Not enough, so paiseh

Ai yoh...never felt so paiseh as I did today.

I asked Athena who she gave the 5 treats to. I gave her 6 in total, 1 for her FT who has a young child. And then she told me "I gave all to Mdm XX, she gave every table 1. My first response was "why did you give it to her? There were only 3 eggs inside and there are 4-5 people in each table, it's not enough to go around the table." "I dunno mummy.."

But she did say, "I give my friends, then other friends come and ask me. How?" So I suggested that next time maybe I shan't include her classmate in for anything if I were to be fair. She kept quiet. So she probably did something a little right by passing it to her teacher and telling her one is for her. If I had anticipated what she'd do, I'll pack in more in each treat bag.

Easter treats

The treats
This year I found Laica Ovetti in Candy Empire when Richard & Irene was on a visit in Singapore (that means it's stocked up since early March). I jumped for joy coz' I remember eating Laica chocolates somewhere during my flying years and it was one of the must try chocolates (in my opinion) and really thank God for Candy Empire, I didn't have to travel far to Europe to get my daily doses of sinful chocolates. *fat*
It's a real big pack with very cute foils on it , so I bought only one thinking it might be sufficient. 4-5 per kid should be sufficient. It's rather costly I must admit but I feel it's price equate to taste. To make you drool further, it's Nocciola which is hazelnut and it has some cereal bits inside. Yums! Ooh...........

And so started dividing and oops! not enough to go around, I didn't have the chance to go down to Candy Empire to get another pack. So I had to get the normal Cadbury chocolates and mix them in the little treat containers. In the end, I could only give out 3 eggs to each children (little compared to last year). I gave Aricia's friends 2 Cadburys and 1 Laica + one chick. And Athena's friends 2 Laicas and 1 Cadbury + 1 chick. Packed in a little cupcake cup (one cup was rather flimsy so I was not environment friendly by putting 2 cups) with the grass thing. Was rather disappointed that I couldn't find the edible kind as I did last year. Tagged and tied a short ribbon to it. The children loved the chicks and kept playing with them until I had to stop them.

Difficult to please Athena. She kept asking me why I had to pack for all of Aricia's classmates and I can only give her a few to distribute for her class. Well, 30 is alot of children and I'm going to go crazy packing so many. Moreover I'm not sure if her school allows such things to be given out.
In the end, I only gave to Aricia's MMI classmates + some extras for teachers' children; Athena's JXC and school friends. Had to axe out Berries', Ros's and Shichida's - unfortunately!
cheep cheep
For Aricia's friends
For Athena's friends
The cupcakes
I made some mini cupcakes too for the children in Aricia's class.
Baking, pound cake, was done on Tuesday and rather fast too, since I did mainly all the mini mini cupcakes and can put in 24 at one go. Goash! I thought the size I had is mini cupcake but it's the next smaller size. I finish mine fast - one mouthful. So made alot of extras. The buttercream was prepared the same night after the kids were in bed.
Decorations were done on Wednesday night. Sigh........very simple, can't do much coz' I have no talent. Dunno why I'm still so thick-skinned to show these here.

These big ones are for the teachers

For the children, the spare ones that can't fit into the caddy

Some plain ones were packed in too.

The presented set for the children. The wordings took me over 3 days to complete - reason being I only had one set of this pattern set and I have to do triple/double of certain letters. But I'm pleased with my (ahem) horrible skills of piping. Still need to practise on the 'grass'

Good thing for this caddy I bought quite some time back
I arrived the school with all the cuppies still in good condition. Phew! *wipe perspiration*

Hope the kids enjoyed them.

"We Were The Reason"

A few days ago when I was packing the small little treats for the children, I started singing.

I had no idea what prompted me to sing. I remember singing this song in my school choir when I was Sec 1. I can't remember all the words and found the lyrics that same night.

As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live

Can someone enlighten me, is this a Christmas song or for Holy Week??

Haven't been writing

haven't been writing coz' I've been busy. Ehh.........since when I'm free anyway?

I'm getting so frustrated with #$%^ Starhub!! I've subscribed to another educational site and the page is not loaded properly. So whenever I can, I will have to go over to mom's place to use brother's computer to print out things - and it's loads of them.
It has been giving me too much problems, all those house calls don't seem to help. Of course I've heard of people telling me Starhub sucks, so I really kudos to myself for my patience & enduring all these nonsense.
I even have problem logging into the Athena's school hol's homework webpage. Guess that's like the ultimum for me.

