A short getway in a historic and charming little town

Malacca is a place we've been to several times over the years but we have never really done the touristy stuff. Now the kids are older, we thought it would be nice and educational to take them on a heritage trail, tracing the footsteps of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the Peranakans.

First, look at our hotel room! The Pines...

Newly opened in June 2015.

The kids had a dip in the pool too.

The view of the Malacca River from our room.

Zech's fav past time was looking out from the glass window. That happened to be my fav past time too in the night when the kids are asleep. The river cruise operates till midnight on weekends!

On our first day, we decided to check out the Portuguese Settlement. It's touristy but lovely place to be.

The kids love climbing onto the cannon! Had a hard time getting them to pose.

It was low tide. Here's Zech waiting for the tide to come in. Spotted many mudskippers.

Had dinner at stall number 10, which was recommended on a blog.

Portuguese baked fish. Yum!

See the drink? That's mango juice with a big plum below. Addictive!

When night falls, dinner was accompanied by mini fireworks, 孔明灯 and Christmas carolling with a Santa Claus going around to take pics with the diners. And of course not forgetting our kids who get to play with pop pop. Even Nathanael.

We took a stroll down the lane where the Portuguese is staying. Seems like it has become an attraction over the years. The Christmas décor reminded me so much of Australia. The houses were all prettily decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments. It has an evangelistic feel to it.

Early next morn, we climbed up St Paul's Hill. Easy climb with the kids. Exploring the ruins of St Paul's Church and climbing up the ladder were simple pleasures for the kids.

Here's Nathanael in his post-tantrum look, still refusing to look at the camera.

In the most touristy part of Malacca, The Dutch Square.

 

On a ride with the friendly trishaw man. Paid 20 ringgit for about 10 min ride.

More cannons nearby.

Learning about the Peranakans as we walk down the narrow alleyways at Jonker Street.

This was taken in a shophouse.

 Playing with an antique iron.

Guess what this is? A high chair for babies!

Many shophouses are now converted to quaint cafes or shops. Very surprised to see a number of unique and charming cafes sprouting up all over Jonker Street. Love love love them but can't go café hopping. :( Not with the kids. However, we went to one for lunch and that was awesome! Check out The Baboon house at http://www.malacca.ws/dining/the-baboon-house.htm#. Even the kids enjoyed dining there. Zech loves the burger (and he's not a burger lover) and just walking to the end of the café for the toilet was such a rare treat to the senses.

Another place worth visiting is the Maritime Museum.

On the replica of a Portuguese ship.

 

Here, the kids can touch and explore and no one stops them. :)

 

Just before we headed back to Singapore, we bought the Nadeje crepe at Mahkota Parade. Long queue but worth waiting. Had them as pre-dinner snacks last night and for my breakfast this morn.

My journey with the boys in Sunday service

I used to wake up on Sunday mornings, dreading the day ahead. At one time, I wished I could stay at home on Sundays, listening to online sermons. When the boys were little, infants and less than a year old, going to church with them was a breeze. The only worry I had was where and when to feed them. The moment they woke up from the peace and calmness which somehow enshrouded them from reality, as they usually sleep during church service, the nightmare began. The terrifying stage was when they were almost 2 to maybe up to 3 years old.

I went through a difficult time with Zech when he was 2. The tears I shed were much more as he was my first child and I didn't know it was so so tough. Feeling very disheartened and wondering what went wrong with my parenting, I tried all ways and means to keep him occupied during church service. When he was 2.5 years, I finally found the right activity to keep him quiet and still. His set of puzzles saved me.

Just when I thought I had found my personal time with God back on Sundays, Nathanael came along. It was all fine and peaceful when he was an infant.

