feeding pooh - 2years 8months

Zo Ee at 2years 8months old. (24/12/2010)

Creative! Zo Ee turned her kitchen set into a high chair for her Pooh. Look! Who is feeding pooh?

Arranging A - Z - 2years 8months

Zo Ee at 2years 8months old. (30/12/2010)

Mummy saw these on the carpet and surprisingly Zo Ee had arranged this all by herself in perfect order. Mummy has never emphasized for her to arrange them in this manner although she has played a few puzzles few months back with Mummy which required such skill, eg. the animal alphabet train. Did she learn this in her play-school 2-months back before the holidays? Mummy tested her and she was able to put them together in a breeze.

..........................................
Then
15-months old : Reciting A-Z
2-years old: Singing ABC song - complete version

Christmas 2010 - 2years 8months old

Zo Ee at 2years 8months old. (25/12/2010)

Our first Christmas in Goa, we had a Christmas Buffet at Vivanta Hotel, Goa.

Zo Ee had her first Roast Christmas Turkey. Daddy took her to the chef attending to the roast turkey where she asked for a piece for herself. She was extremely excited when given some and proudly brought it back to show it to Mummy. Zo Ee was already chewing on some even before reaching our table while yelling to Mummy, " Mummy, Mummy, this is the roast turkey. Zo Ee is eating turkey. Yummy! Yummy!" Of all the food, Zo Ee loves the Christmas desserts the most, they looked appealing and tasted so good.

Zo Ee with her Tiramisu cake.

A gift from Gong-gong - 2years 8months old

Zo Ee at 2years 8months old. (22/12/2010)

A gift from Gong-gong. (Mummy's father.) Zo Ee chose this bicycle for herself.

Zo Ee is very obsessive with her first bicycle. She is able to climb onto the saddle and get down from it independently. Although she can pedal a tricycle, but she is not able to cycle this bicycle on her own yet; need more strength to pedal a bicycle than a tricycle. Nevertheless, she enjoys sitting on it, pushing it around or asked us to push her while she sits on it.

Drawing Skill - 2 years 8months old

Update of Zo Ee's drawing skill.

1st December 2010 (2years 7months old)

Gong-Gong(grandpa) had doubts that little Zo Ee could draw a face with eyes, eyebrows, mouth , ear, etc. So the doubtful grandpa asked Zo Ee to draw a table. Zo Ee amazed Mummy and grandpa with her drawing - a table with four legs(first time drawing a table-self-taught), with an apple(right), an orange and a plate of pasta(left) on it.

1st October 2010 (2years 5months old)
Zo Ee's drawing: an igloo, a ladder






1st October 2010 (2years 5months old)
Zo Ee's drawing: a sad face with hair, eyes, eyebrows, ears, mouth and beard



6th September 2010 (2years 4months old)
Zo Ee's drawing - a door with a knob



6th September 2010 (2years 4months old)
Zo Ee's drawing - an apple with a face, another face(green) with neck and hair too.



6th September 2010 (2years 4months old)
Zo Ee's insisted Mummy to draw a face so that she can copy. She also insisted Mummy to add a neck to the face.




5th September 2010 (2years 4months old)
Zo Ee's drawing : 3 submarines, letter "t"



5th September 2010 (2years 4months old)
Zo Ee's drawing : a plastic bag, a pail, a cherry


4th May 2010 (2years 23days old)
Zo Ee's able to copy lines, circles, crisscross

Colouring Skill - 2years 8months old

Update of Zo Ee's colouring skill


1st September 2010 (2years 4months old)

Coloured within Lines

When Mummy told Zo Ee to colour slowly, try not to go out the lines and Viola!!! she understood and managed to colour with her best effort. After 10minutes, trying to colour within the lines, Zo Ee's too tired to finish the frog head. Nevertheless, it's such a great piece to Mummy.

21st August 2010 (2years 4months old)

Zo Ee tried to cover the whole drawing with colours.





12th July 2010 (2years 3months old)
Copy-colour



9th March 2010 (1year 22months old)

Writing Skill - 2years 8months old

Zo Ee at 2 years 8months old. (23/12/2010)

We have been very busy adapting to life in Goa, India. Many things purely cannot be described with words. Things that can be done in 5 minutes, may take me half an hour if I am lucky. A day work may take weeks or months.... so its pretty frustrating at times. Different expectation and different time frame..."Way to live life here is to be patient! patient! patient! and to let go... else I'll go crazy!"

I have busy and lazy, thus have been using facebook to record Zo Ee's development, not wanting to forget them. Recently during our home leaves, a friend asked me why didn't I update this blog for months as I used to write here daily and that question really bring me back here. Well...hopefully I am back for good.

Let's start with Zo Ee self-taught writing skill.

1/12/2010 (2years 7months 21days old)
Zo Ee wrote her name "ZOEE" (There is space limitation at the end of the paper, so she wrote one E below the other.)

9/11/2010 (2 years 6months 29days old)
Zo Ee filled in the crossword "c a t" herself.

