Halloween Treats

I'm not that enthusiastic in preparing so much treats this year. Perhaps it's of the lack of time I have now compared to last year and the year before. And I really do need the rest as much as I can.... after fused out/ sucked out of my internal energy end of each day like a martial fighter.

Even the goodie pack was ahem - SIMPLE! I didn't go back to MMI; I didn't prepare any for mei-mei's St Hilda's friends coz' not appropriate lah!

I bought these for my girls. I like the Blood Drips - meimei was screaming in the supermarket when I told her it's blood and "hey! it's your blood group - B+"

I bought a few big packs of these Reese pieces. And simply gave out without wrapping them up or tagging it.

I gave some of the shortbread cookies to che-che's friends too.

On Halloween, while taking a short break myself after the intense coaching. I decorated these chocolate cookies for my girls.

The new student

Candies for the little girls.............

who didn't wear her school uniform

who went wondering in the woods instead of studying

waiting for ??

ALL THE CHE-CHEs

Happy Halloween girls!

My Exams! and all the grumblings

I totally hate Exams period (full stop)

With a 4 year gap in between two kids, with one kid who needs alot of pushing; with one girl neglected. Exam period and still alot of homework!! What the ?!?! Shouldn't it be time for revisions? And I'm one old menopause woman so mad with a kid who dilly dallies, who gives you untidy work, who gives you stupid careless mistake work. I mean REAL careless mistake hor! And then I don't have much time for her to do MY WORK. All the time rushing to complete her school homework amidst her and my tight daily schedule/shuttling between classes. Mind you, I don't sign her up for every class in the world. I may be kiasu (scared of losing out) but I still believe in giving my child a fair share of play and work. And substantial amount of classes for her weaker subjects.
And I have one man in the house who don't understand why the wife keeps screaming; scolding; banging the table when I'm erupting. Who thinks that "look! I didn' t have to study so hard and where am I today. So let her be".
When mummies meet we talk about the treacherous education system we have here. How we'd lose out if we don't work on par with the peers. Unfortunately not everyone understands until their child reach the proper schooling age.

I thought I had some support but realise nope - I have a non-supportive mother who thinks I'm abusing her poor grandchild. Who keeps telling me that the girl is not so smart so I must face up to reality. What the ?! So I've been boasting or raising up my standards? Can somebody just go and take a look at the way my girl do her work! I don't mind geniune mistakes but careless mistakes - BIG NO NO! I cried when I saw her SA1 results, it wasn't those kind of condemn results but it wasn't justifiable for my hard work and her intelligence. And why did I cry? I felt all my effort and shouting had gone down. I want to give up, I'm really exhausted. But if I give up then she's really DEAD MEAT. Nobody to push her.

Careless mistakes
Mom kept saying everyone makes mistakes. Yes, every kid is bound to make careless mistakes. I made alot of careless mistakes too when I was schooling. But I was born at the time when kids still had time to climb trees to play; I was born to both illiterate parents. If I had been caned at; nagged at - perhaps I would be doing very well in my career and writing my thesis instead of blogging right here.
It's a matter of whether child makes minimum mistakes or tons. My girl is alot! She knows her work but like I scolded her "your eyes; brain and hand cannot co-ordinate. Your eyes see one thing; brain think another; hand write another answer!"
I just had to prove it, prove to someone. Mom had a look at her SA1 exam script and realised - oh yes! The girl is extremely careless. She knows how to work her way around the problem but dunno where she came up with a original number (eg. in problem sum you see numbers like 20, 4 more, 6. It's multiple-step and she can work but she starts with a "30". Where the heck 30 come from?!) Transferring mistake; and the main killer - untidiness! And that's the time she speaks the same voice as me. After that? She'll go back to her old school of thoughts.