 

Then came the day when he decided to assert his rights. He wriggled like a worm and struggled to get out of our arms so he could walk all over the sanctuary. One day, he even decided he didn't want to attend service with us anymore. Whenever I stepped into the sanctuary, he protested loudly. I almost wanted to give up. Once, while I was sitting in the sanctuary, feeling a sense of despair with a strong-willed toddler, I suddenly saw a flash of a 15 years old Nathanael sitting in the sanctuary with me, listening intently to God's Word. It's strange but true. Perhaps it was God's way of encouraging me not to give up.

Just a month ago, we were still struggling with Nathanael, the wriggly worm. Books couldn't keep him quiet because he would ask me too many questions loudly and if I didn't answer, he would repeat till I did. Then guess what? A set of puzzles saved me, again. However, this gave rise to another problem. We want the boys to worship together with us so they are not allowed to do anything during praise and worship time. Zech is perfectly cooperative but not Nathanael. He wanted to do his puzzles straight away. I knew if I allowed him, the activities would not be able to keep him occupied till sermon time. One Sunday, Nathanael was again restless. I carried him to the main entrance where I could still hear the pastor speaking. The pastor was speaking about how we could hold on for a while longer during difficult circumstances while waiting upon the Lord. That gave me hope.

Last month, God made a way for me. He led me to see how I could wake Nathanael up slightly earlier on Sundays so that he could take a short nap during announcement time, just before sermon time. It was a miracle for me! I will carry him outside the sanctuary and rock him gently. Like magic, Nathanael always falls asleep before sermon time. It's amazing how kids thrive on routine. Today I woke up late and thought Nathanael would not be able to take his nap. But he still did and even asked for his nap. After a 30 to 40 min nap, he usually wakes up refreshed and starts working on his puzzles. That allows us to listen to the rest of the sermon. We do struggle with Nathanael sometimes during praise and worship time but I noticed he's getting more attuned to it. He was, in fact, wonderful today.

For the past month since early October, God's Word has never been more crystal clear during service. Things can go wrong even when we do right. But I've truly experienced God's presence when things go wrong. Holding on for a while longer gave me hope which brought along peace. In all seasons and in all due time, God provides. Perseverance does get its reward.

Choo choo train

A month ago, I planned a unit on trains solely based on Zech's interest. There were lots of fun and play involved. To begin with, the boys had a blast with the snow sensory play, using a mixture of baking soda, water and shaving cream.

Zech did a couple of crafts with lego, cutout shapes and woodblock patterns to make trains. The most enjoyable one was drawing a train, making snow and dabbing them on black paper.

Zech also made a train using toilet rolls and buttons.

Train for breakfast!

This experiment was a hit with the boys. Zech tested the objects to see which ones rolled best on the ramp.

 

 

Then we tested if the object rolled the furthest distance on a steep or gentle ramp.

 

 

We read many books about trains. All borrowed from the library.

This was the boys' favourite! Mine too! Love this series of books.

 



 



We read 'The Polar Express'. Seems like early Christmas...

Check out this website for the read aloud on video.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/polar-express-chris-van-allsburg/1100303321?ean=9780547626925&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1

 



Did a couple of post-reading activities. Printed a few activity sheets from this pack - 

http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2012/11/free-polar-express-mega-pack.html

This pack is suitable from toddlers to first graders.

 

Recognising immediately how many items are in a small group is known as subitising in Math. Tried this out with Zech using marshmallows (theme related to 'The Polar Express'). This can be done with number play cards too. An interesting concept for early learning. Read more about it here - http://www.yellow-door.net/blog/what-is-subitising

 



Learning to describe using colours as adjectives.

Discussing the story after reading and getting Zech to rationalise and write the reason for an action.

Zech was really fascinated with the story and getting him to imagine what he would do if the train showed up at his doorstep was no problem at all. A very interesting discussion we had and I was amazed what a practical boy Zech is when he asked me how he could get back into the house again after he came back from the North Pole. You see, we don't use keys here (we installed a number lock) and our door bell isn't working. :)

From the story 'The Polar Express', we also talked about how much the main character believes in Santa and how we should put our trust in Jesus. It's a good chance to discuss who Santa is and what Christmas truly is about. After that, the boys did simple finger painting on a heart shape, signifying their love for Jesus.

