“Nak tido rumah”
July 19, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
After the youth day holiday last Monday, you went to school fine on Tuesday.
Came Wednesday and Thursday, you resented to go in to the school. You replied, “Nak tido!” Ummi talked to Miss Corinna what might happen on Tuesday. Possibly, you were told by Miss Tan to stop playing with water or you were sleepy/tired.
On Friday, you cried when Ummi sought you to put on your school uniform. “Nak tido! Nak tido rumah!” So Ummi decided to give have you “Out of School” for that day. Called the principal Mdm Yati to seek her advice to make you go to school again without forcing. Ummi told her that you were happy at home and nothing unhappy happened. She related what actually happened on Tuesday was not the first time. Miss Tan had pulled you aside to talk to you about not playing water. You were with another boy. She adviced to bring you to school on Monday wearing home clothes. In addition, she would get Miss Tan to welcome you to school. Ok we see about that!
Ummi suspected maybe was it due to the tone that Miss Tan used. Wallahu a’lam.
Weekends, talked to you about going to school and that your teachers love you. “Nak tido!” was your main answer.
Came Monday, you had your clothes on when Ummi and you went out to school with your school bag in another bag. Alhamdulillah, Ukhti was care by Abi as Abi was on medical leave. Ummi decided to take a different route sending you there. But, upon crossing the road, you were whining “Nak tido” until we reached the block. You pulled Ummi’s hands to turned back home. Ummi had no choice but to carry you. Miss Tan welcomed us and took you away from Ummi. Ummi peeked as you were brought in by her. After having your shoes off, bag kept and hands washed, you stopped crying in the class. After school, Miss Tan informed Ummi that you actually sat next to her throughout the session. Manja budak ni.
Then Tuesday, a week after the incident. “Nak tido!” you said, attempting to go to the bedroom to “tido”. Luckily Ummi had the door closed as Abi and Ukhti were asleep. You refused to put on the uniform again! Fine… you did not want to put on the T-shirt, but had the school pants on. You went to school with Blues’ Clues T-shirt on. Alhamdulillah, you did not cry along the way to school. Upon entering school, you requested from Miss Tan to change you into the school T-shirt which Ummi has brought in your bag. You were fine in school on that day. Alhamdulillah.
Wednesday is field trip day. We went over to Yayi’s house early morning with Abi as Ukhti needed to be taken care of by Nyayi. Ummi was with you during the trip. Upon alighting from the bus to school, you resented again going there and said, “Nak tido rumah”, as you able to identified our block. What was Ummi to do??? You were carried up the overhead bridge until we reached the school door. Ummi pointed the bus for the trip and ensuring you that Ummi was going with you. Alhamdulillah, towards the end of the field trip to the CD Heritage Gallery and Tampines Police Centre, you were happy. Happy, happy, happy ibn! Hooray! What Ummi noticed the best part of the trip for you was that you sat in a police car. What Ummi was very pleased with you was that you shook hands with the officer, thanking him. In return, the Officer Christopher de Silva said, “Soo sweet.”
Thursday and Friday were easy to get you to school. As usual, you took a toy to be brought to school upon wearing the uniform. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah.
Wassalam
Ibn, The Fire Fighter
July 7, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
On one of the Saturdays, Ummi managed to drag Abi, Ukhti and you to the nearby Tampines Fire Station, which is also the 2nd division of the Civil Defence Force. Well, the tour took nearly an hour an a half to complete. Despite the detailed explanation by the DART officer to the visitors, we have somehow accomplished the following objectives, which very much based on your understanding:
1. See the different types of vehicles in the fire station
2. See how the fire fighters go down the sliding pole
3. “Put out” fire
In addition, we were lucky enough to be able to see a “tow truck” kind of vehicle that you were eyeing since the view of the fire engines.
Not forgetting, finally you were BRAVE enough to be a fire fighter….
Alhamdulillah, coincidently, the theme that you will be exposed to for Term 3 is on OCCUPATION. So the visit to the fire station was not a waste after all, in fact, a meaningful and fruitful experience.
Wassalam
What’s for Meals?
June 22, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
Yesterday was Mum’s Not Cooking Day. Well, it was the last weekend, in fact, the last weekend before Abi and you go back for the 3rd term to schools on Monday. We had lunch at Swensen’s as we had a complimentary voucher meal. So as Abi put it, “It’s better to eat at Swensen’s when it is a holiday.”, we headed to the Tampines Mall branch.
