Earning $13.90

Two weeks ago, the kids and I were at the supermarket. I used to join these Sunday breakfast-cum-supermarket-runs more often, then I felt that the time was better spent if I didn't go. It's a win-win (to me anyway) because (1) the children get full attention of their grandparents and (2) I get anything I want done in this precious window period of up to 2 hours. Anyway, I digress. So on this particular Sunday, I went because I needed to run some errands.

 

The children were being themselves, making themselves a semi-permanent fixture in the toys section and the very familiar whines "I want to buy xxxxx" was soon heard - no surprise there. I do not typically buy toys for the children. They have enough as is, and I do prefer to reserve toys and shopping for special occasions, making the occasions, well, special. So when they pleaded to buy a toy, I naturally rejected their plea. I knew the grandmother may cave, so after thinking it through, I decided to let them buy it - on my terms.

 

I decided that they could pay for it in forms of (1) errands, (2) savings that K has from the daily pocket money. I startted by drawing up a chart outlining tasks that the kids could easily accomplish. Each task would earn them 20cents. The guitar that they truly wanted was a guitar (well, more a plastic ukelele) that cost $13.90.

 

 Daily, I will ask the helper and the MIL what the children accomplished. I'd tabulate the points earned and note down how much they earned in monetary sense.

 

Accounting for $13.90

As Kate did not spend too much money this particular week, she had a lot of savings she could contribute to the purchase of the guitar. Within 2 weeks, the sale was complete.

 

The guitar, the savings, the tabulation sheet

 

I was pleased with this exercise. I'm not sure how much J understood of it - probably not entirely, because he still asked me on 2 random occasions where his money was and I tried to tell him that the money was given to me and he was earning the money through accomplishing tasks. K was more aware of what was going on, and she actively told me she had "a lot of savings" as she didn't spend any.

 

This exercise motivated them to achieve their daily tasks, and they would practically declare their achivements - this demonstrates that motivation truly works. I rather enjoyed implementing it - I think in some way, it must teach them some form of patience, earning their stripes and hopefully, treasure. Or at the very least, know that not everything comes to them just because they want it.

 

What a good lesson learnt (for both the children and I), and some thoughts on this exercise:

1) I need to follow through if I want to start the task - some days, I forgot to tabulate the errands but I think I did more good than not. But a worthwhile reminder to self nonetheless.

 

2) Need to explain the concept of earning through errands more - I think K gets it, but I think there's definitely room for better understanding with the younger boy

 

3) Team work - I have said it to them but I'm not sure how much they got, that they both earned the guitar together as a team. Both of them contributed - whether it was in terms of money (from K) or errands (both).

 

4) There is potential to teach the children more of this. I shall find ways that I can educate them the same value of earning/things don't come easy through other forms.

What a week

It's been a long, long week and I couldn't have asked for a better end to the week. Not just because I have this whole tart to myself. But that deserves another entry altogether. For now, I will go back to watching mindless TV and savouring this tart. 

Family portrait

From L-R: Jake, Mommy, Papa and Kate

Anecdotes:

1) J had trouble writing the letter "S"

2) He had to re-write Daddy's name over until he got it right (on his own accord)

3) Those squiggles by the side of the head are ears

4) Mommy's hair is long! (Not messy) 

5) Cheche also has long hair 

Love notes

This year, I have travelled twice already. First to Korea, then to Denmark. To celebrate March, I'm off for a trip with my parents, the sister and my son. This little girl is feeling slightly blue being left behind, and to appease her slightly, I'm keeping up with my love notes to her.

 

It started out as I scribbled notes for her daily when I was away... and if it keeps her happy, why not?

Love, Mommy

Meeting the Queen, Madonna

About 4 years ago, I drafted up a bucket list. The bucket list has since shrank - one of them things I did (cut my hair pixie short), one of them I deleted (no, I think I do not want to run a marathon, afterall. No thank you). One of the items on this list reads "Watch Madonna live".

