Our Wood Anniversary!

Today is 03.01.14, mark our 5th anniversary.

We celebrated in Bali a month ago, a pact we made when we had our honeymoon. In the exact same resort, with our little precious.

The Event Manager we engaged in Mandarin Oriental Hotel where we held our solemnisation and lunch reception sent us this message! She's so sweet! She remembers our anniversary every year. I think she's really passionate about her job.



Thanks Bethany for the message.. really sweet of her

 And 5th anniversary is also called "wood anniversary". So I ordered a pair of handmade wooden rings for us. It's only for memento. :-)

Hubby asked what I wanted for our anniversary. I was in between a few things.. like a guzheng.. a piano.. they are made of woods ;-) Ultimately I settled for a rented guzheng instead.


My rented guzheng



Moments captured - pre-wedding photoshoot, pre-wedding dinner, solemnisation and lunch reception!



Past 5 years were not a bed of roses.. we have been in and out, ups and downs.. It is not easy to be celebrating today, both of us put in a lot of effort.

To many more to come.. 

Chinese & Me

"Mommy, what is this word?", my preschooler son asked.

I stared into the workbook. CHINESE!

Frantically, in trembled voice, for the millionth time that week, I told him, I coudn't read CHINESE.

"Mommy, Mommy!", he called out to me again.

"NO NO NO! I HATE CHINESE, I CAN'T READ CHINESE!"

"Mommy, Mommy, wake up!"

I opened my eyes and saw my angelic IZ looking at me. Gosh, I was sure glad it was a dream.

I've imagined that for God knows how long.

When my elder niece, Cherry was a preschooler (more than a decade ago), she shoved a Chinese book to me and asked me to read to her. I had to make up the story by looking at the illustration. She said "that's not the same story Mommy told me". That was the first, as well as the last she ever asked me to read to her.

When my younger niece, Sabrina was a preschooler (about 5-6 years ago), she said "my Mommy said you can't read Chinese, so can you teach me Bahasa?"

I guess IZ's turn is coming up real soon... do I...

1) send him to Chinese class?
2) the heard of Chinese speech & drama class? (do they even learn to write and recognise words there?)
3) give up on his Chinese and let him learn whatever he can in the school?
4) bite the bullet and learn some Chinese myself?

For sure, history will repeat itself if I do not take any action...

Rainbow Fish Puzzles Book

It's an award winning book by Marcus Pfister.

Every page of the book comes with a 4-pc puzzle. At the end of the story, you'll be able to get a big puzzle.

What I did was to read the story on each page, and IZ would fix the 4-pc puzzle for each of the scene. Upon completion of all the 9 scenes, he would fix the 9-pcs into a gigantic puzzle.

And I'll read the story again.

What IZ learnt from this book:
1) lantern fish
2) swordfish
3) jagged fins fish
4) lobster
5) and of course, RAINBOW FISH!

Rainbow Fish is indeed a very pretty fish!

Fixing the smaller 4-pc puzzle for each scene

All the 9 scenes

Fixing the 9-pc into a gigantic puzzle

Almost complete

Pretty puzzle completed!

The pic is not so nice, the rainbow fish scales are actually shimmering

The boy was very happy and accomplished

Well recommended!

Welcome 2014!

IZ drew this on NY's Eve.. I feel depressed looking at it, but he said he was not unhappy..

IZ said "grandfather's clock.. the old man died.. and that's old man chair"





IZ said "papa egg and IZ egg on a tree.. humpty dumpty fell down and broke his hat, mouth and legs"



Kumon Puzzles

Last post about puzzle was nearly 11 months ago. It was Puzzle Craze then.

Then, I shared about 2, 4, 6 pcs Kumon puzzles:

As the above was a bit too easy as time goes, we bought another set of Kumon puzzles, 9, 12, 16 and 20 pcs. They are very "flowerish" and a little confusing for IZ to do at first. Today, he could do 9 and 12 pcs without any problem, a little slower for 16 pcs, and much slower for 20 pcs. But he completes his puzzles nonetheless.

That's the most important message I put across to IZ everytime he face challenge or setback when he is playing puzzles.. not to give up easily, shall try and try. If really can't, then ask for help.

Revolution.... Resolution...

When my sis went into university (in the 80s), she had to queue at the public phone to make calls home.

When I went into university (in late 90s), my mom gave her Motorola flip phone. One day, SMS (Short Messaging Services) just "happened". I received message from Digi (the telco provider) that I was entitled to free SMS service. It just bloomed, I tell you.

Then 3G technology "happened" early 2000s.

I hung on to my old technology.

A decade later, when everyone's busy using Whatsapp or LINE to chat with each other, I was still "contactless" in 3G world.

I then bought an iPad for my hubby. Through that, I installed LINE so that I wouldn't feel left out. I did not want to inconvenient my friends by texting me separately while they chat on LINE or leave me a message on Facebook for that matter.

Group chat on these apps is both an angel as well as a devil. I do not know which one more.

