Aricia birthday : The preparation

The preparation :

Months before
Birthday theme was considered, there were so many cute themes to choose from. In the end decided on what else but Aricia's favourite - Baby Einstein. She likes the caterpillar and will sit there to watch it - so engrossed in the show. Ehh...actually we're all addicted on it too. Haha!

But, the main problem is sourcing around for favors. Did online purchase, not much items but it costs me USD$70+ for it (didn't buy decorations coz' didn't want to waste $$ throwing them away after this first and last use on her. Anyway I always like to do on my own to save $$)

Must admit halfway through I did contemplate on changing it to Sesame Beginnings - well at least I can get the cake here! And decorations can be found here.... but my girl girl likes that caterpillar leh! Ai yah! Not like she'll remember her birthday anyway. But as it is, I was also preparing Athena's birthday party at the same time and it seems that I was more enthusiastic about Athena's birthday. So I guess it's the guilt in the end that I decided to stick to something she likes.

Our parcel came on 27th July

Here are the children so excited with the small parcel.




Oohh.... what's a birthday party without a birthday cake right?? I ordered a customised cake, about 1 1/2 months before her birthday. Can't wait ! can't wait! But it's big.. min is 2.5kg and not like we're going to invite alot of people. But I can't have a 'non-compliance to the theme' birthday cake right?

Favors are prepared beforehand, as usual - this time I prepared the same thing as for Athena's so I save preparing them again when the time comes. (Anyway their birthday is 2 months apart so technically I don't have much time to spare too..)

It is a mad rush, not enough sleep coz' frankly I was printing flashcards amidst birthday preparation and my "crazy to be sewing three backpacks for the children."

And oh........birthday invite was sent out sometime in mid August. Was way too early but no choice we were leaving for trip so needed the RSVP asap.

So I had everything settled one week before we left for our holiday.
Catering - done!
Cake - confirm collection date
favors - done!
miscellaneous - done!
decoration - printed will do it the day before
surprise surprise - did something to be presented on the day. Contemplating if I should do it as favors but reckon people won't appreciate it, so shall save time on it.

During our holiday, was looking if I can find any favors there but no luck!

14th September (Friday)
Put up a little decoration. Contemplating if we should push the electone to where the speakers are or to put in the room.

15th September (Saturday)
Had to go down Concourse to blow up balloons (Tempted to rent a tank but not many children so will save the costs for Athena's party) and do last minute shopping. Would have done it during the week, but because we just got back from our holiday so didn't have time.
Athena asked for a pinata. I reckon no use coz' only so few children, go without it they also dunno what! But as a mother, it pains me for rejecting my child's small request so gave in to her and bought her one. Not many choices for a pull-string one ended up with a butterfly. Bought some sweets and small gifts.. ended up it's rather small, can't put much. Quite a disappointed! $35 for that small pathetic one!

Hubby carried the organ to the room.

Collected the much awaited cake. Thanks Anna!

Did decorations and waiting for helper to help blow up balloons. Brother came by to help. I'm so blessed to have such helpful brother who comes by every time to help out.

Okay, looking forward to the party tomorrow. Not a big big party but hey! I think it's special for her turning 1. And a celebration for myself too - for being able to stay sane throughout the year.

Musings over the week

Smart alec
Athena overheard my conversation with Alyse (who out of concern called to see if I've escaped with Aricia to the big field on Wednesday when the tremors were felt) and then she started asking me "mummy what shake? " "Why the eas (earth) shake?" "How come our house shake?" "Then why you call Aunty Zet?" "Our house got collapse?" Asked her if she is happy if it did, she gave me a smile.... probably she'll be too happy that she can stay in Tampines without finding any excuses.

When we were in TM's toilet, she repeated the same question over and over again. And then she started with "how did it happen?" Oh my! I explained to her about the tetonic plates and she stared at me "plates?" "Yes, plates just like our plates. We put them together and then rub them together; they shake and there's earthquake." Stupid me with stupid comparison. Then she asked me "how come Singapore no earthquake?" I was getting fed up with her question. Encouraged her to ask question, but when she did feel like shutting her mouth up.......coz' I couldn't pee.........

Next day (Thursday) after school, she told me "mummy, I told my children the eas (earth) shake becoz our plates rub together if never hold properly." "Did your friends understand what you said?" "no.. but I know why" pause awhile "mummy why the eas shake? What is earthquake?" - there she goes again


Fish it
Huh? Fishing?
Overheard Athena saying "fish it" when she dropped something on the floor. I wanted to ignore her but can't help but ask her "what did you say?"
"Fish it"
"Fish what?"
"I drop something so I say fish it lor...."

Before you roll off the floor in laughter, she meant to say "oh shit!" - which I often did and she was trying to follow me.


Disneyland Tokyo
Hubby asked Athena on Thursday night if she wants to go to Tokyo Disneyland. I was surprised that he'll even say this, I thought he was complaining that it's bloody expensive to raise 2 kids and he's suggesting another trip when we just got back?
Athena's answer "no, I want to go Chinatown." Huh?? I was jumping mad when she suggested Sentosa over a trip early this year , now she's wants Chinatown?!?!

When he's not looking, I nudged her "say you wanna go USA - Florida has got bigger Disney World, can take pictures with Daisy & Goofy, you haven't taken any pictures with them remember??"
(haha! this mummy's so bad....)

Aricia's class
We missed the first week of September's class, so on Friday (14th) when she went she was very figety and making alot of noise. So far, after the first failed attempt in the 5 minutes of suggestion I haven't dare to try.... which explains why my girl is still so active in every class.
2 weeks ago (before we left for the trip) she was her usual self, participating and then she refused to sit down, wanted to stand. Sensei was asking "where's Aricia?" That girl was squatting down on the floor holding the table; heard her say that; stood up and said "bah!" - she was playing peek-a-boo in class. She did that a couple of times. Haha! Send her for class; she plays peek-a-boo.

