CNY 2011

2nd Feb (Wed)
It's the eve of CNY, where children are dismissed early from school; wives and husbands end work early; housewives doing their last minute shopping.

Che-che's school ended early at 10.10am. After which we went over to PP, to buy her new shoes

Apparently, mei-mei didn't have to go school. Hubby brought her to his office much to che-che's dismay. Mei-mei was happy and .......... hubby came home and first thing he said to me "ai yoh! talk too much. Keep disturbing me until I can't work, I'm not going to bring her anymore."
Hubby went over to pick in-laws over to our place for dinner.

Prepared steamboat. Finished our dinner in less than an hour. We're small eaters lah!

In-laws left at 8am, hubby sent them home (all the way to Jurong). Came back for a while before leaving house again to go to his friend's place. The girls slept early, I slept early too. I missed the Ch8 show. Dunno why... think I prefer to sleep through to forget that I'm turning old. That I'm turning '24' this year. Yah yah, it's my YEAR!

3rd Feb (Thu)
First day of CNY. Made the girls give their daddy oranges and say nice wishes. Kena forced to do so.

Made our first visit to in-laws.

MIL told her she must be a good girl etc.. in chinese. She nods her head (I wonder if she understood anything she said)

Xiao gu-zhang
Da gu-gu and gu-zhang
Enroute to mom's place. We dropped by MBS. River Hongbao was a no-no for us since it's so hot.
Ice-cream!!
Way back to carpark. Told hubby I needed to take one picture. And he had to oblige since I'M THE QUEEN THIS YEAR. I RULE!!!!
Didn't take photos in mom's place. Ai doh! How come huh?

4th Feb (Fri)
Hubby decided to bring kids to watch a movie at TM. We were suppose to watch Great Great World, hubby made a boo-boo over the booking and we had to change to Green Hornet. No complaints or queries from che-che who selected the show she wanted to watch.
Mom asked us to drop by for dinner. Keke! Free dinner again. The kids get to play together and ahem... fight too. Sianz! When will they ever stop fighting?

5th Feb (Sat)
We were suppose to go over to Clarabelle's place before going over to M's place. Plans changed to next week, so girls were made to do some work before leaving for M's place. Keke! evil mother.

Hubby went over to his friend's place so we left for M's place.

YL brought these cute bunnies bun over. And who to pose photo with? This lao charboh trying to cute lor. Keke! Kawaii !!

This is the really cute one - Saby. Little Touch-Me-Not. Wah... I failure siah. She refuse to let me carry her for the longest time.
The kids played. Guess what? They played school!! They must have missed school so much. My lil' girl kena detention twice. What to expect? Then this school did not even ask me to PTM (Parents-Teacher Meeting). Recess time is very short.

Teacher J

Finally! A class photo to get the girls together. Haha! That's what I said and they really obliged.

Funny faces

6th Feb (Sun)
Wow! This is the first time (and hopefully the last) we're out everyday. Really tired.

Iggy's celebrated his birthday today. It's the first time I've been to his home since they finished renovation (last year?) This is also the time we saw our cousins. Got the 5 kids together to play. Such a shame huh? We only meet that "often".

This cute little girl (in white top and red skirt) is bro's neighbour.

Bubbles!

Cousin B and his wife. Cousin Y
Same theme as mei-mei's 3rd party. I passed them my game set, which they didn't use it in the end.
Cousin's kids are really well-behaved as compared to my boisterous girls.
Left for dinner with in-laws at a Teochew Restaurant. The funniest thing is that the 2 sisters and brother (hubby) all married teochews.
That comes to the end of our long exhausting weekend. I want the long weekend, but I want it at a slower pace. Let's hope this year will not see me hopping about too much.Ha! That's an under-statement.

CNY Bakes

26th Jan
Oh my! Oh my! I'm really late this year. I'm always so busy in the daytime, to try to fit in a time to bake.

I started baking only when the "shops" are about to put their goodies on SALE PRICE. I 'commence my business' when everyone else had 'closed their business' to get ready for CNY.

On this day, I went back home immediately after I dropped lil' girl in school at 8am. KZ was tasked to bring that girl home so that I have sufficient time to bake.