In 2011, I finally decided to "invest" in a 3G tool. I finally bought my first 3G phone, Sony Xperia S. I love the white and the curve. And so I happily installed Whatsapp, LINE and informed my friends that I was in touch!

Then I was obssessed....

Gone were the days I had to use my compact camera to take photos and then upload onto my Facebook manually. I could just snap and post immediately, something others have been doing for very long.

When food is served, "wait! let me take a picture first!"
When I experience something nice, I took out my phone to share my feeling.

I lived my life in the cyber space.

I couldn't understand how some friends do not own a Facebook account!

That doesn't mean I didn't treasure life. I do, but I also think photos are mementos, I like looking at my old photos to reminisce old times, good old times.

Lately, I feel tired.. I do not go into Facebook as often, and I resort to Instagram to post some of the pics.

My life may go unwitnessed.. but I feel tired.

I'm tired of all the mixed feelings I have when I log on Facebook. I could have done better, by remaining non-judgemental, and feeling sincere, but I couldn't do it.

I wonder if it's just me, or has Facebook became a tool of competition?

My resolution... I'm withdrawing slowly from the cyber space.. but will definitely not stop writing.. (or blogging!)

IZ's 3rd Birthday Party

In my post last month, we were preparing for his 3rd birthday celebration.

Humpty Dumpty was the theme, not many party items related to Humpty Dumpty in the shops, but I made do with some "innovations".

He was very excited to help the dad pump up the balloons

They look like happy Humpty, don't they?

Little goodie bag for friends

DIY King's Crown - frankly speaking, also because IZ looks better with a hat/cap/something on his head.. haha!

The pleasant surprise, he was really surprised and happy to see his favorite

Trying to poke to see if it is for real - he said the Humpty should be facing him instead

Happy birthday boy with his friends

Singing the birthday song - why so many candles? So his friends could blow together too!

I thought he wouldn't want to "destroy" his Humpty, but apparently he didn't hesitate to give it a huge BITE

Cake from: Charlotte Grace

Nutella Cookie on 21st Dec'13

A super simple recipe I found online:

Ingredients:

1 cup of flour

1 cup of Nutella

1 egg

Method:

1) Mix all ingredients well together.

2) Pre-heat oven at 180degC.

3) Roll the dough and cut to shapes.

4) Bake for 7-8 mins at 180degC.

Simple, isn't it?

Drawing @ 3yo

Papa he said

Itsy Bitsy Spider - With the Sun and water Spout

Can you tell the difference, he asked (playing Spot the Difference!)

Heart Studio

You probably know I have been wanting to send IZ to an art class. We started our art lernen-reise in Abrakadoodle, and ended it then too. I stopped as it was more an art & craft class and it didn't benefit IZ who was merely 2 yo. So instead of me doing the art & craft for him, I thought of getting a class that will teaches him to draw/paint, that's what he likes.

However, most of the art schools for "real art" do not take in students any younger than 4 in average. Some of them 3. So, you can imagine how my neck grew longer the last year, waited till he turned 3 before actively searching and arrange for trial, yet again.

Heart Studio is actually founded by a fellow mommy friends I know from a local forum. I've seen the work published as well as reviews from many blogger moms. However, I do know that blogger moms' trials were sponsored, so, I take it that their review would be generally positive. So I remained neutral. I checked with founder, Rena if it's suitable to send IZ in. She told me if he could take instructions, then I could.

So, after painstaking 1 year of no art lessons, and although he has never stopped drawing and scribbling at home, I arranged for the trial lesson in Heart Studio yesterday, at 9.30am.

We arrived 15 mins earlier to register. The front desk staff, May was very friendly. IZ felt right at home. The waiting area/lobby was minimal, but nicely done up with both sides of wall displaying works by students. Pardon me for no photos on that, I shall try to take some the next class.

Yup, we signed up for the class!

And I will tell you why.

The teachers are friendly. The teachers are Teacher Shafiq and Teacher J (? I can't get the spelling of his name, but it sounded like a J).

They taught them in a very systematic way. Explaining the theme SHADOWS, how shadows are made etc. I could hear IZ participated actively during the lesson. And he was very happy when he invited hubby and I into the class to look at his work.

Then, teachers explained what they did for the day, a simple de-brief.

Most importantly, IZ told us he likes the teachers and he wants to go back again. So, we signed up immediately.
(This post is not sponsored, by the way)



The reception





The bright corridor to classes



Little Dali for 3-4 yo

Waiting for lesson to start

Engrossed in the class

Interesting show and tell about shadows

A lesson I learnt though, and I thought what I did was silly.

I told IZ we were going to art trial class when we were making our way to the school. I also told him how parents are not allowed to company him. And that he is a big boy, he should be able to sit in the class, bravely. He said he is brave and he is not afraid.

And so upon arrival, when I saw him so easily interacted with the teachers and went into the class with a breeze, I slipped out of his sight silently.

