Speedy recovery to my friends

Many of my close friends had fallen sick these few days... and many children were down with fever,cough and flu:( As parents, we felt really heartache to see children sick. I pray for their speedy recovery soon. Half of Princeton's classmates were down with cough and running nose. I was hoping Princeton's immune system can be stronger than the virus.

Today is Tuesday, and Princeton attended his keyboard lesson this evening at 8pm. Glad to see he show interest in it, and could follow the tapping of the rhythm. I don't expect him to be able to play a song one day, just hoping through music appreciation could improve his memory as well as his attention span.

Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education. Recently read about a research that has found out that music uses both sides of the brain, a fact that makes it valuable in all areas of development. Music affects the growth of a child’s brain academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Brought Tian to the library after his keyboard lesson. He enjoyed going to the library and listening to my story telling:) I read to him at home too, but the library had more varieties of books, and certainly could attract him more.

My Princess is getting more and more sensible:) After bathing, she would take her clothes to the kitchen and dropped it in laundry basket. She keeps her toys after playing too ",) She is learning to feed herself now, as we guide her along. She can't really speak up now, but whenever i told her NO, she understood. When i said Put it back, she do as i say too. 

I guess she is ready for school soon:) 

CNY 6&7th Day

Yesterday, we had a TABLE gathering at my place, together with sis and xiaolin's family. 6 families altogether! 12 adults and 8 children:)

It was a saturday, and Princeton as usual need to attend his phonics at 11am. Hubby drove us there, and i brought Tian to mac for breakfast. Hubby quickly went Jurong Point to buy all the food and drinks for the gathering. He bought two family feast from KFC 2 large pan pizzas, and 7 boxes of fried rice. Initially we wanted to cater buffet, but it was CNY period, all catering required minimum 30 paxs.

It was an happy and fun occasion, as we could get together during cny. Esp happy with our kids around. It's heart warming to see they could play and get along with one another since young. Paris was in a good mood to see so many people:) Glad she wasn't so afraid of strangers as before... Princeton as usual, overexcited to see his favourite Aunty Jas and the rest. Haha..... Though our place is not very big, but still able to accommodate all of us in the living room.

The first family to reach was Jasline and Mic. We fetched Princeton in time at 1230, then quickly rushed home.. haha. Luckily managed to reach before them... The rest came shortly after one pm plus... Jas and mic were the last one to leave as well. We chat till 6! Princeton and Paris fall asleep while we were chatting.

Today, Peter, Peggy and Andy came over our place for cny visit too! My computer was down again, and Peter offered to come over to see if he could help to rectify. Peter was Zhenyu long time friend from sec school days. Andy and Peter were Zhenyu's brothers too during our wedding! They like LiL Ps alot, and played with them for 2 hours... thanks so much for entertaining the kids:) Princeton got upset when Andy left... LOL. Princeton asked me, when are they coming again. This boy only know how to play...

Felt very blessed to have friends coming over our place. Their presence brought joy and happiness to our atmosphere. I do hope Dragon Year can even be a more prosperous year to my family and hope we can stay in good health, peace and harmony:)

Fanatic by Drama Series ~ 步步惊心

Hasn't been blogging for a week... Partly bcoz of CNY and watching this popular drama ~ Startling by Each Step, a Chinese television series based on a novel. It was based on a novel, and i know it's not true. But yet i am so affected by the ending... Dang!

I seen many series, this is one of the best. The theme song and ending song make this series even more tearing. A week ago, hubby bought the whole set for me, and i finished it within 3days. Started during eve of CNY... sacrifice my sleep at night, as daytime need to accompany the Lil Ps, and the CNY visiting. Luckily mil brewed me two bottles of ginseng during our reunion dinner on the eve, and thanks to mum black chicken soup this afternoon. Crazily, madly in love chasing this series till i lost 1.5kg for the last 3days. HAHA. Perhaps got too emotional affected, and was really upset, so no much appetite. Anyway, i had put on weight last few months, just right i could lose abit now.

Hubby was really curious what is so nice about this show. He watched the first and second episode, and soon, he got addicted too. HEE!!! This is his first drama series he watched! He never likes to chase these kind of show. He preferred movies, 2hours finished and that's it! So people like him also fall in love with 步步惊心, this shows how good it is.