Alas! That girl reached home close to 1pm and I've only baked 2 containers full. *tired* The over-zealous me thought I could bake 5 trays of 25 tarts in one hour, each cycle 20 mins baking time. By 1pm, I should be able to finish my 3 portions. Wrong calculation! Although the fillings were measured; rolled into balls and packed in L&L container. I still had to carefully measure each dough; roll each 6gm dough; did a few; then roll again to put in filling; put it on the tray. Once the tray was filled, I sprinkled some parmesan cheese. Ooh! So sinful! To fill each tray took me 30minutes or more, that works out to 1min+ on each tart that you put in your mouth. I worked at a slower rate but I get nice tarts. No way was I going to ask KZ for her help coz' she did destroy an equivalent of 2 bottles last year. Can't risk it again this year.

I left home rather late in picking che-che up from school. By the time I reached home an hour later, I slaved for another 2 hours to finish all these 4 containers.

I had so many things that I wanted to bake for CNY goodies. But no time, ended up with the easiest recipe - coffee cookie. Keke!
I worked through the night, ending my shift at 3am (27th Jan)
I'm really tired. *yawns* and not baking anymore. As it is, everything I did this year is so late, I can't even find anymore time to bake.

Getting the hang of it

I'm getting the hang of this crazy routine for this year, and hopefully the next year (& slightly better) too and the next .....

This crazy routine means I can't go home for most days. I tried going back home once and realize I can't achieve much by being home for only 2 hours. With the "beautiful" tunnel-view both ways that always make me want to doze off, I'd rather stay where I am and mark their books; do my senseless surfing. Haiz! Who knows maybe sooner or later, I give up and go back home to spend my time. Not enough time also better than getting stuck in KFC, Macs, carparks. At least I get the consolation that I have my comfy bed to lie down for that one hour?? (must minus the time I take to clean the car interior).
I'm suppose to check out True Fitness for their package and haven't had the chance to talk to the consultant. Hmm... went once but staff not in. Got such thing meh? In Calif Fitness, you get poached until you turn sunny-side-up. Must get it done fast, can't procrastinate. Otherwise I'll end up looking like a penguin from all the heavy breakfasts. Argh! I need my exercise regime back!

A Letter for my girls

A LETTER FOR MY GIRLS

Dear 赤ちゃん,

Please be patient with me as we start this new year 2011.

There are a few changes in our schedules and we all need to learn to adapt to it. But my dear girls please bear with me as I struggle to remember your class/es days.

Please be tolerant towards me when I scream at you to "get into the car quickly", "eat your lunch quickly", "complete your homework quickly" for I am your referee; your chauffeur and your mother.

Have a great torturous 2011 !!

First Day of school

The day before, Arcia was still in denial over the fact that she was going over to a new school. So I gave her the task of bringing her school uniform out from her cupboard. KZ hang both MMI's and St. Hilda's school uniform side by side. I went in since I had to help her turn on the lights. She picked out the right uniform and hang it outside.

I wonder if she'll throw a fit the next day coz' knowing her strong-headed character.

Morning came, the girls were happy. Strange? Thought che-che didn't want school to start? Hmm... but she's curious to know who her new classmates would be and which class she'd be in. I'm curious too! Well you see, the girls would be streamed for the first 2 classes; the remaining 4 classes are random change.

Left home this early so that I can reccee the situation in che-che's school

Next, I brought mei-mei to school. But it was still early so I brought her for breakfast at Macs. That girl kept bugging me "mummy, can we go now?" "Mummy, my school open already?" Haha! This girl is really funny. First she's in denial and refuse to go. And who was the one who said "I'm only going to MMI!!" ?

In her school, many teary kids. In her class alone, alot of them cried. Some of them had that ripple effect, they were alright and then started crying. Wah... her teacher did look stressed!

My girl did me proud. She was so well-behaved and mature. I sent her a telepathy this morning.

Many parents hang around the class (mainly those kids who cried) , I did too! Teacher tried to shoo us away, so that kid don't see parent = don't cry. But I was reluctant to leave coz I wanted to snap worthy photos.... you know "her first kindy" etc... I didn't want to miss out anything and had to be there for my girl.

Mammarazzi in action. Next "MIA" assignment would be when she enters P1

School ended 2 hours later. I rewarded her for her behaviour. Well done, Aricia!

Che-che
When we picked the girls up, the mommies are excited. I wonder if she'll be in the same class as her best friend, Maxine. We began questioning which class, turned out Athena is in the same class as Summer. And .........che-che gets her gift - Nintendo iXL afterall! I'm happy for her but it means she gotta work really hard coz' all the smart girls are in there.

