This is really backdated.

It was Dillon’s school concert day earlier this month on 1st November (Sunday), hubby and I brought Kaith along to witness our little boy perform on stage for the first time.

Dillon was in a Ben10 boy set, and from the notice I received, I’m supposed to put “heavy make-up” on him but I didn’t, firstly because I don’t like it and most importantly I myself didn’t even have any eye shadows or blusher to do the make-up, so I just let it be.

Before the concert starts, there were a few cute girls gathered at the entrance, waving hands to Dillon and calling his name. These girls are so sweet and I asked hubby to snap a picture of them with Dillon. However Dillon was very shy and that’s why his pose was so kaku and he couldnt’ smile. …LOL

Dillon was performing the “Pom Pom Dance” which was the 7th programon the itinerary. This was him during the performance, he did enjoy the dance and he was doing quite well.

But I really don’t like the heavy make-up that the teachers put on him, it makes my son looks funny loh, but every kid has to put on make-up, so that they are more photogenic and look better when in video? But if I have a choice, I still don’t like the make-up on my boy, girl I think is still fine.

After his performance, we took some more photos with his classmates. This is Ka Wai, his buddy and enemy in class, I’m saying that bcause they are the only 2 that always fight for things and argue in the class, but they also always want to stick to each other, even teacher separated them every time. What a love-and-hate relationship, hahaha LOL.

Another photo was taken with his girl classmate Khai Ling (actually only 2 girls in his class). Again, Dillon was very shy and he started biting his lips when we asked him to smile…… Poor thing, Dillon look so short when standing next to Khai Ling and I really wish that he will grow taller in the future.

Well amongst all the photos we took, my favourite is still this picture of Dillon and Kaith, they are now getting more cooperative in posing for photos.

• 6 Comments

This is a really really backdated post on Dillon’s sports day, which was held more than 2 weeks ago on 19th April (Sun) at Stadium Badminton Cheras, this year is also the 30th Anniversary for Mayter Kindergarten. I finally got the time to upload the edited video and share with y’all, better be late than never right? hehehe.

Dillon is in Blue House, and he joined the group performance on 3 songs, namely “The Bean Bag Song” (video 1), “Jia You Song” (video 2) and lastly “Music & Movement” (video 3a & 3b).

Given only a short time to practise and reherse, I think Dillon has done pretty ok, at least he didn’t missed out a lot of steps. lol

It makes me laugh every time I look at the video clips, and I hope you enjoy viewing them too. LOL

Video 1:
The Bean Bag Song
Video 2:
“Jia You” Song
Video 3(a) & 3(b):
Music & Movement (a)
Music & Movement (b)

Dillon participated in “Let’s go bang bang” run and his team finished fourth, despite that, he was very happy when he received the trophy, I guess at this stage, it’s not so important to him if he was the first, so long he get a prize.

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I know that in every school, there will sure be some kids who like to bully others. I’m not petty minded, I mean after all it’s just kids fight and it happen to us also when we were a child isn’t it?

A week before the last school term break, Dillon’s class teacher called and told me that he has minor injuries on his face and he told the teacher that he fell down. When I got home and his face, I can clearly see that they are scratches near the corner of his eyes, near his lips and the nose and I think they are caused by finger nails. So I asked Dillon who did that to him and he straight away mention a boy’s name.

At first I was doubtful because I know there is no such boy in his class and I don’t want to accuse anyone, so the next day I called and asked the teacher if there is a boy by that name in the school, true enough there is such boy but in 3 years old class. The teacher said that the boy is big and fat, and is very naughty. He always like to disturb other kids and he even dare to hit back at the teachers. They travelled in the same van and reached school at the same time, so they will be at the playground each day before the classes start. With that I can almost confirm that it was that boy who scratched Dillon and thus I told teacher to please keep an eye on the boy and perhaps should discipline him. I’m not only worried for Dillon but I also don’t want him to do the same to other kids at school.

Last Friday, again I saw a scratch on Dillon’s face at the corner of his eye, when I asked him, he said the same name again and I asked him why, he said they were fighting for the car at playground, which I believe is true since Dillon loves to play with that car.

When I spoke to the van driver this morning, I got to know that this boy actually scratched and pinched 2 other kids in the same van too. I’m unhappy that this is happening again but obviously I don’t blame the boy, it’s just that the teachers have to work with the parents and discipline the child. I have told this to the teachers and want them to do something about it immediately to prevent anything worse from happening.

