to the entrance of the zoo.

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Concert 2011

On Saturday, both Bryan and Gabriel had their school concert. This would be Bryan's last year in Kindergarten and his last concert. And Gabriel's first one. So it was a special one for us. Their grandparents came along to watch this time.

Bryan was a school boy. And his number consisted of kids dancing to the song by Justin Bieber "Never Say Never'. I'm not at fan of the singer or the song. But when my boy performs to it, it's a great song. In his performance, Bryan had a solo bit where he did cartwheels. It was fabulous! I'm so proud of him.

Gabriel did a spanish number. And he had a couple of shakers to use in his number. He was really cute! I thought he'd be a bit lost but he was actually not too bad. He remembered where to go and stand and he moved to the beat.

We got everything on video. It was awesome. I was one proud mom.

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Haircuts

The boys had their haircuts on Sunday. Bryan had his done in a grownup salon. At one of those $10 places. Gabriel still gets his done in a kids salon. It's more expensive but he gets to watch Thomas and he is also given a balloon after.

Aren't they looking so smart now.

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Bryan's Solo Performance

This weekend, Bryan had his usual chinese class. But this time, the kids were putting up a little performance for the parents. And they've only ever prepared for the performance in the 1/2 hour or so after class started. It was great to see the kids enjoying themselves doing the rhymes.

There was a new addition to the usual rhymes. This time, the kids had time to do a solo bit if they wanted to. It was very interesting to see all the younger kids coming up to do their solo bits. While the older kindergarten kids all didn't want to.

All, exept Bryan. He decided to give it a go. He actually did remember a rhyme from one of his classes so he recited that. It went very well. He was actually quite good. I am very proud of him. :) And I did get it on video, although he was a little soft on it.

Milestones

I'm very proud of both of my two boys. They've achieved a couple of difficult milestones this week.

Gabriel has been toilet-trained during the day. He can say when he needs to go. And he can also go when we ask him to. So we can leave him off diapers for most of the day.

Bryan meanwhile has been learning how to cycle over the past couple of months or so. And just today, he finally got the hang of the balance on the bicycle. Now he needs just needs a longer stretch of road to cycle on to practise.

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Swimming

Gabriel has been asking to go swimming for a while already. Bryan gets to go swimming once a week, when he has lessons. But it's nap time then for Gabriel. So Gabriel hardly ever gets to swim. And when we talk about swimming, Gabriel would jump in and say he wants to go swimming.

So this Saturday, we decided to go swimming in the morning. Gabriel was so happy and excited. He was very good though. He sat through breakfast, and waited while I stashed my stuff in the locker, changed etc. Then he really enjoyed himself in the pool. He likes the wading pool with the slide. But he also wants to join in when Bryan is playing the big pool.

Gabriel's temper tantrums are getting better. He stops after he realises he's not going to get what he wants. He's also starting toilet training. We take his diaper off for a while everyday, and he is able to say when he needs to pee. Which is great!

Meanwhile, Bryan has a school excursion today. They are going to the Singapore River. It's going to be an educational thing for him. And very good timing too. The Singapore National Day is coming up.

PTM

So I just attended my 2 and a half year old's parent-teacher-meeting. Yes, they start them that young. And we were discussing Gabriel's communication skills, social skills, self-help skills. And his problems, I was mostly aware of. It's good to know his teachers were actively helping him with regards to his language and self-help skills. And they felt that he was about the average in terms of his development. Which is what I was hoping to hear.

And I left the classroom with his artwork and a report card. Report Card. They give 2 year olds report cards too.

My two boys are very different, in terms of personality as well as independence. I know Bryan, my older boy learns things very fast. So I'm not too concerned that Gabriel is not as quick as Bryan. Gabriel has definately improved in terms of his speech and communication. He's a little like me, quiet and sometimes shy. So he usually doesn't say very much. But he has been becoming chattier since starting school this year. He has started to string words together in sentences. And it is becoming easier to understand him.

Meanwhile, Bryan is quite the opposite. He's very sociable and chatty in class. His teacher has made him a group leader of the Yellow Group. Which he enjoys. He has little problems with his English and Maths work. So school is pretty fun for him. Except Chinese, which he still needs a bit of help in. And he doesn't concentrate as much in his Chinese class. But at least he has the next half of the year to improve.

Haircutz Instead

Instead of the zoo. It was raining that morning so we had to abandon zoo plans. Bryan's contingency plan was to get a haircut. His fringe was getting too long. Gabriel went along for a trim too. He was a good boy, after he had a sweet to chew on.

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Kite-flying (trying to)

Over the weekend, we went to Marina Barrage to fly our kite. We had done that before. But that day, the air was still. No one managed to get their kite up for longer than a few minutes. Which is unusual. It's usually very windy there. The boys ended up playing catch instead. Ah well, next time then.

