They Meet Thomas!

My boys are excited over the Thomas workshop!  They did a few activities and also take pics with Thomas!

They did a hat

Colouring

And a 3D Thomas craft.  Jiejie did not join it as she finds it too kiddy and not her cup of tea!  Haha! 

The also had free photo-taking service before the workshop, and we collect these after the event. 

Holiday Programme - June

I totally forgot to note down the 2 holiday programmes that LZ attended!

8th June - Monster Science Adventure

Vampires

* How we differentiate blood types in real life
* They learned that different blood types cannot be mixed except for O- blood.  Anyone can safely receives O- blood.
* They did an activity on guessing the blood types of the children of different blood group parents.
* They also learned about BATS. Now they know why bats fly into things at night (they use echolocation) and bats can create & hear noises that humans cannot hear.

Mummies & the Egyptian pyramids

* They used to say "eeeeee...." when they sees a mummies on TV but not anymore. Now they what it is and how people 'preserves' the body.
* They learned about decomposition and how people preserve food in olden & modern times.
* natural mummification & artificial mummification. 
* They know why the pyramids are built in such design.
* Ancient Egyptian writing.

Werewolves

* They learned to differentiate a wolf & a fox.
* Wolf has great nigh vision.  From there, they moved on to the topic, light.
* they made a magnifying glass and bows & arrows.

17th June - Crime Scene Detectives
For this programme, my LZ become detective! They had fun solving crimes through team work, problem solving skills & analytical skills.
They also learned what should they do if they are caught in a fire and about finger print. When they came home, they insist on getting my finger prints!

Church Holiday Camp Performance

After attending 4 Sundays of Holiday Camp, the kids did a performance today.  Z was one of the Kings & L is in the choir and was appointed the leader for the choir.   I love to see my kids perform together, regardless of what role they played.  I am looking forward to the day Beanie can join them for all kinds of activities.

Have you seen a King with fractured thumb?  You will see one in the video. So does the King enjoy the performance?  Yes He did.  How about my little singer?  She enjoyed too.  Whenever I want to to sign them up for any programme, I always ask them.  I don't want to drag any of them to the classes.  I have seen it before, I won't want that to happen and if I'm the kid, I would want programme that interest me. 

The performance last about 15 mins and I edited it to less than 10 mins. I had a clear view of Z but not L... She was standing at the back coz she is tall among them.  It is no fun trying to record the whole thing while carrying Beanie in the carrier. I'm so glad I brought the stand along, made my life easier..  LZdaddy left this morning for his trip and I'm one person who doesn't like to bring my helper everywhere I go.  I personally believe I can handle my kids on my own when we are out, if not why should I give birth to them and can't handle them?  Of coz I'm am thankful that my kids are quite well behaved when I am alone with them. They know if they don't behave, we will be stuck at home till daddy is back from overseas.  Hahaha...

4 Days Holiday Camp

For the past 4 days, LZ joined a 4 days holiday workshop at a Chinese Language school.

1st day: Pull Mee!

Z tried making noodles at MALAN Noodle restaurant.  Yes, he tried it with one hand and with the help of a teacher.  After the hands on fun, he had noodles and dessert at the restaurant with the rest.

L couldn't make it for that and was only able to join the class after lunch.  That didn't dampened her mood coz she looked forward to seeing her 2 good friends at the workshop,  Rachel & Elsie.

Day 2: Nonya Kueh & Muah chee

They visited a kueh factory and had a close look how mass production was done.  They also tried making muah chee with fillings and each brought home a pack.

Day 3: Oil Painting

L did a painting of a Christmas tree.  Z tried to paint with his left hand but was unsuccessful.  Teacher asked him what he wanted to draw and helped him.

Day 4: Stones & Goli

They visited Children Little Museum and had fun trying out the games that I used to play.  I think day 4 is the only day that Z was able to enjoy himself to the fullest.

Here's a video of them having fun with the thingy (don't know what should I call it), made up of goli and sticks.

Just a note on what they did on their 1st 2 weeks of school holiday.  I signed L up for the Maths & Science workshop.  Science is a new subject to her and if I teach her myself, I think she would probably falls asleep.  Hehehe....  And she will be doing Higher Maths next year  so I signed her up for these 2 classes. 

As for Z, I signed him up for Maths initially but since he had to wait for me to come pick both of them at the same time, the center suggested I enrolled him for the English Creative Writing.  I think they rather be there coz our block is currently undergoing quite a major construction and it is terribly noisy and dusty. 