Okay, you wanted the Chicken Sticks Meal, we got that for you. You wanted soup, Alhamdulillah, we had one bowl from the complimentary offer. Alhamdulillah, you finished the bowl of corn soup. But… that Chicken Sticks meal was divided between Ummi, Abi and you. You just had about one piece chicken stick, two
pieces of that Fried Star-shaped mashed potato and 2 spoons of buttered corn. Alhamdulillah, better than nothing went in. Ummi wished you can eat the whole of the meal, but you were distracted by the coined toy machines outside Swensen’s that you attempted few times to go there on your own. HOW BRAVE! Ummi and Abi were worried about you, Ya Bunayya, but you just cannot go anywhere without either of us!
Okay, back to your meals… it is indeed a brainstorming session for Ummi as Abi was getting dinner from Qiji. What is it that you will like and eat?!
Ah-ha! “Lak-se.” Yes, laksa is actually in your diet list. Ummi has been noticing that you can eat about nearly 2 pieces of Nyayi’s handmade laksa. That’s the amount that normal adult will eat. So Abi got Laksa from Qiji for you. ALhamdulillah, you were eating it, just that the laksa bought is thinner than Nyayi’s handmade one. However, the thought of putting more protein (i.e. boiled egg yolk) in your serving spoilt the process. You wanted to stop eating the laksa after Ummi add some egg yolk to the spoon. To make things short, you managed to eat about 2/3 of the laksa portion packed. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah.
Hence, Ummi was suggesting to Abi to get Nyayi prepares a week supply of laksa for you. “Nak?”
Wassalam
12-Pieced Puzzles
June 7, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
During our last trip to Toys ‘R’ Us, Ummi has selected a box of 4 12-pieced puzzles. The set contains the puzzles of a fire engine, an aeroplane, a motorbike and a ship.
Yesterday, after putting Ukhti to sleep, Ummi had the time to be with you. Hence Ummi chose the puzzles as it has not been fully utilized/used except the fire engine one. Puzzle by puzzle you tried to fix. By the time you have fixed 3 puzzles (with Ummi’s and Abi’s guidance), you looked tired. Jigsaw puzzle fixing does requires you to use your brain to think and process and also the coordination of your eye-hand to have each piece fixed. That’s why despite you just woke up from your nap around 6+pm, you were feeling tired.
Alhamdulillah, through scaffolding, you are now able to identify the pieces to your jigsaw puzzles. The next process is to identify the details in each piece and link it with the others.
Upon completion, you wanted to go to sleep, “Ti-do”. You brought all the 4 fixed puzzles to bed and sleep with them until morning comes.
Sweet dreams.
Wassalam
“E-rak!”
June 7, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Bunayya,
Potty has been bought. Potty related book/s has/ve been borrowed. It has been more than a week Ummi is trying to potty training you.
Alhamdulillah, through patience and trials, at this point of time, you are also making effort to tell Ummi that you need to release yourself - be it urinating or passing motion.
Yesterday, while you were having your milk, you stood up and touch your bottom. “E-rak, Ummi!” So without waiting long and having the opportunity, you were brought to the kitchen toilet, shorts and diaper off, and had you squatting in the toilet. Ummi just waited and waited. After about 2 minutes, you were urinating. “Clever boy, Ibn!” Applaud Ummi and Abi. Then Ummi had you istinja .SO, that “E-rak” word is actually the feeling that you wanted to pass urine.
Alhamdulillah, good that you are in process of having that feeling/urge to have your bowel released. Insya Allah, within a month or so (Ummi’s target), your bowel movement will be a voluntarily one.
Wassalam
A Mealtime Lesson
June 2, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
It has been 2 days since you have been taking about 45 minutes to finish your dinner, with difficulties and challenges for Ummi and Abi. Tonight, Ummi ponder and ponder what might the reason behind this pattern.
Alhamdulillah, Ummi got the answer. It may or may not be the actual reason, … but Ummi has a strong feeling that it may be. Complicated it may sound. Heh.
You see, dear Ibni, despite having you in front of the television feeding your dinner, you still took so long to chew, bite and swallow each spoon of rice with dishes. This is the explanation - Ummi fed you when you just woke up from your nap, within 15 minutes of it. Well, Ummi supposed you have not warmed up yet and the appetite gland was yet to get working.
