Last Sunday, we went to a desolate hideaway near Holland Road for dinner. Secret Recipe was there, nestled amongst a row of homely closed shops under some walk-up apartments. Tall, capacious raintrees sheltered the open-air carpark, and emanated a sense of serene tranquillity in the slowly descending dusk. The last remnants of sunlight lingered beautifully, reluctant to leave the violet skies.
Dinner was delicious, with Big Bee finishing off one Caribbean fillet all by herself. Little Bee, as her typical self, kept begging for food like a forlorn adorable pup. After dinner, we even had the luxury of savouring 2 huge slices of Chocolate Banana and Blackforest cakes, much to Big Bee's delight.
After dinner, we strolled in the thin darkness that is synonymous with early evenings, alongside the closed shops, glancing into the merry orange lights of the walk-up abodes above us. Peace, quiet, serenity - together as a family. This is what life should really be about.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
My Two Angels
Last night before falling asleep, I stared hard at Big Bee on my right as she was sleeping, her eyes closed, her long lashes grazing the top of her cheeks, her mouth slightly open. And then I turned my head to my left and gazed at Little Bee who was also deep in sleep, her little chest rising up and down with every breath, long lashes sweeping her chubby cheeks, mouth shaped in a cute circle.
And realization dawned on me: Oh my god, they both looked exactly the same when sleeping!
So there I was, grinning foolishly, mesmerised by my two little identical angels right in the middle of their dark cosy bedroom...
And realization dawned on me: Oh my god, they both looked exactly the same when sleeping!
So there I was, grinning foolishly, mesmerised by my two little identical angels right in the middle of their dark cosy bedroom...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Alfresco Dining
Check out the huge array of food!
Last Saturday evening, the whole gang of maternal aunts and cousins, together with all our kids, settled on a patch of lush verdant grass in Botanic Gardens for a scrumptious picnic! Food abounded - fried rice, curry chicken with french loaf, mcnuggets, fried popiah, roast pork - how lucky can we be!?
This picnic was organised by Irene, Fiona and myself, and all the mummies were really happy as it reminded them of old times! Big Bee was busy churning out big bubbles from a bubble gun, attracting a little crowd of children like bees to honey. Little Bee was highly adventurous, sauntering around the large meadow with a toy racket and ball, inviting herself to pairs of much older children playing badminton.
We gathered at 5.45pm and left only at 7.45pm - the descending mauve twilight beautifully enveloping the entire grounds with quiet and cooling serenity. Little twinkly lights lit up different parts of the gardens magically, and all of us were so charmed by this bewitching panoramic view. We left the gardens in the dark, hand in hand, with soft sounds of crickets in the darkening adjacent forests beckoning to us...
This picnic was organised by Irene, Fiona and myself, and all the mummies were really happy as it reminded them of old times! Big Bee was busy churning out big bubbles from a bubble gun, attracting a little crowd of children like bees to honey. Little Bee was highly adventurous, sauntering around the large meadow with a toy racket and ball, inviting herself to pairs of much older children playing badminton.
We gathered at 5.45pm and left only at 7.45pm - the descending mauve twilight beautifully enveloping the entire grounds with quiet and cooling serenity. Little twinkly lights lit up different parts of the gardens magically, and all of us were so charmed by this bewitching panoramic view. We left the gardens in the dark, hand in hand, with soft sounds of crickets in the darkening adjacent forests beckoning to us...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Smoky Dinner...
Dinner on Saturday night was spent with PF and family at our place - in full smoldering BBQ style. The kids had been bugging us to get together so they can play, and true enough, they did! Those 3 big kids turned wild the moment they met....and my place was filled with a chaotic cacophony of shrieks, yells, laughters, screams! Add billowing smoke from the grill in the balcony, and it was a rampant pandemonium with the euphemism of dinner! Big Bee was eagerly anticipating their arrival hours before the dinner and she had the blast of her life. Little Bee was also super enthusiastic but it was really tricky for her to dodge those fleeting big kids!
They finally left at 10.30pm, and we adults were the ones to drag them apart, ironically! Frenetic? Yes, but truly fun as well!
They finally left at 10.30pm, and we adults were the ones to drag them apart, ironically! Frenetic? Yes, but truly fun as well!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Mozart
On Saturday, we went to an interactive exhibition for kids in the National Museum, with Mozart as the main theme. The Museum is really awesome - majestic architecture, less crowds, artistic features and filled with myriad exhibits. The girls had a funner time playing in the creative play area (complete with a mini ball pool, a maze and a drawing area) outside the exhibition! Big Bee put up her painting of the ocean whereas Little Bee was thrilled with running around in the maze, hiding in corners, refusing to leave.