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Next week will be the school’s 1st term break and so fast Dillon has been to kindergarten for more than 2 months. I’m sure he has been enjoying his time at school because he is always looking forward to school days.

Everyday after work, I will check his bag and see what he is up to, and do some revisio39n on the books he read in school. Sometimes I also teach him in writing alphabets and numbers, or let him do some colouring (he loves colouring!).

When I spoke to his class teacher last 2 weeks, the teacher said she found that Dillon writes better with his left hand (which I also noticed is true) and thus she is focused on training him to write with his left hand. But when at home, I noticed that he will write with his left hand for a while, and then with right hand, and then left again.

I wonder, when are we able to tell if a child is a left-hander or right-hander? Should I let him develop by himself or should I keep reminding him to write with his left hand?

• 9 Comments

Thanks to everyone who left me kind comments and ideas on how to help Dillon to adapt to the new school life. I took some of these advise and practice it on Sunday night.

Before bedtime, I told Dillon that tomorrow when mummy and daddy off to work, uncle will be coming to fetch him to school, and he will have a very good time at school with teacher and friends. I showed him the spare pants and underwear I packed in his bag, and told him if he didn’t wet his pants again, I will give him sweets. He nodded and say ok. I also put in some snacks and told him to ask teacher to open for him, and he has to share some with the friends, he seemed excited about it and say ok.

To my surprise, Dillon did very well on Monday morning, my maid told me that he didn’t cry anymore when going up the school van, instead he happily followed the aunty to the van, then wave and say bye bye to my maid. And the best thing is, he didn’t wet his pants and when I got home, he immediately ask for a sweet from me (well he never forget this….)

Same goes to the following days, but on Tuesday and Thursday, he still wet his pants once, which I think is pretty normal and acceptable, so long he doesn’t cry so much and start adapting to school life, that is good enough.

On Thursday I was on half day leave, so I went to Mayter to fetch Dillon, and also talk to the teachers. According to his class teacher, he is still sticking to her very much, always wanted her to hold his hands and be by his side, he didn’t cry much but occasionally when teacher out of his sight, he will cry……..The English teacher also told me the same, he only wanted to stick with class teacher and whenever Dillon see her, he’ll say he doesn’t want her, and ask her to leave the classroom (so no manners…..sigh). She also said his voice is very loud and is a chatterbox, haha. Anyway, teachers said things should improve as time goes so just give him few more weeks to adapt.

I also talk to the van driver and he said Dillon don’t cry anymore but he is too active and very chatty, uncle always have to watch him very closely. Uncle also said that Dillon will be sleeping on the way back (well the journey took about an hour plus and I’m sure he is too tired after school).

I’m very much relieved now that things has started to settled down and I have faith that in no time, Dillon will make a lot of new friends and learn many new things at school.

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Day 4 (8th Jan 09) 11.30am – 2.45pm
After 3 days of early dismiss, today Dillon will be on full session. My maid managed to get him on the van, by force (sigh…) and of course he was screaming and crying, but according to the uncle (I called to ask later in the evening), he only cried for a while and then was ok already.

So it seems smooth today, except that my maid forgotten to wear him PE shirt and pants to school, well I guess she was just too concern on how to get Dillon board the van and forgot about this.

Hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Day 5 (9th Jan 09) 11.30am – 2.45pm
According to my maid, it’s the same pattern today, but Dillon is crying lesser already compare to the previous days, well this is a good sign.

As I thought everything went well and I can sit back and relax, I received a call from the school at 2.50pm, my heart was beating so fast and I was worrying what has happened to Dillon at school…. It was his class teacher who called, telling me that Dillon has wet his pants today, and not only once but 3 times!! Since I only prepare 2 sets of pants and underwear for him and the school has to lend him another pair of school pants, so the teacher was calling to tell me to wash and return that pants to them on Monday.

The teacher said this is very strange, as Dillon is obviously toilet trained and he was fine during the previous days, but only today, when the teacher asked him, he said he doesn’t need to pee and right after that he wet his pants. And when the teacher ask him why, he just say no he didn’t pee (still don’t want to admit!).  So the teacher ask me to talk to him about it, she thought he might be too nervous or scared.

I feel strange too because this never happen when he was at home or went out, he always will go to the toilet to pee, I am really worried, I don’t know what has made him so.

