3 Adults and 6 kids. Watching the ballet at the Esplanade.
And we survived it. There were only supposed to be 4 kids and 5 adults, but for a turn of fate (ie, a pair of parents FORGOT they were supposed to be celebrating a 100 year old birthday, so sent 2 kids in their place ). Plus there was a bit of a mad rush at the start trying to pick the 3 other kids up because the said parents were running late with drop off.
The ballet itself was quite good. I didn't really understand the title to begin with, but once the performance began it was quite obvious. It was titled 'Peter and Blue go round the world'.
The first 30 minutes went well. We had silence, peace and appreciation of the dance. But at 45 minutes, the edginess started.
Thank goodness it lasted a grand total of 60 minutes. You'd expect to feel uplifted, relaxed and inspired after watching the ballet, but with kids it's a whole new experience. It was more like nervous checks to see that they hadn't fallen across the seats to injure some poor soul at the next row, weren't kicking the head of the next row, or "shush shush SHUSH!!!!"
Not recommended to have kids outnumber adults in such situations. Thankfully 2 of those kids were older than 5.
Of course after the show, because we were so caught up trying to get all the kids out intact and alive we promptly forgot our cameras which we had to surrender at the start. Now I know why they require us to give them a name and contact number.
The rest of the weekend went past in such a blur! I can barely remember what we did in those 48 hours.
Saturday was wake up, work , kids swim, lunch, swim (again, lesson for Madison), then we actually braved it to Orchard road for dinner at Marche with the kids. Which actually turned out fantastic! The kids seem to be able to play with restraint at the play area. Amidst crazy screaming kids who were running amok up and down the playhouse. I was so pleasantly surprised mine didn't go similarly crazy and sustain injuries. So then Chris and I got to eat properly!
Sunday was wake, breakfast, golf( for Madison ) while Annika and I went to the club to hang out(more space than at home, we both get the edgies doing nothing at home). Then lunch for kids at club, rush home to get ready for the ballet. We cut it too fine so nobody got to bathe. Then after ballet rush home to get ready to go to the Botanic Gardens to meet the rest of the family. Kids got to cycle. Dinner at Food for thought at the Gardens. That place is a pretty good idea for dinner! Safe, smallish outdoor playground that the kids can't seriously get injured in, plenty of seating, both indoor and out. Food is average, but hey, who actually eats when kids are involved?
And then it's Monday! Of course then I get to go to work and sit down and relax.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Becoming a NAG
I realize I am becoming my mother.
Or at least I Think I am? And not the nice bits, just the nasty bits that I remember from when I was growing up.
The nagging, scolding, the impatience.
It starts at 7am. Almost every morning unless Chris happens to be around, which is mostly on weekends.
Getting them to JUST EAT BREAKFAST. Minus the dawdling, endless questions, fighting/snatching.
Then to PLEASE CHANGE OUT OF YOUR PYJAMAS.
Please BRUSH your TEETH, now...not after cutting up some paper/drawing/fighting again.
Then finally to PLEASE put your shoes on, get INTO The lift and into the car.
That takes ME 10 minutes. Takes the kids over an hour!
Yesterday Madison had her piano lessons. It's usually a mad rush for me, right after work, go home, (hopefully) pick her up (quickly), wait in the endless queue to get INTO the stupid carpark at United Square before we finally get to the studio for the 30 minute lesson.
This is how it is exasperating:
1. REFUSE to nap (which is fine on non piano days) and then be narcoleptic in front of the teacher at 5!
2. Suddenly FORGET stuff she knew. Of course the teacher looks at me quizzically and asks how come she doesn't know 'X'. ???Q!!
3. Go completely shy and lose her ability to communicate in front of the teacher. Who she already is familiar with since she was 2.
So that means trying to incorporate 10 minutes of piano in the mornings.
For some reason, trying to teach my child something draws the evil mom out of me. I have no patience and it exasperates me when she/they cannot remember something for 5 minutes. And I cannot hide my impatience.
I can't imagine what it's going to be like in another few years when I have to face the primary school stuff. I think I will go batsh!t crazy. I hate tuition myself, so it's unfair to dump tuition onto them. (right?) Or is it inevitable? Can you imagine trying to teach a 6 year old multiplication???!! OR whatever they do in school now? Don't forget spelling lists in Mandarin AND English.
They really should allow the internet in the classroom. Just teach the kid to use Google. Everyone would be happy.
I really admire people who can stay at home and do this EVERYDAY. And not become some witch b!tch while they are at it. I'm sorry... but somehow I'm not built like that. I hope my kids will understand one day. (Probably when they are mothers themselves?)
Or at least I Think I am? And not the nice bits, just the nasty bits that I remember from when I was growing up.
The nagging, scolding, the impatience.
It starts at 7am. Almost every morning unless Chris happens to be around, which is mostly on weekends.
Getting them to JUST EAT BREAKFAST. Minus the dawdling, endless questions, fighting/snatching.
Then to PLEASE CHANGE OUT OF YOUR PYJAMAS.
Please BRUSH your TEETH, now...not after cutting up some paper/drawing/fighting again.
Then finally to PLEASE put your shoes on, get INTO The lift and into the car.
That takes ME 10 minutes. Takes the kids over an hour!
Yesterday Madison had her piano lessons. It's usually a mad rush for me, right after work, go home, (hopefully) pick her up (quickly), wait in the endless queue to get INTO the stupid carpark at United Square before we finally get to the studio for the 30 minute lesson.
This is how it is exasperating:
1. REFUSE to nap (which is fine on non piano days) and then be narcoleptic in front of the teacher at 5!
2. Suddenly FORGET stuff she knew. Of course the teacher looks at me quizzically and asks how come she doesn't know 'X'. ???Q!!
3. Go completely shy and lose her ability to communicate in front of the teacher. Who she already is familiar with since she was 2.
So that means trying to incorporate 10 minutes of piano in the mornings.
For some reason, trying to teach my child something draws the evil mom out of me. I have no patience and it exasperates me when she/they cannot remember something for 5 minutes. And I cannot hide my impatience.
I can't imagine what it's going to be like in another few years when I have to face the primary school stuff. I think I will go batsh!t crazy. I hate tuition myself, so it's unfair to dump tuition onto them. (right?) Or is it inevitable? Can you imagine trying to teach a 6 year old multiplication???!! OR whatever they do in school now? Don't forget spelling lists in Mandarin AND English.
They really should allow the internet in the classroom. Just teach the kid to use Google. Everyone would be happy.
I really admire people who can stay at home and do this EVERYDAY. And not become some witch b!tch while they are at it. I'm sorry... but somehow I'm not built like that. I hope my kids will understand one day. (Probably when they are mothers themselves?)
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