Our Soccer Fans!

Papa is into England and Manchester United. There are some other teams he supported. Look at his lil ones!

Ain't they looking cool?

Moments...

With E...

In a stage where we call tween, this firstborn of ours is really a gem despite the monstrous moments wrapped under that dainty-looking skin.

Mid year results were released 1 day prior to term break. It was like a moment more exasperating than I was receiving my own report book eons ago! I remembered acting cool while E hopped on the car. I (still trying to act nonchalant) asked,

"So, how was school today?"

E: "Great! Mom, I got back my portfolio....(and she rattled on)..."

I was still trying to act cool.

"So, it's just your portfolio and all the DVD that records your presentation that you managed to score full marks?"

E: "(continued ranting on...)....Mom, there is also my report book."

FINALLY! That is the thing I was trying to find out.

"Oh?! So, how do you think of your results? Are they acceptable to you? (C'mon, I mean GRADES!)

E: "I think you may be disappointed."

Suddenly, the 2 minutes drive home seems too long! I probably looked flustered.

E: "Mom, are you alright?"

Me: "Baby, what makes you think I will be disappointed with your grades? Are they very bad? You didn't do too badly for your tests."

E: "I think I have 2 band 2." 

Parking the car took me 4 tries that day. I simply couldn't park it well no matter how hard I tried.

Quickly pulled the car, and E showed me her report book. My heart is thumping unusually fast in my mouth!

Me: "Hmm...Baby, you get all Band 1! And all in the 90s range. What Band 2 are you talking about??"

I can see her eyes lit up! 

She confessed that she did not really go through her scores in the report book. All she did was flip through and kept it back in her bag.

Yes, grades are important to a certain extent. Afterall, we are in a society that looks at numbers and alphabets. What I always emphasize besides grades is their attitude towards learning. That will see them through their lifetime, while better grades probably put them in a better ground when they begin their career.

She hopes to join the best class, i.e. 3A next year. I will be around to render my utmost support to help her fulfill her needs.

Around B...

My ever so cheerful boy! 

This boy melts my heart, always! He is always singing his love, saying the loves and showing his love to me. What more can I ask for?

He loves his sisters. Loves everyone around him!

We realized he is more expressive verbally nowadays too! That is probably the aid of the speech and drama classes that he has been attending beginning of this year.

B, at 4 years old aspires to be a chef and also a pilot. Let's see how long these 2 ambitions lasts for him.

Our M,

No doubts about it, she is apple of our eyes. 

All of us surround her daily, as she has such a cheerful nature just like B when he was this young (He still is now!).

She is another motor mouth in the making. She coo day and night, and during her milk feeds too! Haha...

Bliss, is surrounded by all my three darlings, basking in their laughter and nonsense (at times).

No, I ain't complaining. I LOVE such moments!

Simple Bento for Thursday!

Age is really catching up, it is a fact that I can't deny. This pregnancy is quite a tough one for me as I am carrying a huge bump all over the places and with my previous slip disc issue, things simply didn't help.

However, the joy of seeing that smile the kids wear upon seeing my bento gives me the strength to carry on what I am doing. Not forgetting my promise to Hubs, I will go slower, giving discounted time spent in the kitchen trying to toil my very limited creative cells to come up with some better looking bento.

Here, I present one of the rare bento I prepared for Brayden!

He is a very simple boy who is easily satisfied so long he has his favorite bread and cheese. He woke up at 6-ish this morning just to remind me and make sure I did not leave out his share.

Here, we created this together. He told me what he wanted, passed me the molds and *drum roll* here is his simple bento filled with love!

Not forgetting his hugs and kisses. He actually thanked me for making this. :)



Ethyl on the other hand gets her regular bento to school.

There are seldom complains of what I had packed for her in the box. There was this day that my tum hurts so much in the morning that I had to give bento-making a miss, she skipped her recess totally! I was a lil sad.