She didn't realize that her granddaughter has the potential, or in her biased eyes - - - shall not say anymore. When once she was in the house and girl asked me a question, I mentioned one sentence haven't got around to guiding her how to solve the problem. She exclaimed "I know already and then started working out on her own." I pointed out to mom, "look! this is what I mean. I usually only need one explanation and she understands. In this case, she solved everything even before I could help her." Mom kept quiet and dare not mention anything about my girl being not so smart.

Please don't be mistaken, I'm not saying that my two girls are geniuses. There are many kids out there who are definitely smarter than them. But if she's kept them to the minimum of 1 -2 or no careless mistakes, that is the result that she deserves.

Everytime before any exams, I'd be screaming my head off. The screams get more aggitated and loud. Coz' I find myself repeating the same old phrase which I have been doing daily. (I'm not doing a 'last minute trying to change her 360 deg' but it definitely takes up a toll in my health having to repeat the same old thing day in day out.)
1) careless mistake!
2) you transfer wrongly!
3) you didn't read the sentence carefully. Already indicated as singular, you can write plural!
4) untidy. You can't read what you write so you add/minus wrongly, you think your mother and teacher can read your handwriting!
5) question asks for this, you answer that!
Last year, I wrote down all the rules on the whiteboard and every minute I had to repeat "what is Rule #1? when she is untidy, I'll tell her "turn around. tell me what is Rule #3"
The only time I can redeem my constant screaming is to see the results that she deserves. So that hubby won't say I've been screaming in vain.

This Exam period is really jialat! I didn't have much time to cover during the September hols. And during the 4 days PSLE Marking Day - I thought I can cover a huge amount of work. Ended up with tons of school homeworks (again!)
Then I feel so guilty ignoring lil' girl. Thank goodness she's rather independent. But still.... I would prefer my other half to support me. You know what I mean?

Running against time, haven't had much time to throw those school exam scripts at her. Siao liao lah! P3 already like this; how about next year. And she's involved in SYF next year!!

Apart from the schoolwork, I should be thankful that I don't have to do housework or cook. Wonder how I'll survive when KZ's not working for us. Have to be mentally prepared when the day comes. By then, my white hairs grows at an even faster rate. I'll need a pacemaker.

To do :

Che-che's exams has yet to begin but I can't wait for it to end. I have so many things I need to do.

1) Call HDB to check on our toilet.
It seems like there was a leak between the wall, water seeped out to the corridor area when there's high usage on the shower head. Could be some piping problem.
Then again, reminds me never to trust those idiot guys who put up their services on the papers. They do rubbish job!! Months back we noticed some bubbles appearing on the wall. Water came out when you press it. Hubby called for that idiot guy, who said there was a leak in the piping and then went down to his vehicle to get a brand new tap thingy. Our point was, why change that if there's piping problem. Changing it won't solve the problem right? And that guy had the audacity to charge so high for one stupid tap, which I can get cheaply at Sim Siang Choon. I told that to hubby before I left the house for the girls' swimming lesson.
All I knew was I was greeted by a slop job of installing the tap. In the process, our blue tiles cracked and he didn't bother to "mend back" or do a sealant. And made it worse, there was a small chip in our shower recess area. $%^&!!! And the tap was slanting!! What the ??
My dad does a much better job. If not for the fact that this had to deal with plumbering, which my dad wouldn't know, I would have asked him to help me. I like the way he drills the wall nicely and do the cover up for us so beautifully. If I had known, this fraud idiot guy- dunno how he can bloody convince hubby, was going to really drill and install the thing I would have called dad.
Now the wall leaks again and we're absolutely not calling that stupid idiot fraud guy! Our skirting seems to be popping out too, darn! Worried about termites so had to keep inside dry. Currently the girls are asked to shower in our room. As for helper, she has to shower with the bucket and boil water if she needed to use warm water.
I could have called them to come over during the PSLE marking days but no ..... I wasn't going to take the risk of the noise around the house when I desperately need peace and quiet to go through work with che-che.

