Sunday, August 9, 2009

NDP

Thought it's simply absurb that hubby agreed to bring the children to Marina area, when I told KZ to avoid going there (for her church service) on her off day - which is today.

It wasn't crowded at all, those who didn't want to be there avoided the place. We didn't have problem finding parking lot in Marina Square.

Cut the whole story short, che-che loved it. Aricia kept asking one Aunty for more fireworks - kept turning around and ask her. The 2 kids were standing where the tables are, quite inside. Well, thanks to the lady who kindly allowed them to be standing there. Aricia ended up talking to that lady and another lady (Aunty) standing next to me asking for fireworks. Haha! Cute lah that girl!

It was en experience for us. Eh.......I think I still prefer to stay at home to watch the Parade.


See how my girl sat!























Videos :



Thursday, August 6, 2009

Aricia

Lil' one is either learning how to win favours or she is really more meticulous then her che-che.

Well, my two kids are different (apart from their horrible and crappy ways of eating which they are the same!).

Aricia, I've realised, wants perfection. When she was wearing her (fake) crocs, she'd always look down to the jimbits and make sure her Tinkerbell is straight. Walk and then she'll look again' bend down to adjust Tinkerbell. It can get real frustrating especially when you're pressed for time and a girl keeps stopping your tracks.
Then she keeps changing her clothes, she wants to be clean and one tiny dirty spot on her shirt she'd demand to be changed. She'd fuss until you change her.
Oh well! That's a Virgo!!

The article below is extracted from http://www.heavenschild.com.au/virgo_child.html
Highlighted in RED are what I found to be true.

Those born under the sign of Virgo are inquisitive, dexterous, particular and seek perfection. Virgo is an earth sign, mutable in quality and ruled by the planet Mercury. In the search for perfection they can be critical, both of themselves and others. They are noted for being 'picky' and have a reputation for being super fussy. (until I want to vomit blood!!)

They are generally health conscious and this can develop into obsession if taken too far. A Virgo is probably the most body conscious of all signs and the Virgo child needs time and privacy to become acquainted with his or her own body, developing realistic expectations of his body and his own physical limitations.

She will seek perfection in herself and try to be the perfect child. He may feel inadequate and even a failure if he is unable to live up to the unrealistic expectations he sets for himself.
(Ehh... can be good and bad. Maybe she'll try to excel in her studies so I don't have to push her too much or worry too much over her)

These traits apply in some manner for any child with Sun, Moon or ascendant in the sign of Virgo, also if there is a strong Virgoan flavour in the chart or if Mercury is in a strong aspect to Sun, Moon or ascendant. Bookmark this site!

Virgo baby

Birth - 6 months


Sweet and serious.

Undemanding and adaptable.

Enjoys being held and cuddled.

Cries when in physical distress and requires changing immediately he becomes wet or soiled.

Responds better to routine than the unexpected.

Observant and alert.

Enjoys cuddles, being clean, routine , eye contact, interaction, soft clothing.

Doesn't like physical discomfort, surprises.

Virgo baby

6 - 18 months

Becoming methodical.

Enjoys pulling things apart and putting them back together. Toys such as stacking cups, blocks, large lego etc are ideal at this stage.

Alert and curious, taking note of everything that is happening around him.

Likely to begin talking early and become intrigued with labels.

Enjoys nature and will begin to show a deep feeling and respect for both animals and plants.

He will enjoy being outdoors but may react to changes in temperature.

She will explore cautiously and is generally quite careful, fearing injury.

Enjoys stimulating toys, communication, cuddles, encouragement, choices.

Doesn't like hurting himself, making mistakes, the unexpected, conditional love.

Virgo baby

18 months - 3 years

Shy and curious, quietly seeking out information.

Intelligent and intense, constantly asking questions and integrating information.

Remaining cautious, he values organisation and may even develop his own rituals for day to day activities.

Can be anywhere from tidy and meticulous, bordering on compulsive, to totally chaotic and disorderly. This is something that will become quite a familiar pattern as this child grows, trying out different identities, fluctuating from the neatness freak to the ultimate slob, either way it will be done to perfection.
(she's so perfect that when she throws her toys on the floor in her "mood", she throws them in one spot.?!?!?)

He may be a little hesitant at trying out new skills until he feels he can do the task well.

