Upgraded

Zaky loves games, from the tablet to Xbox to DS3. Recently, he has upgraded.

This morning and even now, he is fighting with Daddy Lil to play Battlefield. Some things start young. Zzz Zzz.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 101: Blister 2, Shauna 0

We skipped ice last week bcos we were in Legoland. I thought of bringing Lil Shauna for some practice during the PSLE marking days but life was just too busy.

The battle with the blister is still raging. The secret weapon this week is the gel and I m hoping that it would work. We tried at home and realised that the "piece" couldn't be too big so that she wouldn't "step" on it while being taped on. The shop auntie said that the sock would be able to hold it in place or a small piece of micropore tape will do the job. We kaisu and use the micropore to tape all of the sides.

It was both jump and spin day and I was really hoping that the gel would work or it would be a really painful session. Coach Raymond worked on her flip jumps and I think she got a few of them eventually bcos I saw him nodding away. Then it was her sit spin. I lost count the number of times that she fell on her butt while spinning. She said that it was quite fun to fall though.

At the end of the class, Coach Raymond said that her sit spin position is ideal but she only managed 2 rounds and needed at least 3 to be considered to have done a sit spin. She needed to hold a little more and have to learn how to stand up after that.

Apparently, even with tape on all sides, the gel still shifted. Zzzzz. As a result, she still developed a blister on the smaller foot. The gel still failed and now I am hoping that the ezeefit footie will find its way to Singapore and would be able to help. Haiz. When will the boots break in?!

This afternoon, we headed back to the rink. This time, we not only taped all sides of the gel on her foot, we taped around her foot. The tape cannot be too tight bcos it restricts movement and she can't skate. The extra tape must have helped bcos she didnt complain about much pain on the smaller foot. It was then the bigger foot that gave us problem. Zzzzz. When will this end?! We taped another gel to the bigger foot. The result? The gel shifted on both feet despite the extra tape. Haiz.

The spots were sore. When I checked just now, there didn't seem to be any new blisters. I don't know if the gel is helping or maybe the micropore tape is. We just have to do more trial and error moving on.

By the way, her skates with the new pink laces!

Mummy

To Myself

After slogging for the entire year, it is bonus time. I have told Daddy Lim way in advance that I wanted to add on to my Pandora - my reward for myself.

There is now a Pandora in JP. So convenient. After browsing for a long time, I decided on the clips. Apparently, symmetric designs are pleasing to the eye and that is how Panadora design their displayed bangles and bracelets.

Ok, it looks much better in real life.

Pandora is not cheap but the initial investment is small and one can slowly build up the charms. The only condition is the ability to live with a lopsided/ incomplete charm, like I did. Is my Pandora completed? I don't know but I am sure I wouldn't stop now; Christmas is just around the corner. Hehehe.

Mummy Lim

Birthday Cake Afterall

Zaky got ice cream and a slice of cake for his bday. He had wanted an ice cream cake bcos he had such a soft spot for ice cream.

On Monday, upon our return from JB, I offered to buy him an ice cream cake. He rejected my offer  bcos he had his eyes on decorating his own cake at the Icing Room. The cease their cake decoration sales for a while and it is back.

We got the petite cake bcos the cake has a lot of butter cream and the last time we had the same cake, it wasn't delicious. 

Of course the kids had a ton of fun. They are so much better at it than the last time.

There was quite some icing left and they started eating the Icing. Lol.

The final product.

Happy bday Zaky!

Mummy Lim

Zaky is 7: JB Day 3 - Home Sweet Home

My brother's family had to depart after bfast. We had to check out before noon and decided to leave about the same time too.

It was the same routine; we stayed in the house waiting to be fed while my brother and SIL taobaoed food for us. They are the foodie to look for good food while we happily waited for whatever that they brought back to fill our tummy.

The kids were disappointed that our holiday was ending so quickly. What disappointed them more was the homework waiting for them back home. Lol.

The custom was a breeze. Yeah! There was a slight wait at the Singapore side but we made it home in less than 30 mins. Our 1st airbnb holiday concluded in success. The house was huge, nice and clean and everything went smoothly. Nice.

Home Sweet Home! This was way too short. When is the real one? Haha.

Mummy Lim

Zaky is 7: JB Day 2 - Lazing Around

We drove to the Airbnb after dinner. As indicated by the owner, the airbnb is about 10 mins' drive from Legoland.

