Aricia

The school is trying to bring mei-mei to the toilet during school hours coz' I've raised up the difficulties I face to them. It started this week, on Tuesday. From what I heard, she cried in school. The school told me "yes, she's sitting." Yah.. I know I got to that part too. "Aricia sat for us too, and she dozed off in her potty", laughing as I said that. "Coz' we asked her to SIT, she sits. But she will never pee/poo."
Hmm... I really hope the school can help me but it goes to prove that I'm not joking when I mention this girl is tough to handle. Very determined girl.

Vocabulary
A conversation between us.
M : "Aricia, you need more strength to push the door open."
A : "Yes mummy. I eat more then I have strengther to open the door."
M : "What? You eat more to have what? It's suppose to be 'stronger' "
A : "I must eat more so I am stronger."
M : "yes.........."
Fragile and 'touch-me-not'
Master Tan says this girl is very sensitive. If she senses that you are angry with her, her face turns red and tears well up in her face. She doesn't cry out loud but sobs. See her also heart pain... But it's because of her sensitivity, she's very sensitive to others' feelings. In other words, she angkats really well. Hubby dotes on her more too coz' she's more responsive to him.

To err is to .....
Everyone makes mistakes somehow and it's forgive-able (unless it's a continuous cycle then it's careless mistake). She made a small mistake in her school work and she gets into a minor "shock", face turns red and her eyes wet. Well, ask me, I say it's good she knows she's made a mistake. Perfectionist? Astounding YES!
When she had to make strips for her Shichida homework. She gladly coloured the paper, haven't gotten to colour the whole portion when she ran into the room to take che-che's scissors and snipped off the lines. KZ, who was in-charge of all her Shichida's homeworks, was out of the room for a short while screamed at her "ARICIA!!!" She quickly ran to me, "mummy...mummy...my homework...." and about to cry. Almost forgetting that my girl is already 3+, I then asked her "why did you cut your paper when you haven't coloured the whole paper?"
A : (kept quiet)
M : Is it becoz' you heard what you're suppose to do from sensei?
A : (whispered) yes
M : what did sensei say?
A : I colour then I cut
Forgive-able for sure. It goes to show that she's been listening to instructions when you think she isn't. Double-standard from mummy? I think so too! I mean, if this were to happen with che-che. I'll nag the house down. But then, mei-mei is only 3+, if she's doing this same mistake when she's 7. I'll definitely be pissed off.

Too pampered?! Neglected?!

Kids these days are really too pampered? Or parents too overly- indulgent or .... I'm super gniao with my kids?

There's always the debate of "should children be holding on to mobile phones?" Schools state, 'your mobile phone lost; your par-sah. We are not conducting checks.' (full stop)

I always say I'm not going to give my children any phones until they're much older. Thank goodness my girl sways to my nags and she also feels that "yah lor... I can always call you from the canteen phone or go to the office or borrow my teacher phone".

Days ago, prior to the start of the new school term, I overheard this conversation. "che-che, can I borrow your handphone? I am charging my phone at home." I was shocked. That girl was probably the same age as my che-che. The 2 girls have phones whilst my poor kids are playing with a fake plastic phone (and they seem so happy).

As technology advances, the kids have Facebook, Twitter and what nots. And to think this old maid me joins in the cyberworld a tad too late. And they play games in FB like nobody's business when I have problem joining one game.

Then I wonder >> how much time are the children spending infront of the computer? Have they done their homework/s yet?

When it was the school hols, the time when I used to jubilate and follow my mom around from dad's office to home (and claim I was helping my dad out in his office. I eat snake...). Decades down the road, my girl follow me 24/7. To be fair to her, she had her fair share of play and some work towards the end of the school hols.
Once I brought her to Timezone in PP prior to fetching mei-mei. I saw girls as young as 9-10 yrs old playing games with their friends; dancing. Woah! Very good leh!! Che-che was with me and then I think if my girls are going to be like them idling time away next time without parental guidance or should I keep a close tab on them- holding on to them tightly (like my mom did).
Perhaps it's much easier for me to say these coz' I'm a SAHM. FTWMs are cursing at me now. Perhaps I'm over-reacting...but I can't help but imagine if my girls mixed with the wrong company.

So are kids pampered or neglected (and get compensated by monetary terms)?

Coming to that, when it comes to pocket money. I gasped when I hear parents giving their children $5 daily. And the kids are only in P1!! I can understand if the child is in Secondary school. I am really very gniao (stingy). If the child saves the money - good. But kids are usually tempted with things in the bookshop and buy rubbish home. I know I did, I used to love those cute erasers and pencils. $5 for a working adult to eat in the foodcourt or hawker centre during lunch time maybe... $5 for food in school which are sold on the average $1 to $1.50 that's too much already. In return, kids do not know the importance/ value of money. This may lead to bad habits - being extravagant.