 

Some months back, I already heard of Madonna coming to Singapore. I pretty much decided that I had to watch her. Besides ticking off the bucket list, I do think that she is one of the best entertainers in history, ever! True, I do not know all her songs; true, I do not listen to her very much especially in recent years; true, I probably have a very dated vision of her in my mind (favourites of all times include American Pie, Rain... which are all kinda many years ago). But! She is still the Queen and I remember watching her as a femme fatale through the years... and to know that at 57 (FIFTY SEVEN!) she can still groove the way she does... honestly I don't even need to justify why I paid $688 (this is excluding tax!) to watch Madonna live. Simply, because I wanted to.

 

Come concert day, I was actually too busy (and tired) to get too excited. I tried to nap for a burst of energy but was unsuccessful. The good thing, however, was that through the night, I managed to hang out and catch up with 3 different sets of friends - I was the official third wheel all night long!

 

First, I met an ex-schoolmate with his wife. They came to pick me up and we had a light dinner and drinks, standing at a bar counter. At 630pm, when the skies were still bright, I'd thought we were still early for an 8pm concert (which wouldn't start punctually anyway). But oh boy. The restaurants were crowded, the tables were packed, the buzz was energetic and so we had to make do with a corner of the bar counter. Light bites and 1 pint later, I bade farewell to Bryan and Lili and made my way to meet the double-Ms.

 

Walking to the National Stadium, it was electrifying! People were streaming in and there were all sorts! I belonged in the regular type, then there were all our gay sisters who were strutting around proudly, and there were also those who totally dressed up in fishnet stockings and whatnots - loved it!

 

After getting a drink, we headed to locate our seats.

 

Rebel Heart, baby!

 

No, our seats were not that close. We'd just done a trot to take a very nice picture stage-front. Heh. Our seats were more to the side, but still very close. At 9pm, the concert started. By then, I was on my feet and the very moment I saw Madonna I was screaaaammminnngggggg. It was very exciting!

 

With Lili, Mike and Bryan

The only pic I took of the stage that night

 

I didn't take any videos, or more pictures, because I wanted to watch the concert. I was standing on the chair for 3/4 of the concert, because I couldn't see properly and no one comes to Madonna to sit down anyway!

 

I sang along to what I knew, especially the few times she launched into the retro songs, but otherwise, I was thrilled to just know that she was within 30metres of me. Madonna, live, in front of me. True, I had to look at the screens to be able to see her properly, but hey. It's a concert - not a dinner date.

 

On a high right after the lights came on

I bade farewell to Marilyn, and hitched a ride home with Cherie. On the way to the carpark, we bumped into a series of fun people!

Not because there was a policewoman. Not because there was a drag.
But because the nun is pregnant. Ha!

That man with the studded banana, is our Singaporean Unapologetic Bitch!

 

So this man, did us Singaporeans so proud! From the audience, one person gets picked up to groove with Madonna and receive this award of the Unapologetic Bitch (in line with her song as titled) and this sister did so good! He sashayed, he danced, he twerked, he split and was wearing the most outrageously appropriate concert wear - he was wearing a Madonna tee, hot pants and thigh-high heeled-boots. Haha love it! (I think if you try googling you can probably find his video somewhere.I'm not bothering because I have it in my head and I love it!) We were all thrilled to see him and take this wefie with him. Oh, the fun.

It then took us another hour before we made our way out from the carpark (there must have been technical issues or something) and in the car, my friends and I made a play out of singing KTV and random topics of nothing at all...

I arrived home past midnight - way past my regular bedtime on a school night.. I was buzzing still from the alcohol I had consumed (5 beers - that's a nice limit) and it was nice to see the husband awake so I wasn't alone then.

I heard/read mixed reviews of the show, from a variety of people. Sure, some of them were probably valid due to the poor sound acoustics (said a colleague who sat at the back), or some others who felt she had compromised her integrity and whatnots. To me, it's truly an experience and while concerts can be a pain sometimes (the logistics, the expensive tickets...) but at the end of the way, it's the experience and it's what you make of it. To Madonna I went, I had a great time and so, it was amazing!! I'll never ever watch her live again (truly doubt another chance will present itself) so I am one happy girl!

