Holiday Fun, 5 Dec 09

Raeyen's favourite character came to town - Thomas the Tank Engine. To surprise him, I took him and Kieran to catch the show at the Indoor Stadium. He was visibly thrilled. I was however surprised that the organiser did not have many souvenir on sale to cash in from zealous kids and generous parents. Unlike many other shows such as Disney On Ice, this one has very limited merchandise for sale, only some tees, light spinners and posters. As usual, seeing other kids having the light spinner, Raeyen wanted one. I explained that it was a waste of money as he would not play after that and it only affect him from watching the show.

To me, the show was OK. While the cast was pretty good, the Fat Controller was unfortunately played by someone lean with the help of a spongy prop as tummy. The storyline was also so-so. The interval was longer than announced, so I think the ticket was on a high side. Nonetheless, it was almost full-house!

Anyway, so long as the kids enjoy, it's still worth it.

Holiday Fun, 23 Nov 09

We applied leave to take our kids to Kids Amaze at SAFRA Jurong. It's huge and the entrance fee is quite all right. It has what looks like a 6-storey high tower made of kid-friendly materials with lots of cushioned pillars and mats. There were "cannons" where kids could shoot foam balls against insect boards. We enjoyed that alot. Kieran loved the long, spiral tubal slide most. Initially Raeyen was skeptical trying it but the thrill soon overcame his fear and he enjoyed the slide tremendously and without us accompanying him.

Raeyen's favourite tune

10 October 2009 (4 years and 3 months old)

Raeyen's performance

Raeyen has been practicing the Malay number - Di Tanjung Katong for weeks.

Yesterday, we caught his performance at his Kindy's year end concert. He wore a nice purple Malay costume, complete with a songkok. So cute.

Kieran was excited as he is part of the audience unlike in the past years when he performed on stage.

Raeyen loves to perform and we were happy that stage fright was never a problem for him.

Mid-Autumn Festival & Children's Day Party by the Park

Raeyen's Kindy organised a party yesterday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival-cum-Children's Day at a park near our place and families were invited. That, was a very nice gesture and a great opportunity for family bonding.

Kids were thrilled, took their Transformers lanterns, picnic mats and snacks. Kieran got to see his ex-classmates and teachers. It was a cloudy day and the moon was not visible, as a result.

During registration, Raeyen saw his favourite teacher, Mrs Rai and took a photo with her. He also joined his schoolmates at the "stage" singing songs that they learned. He really loves performing. Now he and Kieran are into the Wonder Girls' Nobody!

There was a walkabout around the park and some games. Raeyen was busy playing catch with his buddies while Kieran played ball. Both were drenched with sweat in the unbelievable heat! And, I was attacked by the irritating mozzies, arrgh!

We didn't win the make-your-own-lantern by parent-and-child contest and Raeyen could not understand why he didn't get a prize. He persistently asked, "Why Mommy, why I don't have a prize? Where is my prize?"

Raeyen's Lantern Project

This is part of his kindy's parent-and-child project in conjunction with the Mooncake Festival. It is also part of a competition that will be held on 1 October to celebrate Children's Day & the Mooncake Festival.

He helped in sticking the glittering and colourful adhesives while I did the rest. Those little furry balls depict the moon, and yes, many moons. I used 3 different patterned origami papers to "wrap" the orange cylinder and clear plastic strips with the furry balls as frills. All items were bought from Daiso, a great place to hunt for such knick-knacks.

Amazing Daddy

Background:It's bedtime and I was busy, ie can't read book to the kids.

Here's a conversation between Raeyen and me.

Raeyen: Good night, Mommy!
Me: Good night, Baby! Is Daddy going to read to you (er... hubby rarely reads to them even when I am away)?
Raeyen: Yes, Daddy is going to read to me. Isn't it amazing, Mommy?
Me: *Dumb-founded and burst out laughing*

Raeyen's mishap at Ikea Tampines

It was supposed to be a fun-filled one-hour for the kiddos at Ikea's play facility but only into 45 minutes of play, hubby received a call from Ikea that Raeyen suffered a bump and cut on his left temple.

When he got there to pick him, there were 3 Ikea staff surrounding Raeyen but none offered comforting words nor a hug to our poor boy. Hubby was shocked that the abrasive cut was quite bad and could not believe that the staff kept asking Raeyen what happened. Apparently another boy was involved in a collision with Raeyen but he has left with his parents.

Hubby asked if any of the staff saw what happened but none could help. Truth is, there was no staff stationed at main sections of the play facility to mind the large amount of kids. We were shocked and disappointed with how the kids were treated there.

Another celebration with the family

Celebrated at my mom's place the next evening, as we visit my mom every Saturday. Everyone enjoyed the cakes very much and the food was compliments from my brother, Joo who had so generously footed the bill.

In the afternoon that day, Kieran had his usual swimming lesson with Rachel. I took the opportunity to take some shots of Raeyen's many faces.

Raeyen turned 4 today!

As usual, Raeyen celebrated his birthday at school in the morning.

