Majulah Singapura

So, after our top-notch seats to catch fireworks, this little boy was obviously inspired.

Spectators on the floating platform, watching the performer (perform) and
throwing confetti (he said 'powder'), with speakers (top right, he said 'radio')
and fireworks.

It shows me the observational ability of the child, how he discovers this form of expression unguided (I actually chased him away so I could do homework with the girl and he came back with this) and seeing his face gleam with pride, makes me so proud.


These moments make me happy!

The week that flew by

It's the last few days before we end this month of May and I cannot, cannot believe it.
Sure, it's been hectic; yes, we've had several exciting things happen in our lives, but still!
Last week, was one of those where time just whizzed by.

Wed: random outing with this girl.
Accomplishments: picked up her passport, attended the parent-teacher-session,
and spent time together, in general.

In between the day, I brought her to the office where she demonstrated some creativity at play.

(L): original fish on the wall. (R): she copied the fish and created more fish on her own.
FYI, the theme was "under the sea" so it looked very nice with more fish!

On the way to lunch.

Thursday, I went for a dinner date with this bunch of girls whom I knew in my previous work life, 10 years ago. It came about quite innocently when we were discussing our past.. and it struck us that it was indeed the 10th year anniversary where we were once-upon-a-time going through a most grueling time of our lives balancing work and this Masterclass. What resulted was this amazing friendship. The moment was topped off by us going back to the original place where it all began.

35 Robinson Road. Masterclass Team O, 2007.

Friday marked the last day of school and while I was at work, the doting grandpa brought the children to the trampoline party. Hooray!

Happy birthday Jaz!

Everyone loves bouncing around.

Look at how tall K is amidst the girls 2 years younger than her!

Saturday was a regular day.. we had class for the kids, errands in the afternoon, and the evening winded down nicely with some lamb that the husband made for us, as supper.

Mmmmmmm.

Truth is, we thought of bringing the kids out to play but the evening did not turn out the way we thought because of bad behavior. We ended up staying in to do some work (damn mathematics!) but after the work was cleared, we ended up doing home karaoke with the children singing songs that they picked.

Sing-along

Sunday was a regular affair of hanging out with the grandparents, I cleared more work-child-errands, then while the sister had suggested a healthy walk, it did not happen. Instead...

Everyone had to do some work. Arghhh.

The good thing is that we all did what we needed to do, but truly, I'd have much preferred to do some exercise.


And that, wrapped up last week. In between all that there was regular work, some drinks with friends, more work... and with that. We welcome the mid-year school holidays!

Jake made a rooster

Someone did some craft at school and brought this home. So simple, so cute, so apt!

Rooster

And this is a funny sight of the boy one morning. Tee hee hee.

Sleeping - tucked like a rooster

Lantern-making with Godpa

It has become a tradition where the Godpa owns an annual event with the children. It started two years ago, when I handed him the task of working on a lantern-making craft project with K. Last year, I requested that he helps - not one, both two kids - because both of them were in the same school, and so he did. (Sadly, I could not find any pics that documented the lantern of 2015).


This year, the end result is definitely the best - you know what they say, practise makes perfect!

Minions!

Lit-up minions

It's nice to have something for the children to have, even if it's this one project every year. They get to spend time together, and this year, I ended up taking a nap while they were working at this craft - ahhh, how nice!

Baking Saturday

A playdate lunch with a girlfriend, turned into an afternoon of impromptu baking for my firstborn. She has a baking bone in her, this one (ahem, I claim no credit) and I'm so thankful that I have friends who can actually help her with this tactile experience. Off she went on her own and spent an afternoon kneading, sprinkling, whisking and what-nots. The end result was lovely - she delivered a whole tray of amazing baked fare of muffins and cookies.

 

Whisking

Plating

 

Drizzling muesli

Healthy blueberry muffins and salty-choc cookies

Family portrait - by J

From L-R: Ah ma (grandma), Jake, Mommy, Cheche K and Papa.

Teachers' day

So, it is Teachers' Day this Friday. While I hear many stories of parents helping their children with gifts etc, I've always been more lazy practical. Last night, we got around to doodling and what better occasion than to draw up cards for this special day!

 

H A P P Y T E A C H E R D A (Y)

 

J made two cards. The above is the complete cover of the first card; where only an "s" and apostrophe is missing from the whole greeting. On the inside, he wrote his name and thrashed the markers in brown-and-green drew a tree. For the second card (sorry teacher) he got impatient and didn't wish to write anymore so he only managed HAPPY (2x somewhat legible) and half the word of "teacher". Oops. But the inside was pretty decent!

J's first "face"

I'm so proud of this boy and his ability to write letters. I think influence from watching his sister do work must help in some way, and thanks to guidance, he does recognise his ABCs. Phew! I can't comment too much about the short attention span, as I think that's quite normal for a little boy and to watch him draw his face, it's so adorable. I remember when K drew her first "man"; it looked like a big wobbly face with 'arms and legs' sticking out from the face - the husband said that she had drawn a potato - hahaha!

