Some weeks back Sameer and I attempted to grow an avocado plant (in Singapore). We excitedly planned to take pictures of the progress and patiently waited for the seed to grow roots in the water. Weeks passed and it was still like taking forever to see any visible shoots! I admit I was more excited than my 8 years old son! And guess what? The shoots never made it to the surface of the seed and it has turned all rotten looking!
I love gardening but have always been a failure with the greens. The last time I tried caring for the screw pine and curry-leaf plant, I ended up killing them both after a few months! I then decided not to keep anymore plants at home to avoid murdering more greens with my hands! Sigh….the avocado seed is yet another testament to my black fingers! But at least it wasn’t a breathing, living plant yet you know, so I’m not feeling that bad. Plus avocadoes do need Mexican weather to grow, right?
Now that I’m home with all the time in the world (sometimes I do!) and since Sameer will be introduced to Science in school next year, I decided to do that little avocado plant activity with him hence the (non-existent) avocado plant story :D After all, his studies and exam results are now my sole responsibility (among other things). His academic success (among other things) lies perpendicularly to my success as a SAHM in Mr Sheikh’s eyes.
Jokes aside, I love the hands-on teaching concept! From the age of 2 to 5 years old, most of Sameer’s knowledge of vocabulary, colors, numbers, textures etc came from observing and touching whatever he could get his hands on in the wet market/supermarket. Trust me, markets are THE place to get a kid explore sights, sounds and smells (yah I know ewww) what with all the hustle and bustle of activities and the endless variety of things to see and touch! Sameer was such a visual learner (as are all males LOL). He grasped fast with visual teaching aides and hands-on sessions (yeah that definitely sounds very male!). And boy did he love colors! His coloring books were filled with colorful people, animals, robots, airplanes, cars etc. Which got me worried for a while. I thought he wasn’t being normal you know, shading the picture of an elephant in 10 different colors. Like wasn’t it obvious to him after our numerous zoo trips that an elephant was supposed to be either grey or black? We had a little talk and he insisted that he loved everything in his books to be colorful. I left it at that while he was still in kindergarten and thankfully he grew out of his multi-colored human beings and animals :D
There was another phase he went through where he would paste every single artwork done by him on his room walls! Sometimes I even felt that he sketched and colored more so that he could cover all four walls of his room! I still have the tape/glue marks on the walls which I can’t be bothered with. It’s good that my boy took pride in his work but I also remember having to come up with all kind of explanations which I hoped would enlighten the nosy aunties for the dirty walls hehehe. Believe me when I say the older generation can’t comprehend why we young parents are so “relaxed” with our kids and allow them to stick papers all over their room walls!
I knew I would eventually get to this : School holidays are looming ahead!
I neeeed to plan our daily activities for 6 weeks! Though deep down in every cell of my body I know we will mostly end up lazing around at home :D
Which is not necessarily a bad thing I would say. Lazing around is a form of bonding activity after all. So I just need to balance up the days with a few outings and other educational and physical activities. Sounds easy enough!
Being the spur-of-the-moment kind of people, let’s see how we surprise ourselves :D
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5 comments:
Just going to bed and thought I'd check your blog, I think it's morning time for you now. It's only 7pm here but I have to be up at 4 to get ready for tomorrow. It's our busy day of the week at work.
I would make one comment Nasi and that is to be sure to enjoy every minute God gives you with Sameer (which it looks like you are doing) They grow up so fast and begin to grow apart and distance themselves from you. How dare they actually want to have their own lives eh?
Every stage they go through is something you never want to forget but the precious moments fade and it gets harder to remember them. How wonderful it is to have them small and with you all the time. Treasure those times because there will come the time when "I can do it myself" becomes more than just words. You sound like a wonderful mother. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Already got a swimming date with you!
Hmmm there are over 50 museums in Singapore! Explore!
Thanks Rhonda, you are right abt kids growing up too fast and moving away from us! I've heard of that piece of advice from just about every mom.
Jus, museums sound boring!! But the swimming date is definitely exciting :D
Nisa! I don't ever want you to say that museums are boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As an art teacher I should give you a ticket for that! :P
Lol but really it's just that we lack the resources to make a trip to museum interesting for the kids and us the adults! One way is to do a background research on that particular museum and the exhibitions they have first before going.. then you have an idea what you are looking out for! :)
And I think it is possible to grow them! Lol you know strangely in my house/family when we embark on a planting project the plants seem to thrive on its own... the more we left them to be they'll grow.. just water them sufficiently and expose to light :) I don't think you have black fingers la! Our tropical climate is fine for growing avocadoes I believe :)
Sorry Ms Sue :P
In fact i'm pretty sure i used to love trips to the museum, it's just that i haven come across anyone who's interested to go with me *hint hint* ;)
I now blame the Avocado disaster on the seed itself! Will try again with another seed! Never give up, hehehe
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