Mooncake Making Workshop - LZ

LZ don't fancy mooncake, just like their mommy.  But this Mooncake Making Class interest them coz the fillings were choc chips, hundreds & thousands, red beans, oreos & marshmellow.  When I picked them up, they proudly showed me what they have made.  They insist that I have to take 2 of it and the rest keep for LZdaddy when he is back in town. 

High School Musical Dance Workshop

This was the last holiday programme that I have arranged for LZ. Nothing much except that they danced throughout fot 1 1/2 hr. L looked forward to this more than Z but it was a disappointment. They said it was quite boring at times so this will be the last time that I will sign them up for this.

Holiday Workshop - Fantasy Science Journey

I wanted to enrol LZ for more Science Workshops or cooking classes but I was too late, most of the classes were full or they have attended before. I was glad there was vacancies for this 3 hr workshop and of coz I asked LZ if they want to join in.

Through the journey across 4 'islands', they did experiments (which is their favourites), learned about water pressure etc...

Giant Land
One of the experiment they did:
Using water bottle as submarine, they learned that 'submarine' sinks when water enters and increases air pressure.

Elves Land
One of the experiments they did:
They placed some cut papers on the table, rub the balloons and when thye put it near the table, the cut papers stick to the balloons - static electricity.

Witches Land
One of the experiments they did:
They mixed baking soda and vineger and that caused the solution to turn fizzy (the witches' Brew).

They also learned the Pig Pen Code. I think they may write secret letters to each other using that! Hehehe...

Dragon Land
They were given a small parachute toy, through that, they learned about air resistance. The staffs also set up a Giant Web (to rescue the dragon who was stuck in there) and they kids had fun going into it.

LZ had a good time in the workshop. They were 'fighting' to tell me what experiments they did and L telling me that at times she needed to help Z with the experiments. When I read through the programme, I didn't think it was that interesting. I'm so happy they enjoyed it! Sometimes, no choice is a good choice.

Holiday Workshop Day 5 - Water Rolling Balls

For the last day of the camp, LZ went to Uncle Ringo Carnival. They loved the games that they played there! Bouncy castle, Merry-Go-Round and a Tutu train and the highlight for them was the Big Ball. Z said he went upside down and he kept running inside and falling down. L said when the uncle was trying to pull them back, she struggled to move it away with another girl, Nicole. My naughty girl, she said she did that coz she wanted to play more!

L was very happy coz she had friends with her for the past 5 days and even without any friends, I know she will enjoys it. She takes the initiative to talk to others and makes friends easily. Initially I was not sure if Z would enjoyed as much as L coz he doesn't have any friends in the class but my boy has grown up. He enjoyed the lesson and was able to tell me what he did and enjoyed.

Some of the crafts that they brought home from the camp

We have read the story on 西游记 before and now I''m sure we can have more fun acting out the story with their crafts. They used their crafts and did a 'show' for ZJ and I to watch. Here's a very short video of Z, saying he is 孙悟空 and I am 猪八戒. Hey I am not him ok!

Holiday Workshop Day 4 - Longkang Fishing

I think today is one of the camp days that they look forward to! They went to Qianhu for longkang fishing! L claimed that she caught 30+ fishes and Z only caught about 3 or 4 . She told me she gave some to Z but in the end, they were asked to released all the fishes and she was disappointed.

At the end of the day, they each brought home a small tank and some fishes. By bedtime, 2 of the fishes died and I don't think they will survived long....

Holiday Workshop Day 3 - National Museum

Sad to say thatI have never bring my kids to any museum (not that I recall).... They usually follows the school field trip. After the field trip today, both commented "mommy, you know you never bring us to the museum before." Oops! Another 'wake up call' for me! So if any of my dear friends read this, please do ask us along if you are going. I drive but I am lousy in knowing how to go around. I have never to been to any museum in Singapore (not that I remember). Funny thing is that when I used to travel so often, I went around to look for museums.

I think LZ enjoyed themselves at the National Museum, otherwise they would not have asked me to bring them there again. L did a puppet and watch a movie on 西游记 . Z did a craft, paper 红头巾, watch a movie too and now knows more about 红头巾.

Holiday Workshop Day 2 - Fun With Dim Sum

In the morning, both did some work and sang songs in their own classes. L told me their class was rehearsing for a mini performance for all students. She was chosen by teacher to be the narrator and she was very proud of it. I think she must be very talkative in class that's why teacher chose her. She looks forward to the performance but too bad I don't get to see it.

