The Cheng Family in 2006

2006-12-04T21:34:00.000-08:00

Photo Highlights

Once again, Christmas is near and a new year soon to be . This year has been a dizzying one. It has been an important year in its own way for each of the children.

The year started with Tim starting Primary 1. A BIG step for our littlest "baby". He is in the same class as one of Nick's classmate's son! He quickly made friends and adjusted well to primary school. He couldn't read much then, but quickly caught up. He had a wonderful Chinese teacher. Tim found her lessons very entertaining, fuelling his interest in Chinese. He loves Chinese Poems 古诗 and Chinese songs.

Tim started learning to play the Chinese Erhu this year. He had been bugging us about this for more than a year, and finally Sam came across a music school that has a teacher for young children. Tim's teacher is patient, methodical, caters to Tim's playfulness and most importantly, bilingual. Tim has enjoyed exploring the Erhu, picking it up as and when he is in the mood to practise. In the last term of this year, he joined his school's Chinese Orchestra and performed for the Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 and the year-end Prize-Giving Day.

Dan, who was in Pri 3, believes in living life to the fullest! His days were packed full with practices with the school's Concert Band where he plays the cornet and with the school's String Ensemble, as there were SYF competitions this year. The SYF competition ended with just a little time left for him to prepare for his exams. He had the chance to perform in a few concerts this year, and took his first violin exam in early December.

Daniel had his 1st Communion this November, and has been spending this year-end holidays picking up the learning of *gasp* yet another instrument! The Chinese Flute (Dizi 笛子) . He is also having a fun time dabbling in robotics and video gaming courses.

For Sarah, this was a fairly tense time as this was her PSLE year! Scheduling was thus very important as she kept up her involvement in the school choir while preparing for THE important PSLE. Choir practices were stepped up with the SYF competitions. In the midst of all these, she managed to complete her Grade 5 in piano practical & theory.

Sarah has been having a much needed break with PSLE out of the way, doing some cartoon & animation classes. Great friendships were forged this year, and Sarah has grown lots. Tears flowed freely at her Primary School Graduation. Sarah is happy that she will be continuing to Secondary 1 at her current school.

All 3 children have continued their Karate this year. They went through 2 grading tests this year and all now have their Yellow Belts.

Sam & Nick managed to have one of their first getaways without the children in May. It was only a short trip to Taiwan, but it certainly took quite a bit of co-ordination to make arrangements for the children. And in her "ripe old age", Sam has taken up the task of learning how to play the violin. Now there's more screeches around our house!

As a family, we managed to take a short break to Bintan once again. It was a well-deserved break for Sam after a tiring exhibition, but it's starting to get a little too "relaxing" a holiday destination for the growing children! We shall be heading to Gold Coast just before Christmas. The children are sure excited about visiting the theme parks and the dophin resort! We missed seeing the kangaroos and koalas the last time we were in Australia due to a delayed flight! We will then go on to spend New Year in wintery Korea. Brrrrr!!!

Here's wishing everyone a most Blessed Christmas, and for a great 2007 !!!

Best Wishes from:
Sam, Nick, Sarah, Daniel, Tim

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Season's Greetings!

The Cheng Family in 2006