Inside the exhibition, I spent a fair amount of time explaining to Big Bee about Mozart's life, much to her fascination. She got to dress up as a noble woman from Mozart's era, complete with gigantic wig, beauty mole, blushed cheeks and a beautiful gown! And whichever activities that Big Bee engaged in, Little Bee will sure to follow her jie jie, right down to pounding peppermint leaves and cloves to make arcadian toothpaste! How cute. She was also very fascinated by many of the exhibits on display and kept pointing to the direction she wanted to head towards, saying "there!" ubiquitously, making me very busy! Little Bee was terrified by the herculean statue of Michelangelo's David (in full glorious pink!!!!) whereas coming-to-age Big Bee was more interested in the fact that David's...erm..nether parts were fully exposed and in a magnified mien!
We then went to Novus Cafe for a leisurely, quiet, idyllic lunch - the kind of lunch I fancy because it was peaceful and unhurried so the girls and us were really relaxed and happy!
Inside the exhibition, I spent a fair amount of time explaining to Big Bee about Mozart's life, much to her fascination. She got to dress up as a noble woman from Mozart's era, complete with gigantic wig, beauty mole, blushed cheeks and a beautiful gown! And whichever activities that Big Bee engaged in, Little Bee will sure to follow her jie jie, right down to pounding peppermint leaves and cloves to make arcadian toothpaste! How cute. She was also very fascinated by many of the exhibits on display and kept pointing to the direction she wanted to head towards, saying "there!" ubiquitously, making me very busy! Little Bee was terrified by the herculean statue of Michelangelo's David (in full glorious pink!!!!) whereas coming-to-age Big Bee was more interested in the fact that David's...erm..nether parts were fully exposed and in a magnified mien!
We then went to Novus Cafe for a leisurely, quiet, idyllic lunch - the kind of lunch I fancy because it was peaceful and unhurried so the girls and us were really relaxed and happy!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Terrible or Terrific Twos?
Little Bee is 2 weeks past 18 months but her temper has ascended the steep slope of the terrible twos! These days, she will yell and bawl when she could not get or do the things she want. I usually have to do a lot of explaining and cajoling to soothe her. There are more signs of conflict between Big Bee and Little Bee, but I usually let them settle their conflicts in their own ways. And I am happy to see most conflicts solved amicably, after some minor catfights!
Little Bee is now running from point A to point B instead of her teetering ambling. And she is starting to have longer attention spans. This evening, I just sat a full 20 minutes with her, reading two books. Little Bee sat opposite me, intensely focusing on my reading and pointing to the relevant pictures whenever I asked her to identify things.
She is still not strong verbally, but that does not bother me, as with Big Bee's experience - they are now busy absorbing what we are saying to them, only to burst into explosive and colourful verbal spiels when the time suits them!
She is now interacting so well with hubby, Big Bee and me, and we spend a lot more time chatting with her. She tries chatting back with a talkative mien, albeit in her baby language, but these are good signs that she is ready to yak more! She is so aware of her environment, crying and following us, clinging to us every morning when we go to work, happily gurgling and clapping away on days we bring her down to the car for outings, shrieking in delight and running to us with open arms whenever we come home after work, beaming at Big Bee whenever she helps her with something, and then putting her head on Big Bee's chest to indicate her boundless adoration for her sister.
Terrible Twos? I think it's more like Terrific Twos :)
Little Bee is now running from point A to point B instead of her teetering ambling. And she is starting to have longer attention spans. This evening, I just sat a full 20 minutes with her, reading two books. Little Bee sat opposite me, intensely focusing on my reading and pointing to the relevant pictures whenever I asked her to identify things.
She is still not strong verbally, but that does not bother me, as with Big Bee's experience - they are now busy absorbing what we are saying to them, only to burst into explosive and colourful verbal spiels when the time suits them!
She is now interacting so well with hubby, Big Bee and me, and we spend a lot more time chatting with her. She tries chatting back with a talkative mien, albeit in her baby language, but these are good signs that she is ready to yak more! She is so aware of her environment, crying and following us, clinging to us every morning when we go to work, happily gurgling and clapping away on days we bring her down to the car for outings, shrieking in delight and running to us with open arms whenever we come home after work, beaming at Big Bee whenever she helps her with something, and then putting her head on Big Bee's chest to indicate her boundless adoration for her sister.
Terrible Twos? I think it's more like Terrific Twos :)
Busy Bee
Yesterday was the first day of school for Big Bee after the enjoyable June holidays. Needless to say, Big Bee has her own first day blues. But I am elated that she came back from school, happy and chirpy as ever, telling me happily about her day. This was so different from the teary Big Bee of yesteryears, much to my and her teachers' amazement.
She came back with lots of handouts about her Term 3 curriculum in K2. I am suitably impressed...and stressed! You mean my little girl has to go through these? Spelling, 听写，造句, 习字，weekly English or Maths homework, nouns, adjectives, verbs, past/present tenses! Drats. She is growing up fast, absorbing everything like a sponge. She wasn't stressed though, taking these in full stride, so I will try to disguise my stress.