I took the opportunity to ask teacher how he was doing at school. Apparently Dillon is very clingy to her, he wants to follow her everywhere she goes, even to toilet. And in the classroom, he took the chair and sit next to the teacher while at canteen, he also wants the teacher to be sitting next to him. Whenever he didn’t see the teacher, he will cry.

My heart feel sad when I heard this, I think he is stressed, and perhaps scared, that’s why he stick with the teacher for security and comfort. But I know this cannot go on, he needs to be mixing with other kids and be independent. The teacher said she will give him more time to adapt since he is the youngest in class (he just turned 3 last Dec, and I think most of his classmates already 3.5 years old or above).

When I got home, maid told me that Dillon wet his pants 2 times again when he came back from school, I really don’t know how could this happen, plus he was also having bad dreams the recent 2 nights, is he really too stressed or scared? When I asked him, he said he doesn’t want to go to school, he wants to cry….. so sad to hear this…….

Before he went to bed, I ask him again if he still wants to go to school, he said yes, and I ask about his friends and teacher, he can mention some names, well I guess he still like the school then……

I really don’t know what can I do to improve the situation, I will still let him go to school next week and see how it goes, hopefully it turns out to be better.

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Day 2 (6th January 09) 11.30am – 2.00pm
Today I took the van to school together with Dillon. As we are staying the furthest, the van came to pick us up 1st before moving on to other areas. Dillon was quite ok with the van ride although a bit quiet and shy.

When we reached the school, I spent some time with Dillon and while he was playing with the puzzle, I told him that I’m about to leave to work and the van will fetch him home later. All of a sudden, his face turned sour and in a very sad tone, he said he would leave with me. The teacher and I spent about 10 minutes sweet talk to him, even tempted him with candy and toys but he still won’t let me go. So no choice I followed him to the classroom again.

There were other parents around today as well, and some kids are already crying until the face turned red, such a pitiful scene. Then the teacher asked all the parents to leave the room as they need to close the door, so I quickly left the room when Dillon turned to look at elsewhere. The door immediately shuts after me and every kid in the classroom started crying out loud. I can hear Dillon’s crying and screaming and I feel so sad, but I know this is something that I must do sooner or later, just hoping that he will get used to it.

And later it proves that my worries were not necessary, when Dillon came home by van, he was one happy kid and even wave bye bye with uncle and other kids, the uncle even told me that he was chatting with him all the way, I felt so relieved when I got to know this, looks like things are getting on well.

Day 3 (7th January 09) 11.30am – 2.00pm
I left to work in the morning and left Dillon to my maid. Since hubby is not working today also, I’ve told him to hide and watch him board the van from upstairs.

Around 11.00am after I came out from a meeting, hubby called and told me that Dillon refused to go on the van and after they (he and the maid) sweet talk him for almost 10 minutes, it’s still not working, and because hubby thinks it’s such a pity to force him and it could give trouble to the uncle, he decided to let him skip the school today. (ARGH……..this father is not firm at all)

I was so angry when I knew this, I mean this shouldn’t happened. I understand that Dillon might still be reluctant to go on the van himself (yesterday was with me), especially that he was the 1st kid the uncle pick up.

I have told my maid that she should be the only person to send Dillon to the van, and not the father because that doesn’t help at all. And if she fails to sweet talk him again, the last resort would be to just put him in the van, lock the door and ask the uncle to drive off immediately. I’m sure he will cry very badly but I’m also confident that after a while, he will get distracted by the ride and also when the other kids start to get on board, he will be fine. Sometimes I feel like I’m such a cruel mum, I’m sad too, but no choice because at the end of the day, he has to get used to it.

Before he went to bed, I had a conversation with him
Me: Did you go to school today?
D: No la.
Me: Why didn’t go?
D: ………
Me: Mummy has been waiting for you for so long at school do you know? (yes i was lying ) I was so angry you didn’t come.
D: Don’t make mummy angry, mummy not sayang.
Me: Exactly.
D: Teacher give sweets at school.
Me: Yes that’s right, so you going to school tomorrow?
D: Yes.
Me: I ask the uncle to fetch you, you must go ok?
D: Ok.
Me: Don’t cry.
D: No la.
Me: What you do when uncle is driving?
D: Don’t make noise.
Me: Ok so I see you at school? (lying again…..)
D: Ok.