2) Get contractor to make new glass panel for our display unit. Weeks ago, the panel dropped out for no reason bringing all the trophies tumbling down, dropped things from the first shelf to the second shelf. It was a pity too that our cute souvenir from NZ had to be discarded. But must be grateful too that the rests of our prized souvenirs were intact. Thank God too the girls weren't there with me when it happened.

3) Throw out things in the cupboard. I haven't had any time to do major housekeeping. Actually it's difficult to do so when you have one big garang guni and one small going-to-become-a-garang-guni girls at home.
I've been telling a friend that I have things to donate to the orphange in Cambodia. Some are really good and new things. So I need to clear them out. Clear some things probably for the Salvation Army too. KZ was eyeing on my stuffs and did ask me to give her some to give the children there way before. I didn't comply coz' I found out from her that she intended to give to those children with parents and family. I'd rather give to orphange! But she also did say that the orphans needed more. The girls were abit hesistant when I told them I was going to clear some stuffs but they kindda agreed with it.

4) Clear my flashcards and Shichida-related stuffs. I don't have time for them anymore, lil' girl is sad. Kept asking if I was going to print new flashcards for her. But as the girls grow up and prioritizing what is the most important thing to do, I'd rather concentrate on their academic aspects.
After I clear that space in the study room, I need to re-organize their books.

5) And my photos???? Holiday photos in 2008, not compiled into the album.

6) Che-che's reward chart for one whole year including abit of last year's. Oh my! I've the scoreds tabulated down on a piece of paper and che-che can't wait for her reward gifts. Different gifts for scoring different marks. Makes me wonder, why sometimes she can do so well for those top school papers but .... when it comes to her school papers .... *bang head" for the amount of careless mistakes she makes.

Argh! So many things to do but so little time.

Halloween ??

It's been a quiet month leading to Halloween. I didn't prepare any Halloween treats too for any of the girls' friends too. I needed a break, moreover I can't imagine the response I'd get if I suggest giving something to the children in St Hilda's. Immediately, I'd have pastors coming over and pray for me thinking I'm possessed.

For the past 3 years, we had been lucky that Halloween was on a Friday, Saturday and last year was on a Sunday. Though it was the exam period, I decided to let them go trick-treating last year. But I'm really not sure about this year. I've their costumes ready but I'm so worried about the most scariest part post Halloween (horrible results from che-che)

And it's not helping much that she's given so much homework (still) at this point of time when she should be revising her work. I'm really behind time this year!

Some Halloween music to get you in the mood.

You shall wait and see if I had gone trick-treating, in this blog on a much later date.

I've passed the 0.5, officially I'm

considered a mid-30 +1 woman. Argh!

Been a normal day for me, the girls didn't have any school. I utilized the time going through work with che-che as the exams are round the corner. Apart from the SMSes from dear friends, it's been really quiet. Bringing the girls for their classes.

Hubby's on his last course this week and next week. We didn't have time for any celebration or treat. However hubby will always be so sweet and buy me a cake on my day.

Hazelnut Cake

Family pic

The cake's really nice. Oh man! I feel my waistline expanding

Thanks hubby!

I'm on the 0.5 mark

Met the ladies for a dinner together, in celebrating our turning a year wiser.

Not much pictures taken in Teppanyaki place, which the girls weren't interested at all. The mummies had our faces steamed (can squeeze out blackheads) and oiled.

Pictures taken after our dinner

The girls played in the playground for a short while before we adjourned to M's house. We finally saw our cakes. I don't find my "bloody" cake bloody. It was nice for little T to help me decorate mine.

2 birthday girls

Our groupie pic

We chatted while the girls' played, as usual. I had a long tiring day today and left the house at 11+. Thanks for the great time ladies!

Children's Day Goodies

Simple goodies for the children. This was a bulky task - having to pack for 120 kids.

I turned cross-eyed alternating the RAINBOW of colours. But they do look pretty, don't they?