Excited
I am getting excited. It's Aricia's birthday party tomorrow!! This time last year, I was doing my second last check with Dr Teoh; doing my Pre-Admission and going for a hearty meal at Tung Lok before I go crazy with confinement food.

Treelodge @ Punggol

We were going through our mails when we noticed a pack from HDB.

In the cover page we read >
2. We have completed the main selection exercise. As there are balance flats, we would like to invite you to attend the flat selection exercise at Sales Office on 26/9/07 at 12.15pm.......

Reading further :
3. As there are limited 3-room and 4-room flats.............
Kena sai! When people move, they upgrade where got people downgrade to a smaller flat. And worst still, we were the people who had to take the unwanted balance flats. ?!?! Obviously, we are going to give it a miss. Here are some shots of the 5-room loft that he were eyeing while I didn't remain hopeful that we'd be so lucky to be one of the 14 to get a unit there

Subject: Fwd: FW: [DennisJokeBook] Pretty clever

In my Inbox :

More Brain Stuff . . . From Cambridge University.

O lny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.


cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy,

it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if
you can raed tihs psas it on !!

31st August - Hi 5

Athena has been looking forward to this day for the longest time.

I reached there early, coz I needed to bring Aricia back home and the time didn't permit me suficient time to rest at home before leaving for Expo. Decided to head there straight after 'we exchanged kids' downstairs.

I was really really hungry........... had my lunch at Rocky Masters, Athena that greedy girl had a banana muffin.
Moo Han sms-ed me a day ago that she'll be there for the show too, so was hoping to catch up with her before the show. But then she was still at home (nobody's as crazy as me to head down so early). Anyway, should make a time to meet up with her one of these days.

As usual, merchandise were sold outside. To entice the children; to make all the parents broke. Shucks! I'm one of the penni-less parent. She wanted a T-Shirt so I got her that. Then she kept looking glumly when she saw another girl managed to pester her mummy for Jup Jup stuff toy. Seeing how poor thing she looks, and.... also I spoil my kid (read this : I keep saying mom and everyone in my family spoil her. But I think I'm the one!) I decided to surprise her by telling her I'm getting her Jup Jup too . She was elated beyond words. Goash! Should have seen that smile on her face; didn't need me to jump around like monkey trying to get her smile for the camera.
And she kept insisting on bringing Jup Jup instead of her favourite and well-travelled bear for the trip the next day. Had to convince her that Jup Jup is too big to go into our suitcase.

Then it's photo time!! Yah lor... hubby complain that I like to take too many photos.
I must admit that I was getting a little excited that I'm going for our first Hi5 show-wanted to know if it's really going to be that interesting. (the stingy me must go for different show cannot every year do the same thing, so this might be our first and last Hi5 show) But judging from the popularity, I guess it must be.


My seat's the 3rd row from the front. I thought I paid so much, they better allow the children to dance siah! It was brilliant! Ohh! I loved it when they went on the trapeze. They charmed the children. It took me awhile to convince Athena to go infront to dance. But as usual she was shy and frightened, and then I promised I'll follow her. Took her awhile too to dance and finally at the end of it she was dancing and dancing; laughing away. Clearly she enjoyed herself and me? - tired from standing.

I was quite irritated with this woman infront of me who had to walk into my picture screen when I snap photo and she had her head here and there in some photos after that. I didn't realise until she turned to talk to her son and her side profile.. I realised she's Pan LingLing. Quan Yifeng was there very early. After Pan LingLing, then I saw Hong Huifang coming in and sat down infront of me.

Intermission : - finally can see light and then realised so many of them. Lai YiLing, Huang Biren, Zoe Tay. I thought I saw Chen TaiMing (not too sure)
Took the opportunity to ask them to take photos with Athena. Not all of them, they were busy chatting so managed them 3.

Hong HuiFang carried Athena to stand on the chair between them and she was seen struggling with the pui pui girl. Haha!

Pan LingLing - met her a few times onboard before and she still looked so stunning

Zoe didn't obliged to the photo. Chey! (Tell you I'm really weird, I used to say Spice Girls, Simon Yam, Eric Moo, Jacky Cheung etc.. are only people what! And didn't really bother to ask to take photos with them but here I am..local actresses and ask to take photos with Athena?!)

The show continued to wow the crowds. On the whole, I think I can safely book tickets for next year.

Athena's favourite

They were selling balloons at the end of the show which I didn't buy her any.

I'm baacck...................

Whoa! I'm finally back after a long long absence. I think nobody missed me and my boring blogs anyway.
But I must admit I'm really handicap without internet access.

Exhausted! Frustrated! Excited!

Okay, give me time to type in slowly and fill in what has been happening.

Meanwhile, it's time to check through my (OMG!) 200 over emails! Like I'm one big business woman like that!

Saturdays

18th August
Was at the carpark in Kovan when hubby called to tell me "haha! your wallet is at home....Aricia mummy have no money to eat." Goash! I think that girl took it out for me and I'm penniless.
I told Athena and she was like "huh... then how? We go back now lor.." Then I joked that I should sell her off "for $10, but mummy lugi. Umm...maybe $20?" Then she said "er...how about $100." "Good! SOLD!"

I thought it should be okay, we'll probably have to head back home after her art class.

Her drawing - Fruits

Then mom called to see if I'm outside coz' she might want to drop by to see the kiddos. So since brother is fetching her, told her to meet me in Kovan instead since brother has to go back to work in Buangkok.
Before meeting her, Athena kept asking me "mummy, we have no money. We eat what?" We walked into Cold Storage to waste time and it so happened that there was a lady promoting Twisties chips inside, she cut it and gave us two different packs. I turned to tease her "Athena, that's our lunch." She asked me "mummy, can aunty give us another one?"