However, during these 2 days Ummi tried to rush you to eat your dinner due to several occasions that we needed to attend to - 1st day was shopping with Cik Yani which was nearly cancelled, but you made through, 2nd day was a trip to the GrandAunts’ place. Ummi apologized for that rush and what you have to go through to make you eat your dinner. Astaghfirullahal’azheem.
Hence, Ummi learnt this valuable lesson after 2 days of experiencing the same thing. Alhamdulillah, Allah has given Ummi the mind to think. Insya Allah, this will not repeat again.
Wassalam
The Trip to Hanis(Tampines)
May 25, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
Yesterday, after Ummi has settled some housework and cooking, Ummi, Ukhti and you went over to Hanis(Tampines) to register you for next year.
Teacher Hana, a Senior Teacher attended to us. You will be in the Challengers level, with Teacher Diah as your form tutor. There were 6 K2 children attending a Preparatory Class. While Teacher Hana was processing the registration, you requested for a balloon. Initially, you went out and held a Mudarrisah’s hand for it. But when asked, you did not want.
After the registration, we looked at what the children were doing while Ummi had a small chat with Teacher Hana. By this time, you already got a hold of an orange balloon. Thanks to Teacher Hana and Mudarrisah. We sat for about 10 minutes, until the children were dismissed. We observed several things that happened during the dismissal.
1. Recitation of Suratul al-fatihah and Suratun-Naas
2.Recitation of Tasbih Kaffarah
3.Dismissal songs in English, Malay and Arabic
4.Dismissal du’as
5.Dismissal greeting
Hmm… you were buzy distracting the children during this time with no other than your orange balloon. By the way, on the way to the bus stop, your balloon was flown by the wind. You cried as if you have lost something precious. To avoid from it get blown away by the wind, Ummi tied the string around your right wrist. You had it with you all the way until we reached Sakura for lunch, where Ukhti had the balloon while sitting on the high chair - screaming and enjoying playing with it. Hehe.
After that, you have forgotten about the balloon… Gone went the balloon.
Wassalam
School Update
May 11, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Prior to your Speech Therapy appointment end April 2008, Miss Tan, was requested to give a summary of your development in school since the beginning of your enrolment.
Following is what she has typed and placed in the Communication Book:
“Mukhtaar bin Mahathir is an active boy. He had improved in his speech, compared to the first time he came to school. He often tries to follow the words spoken by his teacher. He is able to speak with a slight pause in between each word, for example; “I am in school”, “Mukhtaar”, “I am going home” and “train”. He is able to catch the last word in every sentence. In addition, he is learning to foloow instructions and is picking up words at his own pace. He responded when his teacher call his name and is able to understand simple instructions. He needs to be more independent and be more enthusiastic towards learning.”
Just recently, Miss Tan said that you have no particular friends that you play with in school. You can play with anybody in you Little Wonders class.
In addition, Ummi observed that the school cook, likes to tease you and in return you are quite ‘manja’ towards her, Miss Tan and Mdm Chua, particularly Mdm Chua. Why Mdm Chua?! Is it because she attends to you more in class? Is it because when you soiled yourself, she cleans for you? You will say goodbye to her only each time Ummi says, “Say goodbye to your teachers”. There were times when Ummi fetched you earlier, you would hug your teacher and the cook, if she is there to see you off too.
Alhamdulillah, Ummi is really glad that you are doing fine and well in school. Keep up the good work. Ummi’s hope is that one day, you will begin to tell Ummi what is taught and what you did in school.
Wassalam
Milk Drinking - Technique Nine
May 10, 2008
Assalamu’alaikum wr. wb.,
Ya Ibni,
Alhamdulillah, so far so good. You have done well with milk drinking for about a couple of months or more. Ummi has posted and shared with readers about 8 techniques that were used during milk drinking sessions with you. This is the ninth technique and well, Ummi was pleased that it was you, my dear Ibni, that initiated it.
It was on one night, during one of the milk drinking sessions, Ummi used the technique of 2 cups of milk - one for Ummi to feed you, and the other yours to hold. Upon Ummi completed the task of feeding you the milk, you came onto Ummi’s lap and then you held your cup of milk and finished it up. Ummi was really glad. Ummi supposed you want Ummi to be around with you - thus quality time. Secondly, it is a method that shows moral support for you to complete you milk drinking race.
Alhamdulillah, by this time, when you are nearly 2 years 9 months, you are indeed drinking about 180ml each time with Ummi’s help, at a faster rate of about 15-30 minutes when compared to previously that might reached about an hour!
Wassalam