We read another book 'Clickety Clack' by Robert Spence. I focused on rhyming words. Zech has some prior knowledge of rhyming words so this time, he got to identify and write down the rhyming words on an activity sheet.

Along with this unit is a field trip to Tanjong Pagar Railway, which we were supposed to go the last public holiday. But due to the haze, we had to postpone it. Hopefully we will get to go next week during the Deepavali holiday. Also found out a train museum (http://www.singmuseum.com/)
 is due to open next year. Another museum for my boys to look forward to...

The heart issue

My boys are active and at times, challenging. Not hyperactive but active. That teacher nature of mine has actually ruled out ADHD, autism and dyslexia for Zech. Still, the 'normal' behavior of boys can drive me crazy. They love to be kept occupied and their pet phrase "I've got nothing to do" is often heard during free time. I had no prior experience during my childhood days of behaving like Zech and Nathanael. As a mother of 2 boys, I start at ground zero. Sometimes, the things they do are simply out of my world.

Recently I find myself getting so irritated with their endless chatter and rowdiness during meals and play I fail to see their goodness. Their conversations, however interesting, are noisy to me. I know I need to adjust my tolerance for noise and I know boys need to be boys. However, it's just so hard to do that in reality! A paragraph from the book 'Shepherding A Child's Heart' came timely.

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; therefore, your objective in every context must be to set a biblical world-view before your children. From their earliest days, they must be taught that they are creatures made in the image of God - made for God. They must learn that they will only "find themselves" as they find Him. Your child must grow to see that real living is experienced when he stands before God and say, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you I desire nothing on earth " (Psalm 73:25)

It's the heart that matters. I've been so focused on correcting behaviour that I've forgotten totally about the heart. The need to set a biblical world-view and to mould and turn their hearts towards God are of utmost importance. Not reducing noise level and trying my best to keep them quiet wherever we are. It's so important to remember in parenting that we do not change the children's personality to what we want.

On dark and rainy days, when I can't see, I can't deny God's presence and His invisible hand working through it all. And He works in my boys' hearts every day. The little lives in His hands He will see to the end. The joy He has given me, shown daily through work such as when Zech diligently does his work without being reminded to or at play such as in Zech's invented play pretend games where he often teaches Nathanael, are pockets of blessings in my motherhood journey. And so I persevere...

 

 

 

Fun on a hazy Sat morning!

A very underrated place, the Singapore Maritime Gallery is located at the Marina South Pier, just next to the MRT station. Didn't expect much but the gallery delivered much much more and I must say it was quality time well spent on a very hazy day.

From the outside, the gallery didn't look that appealing. But once we were inside, there were many things the boys could see, look and learn.

The anchor of a big ship.

A great intro to the different types of ships. These crates carried all sorts of cargo.

Exploring an old container. On the other side of the wall were pictures of what this container used to carry.

Another interesting and interactive display showing the busy port of Singapore.

The boys loved watching the small ship move whenever they press a button on the interactive screen. The best was having more than an interactive screen. My kids didn't have to fight over one!

Nathanael inside the control room, pretending to guide a ship to shore.

Many different models of ships were displayed, including this Star Cruise.

My boys spent most of their time here.

 

A stimulator, they could try their hand at navigating a speedboat, freight ship and normal ship. Had a hard time trying to get them to leave.

There's also a children's corner for kids to play and for parents to relax.

Lego!

Cosplay. We had fun trying on the different costumes.

 

Perhaps it was the haze. There were only 2 other visitors and another family besides us. The Maritime Gallery is small but informative and definitely fun enough to engage and sustain the kids' interest. Admission is free and it's child-friendly. We spent more than an hour there. To get Zech to leave, I had to promise him to visit the gallery again, which should be quite soon as we are on the guided tour to Sisters' Island in Oct.

For those who are interested, here's the link - http://maritimegallery.sg/.