Night time poem by Abby

Dearest Abby,





Mummy loves your night time poem!





Mermaid


Mermaid Mermaid I like you


You have interesting tail as you have no legs


Do you know how to pick seaweeds and seashells?


Do you know how to draw fish?


Do you know how to ride on dolphins?


"Yes, I do!" said the Mermaid




So cute!

Love,
Mummy Dearest

Ashley, do you realise you have learned a valuable lesson from the Fur Elise Concert epidso?

Dearest Ashley,

We were taken aback when we saw your name, Solo Piano Ashley Ng on the Charity Concert invitation card! The concert is two days away.

Earlier, we have declined the offer as you were busy with the Musical rehearsals and exams. However, due to some miscommunication, your piano Teacher submitted your name to the organizer.

I could see both your excitement and frustration. On one hand, you wanted to perform but on the other hand, you felt that you were not ready as you have not practised enough. You have self-doubt as you feel that you are only Grade 0. You asked me what happens if you press the wrong key during performance? I said we just move on and continue to play.

We could hear your frustration in your music. You couldn't play the complete piece without banging on the piano. You even blamed me for not buying you the piano. Your frustration built up even more. Knowing that you feel pressurised by the sudden bomb thrown at you, Mummy and the Teacher said that it is ok to give this a miss and you can perform during the next concert. You thought through and you said you wanted to perform this Saturday. You are overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. By the time we got into the car, you exploded.

It was not easy for both of us to deal with your roller coaster emotions but you managed to calm down when reached Ah Ma's house. Then you asked me what if you do not know where to enter the stage and how big is the grand piano. Mummy commented that this is good thinking. We could address this concern by going to the concert hall earlier to familiarize yourself with the stage and the grand piano. You are more assured. And last evening you even played for Ah Gong and Ah Ma. You thanked me for the nice white shirt, black pants and leather shoes I got for you for the concert.

The twist came last night when we received the sms from your Teacher saying that the organizer had found someone to replace you when we declined the offer last week. The organizer did not manage to change the name on the invitation card in time. Sign. I could see that you are disappointed but relieved at the same time. Mummy always go with the flow. If it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be. Am sure you will be better prepared for your first concert performance in the near future.

Mummy is very proud that you decided to face the challenge and did not give up so easily. This is the right attitude towards new challenges. Be it adults or kids, we will learn when we are faced with challenges. Keep that in mind, son.

Love,
Mummy

Abby: Mummy, you go down the stairs first

Dearest Abby,

After you helped me put up the inspirational posters along the staircase at our fun place, you asked Mummy to go down the stairs first. I was puzzled as I always let you go first. Here's your reply:

Abby: Mummy, you go first so that you will not fall down the stairs.
Mummy: How come?
Abby: Remember during CNY, you fell from the stairs because you were looking at me?
Mummy: Oh, you remembered. That's was more than a month back. So sweet of you to take care of Mummy.

Abby Darling, you are a very caring and loving daughter. Thank you for taking care of Mummy.

Love,
Mummy Dearest

Abby, you are a Spelling Champ!

Dearest Abby,

I couldn't bear to see your tears when I saw you crying as I stepped into Ah Ma's house. You told me you don't know the spelling words. Mummy gently led you upstairs so that we can lie down on the mattress and have a heart-to-heart talk.

When we entered the quiet bedroom, Mummy assured you that I will help you with your spelling. You have not learned NOT you don't know the spelling words. Before Mummy can start, Abby needs to dry your tears and take a deep breath. You are such a obedient girl that you quickly wiped away your tears and composed yourself very well.

We started off with the word January. We sang the C-O-C-O-N-U-T tune with J-A-N-U-A-R-Y and in less than 3 minutes, you got it. You could spell January! Next, we moved to February, March, April, May and June. You were simply Amazing! In 10 minutes' time, you could spell January to June. See, you could do it easily when you stop crying and start learning. Well done, Abby!

An hour later, you even spelled for Daddy on our way home. A perfect score of 100% marks! The next morning, you wrote January to June on the white board when you reached Our Fun Place. Another perfect score of 100% marks! That's Fantastic! You are a Spelling Champ!

Hugs,
Mummy Dearest

Lots to learn from this Amazingly Wise Dad!

Dear Ashley and Abby,

I met an amazingly wise Dad this morning. He has a girl and a boy just like you guys. He shared with me several meaningful life stories that I feel we should also embrace them at home too.

