When Children Gets Hurt

A week back, Ryan came home from the playground, trying his hardest not to cry. He had fallen hard from his bicycle and his knee was badly torn and bleeding. Luckily, I had some bandages ready when I was fixing up Raymund's ankle some months ago. You see, Raymund had a bad case of eczema and at night when he was sleeping, he tended to scratch himself silly and breaking the skin till he had infection. What I did was I applied some antibiotic cream and bandaged his ankle so that he wouldn't be able to scratch them when he was sleeping. Worked quite well.

With Ryan, he came home trying his hardest not to cry because he is a 'boy' :). I washed his wound as it was bleeding badly and very raw. I always had in hand medicine and such for the big JUST IN CASE. You'll never know. I have THREE kids!! I applied the usual Burnol and put on the plaster for him. It is those that you cut to size and very useful.

Two days later, when we were out for lunch, Ryan fell again and on the same spot. This time, the pain was too much. He cried :). We had to quickly wash his wound which of course was very painful. We decided to take him to the docs as the earlier wound was showing signs of infection. The doc cut away the broken skin and gave him some antibiotic. I learnt that it is necessary to cut away broken skin on wounds else it will be easily infected with pus.

The wound didn't heal fast enough. Another visit to the pediatrician found that the GP's antibiotic wasn't strong enough. The dressing that we applied on his knee was also sticking to the wound. It was then that I was advised that there is such thing called wet dressing. It wouldn't stick on the wound but the wound will be moist and it's ok. The brand recommended is Duoderm - expensive! RM6+ per piece which of course, you can cut to size. We need another waterproof Suprasorb plaster to fasten the Duoderm which is almost non sticky enough.

I got more of these stuff and stocked up more medicine, just in case. The cream she gave was a cream to treat burns. Works well and his wound is healing fast!

The Pain of Getting Into The Right Primary School

Somehow, my parenting stories have been focusing on Ryan, my eldest. Simple, he is my first and my trial and errors begin with him. Raymund's is a lot easier as I learn from what I have gone through for Ryan. Rachel... phew...I still have time to buy. She is my precious 2 year old princess :)

A couple of months back, when the results of primary school allocation was out, I was very upset. You see when we registered for schools earlier, we were given 2 options to fill up. What really happened was, only 1 school, the 1st choice was keyed into the system. So when the 1st choice was not available, the system basically placed him in the school which is closest to the suburb ... mind you, not the address ya. We are in Puchong area and the school given to him is SRJK Chen Moh near Jln Othman, PJ!! Moreover, it will be afternoon session. Can you imagine the nightmare of transporting him and the time arrangement for his journey, homework (that's another nightmare!) and such? We still have to report at the allocated school, Chen Moh. But we went for appeal. Even so, that is no guarantee. It depends on availability and again, there is only 1 option though you are asked to fill up 2 options on paper. Can't figure that out! At the end of the day, if the appeal fails, he will still have to go to this school. I heard that this school is not bad but that is not really the point here. The school admin advised to apply for transfer then.

Let's hope my wait for the appeal is fruitful.

Cheers

Odonata Chinese Reading Series

I guess I'm making up for lost time, haha!

I was at the Popular Bookstore with my kids today. I was thinking of getting some Std One revision books and Chinese reading books for Ryan. Ryan is still very weak in Chinese, amongst others. I really regret not starting him on an academic based kindy. Tell you about it later.

After going thru the Standard 1 revision books, I got more worried. How come the syllabus today is so much more difficult than those my time? I called Ryan's tuition teacher to ask what I should buy. I know she has gotten some revision books for him. Thought it will be good to get him some Chinese reading materials. There is this series that he is working on that apparently introduce words to him as he progress from book to book. Seems good to. Found them in Popular bookstore.

The 1st series of 8 books promised that the child will know 100 characters. The 2nd series another 100, and so on. He is still in the beginners of Pre-school series. The publisher is Odonata Publishing Sdn Bhd. You can find the info it their online shopping site at http://www.odonatabooks.com/webshaper/store/viewCat.asp.

I just bought the 2nd series. Cost only RM5.50 x 8 books.

Long way to go to the Primary sets. See below.

I really hope we can do some good catch up during the holiday break. Ryan is very playful and somewhat lazy. Sigh!

Cheers

Safe Going Out?

Do you ever worry when you take your young kids out for a spin? When you go shopping, where the place gets crowded? What with all those kidnapping cases around, it freaks me out.

