Advent season

Advent season starts today (29 November 2009) and Christmas Day is near. I managed to buy Chrismas cards from my church who sells it for the National Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Malaysia.
One of the cards reminded me of Christmas : "JESUS is the reason for Christmas".

I have started teaching bbX about how Jesus looks like. So, whenever I ask "Where is Jesus?" He will point at Jesus. I will praise him "Good boy!" and give him a big hug.

Nowadays, Chrismas season in Malaysia is becoming more commercial. Christmas trees nicely decorated everywhere in shopping malls and santa claus will be appearing very soon. We only meet the real Christmas in church and without the realization of the real Christmas, children will not realize that they are celebrating for Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the real Christmas gifts should be the gift of blessings and well wishes to our loved ones and fellowship gatherings with our loved ones.

I was thinking about putting up our Christmas tree for the coming Christmas but knowing that bbX will definitely put his hands on it, I think, Christmas is still fullfilled without the tree. I will be worry free without the tree in the living room and start to teach bbX that we do not need a Christmas tree during Christmas. We can still decorate it next year, but We need Jesus all the time.

Let's Dance!!

1) bbX have been watching the kids' show Hi-5 every weekday morning in NTV7 channel since 2 months old while waiting for daddy to fetch him to grannys'. Since 15 months plus, he is having fun whenever the Hi-5 show is ON! He will dance to the Hi-5 song and will clap his hands whenever the songs finish.

2) Also, the latest TMNET advertisement is a favourate of bbX! Whenever the English or Malay or the office version starts, he will run to the TV to watch it, dance and clap hands when finishes.

3) However, whenever I played Barney's show, bbX wasn't attracted. So, not all kids like the big purple dinosaur.

4) bbX loves dance music as well! let's BOOGIE!!!

Although I have violated the American Paediatric Association advice of letting children under 2 to watch TV, I bring bbX for outings and explore real environment such as the beach, waterfall, playground and fun with other kids.

How many teeth does bbX have now?

Pre-school hunting

Xavier will be 19 months by January 2010 and Steven and I have agreed to send him to pre-school with day care.

Hence, I started my survey last month (October), visited the schools and enquired the rates as follows:

1) Taska at Bandar Puteri 6
Monthly: RM 550 (include breakfast-lunch-teatime)
Material: RM 350 (every 6 months)
Deposit: RM 250
Registration: RM 100
Uniform: RM 26
Teaching method: 2 ~ 5 years old (montessori), 4 ~ 6 years old (kindergarden)
Language: English, Malay and Chinese
Student Population: total approx. 40 students, 10 students for montessori level with 2 teachers.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1: 10
Environment: Overall is satisfying and most important is clean. Nice garden with fence. Gated staircase. Ample space.
Attitude: The principal is a very nice lady.
Comment:Under consideration as the education is acceptable. Only considering the monthly fee.


2) Taska at Bandar Kinrara
Monthly: RM 460 (include breakfast-lunch-teatime)
Material: Not required
Deposit: (forgot to get information)
Registration: (forgot to get information)
Uniform: (forgot to get information)
Teaching method: 3 ~ 6 years old (kindergarden). By Jan 2010, will accept 3 months old child.
Language: English and Malay
Student Population: total approx. 20 students with 2 teachers.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1: 10
Environment: Not satisfying as small space and not that clean as have odor in the whole house.
Attitude: The principal is a very nice lady.
Comment: Rejected.

3) Taska at Taman Putra Prima
Monthly: RM 460 (include breakfast-lunch-teatime-dinner)
Material: RM 290 (every 6 months)
MELS (computerized lesson) : RM 100 per year
Deposit: RM 100
Registration: RM 50
Uniform: RM 26
Teaching method: 2 ~ 6 years old (kindergarden)
Language: English, Malay and Chinese
Student Population: total approx. 30 students.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1: 10
Environment: Cleanliness is OK. No proper sink to wash used utensils, no gated staircase. the garden is fully cemented.
Attitude: The principal is a very nice guy.
Comment: Not considering to enrol as I don't like the idea of teaching using computer for young children.

4) Tadika at Taman Putra Prima
Monthly: RM 460 (include breakfast-lunch-teatime)
Material: (forgot rate)
Deposit: RM 100
Registration: RM 50
Uniform: RM 35
Teaching method: 2 ~ 6 years old (kindergarden)
Language: English, Malay and Chinese
Student Population: total approx. 100 students.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 1: 20
Environment: Cleanliness is OK. Garden is OK. Forgot to check eating place.
Attitude: The teacher is a very nice lady. Spoke to principal on the phone, she sounds very determined to provide good education to her students at young age.
Comment: Not considering to enrol as the school is too academic for Xavier at the moment. However, seems that the students looks well prepared for Chinese school!

As a conclusion, I am still hunting for more schools to check out. I will need to finalize and visit the school during school time within this month as the school holiday starts on 21-November-2009.

What's up Xavier??

It's been a while since I last updated this blog. Xavier have been such a great son and we have great time spending our family time.

Well, he is into real boys toys now!

This motorbike (really battery operated! rechargeable) was gift from Ku Che and Uncle Edward. He loves it and although he have no licence (from mommy and daddy) on the operation procedure, he will sit on it and push it around the living room.

Bravo son!