It was self check-in. There were 2 number padlocks, one on the main metal gate and the other one on the door metal gate. The door is another digital number lock. We followed the instructions and got in easily.

The house was huge! Daddy Lim said that the living room on its own is probably the size of Centris.

The kids hurriedly explored the house and decide who sleeps where. My job was to lay out all the snacks.

It didn't take long for my brother's family to arrive with Popo. They had no jam at all at the custom. The kids spent the rest of the night running around the house playing. Sleep was so easy for the kids after a day baking in the sun and soaking in the water.

I didn't have a good night and woke up at about 6.45am. I wanted some peaceful and quiet time with my coffee but it didn't last long before the little boy joined me. Soon after, the Wii was playing. Zzzzz. The sound woke the rest and soon the house was alive. Haha.

It was supposed to be shopping day. We lazed around, had bfast before we finally head out to Aeon Mall, which is 5 mins away.

The girls planned to be in their "uniform".

The 1st stop was definitely the arcard before we had lunch.. again. It was definitely a get fat trip.

The boy got bored really quickly once we got out of the arcade and kept asking to go back to the house. We parted ways and headed back 1st, leaving Lil Shauna with the rest to do more shopping bcos she wanted to be with the 3Fs.

Zaky was supposed to rest bcos he had been whinning about being tired. Ended up, he spent the whole time watching YouTube. Somebody else napped instead.

I dozed off too and when I finally managed to convince the boy that he should take a little nap, the girls came back. Zzz. He was off running around again.

Lil Shauna was exhausted and laid down on the floor for a rest. It was so funny; like an accident scene.

After more running around and more snacks, we headed out for chinese dinner.

Then, the tiredness overwhelmed the boy. He was perspiring and all but still sleeping very well. He was carried into the car but promptly woke up. Chey, he was rock heavy.

Once back, it was another round of running and playing. I wonder where they find their energy.

I went to bed earlier and nobody missed me. Haha. Apparently there were too much fun going around.

Mummy Lim

Zaky is 7: JB Day 1- Legoland Water Park

Zaky said that he wanted a bday party at the trampoline park. Fortunately, I managed to lure him with Legoland plus 2 nights' stay. Muahahaha. Bcos parties are a pain. 

We invited my brother's family and with their help, we found a huge airbnb place that can house up to 12 pax. They can only join us in the night but it didnt dampen the kids' spirit. They were so looking forward to the holiday. The only catch is that they have to agree to do their homework during that holiday bcos exams start right after we are home. Zaky laments that he is born during the exam period. Too sad, too bad. 

Bcos we were to set off for Legoland on early Saturday morning, we celebrated Zaky's bday earlier on Friday night. We had ice cream after their Chinese classes. He asked for the Couple Fondue.

Yummy!

The aim was to leave the house at 8am this morning in case of custom jam. I found time to do the long forgotten treadmill. Feeling all good for the holiday!

We set off on time for bfast. The traffic was slightly slow at the Singapore immigration but still very much a breeze.

The Malaysia custom was a huge pain; we were stuck at the custom for almost 1.5hr.

We arrived at Legoland at about 11am. The kids had asked to go to the Water Park instead bcos we had never been there.

We didn't buy the tickets online in advance despite attractive discounts bcos we were worried about rain. Trying our luck, we told the ticketing staff that it was the boy's bday and he actually got a complimentary ticket! We paid RM335 for our family.

We were also told that a part of the Water Park was closed including the Lego bricks lazy river but we decided to proceed. The Water Park is small and even smaller now that part of it was closed. It is probably half the size of Sunway Lagoon. The adults grew bored very quickly but water and kids is an amazing combo and the kids had so much fun despite the limited rides. The rides are also a lot tamer than those in Sunway Lagoon.

We spent about 4 hours in the Water Park. The last part, the kids were soaking in the wave pool and Daddy Lim was snoozing. I also almost dozed off. We didn't have any picture of the rides but at least took pictures before we left.

The ticketing staff told us earlier that the bday boy would get a surprise for his bday. We made our way back to Legoland ticketing counter. Surprised!

We had dinner at the mall. Before that, it was hoverboard time.

The bday boy still got his bday cake eventually. Happy bday Zaky! I can't believe that you are 7; you were just  baby a while ago. Continue to grow healthily and God bless you. We love You loads!

By the way, he made Daddy Lim lit the candle 2 more times so that he can make 2 more wishes. Lol. He asked for a hamster, a dog and a hoverboard. Hahaha.

