joel is three

24 Dec 2010 was Joel's third birthday but his FIRST real birthday celebration. Before this, we never "really celebrated" his birthday with this many friends. His friends. I'm glad he started school 4 months ago and has friends whom he can name. ;)


We headed to Joel's school in the morning with 3 cake boxes! Joel doesnt know what's inside the boxes (nor that we're going to celebrate his bday in class), so he was very happy when we took out the CAR cakes! That's Cakes #1. As expected, he LOVED the blue car the most. (I was told by the seller that the smallest cake is only good for 4 person. 1 size up is good for 6 person, so i ordered 3 of this cake size becoz Joel's class has 3 teachers & 15 students on a day with full attendance. But after cutting up the first cake, we realised that it was enough for all the kids and the teachers. So we gave the 2 other cakes to the other classes to enjoy)

We had another lunch appointment with friends at Paulaner but since Joel was enjoying himself so much in school, we decided to leave him there till before his nap time. Meanwhile, we went to collect the cake from Awfully Chocolate and home to decorate it with M&Ms! That's Cake #2.

Daddy Elvis had made reservations at Paulaner becoz of their outdoor playground (although we dont have any child guests). But the temperature dropped soooo much on this day that it was freezing and not suitable to be playing outdoors. Nevertheless, Joel had a good time and a great meal with some of our closer friends in Shanghai - the people he sees regularly. After the lunch celebration, we also allowed Joel to about 15mins at the playground. (Becoz of the bad weather, we also decided last minute to leave Emma at home. We're so sorry, Little Emma.)

In the evening, we headed to Taiwanese friends' house for dinner. (Last Christmas Day, we also had dinner at their house) We didnt expect them to buy a cake for Joel! Usually, everywhere is selling only Christmas-themed cakes and logcakes...so Joel had a Santa Claus cake! That's Cake #3!

I'm sure Joel had a truly memorable birthday celebration which made up for all the smaller birthday celebrations he has had in the past.

Joel, Mommy & Daddy love you very much.

- I havent been updating my blog for the longest time...and i decided back-date it during our trip in Singapore now for CNY 2011. Wanted to take the pictures from my Facebook... only to realise that the network is soooo slow and doesnt work too well. Hence, i will post more of the pictures after i'm back in Shanghai using the VPN which is also slow... FYI, both blogspot AND facebook are banned in China. :/

loving school

WEEK 3: 
Joel made huge improvement. He's started to mingle with other children. Very cute.

WEEK 5: 
Joel made huge improvement this week. He learned many new Chinese words. In the beginning, he did not want to talk. Then he started to talk only in English. Now, he can talk to the other children in Mandarin. He has made such great improvement within a month! I'm happy for him!

WEEK 5 (from a Progress File):
 Joel is a great kid! He improved a lot. From crying and not wanting to enter the school to greeting me happily every day "Good Morning, Teacher" I think this is our greatest comfort.

chinese songs

happier at school

Starting from the eighth day of school, Joel didnt cry when we leave him with the teacher. He still fusses a little in the morning when we're preparing to go to school. Hope he'll adjust better in time to come. ;)

After 1 week of school, here's the good/bad things about attending school:
THE GOOD
1. Joel goes to bed much earlier at about 8+pm and he wakes up automatically at about 7+am. He used to sleep too late - anytime from 10pm to midnight.
2. Joel doesnt scratch our elbows as much when he's trying to fall asleep.

THE BAD
1. Mosquito bites!!!
2. Joel fusses more when at home, always wanting Mommy to be with him.
3. Joel sometimes cries for Mommy in his sleep and needs to be assured that we're beside him.
4. Joel gets REALLY HUNGRY and eats lots of biscuits before his meals.
5. Joel wakes up too early on weekends. *yawn*

progress booklet

Almost everyday, Joel's teacher will write something inside his booklet. This is how he performed this week.
6 - 11 September 2010, Week 2.

Joel is a clever boy. His English is the best in class. When he first came to school, he will sometimes think of Mommy and cry. However, from Thursday he started to play with the other children. He started to laugh. Hope that he will continue improving.

