We had a great outdoor fun at Pasir Park today! Dh rent a 2-seater bicycle with child seat to cycle on. So four of us on the bicycle went for a 1hr cycling spree.


Took a rest at the Reach Gallop Stable where the kids get up close & personal with the horses.






Had a Pony Horse Ride (Ex though, at $10 per ride!).






Relaxing at the Gallop Cafe



Another fun time at the Playground!

FINALLY!!! Sky express his need to go "she she" to us instead of waiting for us to ask him. For the whole of today, Ah ma informed that there's no accident! Way to go, Sky!

The 2nd rehearsal last Sun went very well. She sing & played loudly on that day. Just pray that she doesn't stumble on the actual day. For their group, parental accompany is needed. Aiyo, even the parent need to be in sync with the dress code. On the other hand, Shan was so happy when she knew that she has the chance to wear the flower gal dress again.

Sky's school organised an excursion to the Animal Resort last fri. As the playgroup consists of 2-3yrs old, parental accompany is required. I decided to take a day leave to accompany Sky the whole day.


Gathering at the school compound




Sky love feeding the goat

Browsing in the pet shop.

Too bad the weather wasn't great. It started to pour after the kids finished feeding the animals. The next programme - fishing had to be cancelled. We were stuck in the pet shop for abt 1hr+ waiting for the school bus. Before the bus arrived, Sky was too tired & fell asleep.

After lunch, I decided to bring him to Go GO Bambini to have another round of fun. He really sweat it out then. He enjoyed himself totally by busy crossing all obstacles and climbing up & down (which he's really an expert at it). So glad that he enjoyed it so much, I booked for Shan's birthday.


The only photo I could captured him on:

Shan's music sch is having an annual concert at DBS Auditorium on 5 Aug. For shan, she had the first rehearsal with another class last sun. With a shy nature, Shan was overwhelmed with new teacher (who's in charge of their item) & the new faces. Her usual class is only her & 2 other boys. Although in a group, she was so scared that she freezed, teared & did not play the notes (where she played very well in the previous lessons & at home). It took her abt 15mins before she regains her posture & started playing together with her class.

In fact, we recognise that Shan had this inner lack of confidence in public. Not sure how to help her to get out of her shell. Just keep telling her, "All things are possible through Jesus!"

We were in between Shan's music class & church. As we were at Jalan Kayu for lunch, Aunty Elisa's family & us decided to vist Animal Resort which is round the corner. Aunty Suzie & family had to go back to prepare for the birthday party for Shaine.

Observing the dogs poo poo

Sky will be back on Friday again thou. His playgroup organised a excursion to Animal Resort this Fri.

After Shan's class, we went botanical gdns to celebrate Shaine's birthday. She turned 3! The kids had fun blowing the bubbles & running around. Luckily, the weather changed after everyone finished the dinner & went packing home.

The lovely star of the day & her friends.

The kids' Ah Yi finally obtained her driving licence after 4 attempts! Last Sun, after dinner with family, dh made Ah Yi drove us back home. We were all so excited for her. While Ah Yi was making adjustment for mirror & trying hard to ease her nervousness, Shan nonchalantly shot a piece of advice, "Ah Yi, red light must stop hor! " We really can't stop laughing.

On 30 Jun 07, we brought the kids to a 3days 2 nites Genting trip with Suzie, Elisa & Soo Li's families.

Day 0 (Sat)
Woke up extremely early at 5.30pm to prepare & arranged to meet Suzie & family at causeway. PH tantalised our tastebud & keep us going to Klang for a good Ba Ku Teh. Unfortunately, we were too late & the good Ba Ku Teh had sold out. We have to settle for another Ba ku Teh at the opposite lane. It was good in my opinon though..but of course still yet to taste the super good one!





We finally reached Genting quite late at 5pm. After we settled down, we had buffet dinner at one of the restaurant. Food is terribily lousy. We manage to celebrate Rachel's birthday there. After the celebration, the kids played at the indoor themepark before we headed to bed.



Celebrating Rachel's birthday!


The kids' favourite ride of all!