The main reason i love it, was because i like History. Plus i knew quite abit of Qing Dynasty background, this makes me even more hooked to the show. Every characters in the series was great. Even the servants actings were fantastic! Main actor Nicky Wu and Kevin Cheng were unbelievable. Liu shi shi really can cry. (so beautifully) Unlike me, cry till mucus all come out, kaoz...

I was proud of myself that i could understand the story so well, and could seen afew loopholes which the director or editor failed to see. haha... Had a bet with hubby that he couldn't see, hee... Although there were many old chinese proverbs and idioms, i was glad i understood it! My blurred hubby had no ideas at all loh.... bleah..^^

Felt some guilt for not spending my time wholeheartedly with my Lil Ps..... Coz i was tired and thus couldn't focus on them. Sorry tian & xin... 

Holidays is coming to the end. Gonna face the music next week:( My projects and assignments are due in 3weeks time. Gosh.... I need a booster injection to burn up my passion for my studies!!!! Boo hoo!

  

2012 Our First Reunion Dinner

We had our first reunion dinner at Uncle William house on Tuesday. It's a weekday as we wanted Anson (my 3rd Tang ge) to join in this year too:) Sorry we were late as the traffic was real jam. It was a grand sumptuous feast, thank you Uncle and Aunt for this happy reunion dinner!

As usual, we had our gambling session after dinner! Fun and laughter throughout the games. Even though we lose, we lose to our own people, so doesn't matter we win or lose, haha! Hubby got the luxury to enjoy his gambling, as they only had such happy occasions once in a blue moon. So he doesn't need to worry about the children. My jie fu doesn't have the chance to join in, as he needed to handle my naughty and fussy nephew. I told sis, it's OK. This is just a transition period, Zachary will overcome very soon. Last time Tian used to be that difficult too.

Sis is a very very responsible mother. When she's back from work, she really took full care of Zachary and let her mil rest. Friday she would bring zac home and never bother her mil at all until Monday morning. If zac belonged to babies who could sleep well at night, even though every few hours wake up for milk, but still able to go back to sleep, Sis still can take it. But zac could toss the whole night and cry every few hours. That's why sis got to leave zac at mil place during weekdays.

I'm very proud of my sis, she made good effort and courage as a first time parent. At least she tried. She told me might not want to have a second one... must have proper planning. She doesn't want to belonged to those typical ones who easily throw and leave it at parent's place. I told her, it's OK to leave at mil place if she is too tired during weekends. She said her mil is even more tiring. She wants zac to love and recognise his own house. She doesn't want the day when zac refused to go home with her. She heard and seen too many examples of failed parents. 

Recently got some joker brag that she could took care of her own child. Even without her husband. Come on lah.... if you are really so capable, you don't need to stay overnight at your inlaws place. You could have just bring your child back home, and stop bothering your mil during weekends.

STOP being jealous over people with maids. If you think Mother inlaw is a better choice, so be it. You know what i think? Your mother inlaw is a better maid compared to foreign maids. Because don't need to pay levy and salary, and best ~~ no off days. 

Yes, i understand we do need our rest and take a break too... it's perfectly FINE to leave the children to our caregivers at times. But don't boast as if you are very responsible and knowlegable (but actually you are not). I let maid handle Paris too, such as coax her to nap, feed and bath her. (If not i hired maid for what) 

Do not sound as if sahm is very easy, when you yourself cannot solely handle a child during weekends, or during your Maternity Leave. SO, even if you can be sahm, i doubt you can hold it.

One more thing, yes i do agreed grandparent is a better help as a caregiver compared to maid.

BUT, at least i could see my Lil Ps every morning when i open my eyes.   

    

Princeton's progress and new milestones

There are children who can read at the age of 4. Princeton boy could recognised simple English such as Cat, Dog, Pig, Fish, Shoes, House etc. But not yet for Chinese characters. There are also children who don't even know A to Z, or A stands for Aeroplane, B for banana etc. I don't expect to press my boy to be the best, but i expect him to try his best.  

In the child care centre, teachers would feedback his progress to me everyday. Such as, did he nap today? What did he eat today, what fruits is he fussy about, bad behavioural like digging his nose... Now, Princeton ate vegetables for his meal even though he dislike it. 

