Sneaking out

Hubby & I sneaked out last night for a midnight movie - Eragon at Tampines Mall.


It was a nice movie, the male lead Ed Speleers who played the title role is a fresh face after a global casting search, and he has nice, sexy pout. Jeremy Irons, who played his mentor Brom, is as stylish as he gets. Some scenes have gory creatures that resemble those from LOTR. I remember watching the 1st LOTR when expecting Kieran.

Kieran is not ready to go to the movies as he just can't sit still! We are wondering when that day might come?

Kieran's first spelling list!

We received Kieran's first spelling list as he emabrked into K1 next year, from his childcare centre (*stress*)

As the theme for January is my "My Self", the weekly spelling test beginning on 7 Jan:

1. "I" and "me"
2. "you"
3. "we"

I can already feel the tension of coaching him... one way to de-stress myself is to read, and I had finished reading "Shopaholic Ties the Knot" and have since started the 4th Sophie Kinsella instalment - "Shopaholic and Sister". Kinsella's 5th Shopaholic book - "Shopaholic & Baby" will only hit the bookstores next February, in hardcover :( I can't wait.

Yesterday I spotted a day-by-day 2007 Shopaholic calendar and was so tempted to buy for myself. But I think it will end up a white elephant on my messy office desk.

The kids' Xmas collection

Time to record what the kids received this Xmas...

For a start, Kieran woke up on Xmas Day eagerly checking out what's in his Xmas stockings. Dug them out and realised Santa left him and Raeyen cuddly snoring animals - monkey for him and giraffe for Raeyen. BUT this time, Santa left Kieran a friendly note...

Kieran's collection includes the Yamaha keyboard we got earlier, shirt from Chateau de Sable, Zara sweater, Lego (not shown), books, Origami, stationery sets, Fox apparel, IQ toy, Hot Wheels set.

Raeyen got a set of Chateau de Sable, Mothercare and Fox apparel, books, truck (not shown), Giordano tee, Playskool trucks set.

Kids are the happiest but we mustn't forget those who are less fortunate. We intend to let Kieran buy gifts for needy children next year, afterall Christmas is about GIVING, isn't it?

Kieran's explanation

2 nights ago while changing Kieran into his PJs, I said to him

Mommy: Oh, it rains again!
Kieran: Mommy, it rains so much until flooded right?
Mommy: Yes, especially in Malaysia where many houses were flooded and people have to be evacuated.
Kieran: Luckily we stay in a building on the 10th floor right? So we will not get flooded by the rain!
Mommy: Hahahahaha

Raeyen dearie

Pix of Raeyen taken on Christmas Day

Christmas = Binging Time

Christmas Eve

By tradition, we spend this day with the Yoongs.

This time we spent at their home, warming ourselves up with hot, yummy steamboat. It's kind of different as one would think steamboat is more apt for CNY. After dinner, we played "Open Season" on Yin's new Xbox 360 and it was hilarious. Then we ate the "Pure Addiction" log cake we got from Emicakes. Megan & Kieran were thrilled as they got to blow the candles after we sang "Merry Christmas" to the tune of "Happy Birthday". The finale was gift exchange. While the mommies coincidentally got lingerie, the daddies got book, apparel & cookies. The kids were the happiest with their new toys.

The kids & the log cake

Christmas Day

As with the same tradition, my side of the family celebrate Xmas & Eugene's (14th this year) birthday on this day @ eldest bro's place.

The past days have been grey & wet and today was exceptionally sunny. Hubby decided to bring the boys to East Coast Park for a run. While walking to our carpark, an idea sparked and I told hubby we could detour to Parkway Parade to get fresh sashimi from Fish Mart Sakuraya for this evening event. And so we got swordfish, octopus, saba, salmon for the sashimi plate. We also got some sausages (bratwurst, cheese knackers & nurenburger) for ourselves from Espirito Santo Gourmet & Butchery.