Day 1 (Sun)


The kids spent whole day at indoor theme park playing various ride. By lunch time, they were quite shag & we decide to let them take a nap in the hotel. Without the kids, we made up for the lousy dinner the previous nite with a sumptous lunch at Mushroom Farm at Suzie's recommendation.

Day 2 (Mon)
When the ladies get together, obviously other than chit chat, the next thing is shopping!! With the help of the hubbies & maids to man the kids, three of us went shop shop in the morning.



The result of our shopping! Oops, encouraging vanity in our little ladies.


After lunch, we head to Malacca. After some shopping, we went to a cosy nonya restaurant at PH's recommendation. There's a pond within the restaurant & it keep the kids excited & busy!



spicy laksa!

Glad that I'm still sane sticking around at home with the kids over the weekend.

Sat
Browse thru art attack & did letter "S". Kids enjoyed tearing the papers, kitchen roll & painting. DIY PVA glue using tapicoa flour (Dh had to call ah-ma to check which flour.)



looks like like a disgusting snake thou..we saw the end of it when Sky threw it away the next day!

Sun
Dh is the creative sort who will do the fun things with the kids. No wonder his presence is deeply felt even though he reaches home rather late during weekdays. Grateful that he will reserve weekends solely for family even though his career will flourish to a higher level if he choose to work. Happy father's day!!



- Drew hopscotch outside the flat & get the kids jump.





- Pretend play



- Hide & seek in the house.

CHICKEN POX!!! Shucks!! She had the vaccine when she's abt 2yrs, so, it's somehow controlled & not full blown. But with the pox, she's xxxx-tra grouchy!! Called me during work three times crying for me to come home faster. Said everybody's mummies are home and why arn't I home yet?? Did any SAHMs walked pass her???

Went to teahouse for dim sum cravings after service with the mummies gang (me, Suzie & Elisa). The kids enjoyed themselves where they are free ranging to run around.



Brought them to Botanical Gdns for another round of sweat it out session in the evening. Too bad, Shannon knock out while coming from her music class.

Similar like the previous week, Suzie's house turned into a childcare with the help of the maids. The mummies & daddies had good time chatting away & eating good food in peace. Bet the maids are happy to have their own little fellowship session as well.

In the pipeline, we are planning a trip to Genting for our next "retreat" in end June. Yippe!! Looking forward to more fun for the kids!

Since Shannon's ballet school is on a term break, we made an impromptu decision to head for Desaru yesterday. Together with the kids' Ah Ma & Ah Yi, we went there for a day trip.


Despite the hot weather, the kids had fun on the beach. This is also Sky's first trip to a sandy beach. Unfortunately, we missed the turn into the fruit farm. Nevertheless, we had a good trip with seafood dinner as a finisher. The lobster & crab is super yummy! No wonder, it's rated No1 by one of the channel U makan show sometime back.

Dh was unusually home early last fri. So, I made a last min decision to have a 1-1 time with Shan while dh can also have time with Sky. Went to lot 1 to watch Shrek 3. It's a great & hilarious show! But, during the show, Shannon voiced that she's afraid of Shrek! Half of the time, she curled in front of me. Yet, when I asked if she enjoyed the show, she replied yes!

After attending the matrimony at CHC, we brought the kids to watch this.

One of our Cell Group friend got married today & Shannon is invited to be a flower gal. We manage to scout for a dress at a super good deal @ $30 from John Little. Shannon has been looking forward to this day for the longest time.

At 2, Sky is not as verbalise as compared to the talkative jie jie. He's still talking in 1 syllabus but start forming sentence. This is especially so when he need to talk to "survive" in a situation like this:

Shan: Mummy! I take this first!
Sky: NO! ME TAKE FIRST! (Loud & clear which had caught me by surprise)

Me trying hard not to laugh & make peace.

Our friends of Zoo membership is coming to an expiry soon. We have not been going for a while due to the loads of activities & the recent rainy season. On Vesak Day, we set out to go Zoo early in the morning. Luckily we did cos it rained heavily in the noon. The children playground was fully pack!!!