They had their PE lesson last Friday, and i went to take a look. They did many kind of exercises, and i managed to video down one of it. Teacher would give instructions, and they are suppose to follow it. Run and hop into the loop is one of the exercise. Sound simple, but not many students can do it. The other one was passing baton to their partners. Princeton and his partner Ashley were the only pair who could do it successfully:) 

Princeton is trying to communicate more in Mandarin now. Luckily he is interested in his Enrichment Program at Tien Hsia. The teacher commented that Rong Tian is enthusiastic and is very responsive. Could answer many of her questions correctly. But he is weak in his fine motor skills, such as circle the correct answer, or cross out the wrong one. 

Princeton new milestones is his ability to add and subtract! Simple one of course lol... The most he can go is 5-3=2 :) Addition he can do better. Do hope to see him learning new things everyday. Glad to see his love for Paris grows day by day. This is power of siblings sleeping and playing together everyday. Bonding don't build up overnight. That is why, no matter how, we must make effort to dine together, make an effort to hug them to sleep at night.

When there's No Choice, We create Miracles.

I am considered very lucky, to have my mum staying with me, a maid to do housework. A supportive husband, able to stay at home for the Lil Ps, and to pursue my studies. I thank God for all these, and i give thanks to God everyday. I do not take all these for granted. I can stay unemployed for 2 full years, because of my hardwork last time. I do not have the luxury or luck to strike ToTo. My school fees = my hard earned money.

My theory is simple. Earn money is to spend. What's the point keeping everything in the bank. We are not going to bring it inside the coffin. Spend doesn't mean to be spendthrift, save doesn’t mean to be a miser. We likes to spend on good food, to buy new and nice clothes for the children. We invest on enrichment program for them, and of course self teach at home is a must. I do my sums well, and hubby have faith in me to take care of his financial fully.

2012 will be a very challenging year for me. I really hope ‘the rush here rush there thingy will be paid off one day’. Paris will be having her phonics in March. An hour per lesson, twice a week. Hope I can managed all these, at the same time doing my assignments and group projects. I can let maid and mum to bring them for the classes. But my mentality is still, I’ll depends on myself. Even though next time when I return to workforce. I will still arrange in a way, I’ll drop them at childcare before I go to work. And will pick them up in time after I off work. If I really can’t make it, then my mum will help me. Mum and maid are our choices, we must be glad and appreciate our Choices. But sad to say, people tend to abuse it, and over-rely on them.

My inlaws kept suggesting, when Princeton gets older, he can come over their place to stay overnight. I agreed! And the next morning, they will bring him for exercise and to shop around:) This will be a great bonding between grandparents and the Lil Ps. And perhaps when that moment comes, i can spend more time alone with hubby.

But at the current lifestyles, many parents are leaving their children at the grandparents place, and occasionally bring them home. They are doing it a totally opposite way. And this is very wrong. Old folks may think it is perfectly OK, but we as the child parents should know when to draw a line.

This is no joke, and the consequences are very serious. Children should be close to grandparents, but not to treat them as PARENTS. I known people who leave their children at Nanny house, until the children doesn’t want to go home, and prefer the nanny more than the own parents. Because the parents thought that it’s OK when they grow up, they will understand, or the kids will come back to them. In the end, they lost the children. Perhaps they still bring them out to play once a week. Or to dine with them once a week. But deep inside their heart, they had lost the child forever.

People who have maids, not so bad. Bcoz maid eventually will leave the country. For parents, parents inlaw, or nannies, tend to be very tricky. Once you don’t bring it back to track, then you will suffer the consequences.

Everyone’s threshold is different. There are people who delivered naturally, they go through the pain and push. There are people who gone through Cesarean, doesn’t mean they don’t go through any pain. Infact the pain is 10 times worst.  Especially those unlucky ones like me, last minute Cesarean, after going though 10 hours contractions still no dilation at all. So there’s no such thing as choosing an easy way out. People who opt for c section, doesn’t mean they want to choose an easy way out.

Just like people who leave their children at Parent’s house. Does that means they also wants to choose an easy way out?? To throw the child at Parents house, so that they can sleep well at night, or to stay at home and do their house chores? As I said, Everyone’s threshold is different. All jobs are tiring. ALL. It’s up to individual threshold to take care of the child at night when they off work. So, if we are really exhausted, it is OK to ask for help. Perfectly FINE. But not to make it so often that Parents are obligated to help. And if Parents can’t, we become unhappy.  Think back again, the child belongs to WHO?

