A day in my Pre-School Life

I'm getting used to the 'going to school routine' now. Every morning, Mom wakes me at 7.45am, draw the curtains and open the windows so that the bright sunlight streams into my room. We snuggle and roll about in bed and talk for a while, usually about the weather, my dreams or what's the program for the day. Sometimes Pop will jump into my bed and tickle me so much.

At 8am, off to the bathroom and Mom helps me brush my teeth - she does the molars and I take care of the front teeth. I rinse and puff my cheeks like Federick, my hamster. Then it's potty time. Sometimes I will ask for privacy if I need to poo, otherwise Mom just checks my pee pee color. 'Hey, it's yellowish!' she'll say followed by ' Aha, not drinking enough water.'

Mom will turn on the huge shower rose and adjust the temperature until it's just right. Then in I go for a hot shower. Great feeling and great way to clear stuffy noses.

After that, Mom dries and wraps me tight in a towel. Most of the time I get changed in my room unless the air-con is still very cold inside. Mom will rub me till I'm warm before she unwraps and powders me. Sometimes she'll cuddle me like a baby (still?) and sings a few old bathtime favorites like 'Home on the Range' but modified to 'Home by the Tracks'', 'Hush Little Baby' or 'I love you forever'.

By about 8.20am, I'm at the breakfast table in the kitchen. My regular breakfast is milk + fruit + cereal and a sandwich - sometimes cheese+jam, kaya, fried egg.

Whilst eating, Mom will flash some Shichida pictures and dots cards and also Linking Memory cards. Sometimes she'll read a short story. When she's busy or not around, I usually read a few books on my own or bring my trains and tracks to the breakfast table.

By this time, Pop would have finished bathing and joined us. He'll have his vitamins and breakfast. Then I put on my socks and velcro shoes - Mom still complains that I don't do it myself, but I DO, in school, he he he. Musn't forget my backpack which Kakak has packed my drink, snacks, change of clothes and towel.

At 9.40am, Pop and I will leave for King's Kids. We enjoy listening to the radio advertisements along the way, like 'Luigi, what are you doing talking about me on the radio?' and sing catchy jingles like 'Stand by your pan...' or '1300 88 2525'.

Other than the first few days, Pop just needs to drop me off at the back entrance and one of my Teachers will take me in.

First, I'll take out my water bottle before stuffing my Thomas and Friends backpack into my pigeon hole. Then take off shoes and put them aside on the rack.

I'm in K2 and I have 2 class Teachers, Aunty Jennifer and Aunty Fiona (like my hamster's name). My Bahasa Malaysia Teacher is Aunty Lara but I'm not sure of my Mandarin Teacher's name. They are all very nice. I like Aunty Jennifer even though sometimes she reprimands me and sends me to stand in the corner. Of course, that only happens when I have been up to some mischief.

So, I've just learn words like 'berhenti', 'bersedia untuk berhenti' and 'jalan'. For Mandarin, I can recall some words like 'siow' for small and 'ya' for duck. Used together, 'siow ya', it's duckling.

As for English, Aunty Jennifer told my Mom she was surprised that I could read. Sometimes, I would be asked to read short stories to other kids. Aunty Jennifer said that I could fit into K3 but she would like me to hang around for a few months first as I've never been to school before and had to learn things like 'circle time', 'sitting cross legged', 'keeping quiet when teacher is talking', etc.

We also go to the playground behind the school 3-4 times a week. We line up in twos and walk there while singing.

At 11am, we have a short break for biscuit and drink. We have to close our eyes, put our hands together before we eat.

Everyday school ends at 12.45pm except on Thursdays at 12.15pm. Most days, Pop will pick me unless he's busy. Mom will come instead by cab.

By 1.15pm we'll be having lunch at home prepared by Kakak.

My weekly routine for now looks like this:

Monday
King's Kids - Kumon - Yamaha

Tuesday
King's Kids - free!

Wednesday
King's Kids - Aunty Wohdy

Thursday
King's Kids - Shichida

Friday
King's Kids - free! (till Art class is rescheduled)

Saturday
Kumon - Family Day - Swimming

Sunday
Family Day

Since I turned 4, I've hardly taken afternoon naps. I used to sleep very late, about midnight like Mom and Pop but these days, I'd like to be ready for bed by 8.30pm. In my room, Mom will either play board games or do worksheets with me for a while then it's lights off except my bed reading light. We usually sleep on the lower bunk. Mom sticks poems and reminder notes under the upper bunk so we can't miss them when we lie down. Mom will usually ask me to choose 2-3 books, depending on how sleepy she is, to read to me in bed.

Usually, I'm off to dreamland by 9.30-10pm.

That's my day!