Alright, so I shall see again if the sweet talk works or we have to use our last resort……

• 7 Comments

Orientation day (4th Jan 09) 11.30am -1.30pm
Hubby and I went to school with Dillon at 11.30am and everything is fine at the beginning. Dillon likes his school, especially the toy car in the playground (ahem…what else right?). His classroom is locate don the 2nd floor and there are 8 kids in his class, 2 girls and 6 boys at this moment. Dillon is very shy (ahem…) in the class and is always looking for me, so I spent some time in the class and play puzzle together with him. After that I went and waited outside the classroom.

I guess most kids at this age have very short attention period, Dillon just can’t stay in the classroom for more than 5 minutes, and he would come out and wander around, pushing the trolley in and out the classroom, he basically don’t take teacher’s instruction and enjoyed doing his own activity. (sigh)

He didn’t cry on this day, because I was always in his sight, and he did constantly checking if I was around, I really don’t know how it would be like when he eventually gonna be there by himself……

Day 1 (5th Jan 09) 11.30am – 2.00pm
Hubby sent me and Dillon to school today and I have planned to follow the school van home, so that at least Dillon can try to get used to the van ride. When we reached school at 11.00am, Dillon head to the playground straight and I took the chance to leave for breakfast with hubby after I informed the teacher.

When I returned 30 minutes later, I can’t seem to find Dillon anywhere and I know something must be not right and true enough, the class teacher told me that Dillon was looking around for me, he wasn’t crying badly but was very upset that he didn’t see me around, he was still sobbing when he sees me and he immediately took his bag and pull my hand asking me to go bring him home. My heart feel so sad to see him like this, it’s so pitiful but I calm him down by offering him a candy and sweet talk to him. We then enter the classroom together.

It was the same thing today, some kids in his class were still crying badly for their parents, while some remains calm. I noticed that only the boys cry so far, the 2 girls were calm, although they are also 1st year at school, so is it true that girls are more mature and well behaved than the boys???

Dillon didn’t cry in the class, the only thing is that he cannot remain focus on what teacher is talking, he keeps going in and out the classroom looking for his toys to play with and wandering around other classroom and I have to force him to go back in the classroom (teacher said she will close the door tomorrow onwards so hopefully that will constraint him). He is still very shy, he didn’t talk to anybody in the class, when teacher ask him questions, he just smile and look away shyly (I never know that my son is a shy person, lol). Well hopefully he will be better when he gets familiar with the environment and people around.

As for the van ride, he enjoyed it very much, maybe because I was accompanying him. Tomorrow I will still accompany him to the school by van but I have planned to leave him in the school soon after he enter the classroom, and he will take the van home by himself. I am expecting that he will be very upset not to see me around, he might be crying badly and refuse to go on the van whatsoever, but I guess this is a phase that h needs to go through eventually, I have to go back to work on Wednesday and I have to leave him in the good hands, I trust that the teachers and the van driver will be capable to handle him. *fingers crossed*

My conversation with Dillon:
Me: Do you like going to school?
D: Yes, like.
Me: Do you want to go to school again tomorrow?
D: Yes I want, mummy will come with me to school.
Me: No, mummy needs to work.
D: Mummy don’t need to work
Me: Yes, if mummy don’t work, no money to send you to school.
D: Papa goes to work, mummy no need to go.
Me: (speechless…..)

Me: Dillon you want to go to school?
D: Yes.
Me: Uncle will take us to school by van, ok?
D: Ok.
Me: You like the van?
D: Yes, like.
Me: Mummy goes to work and uncle will fetch you to school by van, ok?
D: No, mummy come together.
Me: No mummy have to work, you go with uncle, understand?
D: Understand.
Me: Sure?
D: Sure.
Me: You want to cry?
D: No la.
Me: You good boy?
D: Yes.

Well, I shall see if he really understands what I said……

• 11 Comments

It’s the 2nd day of year 2009 today, Dillon will be going to Mayter Montessori school starting next week and this coming Sunday will be his orientation day. He is excited about his school but I think I am more excited than him.

Dillon will be in afternoon class, starting at 11.30pm – 2.15pm and he will be taking the school van. I’m actually quite worried if he is willing to get on the van and travel to school with the driver and other kids, so far he has not been travelling anywhere without our companion.

As most of you know and seen that how active Dillon is, he can never sit still for more than 10 seconds except when you buckled him on a car seat or high chair; so I am very keen to know how he would behave while in the classroom….. lol

I will be off on 5th & 6th just to tailgate the van and observe him at school for 2 days, hopefully by then he would have adapted himself at the new environment.

Stay tuned for my next update and photos.

