Tracking on motherhood & enjoying it

Cool.........

This is cute. I did another one of my and hubby doing gymnastics. Had a great laugh over it but I can't put that in - imagine if his subordinates sees it. - I sure kena banned from internet access.

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美味いです

罪深いが、チョコレートは美味いです!

Given to me by Japanese neighbour who brought it back from Japan. Oohh........who cares about being on diet!!!





どうもありがとうございます！

Playdate with S

A friend suggested getting the kids together during the hols, I would have done that too - just that I was feeling very nuah and lembek.
Shucks! Age is catching up on me,as you would have noticed my blog entries seem to be published out all at once. Okay, that's beside the point.
Our intention was to get all 5 of our children together. We mummies enjoyed each other's company during our ' massive work-out mothering role in the school concert. Our kids may be friends/in the same class for the next 6 years or more. It'll be good if the mothers can get together too! Yah! Too think I was so upset over separations and vow to be a mega bitch and not befriend anyone in her new school.. Heehee! Can't do it coz' I'm super talkative/do very good PR - all thanks to SQ training.
It wasn't easy to find a time suitable for all. Everyone had different holiday travel plans. It was left to only S and my che-che. Well I think it's good too, coz' we'd have a quality chat instead of having a group of boisterious and crazy mothers turning the whole place upside down and get booted out. The kids overstayed another hour inside.

Photos : The girls wanted to do fabric painting. We left them and proceeded to the cafe for a drink; snacks for the younger kids The children with their work The kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly and refused to leave. All good things must come to an end. We still have many opportunities for more playdates. Well, perhaps might arrange some thing for Christmas.

School Hols - week 3

It's the 3rd week of the school hols and soon it'll be over. Fast huh? I wonder where my time went?
I haven't been doing much during this hols. Prior to the break, I had a list of places to go : Snow City, Zoo, BirdPark, Sentosa, movies, park and I did promise them I'd bring them to fly their kite nearby (probably can really 'fly kite' with my kind intentions). Then before I know it, it's Week 3. Only left with 3 more weeks before school starts.

1st week (23rd Nov week) : was nuah-ing from post-party recovery + hectic life after che-che's PHD. Haha! Che-che opened her presents a few days later after the party. The kids were basically having lots of fun. Mei-mei only attended 1 or was it 2 days of school. Even back at home, I lazed. I needed a break myself too! While they were screaming and turning the house upside down, I was in the room doing some housekeeping on my lappie and also packing the bag for trip.

2nd week (30th Nov week) : during the early part of the week, we were still holidaying. We got back home on Thursday evening,pontang-ed school the next day. Feels good to not do anything and be pampered. I left the 2 noisy kids with KZ while I went off to my beautician to do ear candling and naval candling (ps. this is not the place I go. I can't seem to find any web page explaining abt this). I'm trying it for the first time. And nice feeling to have someone massaging you. My Spa treatments are long overdue. Really need to find a time to do that, prob after a good workout at Cali first then walk over to my Spa place.

3rd week (this week) : it doesn't feel like a school holiday to me coz' I still need to shuttle the kids for their classes. But at least I managed to do some work with che-che. On Tuesday evening, she told me she had a stomachache. Put oil for her and she went to bed. Wednesday afternoon, she told me she had a stomachache. *Alarm bells begin to ring* I don't feel it's right. Next minute she told me she's feeling giddy. That's it! I brought her out to the doctor immediately. She hasn't been attending music lessons for 2 weeks.

On Friday, I promised mei-mei that I'd bring her to the Barbie show after school. She kept talking about it, when I picked her up I told her there's a change of plans coz' we're going fishing. She cried; insisted that she should go for the show instead. It was a last minute change of plans as brother asked to bring the kids for fishing fun.

Well.... the kids sounded interested esp. che-che but when she knew of the hard work, she didn't look happy. The fishes are too fast, even for adults to handle not to mention the slower children. The adults fished. ?!?! The children swung their nets about in the water playing.

Aricia managed to catch a small little cute prawn. Athena managed to catch a small fish. All they did was to shout "there, there, there!" and the adults did the hard job and they had many fishes. They proudly showed us their fishes after it was packed. Oy! They forgot who fished them. As long as they're happy..........

Sadly, the fishes died so fast. Luckily I didn't mix our tetras with the fishes. Our tetras are doing well now except for those fishes - went to heaven one by one. Thought if we were killing them instead by fishing them out just to entertain the kids. *Saint*

After the fishing trip, went back home to put them in a container. And left home for Millenia Walk.

Bumped into A at the show, was really surprised to see her coz' I thought she would have chiong-ed alot of places by now. If not I would have jio-ed her. Anyway, believe it or not. Everytime I think about her, she would somehow appear infront of me.

It's the first time seeing her 2 kids fighting over a ball. But... nobody would have noticed them fighting coz' they were really - gentle! But if my kids were to start fighting?? Screams can be heard; shouts and slapping sound. Very drama! Everyone would know they're fighting.


Rather disappointed with the show. A told me about the other shows that she'd be catching. No lah... I usually select those that the children like. I just realised too another friend chiong all these kind of places during school hols. Salute them! I don't like to chiong all the time.

Earlier this week too, while che-che was not in (stayed a night in mom's place). Mei-mei sang in kachin for me. My kids learn this song within 1 night. They heard it 4 times by the 5th time they were singing. Woah! KZ's amazed with their memory. See how my lil' one pouts her lips deliberately.

Some time too this week, Santa (ahem... me) dropped them a letter. Che-che was so happy. Blame on this mummy who do all these make-believes with my children. Please hor.... if you see my children don't tell them the truth. Otherwise like one friend said "It literally killed the thrill.. Good to let your child have this fun."