1 week of school

On the seventh day of school, Mommy brought Joel to school. Daddy is away in Bangkok till Sunday night. I was worried that without Daddy's reminder not to cry at school, Joel will fuss when we reach.

When i pushed his stroller past the school gate, he saw his teachers standing in a row (to welcome the students) and he waved and said a big HELLO! Then he got out and hugged his teacher! WOW~

We continued inside to help him change into his indoor shoes. At that point, Joel knew i was going to leave (soon) and his eyes were teary. But he didnt cry or sob. He held his teacher's hand and walked in. Just as i thought he's not going to look back at Mommy, he DID! And he said ByeBye. It made Mommy very happy.

This day, i went out shopping (again) and reached Joel's school slightly later than 4pm. When i reached, Ahyi, Joel & his teacher were waiting at the school gate for me. His teacher said that Joel showed BIG improvement today! So she had to tell me about it! She said that Joel was completely different today. He laughed happily (and loudly) and played with the children today. Joel's appetite was also very good. She said it must have been the Mr Happy tshirt he's wearing. ;)

Back at home, Joel is showing Mommy how he takes his nap in school. (We have to bring his quilt and pillow home every Friday to sun/wash. I dont know why they made the bedsheets PINK!!!)

sixth day of school

On the sixth day of school, Daddy Elvis & Mommy Jo walked Joel to school. Daddy still had time to have breakfast with Mommy - something we did everyday since Joel started school. As usual, Joel fussed and whined when he was at home...but i think he knows he doesnt have a choice. Keke... ;p

And as usual, Daddy carried Joel before we reach the school and told him not to cry. He was a brave boy yet again! We're so proud of him! ;)

After our breakfast, we walked home and Daddy Elvis left for the airport while Mommy Jo went shopping for Joel & little sis. (Spent too much again) Daddy Elvis will be back on Sunday night.

When Mommy picked Joel up from school, his teacher told me that Joel showed great improvement today! He played with the children and sang very loudly in music class. I think the 'very loudly' is an understatement becoz i know how Joel can be when he's happy & singing something he likes. I hope Joel will continue to enjoy school as much tomorrow. Mommy is also quite "relieved" that tomorrow is Friday and we can both take a break from school. ;)

8 Sep 2010

My hungry boy back from school.

fifth day of school

On the fifth day of school, Joel started fussing at home from the time he took his bath. He also didnt want us to get dressed. When we were about to reach his school, Daddy Elvis carried him and told him not to cry. When we reached the school gate, we could see that Joel was trying to hold back his tears again (just like yesterday)...

His teacher said Joel was much better after he entered the classroom. Maybe he felt less lonely with the rest of the children in class.

Tomorrow & Friday, Daddy Elvis will be away in Bangkok and wont be able to send Joel to school. He'll also be away for a week in Hong Kong 2 weeks later. (It's the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and Ahyi will also take the day off) So, Mommy Jo will have to coax Joel into not crying and being brave when he's preparing to go to school.

His school is located inside another condo, about 10 minutes walk away from our apartment. Here's how his school looks like from the outside...

Little Knight's Kindergarten

(I also found another website here with the same logo as Joel's school but the address is different. Hmmm....)

fourth day of school

On the fourth day of school, Daddy Elvis had to rush to the airport but he still walked Joel to school first. On the way there, Joel wanted to be carried instead of sitting inside the stroller. When we reached the school, he knew that we were going to leave him and he wanted to cry. Daddy told him not to cry... and we could tell that he was holding back his tears and said goodbye to us when the teacher carried him in. Even if he DID cry after we left, i'm still so proud of him. ;)

Back home from school...

third day of school

On the third day of school, Joel cried when we reached and he clung onto Daddy. He looked so sad... Before that (while we were walking), he was still happy and said that he's going to "teacher school".