She came back home and devoured a big bowl of noodles after school. It goes to show she was so hungry. Yet without bento, she had no appetite and did not know what to eat during recess!

Even though I tried to make bento for her, I still have to remind her that our lil missy is coming soon; and with the new addition, I will be really hands-tied that she may have to eat in school more often.

My usual sensible girl said she understands albeit it takes a while for her to adjust. Time shall be given. She will adapt to this change I am sure.

3 January 2012

After a long break from the December school break, I am finally resuming my bento-making sessions!

The difference this time round is Ethyl will be in the morning session, and my day starts as early as 4.50am (or even earlier) when I had to prepare her lunch bento as well.


Rilakkuma wanabe ends up looking odd with my generous cocoa powder added!



Brayden also had his bento for the start of the new school year. His favorite Thomas and Friends accompanied him to school!

Waking up early in the morning to prepare bento is really quite an adjustment for me to make. As I will have to sleep after the kids do. Rest is never enough. No, I am not complaining though, I am enjoying making something for my loved ones to make a great start to their day!

Brayden's First Performance

Our baby has grown up! He had his first performance on 2 December 2011. We were all excited and full of anticipation for this day.

As usual, the worrisome me worries about many things before this day arrived.

Will he have stage fright?

Will he forget his dancing steps when he sees so many audiences and back out?

Will he not perform when he sees us?

Will he cry on stage?

Not only the worrisome Mommy worries, even the jiejie and Daddy are worried too! They asked me the same questions as well.

I reminded them he is a big boy and will definitely do well. I told them and myself to have faith in him.

Full of anticipation, we sat patiently waiting for the N1 to perform. *Drum roll* Finally, we saw him on stage! He did us proud by doing perfect and was one of the best "bum-shaker" in his performance!

It was a magnificent performance put up by the school! We thoroughly enjoyed the whole concert!

Our baby has grown up! Well done Son! We are so proud of you!

The Kids Simply Amuses Me

I am seldom right about judging my boy. He, is a loving boy, yet very temperamental. One thing I never expect from him, is his readiness to show his love for the lil Bud. To him, I believe "baby" is something that exists in my tummy, out of his imagination how Bud will look like except the general concept and impression of the baby posters he has been seeing out in the malls (if there is).

Ethyl as usual, is the loving sister who hugs and kisses my stretch-marked-disfigured tummy and "chats" with the lil Bud on whatever that comes to her mind.

Brayden on the other hand, is very generous with his hugs and kisses when I thought he will be more reserved in this area. Indeed he is reserved with his words. Ethyl can tell a LONG story to my tum, yet Brayden will only says, "Good Baby, kor kor loves you!"

Lately there has been little fluttering in my tum, I deduced it is Bud who is performing some kungfu fighting in wombsville. How sweet to have such feeling all over again!

As I was immersing in the attention given to me by Hubs and the kids, I was pleased to hear the siblings discussing on how to share the load and help look after Bud when she arrives.

E said "Didi, you help Mommy feed baby one week, I take over the next week ok?"

B obligingly "Ok. So I feed baby milk? I use my milk bottle and feed baby milk?"

E trying to explain "No, Mommy will buy new bottle for baby. You feed baby using the new bottle ok?"

B a lil confused "So baby don't drink breast milk and drink Brayden's milk? I share my milk?"

E kinda-frustrated "Listen, Mommy will give baby breast milk, you just sayang baby when baby drink milk ok? I will feed."

B innocently "I also want to drink breast milk. I give baby my milk ok? Can share one you know?"

E gave up "When baby come out then I tell you again! You don't understand me!"

I sat on the bed, laughing at both...

What Are Both E & B Up To?

Time flies, they are growing up well and fast. Here are some photo updates for friends who are not following me on Facebook.



Ethyl is a very active student in class and in school. She has been the monitor, group leader, teacher appointed student of the class and even her Chinese teacher task her with some duties.