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My Swimming Adventure

Brought the kids swimming this weekend. Hubbie was busy so it was just me. And the 2 boys. It was went well at first. I put the bags and stuff at the chairs near the edge of the pool so I could keep an eye. Then I changed Gabriel into his suit and put sunscreen on. Bryan was all done already by himself and he stayed nearby all the time.

We spent sometime in the big pool and the small pool with the slide. Bryan made a new friend while sliding down the slide over and over again. They had quite a bit of fun together. Bryan bumped his head while sliding down once but he said he was ok. Gabriel went a few times but preferred to splash about the shallow pool.

A while later, I decided that it was time to go up. Then Bryan took off his goggles and discovered he had a small cut at the edge of his eye. It was still oozing a bit so I had to sit him down and clean it up. We all went off to the children's room to bathe and change. Bryan showered on his own and I showered Gabriel. Bryan was especially helpful with the towels. He even offered to look for a bin to throw Gabriel's swim diaper in.

Then I realized I hit a bit of a snag. I could shower the kids and get them dried and dressed. But then, I couldn't go shower myself. I can't leave the kids alone. Neither can I bring them into the female changing room. Hmm.... so in the end, I just dried myself, threw on a t-shirt and pants over my swimsuit.

Bryan wanted his french fries too. So got him a plate to share with Gabriel. He had a good time. Even though he had that cut and all. He fell asleep in the car on the way home.

When he finally woke up, I cleaned his cut properly, put some antiseptic eye cream on and put a small steri-strip across the wound to hold it close. He looked in the mirror and said that he looked like Anakin Skywalker. And he was very pleased with himself.

It was quite a morning for me. I had my hands full with my kids. But still managed to have fun and relax in the pool. I felt quite empowered to do things on my own.

First Zoo trip of the year

We usually try to make a trip to the zoo every month but it's been a wet year so far. It's not easy finding a weekend that's not raining. So it's only this weekend that we finally managed to go.

Bryan wanted to see the kangaroos. So we walked there. We were lucky that one decided to sit near a fence and endure some petting from him.

There was a new animal show at the Kidz World so we headed there to watch. It was more like a dog and cat show. But the boys loved it. It was nice to see cats and rats doing their thing too. I managed to catch the fun parts on video. And the boys petted a couple of big dogs after.

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Growing Up

Gabriel's adjusting nicely to his pre-nursery class. The both of them being in the same school does help a lot. It means a lot to Gabriel to know that his brother is around. He needed that bit more support to wake up in the morning, put on his uniform, wear his shoes and go to class. It definately helped that his bigger brother also did the same thing. He likes his teacher, Miss Ong. And would go to her when he gets to class.

Everyone at home has also noticed that he's talking more and interacting more. I think being in school has helped him a lot. He's still a bit shy but he is not as clingy as he was before.

Meanwhile, Bryan, the older brother is doing very well. The kindergarten has started giving him homework on weekends and spelling. They are slowly transitioning the students to primary one. Which is a good thing. It will be quite a big adjustment for Bryan in the 'big boys school'. But he should be fine.

Growing up, reaching more milestones. Sigh. As a mommy, I am both very proud of my boys. And yet a little sad that they are growing up so fast. I hope they never outgrow hugs and kisses from me.

Very First Day of School

Gabriel started his first day of school on thursday. He had a good first day. He enjoyed himself and didn't cry at all. But his second day started off ok but later he decided that he wanted Mommy to be there with him and started whining. Haiz. I think he just has to get used to the teachers and he'll be ok.

Christmas Prezzies

The kids were given two huge presents this year. Gabriel had a new car! He loves cars so this is perfect for him. And Bryan has a new slide. Hopefully they'll want to go outdoors more often instead of watching TV indoors.

Christmas Concert

Bryan singing in the concert put up by the Sunday School. He is one of the Kindergarten children singing 'Happy Birthday to Jesus'.

An Early Christmas!

Swim Fun

The title says it all... It didn't matter that it rained earlier in the day and the water was cold. All the cousins were there. So it was FUN!

Bryan's K1 Concert

The the most exciting time of the year for Bryan. The end of the year concert. And he worked really hard for it too. He even had a full dress rehearsal before this.

Bryan was a turtle. In the ocean. He was helping to keep it clean. And he was very good too. I am very proud of him. It always amazes me what he is capable of.

We got lots of momentos of the concert. There's a DVD, lots of rehearsal photos, a picture story book and T-shirts. I liked the storyline though. It had a message of looking after the environment as well as 'Shine for Jesus'. Nicely done.