Before Rachel was born, both my boys were about 2 and 4 years old, I had endless worries about my boys getting lost. They only knew part of their names. To them, their parents are 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'. They didn't know where they live and their phone numbers and such. If they get lost or worst, if kidnapped, they would be lost forever to me. I can't stand the thought. I tried things like giving tags but that didn't sustain. And why not my girl now... coz she is right under my nose!!

Typically, my husband didn't have this mother's worry. My in-laws are the ones who are positive such things will not happen to them. I'm those who think first and then worry, and then go for prevention. Sigh!

My husband realized and had a scare once. We were at Giant. Ryan was already 6 years old. Most of the time, we will be taking 3 trolleys ... sorry guys :) ... one to put Ryan in it, another for Raymund and last one for Rachel. They are very active kids. This is almost like making sure that they don't run around. Guess it didn't always work. You see, my husband was pushing the trolley with Ryan in it. He stopped at one alley and went to the next to get something. My maid was somewhere else. When he got back to the trolley, Ryan was missing. He freaked out and ran from alley to alley looking for him. Meanwhile, I was at an alley some distance away (usually we split in Giant) and didn't know about this. I was shopping and then I heard Ryan's voice calling for me and I answered. Then he appeared running towards me. He didn't even know that he was 'lost'. Neither nor I. I did my usual shopping and my husband didn't tell me the scare till we were back in the car. He was so scared and he was anticipating a bashing from me especially when I have always been nagging about children's safety to him. Boy, was I angry and at the same time. relieved! Apparently, Ryan climbed out of the trolley when his Daddy didn't answer his calls and went looking for me. Gosh! What if it was a kidnap?! Ryan was smart enough to come looking and shouting for me. And thank God, I recognize my own boy's voice. What if I didn't shout out my answer? Shivers!

A young child will probably know his name at best. Maybe his parents names. Address and contacts - I doubt it. When I see lost children in malls, they normally cry their eyes out and whisper their names. If we are lucky, a good Samaritan will probably bring the child to the info counter and announce the child's description. A kidnap... the child can't communicate... he is quite certainly lost forever! Terrorized, can't see their parents, no more warmth and love, live in fear, losing some limbs, begging, sold to prostitution, you name it ... have I frightened you enough? As the saying goes, it is better safe than sorry.

I had my boys memorize their names, their parents' names and most importantly, our handphone numbers. I went to the extent of teaching them how to use a phone and handphone. I even gave my eldest boy and extra handphone with a prepaid SIM card to take with him in a carrying pouch whenever he goes out with us. Most of the time, he is the one wondering off while the 2 youngest were carried or watched by maids. I have erased all numbers and programmed only 2 numbers - 'Daddy' and 'Mummy'. Even if a stranger picks it up, they will know who to contact. At least there is something.

No doubt that after knowing our handphone numbers, we get lotsa calls from my kids...just for the fun of calling. The way I see it, no harm and quite entertaining :)

Cheers

Latest!

I've been busy since my not so very new job now. That's good news means the excitement is going again. Does that mean I've somewhat neglected my kids' studies? Sadly, yes! I'm depending alot on my tuition teacher now and yes! Enopi! I have recently cut out Cambridge from Ryan's curriculum. I felt that it wasn't as effective as I thought. No doubt it reinforces. Also it requires the kids to do homework such as spellings and such but I felt that the advancing is not as fast as I'd like to. The problem is that I have the tuition teacher working on their school homework and reinforcing languages .. leaving not much time and chance to do Cambridge revision. As for me, after a long days work, I just feel too tired! But I guess I have to start again some time.

Keeping it light and easy for this post. I just wanted to post some of my kids' latest photos on my blog. We recently attended my bro-in-law's wedding and they were the flower boys and girl. My boys in full tux and my little girl an angel. Of course, after a while, the bow ties and shirts were all hanging out and lopsided :)

Ryan's Birthday

June 15. Ryan just turned 6. My kids are growing fast. I really miss the baby days. Even my girl is growing up fast. I miss having a baby around BUT... I'm just not going to have another baby just because I want to play with one. I CAN'T take another 9 months of morning sickness +++. I'm happy with my THREE precious and that's more than enough :)

