"Promotion"

We missed a ballet lesson last week cos En wasn't feeling well (high fever of 39.8C, vomitting etc) since Sun night and I decided to self-quarantine her for entire week to let her fully recover from her long standing flu (how long u may ask.... close to 6 mths since we returned from States... on/off, on/off.. ahhh).

After reaching the mall, En requested to change in the toilet instead of the studio, so we did just that. Then, we proceeded to class. As we entered the school, the admin lady was busy making phonecall. She asked," Teacher Melissa just got into an accident, I called u to inform u about it." "I didn't receive any calls," I replied. "But somebody did answered n said the maid has already left with her gal for lesson." "Then it couldn't have been me cos I do not have a maid." Think she marked the wrong name on her list. Anyway, what's important was that the teacher wasn't hurt. Couldn't blame her as she received the info abt 10 mins ago, for which I had already reached the mall anyway.

Then, she proceeded to inform me that En's teacher actually recommended that she be promoted to Pre-primary class (for >5yrs) as she was very attentive in class n could follow the instructions well. I asked how many in her class was promoted and she replied 2. Well done, Gal (though she's probably at an advantage cos she had done ballet for abt 1.5 years as compared to the rest)! But that would mean that she'll have to adjust to a new teacher n classmates, and she may not like it, as she chose to attend this class after attending lesson by her current teacher. We shall see. Anyway, currently there's no classes with suitable slots for Pre-primary, so I'll continue to keep her in Creative till new classes commence.

Btt, the admin lady was really nice. Firstly, En's MC was for Mon (ballet is on Tues), but she happily accepted the MC. Then, when I checked with her regarding the topping up of fee (as Pre-primary cost $10 more/ term as it's 1 hr session, instead of 45min) as En just started her new term based on Creative's fee, she readily mentioned that we do not have to pay extra, as it's just abt $10 difference. Though the amount may be small, nonetheless it's really nice of them to be so flexible n accommodating (I had previously asked if I could defer her lessons when I go on confinement n the answer was "Yes").

Ballet - Trial at Ballet & Music Co

This is the 2nd trial I brought En for since we came back.

The first was at Dancepointe Taman Jurong. They claimed to have good quality flooring from Harlequin (well, I'm not an expert in this field, so I assumed it must be quite impressive). However, I was very disappointed with the condition as there were bumps around and it looked pretty old. As students and parents etc started streaming in, it reminded me of the first few lessons En had at Bukit Batok CC when she just started ballet. Many kids were clinging to mummies n crying and the trial class was so huge that even 2 teachers couldn't manage the kids effectively. It was obvious En wasn't keen, as she wasn't paying attention least talk about following instructions. Though it was communicated that the actual class would be smaller, we decided to move on, as there wasn't any point if she's simply not interested.

Abt a mth down the road, finally decided to let her try out at Ballet & Music Co in United Square, as it's near her pre-school, so we can just go after class. Initially, En told me that she would not be interested and she wouldn't want to go new class and make new friends. I told her that she wouldn't know if she didn't try and we'd not put her in the class if she really didn't like it. This school is more similar to the one in US, where parents have to stay outside the studio. However, the studio in US has a long window panel for parents to view, while the current only has a small glass opening on the door. Decided to peek for a while to see how En was doing. She seemed to be enjoying herself and paying attention to the teacher, doing what was required. I guessed this should be the one. Better checked with her after lesson to confirm. The moment she met me after class, she said," Mummy, I like this class. I want to continue." Ah! Finally found the one she liked.

First Swim Lesson

Me: "Hurry n finish your breakfast. We're going to the pool with the indoor play area for swimming class."

En: "I don't want to go. I'm scared."

Well, En usually loves swimming. Just happened that her first experience at Dimpledell Pool was somewhat "chilling". Dimpledell pool is an indoor pool in Dimpledell Recreation Centre. It has a nice Children Play Area and a long slide for the older kids/ adults, swimming lanes, bridge and an area for water aerobics. However, the first time we went there was in Spring and the indoor temperature wasn't well-controlled. It was kinda chilly, even for adults. Very soon, En's lips turned purple and she was shivering badly.....