Her last participation is in Sing Singapore Performance. It is a school event for students from P1 to P5. I was moved to tears to see her putting her best foot forward on stage. She had practiced day and night, disturbing my slumber peace.

My support to her is a booster for the whole performance, I know. That was why even when I was feeling lousy with the giddy spells and bloated-ness, I still volunteered to help with the make-up for the team.



As for Brayden, he has been a very adorable, cheerful and cheeky boy to us. He takes good care of everyone at home. He never forgets Jiejie's share whenever there is play or treats.

For he has grown so attached to me, I am often busy with the attention both needed.

For now, I enjoy spending time with them. Soon, time will once again be divided among them, so will attention be. I truly hope I can have the strength and energy to do so!

Kids.Time.

As we watched the videos that I have taken years back, I saw how much my lil girl has thrived, how she has reached her milestones under my nose; with not too much emphasis on academic focus.

True as I would love to sign on test papers that shows full marks, I also understand the importance to be consistent, confidence and most importantly, my kids must love, enjoy and has passion in things they do no matter at which phase of their lives.

Ethyl came back with Math 20/20, Chinese 36/40, English 30/30.

Chinese Han Yu Pin Yin has always not been her forte. Having said that, her weekly tuition does help in improving. This result to me is her effort and yes, I am never stingy with my praise and encouragement.

Academic wise, it has never been an issue to me. Ethyl is still pretty much motivated and she would voluntarily pick up her books to revise consistently. This is our blessing. She has indeed proven to be a role model for Brayden.

Under influence of Ethyl, Brayden enjoys learning as well.

When he is back home, he would pick up the chalk and starts doodling on the easel stand alphabets, numbers and some shapes. Occasionally, he would pick up books and starts reading them.

Both enjoyed their bonding time reading and role playing as well. Ethyl will be the teacher, Brayden be the student. It's is so much fun watching them grow at a pace we are all comfortable with.

Every moment with them makes me understand life a lil more. I treasure every bit with them both. Such quantity time won't last long, however I'm blessed with understanding and supportive kids and better half. They have always be braving the changes that goes around us.

I really want to shout "I LOVE BEING A MOM!!!"

New School, New Start - Brayden

He is all ready for school!

Most friends know I am really particular in a way for the schools I intend to send the kids to. Well, I think this is mother's nature. Hubs always thought I am too particular, after all we are both PCF graduates.

Choices are abundant these days, and cost is also pretty much along the same range, it's really no harm being a little more fussy on choices ya?

We had visited many centres for a few months and stopped our search, and begun searching again. We ventured to Punggol, Simei and even Tampines for the boy. I took a liking to 2 schools - both in private housing estate.

Curriculum were equally well planned, both centres we are comfortable albeit one of them is too far from home.

Hubs decided we shall take the one in the same precinct.

Wise choice indeed! We were so pleased with our decision to send him there.

The teacher in charge has been updating me very regularly and I am also pleased to hear him singing more songs, more independent as well.

Jiejie combing Didi's hair. Be the smartest looking boy in class ok?

Reminding Didi to listen to instructions


Jiejie sent Didi to school...she can't bear to leave the lil guy

Just About my EB

This blog hiatus took it really long. Regular updates are now done on Facebook! How I have neglected this space as FB is so much easier with the udat

E is now in P1, B is now in a new school and soon, we will be putting him in childcare centre for full day beginning of April
.
Both are thriving. The changes that has taken place are also taking shape nicely.

A Mommy's role is really rewarding yet pathed with plenty of challenges. Here are some picture updates of us recently

The February 2011

Very soon, new changes coming along the way. As much as I dislike this change, I thought it may be the best for everyone.

Just as I got tired, things took a change (albeit a good change for everyone).

I owe many updates. I am still waiting for her Graduation pictures from my sister, she is taking too long!

Ethyl is doing well in primary school; in fact much better than I expected her to be!

Her new roles besides a freshman in the school - Monitoress and Group Leader.

Every bit of them is so precious to me.