As I said, it was Ryan's birthday. I was not planning for a birthday party for him. But something my mum said got me thinking into doing something different this time for him. About doing a good deed in his name on his birthday so that he will be blessed in life. Of course, I want that for my kids. I was also thinking that my kids... my very pampered kids... need to learn to care for others and learn the meaning of compassion as well. I don't expect them to fully comprehend what is compassion but knowing that there are some people out there who are more needy. I decided to bring them to visit an orphanage. At first, I simply don't know where to go. I googled quite a bit and found a list of orphanages from www.hati.org.my amongst others. I decided for a smaller orphanage so that my kids can interact with them. We chose to go to an orphanage in USJ called Compassion House aka Rumah KIDS. Managed by Christians, the kids are of Chinese and Indian races, not necessarily of the same religion. The caretaker, Theresa said that it is for the kids to decide their faith later. How nice.

We brought some food and small presents for the kids. There were about 17 kids in all, ranging for 6 to college kids. They are kids with single parent, underprivileged or even abused kids...by their own parent!!! How could parents do that!!! They are very good and well behaved kids. They helped out. Well mannered but shy. Totally in contrast with my 'wild' ones! The older kids take care of the younger ones. When it was time for food, the older kids just waited until the younger ones have their share. I got Ryan to give out the little presents. I bought pen cases and stationeries for them. I prefer things related to studies and that can be personal for them. A bit on the fancy side but I know kids love them. When it was time to go, each one of them came and said thanks and goodbye. I have intention of going and visit them again. First, I'll gather some clothes supply, amongst others. I noticed that some kids are wearing clothes that are a bit too small for them. Here are some pictures of our visit.

The rest of the afternoon was spent rather quietly. Ryan was contented playing with his birthday present. Towards the evening, we called our neighbours' kids to come over to have some cake and song with Ryan before they go to the playground. It was quiet but good. So many contacts with children today. I felt good.

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Love Daddy, Mummy, Raymund and Rachel :)

Our Trip to PD

My husband and I took leave from work for 1 and half week to spend time with our kids during school holidays. We went to PD last week where Rachel's had her first experience in the pool and beach. My kids were at all time high then.. feeding the rabbits and chickens, playing water and sand. It was kind of boring for the adults - nothing much to do but my husband and I were very happy simply because our kids were happy. That's all we want.

Ryan made some friends at the pool. Raymund is a very active child but when it comes to making friends, he is very reserved. Ryan is totally different. He approaches children and makes the 1st move to be friends. Rachel, my princess is definitely in her own world. Anyway, they had great fun. Ryan was counting the hours towards the end of the trip. He wanted to make the most out of it. He woke up early and insisted on going to the pool immediately. He was even willing to miss breakfast and that is something big because Ryan just loves to eat :)

Raymund wanted to go home. The little fun he had was enough. He missed his home and the comfort of his room. On the 1st night, he wanted us to go home to sleep, thinking that we were near to home. But he was ok. Even Rachel had fun. There was a little kids centre in Avillion. After dinner, we let them hang around there a little while .. to digest before they sleep.

The hotel highly recommended Sea View Restaurant for sea food. Perhaps we are very much KL-ians. The price was pretty reasonable but the taste was so-so. The breakfast at the hotel was also nothing to shout about. The 2 breakfasts that we had, had exactly the same spread.

At the end of the trip, Ryan was trying to get us to tell him when he can visit again. He loves the place and everything in it. The kids said thank you to us. That felt good :)

I had a good time with my family. That is all that matters. The down side is that I came back with lots of bite marks on my neck, hand and legs. I was bitten by sand flies. I was playing sand with my girl at the beach. Thank God she is ok. I am still carrying the marks and the itch. Very itchy... swelled up into bubbles and when it leaking, it just kept leaking and leaking. Towards the 3rd day, my hands felt numb-ish. I had to go on antibiotic and antihistamine to fix it. So, watch out if you go to PD. The sand flies there are not fatal like the ones in Africa but darn irritating :p.

Joanne

I love Fiction books

The wonder of iPhone. I'm now blogging on my iPhone as I wait in a long queue to see my doctor. As the weather gets hotter, more people fall sick and the docs get richer :). Anyway, Calyn's comment in my chat box made me think of my book collection and my love for reading... Fuctions mostly with thrillers blended in. I remember when I was a little girl, I love Disney tales and Enid Blytons. Err.. Did I get the spelling right? Then there were Nancy Drew series too. Wonder if kids of today share the same interest with Hannah Montana, High School Musicals and Ben 10!! I live those books and I believe I read all the collections. Reading actually brings me to another world and makes imagination fun. But of course, don't get sunk in after that la.

