Advertorials, Reviews & Events,  The J-brothers

Chinese Calligraphy and Finger Painting

The boys recently tried their hands on Chinese calligraphy and finger painting when we were invited to preview FOX’s new CNY collection in their store. Oh boy, they both had a lot of fun! By the way, if you have yet to do much clothes shopping for your kids this CNY, do keep your eyes peeled to the end of the post. You might just win an outfit for your kid!

I never saw my hyper kids so attentive and so glued to their seats before, so it was really refreshing observing them throughout the class. The class instructor brought them through the basics, the couplets and paintings on display, a bit of history, as well as showing them the four treasures for Chinese calligraphy – ink stick, brush, ink slab/stone and paper. They also had the Chinese seal. All the kids just listened attentively! It also dawned on me that I haven’t held a calligraphy brush myself for over 20+ years!

Chinese couplets and paintings.
Chinese couplets and paintings. Was surprised to see Jerry’s name on the painting!
Both boys glued to their seat in the Chinese Calligraphy class.
Both boys glued to their seat in the Chinese Calligraphy class.
The four treasures of Chinese Calligraphy..
The four treasures of Chinese Calligraphy..
Jerome looking entirely serious.
Jerome looking entirely serious.

Jerry was so eager in getting his hands dirty.. he literally laid his fingers on everything within his reach. He was leaning in a lot to touch the treasures as the teachers were explaining them.. It was also really quite cool that he get to grind the ink stick on the ink slab/stone like in ancient times.

Jerry grinding the ink stick.
Jerry grinding the ink stick with Issac’s help.
Learning how to hold a brush correctly.
Learning how to hold a brush correctly.
All ready to write!
All ready to write!

I gave up trying to get him to hold the brush correctly because he is too young for it. Growing that interest for it is more important, I reckon. He would learn the correct strokes when he is older and interested in it. That day was more for having fun!

Observing attentively at the demonstration (i think).
Observing attentively at the demonstration (i think).

The ‘paper’ that they were writing on is pretty cool and a brilliant idea. All you need is water, and the paper turns dark where the wet brush touches.. and it will slowly dry up making a breeze to practise on the same sheet again. The only thing I think I didn’t like was that you can’t ‘retain’ the words that you have written to try and improve on. These days.. convenience really is everything.

Jerry learning his strokes.
Jerry learning his strokes.

The kids went on to finger painting next. Jerome looked so happy while at it.

Happy Jerome, finger painting his first art work.
Happy Jerome, finger painting his first art work.
Jerome's first piece of art.
Jerome’s first piece of art.

When Jerome was done, I thought it was quite nice! He really followed through the concept and just dot using his fingers.. and drew some branches. Jerry on the other hand…

Jerry playing with the colours.
Jerry playing with the colours.

… was busy mixing up all the colours on his paper! We ended the day dressing the kids in their CNY outfits for a photoshoot! They weren’t exactly very cooperative. They just kept using the props to cover their faces on the set and I didn’t get any decent ones! I only managed to capture some quirky ones though when they were just fooling around the store.

Jerry with a Winnie the Pooh sunglasses that looked really cute!
Jerry with a Winnie the Pooh sunglasses that looked really cute!
Jerome is forever imitating his brother!
Jerome is forever imitating his brother!
The husband with a straight face, but he is super dad indeed!
The husband with a straight face, but he is super dad indeed!

We ended the day with a rare family photo. We really need to take more family pictures!

The Choo Family.
The Choo Family.
Photo credit: FireFly Photography & FOX
Photo credit: FireFly Photography & FOX

And, if here’s how Jerry & Jerome looks in the CNY outfits that we picked for them. You can now win a set of either outfit. Simply like & comment on on FOX’s FB post HERE and tell us which outfit you like to win & why! There will be 2 winners, 1 for each outfit. For example. I like Jerry’s outfit because it is red enough for CNY!  (Anything goes, you just need to like and comment! And help share it if you could.)

The giveaway will be till 6 Feb, 12 noon (that’s tomorrow!) and winners will be announced before end of the day 6 Feb, Friday. Go now, because there isn’t much time left and good luck!

Disclaimer: The Choo family was invited to a preview of the FOX Kids Spring Summer 2015 Collection, along with a fun class of Chinese Calligraphy and finger painting. The boys got to choose an outfit for CNY to bring home! We were not obligated to blog about it, but I did because the boys really had quite a lot of fun and I wanted to share all that! 

Hi there! Thanks for popping by. I'm Cherie, a ftwm (full-time working mum) to 3 lovely kids (2 boys & a princess) and my motto in life is to BE HAPPY. Sure, life isn't all that smooth but it's the mentality that counts, no? This blog documents my life. Or rather, snippets of my life that has passed me by. I love capturing life memories in the blog and being able to read back and laugh at myself (or anyone). I love to eat (A LOT), travel and paint my own nails so the blog is mostly about that. Is that considered lifestyle? Of cos, the family is also very much an integral part of me so there would be loads of memories about the husband and my kids - Jerry (9yo), Jerome (7yo) and Leia (2.5yo) and everyone else that's close to me. I like documenting the kids' milestones, their growing up years, their achievements (and sometimes, mine), and my struggles and battles with motherhood. It sure ain't easy. I love seeking out good food and travelling, is trigger-happy, love new gadgets, love exploring new places and strives to live life to the fullest. I aspire to travel the world as much as I can, to soak in the different sights across the various continents and visit all the Disneylands in the world (almost there!). Have fun reading and do drop me a comment to say hi! Love, Cherie Lim Find me on Instagram.

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