Macaroons II

Baked a full portion of macaroons. This time round, I decided to use my KA to whip the egg whites. It was much faster and less tiring thus baking was a breeze.

I love the filling. I realise it was too liquidy last week. Nope, it was the correct recipe but I should have left it longer to harden up a little. Too impatient and next time I shall do the filling 2-3 days before and freeze them.

49 macaroons. I tried to make some small for the kids. Realised I can pop the whole thing in my mouth, so macaroons should look big. People eat also more gian right? I so heart macaroons! Has that soft chewy texture, so next in bakelist would be green tea macaroons. I don't think I'll get many guinea pigs coz' people will go "eeks! green tea meant for drinking".
Not much macaroons this time round and I gift to 3 people. Ahem.. my guinea pigs. But at least I know that my filling portion can last me 1 1/2 portions. Or maybe I am too stingy with my filling. Heehee!

成功 or 失败? 成功!!

Dancing

I've been wondering if making che-che learn the piano (and in the future mei-mei, considering violin for her too!) was a wise choice. My idea was to let them learn music coz' I have the selfish mentality that music is better than any other art.
Then I noticed the children love to dance. Infact, I saw that che-che loved to dance about a few years back. Asked if she wanted to learn dancing but she didn't say anything. I was definitely willing to let her learn dancing BUT she wasn't going to drop music.

Che-che would try to choreograph dance by making her little muse - meimei - to dance with her and tell her what to do. Of course mei-mei would gladly follow. You see how they run into the "stage area" from the coffee table and dance, then run back to the table or towards the kitchen. Then run in again. Hilarious! I tried videotaping them down, but the moment they see the camera - they stop!

For the past few days, since Wednesday, they've been dancing. Che-che brought home the Concert DVD and the 2 girls danced. And I must admit, the 2 girls danced rather well. As for mei-mei she knew the sequence without watching the TV. Cute! Their favourite dance items - Copacabana and one dance using hula hoops.
I asked che-che again if she wanted to learn dancing, she was so agile and could shake her buttocks so well. But still... I don't get any answer from her. I give her a choice if she wants to learn dancing but I decide for her to take up ballroom dancing. Hmmm..

Shichida

Mei-mei attended her 2nd Shichida class for the new year; new term. She's in the 4 years-old class now.

The first lesson last week was a full class. 3 other kids from another time slot joined us. And it was extremely noisy. Not used to the cosy, just 3 kids, classes we had for the last 2 terms.
I thought this week should be better. Still noisy, even more noisy like in a wet market. Sigh..... I got a terrible headache. Honest! The classes ended later, which means I don't have time to have a short chat with J and S after their class. We used to have nice chats in the school and then I go off for che-che's Berries class. Now, I can't. Lesson ends at 4.20pm.

But must admit the class is getting more interesting. Hubby haven't complained about the exhorbitant fees yet. I can't bear to withdraw her out should I need to put che-che or her in another class. (must keep expenses down) She loves Shichida, wouldn't want to miss Shichida at all. Months before, I had the choice of abandoning either Ros or Shichida coz' I couldn't cope with the logistics and homeworks etc.. She said she wanted Shichida.

I'm really tired from trying to print new flashcards. Coz' it's an on-going thing but she loves flashcards and will sit still and pay attention. Makes me feel guilty if I don't do anything. Know what I mean? Sometimes she even requests to du-shu and points to all the flashcards. Hmm......

Poor thing

Che-che told me that they were tasked to take care of the P1s during school recess. I thought wah... so soon? Thought P3s get to do it? But it's good training I guess, brings up their confidence. Actually not so for che-che coz' she's rather authoritative towards her mei-mei at home.

And then ............she complained to me. "Mummy, my buddy (which I corrected her later, she's the buddy but that P1 girl is her mentee) very talkative. She's a Malay and I help her buy food at Rasa Sayang. And she talks alot, talked so much until I have not enough time to eat." "She's probably curious about the school and talking about school right? So you will need to spend the time explaining to her." "No, I dunno what she is talking about. And I didn't answer her much."
LOL. So, how come my daughter didn't have time to finish her food?? I'm puzzled
So the very next day, I asked KZ to pack more food so that she won't have to go and buy food and waste more time.

Class

I changed her LW class to Wednesday but now beginning to regret. Coz' it means that I have to deliberately drive home to get her to shower and come out again and then make the mad rush to TM after that for her music lesson. And it's not like I live nearby!!
Marine Parade > Punggol > Marine Parade > Tampines > Punggol
What makes life a little easier is that I've asked KZ to pack che-che's lunch so that she eats on the journey home in the car. I don't have to scream at her to finish her lunch fast. The moment we get back home, she showers and we leave. Should have some time to go through some work with her before that.