Serious artiste at work

 

Re-attempting the card because she judged the quality of her own first card

My little Miss Perfect - always wanting to do better; and I do appreciate her efforts to be better and not give up. But sometimes, sometimes,this can be so trying. I do try to remind myself of what a sweet child she is... and I know her teacher will appreciate the card she hand-drew.

17 September

Our home calendar, month of September

See the special details K input on the 17th? "Mommy, that's you and me"

This little girl is gaining an understanding of her birthday, her birthday month and date. In August, she was reciting "after August is September? Then it's my birthday!" Then she went on to ask me the date of her birthday, and so she now knows it's the 17th.

So during our monthly exercise of decorating the calendar, special efforts were made to specially make fancy her special day.

#excitedlittlegirl

Kate's art class masterpieces

A 3D double-decker bus travelling along the roads amidst the mountains

Musical instruments

A sun(n)y day - at the park with her friends

晴天 - that's (from left to right) K in pink, Mommy in purple, and Jake. Spot the father? Swimming!

Our Duck Tour - this was her interpretation of their last field trip where they were brought on the ride. See that red blotch on the right? I thought it was the Esplanade, only for her to correct me sharply "It's the Singapore Flyer!"

My favourite - cake

Good enough to eat

Yummy!

Jake's 2nd birthday party - preparing Elmo

Two weeks before the party, I found out about my work-trip which was the Mon-Wed of the same week of the party. I had to do some major planning ahead! Thanks to the sister, we started with lots pretty Elmo looking stuff off the worldwideweb.

Mini square Elmo faces on sticks. Skills required - cut and paste.

I chanced upon some affordable and useful markers that I was thrilled to pop into the goodie bag, and throw in a bit of an Elmo touch. I envisioned using the Elmo satay sticks all about the food table - stick 'em where you can!

On another night of prep, we cut out customised name tags ala Sesame Street style.

Always good to have little elves about to help out. I'm very proud of this helpful little elf who was very enthusiastic to help. She was never once jealous that it wasn't her party; she was just thrilled that there was a party!

While in Sydney: I scouted the supermarkets like a typical Mother/Asian would for the awesome choccies and Fluffy alike, and got these adorably on-theme coloured dots (Note: we never got to use them but ate them on their own instead. Raspberry M&Ms FTW!)

Eve of party: last minute cutting and preparation of more decoration featuring Jake, the handsome (I'm the Mother. I can say what I want!) and Sesame Street characters. 

Little girl at work

Yesterday, my blessed little girl received a free activity book from my friend.  I took it out and engaged her in it immediately that night. 

She coloured this shark on her own entirely, and it's not very clear but she drew a sun in on her own accord. I love it when she's all creative by her own initiative!

I helped with this pufferfish but it is pretty pretty huh!

Hand painting fun

Look at how happy Jake is. Green and red colours - feels like Christmas already

A rare picture of me with the kids. Because the husband was home yesterday. I love it when he is. 

Halloween - prelude part III

Just to put things into context, we don't really celebrate Halloween. But it's quite an impromptu decision to create a party for the kids to play, and the adults to meet. So, why not? And that is why it's given my time with Kate in the evenings some purpose - we do craft sometimes anyway and this week, we have an objective - to create suitable decoration for our Halloween party! So after settling Kate's costume, and a first round of deco, last night, we attempted something new.

I cut a towel paper roll into two. And we painted it black. 

Then we took out colourful straws we had at home and trimmed them to size. 

Can you guess what we made? 

Kate's "scary face" with our spiders!

It was a rather simple exercise, and we made do with existing materials at home! I had initially wanted to poke holes and stick the "legs" in, but it was a bit too much work and after asking the husband for his opinion (OMG he was involved! *sarcasm much), he did give a pretty good idea of stapling the legs on. It doesn't look great from the back though, but it works for me. 

We then took old materials from other craft projects previously and stuck on eyes, noses and mouths for our spiders. 

Kate's named them Toobsie and Tubsie!

Halloween - prelude part II

Taking the opportunity to craft, Halloween party preps in progress! Tonight, we did some pumpkin. I cracked my head thinking how to have sufficient orange colour (markers/colour pencil etc)... but then I had a eureka moment and remembered that we had orange construction paper! Woot!

I drew the outline of the pumpkin (mostly so I could maximise the size of the whole sheet of paper). Kate did the eyes, nose, mouth and stripes all on her own. 

She then cut the pumpkin out on her own. This is her face when she accidentally cut off the stem at the top - oops.

It was a good error because I then cut out green stems that looked better because the colour green didn't colour well against orange anyway. I helped to darken the face just so it'd pop more. But otherwise, these pumpkins were created by K! So proud of her. 

If you're interested, check out what she'd be dressed as at the party here.