After having their Nonya bento lunches ordered by the center, they headed off to Prosper Kitchen to learn now to make Tim Sum. They were each given a box of egg tarts and char siew soh to bring home. LZ has a small bite of the tim sum and told me I must finish the rest! Coz they said they made it for me! So touched.... But that's alot to finish! What to do... LZdaddy not in town to share it and I have to finish everything so as not to disappoint my Babies.

So cute right? They were even given a chef hat to bring home.

Holiday Workshop Day 1 - Health Zone

LZdaddy left this morning and he will not be back till 10 days later so I signed LZ up for a 5 days holiday programme. It is a Chinese Language Building Workshop with fun outings. Better keep them busy otherwise they will turn the house upsidedown. Hehehe.....

I signed them for this programme with Rachel, Charmaine & Janice. I hope the girls will be able to maintain this wonderful friendships, they have known each other since nursery days.

As for Z, he didn't have any friends with him but I was told that he will be able to join jiejie at times. I know my boy will be able to cope well even on his own now that he is older.

L with Rachel & Charmaine

For Day 1, they went to the Health Zone, for more info on what they did there can be found HERE.

L's group pic. She is in the front row, 3rd from left. Aiyo... See how my girl stand, must be different from others.

Z's group pic. He is in the front row, 1st from the right.

Holiday Creative Writing Workshop - L

I signed up L for the school holiday workshop for the week. It is a continuation of what she did for the March holiday. I am grateful to my friend, Pauline for sending & fetching my girl for the 5 days. She has been sending L home everyday after school and she offered to even help me during this school holiday.

This time, she was taught how to describe a character & setting, plotting of the story and dialogue. She was taught Braille (The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write) too!

She likes the story of this little girl, Helen Keller who was blind and deaf. This lady, Annie Sullivan who taught Helen how to read with her fingers, how to write and how to speak. In the end, this little girl grew up to be a great woman and devoted her to life to help others. She brought courage and hope go these people. I like it too and I think she inspired L to work harder.

Holiday Creative Writing Workshop - L

Since I will be confined at home during this 1 week school holiday, I signed up L for this holiday workshop organized by the school. I'm glad I did that, otherwise I will have 2 active kids driving me crazy at home. At the end of the 5 days workshop, L came back with a self-made scrapbook.

Some of the things she learned:
- Rhyming words
- descriptive words (Happy/sad feelings)
- Words with more than 1 meaning. Eg: web - spider's home/website
- Poetry
- Limericks : special 5 lines poems that are fun. The 1st & 2nd lines rhyme. The 3rd & 4th lines also rhyme. The last line rhymes with the 1st.
- Catchy words
- News
- How to write an advertisement
- Sound words. Eg: Bang, hooray, swoosh and many more.

Holiday Workshop

Z had fever last night... I thought if he has fever this morning, I will not let him go for the holiday workshop. Thank God his fever subsided! He looked forward to this workshop. So LZ left for a 3 hr programme, the Lollipops Maths & Science Cookery workshop - The Mystery of the Edible Glass & Fizzy Potion.

They get to experience mixing the solutions and find out the outcome. Using jelly, they made a 'magnifying glass' and jelly glasses. How interesting! I have never thought of that. They also made a fizzy potion, which was their favourite. They observed what happened when they dropped a few raisins inside and they were asked to draw it out.

I think Z were a little too young to understand the whole thing but not for L, though the workshop is meant for children from 5 yr old. I think it is a good introduction to Science for him. L was able to tell me more of what they did in class. Overall, LZ enjoyed the workshop and I am so glad.

Unfortunately, Z's fever came back in the late afternoon and it was 39C.... Think it will be a sleepless night for us....

The Secret of Party Science - Holiday Workshop

LZ went for a 3 hours holiday workshop while I can take a break. Personally, I like to sign them up for science workshop. It is a good introduction to them, let them learn more about science and most important, they had fun.

They chose to go for this, so obvious why isn't it? This programme is for children between the age of 5 - 10 yrs old.

"Lollipops Young Scientist - The Secret Of Party Science"

That's the secret! Learn about the science behind party tricks! Let your child create their own party tricks that they will obviously fall in love with. Let them experience the making of their first Fizz Bomb, Phuny foam etc.. ..."

They learned chemicals like sodium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide etc and make their own Fizz Bomb. They also learn what caused the bubbles and how does the party popper works - friction. They also each did a Party Panpipe - length of the pipe determines the sound, vibration etc.

I would have signed them up for more holiday workshops if Z did not get chicken pox last month and worried that L would get it too (hibernation period for chicken pox is abt 2 weeks). When I planned to signed them for one of the 3 days workshop it is fully booked! Haiz.... And that was the one that Z really wanted to go..