He has 2 ground rules at home:
1) He encouraged his children to make friends with kids of different nationalities. They are Indians, but they have friends who are Chinese, Malay and Eurasians. Getting to know friends of different race allows us to appreciate a wide spectrum of different colourful cultures. Embrace diversity!

2) He encourages his children to invite their friends to their home. He enjoys meeting their friends. A fun way to build extended family outside home. As the Chinese saying goes 在家靠父母，出外靠朋友 means when you're at home, you depend on your parents, and you depend on friends when you step out of your home. Always a blessing to surround yourself with good friends whom you can count on.

His Teachers shared the following wisdom with him and his class when he was your age:
1. Do not judge a person, get to know the person better first

2. Do not look down on people, respect everyone

3. Do not manage by fear, manage by love

4. Enjoy a holistic learning by being active in sports, music, literature and study

5. Once, his Teacher drew a black dot on a big white board and asked the class what do they see. Everyone replied that they saw a black dot. The Teacher then asked, did anyone notice the big white space surrounding the black dot. It is human nature to focus on that black dot and overlooked the white space. We can do good 99% of the time but once we made a grave mistake like the black dot, everyone just focus on that black dot. We need to be mindful of our actions at all times.

Btw, his children play the piano too. You guys can play your compositions for one another when you meet. Mummy should really introduce you to them as I suddenly realise you do not have any Indian friends as your school is filled with 99% Chinese students!

Love,
Mummy Dearest

We spotted that Dream School girl in last night's Channel 8 show

Dearest Ashley,

You have such sharp eyes. You spotted that Dream School girl in last night's Channel 8 show. We were surprised that she could speak such good Mandarin. She is a bilingual star! Speaking Mandarin is cool!

In fact, Mandarin is a beautiful language. We tuned in to FM 933 this morning and you not only listen to the soothing melody but the wonderful lyrics like 住在我心里 means you are always on my mind and 我有一个属于自己的天空 means I have a sky of my own (haven).

If you listen to the 梦高飞 lyrics, you will realise how poetic is JiuJian laoshi's lyrics: 小小的屋顶，巨大的梦想。所有的汗水，流成勇敢的河川 means A small roof, a huge dream. All the sweat, flow into a courageous river. The next time you when you start singing JiuJian Laoshi's old or new songs, please pay attention to the meaning lyrics. Once you know the meaning, you will love the song even more and sing at a different level ok?

Interestingly, Mum chanced upon JJ's Haven Album. He is amazingly bilingual. Will let you listen to his CD this evening. Meanwhile, here's some of his compositions:

Endless road (words & music by JJ)
The truth is tearing up my heart_I can't recognise this place_the endless road without a stop sign_can't even find a stranger this time
Why am I holding back my tears_in this lonliness
There's nothing to fear_every chord still seems a wonder....


我有一个属于自己的天空 (words & music by JJ)
安全的空间，自由的空间
大多时候心情很平静
但有些时候会充满着各种情绪....

Safe space, free space
Mood was calm most of the time
However, sometimes filled with a variety of emotions....

Can't wait to listen to JJ's CD with you when you're back from school!

Cheers!
Bilingual Mummy

Poems of my Favourite Characters from one to five years old by Abby

Dearest Abby,

We just finished reading the four library books and now you wanted to create your own poems. Bring it on....
Dora The Explorer
Dora Dora I like you
Because you like to go on adventures
Boots The Monkey likes to hang around
And always keep Dora company

Barbie in a Magical Fairytale
Barbie Barbie is a Fairy
She can fly everywhere
When she flies everywhere with her new friends in her garden
They pick flowers and water the plants
They have a wonderful time together
Barney, BJ and Baby Bop
Barney Barney Barney......
Baby Bob and BJ are calling Barney
BJ's cousin shouted, "Barney, Barney, quickly come!"
BJ holds Baby Bob's hand and run to Barney
And they have a fun day!

Elmo
Elmo Elmo you are so kiddy
You like to do everything like a Gorilla
Why do you do that?
Because you like to make the babies laugh

Winx Club
Bloom and Layla are best friends
When bad guys attack them, they will fight back
Bloom and the other fairies use their magical powers to finish them off
They are so brave and beautiful


Mummy loves to listen to your poems and your lovely singing too. Remember the song 捕鱼歌 Jiu Jian laoshi taught you? You performed for your classmates after you have learned the song few days ago. Enjoy!

Love,
Mummy