With the tags stuck on the favor bags. I was only going to present this and the bubble to the kids. Didn't have time (and energy) to pack.

But it's unlike of me to try to ignore, I feel rather uneasy. In the end, I packed goodie bags for some other kids. Thankfully, I always have my ready supply of bags at home. Printed out these cute labels and painstakingly stick on every favor bag.

Che-che complains that every year I make her carry heavy bag of goodies for her classmates. I then became so considerate and decided to do these name labels. Rather costly for a mere 20 sticker each kid but .... it's flat and it's compact.

Each girl in her class was given this and the skittles goodies

I also prepared this for both girls' classmates. Was really tired.

Children's Day Celebration

Though I've been a PV in che-che's school for 3 years, this is my first year participating in the Children's Day concert. Here are some of the mummies posing (white is never a flattering colour for me!!) and breaking school rules - pink hair ribbons, very short shorts etc..

I look ugly with 2 ponytails as what che-che said about me

Make up artist

Ours was the first item. Had a good laugh when Kelly had problem ripping off her "uniform". Well... we couldn't practice ripping until today.

This is us in a classroom scene

That's me - holding onto the "CHIL"

Finale performance by the Percussion Band teachers

Happy Children's Day to all the girls!

27th Aug - Facial

The girls were in for a treat when I told them I was going to give them a facial in the night. Usually our routine on Fridays would be, me digging/tickling their ears before they sleep. But the hardworking me decided to give them two on this friday.

Che-che knew what facial was as she has followed me to my facial place before. Mei-mei went "fishes? you going to put fishes on my face?" I had a good laugh over her hearing problem.

First guinea pig was mei-mei who was still wondering where the fishes were. Kept making funny faces, yakking.
Just in case you were wondering -nope! I merely cleansed their face with their bath gel, put a hydrating mask on for them which beautician is fine for kids, kept it for a very short while and then massaged their face with their Mustela hydrating face lotion. The whole thing took me 30 minutes. The talkative and inquisitive girl was my nightmare customer. I lost count the number of times she asked me about the fishes and whether if it was the pink fish we had or goldfish or shark or ....

Pictures of my lil' girl

When I had the mask on, I asked my second customer to lie down so that I could tickle one side of her ear.
After everything is done for my first customer, she finally gave me a thumbs up. And still asking me "where are the fishes"? AAAAAARGH!!!!!

My mature second customer. I think I can have a peaceful time with her. (but still getting that lil' girl yakking away next to me. OMG! I dunno what she was talking about. My ears kindda shut down)

But .. wait! This customer obviously knows what is facial right? She came to the room and then made herself so comfortable, lying down and covering herself under the blanket with her smelly bear.
#2 customer was the most DEMANDING customer!!!! Insisted that I massaged her face longer. And then when I did her shoulder and back massage, she enjoyed it and made me massage her longer.

Sigh... on second thoughts I may not do this for them anymore.

19th September - My girl is 5

My girl turned 5 on a schoolday. She declines the idea of skipping school and a time of jalan-jalan chiding me - "Never mind, you can bring me out after school. I need to go to school to study." Haha! I'm really amused with this girl.

She asked if I could get her a Tinkerbell birthday cake again for school. I had to say no. No point celebrating in her school, as it's really fast where the children barely know your existence kind. The scenerio would be : go in to school - put cake down - sing and cut - eat - we have to leave quickly. In less than 30 minutes. No way!

Instead I bought Golden Oreo and Toblerone for her school friends. And her friends sang her a birthday song. She's happy.

Back at home, the girls had their music lesson.

After which, we brought the girls out for dinner @ Swensens. We didn't buy her any cakes as we were still struggling to finish the leftover cake from her party.

She loved her ice-cream (though she didn't eat much)

Happy Birthday, mei-mei!

In her Tinkerbell dress that dua-kim bought for her

Firehouse

Nice? she was playing with the iPad and I wrote this for her. She had to erase it off for me after taking these pics and write it herself (as seen in last pic)

Magical 5

Despite the boo-boo preparations that made me have more late nights, the party was a blast!

