20201230- Kevin has changed... little by little

First he begins to write Chinese characters really well, he was even invited to participate in a competition at the principal's office and got his compliments. Then he discovered that he can play tennis on his own quite well... he can play for an hour or two, just by hitting the ball against the wall...he's been more polite. and would care for his own belongings. I think it's a great improvement. Yesterday he went to bed at about 9:20. He woke up early this morning and practically just dragged me to school. I praise him for his improvements. Claire has been great, always. She attends to other people's feelings. She's polite and joyful. She knows what she should do. She accompanies her young brother...and she comforts me when I am mad or not well. She's great. I heard a lot of people saying good things about her. Jamie's narrative is becoming ever so complete and whole.

 Thank you God. You've made me realize the difference of my voice towards Jamie and Kevin. No wonder Kevin often thinks that I am mean to him. 

This morning Claire danced the dance of their school and practiced piano. I think she's got talent in singing and dancing and music. Kevin played violin pretty well.  I read 弟子規 this morning to the sister and the younger brother. They went up to the third floor to play this morning. I plan to take to Sigang to understand more about the Magic English class.   

20201211_a refreshing start...

 I prayed to God yesterday to give me some insights into English teaching. And he answered! He told me to RETHINK using WHOLE English method in the classroom and proposing activities that are seemingly unrelated to the language content but to complete the mission children MUST use the target vocabulary and language patterns. I like this idea.

Yesterday Claire had an allergy on her skin, which was worrying. THis has never been happened before. I wonder what has caused it. We went to the Night Market afterwards, and spent a lot of money. :(

This past week I had to request my father-in-law to take Kevin to school, which was embarrassing. Today I managed to wake him up earlier. He practiced calligraphy.  And went to school on time. He also PACKED his violin and books on the van. Bravo!

Jamie packed his own bag yesterday, too. I shall give him a good thumbs-up!

This weekend we are going to Taichung. I want to go to IKEA, and show them some Christmas lights, and bring mom out to lunch and bath in the sun!

In view of Kevin's low self-esteem and difficulty making friends, I made him a list of THINGS TO do to win a new jump rope. I hope this will help him.

1210_every step of the way...

 Dear God.

Every morning I wake up, although I feel tired and worthless, you always make me feel better afterwards, by giving me some suggestions, and love, and care. This morning I wake up, it's already 6:30. You told me to wash my face, after sorting out the laundry and exercising. Although I was still rushing, Kevin was quite cooperative today. He made it to let his grandpa take him to school this morning, though he forgot his masks.

And thank you everyday for giving me ideas on teaching. I think it is all wonderful and my students have enjoyed the activities you've proposed. This morning Jason suggested that for Grade 4 I can make 'no baking needed cookies'. I think it is a great idea.

Claire is able to read some Chinese books on her own. She would read to his brother and ask him to repeat after her. I still rush to get Kevin to school so I missed out some necessary equipment for him everyday. Today it is the mask. I hope he will perform better today at school and I will read him stories in English every day, like 廖彩杏 and 汪培珽.

20201205-About Life

 妹妹這兩天感冒，鼻音很重。昨天，孩子們去圖書館借、還書。我則去了安平的賀伯美髮店剪了頭髮。設計師的功夫很好，我覺得成果很不錯。而孩子們則去和爸爸吃了對面的火鍋店，爸爸照例給他們施行了很多的規定和限制，他自己本身常常不遵守規範，卻ˇ給孩子一大堆莫名其妙的規範: 例如，要跟他睡...要跟他洗澡否則不能怎樣怎樣...限制很多。昨天孩子們又重新聽了胡桃鉗。我覺得故事很複雜，但不會難懂。我希望今天能夠讓Kevin學著自己安排時間。並且能督促他練小提琴和鋼琴，妹妹也一樣。求主給我清明的心智，和效率。和溫柔的心。和沉穩的靈...能好好的引導他們，向善的靈去走。

20201203-God who knows all

 THis morning I made breakfast for children! 

I made tomato toast for Kevin. Ham and cheese sandwich for Jamie and Claire.

Claire begins to enjoy the book ' No more monsters for me!' She loves to listen to it. 

She'd asked me to read it through these two nights even though she was so sleepy and tired. 

Jamie would hang on to the last minute until he's tired and all sleepy.

Good that their fathers didn't have much to protest.

As to Kevin, he insisted on writing calligraphy before he went to bed last night. It seems he really likes it. I complimented on his writing this morning.

Claire likes to play like a teacher; she used my microphone set and she'd always packed it well in the little box that comes with the microphone. THe speaker doesn't work but she said it's ok.

She also can play Secret by heart. I should practice violin with Kevin.