Expected

After attending Jackie's school prize giving day, I sent a picture of her receiving prize via Whatsapp message. She received a prize for being the first in class last year.

After waiting for a long time, Jackie finally responded : Okay

Me: What do you mean?

Jackie: It is expected.

Big Mouth

Mom: Do you know this person (XXX) in your school, a lady with a very big mouth (not trying to be mean here...)

Jackie: I know her, but I don't know if she has a big mouth.

Mom: You have seen her before right?

Jackie: Yes, but I have never seen her open her mouth before.

Swim Freestyle

Jackie just got her certificate for successfully completing a basic swimming course from her school. She is P3 this year. When I found out that she was still unable to swim, I started asking what she had been learning.

Me: What strokes were you taught?

Jackie: Freestyle.

Me. Oh, then show me now how you do the strokes for Freestyle.

Jackie started swinging her arms in all directions.

Me: That is not Freestyle!

I then showed her the strokes for Freestyle.

Jackie: Oh, I thought Freestyle means swim anyway you like?

What Kids Worry

Jackie: Mum, what if a pregnant woman is about to give birth but cannot rush to the hospital in time? How? What if she gives birth at home?

Mum: Oh, she will then have to give birth at home.

Jackie: Oh, the baby will not get a health booklet. How?

Some Scientists are Mean!

I don't know about other kids, but my eight-year old surprised me again with her understanding of this world.

Jackie and Mum are talking about her cousin's dog, Koda.

Mum: Do you know that Koda cannot see as many colors like us. Dogs' world is rather grey and has limited shades of colors.

Jackie: Really, so sad, Koda is colorblind. Scientists are so bad.

Mum: Why do you say that?

Jackie: Why can't scientists invent dogs that see colors like us.

Mum: You think scientists make dogs?

Jackie: Yes, don't scientists make dogs, cats, and other small animals?

Mum: ??????

XM

Jackie is telling Mum that she needs some new school socks...

Jackie: Mom, how come there is no XM?

Mom: What XM?

Jackie: There are XL, XS socks, but why are there no XM socks?

Marking Compositions

For the second time, I had to mark Jackie's composition homework so that she could show my markings and her corrections to the teacher.

Puzzled why the students 'compositions were corrected by parents and not the teacher, I remarked jokingly, "I think your teacher should give me part of her salary."

Upon receiving no reactions from Jackie, I added, in case she innocently rattled the wrong thing in school, "Don't tell your teacher what I just said, understand?"

Jackie: I know.

Me: You know why you shouldn't say these things to your teacher, right?

Jackie: Yes.

Me: Why?

Jackie: Because she won't give you part of her salary.