Sleepover

Lil Shauna slept over at ah kim’s house again on Thursday night. This is the 3rd time she has done so and I think she totally enjoyed herself.

We were at my brother’s place for steamboat dinner (ah, my favorite!) and to pick the kids up when Lil Shauna asked if she could stay over. Well, we have no objections so long as she’s not a nuisance to my brother’s family. I think she’s a pretty easy girl and doesn't need much supervision so my brother and SIL seem pretty cool with the idea.

Lil Isaac did ask if he could stay over too but he is a real scaredy cat. He was easily persuaded to go home with mummy. However, he did ask for jiejie when he was home. Apparently the boy loved his jiejie’s companionship more than the other way round. I am quite sure Lil Shauna didn't miss Lil Isaac too much.

My SIL shared nice pictures on fb. The girls definitely had fun playing and talking late into the night.

Oh ya, before we left my brother’s place, Lil Shauna went to Daddy Lim and told him that the real reason why she wanted to stay over was bcos they were going to have popsicle. She told Daddy Lim not to tell didi. Wah, win already.

Mummy Lim

Core 4 Lesson 4

Lesson 4 went fine and Lil Shauna did great. They don't seem to learn new moves or maybe Core 4 is just refining what they had learnt in Core 3. Lil Shauna appeared so much more skillful in balancing on one leg and criss-crossing. I think she’s already better than me. 

I also didn't have to go down to the rink bcos Lil Shauna was happy to skate with her friends and there was no need for mummy. There were times that she didn't want to play “catching” with the girls bcos she wasn't fast enuff but otherwise, she was fine. I did my homework too while the girls were in the rink, busy networking with the mummies. The 8-year old (XY) girl’s mummy joined in the networking this time. I even got their numbers. Hard work leh.

The main discussion circled around what’s next for the kids. They have completed all the Core classes and could progress to the figure skating classes. P mummy said that they would take a short break bcos P will be in Primary 4 next year and there is a need to see how to spread precious time resources between school work, CCAs and enrichment classes. XY mummy is keen on private classes given that there will be one-to-one attention and the kid can definitely progress faster. I was torn.

Lil Shauna is keen to take on figure skating but in a private class setting. I think it is bcos she can choose her instructor and she finds it difficult to learn when there is a big group with people of different age. She likes Teacher Raymond – the hooligan look-alike coach. He has 18 years of experience and brought kids out for competition. Teacher Sally, who is coaching Lil Shauna now, is even more impressive. Her students had won in some overseas competition previously. I am good with both teachers but feel a little uneasy about a male teacher in a sport with certain body contact. If we choose teacher Raymond, I will hawk over Lil Shauna during class in the future. Hoho.

Now, back to how the classes work. The group figure skating consists of 4 levels and each level consists of 5 classes, just like how the Core classes work. I was told that each class probably has 5 to 7 students, which is a big group given the skills that they now have to learn. The syllabus is fixed and they have to complete all 5 lessons to progress to the next level. After the 4 levels, there will be more advance jumps and twirls and whatever to learn. The classes cost $241 for 5 lessons.

Private classes will be one to one and the students will definitely progress faster. We get to pick our instructor and I supposed we will stick to them for a good period of time. There isn’t a fix syllabus, so the coach will teach according to the student’s pace. The lessons come in 15 mins block for $32.10 per block and the students are encouraged to take at least a 30 mins block each time. On top of that, the cost does not include skating time and the students have to purchase a student pass at $100 per 3 months for entrance. The student passes also give them unlimited access to the rink during the 3 months. All in all, the investment will be almost double for private classes.  My heart just bled.

 There isn’t exactly an end point when it comes to the ice skating lessons. Most of the students started off recreationally before turning to recreation-competitive and then they will start taking part in competitions. The very good ones can then start to compete nationally and internationally and get into national teams. 

I am not thinking that far. I am just glad that Lil Shauna likes the sport and has not given up unlike the other non-academic ones that she had taken previously. I don't need her to speed up in her progression and once thought that it could be good for her to stick to group classes. However, it is also very true that students picked up bad habits during group classes due to lack of attention.