The only worry is whether I can maintain my email address using a different server. I have almost everything linked to email, worst than moving house where you start updating your mailing address for whatever nots.
Anyway, I can't seem to check my emails via my Outlook Express (must ask my English teacher cum Computer expert cum kick me down the stairs sister for help - haha! Must always raise this up coz' my sister owes me alot for making me a little mentally retarded. Hee!) and have been logging into imail to retrieve email so I suppose I'm still able to maintain my email address????

3rd April - Friday
I asked KZ to help me bring Aricia home this day. I like the arrangement coz' I managed to print a whole lot of things at mom's place without any interruptions - leaving house halfway to pick Aricia up and then shuttling to and fro. I started printing from 8.30am all the way to 3.40pm. Woah! Poor printer!! It never had to work so hard under my brother's care.
And it was a leisurely day for half a day.
After picking Athena up and things I had to do with them is another story. *catching breathes*

The days that followed, I made myself even busier by packing stuffs for the children. Hmm... mom says "why do all these useless things?" Hubby will probably shake his head for 'wasting money again!' I don't know leh........I find the joy in making children happy. So despite my 'very busy, no time to R&R', I'd still want to do. Yah! Maybe I'm really crazy. Maybe I'm Santa Claus in my previous life, maybe it's a calling for me to volunteer in orphanage? Maybe.......ai yoh can't even handle my 2 kids how to handle others? Took me almost 3 hours to pack and I'm really exhausted. Pack what? That's another blog entry.

Side track to my conversation with Athena earlier in the day, she told me there's an Aunty (her classmate's mother) who comes to school quite regularly to teach. And she asked me to teach her class. To be a teacher aide that is. I'd really love to but as it is I'm fussing around for more time, let alone to volunteer my "already not enough" time?? She asks,"so when you're free?" "Hmm... mummy will be free when the two of you are not schooling I guess." I guess children likes the idea of seeing their mummy in the school??

Top 3 position??
I overheard hubby talking to her the other day,"If you do well in your exams, I'll bring you to Japan end of the year." I scream over his unfairness. "I don't care! She don't so well, you bring me and Aricia."
When I was in school, my mother lied to me for many years. And now, I have to go through this cycle again?? I'm studying for my exams at the end of the year? I'm taking my PSLE in 6 years time - must be one condemn student. 30+ taking PSLE. But don't you agree that parents are taking exams together with their kids?
As the kan-cheong mother, I gave her a more specific requirement from me. She gets a kitchen set from me if she comes back with the Top 3 position in class. Hard to get? I don't know, she's smart but I wouldn't know how she ranks in her class. Plus she's very careless too -which she may lose some precious marks. I shouldn't be writing this down, then everyone will be asking me how she scored at the end of the year and many years to come.
Okay, the funny thing is when I told her my expectation. She obediently nodded her head. Mother happy right? Then she asked,"mummy, what is top 3?" *slap head* how to get top 3 like that?!?!?!
The next day she asked me,"mummy I get Number 1 is okay?"
Me :"Of course, I'd be very happy if you're the first in class."
A : "Orrrr.......so I am 1,2 or 3 I get a kitchen set?"
Me : "Yes"
A : "Then if I'm number 4 leh?"
Me : "You get an empty box."
(she pouted her lips and a few seconds later she laughed)

What's she fussing about?
I found one of Athena's 'fussing about over dunno what' very hilarious! Tuesdays are reserved for English where I'll teach her some grammar and then she goes to do her assessment books. She was writing some things into her "Grammar Book" and then she started complaining.
"I don't like to do grammar. I hate to do grammar. I don't like to do grammar, I hate grammar! I have to do grammar in school, at home I have to do grammar." I explained to her the importance of learning grammar, yet again she continued to complain. And while complaining, she was writing. I couldn't be bothered to talk sense into her coz' nothing would go in her brain at this juncture. *bewildered*

5th April - Sunday
KZ requested for an off day a week ago. She wants to go church, she mentioned to me about Pastor Prince before. However she wanted to bring Athena along with her, dare not go alone. I allowed her.
She came back telling me how that greedy girl of mine opened her eyes widely when 'breads' were passed. Small cups of purple coloured drink was passed around too. That girl popped it into her mouth before everyone else. And when KZ explained to her that's the blood, she replied "No! that's Ribena." LOL

Excited!
Can't wait, can't wait for brother to come back with childrens' loots. Meanwhile online shopping is on a standstill until I see what I need to top up. Now I know why hubby is delaying the time to go Japan. He knows the wife is going to make him broke. Hahaha!

