A house with a lift!

Ingenius! Creative designs by Jo San @goodmorningmummy.

May come in useful one day when I have a house that needs a lift.

Great Expectations!

I've been thinking about what revenue streams I can create to support my new found property venture and I think we may have struck on a mum & daughter business. 

Just before bedtime, to take her away from the screen, I suggested Jo San design our next property project and here is the first design:

She's now on a roll - Watch this space for more designs! 

Chinese Takeaway

6 months of Chinese school and I'm happy to report that it's all going well. Jo San has even started practising her Chinese numbers at English school and her vocabulary is expanding. 

Chinese school has proven to be great for her confidence and independence. Not only is she happy to go, she literally jumps out of the car. The dropoff system is so efficient, we drive into the school grounds, stop the car briefly for a volunteer to help her out of the car and then we're off.  Now that's what I call drop-off!

Chinese School .... The mission begins.

Week one of Chinese School successfully completed. Despite protesting she didn't want to go all summer, Jo-San has suddenly become very interested in learning Chinese. Long may this continue.

The first lesson revolved around the Mid Autumn Festival and involved watching a video and making a lantern. All very festive and I was very proud to hear that she participated well and she was able to tell me what the video was about. Thinking she was watching the video and interpreting the story visually I thought this IS a good start, until I later found out the video was actually in English..... oh well at least she now knows there is a drum beating rabbit on the moon.

Another plus point, going to Chinese school Jo-San was very pleased to have a desk and chair where she could sit and lay out her pencil case and listen to the teacher..... even though she didn't have a clue what she was saying, she said it was nice to have her own 'place'. 

It's all about Kidzos. Work = Earn = Save = Spend

Finally made it to Kidzania yesterday with Jo-San and her buddy. Very glad we left it 'til now as I think it was a pretty good lesson in life skills, just as the place intended. 

After a rocky start we finally managed to convince the kiddies that if they got themselves a job they could earn some Kidzos (Kidzania money) to add to the collection they were given at the start. Jo-San's buddy was motivated by the prospect of his own credit card, whilst my little one just wanted to shop. 

Their reception year teacher will be proud! They used their counting, reading and observations skills to navigate around the shop as a cashier, stock manager in the department store, ice cream maker, air-con maintenance engineer and even made paper from recycled old newspaper to name a few jobs they did.

The more physically demanding jobs like fireman, policeman, courier were not appealing to my girl and neither were the squeamish and high responsibility roles like surgery or caring for a room full of babies in Alder Hey although a stint as a dentist putting in a filling was met with some bemusement. So no definite career path chosen as yet, although she still likes the idea of being a teacher just like Miss Musk. 

Armed with a wad of cash the buddies opened a bank account each with their hard earned kidzos and proceeded to try and spend it in the department store. The store didn't accept cards so they had to go and withdraw the cash ... which made the decision of spending even harder. 

Hopefully they've learned the value of money. That it doesn't grow on trees and that the more you work the more you get. The look of achievement on their faces when they came out with extra cash after having completed a job was priceless. 

As for the item she worked so hard for? Its discarded somewhere around the house already..... 

Thank you my lovely teacher!

Awww, tissues at the ready. 

Uniforms packed away for the summer! and no more school runs for 6 weeks. 

Today was Jo-San's last (half) day in Reception. Can't believe she has completed her first year of education. 

WOW! What a year! We had the most amazing teacher and as parents we couldn't of asked for a better start to our kid's educational journey. A sentiment I think I can safely say every mum in Jo-San's class shares. Everything has been an adventure, fun and full of laughter whilst still coming home reading, writing and occasionally showing her numeracy skills.

Never complaining and always keen to get there (albeit late 'cos we live a bit too close), long may this love for school continue.

"Thank you my lovely teacher!" & Happy Summer Holidays everyone!

Captain Courage really works!

Yesterday Jo-San brought home her Values of the month sticker - Courage.

And boy does Captain Courage really work!!

After 4 months of swimming lessons my little girl has finally jumped into the pool! No more watching other kids and thinking 'I want to do that but.....' or holding onto the instructors hand and walking off the edge.

Miss Cautious aka Miss Health & Safety has given way to Courage. The past month has seen her diving to the bottom of the pool, swim through hoops, constantly dunking herself and generally being very happy in the pool.

