Friday, September 30, 2011

Busy Bee

As I mentioned recently, Chip went through a recent phase of revisiting all the puzzles we have at home. He dug this out from the bookshelves a few weeks ago.

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This is another of those books that E bought a while ago when the kids were nuts about ocean creatures. But it has been 'lost' amongst the hundred of books we have for a long time now. Out of my sight, hence out of my mind.

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Besides some interesting facts about the not-so-common ocean creatures, there are five puzzles to work on. They are too simple for Chip to piece together now, but nonetheless enjoyable.
I got to remember to sort through all the books, toys and stuff that we have in a few months' time so that Baby O will not miss out any of these.

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The busy bee focusing on his T-Rex scene after being inspired by a jig saw puzzle that he completed.
I am so glad that my boys have never once complained of boredom. There is always something that interests them and plenty to keep them engaged throughout the day.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Art Pieces (Aug - Sept)

Marcus' pieces.
His first attempt with chinese ink.
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Band at a concert
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National Parade
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Playground scene.
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Hari Raya scene
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By Chippy.
National Parade.
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Fast food.
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Sea view? Even the kids couldn't remember the theme.
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Still life. 3 objects.
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Hari Raya scene.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Feeling I Can't Shake

Though Chip had never met Toffee before, in the recent months he would burst into tears every time we talked about Toffee.  

I wonder if his sadness has anything to do with the unfortunate coincidence

The week before I gave birth, Toffee crept into my mind so often. An uncanny feeling hanged in the air each time I thought about him. Real odd. And I didn't like it. 

Thankfully, everything went smoothly. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Bunny

Her first nickname. The daddy simply can't resist. 

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5 days old.

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9 days old.

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10 days old.

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Olivia @15 days old

Olivia is over 2 weeks old now. 

In many ways, she looks just like her brothers when they were newborns. 

I am savouring our moments together. Love whispering to her when she is awake and staring into her black beady eyes. And I just can't get enough of sniffing and kissing her. AWw.... babies are so kissable! 





Saturday, September 24, 2011

A Dream Fulfilled

My beautiful baby girl has arrived. 

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3 days old. Her first nap at home.



The first time I saw her, fat tears of joy and relief streamed down my face. I feel so blessed. 

Welcome to the world, Olivia. Mummy, daddy and your brothers are already completely smitten by your cuteness! 

She is a dream come true. And there is one person to thank. xx


Friday, September 23, 2011

M's drawing progress

From M's recent drawings in his art class, it is obvious he has improved in his ability to draw many different subjects on his own. 

I like it that there is a weekly theme and the art teacher will show the kids how to draw from her perspective. M always prefers to take her demonstration as a guide and inject his own unique perspectives and interpretations, which I like to think is something to encourage. More often than not, I can spot a trace of his unmistakeable sense of humour and playfulness in his pieces.

The thing is, while he is really enjoying his time at the art class, he rarely uses any of the techniques he has learnt when he draws at home. During his leisure drawing, he still only draws machines and transformers and all things mechanical. Like this one of the Iron Giant.

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Above:  a drawing of the Iron Giant after watching the DVD at home. 


Hopefully, as E had put it so optimistically, what's learnt will remain with him and when the time comes for him to put the skills to use, he will. 



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Appreciating Chinese Stories

M and I had such a good laugh after he read this piece. 

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It pleases me so much to see his increasing appreciation for Chinese stories. 

He is also reflecting on the complexity of the plots and exploring the themes like we do for English books a lot more now. 


I suppose I shouldn't be surprised when M teared up at the ending of this book when I read it to him for the first time. 

He borrowed it from the school library during the Sept term break. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Monster Mania

A while ago, Chip received this sticker book as a present.

Normally, I am not fond of colouring or sticker books. So when he first got it, I just stashed it away and didn't look at it. 

Till one day when I was decluttering and looking through our bookshelves for books to donate, I took another look at this one.

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Oh... so it isn't just a sticker book. Instead of stifling creativity, I can see its brilliant potential at encouraging creativity!

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Immediately, I set to work to get Chip interested in using the stickers.

The first thing we did was to make a birthday card for a party that he was going to attend with me that weekend.

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We have since made more cards for different people and a closet monster craft. The pieces which he came up with are all so hilarious. Even I had so much fun just watching him make them.

Shall put this sticker book to good use in the coming weeks.


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Afternoon Indulgence

There is something about indulging in high tea affairs that makes me happy. 

Over the last few months, I decided to pamper myself more while I can still afford the me-time.

A few weeks ago, I met up with a fellow mum on a weekday at the Regent's Tea Lounge for English high-tea. 

We didn't take any photos that day, but I found this review which pretty much sums up what I think about the selection. 

Perhaps after my confinement, I shall gather a few girlfriends and try the weekend high tea buffet or check out the one over at Ritz Carlton.


Above: Regent's weekend high-tea buffet


Monday, September 12, 2011

Dali, Newton and my Cheekies

We were at Boat Quay for Sunday brunch sometime in Aug.

E pointed out this Homage to Newton to the kids. Within seconds, they sprung into 'actions'. 

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CIMG0627_thumb[2]Aiyoyo!!!  (Can you spot his finger?)


CIMG0628_thumb[3]Look Mummy, I am posing too!


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Friday, September 9, 2011

Sundays

I know many families that will try to squeeze in many activities into their weekends as possible. Not us. 

We like our Sundays to be as lazy as possible. Ideally, we don't make plans till I have had my morning coffee and the kids are fed breakfast. 

The idea of walking aimlessly at malls is so unappealing. Shopping with kids is just as bad, unless I need them to be present for the purchase. 

