She poo-ed!

Mei-mei finally poo-ed in the toilet. * jumping for joy*

She was so pleased with herself and kept saying "it's coming... it's coming..........mummy you see ....... "*plonk* Looks in and say "wah... so big so many."

Quite disgusting actually and she only wanted me to sit with her in the toilet; right infront of her.

Whatever it is, I'm so proud of her. Coz' it didn't take 1 yr + to get her to poo in the toilet.

Holiday week

Che-che had been following me out in the mornings this week. After I dropped mei-mei in school, we'd go somewhere to have our breakfast and then do some work. She'd get an hour to wander around before picking mei-mei up from school. Back at home, she get to relax a while before we start our normal routine. 15th (Monday) Aricia skipped school, brought them to the airport to send daddy off. Had breakfast with daddy; kissed and hugged goodbye; played and played. We stayed at the airport for an hour plus; snacked and left for home. Back home I was suppose to do some work with che-che but Iggy and mom came so we couldn't od anything. I was so tired and fell asleep for 2 hours. Nuah-ed at home, by the time I got up it was already 6.15pm. Had dinner and .... still tired but not going to be Ms Piggy. So I made bread since we ran out of bread and I'm so lazy/tired to leave the house. 16th (Tuesday) Che-che and myself had our breakfast @ Macs. Then she did some work for me. Popped by Popular and bought her more story books. Reached home, she decided to help me wash the cars. Aiyah! Had to praise her lor..........but she made me do double work. End up spending more time washing the cars. Afternoon : did work for mummy again. 17th (Wednesday) Had breakfast @ Delifrance. Did some work in there, then it started to get rather chilly (though we both had our cardigans on) we left for outdoor Ya Kun. Bad decision! She was rather distracted with her surroundings and was more keen on reading the book which she had bought yesterday, so let her be. Brought her to TimeZone. She always want to play @ the Big Sweet Land. Always tell her it's a waste of money, she thinks she puts in coin and quickly scoop and drop will get her some sweets. Didn't believe me and she took my card thrice on that stupid game! She sees others with big bags of sweets very gian lor! Finally she got the idea that with that stupid $2.70 she wasted with no sweets, she could have bought some sweets from the supermarket. ( I remember KZ telling me that this kind of game is suitable for me coz' I'm so patient. Chey! I then dowan to spend $$ to get sweets and stuff toys. More likely too, I'd feel so heartpain over the loss of $$ for the miserable number of sweets when I could have bought them at a cheaper price.) We did the photo machine thing again, I don't like the photos this time round. The Japanese ones are much nicer but pricier too! Che-che played on this time beat game. She was so happy when I told her I had a certain number of tickets accumulated in my card, she can exchange them for the things she sees in the shelf. She prefer to wait. Back home, she completed some work for the day for me. We started baking, this is to make up the loss of not baking for months. Che-che asked me "why I haven't been baking much and they haven't been celebrating their birth-month." I can't find the time to bake, though I'd love to experiment fondants (buy so many books & haven't used them yet) it's really time consuming. This week suddenly I feel so stressed, so I turned to baking. A long list awaits me - marble cake; sugi cake; pandan cake etc.... baking them? I don't know, I haven't baked any of the cakes yet as of today (21st) I decided to try something different, instead of the usual faster circular-shaped macaroons I asked che-che to help me trace shapes of car, Pooh head and Hello Kitty head. Here, (in this pic) she is tracing the shapes on the baking paper. I flip to the other side to pipe and bake. She looks miserable in this pic while sifting coz' she didn't want to be photographed. Car and Pooh macaroons. Can't do Hello Kitty, can't tell what it looked like. The kids munched on the macaroons Then che-che helped me to spread the ganache. And licking off from her finger. Yeeks! My bakes I had baked 2 portions and nobody to share with (gave a few cars to Iggy) coz' ..... if you have seen the hygiene of my girl while helping me out, you would have fainted. She had a slight cold, so promised to me that if she sneeze she'd turn her head away. Okay, she didn't sneeze the whole time but ... 1) she forgot to wash her hands twice after she helped me trace the shapes. Wah.. kena lead poisoning. I had to remind her 2) she washed her hands and wiped on her dress. faint! I'm very fussy when it comes to baking, hygiene is of utmost importance. I'd use glove and I never paint my nails when I need to bake or I remove my nail polish before baking. She didn't go for music lesson coz' she was very tired in the car. Didn't have energy to have her lunch. Gave her medications and sent her to bed. Woke up, helped me with baking and she felt so energetic. By time it was 6+, I had already decided not to let her go and rest much earlier. Hmm.... She was suppose to stay overnight at mom's but couldn't. I promised her if Iggy got well then she can stay over on Saturday. 