So happy too, my parcel came from OTC. Ordered some crafts stuffs, perhaps can arrange a small party?? And those items will be of good use. Hmm.... I'm tired, am expecting to dog-sit (worry about children allergic etc.. worry dog traumatize with sudden influx of people in house), but I love to have parties and have children enjoy themselves. Oh well, will see how.

Packed the small treats for the children. Each children have a small shower gel, one lollipop, two Double Crisps chocolates. Most children get their treats in the cellophane bag, only selected few get theirs in the cute Santa, Reindeer or Snowman box. Mama Santa's work is done!

Fun!!

There's some kind of promotion now for Kidzlabs stuffs. Usually priced at $14.90, it's now selling at $9.90.
I bought Night Sky first. The eager beaver me put up the thing in the same night. It looks like chicken pox in the childrens' room. My kids glare up and go "wow.."

Eyed on the Volcano and bought it a few days later. Hmm......will experiment that with my girls one day Grab them now if you can. Though it's more suitable for age 8+ you can always expose your younger child to science early.

*wolf whistles* Who's that chick?

That cute chick (pun intended) is my girl. School gave me her concert costume when I brought her in today.

She did alot of funny poses for us.

Our weekends

5th Dec - Saturday

I brought che-che for her Berries make up lesson, we train-ed down. While waiting for her, I went to HM to get J her BD presents and wrapped the presents in Berries. A girl, who was doing her homework, was so distracted by me. I do the weirdest thing!!

Hubby then came to fetch us to go for lunch together. He brought all to a new shopping mall - City Square Mall. We first had our lunch at a curry place. The curry is nice but .......I'm watching my diet. Argh!

By coincidence, there was a show in the mall. First we walked around the mall then went to watch when it was time.
Che-che was interested in both hand-painting and balloons

She was really nice, always thinking of her mei-mei. Whenever she took something, she'd always take another one for her lil' sister.

Never have I seen a performance in a mall with acrobats and stunts that was simply incredible.

The performance ended with a loud BANG and down came long confettis. My girls went to pick up the confettis?? Which equates to 'rubbish'

As we were going down the escalator, we saw them downstairs and we were the first to rush to have our photos taken. Soon everyone else stopped them.



After grocery shopping, I noticed that there was a magic show downstairs and brought the girls went to watch.

Che- che was rather disappointed she raised her hand to try to answer question but was never picked.

We reached home tired after stopping by in Longhouse to pack food home for dinner. I bought tapiocas. Ooh.... I love tapiocas!

6th Dec - Sunday
The kids were honoured to be invited to J's BD party. There's always a first in everything. First time I'm meeting them in person - hee! Would have been the 2nd time if I went for their recent outing (wrong timing). Never mind, there's more opportunities to meet up in the near future.

Birthday gal mom did the doll cake. Fantastic job! I wouldn't have been able to do this.

I love these handmade cookies. KZ looked at the cookies and asked me "is this the kind of cookies you wanted to make for their birthday parties?" Wah.......my helper, KZ, think so highly of me. Truth is, I'm not that capable and I'm rather impatient.

Juggle act and magic show by Kinetic Gal. Yah......this is the sort of party I'd like to give my girls but no space at home lah! no $ to buy condo...... maybe can do at void deck???
This is the first time too that che-che won a prize for Q&A. I gave her the answer - cheated. But it did boost up her confidence a little.
(look in the 2nd row, middle photo - see how comfortable my lil' girl is)
When the kids crowded around the table, my lil' girl in her superbly sharp voice shouted "aunty Zet.......I want to eat jelly." Wah! This mother very paiseh leh.. nowhere to hide my face.

Pinata! Thanks to Mel - the kids were waiting in anticipation. Couldn't break the pinata. Hahaha! It was that secure!
Mei-mei was happy with just one lollipop. Started smelling it and then walked away. As for che-che we had to stop her to give other children a chance. She's older than majority of the kids so definitely very nimble. Reminding her that we have so many sweets at home "but I never get to eat alot" - well, that's another story.

Balloon pinata

Cake time!! Kids crowding around the table, che-che was so happy with her cuppie. And we had to restrict her on the sugarpaste.
As for mei-mei, she had her jelly. She was such an easily contented child.

KZ said the chocolate cake tastes like the chocolate cake I make.

* this photo was taken later in the evening*

2nd part - 6th Dec
The kids (esp. che-che) kept bugging me to bring them to see Leather during the weekdays. Today's a great opportunity coz' SIL stays real close to party venue. We bought some snacks for him days before. My girl wanted to buy him a collar. ?!?!

I tell you my girls are really pampered! Upon hearing that the girls are going over, SIL's husband (what do you call it in mandarin?) bought Oreo Cheesecakes from Bakerzin. Woah! Che-che was naturally elated - she loves Oreo Cheesecake. She sat down and finished the whole cake fast. She's never fast eating her meals!!

Lil' one was so funny. At one point, hubby told her "Aricia, go and play with Leather." Obediently she answered "okay", walked 2 steps to Leather; squat and looked at him. She said "Oy!" LOL. We all bursts out laughing at her rudeness. Not that a dog will know. And many a times she gets more excited than the dog, runs to us and tell us "mummy/daddy, Leather look at me." I think he was rather pissed coz' that girl was making too much noise and he was rather drowsy after his vaccination.

We're going to have Leather with us for a week plus when SIL's family going for another holiday. I volunteered to dogsit for them coz' my girls would love to have a dog in the house. Which means... I may have to scrap off any plans on playdates in my place.

Photos :

You sure??

Saw this book online (but no I'm not buying it. Gonna borrow instead). If my lil' one can really potty train in one week, I'm going to find ways to write to her and buy 10 books in support. If it doesn't work, I'm going to write a book on "WHY YOU SHOULDN'T TRY TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR KID IN ONE WEEK" - citing examples of my girl. And she has to give me free editing; free publishing; free marketing. Heehee!