Hubby and I towed along 20 goodie bags, cakes, plates and forks. However, due to H1N1flu, we were not allowed into the school compound. Thank God his teacher took the photos for us.

We picked him up after school and I took him to Vivocity to spend quality alone time with him (hubby couldn't be excused from work). Boy, we had a blast!

First stop, we dropped by National Geographic store and bought a shark soft toy (which I previously promised to get him one). He was elated and named it "Dibo"... yeah same name as Dibo the Gift Dragon.

Raeyen's new bolster

When I was small, I had a little cloth as my security blanket. Raeyen's security blanket is a little worn-out bolster.

I was inspired to get him a new one when I saw what this blogger mom had sewn.

While shopping at Vivo City, I was drawn to a pushcart selling frilly pom-pom like cute little skirts for girls. Then I was pleased to find that it sells taggy bolsters & covers! The lady told me the covers were sewn by the designer. The fabric has nice prints and the ribbons are eye-catching! Without hesitation, I bought the larger cover for Raeyen.

He was thrilled when I showed it to him. He has since used it every nap- and bedtime.

Play

Snapped some pictures of the boys playing at home.

Farmer & Builder at work (Raeyen used playdoh as "dirt" for his dump truck)

Leapad Fun

Brain Food

Kieran and Raeyen have been taking Scotts Emulsion cod liver oil the moment they turned one-year old.

In order to give them a better "brain food" besides getting it directly from fish, I have decided to venture on a highly recommended fish oil - Children's DHA by Nordic Naturals (supposedly "supports brain development, and visual and nervous system function") to replace Scotts.

Some local websites are selling at about S$42 each while at iHerb, where I placed my order today, costs US$20.36. If you were to place order for the first time with iHerb, you will get a US$5 discount using the code "CIL778" at billing.

I hope both my angels will like it... this is just my little way of boosting their learning capability (Kieran's starting P1 is giving me the quivers already).

Kieran goes P1

2 January was another milestone for Kieran as he begins his primary education.

The evening before I asked him how he felt about tomorrow. He said he was scared and I shared with him how I felt the same when I was going P1 and it's perfectly alright to feel this way. The anxiety is understable and I told him that everyone does through the same as there are many new experiences awaiting for us to discover.

I couldn't sleep that night after preparing his bag and other stuff for after-school care. We reminded him to wake up between 6.45-7am the next day so that he would have enough time to leave home by 7.30am.

The next morning, before I could wake him at 6.45am, I was greeted by a wide-grinned (but blurry-eyed) Kieran with a cheery, "Good Morning, Mommy". I was pleased.

When I took him to his classroom, he was all ready. He was smiling at me and even asked us to leave after school while he was about to go for after-school care. Hubby and I then went home to dismantle Raeyen's cot and put aside their old but working toys. Raeyen then returned from his 1st day back at the Kindy. Our ever-cheery Raeyen came back in happy mood and was telling me he saw all his old classmates. After lunch, hubby and I went to the Salvation Army to donate the old toys and some clothes.

In the evening, we picked Kieran home and he was happy to see us, there was no trace of lethargy. His vice-principal was surprised that after 11 hours out from home, he was still active.

That night was the first time Kieran moved up to his double-decker bed and Raeyen to sleep on the lower-deck. Kieran was excited to be able to sleep on higher ground. We were worried if Raeyen would get used to sleeping on Kieran's bed as he has been sleeping in my bedroom since birth. But he was soon fell asleep in my arms at 9pm and slept soundly in his "new, big-boy" bed till 7.30am this morning.

The Kids' Concert

Last Saturday, 1 November was Kieran's graduation concert and Raeyen's maiden performance. It was a moment we have been looking forward to witness these little milestones at the Victoria Concert Hall.


Their videoclips can be found in my Facebook.

Conversation with a 3-year old

While trying to make Raeyen sleep one night, I had a little conversation with him.

Me: When gor-gor (Kieran) was 3 years old, I didn't have to make him sleep like I do to you now.
Raeyen: I am 3 years old, gor-gor is 6!
Me: Yes, you are 3 now. I'm talking about when your gor-gor was 3 years old some time ago.
Raeyen: No, I am 3, gor-gor is 6! Tomorrow I am 6!
Me: If you are 6 tomorrow, then gor-gor will be 9.
Raeyen: Huh? Why change number now?

Photoshoot at the Kindy

The Kindy had a photoshoot for the kids, K2 graduands and their families.

Water Babies

My sis-in-law in Perth bought swimwear for both Kieran and Raeyen from Target. Thanks Connie!!!

A 2-piece Spiderman for Kieran and a 1-piece Cars for Raeyen. The moment they opened the package from mail, they were thrilled and wanted to try them on.

Raeyen was particularly happy, dancing around with his new swimwear.



To-date, Kieran is improving in his weekly swimming lesson. He could swim in breadth without help. He has been quite reluctant to swim that far even with much coaxing from his coach. I had to tell him to believe in himself and, with confidence he could make anything possible.

My little angel

Kieran & Raeyen at 3

See the similarity?

1. Both wore the same shirt from Zara!

2. Both celebrated in the same Kindy.

3. Both had chocolate cake.