If he didn't speak early he will now begin speaking in full sentences, confident in his ability.

She will enjoy being helpful, particularly with little tasks around the home, although as the attention span is still short, he may lose track of what he is doing and not quite make it through to completion.

He is also likely to become curious about health, illness and his own body.


Toilet Training will go quite smoothly if you use clear and reasonable explanations and reason. She will be eager to accomplish this skill to stay clean and comfortable and unless there is some physiological problem usually gets through this process easily and quickly. Occasional accidents may occur as he becomes so engrossed in other activities he forgets. In this case respond with as little fuss as possible and if he is expected to clean up after himself, quietly, he will very quickly learn to pay more attention to his physical needs. Discretion and privacy, along with clear explanations of what is required, will see this skill accomplished in an easy and quick fashion.


He enjoys honest reasons and explanations, cuddles, experimentation, room for error, encouragement to play and have fun, limits, choices.

He doesn't like chaos ( unless it is of his own making), lack of information, being pushed beyond his abilities, lack of boundaries, dirt.

Virgo baby

3- 6 years

Usually modest and cautious but may appear arrogant or over confident as he becomes more comfortable.

Enjoys working out problems and fixing things.

Likes trying out new ideas or solutions and enjoys sharing these with others.

Would prefer to share ideas than feelings.

Can become irritable or fidgety if scared or nervous and needs to be taught how to express his feelings and that it is OK to feel this way.

Needs encouragement to be herself and not to conform for the sake of making others feel better. This includes within the family, as there can be a tendency to always try and be the 'perfect' child.

He continues to try out different roles and may show contradictions, such as being compassionate for the sick or injured but shying away from emotional suffering. Swinging from loud to withdrawn, compulsively tidy to messy, content to miserable etc. He may be uncertain as to how to get what he needs and will try out different tactics until he finds the right one.


He will always be kind and gentle but occasionally may need to be reminded of these qualities within himself if he gets stuck in one of his more negative moods.

He enjoys experimentation, doing things his own way, honest responses, guidance, choices and alternatives.

He doesn't like criticism, disappointment, substitutions, being stuck with the jobs no-one else wants.

Virgo baby


And she seems more 懂事, when she sees me packing che-che's school bag (that girl is so prissy... complain this/complain that until I get fed up. Everytime I have to remind her to pack her bag etc.. until sometimes I get frustrated I end up doing it for her) she runs to her bag and pack in her diapers; checks her small towel and extra clothes. So sweet.... She's been doing that for days now that I think she's beginning to feel it's her routine. Well done, Aricia! See! My lil' girl can be sensible but she's also too hyper active/noisy and ... my great entertainer!

2 days ago, she almost fell but luckily she was quick to hold her balance. That girl was too engrossed listening her che-che's complains that she wanted to reach out her right hand on hold on the sofa and try to lean on the sofa on her side. That girl didn't realise she was a distance from the sofa and almost fell like a domino. The quick-thinking gal, crossed her leg to support herself. She then move her right leg back so she was standing. In that quick 1 second, she went "Wo...oh...." and the expression in her eyes?? Was so cute like as if she was trying to laugh at herself for the silly judgement she made. It's little things like this that make me happy and look beyond the daily frustrations I feel as a SAHM.

Singing - She hears her che-che sings and she follows. She was heard singing the Lucky In My Life(english part only) before. Hee! Now that her che-che has to practice this song 小小羊儿要回家 for a performance, daily. Aricia also knows the song..... even before the che-che reaches the part, she sings shouts out loud 咿呀嘿呀嘿. And you know what? That girl is so 长气, she can really hold her 嘿 long. Needless to say every mornings I have 2 girls singing behind me, oh boy! that really kept me awake!


Found!

Good that we have this equipment called a video camera. It captured moments like this that makes you look back and smile.

I can't help but notice che-che was only 2+ and speaking in her gibblish manner. And then you tell yourself, "oh yah.... I used to wonder how she'd look like when she's 7. She looks almost the same as she was 4 years ago."

Mummy love you, Athena!

Haze

Woke up in the morning to have that burning smell choking my throat.

As a protector and an authoritarian, I told my kids "both of you can't play in the playground today" with protests from che-che and pretend cry from mei-mei. Not that they both have lung problems but you know with che-che's acute bronchitis I'm not playing with any chance.