*******************************************************************************


ABOUT THE BOOK
With just a little know-how potty training will be as easy as A,B,C...

Gina Ford is the queen of routine, and one area she knows from experience that can be a big, scary hurdle for parents is potty training. The good news is that it's very easy when you know all the tips and tricks and there is no need for tantrums or endless hours spent sitting with a toddler who refuses to go potty.

This very clearly organised book answers all your questions and makes potty training easy, and even fun. You will quickly learn:
- How to know when your child is really ready
- How to make potty training fun for your child
- How to reward
- How to deal with little accidents
- Why you need a potty for upstairs and for downstairs
- How to help your child get over bed-wetting
With a little know-how from one of the UK's leading parenting authors, potty training will be as easy as A,B,C...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Gina Ford has over twenty years' experience of looking after babies and young children. She has worked as a maternity nurse all over the world for all kinds of people, from lawyers and bankers to newspaper editors, pop stars and other high-profile media personalities. She now runs a consultancy service for parents.

Back from hols

Back from hols. It was a good time for the family to get together; the cousins played together (for the first time).

This is the first time for a holiday, I'm able to relax and I don't flare up that much. Reason being, che-che preferred to stick to SIL. And SIL's 2 boys are already in their teens don't need anyone to take care, SIL gladly took the role. That lessen our load definitely! Hubby and me concentrated on the naughty mei-mei.

Tour guide,seeing how we struggled with her (we offered to feed her she didn't want but wasn't eating but playing), came to help after her own meal. Very fresh hor.... someone new to feed her. New pattern... she ate. At first I told guide, I challenged everyone here to feed her. The person who could feed her the most spoonful will get to keep her. Guide managed to feed her quite alot. Then I told her the next day, "I give you three days. After that my girl will not want you to feed her." She didn't believe me.. true enough on 3rd day my lil' girl was covering her mouth hiding her face. Heehee!

This holiday (too), they finally see through my mei-mei. They finally understand how difficult my lil' one is. Fiesty and cute!

Trip took us to Xiamen, Fuzhou, Chaozhou and Santou. Xiamen is more modern but I like the very old Chaozhou. I like the sound of the pure teochew (dialect), which I haven't heard (grandmas spoke) for a very long time. I think my parents also speak cha-pa-lan teochew now. What I loved is .......the real Teochew food!!! Especially desserts. SHIOK!!

So worried about weight gain during this hols. Thank goodness I only put on 0.6kg. Yay!

Lil' one is so funny. Once we were brought to a place for "pao-jiao", she saw all of us removing our shoes. She followed suit saying "I also want". She took off her shoes and waited. She did dip her feet into the herb water but no massage for her though!
Hubby paid a good sum of money for medicines. He kena tai-qi-ed. Said he could feel the current. I saw the guy who did that for him... looked red and flustered. True or not? Both SILs bought, MIL bought. Wah......alot of commissions (my tour guide laughing all the way to the bank)
I bought another BaoFuLing - miracle cream for burns. Lozenges from the Melon powder (treated for ulcers) company. My kids love the taste. Eeeks!
At certain place, in one shop. In a hidden shelf, there was a place where they sell fake branded goods. I call it the dungeon! You better buy if not they'll leave you inside and die.... Haha! Nah! Never believed in fake stuffs. Younger SIL was carrying her Epi bucket bag and she asked if I could tell the difference between real and fake. We didn't see Epi but damier & monogram range. And yes you can feel the difference. Can't tell Gucci .The SAs knew we were not their target but older SIL looked very gian on their stuffs. So kept following her......damn scary see the way they hound on customers. Then from what I heard, Singapore is hard on picking out fake goods. Some people were fined on the spot for carrying fake stuffs. Woah! That's good control definitely.

Photos :

re-link entry

I totally forgot to publish post for the birthday party. It's dated 21st Nov or click here for quick read

JXC Concert

JXC 1st year-end concert. Just one more year to graduation and then everyone will go on their separate ways (I think). I have the option of letting her go for private lessons (hopefully together with Aricia - if she qualifies, so as to save travelling time)

Photos :

Playing her solo pieces - I don't understand why she brought her book out when she didn't even look at it ?!?!

私の赤ん坊は年が7歳〔年〕です

今日は私の大きい少女(アテナ)のための特別な1日です。 彼女は今日7歳です。 彼女をバービーショーに持って来ました。 彼女はそれを愛していました！

For her birthday, I brought her to a Barbie show at Raffles City. She loves Barbie and she was indeed surprised.
She loves the costumes at Level 1, didn't want to leave the place. She eyed on the new toys - a doll house which costs a *coughing* $500. I eyed on the bedroom set, when I saw it last week. I dote on my girl too much, I know I keep saying that I won't get her any more toys but .... this mummy was deprived of this ; didn't want to disappoint my child.

Told her I'd get her a present, which is the bedroom set coz' both the doll house and aeroplane is too expensive.

































I intended to leave after the show, but there was a Meet n Greet at 4pm. So we stayed on. While waiting, we had our snacks at Aerins.

彼女のために祝うべき小さいケーキ

My little girl talked about her wanting to show Barbie her nails etc... and while queuing up she always had to run away. When the usher stopped her, she told him "I go and show Barbie doll my nails." Sounded very enthusistic.

The children were given a sticker each. Just as they were going up on stage, my lil' girl chickened out. *slap head*
In the end, only che-che took photo with the 'don't look like Barbie' girls

お誕生日おめでとう

Man in 'coma' heard everything for 23 years

extracted from Msnbc.com

Man in ‘coma’ heard everything for 23 years
Mother says her son received wrong medical diagnosis after 1983 car crash

BRUSSELS - For 23 torturous years, Rom Houben says he lay trapped in his paralyzed body, aware of what was going on around him but unable to tell anyone or even cry out.