18th (Thursday) Had my weekly bonding time breakfast with mei-mei at the nearby coffeeshop. Sent her in and then made my way down to mom's place. Iggy still flu-ey. Made our way down to my beautician. She was finally agreeable to try out ear candling, she used to think that she'd get her ears burnt etc.. I'm more concern about helping her with her sensitive respiratory system, which they claim helps. A little wax and some 'feng'-air She's happy and love it. I signed up for more sessions, so that she can use mine. So far, mom have used up 2 of mine and she said it's a nice and relaxing. I go back to my beautician for my ear candling & naval candling at least once a month. 19th (Friday) Went to Macs for breakfast, then I realised I forgot my handphone. We left for home, did some Chinese work. Picked mei-mei up, she's really excited. Kept telling me to change her clothes in the car. Had lunch at BigSplash's Sushi Tei, can't find a nearby parking lot and found one at KFC. Halfway through lunch, it started to pour. OMG! Heavy rain, light rain... when we had to leave it poured. Duh! Asked them to help me take care of them and always stressing to people "I'm alone with them." - which means nobody can claim that the kids they are with them and take them away. Yah yah, you'll say I'm overly worried. I'm in Singapore, a safe place etc... but I had to play caution lor. Walked back with their umbrella, drove and picked them up outside. Mei-mei kept telling me she wants to change her clothes etc... I was about to, drove to a carpark near Fort Rd. Kids dried themselves with a small towel, I'm more wet than them actually coz' I sheltered them from the rain. Tidied the car, things strewn about. A classmate just had a birthday celebration in school so goody bags and things thrown about. Sigh.. We made our way down via' Fort Rd & Kallang. In less than 15 mins I was there. I thought I was very early, we were an hour early but no... there are people there already. Che-che remembers her first show, she kept claiming it was last year. But it was March 7th, 2008. Mei-mei was really excited, couldn't stop yakking. Stopped by souvenir store, they didn't bug to buy anything. Thank God! And I wasn't prepared to buy them a big tub of popcorns too (too heaty). Two kids smiled at us, hey! that's che-che's LCCC friend and his sister. We chatted for a while and then che-che said she wanted to see A, the girl who share her same name. SMS-ed M wanting to meet but show was about to start. Came back to sit down, suddenly we heard someone calling mei-mei's name. Haha! It's C with her mummy and cousin. She was the one who had just celebrated her birthday in school, where mei-mei told me "there's a chicken and I am very scared". I'm sure we would have bumped into more people in other sections. During the show, mei-mei was laughing; smiling and so ... elated. I can't describe that look on her face. She kept waving her hands "Hello Mickey, Hello Donald Duck etc......." jumping off from her seat, sit , jump off, sit on booster, take off booster etc.... wah.....that girl couldn't sit still. She kept asking for Pluto, I had no idea she liked Pluto. When Pluto came out she was so happy. Even more happy when coincidentally Pluto stopped infront of her and tilted his head. She bursts out laughing "mummy, Pluto stick out tongue like that (actions) at me. So funny." She waved at almost everyone that skated by her, they wave back (not all the time at her) but she was so happy. Cinderella wanted to shake hands with her, but she was afraid. Che-che was trying hard to act mature infront her mei-mei. Come on! Even the mother was childish, my older girl so matured?!?! Photos : Mei-mei likes this! The next Disney On Ice, I must make sure I grab my tickets fast. Hopefully I can get the front view seats not the sides, I keep taking pictures of their backside. 20th (Saturday) Promised her she'd stay over @ mom's tonight. Did some oral practice with her and then brother came by to pick her up. Mei-mei saw and was rather sad, "I also wan to go..." I had promised mei-mei for her to sleep with me tonight. And I thought with her alone at home, I can do some work + home session with her. They left, I told them only che-che stays over. I sent KZ over to help out. Meantime, I made full use of the time they're out to do my things. Cannot finish leh! Too many things I need to print. Argh! House is quieter and I love it. No one to scream; no noise. It's noisy at mom's place for sure - 3 kids. But they have 5 adults to 3 kids. Dunno to say I'm a bad mummy or what.. but I kindda like this once in a while, without the kids. Need a time of my own (doing their things?!?!) 21st (Sunday) Rather empty feeling now. The kids are coming home later, after lunch. Kids will need to rest early. Term 2 starts tomorrow. So, did we go to Jurong Bird Park or fly kite?? Nope! Weather's too unpredictable these days.

