First national competition

Our little boy took part in this year's CMA abacus national competition on Sunday. We were actually not keen to put him on this competition when we were invited by his centre to join. However,  mister lil E was so enthusiastic about the competition and asked us to sign him up. We were partly apprehensive about taking part because it was a whole day event and we were concerned that he will lose confidence if he doesn't do well..

The teachers helped to prep those kids taking part in the competition well (I think they put in effort to do so). Ethan seemed to be quite confident the night before as he told his brother that he thinks he will get to go up the stage.  He has been told for 1st to 3rd prize winners, the kids will receive their trophies on the stage. So he was setting himself such a high benchmark before the competition. We overheard the conversation between the brothers and were amazed with his aspirations. 

On Sunday, after registration,  Ethan kept telling me that he's very nervous.  Funny reaction from this cool (or rather bochap) kid of mine. Anyways I told him to treat this like normal lesson and enjoy the experience.  

The parents were ushered to another hall where we get to watch live feed of the competition.  It's an eye opener for me to see how much more enthusiasm other kids have displayed for abacus/mental calculation. 

We waited long for the results to be released.  And we were really really surprised to see Ethan coming in 2nd and 3rd for Abacus and Mental calculation segments respectively. Although we were proud of his results but dreaded the fact that we had to stay longer to wait for the prize giving ceremony (the consolation winners, 4th and 5th can picked up their prizes straight after the release of results)

2nd and 3rd prize trophies

Elder brother felt so much happy for his buddy

We hope he has gained more confidence in himself and puts in effort in every other thing that he's doing. 

My new little teapot

My hand got scalded by a stove kettle recently and my frugal ah lou bought an electric kettle to prevent the same incident from happening. . Such a sweet gesture

Not that I have not been using a stove kettle all these years.  I am a user for decades but probably I had been too preoccupied with stuff on my mind and held the stove kettle in a wrong angle..

It's good to have an electric kettle (bonus point is the colour of this model). Water gets boiled in less than a minute and we can get a cup of coffee with boiling water in just seconds! 

After exams...

Last Saturday, after our dine-out dinner, we dropped by Ikea to let the boys have their usual ball-dive game since exams were just over .. (while I go pick up small items from Ikea)

Caden has now reached their height limit and its probably his last time of getting into the play area..

So one shot of him with Ethan for souvenir, just in case he's denied from entry the next time we are there!

Our other little baby..

Lil Ethan is still petite in size. At P1, he looks as though he's still in kindergarten..

In his swim gear on Sat afternoon

looking more macho!

a sucker for ice-cream!

Our 9 year old baby..

For Caden's 9th year old birthday, we didn't throw him a party (although he has asked for a nerf war party again with his school classmates).

The sunday before his actual day, we invited Brian's family to our place for a usual get-together while the boys spent their time fixing up Caden's and Ethan's lego presents..

After dinner, before cake-cutting, Ethan was helping PaPa to put in the candles (while Caden was nowhere found)..

A few shots with all his all-time favourite playmates

Grandma giving out a birthday hongbao to him

Our rare family picture (which turns out to be a bit blurred)

Caden asked to cut the cake himself this year

On his actual day (Monday), we brought him (plus grandma) out to Nex for dinner - initially he asked to go for Jap dinner but changed his mind after seeing Ding Tai Fung..

In DTF that night, he gobbled up 10 xiao long baos all by himself (plus a bowl of noodles).. appetite has definitely grown so much bigger these days!

My wish for our 9 year old boy is to be more hardworking and humble and less complacent. Hopefully, very soon, he learns to be independent when it comes to his school work and puts in alot more effort in everything he does..