Raeyen fell asleep in the car on our way home. Hubby & I had the sausages for lunch.

Past 6, we lugged all the presents, sashimi, diaper bag (and Raeyen) to eldest bro's place.

Binged all the sinful preparations - potato salad, sushi, beehoon, pineapple fried rice, chicken wings/drumlets, vege, soft-baked choc cookies made by Jenric (I called them cakies) & Bengawan Solo kuehs.

Eugene cut his log/birthday cake & we binged again with cheese bak-gua.

We exchanged gifts & went home for a well-deserved snooze! Ka-boom!

Footnote:
Hubby & I were so happy as Raeyen finally blurted out "Mama" and "Papa"!

Boxing Day

Happy 14th Birthday, Eugene!

Woke up this morning in a daze as Mother Nature decided to give a downpour again, duhh...

All photos can be found @ My Flickr Album.

Last minute Xmas shopping

Had a whole day project meeting on Friday but managed to buy all the balanced presents during lunch, phew!

While on the way zooming to Marks & Spencer @ Raffles City, got some gifts from Guardian @ Citylink for the domestic helpers. Grabbed some cookies from M&S; returned to Suntec City... dashed to 3rd floor Chateau de Sable and got a shirt and matching shorts for Raeyen. Picked up my lunch from KFC and returned to office just in time!

Had Xmas dinner with my colleagues @ Raffles Hotel Bar & Billiard Room on Thursday. The main dishes at the buffet was so-so and all some of us could binge (to get the money's worth) were the lobsters & fleshy oysters. Entertainment by Claressa Monterio was great as she crooned the Xmas evergreens in her signature "oh-so-smooth" voice. I was so proud of her that I told my overseas colleagues & my German boss that "she is one of Singapore's finest jazz singers." I remember Claressa was performing @ The Fullerton 4 years ago when hubby & I went there to enjoy the sinful chocolate buffet while expecting Kieran. Hmm... the Valrhona chocolates... hmm...

My boss asked why was I carrying a huge bag (tsk tsk, it's a Marc Jacobs inspired bag). I explained it could store alot of stuff/junk/etc especially my book. Then he realised I am reading the "Shopaholic" book and teased I am one too. I said I am but a "shopaholic on a shoestring budget".

Pass it on

I was in the MRT after work from Dhoby Ghaut towards Punggol. Entering with me into the crowded train were an elderly lady (maybe >70yr) and another (>55yr) carrying a 3yr old girl.

As usual, no one bothered to offer their seats until one gave up. As I was standing infront of a young man who sat on the hot seat (near the door) which is meant for people who need more. I asked him, "Aren't you going to give up your seat to this lady and a girl?" He seemed cross, stared at me, "What?", I replied, "Didn't you see they obviously need a seat?" He got up and muttered Hokkien to the lady gesturing her to take his seat.

Why should people be told? Is it very difficult to give up one's seat graciously?

I remember when I was in my 1st trimester with Raeyen, I gave up my seat for one who's in her advance pregnancy while the rest "acted blur".

I always tell Kieran that we have to give up our seat or lend a helping hand to those in need. Sure, sometimes we are not sure if that someone really needs our help, but there is no harm asking. If the person refuses, ok so be it. There is no shame at all.

Be nice, be thoughtful and pass it on.

Bookcrave...

Finally, I finished reading the 2nd volume of the Shopaholic series - Shopaholic Abroad. My crave for the sequel etched in and I couldn't resist anymore. I went to San Bookshop to rent the 3rd volume - Shopaholic Ties the Knot - yes Becky is going to marry Luke, wow!

As usual, I read while I commute to/from work - bus/MRT or even while walking! I think I'm obsessed. The last time I was this obsessed was when I got hooked on The Da Vinci Code - which by the way, is better than the movie!