Now you might not think this is a big deal, but this is the girl that screamed getting in the bath and cries blue murder if water splashes on her face. Well now there's just no stopping her (apart from the inability to swim properly.)

A very proud mummy to say the least.

Courage is just one of the many values she has learnt from school and there are many - 22 I'm told! Not that I can name them all. But for this month, Courage is my favourite.

Sweet nothings!

Everybody that knows my daughter knows she can never resist a pudding, ice cream, biscuit, sweet bun, chocolate, marshmallows, cheesecake..... get the drift?

Even these cute buns were better "in my tummy"!!

Our recent trip to Hong Kong proved to be one long dessert quest.

Playdates. Good for mums or the kids?

Playdates after school are a common event but who actually benefits more? Mum or the kids?

Not so long ago play dates meant a chance to catch up with friends over a rare hot drink whilst the children entertained themselves. But more recently we have been roped into playing too. From building Lego sets to a speedy session on the Wii and, most bizarrely of all, "time out" in a homemade sensory room with electric candles are just some of my new playdate experiences. All very relaxing, or maybe not, ..... as I reach for another cup of camomile tea. 

Have a good day!

My baby is off on her own into the big world of school.

First day and she was so excited. All dressed up in her uniform, she looked so grown up yet so small. I was beaming inside and she was beaming all over.

Desperate to get into her classroom, Jo San was all smiles all the way to school. My fears that she would have separation anxiety were totally put to rest. In fact I was very pleased to see that there were no tears at all from any of the children. They all looked like they were excited to see their teachers and the school. A great omen.

After a long summer break, I'm wondering what do I do until midday and soon it will be until 3pm? Enjoying a cup of tea in a quiet house almost seems decadent. Shall I tackle the cleaning, shopping or just relax? Wow is this how my day will be for the foreseeable future? That's a scary thought for someone that needs to be occupied.

Actually the first morning flew by and come 12 o'clock the first thing little Jo San said was "when can i stay for lunch?". She loved her first day, declaring it "a fun day!". Long may this continue.

My First School Shoes

When did buying shoes become such an emotional event?

Yesterday we went to buy Jo San's first pair of School Shoes! At first the store looked packed with children (mainly girls) all waiting, surprisingly patiently, to have their feet measured. We joined the queue expecting a long wait but suddenly a group of 'trained fitters' arrived and took charge of the mums and their children, and soon Jo San was having her feet measured and choosing her shoes.

Her first choice was not available as her feet were too small for that range, but the fitter (Matthew) did a great job offering alternatives and made this the easiest shoe buying experience for Jo San. Oh the battles we had in her earlier years!

Looking at Jo San's face when she put on the shoes she looked so proud and grown up, I had to fight the tears welling up. Not a good look... blubbering mum in a shoe shop!

Wearing her 'Super Star' sticker proudly Jo San showed off her shoes to her friend outside the store...... Even at this age, boys just don't understand the love we girls have for shoes, particularly when its your first school shoes!

"No Pencil Case Required"

20 Days to Jo San's first day at school, and I'm very disappointed to learn that she takes an empty book bag to school.

I was looking forward to letting her choose a new pencil case and all its contents. I remember dearly those days when we would get a new pencil case and proudly show it off in class on the first day back at school. Maybe that's a ritual to be started when she is a little older.

Anyone remember those pencil boxes from Hong Kong with the hidden compartment, in-built sharpeners and an eraser holder that presented itself at a push of a button?

Snooze you lose!

This morning I woke up with the mission to load up the recycling bin with all the cardboard boxes festering around the house before Jo San rises. I should add these boxes are part of my daughter's growing collection of very important things!!

Piled up high by the front door, I thought 'd enjoy a quick cup of tea before I made the trip out to the bins.

Hmmm well this is the result! A marble run I'm reliably told by my four year old!

The moral of the story, make a dash to the bins when you can. Do not procrastinate!

Countdown to school

Last Friday Jo San said goodbye to her pre-school for the last time. Marking the start of her journey to 'big school'.

But there's actually 57 days to go before she starts for real. So who's counting?

Jo San thought bye bye to pre-school meant starting in reception class on Monday but alas there's over 8 weeks of summer holiday fun to be had.