I contemplated if I should change centre for her, or timing or look for new alternative/s while waiting for her.

My final choice - NO. Coz' she was so happy (despite she was almost in tears - aiyoh! not again!! prior to the class) and told me she has 2 friends from her school in her same class. And she knows one of them rather well. Hmm.. so can't pull her out and risk having her cry again when she's in new centre.

1st day of school - 2010

It seems like yesterday when I had to walk che-che in to her new school. This year, she is a year older and a year senior than the newcomers. She's a che-che to many mei-meis in school.

I hope in this new year, she is able to work on her confidence. She's too shy to talk to start a conversation with strangers. I hope too, she will not be easily influenced by her peers.

Later in the day when I picked her up, I asked if she missed her friends. She did though she would prefer to watch TV the whole day.

School's IN

You know it's time to go to school when :

1) the TV's almost burnt out from excessive usage
2) you see school bags hanging on the bamboo poles (which I think is too late to wash the bags)
3) you see school uniform on the poles
4) parents tell their children "we're staying at home for dinner coz' you gotta wake up early tomorrow"

and finally
5) the mother cannot tahan already. Kids bickering almost 24hrs.

For mei-mei, it was a daily affair despite the school hols to chaffeur her to school. For che-che, finally I can get that girl off me. I need time and space on my own!!

For che-che she didn't take that long/wasn't difficult to get into bed the usual early bedtime hours. She quickly brushed her teeth and jumped into bed. I closed their room door and heard mei-mei talking to her - disturbing her. Che-che asked her to stop talking, mei-mei continued to yak.
I had her schoolbag packed days before (eh no......the moment I had them wrapped in November). There's school locker so brought the necessary stuffs. She wanted to use the Disney Princess bag (the one that she brought for our recent trip) mom bought her. I don't think that bag is suitable for her; so uncomfortable. Anyway, the old bag still looks new so I told her she can use the new bag after the current one's spoilt.
School uniform re-ironed and hanged. Back to the daily drills, back to hoarding a parking lot in MSCP in Marine Parade in the afternoon.
Everything is done. But oh no! Mother's a blunder. I forgot to check if she could still wear her shoes. She can't wear both canvas and sports shoes. Argh!!!!! No choice she has to bear with it for one day.
As for her hair - she wants to keep long. Which means I'll have to tie for her. Sigh...........

Celebration

Had a celebration for mom during the weekends.

Bro booked a place in Vivo - Serenity. Hmm.........food is so-so. The kids had a great time together, the two young ones kept dancing to the band music.

Here are some photos taken on the night

I like the way the kids positioned themselves for me

"Ohh mummy. Can I drink martini please?"

Kids making faces

Aricia : "Alamak! Must say grace. In the name of the father and of the son....." (making the sign of a cros)

Mom and me

Macaroons

I dunno why I decided to bake today. Very siao! Maybe I'm in jubilation for school term to start.

Finally baked my macaroons (was in my bakelist for a year over). I had recipes from Daniel Tay's book and my 师傅 Hermes. 师傅 Hermes never fail me so I took his recipe.

The kids couldn't wait to eat; I was happy with the look of it.

When everyone took a bite, our eyes litted up. Shiok! Ya hoo! Time to bake another 1 or 2 portions more.

Baking - the 成功 and 失败s. It is 成功!

Aricia

Lately we noticed that mei-mei wants to imitate her sister. If she sees che-che taking a certain shirt; she'll run to the wardrobe and take something identical / almost similar to wear. "I wan to follow like che-che..........."

She sees her che-che put on sunglasses, she follows suit. Wonder when this will end.

The days after Christmas

26th - Saturday

A came by in the late morning to pass us our pressies. Wow! So priviledge hor?? - door delivery.

Came by to see Leather too (oh yah! I forgot to post his pics in my blog.) after they saw him in my FB. You see lah! 'Give face' to the dog not me!!

In the afternoon, brought the kids to Suntec for movie. Mom, 2 kids + me watched Alvin and the Chipmunks whilst hubby watched Avatar.

Our movie ended first, so we had a nice TukTuk dinner without daddy (but he's paying. Heehee!). But I hate to fight/feed/negotiate/tolerate all the nonsense from lil' one when it's her meal time. Mentally strained after that, that I didn't have much appetite. Well on the hindsight, it's good for dieters. We had an hour plus before hubby's show ends but dinner was way too long.. that we managed to bring the kids down to BABW. Lil' one kept telling me "I wan panda..."

when I was feeding her. Despite my numerous attempts to tell her "mummy will buy clothes for Pluto. No more bear." "No!! I dowan bear. I wan panda." *slap head* isn 't that the same thing?? In order to convince her to finish her food, I lied to her that I'd get it for her.
You think my girl forgot? No... she got superbly good memory and very lor-soh too (like old grandma). She ran to to the direction of the escalators and asked to go down to BABW. Actually mummy also gian lah! I also want to buy clothes for them. Che-che selected a Hello Kitty Anniversary Dress (very pretty) for Andrea and a pair of sunglasses too. A dress for Pluto too. Been wanting to get Pluto 2 pairs of paw wheel skaters but think I'd wait.
I love the wardrobe, wan to buy one each for them. No idea if they do sell them. Siao eh..........don't even have space have home still gian on the wardrobe.