When I checked with Teacher Sally after class on Saturday, she said that Lil Shauna is OK to move on to figure skating class. This coming Saturday will be her last lesson and we should be making a decision soon. Figure skating is indeed for rich people. Other than the classes, the equipment costs a bomb too. Lil Shauna will soon need proper gear and new skates when she grows out of her current ones. Scary. Yet on the other hand, I couldn't wait to see our little girl fly on ice. And I wonder, are there secondary schools that has ice skating under their DSA program? Hehe.

Mummy Lim

More of Christmas!

At the department Christmas gathering, we each made one of these.

I seriously have no green fingers but am pretty pleased with the end product. It looks so seriously cute. Lol. This will be kept in my office bcos we wouldn't want broken glasses at home. Most importantly, I was told that the terrarium needs minimal maintenance and that works wonderfully well with me. I left it in a plastic bag and in the car boot over the weekend and it is still alive this morning.  I like hardy plants. Lol.

We met boo for a short while on Saturday evening and headed over to Tanglin Mall for the snow.  Unfortunately it was an impromptu decision and we were not prepared. The kids could only stand by the side to watch the snow so that they wouldn't get too messy.

Merry Christmas!
All the office gifts are wrapped! Yeah!

Mummy Lim

Happy Bday Daddy Lim

Daddy Lim turns 37 years old yday! Happy Bday bb!

I made an effort to get him a gift. It was tough given that we already have the financial power to buy what we needed without having to wait. Still, I thought it would be nice to receive something. Hehe.

I don't think he specifically likes what I bought him but he was so nice to say that he likes it very much. Haha. One main important thing to learn for all hubby to be.

We met the kids at Vivocity last night - Popo brought them to Sentosa. We had sushi for dinner and then we bought him a mini black forest cake, which disappeared very quickly with the kids' help.

Lil Isaac helped to blow the candle but more than just wind came out. Lol.

Although it was a really simple celebration, I bet Daddy Lim is happy to have us spending it with him.

Bb, stay healthy so that we can enjoy life together for a long time. Hehehe. Love you. Muaks.

Mummy Lim

Jingle Bells!

Over the weekend, we spent so much $$ on Christmas shopping. I go through this cycle every year. I tried to lessen the impact on the pocket by starting Christmas shopping earlier. However, I will always end up with some mis-cue presents for gifts that I started buying too early. At the same time, the Christmas present shopping mood hasn't really sets in and I will still end up with last minute Christmas shopping. Then I tell myself that I should start earlier the next year. Haha. 

My heart aches so much when I saw the consolidated bills from the weekend spree. A large part of it also comes from the rollerblades and the protective gears that Daddy Lim brought for me for Christmas. Now that Lil Isaac can move more steadily on wheels, it is time to hit the park as a family. We chose not to skim on protective gears given that our bones aren’t young anymore. Lol. I take comfort that my Christmas shopping is almost 90% completed. 

The next step – gift wrapping. I struggled with this too. I love nicely wrapped presents but always think that they are not environmentally friendly when I see how my kids ripped off gift wrapping and the crumpled and torn gift wrap totally lost their value thereafter. Nobody pays attention to the torn off gift wrap anymore when the shining star – the gift, emerged from its once beautiful packaging. Maybe magazine paper as wrapper may make me feel better. Let’s see.

While Lil Shauna and I were shopping for Christmas gifts in JCube, we spotted this pink motorcycle. Maybe she will follow in my footstep one day. Haha.

Later in the evening, we caught one of those performances in the mall. It was Alice in Wonderland. 

I was reminded of how I used to check and chase after these performances in the different malls and even q up for good seats in December. These were cheap and comfortable (in aircon setting) entertainments for the kids. Now that the kids are older, they are less interested in such and even got bored at too kiddish ones (read: the ones with mascot dancing around on stage). We don't specific look out for them but popped around to watch if there is one. Lil Shauna enjoyed Alice very much. It was more of an interactive mini play. She wriggled to the front and thoroughly enjoyed the play. Lil Isaac got a little frightened by the Mad Hatter and Queenie. I ended up carrying him. 