Ai yoh.......so poor thing leh! I had to wait for mom. When she came, let her decide if she wants to eat out or we head back home to eat. Then mom said she'll blanjah us. Not bad huh? I should be penniless and then mom will have to blanjah me. Hee!

25th August
In the morning, Athena reminded me - "Mummy, you must bring your wallet okay?" Today we train down and she kept talking about us no money last week blah blah... talking so loudly in the train. Everyone's looking at this woman who looks okay outside but penniless. Haha!
Fed up, I took out my wallet "there you see, I have my wallet out today." "Got money or not?" "No money. Sell you away I have money."

Crocodile

Signs of her growing up

1) She talks alot now. You can hear her mumblings changes so it's like she's really talking to us. That day, she was seen arguing with KZ. And when she think she lost the arguement, she bent down wanting to bite KZ. Haha!

2) She still refuses to come out from her bathtime. She enjoys splashing water but she hates things inside the bathtub - goash! what can I do with them?? Think I'll just throw them away. Anyway, she hits the water harder this time. More strength? I think so.......... she gets me so wet now.

3) Her weight gain?? 6.5 or 7kg. So she probably tripled her birth weight at one year - no need for much alarming concerns for her size. She still eats alot, poos as usual, size the same. So she's lucky that she's got good slim genes. From who? Not me for sure.

4) She helps herself to the Pooh walker and walks.Stopping to bite Tigger. Poor Tigger!

Now she tries to walk with us holding her hands. Walk before 1? I don't think so, she still hasn't tried standing still on her two feet, as it is I think her legs cannot take the weight. Haha!
Athena did that when she was 11mths old. And she started throwing herself at me days before her birthday. Ai yah! That girl is fast in everything, including fast in talking and spouting words out (which she's not suppose to) about someone... 5) She plays more. Has more attentive time span. But then again, she hardly have a nice long nap, usually half and hour or so. Maybe that's why she's small. You know the elders say "must eat and sleep then can grow big." Athena sleeps like a log so she's pui pui.

5) She can't sit still in her walker / high chair, always turning round and round. Now feeding her is a challenge.

The Ah-Lian girl

6) When she suddenly have the mood to rough play, she'll move herself fast and bang the walker into everything. She'll laugh at the noise she's making at home.
She found some comfort in sitting the wrong side too!
Yesterday, she was caught sleeping during lunch. And see how she sleeps!

Cha-pa-lan

Fortune?
I don't understand why people are so hardcore gamblers that they look for every number in the car licence plate; death certificate number etc...
And I witnessed one relative having the number written on her hand and showing it to mom. Mom just turned away. As it is, mom don't really buy. Come on! Even if someone is going to win the lottery, the deceased will bless her own family members what?!
When I brought up this topic to mom, she also asked me "you go and buy lah!" In the first place, I didn't even notice the numbers. Please lah! Mourning still got time meh? And anyway, yours truly don't buy lottery. But I just can't tolerate people who are so bloody insensitive to others' feelings.

Nobody likes me.................
Athena complained to KZ on Thursday that nobody likes her "my daddy don't like me, my mummy don't like me, Aunty Zet don't like me. Everybody don't like me. Everybody only like mei-mei."
On Friday, she happened to mention this again. So I asked her how did she derive that we didn't like her. She mentioned that everyone likes to carry mei-mei, nobody carries her until I explain the reason why (she's heavy + we show love in different ways)
Sister was asking me if Athena is the jealous sort, coz' at the service chapel she noticed Athena turned back and had her hand stretched out asking me for mei-mei's biscuit, while the pastor was talking - and my expression was a hard stare at her (but I later did give her a piece)

Speaking of which >>
Sister did say "dunno if it's parenting style or what...."
I did clarify that she everything whatever the mei-mei has; she must have. Cannot lose out. Very irritating is the way she asks me for the biscuit like very yao-gui like that.
Perhaps sister is also right. I find that I can manage being a mother for one, but for two I can't handle well. Especially things like sibling rivalry or arguments in the future. (Time being is the Blockbuster put up by the two of them when they're screaming at each other in the house)

Breathless!
Since she kept whining that we don't carry her... I asked her to sit on my lap in the car. Oops! I see TP's red light flashing as I'm typing this now. And that pui pui girl......sat on me; leaned on me (my bulging tummy was flattened and can't inflate as I breathe out) - and I was breathless when I felt my body including my chest couldn't expand out. Goash! She's a starking contrast to her sister! When I told hubby and was trying to catch deep & big breathes; sticking out my tongue he laughed at me. See! How am I suppose to carry her? And dunno if still can carry her... coz' it's like still less than one year after my C-section.

What did you see??
Out of curiousity and heard from a parent in Shichida about the answer she got from her son, I decided to ask Athena this question :
M : Athena, what did you see when you were inside mummy's tummy
A : Nothing
M : Nothing? Can you describe to mummy if it was bright or dark
A : Dark. Black black
M : What were you doing inside?
A : Sleeping
M : You didn't play toys?
A : No, I'm sleeping
M : Did you eat when you were inside
A : No. I never eat (technically correct right? Since it's thru umbilical cord)
M : What is inside?
A : Water. I am swimming
M : (huh?)
M : Can you hear daddy and mummy's voice?
A : I dunno..... (continues to play toys)
Try asking your child this question


Sound of Music
Watched this on Cinemax or was it HBO a few days back. What surprised me was she was singing abit here & there to 3 songs. She was happy when Edelweiss was sung and she started singing almost the whole song.
Then she started shouting "mummy, mummy... I remember this place. We went there to sit horse horse you remember?" "Where were we. Where is this place?" "Far far away, must take aeroplane."
Alot of people always comment that children can't remember a single thing when they're travelling. Yes, she's been to so many places that she can't even remember. But she vividly remembers where we went to when she was 2+.