The son will have to face some changes in his routine as well. Let's say it's all mapped out for them and things are going in the right track *winks*

Nurturing Responsibility

Just realized the title sounds like a parenting book title. Well, can't think of anything better, I am never good with titles anyways.

Getting a pet for them each is a huge decision to make in this family. Hubby was never keen in keeping pets as he fears that the kids' passion and excitement will wear off, and the responsibility becomes mine end of the day.

After we welcomed the two furballs home, I realized we had more topics with the kids. Like, Ethyl will chat with me on our way to and from school; Brayden will also ask me how are the hamsters, are they eating etc.

Quite a good decision to make to let them have pets. I am training Ethyl to change their feeds, take care of them etc. The bigger chores like cage washing, Hubby and I will take over. However, we will delegate simple chores to the kids, especially to Ethyl as she is older and is able to take on a bigger role with their Merly and Belle.

Great to keep pets! Both the kids are doing very well with the pets for the past week.

Well done children!

Children's Day 2010

All geared up for our Children's Day!

Although I am not 100% confident I can handle Brayden boy, I decided to just take a deep breath, and venture out with them both on Children's Day. A day out with makan treat and to let them do things they like.

Tried talking to Brayden before we went out. Prep him that I will be alone, with the stroller and him plus Ethyl can be quite a handful, especially he is one that runs all over the place like a faulty remote controlled car. He will never come back to me if I don't run after him and catch him.

Probably I said enough prayers. He was well-behaved and very cooperative. I am so proud of him and more so with Ethyl as she was the one who helped me hold Didi's hand while I handling the stroller.

I think it is quite unfriendly that strollers must be folded when boarding bus.

Our day starts at going to Bugis. We went to Parco Bugis Junction for their brunch treat! What a start for me, I lost my footing, fell down with Brayden in my arms on the step!

I could literally hear the bones on my ankle crackling and leg felt numb for 3 seconds. I thought "Die, if I sprain my ankle, how are we to go back?!"

Thank goodness it wasn't too bad a fall. Or I should say, the pain subsided soon after and we could continue with our day.

Having the little ones in mind, I know their love for desserts and food, we decided to try out Let's Sweets Japanese Buffet & Sweets.




See our plates of sinful desserts!

How nice it is to make the little girl smile. We decided to take a train down to Vivo City and let the girl have some art fun. The boy was tired and fell asleep. Little did we know, we had to end the day earlier as the earlier sprain on my ankle started to work up and causes me pain.




Ethyl doing window art at Emiko Arts, Vivo City

Sweetly, both agreed it's more important that we go home and I get some rest. Guilty to shortening their day, I decided we take a train to Compasspoint and get them their much await pressie for the day, hamsters!

Who knows, the pet shop doesn't sell pets! We had to take a cab to Tampines One branch and get them instead.

Bearing with the pain on my ankle, we went ahead to buy them their pets, and also bought many other nitty gritty stuff for them. I feel the excitement and joy just like them!


Home Sweet Home, Belle and Merly! =)

Something worth remembering what Ethyl said, "Mom, I will make Mother's Day and your birthday just as fun as today (Children's Day) because I know you love Didi and me!"

A Saturday & Sunday

Our Saturdays are likely routine when the little girl has classes at Janice's Centre - A+cademia.

No, I am not griping, in fact we do treasure the time we have exclusively with the boy.

My focus has all along been Ethyl and it is only when she has classes that I channel some attention to him, exclusively.

Again his favourite toast. We had wanted something else, however when we passed by Wang Cafe, this boy will say, "I want (to) eat this. This way...".



See how lovely his smile was when I got him to pose. So charming!! *tell me I am an obsessive Mom!*



A valuable picture taken in a hawker centre. I can't remember how many times we brought them to one, but definitely not more than 10. That was also why they don't like to visit the hawker centre.

The only solution is to "bribe" them with their favourite food and dessert and it works!!!

Told the pampered duo that I will bring them to hawker more often since the food at Changi Village food centre is really yummy!