Her cake that was sitting in our room watching us and making sure we wake up in time for the Paaaarty. I love this cake, I love every cake the baker makes, it's so unique. Lil' girl's eyes sparkled when she ran down (very eager) from the car when I pick up the cake. Just by seeing that sparkle in her eyes, I wish I can give her parties all the time.

She was really excited, couldn't sleep. Kept coming to see her cake and reminding us to wake her up "very early. I need to be there very early. It's my party ".

I brought some items the day before for them to decorate as ours was the first party for the day. They helped put up this door sign, the Tinkerbell wall banner (for pic-taking),

my banner that was cut, paste and organised in the car. Haha! My car's my second home.
They laid the table with the tablecloth, centerpiece and her picture. And laid their cutleries and mine. All I did when I arrived was to put the bottles of water, the pretzels on this table leaving space for the food
Put the goody pack stuffs on another table
Another table with the birthday cake and the food favors. There wasn't enough space on the main table for me.
See what Tinkerbell is holding? Assessment book and a pencil. Haha!
Baker thinks one book is not enough, had to add another one for her. And baker had to come out of her house to see the lil' girl who loves to do assessment book.
Her cousin, Iggy - all dressed up. He looked so handsome but he was shy and didn't participate in the games at all.

A week or two before, I informed my friends to dress up their kids in either pirate or green dress (for girls). I can imagine a roomful of lil' cute pirates and sweet Tinkerbells.

In this picture, I haven't put on her wings yet as she wanted to play in the playground.

With the backdrop behind them, this trio is set for an adventure to NeverLand. We've got Peter Pan, Tinkerbell (aiyoh! how come I forgot to put on the wings for pic-taking?) and Pirate Cpt Deccy
Honest-looking Peter Pan and a playful (thinking to self "what cha' think you're doing"?) Tinkerbell
Pretty mommy and me (and I look so fat!!)
Lil' Belle in her cute costume
Kids playing. Haiz! I'm beginning to regret not having the photographer, seems like I was the one busy taking the pictures not KZ.

Thanks to Caleb for getting some picture perfect shots for me. Thanks bro!

Food for kids :
1) Chicken popcorn
2) French fries
3) Spring roll
4) Fairy bread
5) Hawaiian pizza
6) Blackcurrant drink
7) A mix of chocolate and Cookies & Cream ice-cream

Food for adults :
1) Chicken Bolognaise Spaghetti
2) Fish fingers
3) Tuna mayonnaise sandwich
4) Cheese sandwich
5) Coke and Coke-light
I was afraid of leftovers so didn't order much, but was allowed to top up if food was insufficient. At che-che's 6th BD party, we had to lug back so much food that was sufficient for another party.
Still, there were some leftover for Spaghetti and sandwiches (reasonable amount). I wonder if my guests were full.

After the one hour free play, the lil' guests were asked to proceed to the room.

Thanks bro once again for these shots of my lil' guests

Peter Pan, up up and awayyyy...............

MMI mates

The modern pirate who don't resort to swords when fighting in the big seas, but gun. ?!?! Joven's so cute!

They played some games.

I think the game hosts felt the magic in the room. They kindda incorporated this in.

Tinkerbell pose

Peter Pan pose

Pirate pose

It's time to limbo

All the lil' Tinkerbells, pirates and Peter Pan trying to crawl under the ribbon.

I suggested the mummies have a go at the Limbo Rock. The mummies were so sporting! The games co-ordinators didn't put that low for us, they knew we were going to crack our bones if they do that.

Sweets for the lil' children

Pinata time!

Cake- cutting time

Family picture

The destroyed cake

Guests having their lunch

Giving out goody bags

Left the room, unpack stuffs and the girls had another full hour of playtime before leaving the place

I'm sure you had a good time my lil' angel