The car-crash victim had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state but appears to have been conscious the whole time. An expert using a specialized type of brain scan that was not available in the 1980s finally realized it, and unlocked Houben’s mind again.
The 46-year-old Houben is now communicating with one finger and a special touchscreen on his wheelchair.

“Powerlessness. Utter powerlessness. At first I was angry, then I learned to live with it,” he said, punching the message into the screen during an interview with the Belgian RTBF network, aired Monday. He has called his rescue his “renaissance.”
Over the years, Houben’s family refused to accept the word of his doctors, firmly believing their son knew what was happening around him, and gave no thought to letting him die, said his mother, Fina. She was vindicated when the breakthrough came.
“At that moment, you think, ‘Oh, my God. See, now you know.’ I was always convinced,” she said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
The discovery took place three years ago but only recently came to light, after publication of a study on the misdiagnosis of people with consciousness disorders.
While a 23-year error is highly unusual, the wrong diagnosis of patients with consciousness disorders is far too common, according to the study, led by Steven Laureys of Belgium’s Coma Science Group.
“Despite the importance of diagnostic accuracy, the rate of misdiagnosis of vegetative state has not substantially changed in the past 15 years,” the study said. Back then, studies found that “up to 43 percent of patients with disorders of consciousness are erroneously assigned a diagnosis of vegetative state.”
The issue is fraught with difficult medical and ethical questions. Patients diagnosed as being in a vegetative state with no hope of recovery are sometimes allowed to die, as was done in 2005 with Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged Florida woman at the center of the biggest right-to-die case in U.S. history. Her feeding tube was removed.
“It makes you think. There is still a lot of work to be done” to better diagnose such disorders, said Caroline Schnakers of the Coma Science Group.
Houben was injured in an auto accident in 1983 when he was 20. Doctors said he fell into a coma at first, then went into a vegetative state.
A coma is a state of unconsciousness in which the eyes are closed and the patient cannot be roused. A vegetative state is a condition in which the eyes are open and can move, and the patient has periods of sleep and periods of wakefulness, but remains unconscious and cannot reason or respond.

After 23 years trapped in an unresponsive state, Rom Houben can communicate using a special keyboard. He used the device to tell a reporter for the German magazine Der Spiegel that: “I screamed but there was nothing to hear.”
During Houben’s two lost decades, his eyesight was poor, but the experts say he could hear doctors, nurses and visitors to his bedside, and feel the touch of a relative. He says that during that time, he heard his father had died, but he was unable to show any emotion.
Over the years, Houben’s skeptical mother took him to the United States five times for tests. More searching got her in touch with Laureys, who put Houben through a PET scan.
“We saw his brain was almost normal,” said neuropsychologist Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, who has worked with Houben for three years.
The family and doctors then began trying to establish communication. A breakthrough came when he was able to indicate yes or no by slightly moving his foot to push a computer device placed there by Laureys’ team. Then came the spelling of words using the touchscreen.
Houben’s condition has since been diagnosed as a form of “locked-in syndrome,” in which people are unable to speak or move but can think and reason.
“You have to imagine yourself lying in bed wanting to speak and move but unable to do so — while in your head you are OK,” Vanhaudenhuyse said. “It was extremely difficult for him and he showed a lot of anger, which is normal since he was very frustrated.”
With so much to say after suffering for so long in silence, Houben has started writing a book.
“He lives from day to day,” his 73-year-old mother said. “He can be funny and happy,” but is also given to black humor.
Recently he went to his father’s grave for the planting of a tree.
“A letter he wrote was lowered into the grave through a tube,” his mother said. “He closed his eyes for half an hour, because he cannot cry.”
There is little hope that Houben’s physical condition will get better, but his mother said she refuses to give up: “We continue to search and search. For 26 years already.”

Mermaid Athena's Birthday Splash

This birthday splash was planned in less than a month, as compared to previous years where I have months ahead to prepare slowly DIY stuffs for the party.

What sets this apart from other parties is that :
1) small party (Because I ordered everything online months before while preparing for mei-mei's Safari party. I had decided to buy extra 12 for the home party. Nothing more than that coz' incase the party didn't materialise - I didn't want so much leftovers). Therefore I had to remind her 10 other children will be invited. My dear girl was happily reciting all her classmates' names when I reminded her that she has a celebration in school so we only need to invite a few from her school and the rests will come from her 'out of school' friends. Turned out all girls were invited. But I did have boys' theme for standby.
2) Really no time to DIY decorations. Good thing I bought some decos (fortunately we had the party at home otherwise those items would have not been utilised) but it also means more $$ wasted.
3) Games - would love to have one more game but pea-sized brain can't think. And as it is, I ran out of things to buy as gifts for the participants and well as the winners. Not easy to find solely Ariel stuffs, as most items are generic Disney Princesses, in Singapore.
4) No catering this time round, which means I can find better-tasting food (I hope). The only setback is that I had to run different places in the morning prior to party.
MENU :
a) Fried rice - prepared by mom
b) Mee Siam - purchased by mom
c) Fishballs - purchased by mom
d) Fruit Salad - prepared by SIL
e) Vegetables - prepared by mom
f) Fried springrolls, fish and chicken nuggets - prepared by KZ
g) Sea Coconut - prepared by me
h) Nonya Kuehs + mini soon kueh - purchased by me from Kim Choo
i) Chocolate fountain - prepared by me and the chocolate didn't flow. I guess I had installed wrongly. Argh!

Mind you, it's not a lot of food but still we ended up with so much extras. And mom predicted that there'll be more takers for fried rice (for my Xmas-eve party last year it was insufficient) so she fried more. In the end, everyone loved the Mee Siam so much that .........