Andrea all dressed up for a party
Pluto's being groomed by her owner (who didn't seem pleased with her job)

28th - Monday

Sent Aricia to school, che-che decided to stay home coz' Iggy's coming over. I didn't have time to drive mom back home in the morning coz' I leave the house later during che-che's school hols (don't have to bring mei-mei in so early)
I had time for myself. Yeeha! Had a nice leisurely breakfast then went to get more educational supplies for kids in Toa Payoh. Sigh! Everytime I'm there - I end up blowing up alot of money. Works well if I have a brood of kids (which of course will never happen). Nonetheless, happy and satisfied that those items I bought are beneficial to my kids. Shucks! Make me more tiring!

29th - Tuesday

Mei-mei pontang-ed school. Had arranged for a playdate for the kids & B in the afternoon.

Brought kids out for lunch at Compass Point before proceeding to B's place.
The kids enjoyed themselves. They loved it especially when all 3 kids cycled to the nearby park for play. I see my lil' one 'anyhow chong here and there' - happily cycling around even when I tell her she's cycling towards the wrong direction. She laughs and turns herself back to join the 2 che-ches. I hardly do this with my kids. I'm not the sporting kind; very spoilt. So much so that my kids hesistated when they noticed it was a sandpit playground in the park. (Becoz' mummy didn't want them to play in the sandpit playground before. Bring sand back into the car etc.. and I gotta wash their feet and shoes before stepping into the car) But once I gave the go-ahead they went crazy. Mei-mei stopped her tracks; turned to look at me and shouted to me "mummy.. later I must wash my feet." W, B's mummy, said "you see what you've done to your kids. Let them enjoy themselves first" Heehee!

The kids saw a dog in the park and shouted "mummy... you see. Look like Leather." W asked and I said we're dog-sitting for SIL. She asked if B could see the dog. Of course I'll gladly welcome them but they have to make it to my house the next day coz' I'll be out the whole day on Thursday - the following day and he's suppose to be home on that day or 1st Jan. If not for my overly undue worry, I could have made the playdate at our home instead. I was so worried about them getting allergic reactions etc.. Hmm... (see lah! give face to the dog)

The kids burnt out all their fuel and ate the pizzas I brought. Thanks to B and his wife, W. I received kind hospitality. We had such great time chatting about everything, had laughs over jokes. The kids didn't want to leave; B deliberately stalled time and kept asking che-che to go upstairs etc.. All good things must come to an end, there's always opportunities for the kids to meet.

30th - Wednesday
Honestly I dunno what I did today. Wanted to bake chocolate fondant. Then everything went down the drain. No music lesson today -yay! I like to nuah at home.

31st - Thursday
BORING! BORING!

Che-che followed me out today. She played in TimeZone and then it's time to pick mei-mei up. The kids resumed their lessons after last week's break.
Sigh........what a way to spend my NY's eve.

And when I got back home. Hubby asked me "where did you bring the kids to? Spend the whole day out!" Huh? He don't know this is how his wife survive every Thursdays for this whole year?? He thinks I'm out gai-gai-ing with the kids?!? Ehh... want also must bring KZ lah! Can relax a little mah.
"Ai yah, now want to go for dinner (he means those restaurants with NYs specials) also cannot." Ah doh! like my fault like that!! Makes me more miserable with the way I spend my NY's eve.

We had our dinner in 三盅两件, most shops closed early so we made our way home at 10+.

And how did we usher the New Year??
The new year means we're a year older. And since we're a year closer to being old folks soon, we aren't exactly happy about it. We aren't young as in previous years where we can sit down / lie on bed to watch the Countdown live telecast.
So ....
1) the kids fell asleep
2) the man fell asleep even before 12am
3) the woman (me) was showering at that time. OMG! My shower took me from 2009 to 2010 - long shower siah!
When I heard the youngsters shouting "Happy New Year", they seem so happy like in my heydays. I'm in my mid - 20s this year (heehee). Other than that, everyone's so quiet here.

Mom and myself were so 'gian' to have a NY celebration but we're both so exhausted to do anything. She suggested to have a celebration cum birthday celebration for her but in the end, it was changed to 2nd Jan. I feel awkward for not doing anything this year (for both Xmas and NY, as compare to last year's mad rush) but it does feel good idling around, instead of getting myself busy at the end of the year with so many parties.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!