"We don't need to go to my Mom's today," my wife said. That meant taking the brood out for dinner on a Sunday night.
As I tried to figure out where to take them, my youngest told me about her morning in church.
"Today some boy said my iPhone 4s was a noob phone."
"That's not very nice," I said.
"Ya! I told him it wasn't a noob phone, it's a vintage phone, bruh!"
That was not a bad answer, I thought. Joy's well-used iPhone 4s used to belong to her mother, and has been repaired at the neighbourhood repair shop twice (the first time to replace the aging battery, and the second time, a year later, to replace the shattered screen). It may not be the Nokia 3310 of iPhones but it is certainly one of the most repairable.
Isaac was unpacking his bag from Scout Camp and telling me about his three days away. I reminded him to repack for his Secondary Two camp that will happen in a few days. I don't recall having so many school camps when I was a kid. But I quite like that they get to gain some independence away from home, which is why the boy has been allowed to go for camps since he was very young.
"Make sure you shower daily," I nagged, remembering the time he went through one camp without showering.
Boys.
A few days ago, the wife and I sat in the son's classroom and attended the Parent-Teacher Meeting where they discussed options for the Secondary Two boys, things like choosing the subject combinations for Secondary Three, and understanding Polytechnic entry requirements like the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and the Direct-Entry Scheme into Polytechnic Programme (DPP). Sure, most parents want their kid to be in the Express and "higher" streams but parents need to know and embrace the pace which is best for our children.
We really appreciate the dedication that his teachers have for his class.
As I talked to Isaac about packing strategies for his camp, Faith was listening to her music from the living room Sonos speakers. She recently learned that music would play when she pressed the > button on top of either speaker (watch the cute little video here). You may think your severely autistic firstborn doesn't know stuff, but she obviously watches and observes and figures out how things work.
I don't mind because when she is listening to music from the living room speakers, she does not ask for her iPod. And less device time is always good. She does enjoy her music like any teenager, even though she is autistic.
The family never stops trying to teach her new things, like housework, as seen in this video taken by my helper. Marian decided that Faith could learn to help with her pillows and patiently taught Faith how to do it. The music you hear in the background is from the speakers, switched on by Faith. She really likes that song by Kirk Franklin a lot. It's "A God Like You", from his Hello Fear album, in case you are wondering.
After some deliberation (and begging from the two younger ones), I decided to take the family to Bishan Park for fast food, and pick up my mother from her mahjong session along the way there.
"Wait! I want to comb Faith's hair before we go, it is so messy," the wife said.
Faith was a little squirmy and Joy jumped in to help hold her still while Mommy combed Cheh Cheh's hair.
I have to say, Bishan Park is really nice. People were jogging, cycling, walking their dogs, and kids were enjoying the space. I can see why PM did one of his televised speeches there.
The family found a table while I parked the car. As I wandered through the park, I could not help stopping to take a few photos with my iPhone.
"Do come over, dear," the wife said, when she called me on the phone. "Come and help the kids with the order first before you take your photos, ok?"
"Coming, coming," I replied, but I snapped a few more shots of the glorious sunset before running over.
Eh, good light waits for no photographer, ok?