We are only on day 2 and already I'm feeling the pressure of planning meaningful things to do with our time....

But maybe I should just let Jo San take the lead, her gang of toys look like they are enjoying themselves at the theatre today.   

Life is a PIN

Our lives are dictated by numbers. Even my daughter has put a door code on her bedroom door!!

I need a wee

Why do men hate asking for directions? Just saw a man dragging his son around a department store. The little boy obviously needed a wee but the dad continued to drag him around looking desperately for a loo. Why didn't he just ask the staff? There were plenty of them standing around.

Poor boy. Hope he held on!

Talking about asking and toilets, last week at the school meeting we were reminded that all children should be able to go to the toilet by themselves. Whilst Jo San is fine going to the loo by herself I just hope she will be confident to ask when she needs to go and remembers to actually go when engrossed in her activities.


Another reason why her PE Kit lives at school... back up clothes for days when accidents happen.

Happy Meals

Hong Kong's obsession with Hello Kitty has reached new heights it seems. Now there is even a Hello Kitty Dim Sum restaurant.

Like many young girls my daughter is fascinated with places that are branded with Princesses, cartoon characters etc. Will this place encourage her to try more foods? 

On a recent trip to a local dim sum restaurant she ate three Lotus Paste buns and little else. (She calls these buns 公公飽飽(grandad buns) because the first time she ate them she was at grandad's house.)

I wouldn't call my daughter a fussy eater but she is definitely a grazer. She snacks all day long, mainly on fruit I should add, and then just picks at her main meals. I wonder what will happen come September when she begins school lunches. 

At four years old she is expected to use a knife and fork, sit still and eat a roast dinner. I have witnessed this only a couple of times at home, although the nursery she once attended assured me she was quite capable of doing all that. I have my doubts but peer pressure may prevail.

So, shall I go for the packed lunch or the free school dinners? I do not envy the school having to serve 300 meals in one hour. I would prefer the school dinners as she would get something 'hot' but how do I know if she has eaten anything? So do I go for the packed lunch? What do I put in it? Sandwiches are a miss most days .... So many things to think about.

As September approaches the more emotional I get thinking about my little girl walking through those school gates in her new uniform and starting a whole new life. Watch this space to see who cries first.

4 years on

Superman is still flying but this time zooming around the Nurburgring circuit. Whilst our baby girls have become little princesses in every sense!

I miss Poddy!

Just got back from a weekend of camping with our friends. In our case glamping, as we opted for the luxury version of hiring a pod - a wooden wigwam style hut with carpets, heating and TV. Not exactly camping, as we were well sheltered from the elements, much to our relief when the heavens opened in the early hours of Sunday, but we did get into the spirit of camping - barbecues, toasted marshmallows and sitting around the open fire in our assortment of folding camp chairs!

For most of our group this was a new experience and despite our reservations it appears that the great outdoors still has its appeal. The kids had a fantastic iPad-free time, feeding the ducks and geese, dancing with Olaf, running around the well-equipped playground and my little girl has even asked if  she can stay in poddy and go crayfishing again!!!

The onsite entertainment and facilities were great, a vast improvement on those I remember having to endure as a teenager when I went on a school camping trip.

Looks like this group of happy campers and glampers will be coming to a campsite near you very soon!

You mustn't say Win!

"Mummy the man said win.... We don't say win!"

Feeling a bit bleary eyed today having got out of bed at 530am as I was curious to see what had happened to our political landscape.

Without getting into that topic I am struggling to explain to Jo San why the people on the TV are saying win and lose a lot today.

As adults we all know about losing and winning but children these days are constantly told that it's the participation that counts and the result is not important. Try telling that to Ed Miliband and David Cameron!

When exactly did 'win' become a bad word?

It certainly was not the case when I was growing up. I clearly remember trying to beat my fellow classmates in the annual sports day and setting my sights for first place in the Chinese school exams every year. Surely healthy competition is good for us. After all they can only be setup for disappointment if they are led to believe they can never fail.

I strongly believe that kids should be taught to compete and, just like learning to share their toys, children should also know they can't always get what they want. Just like real life, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Sometimes the choices you make might lose you the game but if you aim to win and achieve you will have more fun and gain more than those that are just there for the ride.