Interesting videos

 

 

 

 

Capoeira

We felt that Caitlin needs more exercise to build up her stamina. I checked out a dance and exercise studio that is next door to her art and crafts school in our neighbourhood and found out that they have capoeira classes. We took her for a free trial lesson last Friday. She enjoyed it very much, doing all sorts of physical activities and learning some basic movements. The class has a few kids, teenagers and adults. It is the kind of physical activity I think she'd enjoy. She's always raved about martial arts like kung fu and taekwondo since her kindergarten days when she had some classmates taking those classes, and of course after watching Kung Fu Panda. She'd be making pseudo kung fu moves and play acting. And since she also loves music, I think capoeira suits her as music is an essential element in this Brazilian artform.

After the trial class, we asked her if she enjoyed herself (despite being totally tired out after the one-hour session), she said she did and wanted to return for another session. So we've signed her up for weekly lessons. We'll have to wait and see how it all works out in the larger scheme of things of getting her more active and how it'll benefit her overall physical, mental, social, etc, etc development.

YouTube has videos of capoeira.

The School of Hard Knocks

Caitlin's class went on a field trip to Royal Selangor yesterday. She had a fun time with her classmates and teachers. They toured the Visitor Centre and learned how pewter ware is made and the highlight was the School of Hard Knocks where they got hands-on experience in moulding their own pewter bowl.

She came home happy with a paperbag containing her certificate, pewter bowl nicely wrapped in a box and the School's apron. She showed me her masterpiece and shared the instructions on how to make the bowl. She said among all the field trips (National Zoo, petting zoo, vegetable farm, post office, etc) she's been on, this has been the best.

This is what she used the bowl for before going to bed as Eugene was not home from work yet.

Balloon Fashion

It's amazing how creative some people can be with balloons. All I can do with balloons is blow them up, draw funny faces on them, use them as decor for parties or bounce them in the air as a game with Caitlin.

Nowadays, sculpting balloons is pretty common, twisting and tying them into various shapes like flowers, animals, etc. These are done mainly by children entertainers, clowns, magicians at kids' parties. Many shopping malls now also hire these people to become crowd pullers during weekends. Families with kids are often seen making a beeline and queueing patiently at these balloon stands.

Some balloon sculptors set up a stall along high pedestrian traffic areas in malls to sell their creations. These balloons don't come cheap and most parents give in when their kid pleads for one. We have been 'victims' many a time when Caitlin asks for one. Some of these balloons are well made and can last up to a week. Some, however, are not well twisted and quickly unravel once the balloons begin to deflate.

Some balloon sculptors have become even cleverer and more creative, turning their balloons into funky fashion. Take a look at these pictures. Aren't they amazing?

Paint mania

We went crazy with finger painting this morning to create our own 'hand' made Christmas gift wrappers. All we need next is to add some sparkle to them with some glitter glue.

These are Caitlin's creations, so if you are a recipient of a gift wrapped with one of these, I hope you won't mind the unique wrapper! After all, most times, the wrappers will be thrown away once the gifts have been unwrapped so why waste money on expensive store-bought wrappers when you can make your own?

All you need is some 'mahjong' paper and your creativity. It's also one way to keep a restless child occupied, as long as you can put up with the accommpanying mess!