Jake turns 4! - a 4-part celebration

Jake's birthday celebration spread over not one, not two, but three days. It happened by chance.

 

After announcing every morning (since Monday last week) that "today is a normal day", this little boy was thrilled when Friday finally came. He knew it was "my birthday!" and was ready to celebrate!

 

Birthday celebration part 1 - celebrations at school and the trampoline park

Because this was in school, we did it on a school-day. We got him dressed - in his 4yo t-shirt (thanks favourite yiyi) and sent him to school. In the car, he was literally bouncing up and down with excitement. At drop off, he proclaimed, "I'll see you later Mommy! You go take the cake right?" and headed off happily. He also announced to anyone he saw while walking to class "today is my birthday!" The husband and I proceeded to have yummy noodles for breakfast (burp) and picked his cake up before heading back to school for the mini celebration. 

 

SUPERHEROS

 

There was another birthday in his class the same day, so there were two kids dressed in their party clothes (because they are special).

Little children.

After singing a birthday song and distributing the cake then eating it, we brought Jake out from school. He'd requested to go to the trampoline park, and we obliged.

Walking to play

 

I'd arranged for some friends to join us and it was quite a sweaty, bouncy hour spent as 4 of us bounced away. It was fun and I was so sweaty and I think I twanged my back from the vigorous activity =_=

The boys and I

My adorable 4 year-old

After the trampoline park, we all headed to have Japanese for lunch. The afternoon was spent napping. Then we headed out for dinner at the club.

Birthday celebration part 2 - J's actual birthday - no classes and movie night
I had cancelled his class for that day, so that he could play all day. So that morning, we all headed out to accompany K for her class. (He used to come out with us to the mall always, until he started chinese class. Though his class is in the afternoon, I stopped bringing him out with me in the day so that he can clock a nap and feel recharged before class in the afternoon. Otherwise, he gets cranky and I don't think he'd learn well in class.)

So, this day, since it was his birthday, he got to come out and we spent the morning  having breakfast, and playing. I also bought him a toy he picked for himself - a fooseball table.

 

After lunch, we headed home for a nap. And for dinner, birthday boy got what he wanted - Maccas.

Birthday dinner request fulfilled

A bonus affair happened, when a friend bought him a surprise gift! (Surprise to him, and to us too *insert gasp face)

GASP

 

Mini professionals

Being his actual birthday, he had to have a cake.

4

 

Making a wish



Poooofftt

Cutting cake is serious business

Family

Movie night - Toy Story 2

The children were tired and we didn't finish the movie, but it was still a nice and easy day spent altogether. Sometimes, simple celebrations are best.

 

Birthday celebrations part 3 - the bowling party

My day was rudely started by someone poking my eyes (thankfully they were closed. Because I WAS SLEEPING). Did I mention that it was 6.30am?!

 

"Mommy, what time the bowling open?" - honestly, in my hazy state, I had thought it was K's face, but of course once my brain registered the question, I knew it was the excited boy.

 

Playing with his new toy

I spent the morning fulfilling errands, and unfortunately discovered that J was running a temperature. That really bummed us out, but after some meds and a nap, he seemed fine. We went ahead with our plans, though we were late (ugh, again).

SWAT - that's his birthday gift

Little friends

 

Happy birthday, baby boy

The afternoon was well-spent hanging with close friends and family, eating and bowling. I did not bowl, but the husband was apparently a hustler and won the match among my siblings and their plus-ones. It was a nice way to spend the weekend together!