No more plucking Big Bee from school for my weekday leisurely outings anymore
:(
She came back with lots of handouts about her Term 3 curriculum in K2. I am suitably impressed...and stressed! You mean my little girl has to go through these? Spelling, 听写，造句, 习字，weekly English or Maths homework, nouns, adjectives, verbs, past/present tenses! Drats. She is growing up fast, absorbing everything like a sponge. She wasn't stressed though, taking these in full stride, so I will try to disguise my stress.
No more plucking Big Bee from school for my weekday leisurely outings anymore
:(
Monday, June 23, 2008
Culinary Delights
I always like experimenting with cooking, but due to the lack of time, I virtually had no opportunity to indulge in this little whim of mine. To clarify, I am no gourmet chef like some of my friends who can whip up dishes and bake like professionals. I do NOT know how to bake, and when I do cook, I need to peer over a recipe right down to every word.
Which was why in the week that I turned SAHM, I was very happy with the liberty of time to tinker around with cooking dinner!
And I am quite happy to declare that hubby was very impressed with the below menus! I know these are common fare for many moms, but hey, I didn't even know how to fry an egg till 7 years ago!
Monday
Stewed chicken with assorted mushrooms
Long beans with sliced carrots
Corn soup with carrots and pork ribs
Tuesday
Curry chicken
Stir-fried caixin with shiitake mushrooms
Wednesday
Chicken stir-fried with bittergourd in black bean sauce
Stir-fried caixin with sliced carrots
Yang shen bu qi Chinese herbal soup
Thursday
Spare ribs in BBQ sauce
Stir-fried caixin
Mushroom and potato soup
Friday
Rendang chicken
Stir-fried kailan with shiitake mushroom
Corn soup with carrots and pork
Gyoza
Which was why in the week that I turned SAHM, I was very happy with the liberty of time to tinker around with cooking dinner!
And I am quite happy to declare that hubby was very impressed with the below menus! I know these are common fare for many moms, but hey, I didn't even know how to fry an egg till 7 years ago!
Monday
Stewed chicken with assorted mushrooms
Long beans with sliced carrots
Corn soup with carrots and pork ribs
Tuesday
Curry chicken
Stir-fried caixin with shiitake mushrooms
Wednesday
Chicken stir-fried with bittergourd in black bean sauce
Stir-fried caixin with sliced carrots
Yang shen bu qi Chinese herbal soup
Thursday
Spare ribs in BBQ sauce
Stir-fried caixin
Mushroom and potato soup
Friday
Rendang chicken
Stir-fried kailan with shiitake mushroom
Corn soup with carrots and pork
Gyoza
Plenty of Bonding
This weekend had been really busy but truly enjoyable:
1) Hiking around the trails of Southern Ridges and traipsing across the majestic and lofty Henderson Waves. Big Bee loves the meandering bridge and ran around, whereas Little Bee fancies those little slopey seats along the side of the bridge (she thinks they are mini slides!). She can manouevre away from us just to walk back to those seats amidst rambling crowds! Such courage indeed!
2) Bonding with hubby's friends on a balmy Saturday night of succulent BBQ food. Conversation topics had evolved from fashion tips when we were undergrads to wedding proposals and preparations in our early 20s to our children now!
3) Taking our first family Ferris Wheel ride at Downtown East, with wide-eyed wonder from the 2 Bees.
4) Watching a movie (Kungfu Panda) as a family - Big Bee's 3rd movie experience and Little Bee's FIRST movie! She entered the dark cinema patting her little chest, indicating she was frightened, but Big Bee, hubby and me soon soothed her down with our over-exaggerated comments and laughter! It helped a lot with Big Bee there, munching popcorn and staring fixatedly at the screen. Of course, giving scraps of popcorn and biscuits to foodie Little Bee made a world of difference!
5) Having fantastic family bonding time with the 2 Bees' grandparents - lunch at hubby's parents' place and dinner at my place with my parents, brother and girlfriend. We had a blast looking through my brother's photos from their recent trip and the girls were jesting with their jiu-jiu in full glee.
1) Hiking around the trails of Southern Ridges and traipsing across the majestic and lofty Henderson Waves. Big Bee loves the meandering bridge and ran around, whereas Little Bee fancies those little slopey seats along the side of the bridge (she thinks they are mini slides!). She can manouevre away from us just to walk back to those seats amidst rambling crowds! Such courage indeed!
2) Bonding with hubby's friends on a balmy Saturday night of succulent BBQ food. Conversation topics had evolved from fashion tips when we were undergrads to wedding proposals and preparations in our early 20s to our children now!
3) Taking our first family Ferris Wheel ride at Downtown East, with wide-eyed wonder from the 2 Bees.
4) Watching a movie (Kungfu Panda) as a family - Big Bee's 3rd movie experience and Little Bee's FIRST movie! She entered the dark cinema patting her little chest, indicating she was frightened, but Big Bee, hubby and me soon soothed her down with our over-exaggerated comments and laughter! It helped a lot with Big Bee there, munching popcorn and staring fixatedly at the screen. Of course, giving scraps of popcorn and biscuits to foodie Little Bee made a world of difference!
