Kieona's Second JMC concert

Getting ready to play on the piano for the first timeToo eager to start the percussion performance

28 March marks a big Saturday for Kieona as she makes her appearance in her Yamaha JMC course mini class concert. There are basically two concerts for them each year, after the completion of each book, so that the kids can showcase their skills to their parents. It is a way I suppose Yamaha keeps the kids' parents involved. It was hard work usually for the parent who attends the classes with their children as well, since it also means a lot of coaching at home after each lesson. So this is also a great day for Mommy to feel proud in putting in that many nights to practise each song together with Kieona.

This time round instead of the electone, Kieona chose and was allowed to play the piano. It was a great feat for her, as she wasn't able to get the chance to play the piano during the first concert since her fingers were not really strong enough. I guess that was a big deal to her. I know it will be if I were in her shoes. So, good work Kieona! :)

Mrs Jen, Kieona & Kierra (Kierra a little gloomy as she wanted stickers too - which she got eventually)

Kieona's First Music Concert at Yamaha

It was an exciting day when Kieona went to perform for her first music concert for her class in Yamaha. It was a mini-concert with just the parents and the kids who are attending Mrs Jen's class, but nevertheless an enjoyable one. Initially Mommy was worried about whether she may freeze as she's never been the best keyboardist in class. Then again as mothers all do, I encouraged her as much as I could, had her well-rested and practised with her more frequently nearer the date.

Knowing her temperament, I had to dress her for her role and made sure she liked the clothes she wore and the way the hair was styled. Every little detail I could think of I did to maximise her potential. After that, I just told her to enjoy herself. (That's the only thing I can think of to tell her since I didn't want her to get stressed up. Even if it didn't go well, I will still be proud of her.)

With Daddy, Kierra and Maria also attending, Mommy wanted Kieona to feel proud of her performance. Perform she did. In fact, everyone thought she was very lively and Mrs Jen was surprised at her performance. Good job, Kieona! Your hard work paid off! Just like your gym coach Janelle said to you before - if you keep doing, you can only get better.

Kids preparing for singing

Kieona concentrating

Kids singing the song "Whales' Sneezes"

Check out Kieona's keyboard performance on Youtube.

Concert at Bishan Park (18 May)

Sunday, 18 May was a special day. We've never quite been arty-farty kind of people but Mommy reckons if the NAC-Exxonmobil Concert in the Park was free, at Bishan Park (near), and has elements of letting the kids chill out, why not?

It was supposed to be more of a picnic cum watching of free performances on a lazy Sunday, but since both Kieona and Kierra overslept and Daddy and Mommy were busy working on the Baby Slings And Carriers website (their baby), Mommy brought no snacks, no drinks and was in a frenzy when she woke the girls up to leave for the place in the evening. (Arghhh!! Mommy!)

Kierra watching the performance on-stage

Kieona absorbed with the surrounding

Eugene Pie Pie was there with his mother too, as Mommy had asked if they wanted to join us. Although we all went there in a big rush and were late to get the best grass patch to sit on, everyone had a really cool time. Weather was beautiful, with a slight breeze. We wish we had gotten a place nearer the stage though, as it was quite difficult to watch the performances from so far away and with so many people walking around in front.

Yee Yee had brought some snacks for Eugene, and the three kiddos just went munch, munch, munch, most of the time. As Pie had just learnt how to walk, he went around the grass patches but started crying when he fell. So, he is afraid of the grass!! That was pretty funny to Mommy and she kept laughing about it.

Us all, on a small mat

Kids munching

The highlight of the whole outing was perhaps not the performances, but the story-telling inside a huge blow-up fish which the girls enjoyed. Only up to about 15 people were allowed inside the "fish" at a 15 minute session. Although it was pretty stuffy in there, Mommy was quite surprised that the girls got so absorbed in the story-telling that they hardly blinked. We even saw Kieona's classmate, Ravshaan at the same session.

The traveller....
She's so engrossed

Since that was the last story-telling session we went to, the main event had already ended by the time we came out of the "fish". We were told that there was a centipede hiding below Mommy's bag on the mat at the grass patch and Yee Yee was so shocked when Bibik picked up the bag. The mere mention of it makes Mommy feel so disgusted. Eeeks! Thank goodness we were all not there.

Perhaps it's because the girls don't frequent the parks and open areas so much. They had so much fun running around with their balloons after that and it was so difficult to get them to leave. Mommy could see the disappointed looks on their faces when it was finally time to go. All in, it had been one of the most enjoyable way for us to end the week.