I'm thankful that Sky has a wonderful teacher (Centre Mgr). On two occassions, she inserted a handwritten notes to me informing me Sky's progress in school. She goes to details such as his crying periods & his participation level during activities throughout the 2hrly session. As they are on "Food" theme, they also provided slips showing the type of food the children tasted & the likeness level to the food. It's a nice gesture & i certainly do appreciate such form of interaction.




Sky's going back for holiday programme - "Little Chef". Hope he has no problem adapting back to school life after a one-week term break.

Went to Buckaroo to celebrate Sky's birthday, Mother's day, MIL's birthday cum dad's birthday. Wat an event!


All of them shared this cake.


Sky having fun with cousins


Busy eating

Gotten a barney jelly cake for his school celebration.


The children can't keep their hands off the cake while we trying to light the candle.


Cake eating time.

Still remember the day when I found out that I was preggie with Sky. God told me then it would be a boy. Sky was considered a high need baby. I had to wake up few times in the night to nurse him & he constantly need physical touch from us. God really use him mightly to test my patience.

I hv previously blogged abt how sensitive Shan can be. I'm not sure if she's ultra emotional kind. She can get into tears easily & she seems to need constant reassurance that we love her very much. If I praise her bro, she will ask "mummy, me leh?" If I had somehow ignore her, die big time! She will get into her act & sob! During the times when she's given scolding or time out, she will start saying things like, "mummy don't luv me!", "nobody luv me!" & even to the extend of "I dun like my family!" I hope it's not some kind of insecure-ness she's feeling. When she's not into her notti acts, she will then be an affectionate & a very lovely gal.

Suddenly recalled that I watch a no. of k-dramas while preggie with her..Me, being the emotional kind will watch those touching serial with tears. Don't tell me this emotional streak is being passed to her unknowingly & it's passed over 3x!

Saw this in another blog & it's really funny.

Parenting Styles

Old way:
"put on your shoes!"... "i said put on your shoes!"... why are they not on yet?"...etc

New way:
"what shoes are you wearing today? your trainers or your sandals?"

Old way:
"hurry up and eat your food!"

New way:
"what bowl/spoon do you want to use today? the white one or the blue one?"... "would you like to finish dinner quickly and go to the playground, or finish slowly and go straight to the bath?"

Old way:
"go to bed. it's time for bed. it's late"

New way:
"it's bedtime. are you going to hop there like a kangaroo, or slither like a snake?" ...and..."which story do you want...the dog one or the cat one?"..."who is switching off the light?...you or me?"

When they get very 'otherwise' despite well-phrased attempts, then, instead of yelling, offer options in a calm manner but with a difference that now one of those options may no longer be in the child's favour. This encourages him to think carefully about the repercussions of his choices, i.e. to think wisely.

When child is throwing himself on the floor not wanting to co-operate, don’t simply carry the child away. Ask him, “would you like to hold mommy's hand nicely and walk to the bathroom, or would like mommy to carry u instead?" After the child decides, respond again in a calm manner, "ok, stand up nicely now then I will carry you" or "ok, hold my hand now and let's walk there quietly."

When they still do not oblige after a few promptings, then give them a time-out equivalent in minutes to the child's. Only do this in a safe place, and for kids 2.5/3yrs and up, and save it as a last resort.
Again, don’t simply carry the child away. Offer him options. If you have exhausted all others then the time-out option can be offered as an alternative to whatever you would like him to do. Remember, anything used in excess will become ineffective.

Old way:
"#*$(*@ blah blah blah! "

New way:
"would you like to go to the bathroom nicely, or would you like to go for a 2 minute time-out instead?"

================

The parenting style now is so different from the old times. Even my mum admitted that there are new ways of teaching children which she need to learn & apply on my 2 naughty baobeis.

Take for today, through the teacher, my mum learnt that she has to say a proper goodbye to Sky when she's leaving instead of doing a quiet stunt. Thank God that Sky has no problem adapting to the school & happily say "bye" to Ah-ma. The headache now is however on the school van. Sky don't seem to like to school van Uncle & cried the minute he's put up to the van. Hope tmr will be better.