ABRSM Grade 1

Today marked a new milestone for Phoebe. She had her ABRSM Grade 1 Piano examination. She has practised hard, enduring the harsh scolding from me whenever I spotted a mistake. The three pieces that she had selected to play for the English examiner, Mr Robin Zebaida, was Gavotta, A Tender Flower and Vampire Blues. I believed that she has tried her best so whatever the result may be, we will commit to God.

The timing designated to her was 12.01 p.m. in Marine Parade Centre, Level 6. We reported at about 11.30 a.m. and there was another girl doing Grade 3 ahead of her. Due to the absence of another candidate, Phoebe had to sit for the examination earlier, at 11.50 a.m. instead. Well, that would be good, then the agony of anticipating will not be prolong. Parents had to wait outside the music school while the candidate were to sit inside, awaiting for her turn. When I looked at her through the glass door, I see an impish little girl, giving me a cheeky smile. Yet through her eyes, confidence emitted. I praise God for giving me such a cute little girl and I pray that He will be with her all the days of her life, carrying her through all obstacles and tests!

When Phoebe completed her examination and appeared through the sound-proof door, she was smiling coyly yet with satisfaction. I know that God is victorious! She said that the examiner was a big man, and very friendly and approachable. She did make a mistake in her D minor left hand scales but she had asked Mr Zebaida for permission to replay the scale which she did accurately and steadily at the second try. For the three pieces, she decided to play them with the book opened as she was nervous. I wouldn't blame her for that for this was afterall her first piano examination. As for the sight reading, Phoebe told me that she did make a mistake at it too. I was not at all flustered when I heard all these. I know that she will be able to pass since we have prayed and asked God to help her. Afterall, this is an enrichment activity, I would want her to enjoy the process of learning and performing. It is then that she can grow up to be a confident person. Whatever the result, To God Be The Glory! :)

Gong-gong came over to wish Phoebe well!

Outside the examination room.

While waiting, she looks through her pieces. 

She also looked through her scales and broken cords.

Getting cold after waitng for about 15 minutes.

Anxious me!! :p

Credentials of the pupils.

Came out smiling. God is victorious! :)

Bye Bye Banner

After having this wonderful banner for a looong time, I've decided to put this beautiful banner into the archive. Until I find the time and mood to create a new banner, my blog shall be banner-less for a while. But of course, I will continue to carry the banner of God in my heart! :) Bye bye "The Tired Mommy's Dairy" banner. Thank you for serving this blog faithfully for so long! :)

Regular Hair cut

Rb's hair grows very quickly. Every 3-4 weeks, he will need his hair cut and we will take him to Uncle Ibrahim at Fernvale Point. He has been cutting hair for Rb since he was about 2 years old :) Rb is always happy to see his personal barber friend :)

Hi Mr Lorenzo!

Goodbye Miss Casa from Italy. Hello Mr Lorenzo! :) Our new sofa came on 18 August last Saturday at 1.00 pm. Initially we were not used to the colour but after a well, our eyes are adjusted to it. The children loved it and climbed up onto it immediately. The springs were good and firm :) The leather smell was a little too strong for my liking but overall, we love this new sofa. Hopefully it can last for as long as Miss Casa :)

Relaxing on the new sofa :)

Bouncy yet firm! :)

A Father's Love Letter

Pb's school showed her this video clip in school and she told me that she teared when she watched this. I was v happy that she was touched by the Holy Spirit. That's why I sent her to a Christian school, so that she will learn to walk closely to God all the days of her life! To God be the glory!! :) I hope you will also be touched by Him when you watch this.

Mama, the Great Chef

My mother is a very good cook. She may not have excelled academically when she was young, she definitely has a talent in culinary. She can cook and bake effortlessly. We are very blessed by her talent, which no one can deny by just looking at our sizes. These days, I have also taken a slight interest in cooking and baking and I will seek her expertise in this aspect. I always feel that it will be a pity to lose the trait if she is gone one day. Culinary skills are definitely one precious legacy that she will leave us with.

Amongst all her delicious dishes, one of our favorite will be the stir-fried Mee Suah. Her stir-fried mee suah is irresistibly good. Thumbs up for that! She uses a special Mee Suah that can only be bought in Malacca. I will stock up on the dry Mee Suah when I go to malacca at the end of this year! :)

Kindermusik Birthday Party

Another party that we had attended was Alfee's second birthday. To out do and out wit other parties, Aunty Linah engaged the services of Kindermusik for a 1.5 hour of music fun. I must applaud her for her success as the session was indeed very engaging and meaningful for the young minds. It was a refreshing idea. After looking at the 2 young facilitators from Kindermusik, it makes me wonder if I can run the same programme likewise. *Ka Ching!* My business mind is running again! Haha.

Pb's birthday is coming up soon. What should I do, what should I do? I do have some ideas but I guess they may only get materialized as the day gets closer. In the meantime, let me attend more parties to get more ideas! :)

Bouncy Castle Birthday Party

I must say that children these days are very blessed. Their parents not only throw birthday parties for them, they also try to make their birthday parties as special and memorable as possible. Much homework and coordination are needed on the part of the parents, and usually, the mothers.

Recently we attended Ethan's birthday party. It has a nice bouncy castle, much to the pleasure of the children. Rb loved the bouncy castle. The next day, while in the church sanctuary, he drew a picture of the bouncy castle with himself, jie jie and Ethan in it. I thought his drawing was pretty neat and it has captured the essence of the party! Well done Rb! :)

Qian Hu Longkang Fishing

The children has been wanting to go Longkang fishing. Finally today, after we check out from the D'Kranji Resort/ Farm stay, we stop by Qian Hu to do some fishing. As usual, aunty nia is the most hard working of all! She helped the children to catch all the Longkang fish. Pb tried her best too, cooperating with aunty. Rb, used his mouth power, "aunty! Here! Here! Where? Where's the fish? Where's the fish? Where's my fish tank.... " and what about mommy and papa? Mommy sat under the shade and papa, busy playing with his iPhone! But at the end, the children are happy, so, so are we! :)