Anyway, we did go for class on Mon. The Pre-Guppies 1 class is small, with only 4 students and 2 teachers! All those who are thinking the fees must be super ex, well, we paid US$33.50 for 9 sessions. How about that? (This was my 3rd attempt at registering her for swim class. I woke up at 5.15am to register her online at exactly 5.30am when registration started. The Pre-guppies level always get taken up real FAST! I was the first haha.)

The little ones joined their teachers, Ashley and Diane in the Play Area. They were told to move to another section. Next moment, En was under water (trying to swim as if she had her floats on)!!! I was a little shocked cos she was scared to dip her head under water and would never try it. Phew, she quickly stood up, with a surprised look on her face, and started SMILING :)... Good start. No anxiety whatsoever.

It wasn't the case for one of her classmate. There was this Caucasian girl who was crying for her mum the entire lesson, even with the teacher carrying her. Nonetheless, En wasn't affected (though she was a bit KPO, always looking at the crying girl). This first lesson was aimed at creating water confidence. The kids were asked to run and pick their water toys at the side of the pool, threw them, then running in the water to pick them again. They were also introduced to paddling, kicking their legs. The teachers also carried them to the deeper end to get them accustomed to floating etc. Soon, it was time to go (the lessons are 30min long only). En thoroughly enjoyed herself!

It was shower time... Woow, COLD water.... En was struggling and crying to get out of the shower. But I had to shoved her back to wash away the shampoo (I realised on the 2nd lesson that if I had turned the shower knob more, warm water will flow. Silly Mummy! Sorry..). Finally it was over...

On the way for lunch, En said she will definitely want to go for swim class again.

P/s: En's only guy classmate was a Chinese boy. His mummy was a native of Wuhan but she had already stayed in the States for 10 yrs. They just recently moved to Utah. So we made some new friends.

During her 2nd lesson, En was introduced to partially submerging her face into the water. We tried it at our apartment pool the next day and she did it! I bobbed her whole head into the water for 4 times! Yeah! That was awesome, my little baby!

We had gone for 3 lessons so far... it's just getting better.

Ballet Recital Rehearsal

This is so funny!!! En's trying to see what her teacher is doing.... hahaha..

Some pics of her in recital costumes :) (and plain clothes), taken on Picture Taking day.

Spring Programme

Have I ever mentioned the pre-school En is attending is known as Challenger School?

Today, they are having their Spring Programme, where the classes take turn to perform for parents and family members. Daddy specially applied for half day leave to support her.

Ballet - Red Red Robin

This is the no. that En's class will be dancing for her Ballet recital in mid-june. Take a glimpse..

Adventure ride

Finally, the day has come for En to go for her 1st Ballet Class in Utah, the time to put her to the test of going for lesson ON HER OWN (her gym classes require Parent's assistance to get them on the apparatus. For ballet classes back home, she'd wailed once I wasn't around, perhaps because most parents were in the studio and she didn't really get into the mood of learning, as lessons were very disorderly). Prior to this, I had pep-talked with her on various occasions to get her mentally ready.

Unfortunately, it isn't just a test for her, it's MY test too. Why? Because it's snowing heavily and the roads are snow-covered. Gosh, 4th time driving and 1st time in the snow. K called to warn of the road condition as he was stuck on the highway with his colleague. Oh well, what to do. Can't possibly miss lesson, especially when it's her 1st day, so I 硬着头皮 "die die" also must send her there.

After strapping her in her seat, it's time to brush the snow off the windscreen etc. No joke man! There's this thick layer of snow there. If I don't clear it, I won't be able to see at all. Ok, time to move off. Seat belt, check! Heater, check! GPS, check! Done, ready to go. The car certainly needs more power than usual to reverse. And oh my goodness, it's difficult to control the steering, as the car tends to swerve left n right on the snow. Oh boy, this is going to be a tough ride...

Onto Bangarter Highway, a lucky thing it's not peak hr. Snow everywhere, the roads are not very well-plowed yet. Slowly, slowly, 40miles/hr I go (though speed limit is 60miles/hr). WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! OHHHH　NOOOOOOOOOO!!! BRAKEEEEEEEE!!! Heart pumping at 150 counts/ min! My car skidded, spun 90 degrees and swerved to the right! And I actually stepped onto the accelerator for a while before realising and braked! Phew luckily there's a road shoulder and there's no car there. A couple mins passed. Cool down, cool down. Ok, just reverse and get on the way. Hopefully no more "surprises".