Aricia - studio

Pictures came in last night. Happy happy *dancing*

Ps . rest of my blog entries will come later. Late again!

It's a bird, it's an ...

Witnessed at first hand, two innocent toddlers who made the cutest remarks.

Changing Iggy's diapers, with Iggy stripped. Aricia tilts her head (bending forward)to see his little bird-bird and said....
"Ay........elephant...(pointing)
Iggy looks down at his own bird-bird and said,"No.......hippo."

You can imagine the loud laughters coming from mom n myself.

*This is her second time looking at Iggy's private part, first time she was so curious. Her remark was "hee hee..so funny." But then -this gives me an impression that my girl is 'cheeko'

Excited!

Received the artwork for Athena's albums in my email. I've already asked them to add some things for me.


Didn't notice it earlier. I'll be asking them to edit certain English wordings which sound very weird, apart from that I'm happy with the outcome.

Now awaiting Aricia's. Can't wait to see hers!

Mumblings

Earth Hour
Did you do your part in turning off your lights at 8.30pm today? We did.. not coz' of good reason but coz' we were out for dinner. Haha! We drove down to Compass Point from home, so you think we're being green??

Anyway, the moment I step into the lift I had to hear this irritating woman's voice. She was speaking so loud to her children like trying to show off, we took the lift from B2 travelling all the way up to 4th floor. Each time the lift door opens for more people to come in, her voice gets louder. Feel like slapping her! I probably felt so aggitated coz' I was hoping for some peace.
So what was that stupid woman talking about? The children were pointing to the Earth Hour poster that says Compass Point is taking part in it.

Woman : "oh no! They're going to off the lights. We didn't bring torchlight, never mind daddy handphone got torchlight. Ai yoh.. we didn't bring torchlight. So dark.."

Children : Mummy why turn off the lights?

W : Save the Earth. Everywhere turn off lights and then they use candles. (siao!) That means cannot take lift, daddy later we cannot take lift. Kena stuck for 1 hour. (turned to her children and trying to add in humour - which is not funny) You all scared dark or nought> Eee.......no torchlight; so dark. Who is kared?

Feel like telling that woman to shut her bloody mouth up, so irritating. Whole lift can only hear her irritating loud voice talking rubbish. Feel like telling her, "you're already blind even before they turn off the lights. The poster here says "facade" not the entire building."
Siao eh........how come some people never use their brains when they talk? It's just like some irritating Singaporeans who can proclaimed so proudly "I cannot speak Chinese. I ony speak English ak home. We are English-elucated." And I feel like asking them they Chinese or not, dare to say cannot speak Chinese. Although I am bad in Chinese, I won 't deny that I can't speak but say I can't speak well. And really you shouldn't hear me when I speak. Okay, it's not that jialat lah! Just that I can't phrase my sentence fluently. And why talk about English-elucated when you're speaking horrible Singlish.

煮妇的假期

I didn't catch the earlier episodes and only watched it 4 times. Now I'm so addicted to the storyline. It speaks so closely to how I feel. Yesterday's episode made cry, Hong Hui Fang said "we slog for them..... when they are poor they stick to us, when they're rich......" I cried coz' it's the realistic world.
I felt jubilant when she said that we should reward ourselves. I want to re-do what I did before in SQ. Where I'd arm myself with a guide book and then train to various places to sightsee. No tour groups but it means I need alot of $$, which I don't have. Throw the kids to them and let them shuttle around, see how tiring it is.

Semi tai-tai life (finally?)

This semi tai-tai life will happen only once. Today both kids end school in the afternoon. Aricia's trip to Zoo, Athena's full day.
Woah ho! If only this happens once a month ...

I took the opportunity to be out of the house and do some shopping. I need to relax

First place I went was Macs to while away that 1 hour then went to Sony Service Center in Wisma. Silly me thought they open at 10am, until was told it's 11am. I went shopping to while away that 20 mins. Didn't buy anything for myself but for the children at Gap. By the time I was done with that one shop, it was already 11+. Good thing I didn't have to wait long for my turn.

Walked over to 4th floor, where all my favourite haunts are - Better Toy Shop (for the children), Art Friend (for the children), Creative Hands (for the children), Kinokuniya (for the children and for myself). Was tempted to buy but in the end I bought . Sounds fun huh?