Conjoined twins

Watched this on Discovery today.

I cried when young twins were brought into the OT for them to be separated. I could feel mummy Buckles' mixed emotions as she cradled the girls, not knowing if it would be the last time she'll be cradling them. And I'm so happy that everything's well for them now, not perfectly 200% well but the spirit of the family makes up to 200%.

"should we separate them"? Craniopagus conjoined twins seems to pose more risks for separations with the complex arteries, not that the other conjoined twins don't. Singaporeans felt sad when adult twins Ladan and Laleh didn't make it out from the OT. Partially due to the fact that they had remained conjoined into their adulthood (easier to operate on younger conjoined twins). If they had remained conjoined, they do face the risk of one health's failing or thriving from the other twin. Very sad so why did God create them?

Another interesting link

Aricia's route to > Creative Writing

She had to do this Shichida homework. Apparently I printed out the pictures and stick them into the paper. Made her tell me what she saw.

She told KZ (who was helping her with the homework) : " I go to see dinosaur with mummy, daddy and che-che. Dinosaur very big, I very scared. Daddy bao-bao me. I take pictures with dinosaur, che-che also take. Che-che scared, I hold che-che's hand."

KZ tweaked it, rewrote on a piece of paper for her with the correct spelling. Read it for her to listen and then she wrote it herself. Took her a really long time to complete this coz' she had to erase each letter a couple of times (untidy etc..). After writing her full-stop, Aricia surrendered her right hand and complained "Aunty Zet.........my hand very tired, I cannot write oredi."

Not bad for her second attempt.

A few weeks ago too, I noticed when I let her play sequencing card, she tells me the story.
She's off to a good start in Creative Writing.

Well done, Aricia!

Bread II

The thing about me is that I bu-gan-yan with something I do, I'll redo again until I'm satisfied.

Bought new flour, this time round I bought Bake King's Bread Flour as I notice the expiry date is much later than Red Man's usual 'must use within 6 months'.

I didn't use the same recipe as I did yesterday but used back my old recipe. Both were spread with Nutella.

This time round, this bread rose up nicely for me. I love the smell of freshly baked bread.

Yums! Happy happy!!

Bread

We ran out of bread. Too lazy to go out to buy just a loaf of bread so decided to bake one. Anyway, it's been quite some time since I last made any bread.

I found it strange that my dough didn't rise. I can't decipher what was wrong. I thought "ok check the bread flour". Wah... expiry date : 16th Mar 2010. And I didn't check before baking?? Actually not expired yet coz' today's 15th. That's what I don't like about bread flour. They expire very fast and though I'd like a bake a fresh loaf of bread every alternate days, I just don't have the time. And don't ask me to get a bread machine coz' I like the labourous way of kneading the dough (with gloves).

Not satisfied, I check online while the bread was in the oven. And I found this . Ding dong me I realised the problem could be that 'opened' yeast. Bread didn't taste that nice either probably so as I used a new recipe.

成功 or 失败? 失败

School hols

The first term of school is fast coming to an end. Che-che is really excited, thinking the mummy has planned so many things for her.

Well for the fact - no. Bringing the 2 kids to Disney on Ice show and for that, mei-mei is really happy. Very suaku mah! Kept asking me "mummy, is today Friday? Are we going for Disney show today?" But I do have the intention of bringing them to Jurong Bird Park one day, now with the siao weather. So afraid if we'd get drenched in the rain. Perhaps just drop by at an indoor playground. Hmm.... dump them and then let them go wild in there.

Che-che asked if I'm planning any playdates this time. No, not planning at all. Too short break and it means I can only make it either Monday or Tuesday. Plus I look at the note from the teacher for all parents, they do have work to do. So might as well rot at home, we are not joining hubby for his biz trips (going in/out a few countries). Can bake; can fly kite.Guaranteed not bored to tears. Mummy is known for being a torture queen.

Busy busy

Will be kept a little more busy from now. Our house were "seen" by a geomancer years ago. And now, 7 years later we had to ask him to "see" our house again. Whether we were moving or not, we still had to do this minor renovations.

And so are we moving? Guess not at the moment. We seemed to be house-hunting at the wrong time!! Heard from sources that this year would be good, so we started house-hunting again early this year and we were drawn back by the high prices. Let's just say we were being too greedy lor! If we had taken up the offer a year or so back then, we would be waiting for our place. So, no more D15 for time being. Wait and wait till the price drops. If they ever drop, if not maybe we'll live and die in this house. Hahaha!

Going to do some minor renovations in the house. Painting etc.. and to the 2 rooms. Generally our house "fengshui" is still good - even for 30 years! Gasp! So no need to tear the built-in cabinets around the house. Not much dusts as compared to a newly renovated place but ........to live in the house with existing rubbish and furnitures, it is a hassle! Plus I don't have that many hours to help around the house. In the daytime, only that 3 hours before I leave to pick kids up. Then afternoon I'll be so busy, I also hope the kids won't be distracted. Plus, I only have 2 days in the weekday free in the afternoon without any enrichment classes and shuttling around SIN.

Imagine we gotta cover up furnitures; move things around for them to paint the house. And when we're doing the 2 rooms, it's like "where the heck can I put all their rubbish??" Basically dump everything in the middle of everywhere so that they can reach to paint the walls. Sigh......I hate to think when we come to that part. It's alot of work moving things here and there.

