Photo *Heart* Fridays: Playground

SC was having migraine that day,

I was getting tired of handling two.

The kids didn't agree to go home. 

So 'throw them into playground' pop into my mind. 

We were nearby Ang Mo Kio 

We went to AMK Town West Garden. 

Making everyone happy.

This is one of the best way to recharge their energy,

and give ourselves a break. 

Having the blue sky to witness their joy,

having the earth to take their countess of stomping and patting,
having the the chance to recharge our energy (both parents and the children),
We heart playground;).

This post is linking with Photo Heart Fridays by Catch Forty Winks.

Aug 2012: Uniquely Her

Sometime, I think it is not her push the wrong button of mine. It is me, trigger the land mine inside her and got my self bombed. It is her temperament that I am still trying to grasp.

At young age, she is argumentative. Just yesterday, she refused to sleep earlier like jiejie (who already into the slumberland) because she is concentrating to do her 'homework'. It was just scribbling over the cardboard box that she got from Art Garden. Since when did she learn the word "homework"? Kids at this age pick up words fast, isn't it? Sometime, SC and I marvel at her witty statement and infectious grin. She is vivacious, she knows how to make us burst into laughter, when to give me a sloppy kiss to melt my heart, how to discharge my energy drastically.

She is uniquely bomber, both dreadful and wonderful!

Here, her trained-to-be-bombed mama decided to scrapbook a little to mark the very explosive Bomber, marching into 29th month. Challenging path ahead of us, why not take it positively. After all, kid grows fast these days.

Credits: Prego by Maya de Groof

Love you deeply.

This post is linking up with Wordless Wednesday by SakuraHaruka.

We, Rock Climbing.

Due to a very attractive calling, we went for rock climbing yesterday. All three of us climbed.Unbelievable! 

I don't know what makes me game into rock climbing. I never try it before. I never a sports person. I mean, I like sports, but I took very long time to really play well in badminton, then squash (then someone told me not worth the time for being the best in a game). Anyway, me now? I am 98% being away from rackets and balls these days (the 2% is house chores, don't say it is not counted!). I didn't really ask myself if I can do this or not. I didn't think much after saying yes to Pamela. I was pretty sure of not losing my life (or face) of this. As a mum, the initial thought is really, "Good for the kids to try". Well, I don't mind Bomber try if she was keen. But she wasn't.

Me trying? hmm... maybe not, little Bomber would be clingy to me. 

But hey, what if she shows interest to join jiejie to climb too? 

Ahem, then... no harm trying, isn't that our way of encouraging our children to strive for a challenge? It would definitely great opportunity to participate in first trying rather than cheering them at the side.

Yup, show jiejie her mum is walk the talk. Make her proud too, for once!

There are two voices inside me. Sometime, they talk too loud to each other that I can't ignore them.

So, we reached. Late! Because little Bomber woke up from her nap a little late, the traffic was moving slowly due to an accident. Best is, we missed a few junctions and drove a longer route to reach instead. But the door was widely opened when we reached the destination. It was soon to be 5pm. Didn't Pamela say the event is only opened from 1 to 5 afternoon? 

Sorry, sorry but really glad to see Poppy and Yvonne's husband were in the middle of climbing!   

Jiejie, second attempt to climb up. Proud of her!

Looking at others to climb up is a very exciting thing to do there, in a breezing afternoon, if only there was beer for observers and cheer-mummy( kidding). I was super impressed with Yvonne who climbed all the way up to top. She did so well until I felt... maybe I should sit back, admiring others and play with younger kids. However, Mr Chua, the instructor of Beyond Academics came to me and asked me to give it a try. The little fairy of me came out and reminded me that, "it is not nice to reject an invitation from a nice person." 

Then, Mr Chua taught me on wearing the harness and shoes, the little wizardess of mine came out and tried to persuade me to take it easy. Just a few step up the wall, right hand was finding a climbing hold to grab, "Hey! Enough of climbing! Let's call it a day! You don't need to climb further!!!"