5) Cakes. Simple - for the adults I simply made an order for Pine Garden's Lychee Martini. I wanted to make it up for last year's boo-hoo. Plus that's like the nearest place for me to pick up. I made cupcakes for the children therefore would had some extra buttercream with me to decorate the adults cake + put sugar icings around the cake. That should do the trick, of course had to ask PG to make a plain cake without the lychees on top. End of the party, I realised I had forgotten about the sugar icings. Argh! No wonder I kept thinking something is missing. Now just what am I going to do with those sugary stuffs??
6) No time to do a video montage. No time to do more photo collages or poster. So the walls are lacking in decos.
7) The one thing that I'm happy is I managed to do some molded chocolates from my molds. This time round, there wasn't any embarrassing situation of "oh no! the chocolate melted. I will fridge this first, I'll give it to you later before you leave." @ mei-mei's SSC Princess party. But ...... I'm not artistic so it didn't look as nice as I had expected. No time for bakes, I was hoping I can make use of the Little Mermaid cookie cutters I have (bought for quite some time back but didn't get a chance to use them) and royal-ice them. Nah........I really couldn't find any time.

THE DAY

The day started with me sleeping at 2am, trying to finish off some last minute work. Che- che followed me while mei-mei stayed at home so that KZ can cope. And I couldn't handle 2 kids fighting all the time with me. BIG MISTAKE!! Usually hubby likes to take my Mr Bean car on weekends for his breakfast at PP. This morning, he decided to take his car. And my fault too, coz' I forgot to tell him the night before that I needed his car. Can you imagine I almost suffocated my che-che, the birthday girl, with all the balloons in the car. Hilarious! It was a journey from home to Kim Choo - PP (to collect balloons) - AMK (to collect cake). Not many places that I had to go but the distance was good enough to kill me and suffocate my girl. Haha!

Argh! My fountain didn't work. Didn't flow. Something's wrong. It didn't occur to me that I had installed it wrongly until I dismantled it in the night (with KZ licking her fingers) Yah! And I'm going to complain, I can't seem to get my big pack of 53% cocoa couvetures. Not even in Robinsons!! I had to get so many small bags. Of course KZ is happy she loves the bittersweet chocolate. Needless to say, she normally gets sore throat after a few days after a party.

Guests came and I gave up on the stupid fountain. It was makan time, I didn't have time to eat before the party so was taking bites here and there (and worry about my weight gain).

Kept reminding che-che to bring her friends to the crafts area but she didn't. The kids came and played in the room, some have been to my house before so they know where the toys are. And..... *sigh*.........I've never seen a room so messy before.

Nails - not for Iggy
Did nails for the kids, not all of them. Some mummies had to help their children; some were taken over by KZ.

Crafts
The children decorated their own door hanger. I bought the scrapbooking embellishments from MWL. I spent in total approx $120++ for the door hangers and embellishments. Initially I had given instructions for the kids to bring their own scissors; letting them paste their door hanger with the paper they like. In the end, I chose to do it myself just incase they can't handle it.
Mummies assisted their children. Ran short of the alphabets so I took out my own supplies. End of the party, there was none left. So I didn't buy enough?
Actually guests this year should count their blessings I didn't have time to DIY. I think through those years of parties, they would have junked their crafts long time ago as it's not worth keeping. Cheapo DIY stuffs are like that one mah!!

Next, the children had to colour their own placemats. Get it laminated and voila - it's an A4 placemat, which I think by squeezing in the cutleries and small bowl should be able to fit?!?
Games
1) Boring lazy me did the usual the Tiara game. It was a tie between che-che and F. I told che-che that I will give the prize to F first and bring her the next day to buy her prize.
2) Music Game : I play The Little Mermaid songs and then pause the music. The last child to sit will be eliminated. I noticed children were looking at me, so had to turn my back and the other mummies were the judges. Then bro suggested to pass the remote control around. M, her classmate, won.
Didn't plan any other games, not as gung-ho as the Dora party 2 years back. Too many games will bore the kids too!

Cake-Cutting
Then it was cake-cutting time. Mei-mei was eyeing on the jelly. A few kids asked for a slice of the cake which we had to say no. I baked one batch of cupcakes, which yields approximately 32 cupcakes. Some extras left, so gave the picks all away to the kids. I over-purchased the picks, I still have one pack of unused picks.

Pinata
Haha! I actually forgot about the pinata.
This pinata was intended for last year's birthday but since FnR provided, I didn't use mine. It was finally put to good use. I bought a Little Mermaid foil balloon and paste the picture over to cover the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Before I loaded the pinata with sweets, I opened the bottom flap; tape it lightly and poke holes to put the strings through it (it's all taped over so the kids always end up with the string in their hands.) I hate the quality of this pinata

The kids took their own sweet time to pick up the goodies. It's either too few kids or I overload the pinata (again). I didn't want kids to be disappointed and I had to remind che-che not to pick up too many sweets. She listened to me. KZ was bad to tell me to put in the Halloween treats inside. Eeeks! I never like to recycle the sweets. I know many parents don't like their children to be overloaded with too much sweets. I choose the sweets carefully and buy more little cute stuffs to put inside the pinata - eg.sprinklers; Little Mermaid confettis; paper clips; Princess stampers; erasers.
Yah.. if you noticed too, I usually like to place some tidbits on our TV console but this year I only place the Fish Crackers. Decided to cut down all these bad temptations before the mummies bar me from getting close to their children.