1) Painting - whole house
2) Our room - re-line the study table top, the wood kindda chipped
3) Existing Kids' room - will be converted into a studyroom. I'm keeping their wardrobe and cabinets. The only amendments will be tearing off that structure between her single-bed and study table and the toys shelving. Extend the study table all the way to the end of the room, I might make it into a L-shape one so that I have enough space to sit between 2 kids. Then add cabinets along the window that side. Bring back the sofa bed back into the room again, 4 years later. Maybe this time get a bigger whiteboard but it means drilling holes in the wall, which I hate. Maybe the 3M sticker thing can withhold the weight? Put the whiteboard against the wall where the cot is now ; above the sofabed. So whoever sleeps there will worry if the board drops in the middle of the night and kill him/her. Haha! Hope the cabinet space is sufficient for me to putmy junks their educational materials. The tired me feels like selling away all the flashcards... will definitely leave me some space. But... mei-mei loves them. Sigh.....and I'm too tired to print anymore now.

4) Spare room - will be their room since in-laws are not staying with us and we need the space. No intention to dismantle the wardrobe too coz' it's still good. Of course the hassle will be moving the things inside the wardrobes over. Removing the TV wall-stand + redundant TV. Might remove the wall shelves too and maybe buy this? but then it's cloth-like so may pose problem for cleaning/dust-collection. The next 2 alternatives - Great that their room can be in pink. Wonder how long it'll take them to outgrow this sweet pinkish colour.
Need to do cabinets along the windows to put their toys. Was so tempted to convert one small part into a relaxing/reading corner but .. alas! no space! Can't do much coz' there will be 2 single beds joined together for them to roll to one-another; kick one another; smell each other's armpit etc.. So the walking space is rather restricted.
I'm even more excited to do up their room coz' the last time I did up their current room with the colour and borders were done 7 years ago (during confinement and sticking the borders ok!! When I got scolding from mom.) . They like Hello Kitty; Princess etc... Hello Kitty is cute but too much is an eye-sore. And I don't want their room to look like a SPCA. If Sanrio character, I'd prefer to have Little Twin Stars theme. I think a general fairy/princessy that kind of idea should be good. Wouldn't get sick and tired that soon right?
So tempted to buy this 2 to hang their clothes. But very costly USD$100++ each excluding shipping. And I think no space for 2, just 1. And then kids will start fighting "I take left hand, no you take right hand etc..."

Get them a CD player so I can play music for them while they sleep and can also hypnothize them with "1 x1 is 1, 1 x 2 is 2...." Hahaha! Problem now is their stuff toys. We receive so many stuff toys presents for birthdays/christmas. Now it's cluttering up the space and may have to resort to putting them in a better place. No TV in their room for sure.

Time to get busy!

Aricia's bus rides

Everytime KZ helps me pick mei-mei up from school and bring her home, she has some interesting tales to tell me.

Mei-mei is always full of tricks and life is so funny & entertaining with her around.

Today, I was told, she went up the bus. Saw many grandmas in the bus. Shouted " wah......so many mamas". Then she waved enthusiastically with both hands at the same time to all the grandmas and greeted them "mama mama mama." Dunno if she was practicing her Miss Universe wave or her politician wave. Looks like it's the latter huh?

In a short span of time, she sang "Hallelujah" in the bus (very holy girl), she read out a book aloud in the bus, she sat with her legs open wide. KZ asked her to sit nicely she deliberately lift up her legs again and showed off her panties to the Aunty sitting opposite her. Haha! That girl has no shame at all. Reading, she said "yes, she was reading the words." I thought she had made up some stories on her own as I noticed she had been doing that of late. When KZ asked her to quieten down, she deliberately sang louder. And mind you, she's got a very sharp voice.

They had to change bus. In the bus-stop and really bored to tears, she said "Hello" to a man and a lady on both sides. Trying hard to make friends... Heehee! Then the man was dozing off , she asked him "Uncle, what are you doing?" Startled he simply nodded his head at her and tried to go back. She called him again, "Uncle, what are you doing?" He was being polite to her and trying hard to open his eyes. Haha! But when they got into the nice cooling bus, she fell asleep. This time round nobody disturbed her. To think less than an hour ago she was so bumbly and now all tired out.

I heard too on other bus-trips, she'd make friends and play with the che-ches there. The schoolgirls played with her too. Helps that my girl is a friendly person.

Met up with an ex-colleague

After I left my last job, she's like the only person I really do keep in contact with. She also makes the effort to come to bai-nian during CNY.

We met up today at PP for a quality time out. I brought mei-mei out with me and she had a great time with her new che-che.

Mei-mei had a Kid's Meal Spaggetti and an ice-cream (which she didn't finish)

She zonked out in the car