God, that was the silliest mistake.

He cried not a 2 minutes after entering the class.

So I went into the class and apologised for not saying bye. And we hugged and hi-5-ed each other, then he settled down.

Phew.. important lesson learnt, Mommy!

This Xmas....



He was super happy with the brolly candy the hotel Manager asked him to pluck.



At Orchard Central with his Aunt



Overall Best Dressed Building - Orchard Central



Their props are captivating



Xmas tree at MBS



Kingsmen in MBS



Bay Sushi at MBS



Night walk!



Beautiful night view



He enjoyed the colourful walkway



Ane he finally saw the Merlion!

Potty training @ 3yo

If you remember I blogged about his potty training progress..

- diaperless in the day at 32months+ after 7 days of training
- diaperless during day nap at 34months after staying dry for the whole week

And then, he turned 3 years old this month, and I was still waiting for his cue to go diaperless at night. Waited and waited.. no sign of readiness.

Incidentally, we ran out of usual diaper last Thurs (left only 3 pcs of pull-ups). And we would not get our supply till 4 days later. I really didn't feel like buying a packet of diaper there and then. So we put on the pull-up for Thurs night. It leaked! :-( It was not working.

I started to panic, and forced myself to think of letting him go without diaper at night. Although it may mean wet bed and all, but we bought mattress protector, so it is not big deal, really.

I read online for ways to train them at night. Some of the articles say as long as they stay dry during the day, we can start to train them for the night! Took that as a cue, I looked for training pants. My friend helped to check at Mothercare, but I thought it was costly, and I was not sure if it was on discount.

So, I checked out at Isetan and bought 2 pcs of plain training pants at $7.20 (before 20% discount) each. And I used our Isetan voucher for them, so it was free! It felt like our mattress protector, the lining, that is.

IZ was very receptive when I explained to him (of coz I didn't tell him we ran out of diaper!). I told him he's a big boy now and that he should try sleeping without diaper but the training pants. He asked "new underwear?"

20th Dec'13 (1st night):
He chose blue colour, and he peed before he slept. We woke him up at 1+ to pass urine, and he co-operated. And then once more at 4+ and he refused, he said he didn't have urine.

21st Dec'13 (2nd night):
I let him pee before he slept. Hubby woke him up past midnight to pass urine, and once more at 4+ coz he asked for milk in between.

22nd Dec'13 (3rd night):
He asked me to change his underwear (means asked me to change to training pants). Peed before he slept, woke him once at 1am and then slept through till 6+ when I woke up and my hubby questioned me "you mean you didn't wake up at 4+? I thought you said we take turn to wake up?". He didn't pee in the pants! Another dry night! Yippie!

24th Dec'13 (5th night):
Both hubby and I were just too tired to wake up I guess. We were woken by "wet wet wet!" to discover he was wet from shirt to pants. How much pee can the training pants contain? I couldn't tell how many times he peed, really. But he wet the bed thrice that night.

25th Dec'13 (6th night):
Coz I reached home late, hubby told me IZ had diaper on to sleep. He didn't think I could wake up to "mind urine". Although I was not happy, but I knew I was really too tired.
At 5.15am, IZ woke up crying "mommy, i want to urine!" - yippie! good sign!
But I still wet his pants anyway, coz his penis was curled and the urine flew out of potty.. anyway, it was a good sign!

Till next update! ;-)

Added on 27th Dec'13:

26th Dec'13 (7th night):
I woke up at 5+am and found him dry. I asked hubby if he woke IZ up to pass urine, he said yes. So I continued sleeping, to be woken by him crying at 6.40am (just a mere 5 mins from my alarm!) and he was all wet, yes, again. I find training pants seriously useless.. probably not for night use? But I believe it was only one round of urine, and it was drenched, not to mention IZ's shirt too.
I was puzzled.. our calculation should be right. If he passed urine before 5am, he shouldn't be peeing after 5am. Only to find out later, hubby made milk for him before 5am.. Zzzz.. Morale of the story is, there should be only one "minding the urine and milk", but I really couldn't do it, I was darn tired.
We'll have a little talk with IZ tonight and see if we should put on diaper and wake up to pass urine instead.
I'm positive this will work even better! :-D

Added on 3rd Jan'14:

1st Jan'14: 13th night
He insisted the diaper made him painful and he didn't want to wear diaper to sleep but training pants. No accident as he could wake up and hubby woke him up in-between sleep.

2nd Jan'14: 14th night
Another night with only training pants. It was my shift. When I felt him shifting in his sleep, I asked if he wanted to pass urine. And so we remained dry too. ;-)

Added on 6th Jan'14:

3rd Jan'14: 15th night
He woke up once to tell me he wanted to pee. Diaper was dry in the morning.

4th Jan'14: 15th night
He woke up with dry diaper - didn't wake up at all.

5th Jan'14: 16th night
He woke up twice on his own to pee. Yippie! I think we have reached the milestone!! So proud of him!