I had been looking for the edible "grass" thing to put in the Easter cups. This year will get to give more to Aricia's classmates, Athena will be given a smaller proportion for her friends, the close ones in her class. Unfortunately no luck over various places. No luck in Art Friend either. Sigh..........just when you need it .............. it's "WE NO LONGER CARRY IT." Argh!!!! In the end, I settled to do it the manual and tedious way of cutting the strips from crepe papers.

Went down to Kinokuniya to look for things, they don't carry that book at all, can't take no for an answer; must buy something. Bought this for Aricia and this is for myself. *happy happy* I wanted to look at baking books and gasped when I saw the time. It's already 1.28pm. Oh no! No time for my lunch, I was still thinking about popping by Coffee Club. Cham lah! Time passes by so quickly, I barely had that tai-tai feeling and my job as a chauffeur starts. Dang! Packed lunch at KFC.

When I reached Aricia's school, I saw so many parents waiting. I waited for almost 20 mins. If only.. silly me should have called the school up. I could have browsed the other books.

I think I should declare a day off for myself.

PS: Serene, can you please let me know your girl's name and class. Thanks!

Mumblings

Aricia's going to the Zoo tomorrow, I'm so excited for her. She's been to the Zoo before but I'd like to feel that my girl is big enough to join her friends for school excursion.

Hmm......we didn't allow Athena to go for any excursions until she's 3+ or 4. Coz' Athena is alot more clumsy, we worry she will fall etc.. (in actual fact it's the firstborn = pampered child. 2nd child = fall down; never mind mentality.) Anyway, Aricia is very sensible or so I thought!

We received the notice late on Monday (coz' she missed school the week before). I briefed Aricia that same night, telling her that she's going to the Zoo on Friday. And she has to tell her teacher "I am going to the Zoo. I have money in my bag." Conducted the same briefing on Tuesday morning, wanting to see if she can take ownership. When I reminded her to tell her teacher, she acknowledged me. In school, I asked the teacher to help me notice if she did convey message to her.

End of day I asked her teacher. "No.......she kept quiet. When I asked if there's anything for me, she tells me 'in school bag' "

Maybe still too young? Only the crazy mother can be so bo-liao to do such things.

bentos

This week was a little diligent in making bentos for Athena. 3 days to be exact.

She kept talking about the sushi she ate in SHA and so I prepared for her some sushis using salmon fish flakes.

Tuesday/s work - 24th March
The night before I prepared the sausages. Can you guess what they are??

Answer : boat
Answer : Shark
The 6 sushi's
Packed in HK lunch box ..
into the bag
Wednesday - 25th
The same sushis, no photos at all.

Thursday- 26th
Told me she wanted to pack bread + ham and the brownie I baked.

Again, the night before I pre-cut the ham and cheese and the seaweed eyes etc... (just in case yours truly can't wake up early. Don't have to rush through)

I wanted to put in the eggs as well, but I didn't have sufficient time to finish doing it.


Served the eggs for lunch. Then you know what?? My big girl suddenly declares to everyone " I don't like to eat eggs now." Argh!!! And mei-mei also don't like eggs. Argh argh argh!

If only someone can sympathize with me over my damn superbly fussy children. Maybe should really let them go hungry one day, then they start to eat everything.

Brownie

Athena turned one month older on Wednesday, we celebrated for her on Tuesday.

She asked for a Mermaid cake, I printed out the picture while thinking of what cake to bake. I chose Pierre Herme's brownie instead. (finally I get to use the book)

The cake with the disastrous looking mermaid. I used royal icing on the brownie, took me 2 attempts to do the decoration.
Taste wise, its nice and moist. But decoration? - thumbs down
more photos of the children will be uploaded in their blogs

Kawaii !!

I'm so in luvv...........with these.

Monday night I saw my leftover chocolate couvetures (from my fountain) & melted them to make these molded chocolates.
They do look shiny but the flash spoilt the picture.

I tried this as well, using my cookie cutters .. but can't seem to do it nicely.
You can roughly guess this is Ariel. I like the outcome of the shell and fish.

On Tuesday, I went to run some errands. At the same time went to Meidi-ya to stock up on groceries. Now my cupboard's really full!! I saw this cute pack of jelly. The jellies are in the molded cavity, it's really small (of course! eat too much will get toothache). We kept it, I have the candy mix which I will try one day on this small mold.

*apologies for blur picture. Used the older camera.



Apart from my craze shopping in basement, I hopped to Kinokuniya as well looking for a Japanese book. Can't seem to find, seems like its out of print already. Bought these for the children.