When we have no choice, no help, we became so independent that we can create miracles. That is why some super parents can handle their children so well and I got no words but thumbs up. I asked them HOW they do it?  And they said.... because we got NO CHOICE.


People like me, we have alternatives. So let’s be thankful and appreciate our helpers, be it maid or parent. Positive mindsets please... especially to Parents, because they don’t owe us anything. Infact we owed their help, FOREVER.














  

7&8 Jan 2012 The Happening Weekend!

This is our first experience @ The World highest Swimming Pool at Marina Bay Sands! It's very meaningful especially when we are together with our Lil Ps:) It was rather windy that evening, therefore we couldn't swim long too, but still we had our fun and photos! Hubby said we shall bring them here again, with a stay in at the hotel:) Hooray. The Sands SkyPark had the most spectacular view in Singapore, cool man.... Princeton gave the very impressive look 'Whoa'.... 

Sunday... We slept till afternoon! ha... or i should say i slept till 1pm! Zhenyu accompany the children, and brought Princeton to the nearby park for a morning stroll. We had a nap again with the chidren, as i was really too tired. heehe... Woke up at 4pm, prepared and get ready to Changi City Point. This is our first time there too. It is a newly opened shopping centre just next to Singapore Expo Mrt. We brought them specially to check out the latest indoor kids playground, Petite Park. 

This indoor play area is specially designed for children under 130 cm. When I looked around, the structures seemed less challenging and intimidating, so I’m guessing they are catered mostly for kids between 1-3 years old.The playground consisted of two main areas; an active play area and an area for pretend play. The place look alike Singkids, but i preferred the later... this place is more for children below 2 i felt...The most exciting one would be the spinning carousel with swinging balls which was pretty tricky for Princeton to hop on. But he still managed to do it, good job my boy! Overall Princeton would definitely love Amazonia more! haha...

Today is my first day of lecture. I will be having lectures the whole of this week... but tmr i got to skipped, as Princeton is having his first Keyboard Lesson at Yamaha:) Friday will be his Chinese enrichment at Jurong Point. My ultimate aim is just to hope he could learn some skills at the same time have fun with peers. Therefore every tue, fri evening and sat morning (zoo phonics), we will not be free. 

Time to bring Paris for a walk at the park. Bye! 

  

Paris turning 16months soon!

My precious princess is turning 16months in 3 days time. Though my mum said it's not good to keep counting how many months are they. That's why i never like to post it in fb... So i don't mentioned the exact date lol.

Paris is now 73cm and 12kg:) Princeton is 104cm 19.7kg! Glad they had been eating well with good appetite. Paris walked on her own now, but still can't follow us in shopping malls. Will guide her along, and hopefully she will listen to all instructions soon. At home, if i asked her to take the remote control, she would walked to the TV console and passed to me. I told her lets go bath, she went to her cupboard and grab her own towel. The scene was funny as she act like a small adult. Simple things she can follow, but outside she's quite wild, difficult to control. Must bring her out more often so that she learn faster. She very Da Xiao Jie, must give in if not cry out very loudly. Thought I'm the only queen at home... now she overrides me. Dot dot.

Went marketing with mum this morning. Bought so many food for tonight and to store for cny also. One packet of scallop $30, we bought 3 packets! Bought big prawns and fishes too. 

Every CNY, it had been a tradition that we would Lao Yu Sheng, eat shark fins, (be it real or pirated), "dried oyster" in Cantonese is "ho-si" which is the same pronunciation as "good things", Duck/chicken and fishes, Abalone and Luo Han Zhai! Nian gao and ba kwa is a must too:) Ba kwa is bbq, not good if children eat too much. Very heaty also... must remind mum don't overeat this time again. To have all the good food because it symbolises a profitable year ahead. If we eat Maggie mee, porridge during cny, means for the rest of the year, you will eat these lor. Not asking you to eat till stomach burst, just a bite in everything for prosperity.

For us, every year we would have 3 reunion dinners for sure. One with Uncle William (usually 2 weeks before CNY), one with my mum (2or 3days before cny) and cny eve with my inlaws. All fabulous dishes would be out. 