Mr Chua's voice came into my ears in guiding me up. "Left, try grab the yellow hold."

"I thought your intention was just want to show your daughter the spirit of "Good Try!"" Few more steps up the wall, wizardess started to grumble, "Can't believe it! You are not listening! You are going to hurt yourself, do you know that?!"

Sometime, she does sound like my mum.

"You don't need to try so hard! Do you know that? There isn't prize awarding later!?" When I reached middle of the wall. I couldn't get rid of her.

"Come on! You have enough. Bleah, hands are aching!"

"Back off! She is doing well. Her hands are so strong to pull her up, and up again! Leave her alone to finish the climbing!" The fairy of mine finally came out to confront wizardess.

While they were arguing, I followed Mr Chua's instruction, here and there. It was not easy, in finding the right hold and pull myself up one step after another. When I last grabbed and reached the top, saw the horizon of bluish in front of me, for a moment, I asked myself if i had just completed a new challenge?

 It was surreal.

But I was up there. 

And It was amazingly great to stretch my arms and legs, after so long (of idleness)!

Personally, I like what Yvonne said, "It’s nice to do something different and out of our comfort zone. Each time you overcome something you think you can’t achieve, you come out a better person." I totally agree. The great achievement of overcoming something is fabulous! It boosts my confidence level a bit higher(a bit). In many things in life.

I hope to do this, with my family again.

Linking up with 

Wordless Me

There is a big project in SMB.

And all the sudden I become one of the the wanted.

 Members are encouraged to send in few face expressions for the banner of SMB.

It was not easy to get a good shot. 

(The wrinkles are defeating me!)

Lucky me though.

I have Photoshop to touch-up my tired face!

Fun though, after collating so many 'me' together.

Happy mid-week, all=).

This post is linking up with Wordless Wednesday by SakuraHaruka.

June 2012: This is Love

Finally, I'm scrapbook again!

To get rid of the negative bugs from head.

Credits: Magical Moment Freebies by Kitty Designs and Vera Lim, 

Fei-fei's Stuff, Ashalee Wall's Designs and Paise Press

Happy mid-week, all!

This post is linking up with Wordless Wednesday by SakuraHaruka.

Thankful Tuesday: School Holidays

We are having 4 weeks of school holidays. My brain started to work on some program to fill up Jiejie's time. Some one just said it right! Kids' school holiday is parents' busiest time! Ours are home-bound mostly, and I just have to be thankful for many things along the way... 

~ having won a giveaway and excellent timing to flip the book and learn through songs with Jiejie. Being a girl, she seems more interested in the beautiful drawings. We are half way through though. 

Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery

~ We had a special guest, J, came over last week for a playdate (the parents were working) and we had a muffin baking session. Unfortunately, the sudden episode of minor stomach flu affected her mood very badly. But like what J's mum was saying, play is the best medicine and she did get her self up and participate part of the process. I was so glad that I didn't call off the playdate, otherwise she will be gloomy and whiny the whole day.

YX, their ex-classmate during their preschool time, who stay at the same block as us, was invited over too. Since my girl lethargically entertaining them, I quickly sought YX's grandma's permission to host J over their place for another fun play while my girl took her rest. I just have to improvise to keep the girls happy!

I actually got the idea of baking session from Cindy. Thank you:)!

"I measure the sugar, you measure the flour, ok?"

~ Grandparents! Who came over to visit us last weekend. Having them together for a meal is luxury to the girls and my self. Look! Grandpa decided to join the little ones on the small table and chairs, and he can't help himself but to voice his concern, "Eat more, will you? You are way too skinny at your age." 

The cheeky one replied, "You (are very skinny) too, gong gong!"

"Jiejie, see! I am eating faster than you!"

~ A handy man as daddy, recycled a drawer-cabinet into a little kitchen for the girls. This is his second attempt after I commented the first one was not beautifully executed and compatible to ELC standard. Now, he put me in "thinking corner".