Sunday brunch is always a welcoming thought.

Or just strolling anywhere that offers a view of greenery and constant breeze. 

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Taken in mid August, on one of those beautiful lazy Sundays.


 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Space Shit and a random few

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Couldn't resist blogging about this one. Ha ha ha! Since Chip can spell 'ship', this must be out of sheer carelessness.

Here are a few random pieces that I've picked up from our storage box (where we keep Chip's pieces). I can really see his style in them. 

He can usually draw a piece or two like the ones shown here within minutes. When inspiration comes, he just grabs a paper and pencil and starts working. 

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Sea monster!

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There was a time when he would crack up whenever the name Toby was mentioned. He first heard the name from the Iron Giant, I think.

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A fossil ammonite MAZE! 

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Ghost or owl.... I can't be sure. 

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More sea monster and little prawns. I like the prawns. :) 


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Princess's Names

Finally, one more thing to check off the to-do list.

Her names. 

Since E doesn't have any objections nor alternatives that could persuade me to reconsider, her English name has stayed in the number 1 spot in my short list ever since it made it. My boys have already decided that their sister must be called this name. No other.  

The grandma had very oddly requested a few months ago that we named her Axxxx, after a deceased aunt of hers whom we have never met. Nay. Especially after this. It won't ever be considered even for a middle name now. 

The tricky matter is finalizing her Chinese name. E isn't of much help in this area at all. He has no preference for any particular characters since he doesn't know the language. He doesn't even have any opinion on the meanings that he would like her Chinese name to have. 'As long as it sounds nice and doesn't mean dog droppings or something.'

I narrowed them down to three, all beginning with 诗. 

He dislikes my favourite of the three because of a really biased reason, which annoys me. If he can appreciate the Chinese language, he would be able to understand the poetic beauty of the name. See, another reason why I insist my kids must not be raised as 'gan-tangs' like him and his siblings who don't even know how to write their Chinese names! 

We both refused to budge. For months. Until last night, I made him sit with me for an hour to reconsider all options. 

Finally, we have decided to crown the 'runner-up' on my list. Oh well, it is also a beautiful name. Just as fitting as the first for my princess. Though not as poetic, I guess. 

But this will do.










Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Oh Pink and More Pink

Sometime in mid July, Karen organized a baby shower at the Goodwood Park for Baby O, so we could all celebrate over unlimited servings of durian desserts.

Everyone was so generous with gifts for the baby girl that it is hard not to feel spoilt by their love.

I must admit I squealed with excitement repeatedly the next morning when I unwrapped the packages. She is not even born yet and she already owns so many pretty, and I mean really, really pretty outfits! I can't wait to dress her in them! :>

Two weeks later, another girlfriend delivered this lovely diaper cake!

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This is the first one I've ever received. So I had to take photos of it.

Oh I LOVE pink. And princesses can never have too much pink. :D

Her first laundry was completed last weekend. Even folding and putting them away neatly into the drawer brought me much happiness. Haha!

Just days away now......



Monday, September 5, 2011

Marcustron is 7!

He asked for a party at Go Go Bambini and a Transformers chocolate cake. 

When the cake was revealed at the party today, we all laughed at the surprise that E had cheekily added when he ordered the cake. 

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Another family shot to add to our small collection. 

The kids had a blast at the playscape with the 18 guests whom M had invited. In two short hours, the party was over. 

Like most kids, the birthday boy was over the moon to return home with big heaps of presents. 90% of them are transformers of some kind.

He's ecstatic. Mummy, not so much.

 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Pet Peeves

Trust me, there are many.

But as a parent, there are TWO which stand out like sore thumbs.

1. Parents who leave their poorly behaved children in a playground unsupervised.

No, these parents are not somewhere else attending to emergencies. They can usually be found a few tables away chatting and/or sipping coffee.

While playgrounds are great places for children to learn social skills and sort out differences with others and there are merits not to intervene at every opportunity, leaving them entirely on their own to pinch, push and spit at other kids is just not socially acceptable behaviour.


2. Parents who say 'Oh my kids are so challenging to manage. They give me problems at home and in school. But they are very unique individuals, so we must give them time to learn the right behaviour. Anyway, obedience is old fashion, I am glad my kids have characters of their own....' or

'You are so lucky that you have angelic kids who are so obedient..... '

Usually, this comment is accompanied by the other comments such as ....'otherwise I will have as much time as you do... or can do as much as you' or 'that is why I need to have a maid, two grandmas to help me manage my kid(s)' ....

Oh no, sorry sista! Raising kids who are obedient has nothing to do with luck, but everything to do with parenting beliefs and styles.

If you think it is uncool for kids to be obedient (because kids who are must be dumb, boring and without a mind of their own and it is way more cool for kids to have their own characters), then that is where you are wrong.

Being obedient and compliant when the situations called for is harder to achieve than being destructive and poorly behaved. It takes self-discipline, maturity, wisdom, a certain level of emotional intelligence and a healthy dose of respect for self and others.

All kids are by nature curious and innocent and void of malicious intents. Yet, some kids turn out so differently. It is not because they are bad kids. They just have overly-indulging parents who believe that their unique kids are entitled to bad behaviour and the rest of the world must be tolerant and understanding in the meantime. Boo boo.




Friday, September 2, 2011

Two Looks

They were all ready for a birthday party. E asked them to pose for photos.

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Of course, they insisted that we capture another kind of look. :>

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Sweet little boys.

They are so big now. 

Yet, they are still so small... 

Felt like it was just yesterday when I held them in my arms, as newborns. 

Growing up too fast, my boys. 

Too fast... 


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