5) Having fantastic family bonding time with the 2 Bees' grandparents - lunch at hubby's parents' place and dinner at my place with my parents, brother and girlfriend. We had a blast looking through my brother's photos from their recent trip and the girls were jesting with their jiu-jiu in full glee.
Friday, June 20, 2008
On A Lazy Thursday Workday...
On a typical lazy Thursday workday, a FTWM took leave yet again to elude herself that she is actually part of the workforce. So, happily, she invited her friend YM and Sophie to her place and they had a really great time chilling out!
Yes, that's me. And if you think I am deluding myself from going to work, yes, that was exactly what I was thinking!
YM had lunch (together with Sophie), and the 3 girls had a wonderful time playing with toys, generally focusing on dolls and cooking toys. Oh, such girliness! Sophie and Little Bee are like twin sisters, according to Big Bee, who was busy snapping photos of the two of them - same height, same size. Little Bee was very fascinated by Sophie, probably because she usually played with big kids and now she was feeling amazed she has someone her age to play with!
YM and I had a great time yakking away. When they left at 1.30pm, Little Bee bawled in great distress when she saw her little friend entering a cab to be driven off into the distance. After they left, she insisted on walking the long long path outside my estate, chasing them futilely for a distance. She wailed again when I finally shattered her dream of finding her little friend by packing her in a struggling, kicking bundle back into my estate.
I wanted to make FULL use of my precious leave, so we did more socialising after dinner by going to PF's house, much to the elation of Big Bee (to be fair to her as well, since her little sister has her friend visit her earlier in the day!).
At PF's house, the adults drank this wonderfully tangy Chardonnay that PF and Andrew brought from their recent trip to Australia and chomped on delightfully scrumptious macadamia nuts, while the 3 big kids, Eugene, Claire and Big Bee, hung out in the highest of spirits and energy levels in their study room - right in front of a PC, playing games! Yes, their priorities had changed. No more playing with toys or chasing each other round the house. Sigh. But still lots of laughter and silly giggling from them. Little Bee kept following them around, wanted to be included but not comprehending why they were so fascinated by an immobile piece of boring junk! However, being the food connoisseur that she is, she perched nicely on my lap when we munched on chips and nuts, helping herself to some of these sinful goodies!
We left their place in high spirits (pun intended) - red, happy, slightly drunk...with the kiddos high as well...from sleepiness.
I wish everyday can be this fun!!
Yes, that's me. And if you think I am deluding myself from going to work, yes, that was exactly what I was thinking!
YM had lunch (together with Sophie), and the 3 girls had a wonderful time playing with toys, generally focusing on dolls and cooking toys. Oh, such girliness! Sophie and Little Bee are like twin sisters, according to Big Bee, who was busy snapping photos of the two of them - same height, same size. Little Bee was very fascinated by Sophie, probably because she usually played with big kids and now she was feeling amazed she has someone her age to play with!
YM and I had a great time yakking away. When they left at 1.30pm, Little Bee bawled in great distress when she saw her little friend entering a cab to be driven off into the distance. After they left, she insisted on walking the long long path outside my estate, chasing them futilely for a distance. She wailed again when I finally shattered her dream of finding her little friend by packing her in a struggling, kicking bundle back into my estate.
I wanted to make FULL use of my precious leave, so we did more socialising after dinner by going to PF's house, much to the elation of Big Bee (to be fair to her as well, since her little sister has her friend visit her earlier in the day!).
At PF's house, the adults drank this wonderfully tangy Chardonnay that PF and Andrew brought from their recent trip to Australia and chomped on delightfully scrumptious macadamia nuts, while the 3 big kids, Eugene, Claire and Big Bee, hung out in the highest of spirits and energy levels in their study room - right in front of a PC, playing games! Yes, their priorities had changed. No more playing with toys or chasing each other round the house. Sigh. But still lots of laughter and silly giggling from them. Little Bee kept following them around, wanted to be included but not comprehending why they were so fascinated by an immobile piece of boring junk! However, being the food connoisseur that she is, she perched nicely on my lap when we munched on chips and nuts, helping herself to some of these sinful goodies!
We left their place in high spirits (pun intended) - red, happy, slightly drunk...with the kiddos high as well...from sleepiness.
I wish everyday can be this fun!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Grill Galore!
This evening, bored hubby and me decided to spice up our usual Saturday night routine by having a BBQ in our balcony with the kiddos! A little celebration of sorts...to rejoice about nothing other than the blessing in our lives with us and the kiddos.
This is the first time we would be using our outdoor grill set that we had purchased more than a month back. Hubby was the chef tonight, and the menu was impressive indeed! We had hamburgers with thick slabs of beef patties (eww..what happened to my objective of turning vegetarian!!), prime ribs (with honey and steak sauce, yummy!!), old English sausages (sweet and juicy!) as well as corn on the cob and baked potatoes (which we are keeping till tomorrow to eat as we were all SO FULL!). We even prepared salad with Japanese dressing, but uh-huh, there was absolutely no more space in our tummies at the end of our dinner.