Got home & realised Kieran was home pretty early. Yani said the childcare centre driver, Thomas actually brought Kieran right to our doorstep today & yesterday coz he was earlier than usual. You see, when hubby/I couldn't rush home in time to pick Kieran from our service lane, Thomas would call Yani and she in turn bring Raeyen down. Thomas has been very nice, he would bring Kieran to our lift landing and wait for Yani & Raeyen. So I decided to give him a box of Marks & Spencer cookies as a thank you & Xmas gift.

After kids were asleep, I continued to wrap Xmas gifts, gosh... I still have some more gifts to buy!

Tomorrow there's department Xmas dinner (dread... lunch is better), hope I can go home early.

More Xmas shopping!

Eldest sis-in-law called & enlisted me to get Xmas gifts for my boys on her behalf.

Since shopping is my fav, I happily did so at lunchtime. Got a nice checked shirt for Kieran from my fav shop - Chateau de Sable. However, I'm still clueless what to get for Raeyen. Then went to Mango for the same tee that I got for myself, but this time in peach (oh, I feel like keeping it for myself), for hubby's colleague - part of the gift exchange thingy in his office.

Headed to Times Bookshop, I got 2 books for my good pals. This Xmas, I got so many books from Times that I was entitled a free 2 (or is it 3) year membership subscription (yipee!).

Tomorrow, I will storm into Raffles City for more Xmas shopping! Most likely to Marks & Spencer for nice cookies & chocolates! Gotta buy a $5 gift as an exchange for Kieran to bring to the childcare.

Maid scouting follow-up

Kieran (almost 3 yrs old) with Raeyen (a few hrs old, taken on 10 Jul 05)

My agent arranged a conference call for me to interview Yati.

21-year old Yati is mild-mannered. Her command of English is poorer than Yani but better than those who are completely new to working in Singapore. She worked here for 2 years (left in Jun 06) at Bishan Blk 186. Did housework, care for a granny and the employers have a teen. Though she never cooked, she claimed she could and would love to care of young kids.

I gave her a scenario ... if Kieran and Raeyen were fighting for a toy, what would she do. At first she couldn't understand my question until my agent translated. She said she would focus on one kid first and talk nicely to both, making sure things work out happily. She said she would treat my boys as were her brothers.

Agent called me after the interview ended and I decided to hire Yati.

To ensure all goes well at home with a new maid, hubby decided to quit his job and work part-time. This is a huge leap and we have to be mentally prepared. I appreciate very much what my hubby had planned. And, this is the best of all options we have. Once Yati is settled and earned our trust, hubby will look for a new full-time job. At the very least, this will give him a good opportunity to bond with Raeyen.

"Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories." John Wilmot

Kieran's theory

It rained since last evening, until now it hasn't stopped.

While sending Kieran to childcare this morning, he said to me while looking out of the window.

Kieran: Mommy, there is so much rain, you know why?

Me: Why?

Kieran: It's because the sky sucked so much water from the ground.

Me: Yes, it is actually the clouds, like in your Eric Carle book.

Kieran: Yes, like the Little Cloud in my book.

Little Cloud by Eric Carle

Kieran's promotion

Kieran will be in K1 next year.

Last evening, when hubby & I reached home from work, he rushed to us excitedly...

Kieran: Mommy, Daddy, I am going to be K1/K2 tomorrow!
Us: No, you will be in K1 next year.
Kieran: No, my teacher said I will be K1/K2 tomorrow, and today I went to my new classroom with my Teacher Connie and Cheng lao-shi!
Us: Yes, you will soon be in K1 but that's about a few weeks from now, say a few days after Christmas.
Kieran: No, I am already in K1/K2! (pouting)

Shopping & maid scouting

Took Kieran to VivoCity to meet my 2nd sis - Choo by MRT on Saturday. We had coffee (hot choco & cupcake for Kieran) @ Gloria Jean. Was so glad that there's San Bookshop there and rented the 2nd volume of the Shopaholic series - Shopaholic Abroad (also known as "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) as I just finished reading the 1st volume while in the MRT (see my conversation with Kieran when I was reading).