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Finally, I have made up my mind to enroll Dillon to Mayter Montessori Kindergarten, which is located at Taman Tayton View on last Saturday.

Hubby and I brought Dillon along and he obviously like the place very much, as what I’ve expected anyway but, I don’t think he is afraid of the teacher somehow because he was sound by the teacher when he refuse to go home and start throwing tantrum there…. Well, I think it’s time for him to learn about discipline at school.

Manage to snap some pictures of the place:

I’m going to share about the fees, since I’ve already shared on Reka and YuDer as well:
Registration: 50
Uniforms = 60
PE tee&short = 27
Reading materials (yearly) = 200
Montessori apparatus, books and worksheets,
snacks & misc (half yearly) = 360
School fees + computer (monthly) = 300 (Jan – Nov only)

The fees for one whole year is still cheaper than YuDer but more expensive than Reka. Of course apart from fees, there are also several other things I look at before making this decision, you can read about it in my previous posts.

I have also confirmed the Van to fecth Dillon to and fro school. As mentioned in my previous post, the school starts at 8.00am and the van will have to fetch him at 7.05am, which I think it’s too early for him, and for me as well so I’ve decided to enroll him to the afternoon class, which starts at 11.30am. The van will come at 10.45am, just nice for Dillon to take his bath and have his breakfast without rushing. The afternoon class shall end at 2.45pm, when he reaches home around 3.15pm, it’s just nice for him to have his tea time and snack before he takes a nap.

So everything is been settled now, will have to go back to school to collect books and uniforms in Dec and apart from that is just counting days to Dillon’s open school day…….. seriously speaking, I think I’m probably more excited than he does. LOL

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I went scouting for kindergarten in the past months (read here if you don’t already knew it) and well, actually I have only been to 3 kindergartens so far and I have planned to enroll Dillon before end of this month but I’m still deliberating.

My criteria is actually very basic and simple:
1. The kindy is decent, spacious and well ventilated. Have space for kids to play around freely while studying. (I don’t prefer corner double storey link house, too cramp)
2. The teachers and teaching method. (I prefer Montessori teaching)
3. The school fee is not too expensive or overpriced. (this can kill me when I eventually sending 2 kids)
4. The location is not too far from my house. (because I only plan to send half-day, will need to arrange transport)

After I have visited Reka and Yuder, I went to Mayter Montessori school in Taman Tayton also and I just love the place at first sight, and it actually fufill my above criterias number 1 to 3.

The only thing that is holding me back now is the location. This kindy is not located in my area, it is about 15-20 minutes (by car) away from where I live. There is a private 10-seater van that can fetch him but I’m just worried that he has to get up very early for the school that starts at 8.00am!!

Some people have asked if I’m comfortable to let the van fetch Dillon for such distance, since he is only 3 years old by this year end, they actually think nearer is better for him. But my husband said maybe this is a good start to train him to be independent, and waking up early also means sleeping early and it should be a healthy lifesyle.

What are your criterias?

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Dillon is turning 3 this coming December and I’m planning to send him to kindergarten next year where he will enrol in 4 years old class.

Actually I’ve been paying attention to the kindergarten in my area and I’ve already narrow down my search to 2 most decent ones, I visited both on yesterday and got the fees schedule as well.

To be frank, I never realised nowadays the fees for kindergarten kids could be this expensive. These 2 kindergarten that I visited, their fees schedule are as follow:

Reka Kindergarten:
registration: RM50
insurance: RM20
uniform: RM28/set
monthly school fees: RM240
books, phonics, misc: RM340 (half-yearly)

Yu Der Kindergarten:
registration: RM100
insurance: RM20
uniform: RM30/set
monthly school fees: RM330
books, phonics, misc: RM650 (half-yearly)
computer: RM170 (half-yearly)

Frankly speaking, both Kindergarten are very decent but only that kindy B has been established for very long time and has very good reputation, and I like their compound that is so spacious & bright too.

But their half-yearly books & misc fees being RM650 (Yu Der) really shocks me big time, the teacher said the books are from Singapore but still, it’s almost50% more than Kindy A! I wonder, does it really matter what study materials our kids use? And computer class for 4 years old kid, I’m also not sure if it’s necessary (but it’s compulsory in Yu Der)

All experienced parents, mind to share your insights? What other things I should look out for when scouting for a kindergarten?

As for myself, I just want a decent environment for Dillon to play, to do some studies, learn some good values and get to interact with other kids as well.

• 20 Comments