Family - the closest group of people who truly matter

Through this series of preparations, I realise that no matter how 'low maintenance' a Mother I am, I still do try. And while the preparations are not difficult, every bit of help makes it easier. I'm thankful for family - who just turn up with no questions asked, who spoil my children because they care. I'm thankful for friends who just help because they can, and turn up to join in the fun. I'm thankful for my children, who drive me to be a better person. I'm thankful for my husband because no matter how elusive he is, he is still there. I'm thankful that the people who matter most are around, because sometimes, the other stuff like expectations, or work, or whatever, are part of life, but not all of it.

I'm also thankful at the lessons I learn through this little boy who is so thankful - his sheer joy at receiving gifts he fancies, his sheer elation at being able to spend time with us because we took him out from school, his happiness in being able to play bowling because he loves it so, his innocence and pride at being the centre of everyone's attention and being able to celebrate his birthday in all the joy and glory from the eyes of a four-year-old.

It was a great weekend. Happy birthday, baby Jake. Mommy loves you to the moon and back.

PS: Part 4 of his extended birthday celebrations continues this week, when we bring him on a holiday! More on that, soon! *glee

Party preparations - Jake's turning 4

I don't have grand plans of a major party to celebrate Jake's birthday, but the basic is that we do a mini celebration at school, and bring him out for the day. Because we are doing this mini school celebration, I have basic preparations I need to do.

 

The first thing I did was to bring him to a cake shop to pick his cake design. He's been talking about different themes he fancied for weeks, so I figured it's best he places the order himself as he's so fickle! When we eventually got to the shop, I let him make the final decisions - after much discussions (he wanted many many). His final choices - a superhero cake for his school party, and a car cake for his family party.

 

Based on that choice, I planned to make a super simple goodie pack for his friends. First, I purchased the items that would go into the party pack - I picked everything that the boy will fancy.

 

1. A mini snakes and ladders game

2. A mini parachute man

3. A mini sticky "spiderman"

4. Candy x 1 type

5. Chocolates x 2 types

6. Biscuit x 1 type

 

I then dug out the final batch of a brown paper bag from the sister - she had a seemingly unlimitless supply of them (I'm not kidding. We used the bags for J's party 2 years ago too. Thanks the sister for your amazing super-handy bags!) - and decorated them. For decoration, I located an image that's in-line with the chosen cake.

 

 

Thank you Google images

 

 

Then, I planned how best to involve the children; I do believe in getting them involved with such tasks that they are totally capable of helping. I decided to break the tasks over two days - in anticipation of them being distracted, and the reality that we only have very little time each evening before I start to chase them to bed anyway.

 

So on the first night, after I printed the pictures, I sought their help to cut. On the second night, we finished the bags! Rather efficient!

 

Cutting the pictures out - this took place 2 nights ago.

Writing his name

 

I stuck the images that K and J both helped to cut out (one more jaggardy than the other), and requested for J to write his name on the packs. I thought of asking him to write his classmate's names so they will have customised bags... but let's say I opted for the easier option of having him accomplish something accurately and presentable. I could have opted to print nice tags, but I thought it's way nicer to have him actively be involved.

 

 

Our factory line. From right, the MIL helped to open up the (slightly fragile) bag

 

After the bags were prepared, our line went like this

First, the MIL helped to open up the fragile (it's paper, after all) bag. She takes the toys out from their tags (both activities may tear the packaging so the kids didn't go near that).

Next, J places the 3 toys into the bag.

Third, K drops in the good items. She was thrilled to have the line up and running and enjoyed it much (I'm so busy! Don't mess up my candy!, she thrilled).

 

All done!

  

I shut the factory line after, and shooed them off to bed. I then spent time on my own, in peace and quiet, to quality check the contents, to ensure that they are all equal. Then, I sealed the bags.

Final product!

 

It's simple only, but I felt so proud of it; because it was a joint effort by all of us and I'm so happy that the kids were excited to be part of the process.

 

Spot the typo

I'm so happy that we had fun doing this too, and I know that birthdays will always be special to me and I will celebrate them with my children always! Till tomorrow, when we bring all these to his class!

PS: the typo is seen in the top right of the picture - JAAKE - oops