When I was in primary, my English was soooo bad. I spoke in chinese and could hardly converse in English. I never read then. It was all play play and play. When I got to Secondary, my school, BBGS mandated only 2 spoken languages. I remember that we had to speak English only on Mondays, Malay only on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the rest if the days in the week, either English or Malay. I had it bad. I spoke in broken language. Then I got to reading. Believe me, that is when it started to get better. The fact that I enjoyed those books and authors spurred more reading. It would have been tough if I had to force it. I'm hoping to build this interest in my kids, hence I'm actually I'm collecting children's books. Till they are able to read independently, the books are there for them.

Actually my sons are curious about reading now. They have been seeing me reading fictions and asking me about it. Good sign but with my new job, I have yet to find reading time with them. How sad!

As I was saying, I have been reading and collected so many books overtime. I read and read over again enjoying the thrills and the wits if my favourite authors. My favourites are Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Catherine Coulter, Iris Johansen and more... Simply because of their writing styles. I'd probably put up some of these in ebay later coz I have no more room to store the new ones. Got to find some time to get down to it. My house is a mess already :(

joanne

Kindy Sports Day and Assessment Days

Been super bz lately. But satisfying. A rest and a change can do wonders. Moreover, there were too much politics in my old place. Not very nice to work in.

My sons are doing ok so far. I must say another right move was getting Ryan out of Eduland/Beaconhouse. I see so much improvements in a short while. Goes to show bigger and pricier does not mean better. Recently, there was a message in their Message Book that tell us parents to take note of some important dates.. sports day and written assessment days.

They are preparing 4 weeks of sports practice on every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after kindy till abt 4pm. This is for Ryan only. I had to shift Ryan's home tuition around to the other 2 days. I'm kinda worried for him coz it will mean no afternoon rest since he has to do his homework as well. We just make sure that he goes to bed early.

Written assessment is also round the corner, in May. Even Raymund at 4 years old gets it. I told the tuition teacher to revise with bith my kids to prepare them. I'm not asking for top performing results or anything near there. If they come back with it, it will be fantastic. After all, they are still very young. On the other hand, getting them started with knowing what is test all about is not a bad idea too. My kids are too playful. Ryan never had tests in his previous kindy... Some sort of assessment but not this serious kind. Let's see how they fare.

I used to have a different opinion around tests for kindy kids when I first started with Ryan. I was quite specific about not stressing up Ryan with tests and assessments. You'd probably read my earlier posts. I wanted more activities and fun for. I guess it doesn't work when we are in the Malaysian education system. A glimpse into the primary system is good too even as early as 4 years old. My opinion really. I don't want my kids to have a big culture shock. Moreover, I'm sending them to chinese school. That is enough shock there. My friends told me to let my kids rough it out. Kids are very adaptable. I hope. Mums always worry.

Joanne

I was old Enfagrow Milk Powder will increase price again

My little girl takes Enfagrow milk powder from Mead Johnson. Just the other day, I went to my regular chinese medicine shop to replenish my stock. I usually get the twin packs, better value. Just when I was about to pay, I noticed the price tag showed RM94.90! I had a shock and then I was pointed out that it was a triple pack. Worked out to be RM31.63 a pack. Still ok. The shop keeper told me to keep stocks. The triple packs were about to run out and they have news that the price for Enfagrow is gonna 'grow' again. Sigh! Gosh, the price of milk is growing as fast as, if not faster than gold! I think if fund houses decide to invest in baby milk, we would probably be getting great return, haha! Yep, I'm talking nonsense but I'm still venting. Many years ago, good milk costing RM 20+ was considered super expensive. Now??!

Actually I suspected that an increase is round the corner. Couple of weeks back, I couldn't get the milk powder for my girl. I always go for the original flavor. I think the honey and vanilla flavor ones could be a bit too heaty. Anyway, I was looking for the original ones, and went to a few chinese medicine shops. They ran out. One of them told me that the suppliers hadn't been replenishing their stocks and they had been calling them. I suspected then that I would be seeing another round of price hike.

Having a baby nowadays is not easy. Especially when you would like to give them the best.

My Boys Now..

My 2 boys...I've just been downloading some of the latest photos from my camera. I noticed that they have grown so much. No doubt considering how much they eat! They love food!

Here are some latest. Actually there are more. Just that my camera battery konked out. Can't download :(