When Mommy went to fetch him home at 4pm, the teacher said they're having an "extra" lesson and asked me to join them in class. I felt that Joel look "lost in his own world" with the teachers speaking in Mandarin. Here's some photos...

second day of school

Even before we walked into the school, we could hear some kids crying. Joel was rather unfazed until he changed into his indoor shoes. (But maybe he's blur blur as usual lah) The crying boys beside him made him want to cry too! The teacher had to carry him away from us. I was a little sad to see my poor baby sob...

When Mommy Jo went to fetch Joel home, the teacher said he's (still) good, eat well, slept well. Hmmm... I wonder if they say this to ALL parents! Haha! But he does look better than yesterday. No runny nose, no puffy eyes. (Elvis & i figured that Joel probably had puffy eyes from crying the whole day followed by napping)

Joel also wanted to hold onto my hand while Ahyi pushed the stroller home. On the way to school, he will hold onto Daddy's hand. So fair, huh! We love you, Joel! Hope you'll enjoy school soon. ;)

Whenever Joel reaches home, he'll go and find his soft toys first. Usually, it's his favourite Bear Bear which we bring everywhere but i didnt pack it into his schoolbag. He likes to call to his "gang" - Bear Bear, Mickey, Goofy and Panda - and hugs all of them into the room whenever he wants to drink his milk or go to sleep. He walks straight into our bedroom without telling us and slams the door. Lately, he's added another member to the group. Giraffe. He can barely see where he's going when he grabs the whole bunch. Sometimes, Joel will carry Bear Bear & Mickey, then ask Mommy to help him with the rest. It's kinda cute to watch him with the 5 soft toys. I hope doesnt rope in more soft toys...

P.S. The school has a LIVE online video which we can watch from our homes. But there's a specific timing for each of the class (Mondays to Thurdays only). I'll see how we can download the software and catch a glimpse of how our little one is doing in school. Good or bad, happy or sad...we'll know. ;p

joel's first day of school

Today is Joel's first day at school!

Mommy Jo, Daddy Elvis & Ahyi walked him to school but we had to turn our backs and leave him with the teacher as soon as he changed into his indoor shoes for school. We were barely past the gate, at the shoe racks area. I bought a cheap Mickey Mouse grey "crocs" for him and realized that there were at least 2 other kids with the same colour! (The kids will have to leave their own shoes on the racks and change into them before they go home)

Joel is in the 月亮/Moon Class. When his class teacher led him inside the school, he said ByeBye but i think he didnt realize that he was actually saying ByeBye to us instead. It all happened too quickly - even for us. As we walked away, i heard something that sounded like a cry... My poor Joel must have felt a little confused... :(

When it was time to come home (at 4pm), Mommy Jo & Ahyi was very kiasu and went there earlier to wait. I thought that i could bring him home earlier but the guard said have to wait till 4pm. The teachers brought the younger kids out one-by-one. Soon, i saw Joel carrying his backpack. He had runny nose and looked like he had just woke up. Immediately, i gave him a big hug. He asked me to take out his bag. Haha... Joel has never liked carrying any bags - except smaller shopping bags which he will drag along the floor.

The teacher said that he was very good throughout. Ate well and slept well. I asked her if he scratched her elbow before he fell asleep...and she said YES! O no... I quickly apologized to her. I also told her that he doesnt know his Chinese name. She said no wonder no response when they called him 周泽.

On the way home, Joel wanted to hold my hand while Ahyi pushed his stroller. He kept saying, "Go home." When we reached home, i asked him what did he do in school today. He replied "Drawing." When i asked him how many teachers were there, he said 10. And there were 10 boys and 10 girls too! HAHAHA... ;)

thunderstorm warnings

The first day of school has been postponed due to typhoon/thunderstorm warnings last night. Nursery to high school have been affected. However, there's only slight rain in the afternoon. Not considered heavy rain at all. Not windy either. It's sunny most time of the day too. Hmm...

Joel has been coughing very badly since last night and i was a little worried about him. So the thunderstorm warnings came quite "timely".

Mommy Jo is also sick! Having flu and sore throat... :(