Back home, the kids were excited to open their chocolate calendar. Ah yee saw that Uncle C bought similar for her last year and we found this in Cold Storage. Basically, the kids opened a window per day to fins a chocolate and Christmas would be here by the time they opened all the windows. Yday, Lil Shauna was complaining and yelling that didi mistakenly ate her “8th”. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Preparation for Primary One

We missed the orientation bcos we were in Taiwan but was informed via mail of the days that we could do books and uniforms purchases. I took leave this morning and lugged both kids to school to do the needful.

There were like so many forms to fill in the office.  The staff told me that all the information that I need is in the handbook.  I flipped the handbook but there doesn't seem to be much information. I decided that we will take it easy and proceeded with the next agenda.

We bought 2 sets of school uniform, 2 sets of PE attire, a pair of black shoes and 3 pairs of socks. Damage: $80.

School books were next and there was a q in the room converted book shop. It took like forever before it was finally our turn. By then the kids were getting impatient. There were so many non-textbook related stuff that we had to buy such as files and art and craft and whatever. The bookshop lady said that those made compulsory by the school and we ended up buying everything on the list. I wouldn't want to make another trip back to the school just to buy a compulsory item that I didn't buy earlier. The books and whatever weighed a ton. Damage: $165. Total damage: $245! Ouch! I wonder how low income families send their kids to school. Also, I flinched at the thought of the damage when both the kids are in primary school on 2 years' time.

We headed home and popo and the kids stopped along the way for a bus to go to SDC. Our stroller was temporarily converted to a trolley.

By the time I was home, I was sweating like a pig. Zzzzzz.

I was super auntie too with a messy ponytail, no makeup, stroller and a T-shirt. By the way, LIL Shauna asked me this am why was I wearing a T-shirt for sleeping to go out. Faint.

There was barely time to rest after I reached home before I had to rush to work. This is so hard work. Next year, I must take the car. Lol.

The preparation is not done. We still have to buy the school bag and whatever to read up and to put on the name tags and books cover. Zzzzz. How come I don't feel excited that Lil Shauna is going to primary one? Hehe. Mummy is lazy worm.

Mummy Lim

Core 4 Lesson 3

We quietly got out of the house and had the usual Mac bfast.

Saturday mornings are mummy and Lil Shauna day and I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the little girl.

Class started as normal and Teacher Sally was back to take the class. While the class went on, I took the initiative to speak to the mummy of one of the girls - Phoebe. Phoebe attempted to be friendly last week but Lil Shauna was too shy to reciprocate. You need mummy's help in times like that. Additionally, I have been hoping to create some mummy network and it would be great if Lil Shauna could proceed on to the next level with Phoebe. Companionship is so important and can be very crucial for her to move on to future classes.

So the mummies chatted and I found out that Pheobe is 9 and the only child. Class soon ended and I encouraged the girls to chat and that was how things got started. Lil Shauna joined Phoebe and another 9 year old girl and bond over gadgets while waiting for the free skate session to start. Things were looking good.

Back to the rink, the 3 girls started skating together, practicing at times, playing catching at others.  It was good and I could soon return to the spectator seats and continue my mummy network. There was a special program by the rink bcos of Christmas and the girls were so excited and busy taking pictures with JR bear. I pity whoever was inside in the bulky costume and still had to skate on the ice.

One of the girls then left and Lil Shauna and Phoebe were joined by another 8 year old in their class. They seem to still have loads of fun.

The crowd started to disperse after 11.30am. We seldom stay until then. The rink was so much enjoyable with a smaller crowd. We left at noon and the girls definitely had fun together. Lil Shauna is looking forward or skating with her friends next week.  Yeah! And mummy is looking forward to not go into the risk next week. Double yeah!

Mummy Lim

The IPad is Alive

We bought the iPad in September last year. Our first one lasted about 2 years despite us buying a screen protector and a super expensive cover. I figured out that iPad probably will just last about 2 years and didn't take special care when we bought the 2nd iPad. I got its cover from the pasar malam stall and didn't even bother about the screen protector.

This iPad works fine for us until the Taiwan trip. We bought the iPad along but didn't at all play with it while in Taiwan except on the last day, on the flight back home. Lil Isaac was playing games in the plane and it was a shaky flight.  At one point, the iPad dropped to the floor and there were some minor cracks. Ouch... but we could still live with the small cracks.