I heart this! Looks like a mobile cart though;p.

Little Bomber spends less time to cling on me. Wonderful, isn't it?!

She is really a happy chef~!

~ Perhaps, I should also thank my self for finally letting my fence down and learn to not sweating the small stuff, especially coming from the kids.

Dancing with the mess.

However, one major incident happened. I lost my purse, together with my staff card, imedical card, identity card, driving license, ATM card, credit cards... I am cardless and feeling very unsecured and hopeless to my self. I wonder, am I overwhelmed with all the juggling until I could not even take good care of my own belongings. I could not even remember where I lost it!

I probably should be grateful for having SC as my husband. He helped to search the whole house like a detective, he eased my mind by saying, "It isn't any big deal", he pointed what need to be done in next few days, what not and off he gone with a jet plane.

How I wish for miracle now if there is any kind soul return my identity card. My identity, that's all I ask for!

~ Mandarin holiday program that is keeping Jiejie busy for just 5 days. Thanks to my boss allows me to report to work late in the morning, so that I can send the girl (and her friend) to class. Best is, having my mum who willing to share half of my load to bring her home via the public transport (while I'm working) after class. It takes special skill to ask a favour from her and at the same time ignore her comments on my way of parenting. I'm just get exhausted sometime, but then again she is tons better than no help!

It's harder than I thought!

~ And a few more playdates coming up while daddy is out of town:)!

...................................

This post is linking up to Grateful Gatherings of Making Mum.

Sisterhood (II)

As little Bomber is growing up and learning more, the sisters have more fights and argument each days. The little ones just know when and how to start a fire with the big sister, even with very limited verbal skills. Well, I do understand that sibling rivalry is pretty normal in a family with more than a child. (It was one small reason why I took so long to consider for second child. I was not very nice to my siblings.) 

Anyway, I learn that it is pretty much on parents to mend the relationship, like how we deal with it in fair manner. Now, this is what happen most in my household these days: Little Bomber raises her hand with a tool, in tears, chases after jiejie and aims for a target to hit! Poor jiejie shouts for "HELP!" and run for her life. The best thing I can settle it, amidst the boiling porridge on the stove and running water in the sink, rescue the big sister from the angry meimei by holding the sisters with my two hands separately. Both crying for different reasons: horrified vs madness, but mama usually will just "Whew~!!!" and blah, blah, blah.

So these days, i see my role more like a pivot for a see-saw, trying to stable both girls' need and attention; trying to firm when crying becomes a (wonderful) weapon for anyone of them (girls, they just love to cry!). SC and I laugh at it sometimes, taking it easy, so called. Other time, we try to treat them equal love and respect. Often we work on positive reinforcement (my hope my girls don't read us nagging).

I do see them lovey dovey to each other. In my case, jiejie is willing to listen and doing her best to avoid a fight. Meimei is the one who can't help her self but to hit if said, jiejie does not give in to her. Actually jiejie thinks that meimei is too young to know her right so always take the best of toys or food. But in actual fact meimei knows her ground very well, often, she tries to tell all of us that, "don't think I'm too young to get bully hor!"

We need to learn how not to make meimei an "aggressor" and jiejie a "victim".

I try to see the good side of them. Such as, how the little one admire the jiejie in many capabilities and skills that she wishes to acquire, how the elder girl willingly offer her precious chocolate to the little sister just to comfort her from a meltdown. 

I think they are doing much better than my sister and I when we were as young as their age.

I know this is a long journey to be a good pivot for them. I need to learn how not to be referee for resolving their conflicts.

We were in MacRitchie Reservoir last... 2 months ago! 

So, yes, we are working on sibling rivalry, emphasizing about loving each other as sisters. Thankfully, they are so good sometime that, I wish the moment is frozen!


Such as this one moment here: they never let go on each other's hand when climbing up the slope. 