I can still feel tires slipping time n again. It's ok, just go slow, stay on the tracks created by other vehicles, everything will be fine. Yes, it's nearing, just a couple of hundred feet, hey I can't see the entrance under all the snow. Oh no, passed it. Hah, luckily one more in front. Phew, finally time to park.

Into the warmth of the studio we go. Not many students here yet, guess most are late due to the snow. Ok, class is starting. En goes to the teacher quietly. Hey, that's great! She's actually trying to follow the demonstration by the teacher. No crying yet. Mins ticked by, still going well, paying attention, though sneaking a peak at me once a while through the glass viewing panel. I must say she is progressing much better than expectation on her very 1st solo lesson, trying her best to catch up. Most of the students had been there since session started in Sep. Finally, lesson is ending soon. Ms Heidi comes out from another room with a basket of SWEETS(think it's quite common here to reward kids with lollipops after a class. The same happens at her Gym class)! Ah ha, her eyes start to shift to the basket at the door and she starts to leave! Ms Heidi calls out to her. Luckily she walks back. It's not her turn yet. The girls have to complete some tap movement before leaving. Finally, as she finishes her moves, she runs to the basket to pick a strawberry lollipop.

Hopefully, the ride home will be without adventure. It's certainly easier to drive now as some of the snow has melted.

At last, we're back. So hungry.......

P/s: While having lunch, En went around dancing, prancing and TUMBLING. She learnt it during Gym classes. On her 3rd lesson last Sat, she started tumbling on her own. Through the classes that she has been attending, I realise that they help build her, not just physically, but let her gain confidence as well. Soon, I'll be sourcing for Pre-school for her to attend on some mornings.

Gym class - 3rd lesson

By saying Gym class, I'm not referring to those that the kids did at so-called Tot Gyms back home. This is a proper Gymnastic location with all the equipments used for training Gymnasts. Of cos, you'll not see En doing the flying-from-pole-to-pole type of "stunts" lah. She's still a kitten (they use terms like "kitten", "cubs", "super-cubs" etc to differentiate their classes). However, she needs to do a fair share of tumbling, rolling, swinging on rings, jumping on trampoline etc.

During her first 2 lessons, she needed help with tumbling and didn't have enough strength to "walk" the wall on her own. Oh mine! Today, she started tumbling on her own! And she was able to "climb" up the wall at times. While she was walking on the balancing beam, it's apparent that she had more confidence, she walked the lower beam on her own, with little help holding on to Daddy's finger.

K wasn't keen for her to go for Gym classes. However, with the improvement that En is manifesting with each lesson, I believe in his heart, he'll come to accept that my decision is right and I hope it may be easier for me when I request to send En for classes (recently, I was rather upset that I blurted to him point-blank that y should we short-changed En, since we were already spending at least $300 back home sending En to half-day childcare. So I'll be sourcing for some Pre-school classes for her since I still have budget for that even after converting the $300 into USD. When it comes to $, and how to spend it, guess even if it takes a lifetime, there will still be difficulty for us to see eye to eye).

Pics & Videos taken during her 1st lesson (050108)

Ballet

As promised, here are the pics for Baby En's ballet apparel......














...and here's Baby En parading her dance gear!














Of cos, we got to see her in action, right?!

My First Ballet Lesson

Mummy said we'll be going for Tot Ballet Class today. Yeah!

Wow, there're so many kids. Why do most of them look older than me? Thought Mummy said it was for children my age...... Mummy, Mummy stay with En En please. I don't want to join the other children .

Now, Teacher is going to teach us how to dance like a ballerina. We must SIT like a ballerina, STAND like a ballerina and WALK like a ballerina. How??

SIT with legs crossed or kneeled: That should be easy. Hmmm, how come I can't cross my legs fully?? Oops, guess my thighs are too fat .

STAND with feet closed together: See, Perfect. Urrm, think I look funny in the mirror. Oh, my knees are also together. No wonder I look as if I need to visit the loo.

WALK gracefully: Tip-toes? No problem. Come Mummy, hold my hands. There, I'm walking like a princess. Finally......

I think I'm going to love my ballet classes. But, Mummy when will I get to wear those pretty shoes and costumes some of the che che are wearing?

P/s: It's a pity Teacher said that no photography is allow. Nevermind, wait till Mummy buys me my dancewear. I'll post some pictures to show you!