8/11/2010 (2 years 6months 28days old)
Zo Ee came running to Mummy, proudly showing Mummy the first word written by her (self-taught)...." voilin" (violin). Zo Ee, "Mummy!Mummy! see that's the word violin!"

Playschool Orientation - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 28days old. (8/6/2010)

Zo Ee was very excited seeing Mummy packed her school bag the night before. She was asking Mummy, "What is Mummy doing?" Mummy explained to her that Mummy was getting her school bag ready for tomorrow orientation, "Tomorrow we are going to Zo Ee's school."

Surprisingly, the moment Mummy switched on the bedroom light the next morning, little Zo Ee was immediately awakened and up from her bed. Excitedly, she was telling Mummy, "Zo Ee's going to school."

Standing at the door, waiting for Mummy.

Finger Painting - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 21days old. (1/6/2010)

Zo Ee's first finger painting with Mummy.

Little Zo Ee was telling Mummy, "Slimmy! Squishy!" and wanted to wipe her fingers and hands frequently.

Bygga Toy - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 21days old (1/6/2010)

Zo Ee loves playing with this new assembling toy, BYGGA which we bought from IKEA Singapore. Although she cannot assemble all by herself yet, she loves helping us getting the screw, the board and doing simple fixing with our help. Mummy also guiding her in reading the simple instruction-step by step on building her choice of transport.

Mummy helped me with this helicopter. (Making funny faces in front of the camera.)

Daddy build me this Excavator.

Dusting - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 20days old. (31/5/2010)

When little Zo Ee saw Mummy dusting the TV cabinet, she insisted in helping Mummy, she kept saying "Zo Ee's turn! Zo Ee's turn to dust the TV cabinet."

Seashells - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 7days old. (18/5/2010)

Zo Ee collected these on the Cidade beach all by herself.

"Look at my young coconut! "

Coconut Drink - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 7days old. (18/5/2010)

Zo Ee's first taste of her fresh coconut juice! "Yum! Yum!"

Says Cheese!!! - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 3days old. (14/5/2010)

Zo Ee insisted Mummy to take picture of her saying "Cheese!!!"

Hoping on number mats - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 3days old. (14/5/2010)

Zo Ee was arranging these number mats and was seen hoping on them. So curious Mummy joined in - giving simple instructions. She found it fun and was responding to them quickly and with ease, so Mummy increased the complexity of the game. Amazingly, she understood and had no difficulty at all. Since little Zo Ee was enjoying herself so much, Mummy immediately grabbed the video camera to capture her in action.

chess set - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 3days old. (14/5/2010)

Mummy has no interest in teaching her the names of the chess pieces... but little Zo Ee persistently asking the name to each piece. All it takes was only a few minutes for her to master all the names and remembered them well.

So never ever underestimate a little child's ability....

Where is Mummy made in? - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 21days old. (1/6/2010)

Little Zo Ee was asking Mummy, "where is Mummy made in?" :O

She spontaneously asked this question after Mummy told her that some of her Disney soft toys were made in China, one made in Singapore and she insisted one is made in France(the one without label).

Confused - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 15days old. (26/5/2010)

Little Zo Ee has been telling Mummy, "Zo Ee is scared. Numbers can dance and letters can sing!" Ha! ha! Little Zo Ee is confused; she cannot understand why non-living things (numbers and letters in her VCD) can sing and dance. So Mummy explained to her, "There is nothing to be afraid off, they are not real, this is called animation."

Thank you - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 14days old. (25/5/2010)

Today little Zo Ee surprised the waiter and those sitting next to our table. She thanked the waiter spontaneously, "Thank you." for setting up her high chair.

Upon hearing this, the mother (sitting at the next table) was telling her teenage children, "all of you should learn from her."

What an unexpected big THANK YOU from my little fellow....


................................................................................
Then
thank you - 19-month old

Tidied up play area - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 11days old. (22/5/2010)

Little Zo Ee surprises Mummy; tidied up her play area without being told before came telling Mummy, "Oh! Zo Ee tidied up. Look! So neat and tidy! ". Finally, this moment has come!

.................................
Then

Putting things back - 18-month old
Book shelf - 17-month old

Publish Post

Defended herself -25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 6days old. (17/5/2010)

Mummy was mad and confronted little Zo Ee for pouring her leftover juice onto the table top. To Mummy surprise, little Zo Ee defended herself, " Because Zo Ee's hand slippery." trying to explain to Mummy that it was an accident. : O

Leaders - 23months old

Zo Ee at 23months 24days old. (5/4/2010)

It took little Zo Ee about a month to master these names. We don't read this book everyday, only when little Zo Ee is interested; she will bring this book to Mummy. In fact, Mummy doesn't have a fix schedule or time-line to teach her. What Mummy has been doing is sharing knowledge with her in a fun way.