Goodie bags
Kids simple love this. And my priviledge 12 kids do get slightly better stuffs than her 29 other classmates.
I found these bags on Ebay, got it shipped over from the US and guess what?? I flip over the bag and it's Made in Malaysia???? And I don't even see it here; not even in those shops that do sell their themed goods in Pasar Malam. You say fed-up or not?
The things that went inside the goodie bags. The blow bubbles, memo pad, clipset, balloons were ordered online.
I managed to find these sharpener and erasers set about 1 1/2 weeks before the party at Isetan- PP. Ordered more from them. They costs $1.90 each. x24 = $45.60 *gasp* I don't think anyone is as crazy as me to spend so much on goodie bags
Personalised wrappers which I DIYed. Expected lah! You would have seen these over the years. Only thing is this year I used a slightly bigger chocolate bar.
And the other Ariel sweets which I am so pleased coz' I found it in a Korean supermarket. PP's supermarket didn't have any so I went back to the one in Tampines1. I swear the SA was about to kill me. She wasn't sure how many Ariels are there in each box and she didn't want to open up the boxes for me initially. She checked with her superior, came out black faced and then opened up 5 boxes for me. "Are you sure you'll take them all?" "Of course I will take if you have 12". The thing was, there was no fixed number of characters in each box so it was a tikam tikam situation for me. Thank goodness there were exactly 12 in that 5 boxes *phew*

Party ends
The party came to an end. My time execution was perfect, initially was worried if it'll spill past 5pm coz' the kids didn't do their crafts until 3pm.

Party next year??
Ahh......... it becomes a trend. My girls know mummy say one thing and do the other. I feel awkward not doing it also. But I hope I can get a function room somewhere so I won't mess up my house and have guests sitting on the floor (bad host); get a balloonist or magician. Hassle-free but like I said it takes the thrill off planning and getting your hands and feet involved in this.

Photos :

The 2 (ahem 3) hiatus weeks

I can't believe this!! This must be my record-breaking for going MIA.

Been too busy to blog since I was preparing che-che for her PHD. And was trying hard to backlog all entries and my entries don't seem to move as fast as I had wanted. Gradually preparing birthday stuffs. It's really last minute work! I hate this!! But I love planning birthday parties. (I'm crazy coz' I like to do it but I complain) If only I have 4 pairs of hands, 4 brains (weirdo!)

Been really tired, it's either a sign of aging or I'm falling sick. I can't seem to keep my eyes open past 11pm.
Thinking that things might look better the week after che-che finished her PHD when I'm not going to do anything with the kids in the afternoon but no..........my little girl suddenly developed fever on Sunday afternoon. And nobody noticed it when they were all at home. I came back from my facial, she runs to me to hug me. That moment I touched her and took out the thermometer - 39.4. ?!?! What the @#$% were they doing??

The days that followed was worrisome, on Monday I had to bake for che-che's birthday celebration in school. Walking to and fro checking in her; screaming at her. Yes! My girl was still so active and start to jump; dance; run about. I know it's good, it's a sign that she's 'not that sick to lie in bed' but the concern I had was that with all the jumping around she might raise up her own body temperature. When it spiked, have to make sure I bring it down properly and patiently. That 2 scary incidents lingered in my mind, I'm really thankful it never happened since.

Bakes :
Just in case you might be wondering why I baked so advance, I realised the pound cakes tasted better after a few days in the fridge. And I'll have to re-bake another batch next week.

The Little Mermaid cups were cute but the dark coloured cakes did some injustice to them

Buttercream was prepared on the same day. Mixer was working real hard today. Smooch smooch my lovely mixer.

Tuesday - 10th
Che-che's dismissed from school at 10am. Since mei-mei wasn't in school we hang around Mcs to wait for che-che. I brought the 2 of them to the sinseh for their follow-up.
Feels great to be home so early, by the time I finished washing the car it was only close to 1pm.

Tomorrow is hubby's birthday and I want to do something for him. I was so gung-ho and want to try to do jelly as a cake for hubby. But to do the wordings in one flavour and then refrigerate it, and do another portion is really tiring. Not within one day!

My first attempt in Guilinggao (Guilinggao is hubby's favourite) agar agar leads to failure. The book says boil until the guilinggao melts. Shucks! I see the water level going lesser but it never melt. While trying that, her fever came back again... so I wasn't in the mood to do anything else except to be with her. Not that I'm heartless and don't care about him hor... I did but my girl's more important. It was a little too hard for a jelly (yah lor... boil until water level goes down), junked it. (will try again next time) When mei-mei's fever went down, left home to buy him a cake. Hee!

Mei-mei asked me for du-shu again when I reached home. I've got weird kids huh? She was ready for me even before I was ready for her.?!?!
For her Chinese, she became a duck. Put on webbed feet on her and moved along. Che-che's godma gave her a 'duck' blower from Ducktours so let her try that. Mei-mei had great fun in doing that. It's a good sign, she recognises words that I've taught her using those books & audio. But when I flash GD's flashcards (as in words not taught using the China materials) she can't read for me though I had been flashing the words consecutively.

After her lesson, her fever went up again. Did a suppository, at first she resisted then she quietly stay still for me. She continued yakking though she was hot. Sigh........and there I was telling her to close her eyes and relax. She then said "I fevor ; mummy put medisin in backside" Baby baby I want you to get well faster. I don't want to give you so much medications.

Celebrated hubby's birthday in the night. Athena made a card for daddy, which we thought looked the same as what she drew last year (pic of her and daddy. Her hair is very long and she has a tiara)
My lil' girl is still so cheery (despite the fact that her fever's on a roller coaster ride)
Decorated the cupcakes in the night while she was fast asleep. I finished within 30-40 mins. Coloured buttercream; piped and put in the picks. I left 4 without decos but with picks (for those who can't take buttercream)
Quite disappointed with the purple colour... looked more like brown to me. Too tired to do anything, I crawled to bed

Wednesday - 11th
Was contemplating if I should go to che-che's school, I worry about mei-mei. In the morning, her temperature was low at 37.4. KZ assured me she'll take good care of mei-mei. I must admit she loves mei-mei and I'm sure she'll try her best to take care of her but I feel like I'm a bad mummy. I went off and said I'd call every hour and to call me anything crops up.