Simply enjoy spending a Sunday to ourselves!!!

Humph! Not Fair!

A pet phrase of Ethyl these days.

This three words, especially the latter two makes me pull my hair and cringe my face. Why so? Just because I grew up with my two other sisters and we always shouted "not fair", and was denied by Mom and Papa.

Taking my not so good experience of "not"fair", I have reminded myself umpteen times, I have to thread on this thin line with extra care.

Many times, I reminded myself I need to explain to Ethyl and Brayden why I did something to one but not another. Even so, there are times when the hormones go haywire and I simply lose my patience especially when Ethyl kept asking and protesting why she has to give in.

Brayden is a little too young to shout these two words, more of Ethyl's feelings I need to take care of. She is a very sensitive child, thus such emotional issues are pretty tacky.

I used to make up for the "unfairness" by getting her something she likes or give in to a reasonable request from her whenever she has to give in. I didn't tell her, I just do it. Until lately she kept saying I was unfair to her, I told her a few scenarios whereby I "treated" her with something else that Brayden doesn't get.

This took a while for me to explain, but of cause, besides giving in to her request or a "treat" is something I have to manage. I explained to her, if her behaviour is undesirable, her "treat" shall be forfeited.

Such "treats" are important notes to me. Only when no tantrums were thrown and complains from her, such treats will take place. Meaning, her reaction to the "unfair" treatment is the deciding factor to decide if she deserves a treat from me.

Being a kid, she tried her best. Not smooth and no tussle all the time though. We tried and struggle sometimes. Tears were shed...and I do see improvements coming along the way as I repeatedly explained to her the reason behind it.

This is one of my KPI for this year. Who says SAHM (cum WAHM) is a simple job?!

Homeschool - Puzzling Fun

Challenge is always there when trying to coach my little man. He doesn't abide by the so called "rules and regulations" that I set for him. I take it easy, as he is still too curious with almost anything to I expose him too.

One activity that makes him play for hours(yes, he can put puzzles repeatedly for at least and hour and more), puzzles and building blocks.

I always have to play around these 2 items to make him learn. We do randomingly. I used to plan, ended up, I irritated him for insisting he do something and I get frustrated with his unwillingness to oblige.

Now, we are both happy! I use alphabet cards to help him with phonetic sounds, numbers learning and the magnetic board at times to do drawing and teaching him simple strokes.

He now writes "H" and "I" to make Hi-5!

Every little thing counts. He may not speak very fluent sentences, but with every additional word(s) he adds in to his short sentence, simply makes me lose sleep over.

I will miss him when he goes to school next year, though he is a menace when he is home!

How is Brayden?

We all love his cheekiness to the MAX!

Little did I know home learning can make a significant difference from a school environment. I am shy to admit that I am neglecting him quite a bit these days with home coaching, to my surprise, he still picks up whatever small things we have been doing together! That's the beauty of spending time at home.

He can now distinguish between a fire figher and a policeman. Whatever milestone, whether is it ahead or behind his peers, it didn't really bother me at this stage, so long he learns and enjoys learning. This is all I asked for.

I didn't want him to be a couch potato, however there are many things he learned while watching educational programs. What I need to do is ensuring he tunes into the right programs.

There are many photos I posted on Facebook and a tad lazy to transfer them.

We also caught the NDP preview, shall take some time to upload the pictures by this week and post them up. There are simply too many!

Ah Choo Rubs Away Sleepless Nights!

Eversince I decided to start a website selling trusted quality kids and parenting products, my research has brought me to many many different brands. How I realise, what was readily availble in SG is so limited!

I found Nature's Baby Organics range of products online and am really keen to bring them on my web store. I believe in trying out the products that I intend to sell.

Many people will wonder, why can't I just buy products readily over the shelves? Why must try organics products? If you have a pair of sensitive kids, you will understand why.

Ethyl has been using California Baby since birth. For many years, it has been my trusted brand on kids. Needless to say, Brayden is also using it when he was born.