After her Berries, che-che obediently left with me. She didn't protest but said with such positive mindset "I can play next week when no more haze." Ehh........... I hate to 'pour cold water' on her statement but haze can't go away that fast.

True enough, this report says it all.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

BREAD

I haven't made bread for quite some time now, with me too occupied by the children in the afternoons and shagged out at the end of the day.

Decided to try my hand at a new recipe taken online. Shouldn't have wasted my time! But, I wouldn't know it if I didn't try right?

Yucks! KZ said the bread don't taste good (was so scared that I'll hammer her for her frank comments) as compared to the Alex Goh's recipes

I've been following. (a gf introduced to me his book and I decided to try out. I've never looked back since. - Ai yah! not like I've been baking every week)


Lesson learnt - be loyal to my Master Goh, asthestically-wise I can always try my hands again.

Photos :







成功 or 失败 ? 失败



Sunday, August 2, 2009

Eclairs (again)

I suspect I must have put lesser of the filling.. coz' how can the recipe call for 1 portion of dough and 2 portions of fillings and glaze? Either that, or I'm simply stingy?! Whatever it is, I couldn't put more coz' it was oozing out.

I did eclairs again today, making the dough and pipe the 'cooled to room temperature' filling and glaze. It was so fast!! Next time I will separate out the workload over two days (unlike that Friday when I was totally exhausted)

This time round, mom was in my place and I let her try. Both mom and bro gave me the thumbs up
I've never heard such positive remarks before, it's like mom can't help but keep talking about it. ?!?! So it goes to show this is the only thing I've made (so far) that is really nice and the rests are "I better say something nice to encourage my daughter". Hahaha!

Now I feel so .... super atas that I feel like making this for the Teachers Appreciation Lunch that is coming up in che-che's school next week. Nah! Think better not, I'm busy enough already.


Saturday, August 1, 2009

Kimberly's 7!

The class were invited to K's birthday party.

A little thick-skinned on my part as I asked her mummy if I could bring Aricia along too. Of course the answer is yes lah! How to decline? I
bought another present for K on behalf of Aricia.


Children were excited as long as it's a party and we went off after the children finished their lunch.


Turned out, 29 invitations were given and only less than 15 made it to the party. S, che-che's good friend was there. Today, she finally smiled at me!!! Must buy 4D liao! I thought che-che speaks fast.. boy! S speaks so much faster than che-che! She's like a train blah bleh blah bleh about. Funny girl!


Didn't get to see many parents. Many of them simply left their children there and went off. Sad right? As for me, I'd be taking photos of everything so that it goes into their album and .... firstly > HERE!


The game master started the games, the children had fun. It was basically a homely affair where the game master/mistress is a relative of the birthday girl. So sweet! Such warm loving family.


When it came to the cake-cutting, Aricia had to insist it was "sing Happy Birthday Aricia." To her, she thinks it's her birthday when she sees a cake. We explained to her and then she exclaimed "sing Happy Birthday to che-che." Technically she was referring to Athena but we nodded our head and said "yes to che-che" (K's also a che-che what?!) What touched my heart was when K so bravely said a big Thank You to everyone, family etc... You know this is the first time we went to a birthday party without eating the cake. I'm surprised that the kids didn't want any cake. Maybe they're sick and tired of cakes.

I must charge a modelling fee for Aricia next time. People snapped photos of that girl. S and che-che were seen holding hands (and I finally met S's parents when they came for her). S asked if che-che would go for a sleepover one day, then she turned to ask me if che-che is allowed. Of course nothing is official until we do get a real invitation from her parents. During this party I've seen how much S can change. That girl's really funny! She rebels, she shouts and then when she asks for permission to take photo with the birthday girl - she curtsy-ed "May I take a photo with you." LOL! Bet you'll roll on the floor when you see that sudden transformation in her.
Photos :

Top row : S and che-che, K (birthday girl) and che-che
Musical chair
Food : the cutest thing were the cuppies and cookies. Apparently I heard it's the helper who baked them and they didn't have any cookie cutter so she cut the cookies in free hand and draw the eyes etc... So cute!
Passing the parcel

Teamwork game - where the children had to fix a puzzle. Che-che's group finished 1st. Well done!
The remaining 2 teams
Relay game

* some photos will be uploaded in their respective blogs