I put tape over the minor cracks. I was worried that somebody's finger might get hurt. Then, earlier this week, Lil Shauna called me in the office to inform that Lil Isaac had dropped the iPad again and the screen was badly damaged. Clever popo made Lil Shauna called me to deliver the bad news. She probably figured out that I wouldn't get too angry over the small messenger. Win already.

When I was home, I saw that the damage was super extensive. Sob. Poor iPad. I was considering repairing it depending on how deep it would hurt our pockets.

We sent it to one of those ah beng repair shops this evening. It cost us $180 to change a new screen. And yes, our iPad had been resuscitated. Yeah, I can chase my K drama again. Haha.

Mummy Lim

No Mummy Never Mind

Popo brought the kids to Kids’ Stop yday with 3Fs and a bunch of Lil Shauna’s classmates and siblings. At times like these, I couldn't appreciate more that my SIL is friend with Lil Shauna’s classmates’ mummies. Haha. I heard the kids had fun. 

Lil Isaac was at Kids’ Stop too but was off playing by himself most of the time.

The only downs – I couldn't be with them and the crazy entrance fees to Kids’ Stop. It cost almost $50 for Popo and the 2 kids. That explains why I had to be working hard to help bring home the bacon. Haha. No lah, I will go crazy at home. Unless Daddy Lim decided that I could stay at home and then hired a maid to help me. Lol. I want to be HDB tai tai.

Sidetrack. FB is bad. It is filled with pictures of friends going overseas for holidays and fun. Boo. I also want to go for more holidays and have more fun. Pout.

Mummy Lim

The Bui Bui Family and the Kang Tang Kias

The Taiwan sausages and the yummy food didn't do our physical well-being too much good.  The whole family including Popo (and except Lil Isaac) brought home extra kgs not only in terms of luggage. Lil Shauna’s little tummy looked a little bulgy. Daddy Lim and mine double her size. Sob. Lil Isaac is the only one who didn't look like he gained a single gram. Then again, with the amount of movements that he made every single second, I wouldn't be too surprised to know that he burnt away every single calorie. In times like these, we should learn how to move it, move it like him.

It has been more than one week since we came back. I have been trying hard to diet and had finally lost the 0.5kg that I brought home from Taiwan. Unfortunately, I already put on weight before we headed to Taiwan. So, it will be hard work for the coming weeks and of course, losing weight will appear on my resolution list for 2015. It appeared too on my 2014 list and of course I didn't achieve it as I was hoping to. Bleh. 

Even Daddy Lim is disgusted by how big and round his tummy is. Lol. On Monday evening, he made the entire family go for a short evening run. The kids were ecstatic to get out of the house for whatsoever. The run turned out quite funny. I was doing brisk walking and the last woman for fear of aggravating my poor right knee. Daddy Lim was in the lead, followed by Lil Shauna and Lil Isaac. Before long, Lil Isaac lagged from Daddy Lim and jiejie. Throughout the run, I kept hearing him yelling for them to wait for him. He caught up, they started running, he either grew tired and stopped or got distracted by whatever and started yelling for them to wait again. I think he spent more energy yelling than jogging. Lol. We did one tiny round around our estate and decided to stop. The track wasn't conducive for the little kids, it was dark and there were plenty of cyclists on pavement. We ended up climbing stairs back home. Daddy Lim and Lil Shauna completed all 18 floors. Mummy and Lil Isaac took lift on the 12th floor – the little boy was nursing a chesty cough and my poor right knee was starting to disagree with me. Nevertheless, I think it was a good workout and we all enjoyed family time together.

Back home, we prepared for bed and read story books – a routine that we tried to cultivate with the kids. Lil Shauna can read now and she enjoys reading. We only have to read to the little boy. However, given how bad her mandarin is, I have started loaning Chinese story books from the library, intending to start reading to and eventually with her and hoping that this will help brush up her Chinese.

Lil Shauna was totally uninterested and she made no effort to conceal how uninterested she was while her poor mummy tried as best to be as animated as possible to make the story sound interesting. Win already. I intentionally loaned a book about a girl the size of the thumb, which I thought was a common story and she should have heard about it. Alas, it didn't help. Zzzzz. Most of the time, she appeared to have no idea what I was rattling about in Chinese. When I asked her what certain vocab means, she gave me blank looks. It does look like we have a long way to go.

Mummy Lim