Thursday, May 31

Glamourous Royal Gala

When Joyce told us that she made a booking for Cherrlyn to have a makeover and photo session at Glamour Kiddies, we (the mommies) were all thrilled and suggested that perhaps we should let the children take group pictures! It would be such good memory for them and also document their lovely friendship.

After much arrangement, we finally went to the studio this afternoon. First, the girls get to put on make up and do their hair, much to their delight.



Then, they get a quick nail polish on their fingers and toes.






Ezra is so dashingly handsome!





The children had a lot of fun takinig pictures. The makeover was great, the outfits were cute. However, you must not expect much from the photos taken by Glamour Kids. But it wasn't very important to us. What was most important was that the children really had so much fun dolling up for this "Royal Gala", and remembering the wonderful friendship which their mommies shared because of them. We hope these pictures will bring them fond memories and have something for them to talk about when they grow older.

Sunday, May 20

Jaimie's First Running Event








Tuesday, May 15

爱的心;爱的星

今天早上到学校的贩卖部去,看见很漂亮的星星折纸。灵机一动,买了两包回家。

回到家,和媛媛聊天。媛媛迫不及待地告诉我她,今天学校带他们去溜冰,她摔了好大的一交,可是她没有哭哭。我赞许地点点头。

晚餐后,媛媛画了两张图画送给我,我给了她一个拥抱。

我把折纸拿出来,折了两颗星星给她。

每给她一颗,就赞扬她。

这一颗星星送给你,因为你今天学溜冰好勇敢!这一颗星星送给你,因为你画了两张图画送给妈妈,妈妈很开心!

媛媛“哇哇哇”的大叫,说星星好漂亮!

我继续问:今天你还做了什么好事了吗?或者是勇敢的事?

媛媛在客厅里踱步,歪着头,懊恼地说:好像没有了。

我鼓励她:一定有。你今天有专心听老师讲课吗?有听老师的话吗?

她立刻点头,详细告诉我她今天如何乖了。 我边愉快地和女儿对话,边我用极笨拙的手指,多折了两颗歪歪的星星给她。


我的手工是出名的差,是差到连一个对角都折不好的那种差。几颗星星,已把我折腾得要命。但是,孩子在培养美好的品德并不是一朝一夕,也不是理所当然的。每一颗星星,对她来说,都是一个鼓励与肯定,也让她更加有动力去学习做一个内心充满真、善、美的孩子。

希望我的星星可以越折越多,越折越好。希望我的孩子内心永远都满满的都是心、星。

Sunday, May 13

错过孩子学校母亲节庆祝活动有感

*photos taken from Jaimie's childcare centre Facebook album*








收到媛媛学校老师的电邮,说他们今年会在西海岸公园庆祝母亲节,希望妈妈们能够陪同孩子出席这个亲子活动,而媛媛也一直问我能不能出席。

我马上翻出手机上的日历,发现那天学校有很重要的事情。我若请假,就会直接加重同事的负担。很为难。问媛爸,他刚好也因工作而无法请假出席。我可以想象媛媛失望的神情,还有在庆祝会上孤单的心情。我的心,都揪起来了。我给孩子一点一点地打预防针,透露我无法出席的消息。媛媛表面上接受了我的解释,但她不是不失望的。

幸好媛媛的爷爷奶奶可以陪伴她出席,稍微弥补了我心中的遗憾和难过。我整个早上在学校上班的时候都一直在挂念这个庆祝会。一会儿看天气,一会儿看时间,一会儿猜测孩子们在玩什么,一会儿担心媛媛会不会觉得只有她是奶奶陪而不是妈妈陪而觉得郁闷。后来收到媛奶奶的简讯,说媛媛玩得很开心,只是为没有赢奖而懊恼了一阵子,现在在吃点心了,我的心才定了下来。感激~~

我们这些做老师的,总是在“照顾别人的孩子”和“照顾自己的孩子”中纠结。其实不只是老师,警察、消防员、护士、医生等等,也都是先为别人再为自己。

唉,其实,除非是全职妈妈,否则,做职业妈妈的都是有同样的难处--在孩子与工作中找寻平衡点,在亲情与职责中取舍。这样一说,又好像当全职妈妈最理想。但是全职妈妈也有他们的难处。

总之,还是要自己拿捏。

这次,我不能出席孩子学校的活动,但是我仍积极参与孩子其他的活动和她成长的过程。这才是重要的。

祝妈妈们母亲节快乐~ 全职妈妈们,加油!

Monday, May 7

Mothers' Day Celebration and Kids Fun Time


We gather at Vivocity to celebrate... Mothers' Day. We always have a reason to meet. And we can always cook up a reason to meet, not that we need one, actually. It is just more fun to have one. It's school holiday today as Saturday was Vesak Day. We brought the children out to play at the Vivocity.





The mommies did a gift exchange. It's happy shopping/ eating time with the vouchers!


The kids played from 10am - 12noon. We only planned to play this much but after lunch at Kim Gary's, the kids found the way to the outdoor playground and they continued to play for another 2.5hrs!!

It's so nice to see the children bonding and playing together. We had to follow them around and chase  after them when they were younger but now they have grown to be independent, confident and sociable children! I remembered a few years ago we were at the Great World City playground (cant remember the name...) and wondering when would it be our turn to sit down and chit chat while the kids play on their own. Now, it's finally here!

Tuesday, May 1

站稳自己的脚步








星期六晚上,贴心又温暖的媛媛画了这本自制的小书给我。

收到这本满满都是爱的书,我内心除了满满都是欣慰与欢愉之外,我也更加坚定了自己的脚步。

作为一个老师的孩子其实是很吃亏的。首先,因为爸爸或妈妈是老师,别人对教师的孩子的要求也会跟着提高。“这个孩子的妈妈是老师,可是教出来的孩子竟然是这样!真是可笑!”这样的话对孩子很不公平,可是也有一定的真实性。我们于是就不小心活在别人的眼光与期许中了。其次,很多时候教师都是教育了他人的孩子而忽略了自己的孩子。教师的工作性质特殊,如果不画出一条清楚的界线,我们就永远陷入“为教育付出”的漩涡里,没了自己,没了生活。但是,每个人的界限都因为自个人的情况而不同。如果不能站稳自己的脚步,那我们就会不小心被别人的脚步牵着走。

虽然我知道自己的界线,也有明理的老板与同事,更加有支持我从事我热爱的教书工作的家人,但我有时候也会忙到透支所有的体力与耐心,回到家变成一个一触即发的炸弹。无辜的孩子有时就会变成我的炮灰。所以,我要牢牢站稳自己的脚步,跟着自己的步伐走。在我的人生里,不可能有任何事比我的家庭更加重要。好好爱了自己,才能好好爱孩子与家人。有了一个安稳的家庭,才能做一个更好的老师、有更多的能量爱学生。

从工作各方面的评估 ,我知道我是一个不赖的老师。媛媛画给我的画册,则好像是我作为妈妈的成绩单。我应该是得到优等吧?

收到这本画册,我真的很快乐。因为我知道我的步伐应该是没有错了。