Hands and Legs Painting

After a tired day of work, we still have to return home to entertain our little ones. These little human beings are always packed with loads of energy. No wonder we always call them the energizer bunnies.

Anyway, what do we do to them? We play with them, read with them, watch recorded children programme with them and paint with them.

I painted Phoebe's leg with a bunny holding on to a balloon and a carrot. I also gave her a butterfly with hearts. She helped me to paint a flower, two balloons and a sun on my thigh. And I painted a butterfly for myself.

Then both Phoebe and I painted an elephant on Reuben's hand coz that's his favourite animal, but we didn't take a picture of it coz he was running around amok with his elephant... haha.

It was fun and we could keep the busy bodies contained and entertained for a while. :)

An Unusual Sight

It is not a usual sight to see Phoebe allowing Reuben to sit on her. Usually, Phoebe would either scream at the top of her lungs and make a big fuss out of it, or simply push Reuben away. I supposed, she was pretty engrossed in watch "Go Diego Go" and she told me that it was not painful (to let di-di sit on her). My parents would have wag their fingers and shake their heads to show disapproval ; it'll hurt Phoebe's back... blab...blab...blab... But for me, as long as there is no pain or injury inflicted and no fights triggered, it should be okay (to let Reuben ride on Phoebe) for a while. :)

Phoebe's 4th Birthday - Bottle Tree Park

This is a continuation of Phoebe's 4th Birthday. We went to the Bottle Tree Park with our neighbours. We had a nice sumptuous dinner before proceeding to cake cutting - Phoebe's second princess cake. The children played in the playground and watched others prawn fishing.

Phoebe's 4th Birthday - SKMCC

Phoebe celebrated her 4th birthday in her school, SKMCC. She was allowed to wear her own clothes. Phoebe wore her new dress from Baby Gap :) She chose the Aurora cake from Bengawan Solo. There were 18 children from her class and we got a 2 kg cake. There were about half a cake left and we gave the cake to the teachers to share. We also prepared goodie bags for all her friends, including her 3 teachers - Ms Hoe, Mdm Guok and Zou lao shi. Phoebe was very happy but she was very shy to smile. When we were in her school, we've seen a different side of her. She is very quiet and shy, very different from how she is at home or with us. I asked her why she's very quiet in school, she replied, "I don't want to talk, later teacher scold me." Haha. So funny :) I was surprise that at such a young age, she knows the expected behaviour in school.

From our visit to her school, her teacher, Ms Hoe, also feedback that Phoebe was very obedient in school but recently, she was not on task and did not complete her classwork. When her friends had finished doing their work, Phoebe had not started doing yet. Hmm... so I had a pep talk with her and found out that she didn't know what page to do and didn't dare to ask her teacher, so she just sat there and watch her friends do their work. I didn't know if that was an excuse from her, but I told her that she had to open up her mouth to ask next time if she has any enquiry. I hope things will get better in school. :)

We're glad we've made the school visit to celebrate the special with Phoebe. She was very happy :) Love her bits bits bits! :)

First BBQ Experience

Our two kids had their first BBQ experience at Jurong Safra. To prepare Phoebe for the occasion, I borrowed a book on BBQ from my school library. They didn't really eat the BBQ food, except for a mini sausage and a few marshmallows for Phoebe. We met up with Yu Hin, who is about a month younger than Reuben. But he is definitely taller than Reuben. Hey Reuben, time for you to catch up! :) Phoebe got to experience the heat of a BBQ pit and witnessed how the food was grilled over the fire. The children mingled around and they especially enjoyed watching the big bucket of water over-turning with a loud SPLASH at the swimming pool. The evening was warm and humid but the children enjoyed themselves.

The Royal Family

I ordered these personalised T-shirts from a local website, Baby At Work. Thought the personalised T-shirts looked cute :) The material of the T-shirts were quite alright too. The pictures were embroidered on. Quite cool :)

The Word That Melt My Heart - NOT Eddie!