For me, these 15 days, i will not lose my temper nor will i flare. Will try my best to stay in good mood, say the good things. Especially between couples, if we quarrel during CNY, for the rest of the year will be disputes and unhappiness.

Becoming more and more aunty... oh yah, toothbrush and towels all must be new ones also:p ok ok enough already. haha... Can't wait for the gatherings:) Esp the mega one at hubby's side.    

Dayout @ IMM

Decided to bring the Lil Ps out today. Princeton still having slight cough, but tmr will be back to school for sure. When we were about to go out, my mum said she wanted to go grandma's house. So i drove her there.. then thought of asking my sis out for lunch too.

We all went IMM for lunch and brought the lil ones to arcade for some fun time. Bought a new set of pillow and booster for them each. Paiseh gotta let sis took bus back to work from IMM, bcoz we are not leaving that early. Sis commented that Xin really is a gd n easy bb. I told her, xin got her own difficult parts, but she's easily coaxed. haha.

Today Tian supposed to have an enrichment program at Jurong Point. A Chinese phonics cum speech & drama. But was postponed to next Friday. Hubby just dabao dinner back from Jp, with all my fav food! Even though he is not driving, he still make an effort to carry everything back... thanks dearie! Though at times you might agitate me, but overall smiles still cover away the frowns.

My school term is starting next week.. The modules are tough for this year. Real tough... I hope i can managed well. No more slack and relaz!! Time to gear up my engine, ZROOM!

A Day At Jurong Safra

 This morning had an unpleasant argument with zhenyu. Today was supposed to meet my pil to Changi Airport. We planned to bring them for a good meal to celebrate my fil birthday. But Princeton was down with cough, and the Airport is so cold, it will worsened his cough. That was the reason we didn't go ktv yesterday also.

Zhenyu cannot seems to understand. He said then we changed it to a nearer venue. I shook my head and said no. WHY?? Because my pil cannot wait for us. Princeton is still sleeping at 10am plus, and they want to meet at 12. If tian wasn't drowsy by the medication and wasn't down with cough, i would have woke him up! But you got to see the situation now right? He is sick, he needs sleep. Plus my pil belonged to 'cannot wait people', then i told zhenyu, it's OK let them go airport themselves. We will meet up to have the meal another day. He wasn't pleased at all. Dunno is retarded or what. Darn.

Anyway, the meal was cancelled, but my pil took bus and came over to see their precious grandchildren. Mil brewed porridge for the two of them, and they ate so happily:) They left at 11.30am... Princeton was reluctant to see them go.

We prepared the kids and then bring them to the nearby Jurong Safra. Can't go far, as Princeton would be drowsy in the afternoon. We went Jack's place for steaks! Love it to the max.. Paris fall asleep for her afternoon nap, haha. We walked around the place and bought Princeton a book about dinosaurs. Then went home at 3.30pm. Took a nap with tian, he was much better now. Just hope tmr he can be fit to go to school.

First Day of 2012

Princeton and i did not have enough sleep... Yawn.. Slept too late last night. Hence, the we took an hour nap in the afternoon. When we woke up, Princeton was quite grouchy, and i guessed he was still tired. Having slight cough suddenly.... Decided to bring him to the doctor as there wasn't any medicine left.

The last time he was sick was 6 months ago. Since then he didn't even had a slight cough nor flu. Perhaps due to insufficient sleep... Uncle William jio us for ktv, and i was so excited and quickly called and booked a room. But during late lunch at Pioneer Mall just now, Tian vomited out some of his ramen. Zhenyu then told me not to bring Tian to the ktv. Bcoz the air con will worsen his condition. I then called Uncle to arrange another time. What a waste... thought we could bring tian to ktv today!

Even if my mum is at home, i would not bear to leave Tian at home. Let alone he is abit sick now. I 'admired' many parents could still go out and enjoy when their child is sick at home. This is weird right? Without my children, i will not enjoy anywhere. They need us especially when they are not feeling well.

Pray that xin will not get infected. Tian recovered very fast, just hope the virus don't spread to his lil sister. Tian still able to finish that whole bowl of ramen, plus one chawanmushi! Power right? I didn't want him to eat so much, becoz i was afraid he might vomited out everything. But he said " I want to be taller than daddy!" I looked at hubby and said, you see your boy is out to win u.

So far he is OK. He need a good rest that's all. Hope we can have a better day tmr!