Some of the leaders mentioned by Zo Ee here are:
Pope John Paul II,Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander the Great, Yasser Arafat, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King, Indira Gandhi, Mao Zedong, Lenin, Dalai Lama, George Washington, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Aung Sung Suu Yi, Helen Keller, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, etc...

Zo Ee kept saying "What is Ai yit?" It actually means "saluting with her hand like some of the leaders."

Zo Ee loves singing -24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 28days old. (8/5/2010)

Past few months, Mummy was so occupied with this relocation and is too busy to notice her development. Suddenly, Mummy realized she can sing so many children songs, recite so many nursery rhymes (full version), read a short paragraph without the need of finger tracing word by word and she can recite 1-50 all by herself. She can play hop scotch;hoping with both feet. WOW! she has grown so much after turning "2"!

In fact, little Zo Ee is singing all day long. She can sing more children songs (complete version) than Mummy now. For example, if she is eating on her highchair, she will sing "finger food song.", she will sing "hair, hair beautiful hair song" whenever she brushes her hair after bath. She will sing hot cross bun whenever she is eating a bun...etc...

Zo Ee miss(es) Mummy - 24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 30days old. (10/5/2010)

Last week, Mummy overheard little Zo Ee talking to her favourite soft toy - Piglet; "Zo Ee miss(es) Piglet." before picking it up and gave it a big hug. Deep down, Mummy was thinking then, when will it be Mummy's turn. Surprisingly, today during bedtime, little Zo Ee told Mummy; "Zo Ee miss(es) Mummy." with a compliment surprise big hug too. Woo Hoo..... What a touching and sentimental moment to Mummy! I wish my little Darling will say that to me everyday... : )

Left & Right - 24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 20days old. (1/5/2010)

Little Zo Ee can differentiate between left and right. When asked, she is able to show us her right hand, left hand, left leg/foot or right leg/foot correctly. Mummy didn't know exactly when did she actually pick up this, but is surprised that she knows them well.

Parenting

What would you do when your toddler throws things/toys onto the floor to free some space for her/him/ toys; for example throwing magazines onto the floor so that she can use the coffee table to do her drawing?

Do you scream at her for throwing the magazines onto the floor? Which I believe most Asian will do that; especially the older generation. Maybe some may even spank the little child for doing so which is such a sad event to see. It’s so sad; many caretakers only scream and yell at the little ones for their inappropriate doings without guiding them or showing them the correct way to face the situation. It’s often heard, “Don’t throw! Why did you throw them onto the floor?” But they never offered any solution or guidance so that the child will know how to handle such similar situation in the future. How sad?

As responsible parents; we should evaluate each situation calmly and soundly (not to be affected by our bad mood or tiredness.). Did the child do it on purpose? If yes, why is it so? Is he/she seeking attention? Have we been ignoring him/her for quite some time due to house chores or have we been away from him/her for sometime?

Try to see what is the reason behind? As for the example above, parents should tell the child that it’s inappropriate to throw things onto the floor, even though to make way for his own activities. Parents may teach/guide them to put away their toys or put aside the magazines or ask Mummy/Daddy to help. Of course the best solution is to get a table for the child for his/her own activities.

Moreover, parents didn’t see the bad example of themselves in screaming/yelling at the little child. Over the time, it will come the time when the little child yells back at his/her parents. And when this happened, the parents get angry; blaming the child for misbehaving and rude. Can you guess what happened? Again the child gets punished for yelling. Why are so many parents (Asian) scream and yell at their children while expecting their children to behave politely in return? This doesn’t make sense to me at all.

Once my university professor told the class; “Never scold your child STUPID.” This is because your child actually reflects you yourself. Your child is your own reflection!

What I hate most is parents like to belittle the child in public. They like to make comments like, “Aunty is looking at you.”, “Aunty will scold you.”, “Uncle laughs at you.”, “People laugh at you.” Again these selfish parents are using these inappropriate statements to tame the child without noticing the severe damage that can be done to the child. These are all negatives statements that can harm the child’s self-esteem for life.

Kamat Royale - 24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 28days old. (8/5/2010)

Kamat Royale view from the Santa Monica; Sunset cruising in Goa.

Sunset cruising - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 28days old. (8/5/2010)

Sunset cruising along Mandovi River, Goa.

Zo Ee and Daddy on Santa Monica.

A barge passing by.

Bye-bye Santa Monica.

Swimming - 24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 28days old. (8/5/2010)

Little Zo Ee enjoys swimming at our new club house - Cicade de Goa.

Drawing skill - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 24days old. (4/5/2010)

Zo Ee's capable of copying Mummy's work; lines and circle, one step at a time. (2 long lines, 1 short line and a circle on the left, a crisscross and a circle on the right.)

Zo Ee and Piglet - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 25days. (5/5/2010)

Posing for Mummy.

Posing with her favourite...Piglet.

Making the bed - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 15days old. (26/4/2010)

Little Zo Ee helped to make Mummy's bed most of the morning nowadays.

Pony tails - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 11days old. (22/4/2010)

Check out my little pony tails.