All About Your Child

Clementi Mall is still not quite fully opened yet. Though three days ago, the 3rd to 5th level are open to the public, but I would not say that Clementi Mall is quite ready yet. The anchor tenants like Popular Bookshop, Best Denki and the Library are still not here. And for these new levels that are opened to the public, most shops are still under renovation…

Yet, in this semi-opened Mall in Clementi, I found a corner that is really wonderful for kids. The FOODFARE! *laugh* My boys LOVE Pepper Lunch.

What makes it better is, in FoodFare itself, when you walk deep in, you will find many kiddy chairs and tables.

To make it even better, while your child waits for the food to come, they can play in the PLAY corner. With a fully grassy-carpeted mini play area, you need not worry that your child would get cuts if he or she tripped.

When I first saw the Play Area, I was thinking “How boring. If only it had those mini-wall-maze or wall-puzzles that we can easily find in playgrounds, then it would be better.” Then after seeing my boys’ reaction to the place, I gave a slap to my thought.

My boys were pretending to be Tepanyakki chiefs serving me over the ‘grassy-counter’. *laugh* And because the area is ‘empty‘ enough, there is no fighting over ‘play things‘. That dawned onto me that this empty space will bring the chances of Hand Foot Mouth Disease to the lowest possible level. So its still Thumbs Up afterall. *smile*

Other than this, I must say that it was rather disappointing when it comes to shopping for children presents. The Kiddy Palace is really small and hence the options are limited, the focus was on babies more then bigger children. *pout*

Even MiniToons shop was so small, it felt rather cramped, we had to keep saying “excuse me” *sigh*. And believe it or not, the BHG here does not have a children or toys department! *double pout*

Well, whatever that I am writing here is based on my observation three days ago, 26th March 2011. I hope to see more changes, especially to BHG, maybe an extension or something, so that they will include the toys section. *fingers crossed*

Have you been to Clementi Mall yet?

We were so lucky to be able to grab a wonderful offer last month. $20 for 4 beginners swimming lessons. The moment I saw it, I grabbed two immediately! Actually, this lesson was more for Keatkeat than Binbin.

Binbin is such an amazing kid. To me, Binbin is a very talented child. Fast learner, great observer and excellent creator.

Under the unprofessional teaching of their dad, Binbin already knew how to swim a distance by holding his breath in a short time. But Keatkeat still struggles to keep afloat on the water after so long.

Well, it would definitely be unfair to Binbin if I enrolled his elder brother of 2 years, for this fabulous swimming lesson by the professional, and not include him. So these 4 lessons would be ‘fine-tuning’ lessons for Binbin and truly basic lessons for Keatkeat.

So how was first lesson?

My sis and I were doing live commentary while watching them. It was funny! There were only 4 kids in this group.
One was EXTREMELY unwilling, lots of whining and crying. From the photo above you can tell who was it. (sitting)
The other was very active but was a little afraid to hold his breath and put his head into the water. (back-facing us)
And not forgetting my boys, who were the so-called ‘advanced’ students in the class. (Extreme Left-Keatkeat. Hand on Face-Binbin.)

Here’s what they did in order:

1. Sat on the edge of pool and kicked water.
2. Held their breath and put their face into the water for a number of seconds.
3. Straightened and lifted two arms in the air, with palms on top of each other, jumped a little and ‘dived’ into the water while standing inside the pool.
4. Learn to use the surfboard, holding it the correct way.
5. Swim with the surfboard.
6. Played ‘go under water for the rocket’ game.

The kids kept saying “This is sooooooooooooo fun!” at the end of the short 45mins lesson. “I like the instructor.” “I want to come again.”

Oh you sure will, at least you must, for another 3 more lessons! I paid for it alright. *laugh*

Our aim is merely to see how far they progress at the end of the fourth lesson before we decide if we should let them continue and pay the full price.

Not forgetting to end my post by thanking my lobang queen sis for introducing this great offer.

Kids said:
“Thank You Ah Yee!”