Mummy Lim

Fish Torturing Session

It was the PH and I was intending to bring the kids to the beach bcos they had been asking so. However the weather was freaking hot. Plan B kicked in; we decided to go torture some fishes. Hohoho.

We met my bro's family at 4pm. Then kids eagerly jumped into the "pond" and started terrorising the fishes. They were at least willing to pose for me before their fun and obliged with my hug request.

For the next 2 hours, the poor fishes were trying to swim and hide. Lil Shauna is such an expert and net quite some fishes. Zaky paled so much in comparison. He even needed to activate my help to spot the fishes.

The kids' happiest moments must be when the staff released "new" fishes into the pond. At such times, not only were they excitedly scooping away with their net, they even tried scooping with their hands. Lol.

At the end of the 2 hours, the kids each had a tank full of fishes but we had a prior agreement to bring home only 5 fishes each. Lil Shauna took a long time to choose her fishes. Zaky did his with Daddy Lim.

We also agreed to release the fishes into the pond at level 5 but the kids pleaded to keep the fishes for 1 day as pet. By the time we were home, 3 of Zaky's fishes were dead. Lil Shauna's were fine. Lil Shauna boast that she not only go for the colours but chose the strongest fishes, making sure that they could squirm strongly before choosing them.

As one day pet owners, the kids happily fed bread to the fishes. I bet the fishes were too scare to eat. Lol. We ended up with chalky water this morning. Nevertheless, Lil Shauna was still happily naming her fish and declared that didi only has 1 fish left to name bcos the other one is very dead. I can't even spot Zaky's fish from the top of his tank.

We released the fishes into the 5th level pond this evening. I am quite sure they became the big fishes' dinner. Hohoho. Well, at least the kids were pet owners for a day. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 100: Blister 1, Shauna 0

It is again the battle against the dreadful blisters. Armed with not only the gel, the blister plasters, we added on the ankle sleeve as part of the armor. We tried the ankle sleeve at home and it fits fairly well. I had hopes but as a fall back plan, I have also ordered the “legendary ezeefit bootie”. The only problem is that Amazon doesn't ship that item to Singapore and I have to order from some ezeefit inline website. I wasn't willing to pay USD30 or USD75 for tracked and efficient shipping for the bootie that cost only USD15. I have opted to pay USD10 for their international shipping and the website said that it would take up to 4 weeks for the purchase to arrive or maybe never bcos it is not tracked. Zzzz.

Anyway, with the ankle sleeve, Lil Shauna headed to the ice for warm up and was complaining that her foot was feeling numbed bcos of the ankle sleeve. I loosen her laces and she was back up in less than 5 mins, insisting that she cant skate with the sleeves. Her poor ankle sleeve has been abandoned and sitting sadly in her bag while she hit the ice with the blister plaster.

Knowing that flip jumps aggravate the sore spot and induce blister, I had asked her to not do her flip jumps during warm up. Then, bcos the last few weeks were on spins, Coach Raymond worked on her jumps this week. I didn't want to look bcos I expected her to be in pain soon after she started the jumps. They kept going on the flip jumps for a long time before progressing to waltz jump loop jump combo. Maybe frog legs will help; she hasn't the strength to jump her loop after landing the waltz.

By the end of the lesson, she was in pain as expected. Though no visible blister, she was whining so much in pain and limping. The bigger foot was fine. I half suspect that she was exaggerating the pain but she insisted that she would do no extra practice. Haiz, we lost to the blister.

Bcos we were earlier than usual, we walked to sport shops in Jem, hoping to find a remedy but left empty handed. What we could find are similar one-time use blister plasters and they aren’t cheap. This is so tricky. I was reminded of her 1st new Jackson stakes. We had so many problems with those too; the issue then was numb toes. It was plenty of trial and error and the eventual solution was for the skates to run in naturally. When will this pair finally break in? I hope the blister issue isn’t permanent.

Despite the not too fantastic skating session, we had a happy lunch though. Lil Shauna and I shared a bowl of mushroom soup.

We licked it so clean.

Yday, we missed ice time. I eventually caved in to buy a piece of super expensive gel at S$19. I was hoping that we would get to try skating with the gel on but was running late. We bought a similar piece when she had troubles with her 1st Jackson but couldn't find it at home. Lil Shauna decided to ask mummy to buy her pink laces too.

Hopefully this will help. I am at my end wits.

Mummy Lim