Dry run for Concert. I thought many mummies would volunteer in che-che's class. They needed at least 10 for each class, there were only 5 of us. And ...... our girls' item has to be the hardest/challenging, the costumes the hardest. Argh! Cheographer promised he'll ask the assistants to assist us first- we're the TOP PRIORITY!! Woah!
Our girls' item? Ballet which means tights have to be tight, leotard fitted nicely, hair bunned up. I think no problem since I used to bun my hair before. It's only those girls with short hair and .. hair like Athena's :mid-length but thick!!!

I didn't bring camera, didn't even think about it. Ai yah! How would I think about it when my mind was only on mei-mei.

She didn't have any fever for the whole day. Yippee! Tomorrow I shall let her skip school since she just break her fever, and she can accompany us to che-che's school.

I was taking some things out from my wardrobe's top shelf and saw my kebaya. Tried it on and ........

I look so pale (and dead) in this picture. Can go back to the friendly skies??

So happy! Can finally fit the top, used to have problem zipping it up (which I'd like to think it's becoz' my assets has grown bigger - hahaha! Of course not!) As for the bottom half, I can zip up halfway. Like what G said, after being a mother of 2 with hips bigger it's impossible to fit back old pre-pregnancy clothes. So I should be glad that I've managed to lose my size. *jumping in jubilation*



Thursday - 12th
Schedule for the day :
Home - school - home - breakfast/rest -school - home - school - Shichida - Berries - home.

At che-che's school, some kids saw mei-mei waiting at the gate with KZ while I parked the car. They commented "this girl's so cute... come play with us" and they were leading her to the swing. I came into the school compound just then and explained that we needed to get to the canteen so might do it later. KZ told me she asked mei-mei to call che-che, her reply was "so many che-ches"

Baked 42 cuppies (1 1/2 portion of recipe). Some absentees + (blur me) vegetarians + some don't like cake = 22 extras. Told FT her share is inside and if she could help to give to the teachers coz' I do not want to bring them home with me. FT left while we helped the kids clean and pack (I brought along small ziploc bags for them to put in their picks & told them to wash at home) their picks. Another 1-2 girls asked for 2nd helping. Other kids from other classes came along and asked for cuppies, gave it to them. Some of her classmates were eyeing on the picks and asked for extras. I obliged, KZ was so bad to reject them until I told her it's okay. Otherwise we get kids crying..... In the end, only around 15 were left for the teachers - pickless. Heehee!

Very rushing. Can't expect much coz' it's done during recess time. The only time they're allowed to celebrate in school - only in P1. Passed the goodie bags to FT to distribute in class later.

When recess time was over, the girls went to assemble in the courtyard. Mei-mei started to shed tears and asked for "I want che-che". Ah?!? They fight over everything; everywhere; anytime; everytime and now she wants che-che??

Goodie bags for the children





5 items inside which is considered a quite okay amount of goodies to give to the kids. Coz' must think I'm dealing with 30 kids (not 10 kids where I can pamper with more goodies). + not easy to get Ariel stuffs in Singapore - unless I don't keep to any theme then it's easy.

Anyway, che-che came home and told me. "mummy I heard someone say 'so little?' when she open the goodie bag." Ai yoh! If this 5 items is considered little, then what was their reaction when once a girl gave only 3 items (1 pencil and 2 small heart shaped chocolates in a big goodie bag)?? Wah! The kids these days are so pampered. Actually that's not what I'm so bothered about, I'm very concerned when it somewhat confirm that kids are opening up their goodie bags and eating them without their parents knowledge in school. No no nothing to hide from their parents but becoz' the first time I gave them the small Children's Day goodie bag, I was lucky I load it with more healthier snacks and saw them opening in school. I thought it'll be better to cut down the snacks/sweets on my own part for che-che's goodie bag. Since I have a girl who tends to develop phlegm easily, I am more wary and always asks parents for any allergies/food restrictions if they leave their child unattended in my place for playdates. Then as a mother, it's my only right to restrict or better still 'don't display it out' to entice the kids.

Hubby called, mei-mei managed to speak to daddy for a short while when he had to end the call. She started to tear, it wasn't that kind of loud outburst cry but the 'extremely sad look'; sobbing quietly and wiping her tears away and then she said "I wan to talk to daddy...I wan to call daddy." We managed to convince her to have her dinner first before calling daddy. Luck's not on our side, can't get hold of him. She was sad and then cried while sleeping.


Friday - 13th
Mei-mei suddenly develop slight fever in the evening last night. So today I didn't bring her in to school. Brought her to PD, checked with her flu vaccination as well. Can't do it now since she's not well. Will have to see her at next follow-up (next Friday)
Sigh..........worry sick about that lil' girl. Called K to inform her that I'll be slightly late for the full-dress rehearsal. Asked KZ to follow me, was first in queue and came out within 20 mins. Girl given antibiotic coz' said fever was persistent for a week already.
After the visit, I dropped KZ off at the nearby bus-stop for her to catch a bus home.

Called home almost every hour to check on mei-mei.

Rehearsal - it's suppose to be full dress rehearsal but the girls didn't even tie up their hair. Cheographer didn't say anything about the hair and the girls didn't even put on their tights?!?!

Our little ballerinas made us proud. Showed che-che the video, pointed out to "smile" and "turn the correct direction" - she was the only one who turned the wrong side and stood out from the rests (well at least in my eyes coz' I was eyeing on her!!)