Reuben has started calling me "Mama" when he was about 13.5 months. But I would want him to call me Mommy specifically so that he will not be confused with "Mm-Mm" which means Eating and "Ma-ma" which means Grandma. At about 19 months, Reuben started calling me Mommy. He does it with such gentleness, really melts my heart. In the video clip, you'll hear him saying "Eddie" which means Elephant. He said that because I was video recording him using my handphone and there was a sticker of a zebra on my phone. He spotted that when I was filming him and he said Eddie. In fact, at this age, he's applying the rule of generalisation. Every creature that is big and has 4 legs is an Eddie to him. He sees zebra, he calls them Eddie. He calls the hippopotamus Eddie. The giraffe is an Eddie too. But strangely, he recognises dogs and cats and rabbits. And when he sees a tiger or a lion, he says Roar. He loves the zoo and that's where we are going tomorrow morning to celebrate our Deepavali, to look at his Eddies. :)

Grreen Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Watch this! It's so cool :) But before that, read the book to your child first! :)

Phoebe's Ballet Class

For last Sunday's ballet class, parents were invited to be in the class to watch their little ballerinas in action. The dance school wanted to show the parents what the children had been learning in class. It is a closure to the pre-nursery class, as well as an introduction to the pre-primary class. There was not exactly a performance. The children showed the parents the ballet drills that they had been learning and practising.

It was very delightful to see the little ducklings turning into swans, though their movements need much more refining. I was very thrilled to see Phoebe doing her drills. Phoebe too, was very excited to see mommy and papa in class watching her :) Reuben was around too because Auntie Nia happened to be off that day and we thought we would bring him along to watch Jie Jie dance. My goodness. Reuben wanted to join in too. He kept walking towards the ballerinas, and sat beside them. I thought it was a little disruptive because Phoebe was very tickled and some parents might not like it. When I tried to restrain him from walking towards the ballerinas, he struggled and screamed. No choice, I had to take him out of the class and I missed watching Phoebe 'performing'. Actually, Reuben was not being naughty. He was just inquisitive and wanted to join in the fun. It was actually very funny and cute to see him sitting beside the little girls. But to be fair to other parents, I had to do something. Reuben and I strolled outside the classroom while Papa remained in the class and helped me to take some video of Phoebe in action.

I am very proud of her when I see her being very attentive in class. Nevermind that she still moves like a little duckling. She has indeed participated actively in class. She is also alert and cooperative. I am very proud of her, my little ballerina! (^_^)

Reuben's is coming... beware!! :) Haha :)

We Don't Want To Sleep

The two of them were suppose to have their afternoon nap yesterday afternoon. But they were not in bed. What were they doing? The two of them were climbing up the cushioned bed frame, sitting on top of it and shaking their legs. Who learnt from who? Reuben starting climbing first, and then Phoebe follow suit. But in the first place, how did Reuben know how to go about climbing up the bed frame? He witnessed Phoebe doing it several times on previous occasions. Whatever it is, caught them monkeying around during naptime! *tsk tsk tsk*

My sister (yi-yi) got Phoebe this T-shirt which says,
"I will not eat I will not sleep
I will talk all day I will play all night"
Isn't it reading into the hearts of our children? Haha :)

My Kids Rock

Phoebe and Reuben loves to rock! Watch them in action! :)

Phoebe's First Birthday Present

Phoebe's birthday will be in another two weeks' time. She has already received some birthday presents. They were from us - papa and mommy, the grands - gonggong and mama and Aunty KF! I was very surprised and touched to see the present when I reached school on last Wednesday. It was a sweet gesture from Aunty KF. I brought the present home and she could not wait to open it up! She loves presents, especially when they are wrapped up. I guess it is the element of surprise that the children like. Phoebe loves her birthday cake. It can sing the birthday song while flashing the light on the candle. Phoebe can pluck out all the little ornaments on the cake to re-decorate it herself. Best of all, it can record and Phoebe can listen to her own recording. It was very fun, even Reuben wants to lay his hands on it. Thank you KF for bringing joy to my kiddos! :)

Thank you Aunty Kwee Fern! :)

Teasing Reuben

As usual, we like to tease Reuben because he's so cute and innocent and he's such a funny little fellow. After his bath, we wrapped him up in a towel. He looked really cute so we quickly grabbed the cam to snap these! :)

eerr... what are you doing, Reuben? scratching yourself? :p

Ballet Progression

Phoebe has always look forward to her Ballet classes on every Sunday afternoon. She has completed her pre-nursery class after almost one year of learning. She has progress to the pre-primary class. Her ballet costume has to be changed to sleeved leotard and a skirt instead of a tu tu. She wears socks instead of leggings. I thought it was quite wasteful because Phoebe could still wear the pre-nursery and it is still in very good condition. But I supposed, that's how the school earns their money. Phoebe looks a little more mature in her new ballet suit, not as cutesy anymore. Anyway, next Sunday, the children will have a mini in-house performance to showcase what they have learnt. I'm looking forward to it! Have to get my digicam battery recharged! :)

Pre-nursery Costume Vs the Pre-primary one