My name is Chen Zhao
Athena has this very funny antic of writing her name. Just because she complains that her 'ling' is "very difficult to write. Dua-kim also dunno how to write my name" she decides not to write it. And so, she ended up with Chen Zhao. I asked her are you suppose to be writing this way throughout her life. Her answer is "Yes!"


Teacher's Day
Goash! I've been too busy that I forgot about Teacher's Day. This year (for obvious reasons - forgetfulness) I couldn't prepare the gifts personally for them, just bought gifts for her 2 teachers. And also I didn't order any cakes for the whole school as what I did in the previous years. Why? First, I really forgot. Second, there are a few old ladies who aren't teachers but helpers and I can't stand them! And every year they eat and eat, they are still so rude to me. I buay gum guan.

My week
On Sunday night, after hubby left the country, I started my 'illegal printing in the night' again on my Japanese songs. And I'm so happy to say, I've completed 3. I think I'm going crazy.... but it's really interesting & addictive to do them into songs, and now I feel like doing for French & German songs. Yes! I am crazy coz' I don't even understand the 2 languages. Through translation, I get to brush up on my Japanese too. Umm.......maybe I should work for Shichida since I enjoy making flashcards.

Then I decide to stop for the time being, coz' I needed to keep the printer.
And so I did.........I must admit I feel so odd. It's like printing cards has become my routine; my life; my air.
Suddenly my afternoons are left a little bit free. I spend slightly more time with Aricia; update my blog but can't finish (so it's left until now to post it) and I've borrowed a book for myself from the library. But ultimately this is what I hope to do. Probably I should set one week of each month to prepare flashcards. During that time, KZ will have to help me more with caring for Aricia. While the other 3 weeks I'll spend more time with her. Good idea??

Everyone have their own life
You know mom ever mentioned to me that since her mom (my maternal grandma) died, she felt that there's not much reason for her to go back to Muar. And then relations between her and her siblings aint that close anymore. Then she warned us, the 3 of us had to stick together no matter what! I can't say much about me sticking close to my sister - the mule(she calls me donkey) - coz' she did kick me down the stairs. I will take revenge!!! Haha!
We don't meet our cousins that often. Probably once a year when and if grandma celebrates her birthday. But now that she's left us, what other excuses do we have?
Then I thought of asking my cousins to come to my house for Xmas or New Year.. so at least we still stay close.
But isn't it a little late? Grandma not here.

Stupid helper / choy!
I cannot tolerate the helper in mom's place. Always want to kapo kapo here and there. I usually have the time to pop upstairs at mom's place after I drop Athena in school. Sometimes I'll be playing with Iggy when mom's feeding or bathing. Then she must come in to join in the fun. Very irritating! I sent her off away from us. Please lah! Give this gu-gu a chance to play with him alone mah!
Then yesterday, she irks me even more. I was changing Aricia's diapers when she happened to be there and helped me throw the diaper away. And then she started commenting "her poo always this colour?" I replied her since I thought it's just a casual remark. And guess what the CNN went to broadcast to my SIL after I went back home?? That Aricia's poo is the same colour as Iggy. And Aricia has got dot dot on her body like Iggy, Iggy spread to her and she's going to see the doctor.
What the #@!& ??? When did I say she's going to see the doctor for this? When did she see Aricia's body got dot dot? To clarify further, Iggy had mock measles. Choy! Cursing my girl!
Last night, my helper decided to follow me. So when their helper commented that again. KZ quickly snapped her off. "No, my baby Aricia don't have. These are insect bites. My Aricia okay..."
When helper told me that, I laughed and deep inside I'm glad she jumped into our defence and shut that girl up.

Never work and only know how to spread words. What the heck they hire her for? To come and talk rubbish?!

Mom has been complaining that she's too lazy and purposely take her time to do housework around the house. And of course when her 'mom' - my SIL - comes back she pretends to be still working around the house. She very sah-kah. I didn't get to see the sah-kah part but I can see she purposely gelak gelak around the house and doing so slowly. Sometimes I really do see her sweeping and mopping sister's room in the late afternoon, when I'm there to pick Athena up from school. So what was she doing during the time I'm not there??

And you know what? She's been looking into people's things. Looking at people's statements etc...
How can she do this? She's too much already. Honestly, this is a good way to send her off.
Mom is caught in between, she told her off a few times over housework. Tell her off nicely, she'll say mom scold her. Helper like don't bother - obviously in her eyes has no respect for mom. SIL never mention anything. So the helper macam like rule the world. And then I so worried if one day that crazy woman will take a chopper and kill Iggy and mom. Oh! I remember, the time she finally show respect to mom is to ask mom what to eat for lunch?
Speaking of which, mom says helper hates to cook so always find excuses and pretend to act busy.

When they did dine out. Asks her what she wants to eat... she always choose the most expensive ones! yao-gui,贪心. At home... she won't eat overnight food. What! In Indonesia they don't even have food, here she dare to choose!

Goash! If she's my helper, I would have screamed & scolded her. And have the MOM people coming to me to see if I'm abusing my helper. Thank God, KZ is a good help and most important (as I reiterate to her on the first day she is here, where I gave her a briefing and a time-table on what she has to do) is her good attitude. That's why sometimes I do dote on her as my little sister.

You know what I feel like doing? But I'm not her employer leh! Tell her off. I cannot stand people like her.

My thoughts as an employer
Alot of people say I am really lucky to have KZ, I think so too.... after seeing the 2 helpers they have. One - the Sadako (worshipping the water boiler), and the second is the current one. Alot of people warn about Indonesians helper coz' they like to 'geng' and how good Myanmar helpers are. Of course I always cite there's the good and bad in every nationalities' helpers, it really depends on your luck. But on the other hand, I think it also depends on how the employer handles the helper. I hold a tight rein over KZ in the initial part. Even now, when she does something wrong I tell her off. When she does something extra, I thank her. I reward her when I can.
So, is it due to bad luck that they get helpers like the 2 of them? I don't think so, it's how the employer handle them. You give them chance, if they don't improve - send them back. If it's their attitude, tell them off. Don't improve? Send them back! Why must I tolerate 2 years of nonsensical work from them??