All thanks to Hubby the chef, we had a wonderful grilled dinner. Big Bee gobbled down the hamburger with relish, declaring proudly that this was her first time eating beef, and she thought it was sweeter and yummier than pork. Poor Little Bee kept looking expectantly at Hubby when he fed Big Bee and me with morsels of delicious barbequed food, but nope, I am not ready to start her off on sinful eating yet!
Hubby was really busy, starting the grill, busy grilling the different food and then cleaning up the grill! And tomorrow's Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day, Papa :) And thanks for a memorable and delectable dinner - we loved it!
This is the first time we would be using our outdoor grill set that we had purchased more than a month back. Hubby was the chef tonight, and the menu was impressive indeed! We had hamburgers with thick slabs of beef patties (eww..what happened to my objective of turning vegetarian!!), prime ribs (with honey and steak sauce, yummy!!), old English sausages (sweet and juicy!) as well as corn on the cob and baked potatoes (which we are keeping till tomorrow to eat as we were all SO FULL!). We even prepared salad with Japanese dressing, but uh-huh, there was absolutely no more space in our tummies at the end of our dinner.
All thanks to Hubby the chef, we had a wonderful grilled dinner. Big Bee gobbled down the hamburger with relish, declaring proudly that this was her first time eating beef, and she thought it was sweeter and yummier than pork. Poor Little Bee kept looking expectantly at Hubby when he fed Big Bee and me with morsels of delicious barbequed food, but nope, I am not ready to start her off on sinful eating yet!
Hubby was really busy, starting the grill, busy grilling the different food and then cleaning up the grill! And tomorrow's Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day, Papa :) And thanks for a memorable and delectable dinner - we loved it!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Playdates
Being a SAHM means plenty of time to let my kids play with other kids during the unfettered weekday hours. This week, it was fun going on 2 playdates - one with cousin Fiona on Tuesday, and the other with LP yesterday. Unbelievably, both dates were in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden!
Tuesday
We had a great time strolling around the gardens with Cousin Fio and 8-month-old Baby Val. What was heartwarming was how Big Bee and Little Bee held hands together and wandered buoyantly through the labyrinth, with Big Bee gamely shouting words of encouragement to Little Bee who was ecstatic to be caught in a maze!
Lunch was at my place where the kids chilled out playing with baby toys. Baby Val was really cute and feisty, and she was soooo sticky to Fiona. This is Fiona's first time out all alone with Baby Val and I think she was very steady. Good job, Fio!
Thursday
LP and I decided to drench the kids in some water play in the morning. The sun was radiant, the sky was a striking shade of clear blue and a light breeze was caressing our faces. Perfect weather for the popular water play at Jacob Ballas.
It was Little Bee's first time and she seemed hesitant, cautious, somewhat fearful of the jets of water that could appear and disappear all of a sudden. Very unlike her usual bold nature. However, she warmed up considerably and with me in tow, managed to have a glorious, happy shower with the other 3 shrieking kids soon after!
Lunch was at my place again, with Big Bee and WW running through the house like 2 roadrunners! Hectic but fun!
LP and I went for coffee at Guthrie House and chilled out with good coffee while the kids played catch outside the cafe. No crowds around, only leisurely mothers looking happy and relaxed.
What splendid fun indeed!
Tuesday
We had a great time strolling around the gardens with Cousin Fio and 8-month-old Baby Val. What was heartwarming was how Big Bee and Little Bee held hands together and wandered buoyantly through the labyrinth, with Big Bee gamely shouting words of encouragement to Little Bee who was ecstatic to be caught in a maze!
Lunch was at my place where the kids chilled out playing with baby toys. Baby Val was really cute and feisty, and she was soooo sticky to Fiona. This is Fiona's first time out all alone with Baby Val and I think she was very steady. Good job, Fio!
Thursday
LP and I decided to drench the kids in some water play in the morning. The sun was radiant, the sky was a striking shade of clear blue and a light breeze was caressing our faces. Perfect weather for the popular water play at Jacob Ballas.
It was Little Bee's first time and she seemed hesitant, cautious, somewhat fearful of the jets of water that could appear and disappear all of a sudden. Very unlike her usual bold nature. However, she warmed up considerably and with me in tow, managed to have a glorious, happy shower with the other 3 shrieking kids soon after!
Lunch was at my place again, with Big Bee and WW running through the house like 2 roadrunners! Hectic but fun!
LP and I went for coffee at Guthrie House and chilled out with good coffee while the kids played catch outside the cafe. No crowds around, only leisurely mothers looking happy and relaxed.
What splendid fun indeed!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Three Magnificent Hornbills
Spotted on a languid evening stroll around my estate were three spectacular hornbills, literally a stone's throw outside my balcony! Big Bee had the rare privilege of creeping up to one majestic, motionless hornbill standing on a low parapet, viewing it in full glorious detail before it flew off, spreading its giant wings wide. It looked so....expansive!