Kieran: Mommy, why is your mouth not open?
Me: Why should my mouth be open?
Kieran: How do you read when your mouth is not open?
Me: Oh, adults usually don't read aloud like children, we read by heart.
Kieran: No, you must read with your mouth open.

We went shopping as Choo had a lot of Christmas gifts to buy. I managed to buy a brown Mango stretch tee with "MANGO" in diamante iron-on at $23 (original price was $30)! We had lunch at HK Kim Gary (like a cha can-tang in Hong Kong), the service and food were good. Price is reasonable too, average S$8 for set lunch which includes drink, soup and main course.

She sent us home as hubby & I had an appointment with the maid agency at 4pm.

After settling Kieran @ home, hubby & I went to the agency ... looked through the database after the agent understood our needs, ie taking care of Raeyen and conversant in English. We selected Yati, a 21-year old Indonesian who used to work for a family in Singapore for 2 years. We paid the fees, insurance, etc and hope for the best.

If all goes well, Yati may be able to arrive Singapore by mid-Jan. When I told Kieran about Yani's leaving, he went to her "Kak-kak, can you stay?" Sigh...

TGIFunday

Friday 15 Dec was supposed to be a funday for me coz company closed early for its dinner & dance. So, I painted the town red, oops I mean I had my nails painted @ Fave Nails in red - OPI Malaga Wine to be exact. Bought the Puma Sirius Pink with countless Swarovski crystals embedded (see pix, cool eh?) - a Christmas present from hubby and some girly Christmas gifts for my girlfriends from Women's Secret and Mphosis. Got home, played with Raeyen for a while, bathed and got ready for the dinner after Dennis had picked Kieran up from childcare.

My funday hit low when I returned home after midnight from the dinner - because the event was boring, MC has no better adjectives than "lovely", prizes suck and yet I won nothing out of 100 prizes, duhhhh. I should not have waited for the so-called grand lucky draw :(

My Lilypie Baby Days Tickers

Found this cool site Lilypie and coundn't resist posting my kiddos' tickers:

For my kiddo & me

Kieran never watched "Disney on Ice" which performs every March school holidays, as I learned from an ardent fan. I promised that we'd get the tickets when it comes next year.

Ticket sales for the show (featuring "Finding Nemo") next March started this morning. Being the kiasu mom that I am, I checked my calendar and decided to make a booking.

The show will run from 9 to 18 March at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and I booked 2 tickets for 9 March, 8pm show. The tickets are not cheap, imagine my 3rd category tickets already cost me $29.50 each. Even a 15% discount with the POSB Everyday card, it is still not cheap.

However expensive the tickets may be, the show is for Kieran... as for me

...I've finally rented a book @ lunchtime to feed my "nearly-bored-to-death brain while in the MRT to/from work" from San Bookshop. I've always wanted to read the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella but clueless which is the 1st installment. It's The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic also known as "Confessions of a Shopaholic".

I've always like to read girly books, especially this one as it is something I can relate - SHOPPING!!!!! Though I have never spent so badly like Becky and am not aspired to, I can totally fathom the urge to buy something you fancy and people around you just don't get it.

When I bought a bag or a pair of shoes, hubby would ask why did I need another. I would go "well, because I don't have one in this color and it matches well with ...", and he would go "do you need a rainbow collection of sorts then?" Men!

Teeth & fire

Took Kieran to my dentist this morning. Dr Dalilah was nice and patient with him, she familiarised him with her equipment, the chair control buttons and counted his teeth with him. Today, he learned that he has 20 teeth - 10 on each row, and that he has to brush his teeth thoroughly!

While his procedure took about 15 minutes, I was very pleased that he waited for me obediently for about 1 hour as I had my root canal done. Dr Dalilah and her nurse told me that not many kids could behave so well like he did. Hmm, I must have done something right, hahaha :*)

To mark his little milestone, he took a photo with Dr Dalilah (see above, Dr Dalilah will be delivering her 4th child somewhere around Xmas) and will see her in 6 months' time. Kieran told me he likes Dr Dalilah because "she is nice to me".

