Progress in school

From next month on, I am attempting to drop Madison off at Mandarin class three times a week for 3 hours each time.

I didn't really intend to send her to a proper playgroup this year, but this happened somewhat out of my control.

Desiree, the principal of Bibinogs called me up just this week to tell me that they were scrapping the 2 hour enrichment class that she is currently attending and replacing it with a pre-nursery Mandarin program instead that would run daily from 9am to 12pm. Since I felt that everyday was too much for a 2 year old, the other option would be three times a week.

Which is not bad. Madison is now of an age that seems to need activity to occupy her day, and I am not of the right countenance to provide that the entire day. It takes PATIENCE and PERSISTENCE to teach pre-schoolers, and I now appreciate the people that have a passion for this.

The only things that worry me now are
1. I hope she doesn't fall sick too much
2. how on earth am I going to cope with having to ferry her to and from the class three times a week on top of work and the impending baby!!

I think she enjoys the classes although she does put up a bit of a fight on the way there. But when I go and pick her up she is all smiles.

Thankfully since the Joo Chiat clinic will be closed, it is one less place I have to travel to. It's amazing how things fall into place... the timing is incredible. Just as I decide to end JC in May, this new class starts!

Renovations for the Balestier clinic starts in May too. Hopefully by the end of the month things would have settled down and worked itself out. Then I have to make a decision as to whether we should do some advertising for the clinic. I think it's a good thing to try, especially for the dental part of the clinic. But what if there really is interest after the advertising? Can I cope with the patients, baby, and Madison then?

We are also getting some new curtains made for the house. I had Kelvin, the guy who works in the interior fittings shop next to us come and measure the doors and windows. I figured since we are absolutely unable to afford a new apartment at this stage I should try and make this one nicer. Also, with Annika coming Chris and I might (probably) have to move into the living room so that she can have a room. Until she is able to sleep through the night, then she moves in with Madison. Hopefully by then we'd have a bigger place?

Am also in two minds about getting more renovation done in the apartment. To create more storage space. On one hand it would be really nice to have an interior designed place, but then we really should be saving the money for the next apartment. Especially since this one will be rented out then. But who knows how long it will be before home prices stablise?

Speaking about the housing market. It's absolutely ridiculous at the moment. Chris found us an almost perfect place ( location, size and layout ) that was advertised for SGD 1.55 million. By the time we called the agent it was going for SGD 1.8+ million! That was 5 days later! The bank valuation of the property was for the former, so no way were we going to even think about paying the exorbitant prices. I think people are not really serious about selling right now. Either that or there are some crazy rich people out there.

Sigh.