Archive for the ‘Just us’ Category

Darren has been attending piano lessons for a while.  We are glad that he enjoys his music lessons and to learn that he has good aptitude for music *smile*.

Then a few weeks ago, we received an invite from Darren’s school for him to attend trial lessons to determine his early recruitment into the school concert band, as they identified potential in him.

We decided to let him try it out although he does not need to opt for a CCA only till he is in Primary 3. 

But then…..alas, after 3 trial lessons, he didn’t make it into the band.  Reason given was because he lacked discipline to sit properly and did not follow instructions closely.  In short, he is not ready. 

So, we thought…..

Perhaps our boy needs more discipline in taking instructions when he is performing as a group.  We also wanted him to build up his social skills with his peers.

Then, we decided….

We enrolled him early for Chinese Orchestra. We understand that as long as he has interests, he could continue this as a CCA in his school in subsequent years.

We wanted him to learn to be a better team player, follow instructions closely during a group activity and be more disciplined in his concentration. Our little boy has been an active and sporting one but we know there is another side of him especially when we see him on his piano.  Besides we hope he could learn to appreciate the Chinese culture while discovering the beauty of the traditional chinese musical instruments.

[As the teacher was advising "playing as a team in a chinese orchestra is not about each individual rushing through a music score but about how each player observes and listens to the instructions and coordinates with other players in a synchronised manner, while taking responsibility to play his/her own instrument well".]

When we started, we had some deliberations on the selection of a suitable chinese instrument for Darren.

First we let him choose an instrument that he likes and feels comfortable with. So, he tested the flute. Seriously, it looks easy but not at all.

Then our boy did not like the erhu. There are other instruments but there was no opportunity to play them.

So, that’s how we begin the story of our boy with guzheng (chinese plucked zither).

Well, teacher commented that he seems to have a better aptitude for guzheng after some demo and trials.

Haha! Maybe he is better with playing music instruments with his fingers since he is our little pianist :)

[The teacher opined that males can have a leading edge in the playing of guzheng among the girls, in view of the amount of strength used. ] 

Our only concern is whether our little one would get confused while he continues with his music in piano and picks up a new musical skill in chinese instruments.

We will see whether his aptitude for music will sustain his participation in Chinese Orchestra till next year.

For now, hopefully, we meet our objective of getting our boy to build his social skill as team player and be more disciplined while he engages in his music interests *smile*

As parents, we do our best to take good care of all aspects of our children’s lives when they are young.

From bathing, feeding, wearing shoes …….to combing their hair, we make sure they are well attended to.

We know. We have endless responsibilities as parents.

Then, when our children start to take care of us, the feelings’ really SWEET.

Hmm…..our 7-year-old is trying sometimes to take care of his mommy. 

Haha! He is trying to beautify his mommy’s messy hair while mommy is working on the computer.

So, who says parenting is ONLY about us taking care of our young children ?

Pay a little more attention and we will appreciate the little gestures of love and care from our children too *smile*.

I remember fondly these moments when my young ones will either help me with my hair, volunteer a little massage on my shoulder when I am tired, give me little reminders when I turn forgetful, point out the road directions when I am lost, volunteer me their sweaters when I am cold, bring me that cup of hot beverage every night, and show a little concern when they sense I am frustrated at work.

These will be among those sweet parenting moments that I will hold dear in my heart :)

Familiar with the Nestle MILO beverage - that combination of chocolate and malt powder?

MILO has become a part of our family’s life.

For me, I do not usually consume coffee and tea since young and MILO, MILK and CEREAL have become my daily hot beverage companions.

Whoa! So our dependence on MILO has come a long way.

Now, MILO has very much become a part of Darren’s life.

He will have his share of MILO in the morning, another share as supper and then sometimes another share in school.

Ha!Ha! I didn’t know that MILO has such an impact on his life till I came across his “MILO and Other Stories” a few weeks ago *lol*.

It’s a cute narration although the English might not be perfect. So, he has put his passion for MILO into writing.  If MILO has a creative writing competition, Darren might win a prize *grin*

Hee…Enjoy reading, just like I did :)

“One day a little boy came out of his house and when to buy some milo but his mother don’t allow him to buy because he always drink milo.

In the morning he dring 15 milo and the afternoon he also drink 15 milo, Evening he also drink 15 milo.

The next day, he went to the park he saw a man drinking 20 milo, five milo more than him.

Sudenly, a thief steals all the milo.  2 people wanted to chase him but they can’t catch him. 

A clever person go use a string and pull the milo but he is going to seat a jet plain, he is very near but the string manage to pull the milo after the string pull the milo the jet plain fly away.

everybody was happy they thank the clever man. ”

 - End of story -

[BTW, this is NOT an advertorial.]