Big Bee, Little Bee and me stayed in the courtyard, fascinated by one hornbill and trying to spot if there were more of them. Indeed, we spotted three! Swooping up the trees for pecks at the fruits, perching on railings enjoying the final receding sunrays of the approaching gloaming.
I wonder where these gorgeous hornbills come from. They are most definitely welcome here.
Big Bee, Little Bee and me stayed in the courtyard, fascinated by one hornbill and trying to spot if there were more of them. Indeed, we spotted three! Swooping up the trees for pecks at the fruits, perching on railings enjoying the final receding sunrays of the approaching gloaming.
I wonder where these gorgeous hornbills come from. They are most definitely welcome here.
Monday, June 9, 2008
A Week Of Homely Bliss
My mom is on holiday in China this week, which means that I will be a stay-at-home mom for this whole week! Yippee!
5 things I love about being at home with the kids all day long:
1) Waking up the same time as them, loitering with the two girls over a slow, relaxing and leisurely breakfast, giggling at each other's silly actions or jokes.
2) Having the luxury of time to engage in a table session of Playdoh (Little Bee's first time touching the squishy squashy dough!), while Big Bee and I kept trying to stop gluttony Little Bee from eating the deliciously colourful Playdoh-constructed food, much to her displeasure with us.
3) Shopping for groceries and food with the kiddos on a Monday supermarket, where I can finally amble across the aisles, and take my sweet time selecting produce, rather than squeezing with the hectic weekend crowds!
4) Taking a slow stroll with Big Bee around my estate while Little Bee napped in the late afternoon, immersing in the pure golden sunshine of impending dusk, relishing the gorgeous light and assimilating the clear blue skies into my being, eventually feeling revitalised, rejuvenated, recharged.
5) Having the hubby come home to savour my rare bouts in the kitchen, praising my culinary skills and then helping to put the kids to bed so that I can finally have the me-time to enjoy an unhurried, relaxing shower.
Such are the little joys of today...
5 things I love about being at home with the kids all day long:
1) Waking up the same time as them, loitering with the two girls over a slow, relaxing and leisurely breakfast, giggling at each other's silly actions or jokes.
2) Having the luxury of time to engage in a table session of Playdoh (Little Bee's first time touching the squishy squashy dough!), while Big Bee and I kept trying to stop gluttony Little Bee from eating the deliciously colourful Playdoh-constructed food, much to her displeasure with us.
3) Shopping for groceries and food with the kiddos on a Monday supermarket, where I can finally amble across the aisles, and take my sweet time selecting produce, rather than squeezing with the hectic weekend crowds!
4) Taking a slow stroll with Big Bee around my estate while Little Bee napped in the late afternoon, immersing in the pure golden sunshine of impending dusk, relishing the gorgeous light and assimilating the clear blue skies into my being, eventually feeling revitalised, rejuvenated, recharged.
5) Having the hubby come home to savour my rare bouts in the kitchen, praising my culinary skills and then helping to put the kids to bed so that I can finally have the me-time to enjoy an unhurried, relaxing shower.
Such are the little joys of today...
The Tooth Fairy Is Nigh
This evening, after dinner (and dessert of a sweet strawberry donut) for Big Bee, she suddenly exclaimed "Mummy, one of my teeth is coming out!"
I bolted out of my seat immediately and went to inspect her tooth. True enough, her lower right centre tooth was wobbling ever so slightly! We gazed at each other in wonder - Big Bee's expression of surprise was tinged with worry and uncertain fear, mine with pride and happiness.
For this is a milestone indeed! The first milk tooth to be discarded and delivered to the lengendary and elusive tooth fairy! This marks a certain maturity in Big Bee, and I scrutinized Big Bee's troubled face with a roller-coaster concoction of emotions: pride, bittersweetness, joy, happiness, worry (about whether I need to physically pluck out stubbornly wobbly teeth, ewww!).
My first baby girl has stepped up another notch in her journey to independence. One part of me rejoices at the speed of her growing up. Another more melancholic part worries at the aspect of her leaving the shelter and comfort of my protection, growing up to live her own life and dreams.
I bolted out of my seat immediately and went to inspect her tooth. True enough, her lower right centre tooth was wobbling ever so slightly! We gazed at each other in wonder - Big Bee's expression of surprise was tinged with worry and uncertain fear, mine with pride and happiness.
For this is a milestone indeed! The first milk tooth to be discarded and delivered to the lengendary and elusive tooth fairy! This marks a certain maturity in Big Bee, and I scrutinized Big Bee's troubled face with a roller-coaster concoction of emotions: pride, bittersweetness, joy, happiness, worry (about whether I need to physically pluck out stubbornly wobbly teeth, ewww!).