Gradually I noticed he gets flaky skin, sometimes it was bad and looks red and sore, worse, his skin was inflamed and we had to bring him to see a Dermatologist.

Then, he had to stop using CB products. I never gave up. I continued searching online to find a reliable organic product and came across Nature's Baby Organics. I started using the hair and bodywash on both kids. No reactions on both and I happily tell myself, I need to explore further.

Tonight, Brayden is ill. He had a mild fever, congested nose and a phlegmy cough. He could hardly sleep well before I remembered to try letting him use the products I just received from my supplier.

Ah-Choo Chest Rub seems to be a really wise choice.

All along, we had relied on Vicks. Shy to say, the boy hates it as it was too choking for him. He dislikes us rubbing it on his chest, his back and he will scream if we rub a little near his nose. Having said that, we still use it as we are not sure what else we can use to help him feel better.

I opened the tub, rubbed a generous amount on his chest, on his back, back of his ears and also managed to persuade him to let me apply a little near his nose. A while later, he asked for more on his chest and back, as well as behind his ears.

Five minutes after the second application, he slipped into slumberland. He slept so well...The oil that I applied for him is still on my hands, it was not heating up like Vicks always does and it was absorbed into my palm.

Brayden slept well. I can hear him breathing with his nose rather than gasping for breath like he always did before.

I am so glad this product works well for us. Having a toddler who sleeps well despite unwell is a blessing to parents (especially to Moms). Besides this, I also solved a problem with conditioner that continues to entangle Ethyl's long tresses.

Now both kids enjoys using Nature's Baby Organics. I am going to try out another product, I will share again when the goods has arrived from US!

Oh, did I mention before Brayden has sensitive nose, sensitive skin as well as sensitive eyes? Therefore, I am more particular with the products we use at home, an environment he spends most time in.

Learning From Home

A decision I made for Brayden after measuring the pros and cons since the PTM we had before school ends.

A change in 2 main teachers, triggers the concern. At the same time, we also realise he did nothing much in class. Teacher S told us he will be roaming about when the older kids (his class is mixed with N1 students) are doing their work. If not, the PG students will be seated at a corner to play.

I was wondering, besides letting them just play like that, can't a teacher be there to coach them probably transferring beans or coaching them in mastering their fine motor skills etc. In my opinion, just leaving the kids to sit there, letting them play on their own isn't ideal.

This decision came ever since I am more actively doing my research online. I love what Pauline and Rachel did, My Playschool.

After scouring through their contributions, I have decided to teach Brayden from the comfort of home. I am the least creative person on earth. I am bad with crafts, but for the sake of helping my little one and coaching them from home, I guess I need to start somewhere.

Next week will be spent planning the curriculumn for Brayden and Ethyl. Yes, Ethyl will be involved as well. For Ethyl, the main focus is on Mathematics and Science and doing reading reviews aka reading journals on the books (English and Chinese) that we borrowed weekly from the library.

My only challenge is how to get Brayden focused. Let me trial and error on some methods and share with all after the first week.

Encouragement Helps!

Encourage your kid(s)", is a repeated phrase and a reminder in almost all motivational parenting reads will encourage parents to do.

I, of course will follow as well, since I am home to help coach them out of school time.

Being home, I encourage my son to speak to me, asking him to repeat words after me etc. No, I am not worried about his speech development, for me, he is developing at a good pace himself. What I have to do is to help him reach his milestones so that he knows Mommy cares.

Every step to helping him is a fun learning stage. I started by asking him questions, he used to nod his head whenever he wants or answers "ÿes"to something, what I did was simply get him to reply me verbally and after a few tries, he started to answer me. Be it just a ÿes"or "no", I am contented.

If I were to ask him if the food he is eating is nice, he will nod and answer "nice". His answers are my "fruits of labour":)

Seeing him talking more everyday makes my decision to be home more worthwhile. It's a blessing and a joy to us.