Holiday Workshops

These 2 last holiday workshops were one of the highlights of their school holiday. They have been looking forward to it and I was too, coz I can take a break from them. Hehehe....

Learning Science With Airplanes & Winds

They learnt that as a Scientist, they learn through trial & error. They must persevere in whatever they do (I explained it further to them). They also learnt that air has less pressure when they are moving. The faster they move, the lesser pressure they exert and other stuffs too.

They were taught how to make a few paper crafts for this lesson.

Paper-copter: Why it spins? What happen when it falls? Which direction it spins? How to make it spin in opposite direction? This is L's favourite craft

Superglider: Why it need paper clip? Gravity etc... This Z's favourite craft.

Fabulous Ring plane: Why it fly? How it works?

I think L enjoyed the lesson more than Z. She told me didi daydream at times during lesson. Haha! I think he may be too young to understand it. When Z heard what jiejie said, he insisted that he enjoyed the lesson.

After the lesson, LZ had the lunch outside the classroom (for the next workshop). It was half hour break before they go for the next workshop. I packed bentos for them and they had lunch sitting on the floor. So poor thing hor? No choice, since we didn't have much time and there wasn't any seats around. I will post the bento pictures in the next post. I think they love what I have prepared for them coz they finished it in 15 mins!

Ice-cream Making Workshop

It is a coincidence that the teacher was the PSG member from L's school. I realised that she teaches beading lessons too. Next time, I will sign L up for it. LZ were so excited when they saw the different kinds of sprinklers displayed on the table.

When I picked them up, the ice cream was melting away... I thought they would have it in the classroom... While we were walking home, the ice cream was melting and dripping from the bag . I wanted to throw it away but I saw LZ were very disappointed that they don't get to try what they made, so both were standing at the kitchen sink having their ice cream.

Life Science - Little Doctors (Holiday Programme)

Before the start of the school holiday, LZ have been asking what have I planned for them. How I wished we could just do nothing at all... But being kids, and the active ones, they wouldn't take that. I have signed them for a few programmes and of coz I asked for their opinion and which one interest them :)

Today they went for their 1st holiday programme, Life Science - Little Doctor. This workshop is cater for children between 5 to 10 yrs old. So what have they learned from the workshop? They know more about their body parts, what is inside our body (lungs, liver heart etc) and what are their function. Besides doing worksheets, they also did art & craft of a stethoscope and a little booklet of the body parts.

When we talked about what have they learnt, the first things they told me was what was stethoscope for. Then they excitedly showed me the worksheets, L was so proud that she scored full marks for that! Z didn't get full marks but at least he tried to answer the questions and not forgetting that he is only 4 1/2 yrs old :) They also showed me the little booklets that they made and 'explained' to me about the contents and the function of our body parts. It was fun listening to them :)

L showed interest in it and I must credit it to the recent book that she has been reading, The Magic School Bus -Inside The Human Body (by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen). Check out their website HERE, they have games, simple science projects and other stuffs for kids. She loves the story and I intend to buy more of the series. She found out about this book when her friend bought a copy of it during the Book Fair that was held in school. She told me she read a few pages and she wanted to have the book. When comes to books, we never say no to our kids.

I'm glad that both my kids show interest in Science, unlike me :p Because of them, I think I better start reading too! Hahaha...

Hip Hop Class

Z is in orange and white t-shirt (front row) and L in white t-shirt (back row)

For the past 4 days, LZ has been attending a hip-hop holiday programme with Rachel. I was so happy to find this holiday class for them and that Z has a friend who was in the class too. Besides learning hip-hop, the teacher played games with them too. After the 1 st day, LZ can't wait to show me what they have learnt in class, especially L :) "mommy, are you ready to see my performance?". The subsequent days, they showed me less but talked more about how much fun they had.

On the last day, we were in the classroom 10mins before it ends. We had to chance to see what the kids had learnt. I think the kids felt awkward with us (& the rest of the parents) inside the classroom, all arming with video cams & cameras. Honestly, I don't think they learnt much and the teacher can't really control them.... What most important is that they had fun and I had the chance to chit chat with Michelle :)

Doughnut Making Class

This was their last holiday programme that I have enrolled them in, save the best for the last :) They looked forward to this!

I expected at least 2 teachers in the class with 20 students but I saw only one, good thing was that L was with Z. When I went to pick them up, both were still busy decorating their doughnuts, each of them have 2 to bring home, 1 with sugar and the other glazed with chocolate.

L finished 1 of her doughuts as soon as we got home and Z ate half of 1 doughnut. They are keeping it till tomorrow.