My first baby girl has stepped up another notch in her journey to independence. One part of me rejoices at the speed of her growing up. Another more melancholic part worries at the aspect of her leaving the shelter and comfort of my protection, growing up to live her own life and dreams.
Sex And The City
Last Thursday evening, I took some time off to watch the "Sex And The City" movie with 2 of my best single girlfriends. The movie evoked vessels of laughter, tricklings of tears and scoops of bittersweet emotions. For the movie is about love, friendship and happily-ever-after...universal themes of what all of us seek in life.
I am thankful for my many best friends (the single, the married, the in-between!) who had accompanied me through life's many splendours and the occasional periods of darkness. For their listening ears. Their shoulders to cry on. For our shared laughter. Common woes. And ultimately for understanding each other, standing by one another.
Without my best girlfriends, my life would be bleaker and harder to manage.
I am thankful for my many best friends (the single, the married, the in-between!) who had accompanied me through life's many splendours and the occasional periods of darkness. For their listening ears. Their shoulders to cry on. For our shared laughter. Common woes. And ultimately for understanding each other, standing by one another.
Without my best girlfriends, my life would be bleaker and harder to manage.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
"Making Telephone Porridge"
In Cantonese, "making telephone porridge" is synonymous with someone hogging the phone, making a large number of phone calls, and talking on the phone for ages.
And that's what Big Bee had been busy with. Brewing telephone porridge on a daily basis.
Her latest thrill with her friends in school is to exchange phone numbers with each other and call each other in the mornings or the evenings! The glow on her face when the phone rings and the caller ID reflects her friends' numbers is priceless. In fact, she is a CEO of sorts, screening calls to pick up. Whenever the caller ID shows up other numbers that are not her friends', she will refuse to pick up the calls adamantly. Luckily, Mummy's number is still in her "in" list - but I wonder when I will be bummed out (I suspect it will be soon!)
She has calls day in and out. And their conversations are so cute - they will discuss about what they are doing right then (children live immensely in the present, which is a perfect example of how we all should be living our lives), what their parents are doing, what TV shows they are watching. I even caught her gossiping about a party she attended and things that other friends say! Oh my. Is this the start of adolescent independence?
And that's what Big Bee had been busy with. Brewing telephone porridge on a daily basis.
Her latest thrill with her friends in school is to exchange phone numbers with each other and call each other in the mornings or the evenings! The glow on her face when the phone rings and the caller ID reflects her friends' numbers is priceless. In fact, she is a CEO of sorts, screening calls to pick up. Whenever the caller ID shows up other numbers that are not her friends', she will refuse to pick up the calls adamantly. Luckily, Mummy's number is still in her "in" list - but I wonder when I will be bummed out (I suspect it will be soon!)
She has calls day in and out. And their conversations are so cute - they will discuss about what they are doing right then (children live immensely in the present, which is a perfect example of how we all should be living our lives), what their parents are doing, what TV shows they are watching. I even caught her gossiping about a party she attended and things that other friends say! Oh my. Is this the start of adolescent independence?
Food Connoisseur
Little Bee is fast becoming a ravenous food connoisseur. She is in love with food!
Yesterday at lunchtime, she screamed the moment she saw me bringing out her steaming porridge of fish and broccoli. She struggled and yelled in desperation as I was putting her bib on. And kept lunging her toddlership towards the dining table, her little face full of anxiety and angst, obviously beleaguered by the fear that the bowl of porridge will suddenly grow a pair of legs and strut off the dining table! I had to use all my mighty strength to prevent her from dashing right to the steaming hot porridge!
She finally calmed down with her first mouthful of porridge - pure bliss on her face, as if she is slurping on a rich creamy dollop of chocolate ice-cream. Pure bliss followed by immediate impatience when she swallowed that spoonful of porridge in 2 seconds to see slowcoach Mummy still frantically blowing on that spoonful of hot porridge! She tugged on my arm forcefully, and gabbled some gibberish in a really angry tone, as if I was going to eat up her precious food! Whew. This struggle went on for at least 6-8 mouthfuls with her sitting vigilantly by my side, eyeing her spoonful of porridge with a hawk's eye...before she gave a satisfied, Cheshire Cat grin and started pottering about in her usual mien. I guess her voracious hunger was comfortably gratified!
Her favourite word is now "mum mum" (note: "mum mum" for eating, and definitely NOT for "Mummy"). Right after her meal, if she sees us eating, she will stop whatever she is playing with, and trot to us with her infamous uttering of "mum mum" followed by frenzied finger pointing and distraught screeching at our food! And this action is ubiquitous - every time she sees us eating, irregardless of how full she is.
I read that fat genes start brewing in our bodies from young. And Mummy here has got fat genes before. So....I am keeping my fingers crossed that Little Bee can still maintain her current svelte and petite figure despite her voracious appetite!