Wow! I forgot there was another "first" for Aricia today. It's her first Berries class. I wasn't worried about her being overwhelm with 2 firsts and then end up crying. I have full confidence in her and again I sent her a telepathy.

She was really excited and asked if we were leaving home; if reaching soon; hurrying me. Haha! She is mature isn't she?

After her class. Look at her oversized bag. She fell!!

Changes and changes

I hate it when school make their changes in long hours. I certainly hate it too when enrichment classes make their changes too? Why 2 parties? Why can't centres just move the class up accordingly in the same time slot? Gives me headache since I'm the main chauffeur. (but I should be thankful that we were given the school hours for this year before the term ends last year. So I'm able to know which day to block for CCAs, extra lessons etc..)

Lorna's class

There isn't any Wednesday class now. Slot her in for Thursday class. I love to cramp everything in a day so that it saves on my travelling time but not to the extent that I had to go from Marine Parade to Toa Payoh for Shichida (2.30pm to 4.00pm or sometimes 4.10pm) and then fly back to Marine Parade for Lorna's class at 4.30pm. Mad rush!!

No more Yamaha lesson

Thank goodness I stopped her music lesson, if not I'll die zooming to Tampines!! I stopped her class partially due to anticipation that she'll end up spending another day in school for her CCA from Primary 4 onwards. (must have the foresight mah!)

Looking for alternatives

Alternative 1 :

The Learning Lab opened a centre in Mountbatten (which is close to her school) and I did approach them for their English and Science class.

Science class - Both slots clashed with my Mondays and Tuesdays

English class - They have class on Wed @ 5.30pm and Fri @ 2.45pm. Wednesday sounds good but at 5.30pm it's a timing that I dunno whether I should go back home to have a nice shower after her long day in school and rush out or to stay outside somewhere doing homework. Last year, school was dismissed the usual time and had sufficient time to go back home to shower, though class in Lorna started an hour earlier at 4.30pm. Well, no choice. Coz' she would have to stay till 9+pm in the night and she certainly needs a shower somehow.

Friday? Good timing but same thing I'd be rushing to get the kids back home to shower after her class to get AR to her music lesson in Tampines. I KIV-ed that slot. (School - TLL - home - Tampines) I swear it was really difficult to contact Learning Lab, usually they call at that time when I was busy. And when I call them back, I'm always diverted to their voicemail. Sigh! Went ding ding dong dong alot of times. And I reckon, if Athena is a student there. I'll always have this problem of contacting the school.

Alternative 2 :

Learning Point - Heard pretty good reviews about the school. Like Learning Lab, you're suppose to undergo a test to determine whether you can go in or not. So I thought I'd give it a try.

Great! They called the next day and she's offered a place. There's a class on Wednesday. Again! Dunno why it's like a jinxed Wednesday. And there's no way I can go for the class since she has to finish off that Lorna's class for the term. They can't block the class for me till I join in next term. But it'll mean that Athena will have a "siong" first term. Took a Friday 4.15pm class.

So now, I list down their classes.. I don't even have any free day with them. ARGH! My home tuition centre can close down already. Maybe it's for their good leh? But supposedly she didn't have to go every week, I'll still have some time to sneak in some work for her.

Mondays

AT's long day in school till 3.10pm

4.30pm music lesson starting with AR, AT can shower and then it's her lesson

Tuesdays

AT's CCA till 3.10pm

Berries class AR - 5pm, AT - 5.15pm

Wednesdays

AT's long day in school till 3.10pm

Thursdays

AR's Shichida - 2.30pm

AT's Lorna Whiston's class - 4.30pm (which will be scrapped off end of Term 1. In replacement will be another class in LP. Must endure for one term)

Fridays

AT's Learning Point's English in Simei - 4.15pm ends 5.45pm

AR's Music @ Yamaha Tampines

Certainly alot of adjustments to be made in their enrichment classes huh? And ... I haven't forgotten that I was suppose to find a suitable time for their swimming lesson neh? And perhaps an Art class for AR?

Hmm.... I think I know why hubby got the car for me. He knows I'll be so crazy to fly about everywhere in Singapore during the week. Looking at the days, we have more days "lunch in the car" - which means I'll have to step up to cleaning my car interior daily? It also means that I won't be in the moment I step out of the house in the morning. Duh! KZ better still be working for us.

Better still, if hubby can buy me a helicopter.