Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Mummies and daddies,

There is the 2nd International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Putrajaya till this Sunday. It is going to be fun for the kids! I am going this Saturday evening as they will also have fireworks display! See you there!

My boy loves hot air balloons and I think it's going to be an eye opener for the whole family. Imagine seeing more than 10 giant hot air balloon around you! :) I am not going to miss it this time!!!

More details:
http://www.myballoonfiesta.com

Reading Progress

If you have been reading my blog, you will realized that I haven't blogged on his reading! Why? Because mummy was too lazy and at one point Reese wasn't interested in reading! I didn't want to push him, he is still young. :)

So after at least 5 months of no reading exercises, I started again 4 days ago with high frequency words (flash cards) and phonics (computer). To make sure he doesn't get bored, I only flash the cards twice (less than 5 minutes) and if he is in a good mood, I will flash it once more. That's it. Then I will repeat this maybe another time in the evening. So less than 10 minutes a day with flash cards. :) I will turn on the Macbook and let him play the phonics and math games for as long as he wants at least once a day (can only do so when at home in the mornings or evenings).

Two days ago, after flashing cards, I will write simple sentences for him to read and it's nice that he can almost effortlessly read the following on his own.

Day 1:

1. Reese can see.
2. I can see.
3. The cat can see.
4. The dog can see.
5. Mum can see.
6. The cat is fat.
7. The cat is on the mat.

Day 2:

1. The rat can see Reese.
2. The cat is for Reese.
3. Reese is sad.
4. Reese is in the house.
5. The fish is in the water.

Today:

1. The pig is on the barn.
2. The frog is on a log.
3. The bug is sad.
4. The rocket is hot.
5. The sun is big and hot.

** Something funny, each time he sees his own name, instead of reading his name, he will replace the name with Lightning Mcqueen (He is currently Lightning Mcqueen the race car)!

I combined both phonics that he knew with high frequency words that I am working with him. So far so good and the learning is kept at less than 5 minutes each time and I tried to do it twice a day. A tip mummies and daddies, never force and do it when the child is ready. Happy learning. Will update more soon.

Kids' Theatre

One of the cast member (She was Gerald the giraffe)

Trying to go on Stage

Waiting excitedly to go in

If you have been following my blog you would know that Reese has a phobia of large crowds, loud music and sudden clapping and laughter. Reese's school decided to take the children to a kids' theatre performance entitled 'Giraffes Can't Dance' before the start of the term break. I was hesitant simply because of his phobia. I was afraid that my money will go down the drain with us leaving the performance the moment it begins. So after some thinking at the last minute I decided to take the risk!

Been prepping Reese for it, the school has been preparing the kids too. The teacher told them the story twice and told them how to behave when at the theatre. I had also been doing my part by showing Reese some pictures of the puppets and what to expect.

So the big day came yesterday. We were all so excited. Reese can't wait to go and once there, we waited for about 20 minutes to get in (Playing and running around with his classmates) and the moment the opened the doors.... my Reese saw a little of the inside... dark, loud music ( music of some animals in the jungle) and the cast members welcoming us!

Reese panicked.... and my heart was thinking... oh no..... He refused to get in and wanted to leave.... tried persuading him but didn't work! so I carried him and he immediately started to struggle and grunt and started to throw violent tantrums! Managed to get him to our sitting place and tried all kinds of persuasion and eventually got some sweets from the teacher to calm him down. He ate 5 Mentos sweets! (First time eating sweets!) So my boy finally calm down and to cut the story short, he had a great time there interacting with the cast members and laughed, screamed and talked and etc...

I was very proud of him and was glad that I took the risk and did not waste the RM80 (We got a free upgrade to premium seats. We 3rd row from the stage!) :)

About the performance:

It's kids' theatre by Blunderbus Company from the U.K.

The performance was quite good with 3 actors taking different roles in the story.

Props were simple. Some puppets and minimal stage props.

Actors were very engaging with the audience. The children loved it. Before the start of the performance, the actors took time to chat with the children at their seats.

Verdict: It's great for the kids and great performance from the actors. It's really meant for young children.

Next step is to bring Reese to the movies! Hehehe....

Buy one free one!

Yesterday after school, we had a little fun eating ice-cream at BR. First time Reese had an entire cone to himself! BR is having a promo where by every Wednesday, if you wear something pink (Reese wore a pink t-shirt) or bring something pink like a mobile, camera... you can purchase a Jr single scoop of any flavours and they will give you another scoop free! I think the promo ends end of April.

So mummies, it's time to give your kids a treat. ;)