Yesterday at lunchtime, she screamed the moment she saw me bringing out her steaming porridge of fish and broccoli. She struggled and yelled in desperation as I was putting her bib on. And kept lunging her toddlership towards the dining table, her little face full of anxiety and angst, obviously beleaguered by the fear that the bowl of porridge will suddenly grow a pair of legs and strut off the dining table! I had to use all my mighty strength to prevent her from dashing right to the steaming hot porridge!
She finally calmed down with her first mouthful of porridge - pure bliss on her face, as if she is slurping on a rich creamy dollop of chocolate ice-cream. Pure bliss followed by immediate impatience when she swallowed that spoonful of porridge in 2 seconds to see slowcoach Mummy still frantically blowing on that spoonful of hot porridge! She tugged on my arm forcefully, and gabbled some gibberish in a really angry tone, as if I was going to eat up her precious food! Whew. This struggle went on for at least 6-8 mouthfuls with her sitting vigilantly by my side, eyeing her spoonful of porridge with a hawk's eye...before she gave a satisfied, Cheshire Cat grin and started pottering about in her usual mien. I guess her voracious hunger was comfortably gratified!
Her favourite word is now "mum mum" (note: "mum mum" for eating, and definitely NOT for "Mummy"). Right after her meal, if she sees us eating, she will stop whatever she is playing with, and trot to us with her infamous uttering of "mum mum" followed by frenzied finger pointing and distraught screeching at our food! And this action is ubiquitous - every time she sees us eating, irregardless of how full she is.
I read that fat genes start brewing in our bodies from young. And Mummy here has got fat genes before. So....I am keeping my fingers crossed that Little Bee can still maintain her current svelte and petite figure despite her voracious appetite!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Her First Love...
Big Bee had officially started her first BGR (boy-girl relationship). Yes. At a tender age of 6.
She came back from school last week and told me her boy classmate K told her she is his girlfriend, and that he will marry her and she will be his wife next month. Since when did these kids start to know how to draw the line between buddies and BGR!?
And when she attended K's birthday party today, he gallantly gave her a gigantic bouquet of practically all the balloons in the party. I am serious. That balloon bouquet was huge - at least 30 or more balloons. I thought she was going to float up into the air when I saw her dragging that enormous bouquet around!
Hubby and I also saw him fighting off her contenders when they tried getting their hands on the gargantuan bunch of balloons. What a knight in shining armour!
When I asked Big Bee after the party whether she likes K, she coyly and shyly shrugged her shoulders and giggled out "I don't know". How cute!
Kids sure grow up fast these days...
She came back from school last week and told me her boy classmate K told her she is his girlfriend, and that he will marry her and she will be his wife next month. Since when did these kids start to know how to draw the line between buddies and BGR!?
And when she attended K's birthday party today, he gallantly gave her a gigantic bouquet of practically all the balloons in the party. I am serious. That balloon bouquet was huge - at least 30 or more balloons. I thought she was going to float up into the air when I saw her dragging that enormous bouquet around!
Hubby and I also saw him fighting off her contenders when they tried getting their hands on the gargantuan bunch of balloons. What a knight in shining armour!
When I asked Big Bee after the party whether she likes K, she coyly and shyly shrugged her shoulders and giggled out "I don't know". How cute!
Kids sure grow up fast these days...
Party Queen In The Making
We went to Big Bee's friend's birthday party this afternoon and had a great time there. This is some sort of a debutante ball for Little Bee since her evolution into a toddler. Oh my god. She had proved my sneaky suspicions correct. She will be the next party queen in the making!
Never had I seen one minuscule toddler waddling in the midst of so many strapping 6-year-old big kids, grinning away, enjoying their company and interacting briefly with different big kids depending on where she walked to.
She was a very enthusiastic participant when the party organiser entertained his crowd of big kids - sitting down together with all jie jie's big friends, not caring if her good ol' parents were anywhere near her, just wanting to have fun with jie jie and her friends, and getting highly excitable when the party programme started.
Her favourite party companions were the many big green and black balloons strewn all over the living room, and she would hobble around on her tiny legs picking up a couple balloons and offering them generously, with wide-eyed pleasure, to all the adults surrounding her, bringing smiles to the adults' faces with her cheeky beams. Not needing Mummy or Papa at all. Such gregarious nature.
Get ready, world. Brace yourself for the next party queen.
Never had I seen one minuscule toddler waddling in the midst of so many strapping 6-year-old big kids, grinning away, enjoying their company and interacting briefly with different big kids depending on where she walked to.
She was a very enthusiastic participant when the party organiser entertained his crowd of big kids - sitting down together with all jie jie's big friends, not caring if her good ol' parents were anywhere near her, just wanting to have fun with jie jie and her friends, and getting highly excitable when the party programme started.
Her favourite party companions were the many big green and black balloons strewn all over the living room, and she would hobble around on her tiny legs picking up a couple balloons and offering them generously, with wide-eyed pleasure, to all the adults surrounding her, bringing smiles to the adults' faces with her cheeky beams. Not needing Mummy or Papa at all. Such gregarious nature.
Get ready, world. Brace yourself for the next party queen.
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