I thought it'll be nice to get the kids something to reward them for their work on 18th - Concert Day.
While che-che was in her LW class, I walked around PP. Checked with Famous Amos, wanted them to pipe "WELL DONE, EM1" on the large cookie. I'm charged a different fee and it's not individually packed. Close to $4 per cookie. I'm too tired to bake anything for the kids. I gave u the idea about the cookies and thought that I should just pack snacks in. Cannot think what to do already. Bought stickers and small hairclips.

Saturday - 14th
Promised che-che that I'll let her stay at mom's place for the weekend. Drove her over and at the same time picked up all the barang barangs that I need (children's table/chair, deep fryer).

On my way home, I stopped by NTUC to buy the snacks.

Good thing che-che is out of the house, mei-mei is more obedient alone. I managed to print, make tags, pack goodie bags, tagged bags within one day. My buttocks hurt; my back's aching. Can't complain coz' I ASKED FOR IT!! While packing, mei-mei can ask me "mummy, you peck googy bag? Is this mine? I give googy bags to my friends?" Wow! only 3 yrs-old and she seems to know about googy bags (when during che-che's time - she can tell me "mummy, Ms C give me present " } which was the goodie bag I had painstakingly prepared )

Mei-mei came to me in the room "mummy I want to study..." Obliged her with only the flashcards segment and she was happy. Duh! Then resumed the rests of my 'factory work'

Today too, I tagged the goodie bags for the birthday party.

Rewards for the kids in her class : considered little but I can't manage anymore things. Was lugging too many things home on Saturday.





Sunday - 15th
Che-che came home from mom's place with alot of barang barangs. She was most happy with a Disney Princess trolley bag which she says she's going to use it for P2 next year. Mei-mei was jealous and kept pulling che-che's bag. And then as you guessed it, they both fought over the bag.

Monday - 16th
Hubby called in the evening, mei-mei complained to him "daddy I wan car bag (trolley bag). Daddy buy for me. mama (grandma) buy che-che bag never buy for me; I don't have bag."

Tuesday - 17th
Hubby came back late in the night while children were sleeping. I saw the nice luggage bag her bought for her. It was a Disneyland Minnie Mouse bag. We woke her up to show her the present and she was so happy; kept pulling the bag.
I forsee trouble the next day so told KZ to hide away from che-che first. Otherwise she'll turn black and then affect her.

Wednesday - 18th
The mummies worked well together. There was a last rehearsal before the concert. And since the pressure was on us, we managed to bun up some girls' hair for the rehearsals unlike some other classes who seem to lax and nothing was done to the girls appearance.
It was tiring (climbing up/down the stairs countless times); dressing and undressing etc..
I must really stress on this but we really worked well together. During the rehearsal, 3 mummies were scruntinizing the girls and came to a concensus that the SQ wayang style make-up looks obvious on stage. We all went along with it. Soon one mummy had to re-do all the madeup girls and make up the rests of the girls with the same colour.
I was working on the hair prior to rehearsal. Their hair were hard enough to kill a housefly!! Hairgel seems to be FOC. We then worked on our 6 girls dressing. I had one girl who was so skinny!! I tried to tighten her tights with tapes on her sole until I gave up. Asked her "are you standing infront or behind?" "Behind" Chey! don't bother already!! She was that skinny?! Had to pull the tights all the way up until can't pull up; tug tights to I dunno where.

End of the whole thing, K gave out the bags and said it's from me. I defended that sentence and said it's from every mummy in the room. When che-che got home she questioned me on lying. "I know you pack the bags, it's from you why you say it's from the other mummies?" No wonder I kept overhearing her telling her friends "quickly wear, if not later my mummy will not give you goodie bag." Haha! She's very lorsoh.


*entry is still incomplete. Will complete with photos + the rests of the entries when I'm back. So tired now, early flight to catch tomorrow*

Halloween

This is a backdated entry, I'm really tired and exhausted to write.

The kids had so much fun. The rain did dampen the mood, we made our way back to the carpark for the childrens' dinner. By then it stopped raining and we (KZ, the children and myself) made our way back there again while brother, SIL and mom went back home.
I wanted to see if the nicely decorated home is done up again this year; che-che wanted to go again; KZ wanted to have a look again.
We managed to collect some more sweets.. now what am I gonna do with all those sweets? KZ suggested putting them in the pinata. Chey! She's so bad.... well I normally 'donate' to my lovely siblings.

Photo time :
At home - had to leave house much earlier coz' of mei-mei's rehearsal. I feel so out of place wearing this dress to the auditorium (where rehearsal was held).

Presenting Mrs Devil Universe 2009
Taking the first walk as a newly crowned devil
The devil accomplice - heehee! She was suppose to be a vampire and then she wanted this as well.. it's a good thing I bought 2 headbands and 2 pitchforks. Otherwise I'll turn myself into a vampire and suck her blood!!
The cutest pirate I've ever seen. Ahem......and with a milk bottle (+ diapers) too!
This year I was a little smarter by bringing food for the children and packing bread and drinks for myself. Brought a stroller along too.. though handy but troublesome when you're going from house to house.

























Ahoy mate! I found you!!






Part 2 - didn't get to see the nicely decorated house (prob family went back home?). But saw this black cat who was on the roof a year ago on the car now.




The children were sad when I told them we had to leave. They wanted more sweets (I didn't want more sweets coz' I always end up donating them away). Came back exhausted, scrubbed ourselves and changed into clean clothes.
And the children poured everything out to show daddy

Aricia's rehearsal

Thanks to her kind teachers, they helped me with the video-ing and photo-taking.

I got to see how my girl fare on stage. View the video and have a good laugh over my girl, she was surprised when the curtain opened (and the stage looked brighter); she didn't dance much and was practically having fun 'falling down'.

Che-che, on the other hand, is born to be on stage.

Nonetheless, this is my little playful girl doing her first rehearsal (not performance) - so sad!!!