Would you or would you not?
Was talking to Suzanna on Tuesday morning after we drop our two chor-loh princesses in school. She's off on Tuesdays so we usually have the time to chat, if not she's rushing off back home to start teaching piano and me to the gym ( I also work what?! I work out even harder)
Anyway, topic of the day was ligation. She had hers done after she delivered Jachelle. She did mention about her gynae hesistant to do it, until I remembered the age limit - 35. Can someone explain to me whether this is a normal age all gynaes set or what? I remember Helen's gynae also refused to so it for her until she reaches 35.
But.... I won't ligate. I think I'll rather choose other alternatives. I kindda don't understand how a person ligate still can have menses. I mean the fallopian tube is tied, how are the unfertilized eggs suppose to travel to the womb for the next menstrual cycle?? And then there's heavier menses I read?? Huh?

Aricia the 小不点 ; 小辣椒

She has been making funny faces recently, she has been crying out for sympathy - eyes darting around to see if we're looking at her, then turns back and continue crying. Ai yoh.... I see her actions - so CUTE!

One of the funny face *glad I got one pic of it - vy difficult to capture it *

And you should see her facial expressions when you scold her or hit her hand (coz' she touches something dangerous) and then she'll wail out loud in pretence - no tears; looking for someone to rescue her.

She comes out with so many funny patterns almost daily that it's hard to keep track.

Two Fridays ago, she amused us by bending down sideways to touch the sofa. She continued doing it until I started counting 1, 2, 3 and she would diligently follow my instructions. Now she has stopped doing that.

She used to wave goodbye and say "bah bah", now she refuses to do that. Just do a fly kiss, and her fly kiss is like 'put her hand to her lips and that's it, she don't do anything after that.'

She has been kissing the floor everytime she crawls on the floor.. yeeks! I call it 'sambayang' - praying. Since she's a little older, she feels she has more strength - now that she's crawling through our coffee table, she pushes the things out as she crawls thru'. Probably she's looking for more challenging "adventure".
Whenever she drops or sees her toy (eg. ball) roll under the sofa or TV console, she'll arch her body down to look at it; crawl ; look at it and try to reach for it. If she knows she can't reach, she cries immediately. But if it's near, she'll try. Once she got stuck in between our side table and the glass panel and she started crying only after some time. Well, at least she's much better than Athena who keeps screaming " I cannot do it, I cannot........."

*Got loads of short videos on my mobile phone but can't seem to load in. So make do with the photos *

Little Miss Pointer >>

Getting excited over a show

In Memory

In memory of my paternal grandma who left us on 21st August 2007.

1908 - 2007

Our mood were different during the wakes, we were contemplating if we should wear colourful clothes to celebrate her new life with God but our discussion somehow stopped.

On Friday, we came in blacks & whites since no one mentioned anything after that. I decided to bring my two girls along ( turned out the only great grandchildren who were present ) to see her through her final journey. I know some elders will tell me off for exposing my young children in such inauspicious event especially so at this time of the month, but I guess this is not the time to be pan-tang especially so for my own family member.
Everything was okay, until the time we had to leave the house for Mandai Crematorium & Columbarium. Needless to say, all the talks about her starting a new life with God are craps - really crap, we just didn't want to leave her body; we couldn't cope emotionally. Everyone just burst into tears. The rests of the events after that will be kept in my memory.

The photo of her above is like what we call her trademark action "Hmm! I'm not telling you / I don't want." She is very child-like and funny......perhaps its her very happy and carefree nature. So like what Aunty and Father said, she had her eyes closed and she left with no worries at all.

I will miss her calling me "Ah Gor" instead of "Ah girl." I will miss our blackjack games (where I'll cheat.. and she'll 'chide me')

Thank you grandma.

Dec 2002 - carrying her first great-granddaughter, Athena

* A pity I did not have any of her carrying Aricia

PS : Thank you to friends who sent their condolences and paid their last respects to my grandma.

Grandma

Grandma has been called home to the Lord this morning - 7.30am. (Feel like slapping myself for not making a quick visit on Sunday morning after hubby finished his consultation at TTSH. Too late for regrets) Grandma is 99 or 100 this year? Very old liao.........people say "it's okay.. old already." Quite true but yet again, there's a tinge of sadness when you have a loved one leaving you forever. Perhaps my siblings and myself wouldn't feel as sad as my cousins who were taken care of by her (though my father is the only son). But I shall remember how she'd come over to my house every CNY and we'd played Blackjack with Monopoly $$. How I'd struggle with my Teochew with her. The stories she told me of her wedding and how she kicked my grandfather out on the wedding night. Haha!

She has seen grandchildren getting married and having children of their own - great grandchildren. 5 to be exact. Fortunately, she was around when Iggy (the only great grandchild to carry on the surname Teo) celebrated his full month.
Meanwhile, I shall take a break and write when I'm free........ (sians... hubby just flew this morning. So suay! So gotta struggle with kids & the daily visits. Cremation this Friday.)

* Note : will put in photos at a later date *

*tik tuk tik tak*

Tik tuk tik tak, tik tuk tik tak - that's how my Athena describes her heartbeat when she's scared.

And scared I was this morning. I didn't get to sleep much (only 3+ hrs on Friday night) so was hoping to get a good sleep the night on Saturday night. Somehow I know I'm tired but I can't sleep... and then my hubby kept tossing and turning in bed made me so wide awake even more.

