Since we have arrived here, Hannah's confidence seems to have grown and she often seems less shy. Some of this is probably down to dealing with so many new people and situations successfully - maybe some of it from school, but either way, she is becoming braver about new things each day.
This was demonstrated last Friday when she was invited to a birthday party at a beach at Sentosa Island. It was a Trapeze Party. At this particular beach is a full scale trapeze swing and (fully harnessed and supported) people can have a go. Hannah was so excited and all ready to start swinging. I thought I'd believe it when I saw it.
First, all the children practised hanging upsidedown from their legs on a raised bar, supported by one of the staff. Hannah did this with no hesitation, then put on the large safety harness belt ready for the trapeze session. She looked at the vertical ladder that had to be climbed up to the platform which must have around 25 feet up, then looked at the swing, suspended high above a safety net.
I wasn't too surprised to hear "mummy, I don't want to do it". I told her to go to the man in charge to ask him to take the belt off and, expecting to hear "will you come with me please?", and was suprised that she went off and asked alone.
The birthday boy went first. Up the ladder, a rope clipped to him that meant if he slipped he couldn't fall more than a few inches. Part way up the ladder, at the safety net, he had to go around the outside so he climbed the last part on the otherside of the ladder above the net. From the top, he was helped to the platform, where a different harness was clipped on. He then grabbed the trapeze and off he went, swinging from it. After a few swings, he was told to let go and run. Whilst running like mad in the air, he was lowered slowly to the net where he could then slide down a pole to the ground (with help) rather like a fireman.
Hannah watched a few of these, then said she did want a go. I sent her back to the man in charge, expecting my presence to be required, but again, she went off alone and said she did want a go. I saw the man say, "are you absolutely sure?" and she said yes. The belt was put on and she joined the queue. As her turn came closer, I reminded her that she couldn't fall for her to reply "yes, I know, mummy", clearly unimpressed with my powers of observation.
Well, her turn came. She skipped up the ladder, round the outside and on to the top like a little monkey. She got to the top and off she went. Video clip attached! (Hope it works).
Here's the photo of her face straight after - she couldn't wait to have a second go. She wants to go back and do it again for Daddy to see now!
Whilst Hannah was honing her circus skills, Adam was in the first night of the school's big annual musical, The Wizard of Oz, along with the rest of the junior and senior parts of the school. They had been rehearsing all term.
They did two performances, 2½ hours long. I have to thank the parent who attended of Friday and warned us to take a cushion to sit on - that was a great tip.
Adam was a munchkin and performed beautifully. The production was on a huge scale for a school production, with fantastic scenery, costumes and music and we have to commend the leading characters, because Dorothy and her friends were hardly ever off the stage. Their parts were huge and the whole thing went very well.
Adam was on an exhausted high after each performance but has thoroughly enjoyed being involved. The school managed to make sure everyone did something, a few chose to be back stage, but everyone was included which was great to see. We wait to see what musical they will choose next year - maybe Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, complete with flying car?
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