After that, met my hubby, together we took him to the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery @ Hill Street, as promised. Had wanted to bring him there yesterday but the gallery closes every Monday.

Kieran was thrilled to see "olden days" fire engine, helmet, siren and uniform. He even wore a kiddie fire-fighter uniform for a photo. He even took home a little souvenir after the visit.

Click here for the photos

Oops, sis if you read this, "HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!!"

Making a choice - follow our heart

We had a talk with our helper, Yani one night when the kids were in their slumber. The talk was if she could stay with us for another 2 years as her contract expires mid next Feb.

After much discussion/persuasion, she sounded adamant that she would like to go home for good, after almost 4 years with us. It was a difficult moment for us as Raeyen is still very young and we will have to make new arrangements or even sacrifices come Jan/Feb. Options we have are:

1. No new helper, but Raeyen goes to a full-day childcare
2. Get a new helper before Yani leaves, hubby stays at home for at least 6 months while Kieran continues his Kindergarten but stops going to childcare

We discussed and may choose option 2 as we cannot bear for another child of ours going to childcare as I could vividly remember myself weeping when Kieran entered childcare at 3 years old (2 months after Raeyen was born). It was a painful decision to put him there, seeing him cry and wanting to go home.

Option 2 is not the best but we can't risk putting Raeyen alone with the new helper while we go to work. Hubby volunteered to quit his job and stay at home supervising her and to bond with the kids, especially Kieran. Personally, I like the idea of Kieran quitting childcare. However, that would mean one income less and I may most likely have to kiss goodbye to indulgences such as Biotherm skincare, facials, manicures, pedicures, L'oreal Kerastase haircare, etc. BUT one thing I will not scrimp is to let Kieran continue his classes at Yamaha or any other classes that will benefit him.

We have a choice to make, that is already a luxury. Like the old saying goes, when there's a will, there's a way. Together with my hubby, I'm sure we can make it work and to bring our kids up the way we want. Fingers crossed :*)

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise." Robert Fritz

The SSO, kids & cake

On our way to the SSO Babies Proms with the kids on Friday (1 December) morning, dropped by my office @ Suntec City to collect my laptop as I'll be on leave next Mon & Tue. Took Raeyen there and this little guy charmed my colleagues with his mumblings, fiddlings the computer, cabinets, etc. We then drove towards Coleman Street, parked at Funan (IT Mall) and walked to Victoria Concert Hall.

We were there exactly 30 minutes before the concert, for a pre-concert storytelling on the 3rd level. Gosh, it was packed and definitely wouldn't pass our fire department for "safe fire escape route" for the event room only had one narrow door as entrance & exit. I wasn't at all pleased with the arrangement and felt that the organizer did not consider everyone's safety. The storytelling was at least interesting, teaching the little tots about different musical instruments, such as the strings, woodwinds, etc and how to conduct.

At the end of the program, the whole group thronged to the concert hall, a chaotic manner no less.

We were lucky to have bought good seats where there's a wide walking area. Raeyen couldn't keep still and made us chasing after him around the hall. When it started, the conductor Peter Moore, entertained the kids, who were allowed to get near the stage. Highlight of the event was when the SSO played "Flight of the Bumble Bee" with the violinists as lead, it was arousing!

While the format of the concert is the same as last year, Kieran would still like to attend once more next year.

We walked to Funan IT Mall amidst the drizzle, had lunch there and bought a pair of "semi cooler balls" for our MacBook from Challenger. We then headed to The Patissier @ Ann Siang to collect my birthday cake - Tiramisu.

Got home, played with the kids and celebrated the usual, simple way like we always do for me and hubby @ home. Kieran blew my candle before I did and everyone enjoyed the cake!


Click here for the photos.