Then at close to 4am, heard hubby sighing away. It took us half an hour to finally decide to see the doctor coz' it didn't seem normal. I don't even know the nearest 24hours clinic around Punggol so we decided to go slightly further to TTSH instead of CGH - quite well known to be not so good. (Heard so much and personally had this experience too)

I thought the A & E would be very crowded, perhaps not so on a Saturday / Sunday wee morning. I can't say about Sundays when people try their luck for *ahem* MC on the following Monday.
Hubby had to have his blood and X-Ray taken. And I was so worried coz' he kept clutching where his kidney is.

He was observed for 2 hours and he kept asking me to rest in the car. Yah! I rest in the car, I die of carbon monoxide might as well rest in the hospital premises. Stayed around and noticed the number of ambulances coming in with teens, policemen around. Must be teens having fights outside pubs etc... Goash! What are the kids up to these days?! In a few years too, I'll be holding a tight rein over my 2 teenage daughters.

Finally, at 6+ doctor gave the clearance, medication and off we go.

At 7+, we were so exhausted and went to bed. The 2 kids obviously didn't know what happened rather they didn't even know we left the house.

KZ's birthday

Under the pretext of celebrating Aricia's monthly birthday, we managed to surprise KZ. We did the usual by dining outside. I bought the cake, Athena & KZ thought it was for Aricia. Then without KZ's knowledge I told them to sing the birthday song for KZ. KZ didn't suspect anything. I told her to carry Aricia and she was happily singing until we sang her name and she looked surprised. She was happy with her birthday present - a digital camera - and she started tearing.

THE PHOTOS :

The children playing with the wrapping paper.

Her actual birthday is 22nd, might want to give her a day off.

Mumblings Part 2

"Mummy.. I cannot........"
She always say this when she gotta practice her violin in the original speed. But she can do it what? In class, Ms Low makes it from slow to the original speed, and she has no problem.
Think she's deliberately taunting me.

In a world of her own
I do notice that Athena will at some point in her class (both violin & YJC) start to daydream. Then she gets hyperactive and Peggy will (most of the time) tell her "Athena, no!" coz' she'll be deliberately putting her finger on the piano when Peggy is playing. Sometimes I feel like going up to her in class and slap her fingers.

Noisy kids
After YJC, the kids will all get too noisy, especially Jachelle, Athena, Eliz and recently Faith who has finally opened up to the crazy 3 kids. They will yak and yak in the small lift, very noisy. Then laugh loudly.. the time in the lift from 3rd floor to B3 is ear torturing.
I commented my kids dunno why at night so hyper. I tried to calm the 2 of them down by playing soothing music only to have them dancing and Athena jumping about.Suzanna said I probably drank coffee while preggie. I told her I'm not a coffee drinker, but I forgot to metion to her that I'm a chocoholic.

Your teacher ; your mother?
Chatted with Suzanna yesterday (Wed) in the morning after dropping the kids.
Somehow she came to a part where she mentioned she mothers her students. I thought it is nice to have a teacher who's also a mother so can help to mother your child. Of course I'm not saying that I will push my responsibility as a mother away, but it'll be nice that you have someone to lecture your child when you're not there or when they're having lessons. Having said so, I kindda made the comment having an older teacher is better than those younger teacher. And she did mention that alot of young teachers can't handle boisterous students and went to see him (he's a doctor) which he had to later refer them to IMH.
Come to think of it, what's happening to our kids these days? Under the influence from TV?

Why why why?
I hate my self for not being a good artist. If i can draw, I can prepare her flashcards , esp those done from songs to make into the flashcards... I've got good ideas but it takes time to find the images on the web etc.. sians

Dead fish came back alive
On Wednesday night, Suzanna said I look so refreshed. Of course lah, after the exercise (altho' I think it's really not enough) and facial which scrubbed off my moh-peng face. The inner skin shows finally! Ha!
Goash! I think I really look like a dead fish all these while....can you believe it? The last time I went facial was last November?? And I kept thinking it was before this CNY?

My one day break
Decided that one day break from everything and dump Aricia at home on Wednesday. Dowan to think; dowan to think so much....
I feel so guilty and awkward to skip that session with her. It has come to a stage where it has become a routine liao and "I have to do it" rather than out of love I'm doing it. Isn't flashing then is no use??
Will I do this again? I'm sure some time in the future when I've reached that point when I'm over exhausted - yes I will.

What goes around comes around
It's really funny, this phrase doesn't just mean 'karma.' During the last weekend, in a noisy coffeeshop this was what happened.
Somehow next table's mummy commented to her son "you see that mei-mei can eat on her own...." (pointing to Athena). After some time, I commented to Athena "you see that di-di finish his meal already... quickly finish your meal". Probably it went around or not, I dunno.... but after that I overheard one father telling his even much younger son, "you see that mei-mei just sit to eat and eat." And who was taking all the credit?? My little Aricia who's the youngest there around our table.

I don't want! I don't want!
Aricia, like her che-che like to taunt me leh... On Wednesday we decided to let her sleep between us. And prior to that, she kept playing and taking her pacifier to hit me. Ouch! And she never did that to hubby.
When she knew I was playing along with her, she kept offering her pacifier to me. I cover my eyes, she puts it back in her mouth. I open up my hands to reveal my eyes, she takes it from her mouth to give it to me. Yeeks! So smelly!