Wordless Wednesday: A Steep Walk to Tea House

Our morning walk to the Tea House of Teh Boh, Cameron Highland.

And the little one insisted to taste the climbing her self!

Mothers' Day Special @ Jungle Classroom

There are "Jungle Classroom" in Hong Kong, KL (Malaysia), and Jungle School in Taiwan, with a very simple intention to bring the children for outdoow activities at the same time learn about Mother Nature. We are lucky to know that there is one (Jungle Classroom) established early of the year in Johor Bahru, which is, considering near to us. I was thrilled to be able to register ourselves for the event this month finally, unknowingly it took place on Mothers' Day.  

It is a well programmed outing, as in, there are breakfast, lesson (depends on the theme of the month), story telling, and several hands-on activities, and it is conducted in mandarin, once every month. What is more attractive about the outing is, venue usually outdoor, lush of green and breeze of fresh air, probably lots of perspiring for participants too. Most learning materials are provided, and each family is asked to bring food to share with others. So, here we were for the 4th amazing event of Jungle Classroom (Johor Bahru), for the first time! 

I will let the pictures tell the story of this meaningful event we joined last Sunday.

Sun-rising and we were still on the road finding our way
to Muzium Layang-layang, Pasir Gudang.
[photo courtesy by Jungle Classroom(JB)]

Every family is requested to bring one type of food for sharing.
Also, everyone is reminded to bring their own cutleries, no disposal!
[photo courtesy by Jungle Classroom(JB)]

She was kind of shy to meet new friends & into new setting,
hence snapping around to calm herself.

This was us munching the food, snapped by JC(JB), unknowingly.

After breakfast, kids were asked to gather in front of Anna (blue shirt
at the left corner of the picture) and started the lesson about "WIND".

SC and I were just sit back and enjoy the breeze=).

Story time! Looks like Little Bomber lost focus here... 

After learnt about wind and feathers, fan, blowing and what not,
kids started to making bubble and experiment right away!

It took us a bit longer than others to bring the kite up in the sky...

But, effort was well pay-off. 
Finally the kite was soaring:).

She learnt about "layang-layang" (kite in Malay) as the 
compound is Muzium Layang-layang (Kite Museum), Pasir Gudang.

It was a blessing to have the rain stop right before our arrival.[photo courtesy by Jungle Classroom(JB)]

So, yes, we are look forward to join for the future events, if time permitted=). Though I have to wake up early at 5am to prepare egg sandwiches.

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If you are keen to join the outing, hop over to their facebook page and find out more.

Her First Doodle

Unlike her big sister, Little Bomber had her reservation towards arts, paints in particular when I attempt to introduce her arts exploratory. She was not exciting about it at all. She showed her hesitation when she saw a range of colours displayed in front of her, as if she is going to be attacked by them!

She would frowned when she sees her hands hits patches of little beautiful red or yellow, as if they are trying to be funny and mar her soft silky skin. She whined further and fiercely if I had ignored her and tried to persuade her to stay a little longer with colours and doodles. It's killing her, both stubborn mum and messiness (on her). She doesn't see them as nice and fun as any other toys she plays with.

I think I grumbled about this more than once. I admired how little Girlee enjoyed her self in Art Bug. Little Bomber was unable to complete the session (forgotten was it 30 mins) that costed me $45 painfully. You know, going to such setting for such attempt is like getting a diagnose on your child that, "she failed in communicating with arts".

After that, I paused, from further explore the fun to dip brushes and colours. Well, more of no time for me to think about it.

Until one of the evening two weeks ago. The big sister had an impromptu discovery, she dug out the set of mini-portrait of snow white and requested permission to paint. Very quickly, she saw and quietly followed what her big sister did. For the first time, she has no problem with paints, no frown or whine to her blueish hand that doodled by her big sister. Pure concentration.

I observed, smiling, quietly grabbing my phone and snapping the moment.

I would like to announce that, she is able to communicate with arts, in her own way.

What do you see? It is pinned on the notice board.