Day out - Thursday
Brought Aricia out with me as I ran my errands. But so unlucky that she had to poop in the car and dirtied her romper. In the toilet (no changing table), I had to wash her clean and decided to wash that dirty part of the romper, otherwise how to carry her. Even more suay, as I struggled to wash with that ever clingy girl, I dropped the whole romper in the basin which had water running. Argh!
Can't dry in time... carry clingy kid to the hand dryer to dry her clothes.
People walk in and out, until one very very nice lady asked if I needed help to buy clothes after I told her I will need to go over to buy a new set of clothes for her. Coz' we were in TP Entertainment Centre, there were not even a shop to sell towel to wrap her up and dash to somewhere.. She kept offering to help me, and guess what she offered me later "or perhaps you take my jacket to cover her first; otherwise she catch a cold. You can return me later, I'm dining in Swensens."
I thought it's so nice to finally have someone who's so helpful and nice. Apparently I think those people who were walking in and out were not humans. Eeeks! Somemore what month now??
In the end, I decline her kind offer and dried the romper as much as I can & went to a nearby shop (which she found out for me where) to get her a set of clothes.
Umm.... teach me a lesson. I used to bring extra sets of clothes with Athena, 5 years later I totally forgot all this.

Number 3?
This thought came about when I bumped into Alyse last Friday(who's now 5mths preggie). I asked to touch her baby Jayden, and then she commented "quick quick touch then have Number 3." I freaked out!
And coincidently I was reading Moo Han's and Mel's blog they were commenting about No.3.
They had all good things going for them, I'm over exhausted with Aricia. Too active liao!
No way! No number 3!

To watch or not to watch?

A mom in the forum, whom I've been emailing to said that after hearing from Jocelyn, the Shichida principal, that watching TV will lower IQ, she has stopped letting her daughter watch DVDs. She asked me for my views.

To sum up my views, I am neutral. Athena grew up with no Shichida, she grew up with Sesame Street everyday until she started school and one educational DVD per day, she had her contact with mummy not just the tube. And whenever I play the videos or watch Sesame Street, I'm always sitting next to her telling things (providing stereo effect for her with my irritating voice)And she's okay.
I will continue the same with Aricia, and she'll have the added advantage now that I'm learning more about the right brain thingy.
(When I mention about me letting my children watch educational video, I won't 100% rely on it. But it beats letting my child watch soap dramas right?)

In my view, watching a little won't kill or cause autism like some researchers will say. Infact, anyone will agree with me different researchers will have different point of view and whatever the rests of their research is done, will be based on that foundation beliefs. So... in other words, if your mindset now is "No! cannot watch TV" and here I am writing that I'm a neutral person, you'll be critising me "ai yoh..that Lily ah...harming her children..."
I will let them watch a little so that I can recharge awhile. The children will also have more variety of entertainment what?! Don't tell me you're going to spend every second doing things with your child alone meh? Be more realistic, we need the rest also what! My children are not addicted to TV, like one of my girlfriend's daughter is.
I do spend time with my children in their playtime. And if I'm the type of mother who thinks that "I'll dump my child infront of the TV while I do housework", then I wouldn't have said that taking care of a child is more tiring than working when I had one child. I was on 'action' all the time! If I decided to dump Aricia infront of the TV, I wouldn't have hired KZ!

Some interesting links here :
Can watching too much TV make a child autistic
Too much TV?

What other alternatives out there :
Prime time fun


It goes the same for the discussion of not preparing things on powerpoint. I have no hard rules on this at all, of course my best answer will be "to follow what your child wants". I'm lucky both my children wants everything : flashcards, videos and powerpoint. So I'll capture them in different ways, so that they'll not bore. Like I did mention to Mel, preparing powerpoint also take time & love from the mummy.

Different researchers say different things, different people say good about their products and criticise others. But as I've put it to Mel "we the consumers get the best of both worlds."

So what's your view on this?

Mumblings

My Day - Monday (13th)

I swear to God my heart has been palpitating for past 2 days. I dunno, it could be over-exhaustion (too many things to do; too little time) or it could be dragon-me spouting balls of fire at Athena. She's been making me fume up so easily which I'll come to that topic later.
Today, I went go gym and only spent like less than an hour there. And it wasn't a really good workout for me. Why? I'm feeling very edgy; heart palpitating (was so worried if I'll collapse in gym).
To sum it up:- it just wasn't me.
Decided to leave gym and since I didn't bring my clothes I couldn't shower. Well... in the first place I didn't even perspire at all! Headed for retail therapy instead.
Dunno if it's psychological effect or what. The moment I drove towards Taka, I felt so uplifted. So... me! When I said retail therapy... still it wasn't for me. I went to Better Toy Shop and Kinokuniya to pick out things for the kids. Saw something which may be of use to Aricia, but perhaps she's still young for it. I'll wait.

In Kinokuniya, I knew what I was looking for. I was happy when I came across these books by Slangman . He uses fairytale to teach children foreign language. Not many words taught but I thought it's a good start. And the illustration is so cute! I was flipping through the Cinderella in German in Coffee Club and bursts out laughing when I saw the "eyes popping out between the Prince and Cinderella at the ball" - there's a great sense of humour. But the words just kept ringing in my brain after one time of playing. But this doesn't come cheap - close to $30 for one book.
Although it was a short 1hour+ trip of retail therapy, I definitely felt much better. Tomorrow, I shall 'eat snake' & skip Aricia's session and pamper myself. I need to gym, run errands as well as go for my long overdue facial. One day won't kill right? Moreover this mummy needs a recharge. Let's see if I have time to do retail therapy for myself.

* Cough out fire / blood *
I dunno what's wrong with me. Master Tan ever did point out that after this pregnancy I'll go through depression. And I'm glouting about "nah! it'll never happen to me coz' I think positively." But wait! Is it really Athena who made me so angry & flare up easily or am I going thru depression - thus targetting at my girl? Whatever it is, I'm a bad mummy.

That girl.... sometimes want to say she's sensible; but sometimes she's really irritating. Tell her don't do it, she'll still be doing it. Then she also deliberately do things to make us angry. I mean.......if I want to say I'm going thru depression, surely my hubby's not going through post-paternal depression right? I close one eye and ignore her.......still feel very pek-chek.

Jasmine says I'm very patient. I think she was only being diplomatic although she made that sentence when I only had one child. I'm always very impatient and Athena's wishy washy attitude and the way she whines makes my irks more. Even KZ says sometimes she cannot tahan the way she yang-or..

Mom always accuse us of feeding our children cold food. Wah piang eh......although I'm a crazy and mad mother, I'm not that crazy to feed my children cold food right? Then she kept saying "I always keep my food warm and if it's cold.. I bring it back to cook over the fire again." If you've got an impatient child who wants to eat "NOW NOW" you think they'd wait for you to heat up the food?? And in the first place........it's my children who take a looong loooong time to eat. No excuses for Aricia who's still young but Athena?!? And thing is, she eats fast in school. She doesn't create much trouble at mom's place - always at her best behaviour. So it's me that she wants to taunt.

Aricia
She responds in a funny way after every stack of flashcards. She'll make a "mah" sound. She laughs when I show her the music flashcards and sing the solfege for her. (I have a feeling she's going to enjoy music more than her sister, and will be very very keen to learn the piano)
But.......today she's suddenly shown a lost of interest for some stack of cards. Heng ah........got stacks of cards on standby. That's why it's good to prepare more way ahead.

She has been copying too much of our actions lately.

She picks up the phone and puts it to her ear. Sometimes the wrong way around until we tell her. And yesterday, she was eating and dirtying the coffee table when she suddenly lifted up her dress to clean the table. She mimicked KZ cleaning the table with a cloth. Funny!

I mentioned that she's been so rude pointing her little finger everywhere. So yesterday she was like complaining to me... hey! she seems to understand our conversation leh! KZ was asking me earlier in the day if I had removed her packet drink which she left the day before on the console. Just then Aricia pointed out to me where KZ had left it, which did surprise us coz' KZ hasn't even shown me where she left the drink. Then she turned to look at me and pouted her lips. I asked her if Aunty Zet let her drink, she pointed to the place again then moved her mouth and pouted her lips.
Today while waiting for che-che to get ready for school, I was holding a ball. Aricia (again) pointed with her little index finger and then mouthed "bbrfrffall. bbaall"

She has nasty temper, and it says so coz' she has curly locks. Carry her away or stop her from doing something, she'll start kicking her legs in the air; arch herself backwards. As it is, I thought the way she kicks her legs, she makes a good Irish dancer. Yesterday she proved to me that she can do German Folk Dance as well.

PS. This is not the song that gets her excited. I'll make sure to get my video camera ready next time.

Athena
I had trouble understanding Athena (wrong frequency) about 2+ years back coz' she speaks funny- like short tongue like that. Watch this video :


transcript

Me : Athena, what day is it today?

Athena : 2 (actions 2)

Athena : 2 years old

Me : *slap own head*

.

.

Me : Sing the opening song

Athena : open song

Me : *bang own head against wall*


Apparently 2+ years later, I'm suppose to understand her right? But no, I didn't understand what she was yakking about yesterday.
I was giving her her violin lesson and reminding her about Variation C when she stopped and said "mummy, it's like M hor? Long short short." Didn't want to sound discouraging so agreed with her, only to have her yak "and it's also like letter W hor??"
Then she touched her A string while playing E string, I nagged at her. Her remark was "yah, mummy. like that like every morning you bring me to school traffic jam hor??" I don't understand what has the A & E string gotta do with the traffic jam.

Somehow this morning, I thought about it. I think she's was trying to use the analogy of touching the strings and kissing the front car's backside (as I always joke with her about the heavy traffic)

That reminds me, Jenny used to tell me Eliz's instructor taught them "Dirty dirty scrub scrub" for Variation A. I can't remember the rests now. But I found this

Mississippi Stop Stop(Variation A)
Dr. Suzuki (Variation B)
Hamburger Hamburger(variation C)
Mississippi Mississippi (variation D)
The Theme

I think I can change it :

Variation A - Athena Ting sit down

Variation B - will you keep quiet / will you eat faster?

Variation C - play violin, play violin

Variation D - naughty girl girl, naughty girl girl

MeiYi

She finally came back after being absent since May. The children- Yui, Balraj and Athena felt strange to have her around. They stood close and laugh at each other in class; MeiYi was left out.

Actually I'm already confused. When I bump into MeiYi's mummy, she told me she changed to a later class coz her hubby can't come in time , then she kept telling me "our class was at 6.45pm right? Huh? Anyway, not surprised that she's confused herself since it was a really long absence. She asked to transfer back to our class but Ms Low said she can't do it coz' she can't catch up & she has to join the later class which was formed recently. True enough, she stood there blur blur didn't hold her violin properly, wrong rest position, never press string. When the children were all playing the 3 variations, she couldn't even play her Variation A. Ms Low did comment to me once when we were chatting before the rests came that for people like her she needs individual lessons. Not that she was gossipping about her, but mainly the topic came about coz' I checked with her if we have group lessons for long.

Ms Low did ask her if she wanted to stay on the next class. She was being truthful to her....but I think her mummy didn't look happy and walked out. Anyway, the mummies kindda felt uncomfortable with her around and just smiled at her.

Wednesday

All geared up to go gym, but I needed to use brother's computer first. I'm so fed up with Starhub's slow server. Anyway, I also wanted to avoid the crazy ERP charges. Was chatting until... I gave up and ran around Street 21 instead. Buay tahan, the heat is killing me. I perspired partly from exercising and partly from the heat. Wanted to do some banking but it was close to noon, so shall do banking tomorrow. Now, I shall quickly update my blog and post it out and then go for facial.

I'm skipping Aricia's session today and I feel really weird..............really weird. I feel like I owe her something like that.

Another video of Athena found! Found another video of Athena speaking in her gibberish way. See the way she mimicks "short" - so cute! She's so ticklish, laughing at little things.