School

Lil Shauna came back with this on Thursday. Popo said that she was super proud and happily declared her achievement.

Lil Shauna said that there is one winner per class per month. I wasn't surprised that Lil Shauna received the award. I would be surprised if she doesn't. Her kindy teachers were all singing her praises when I went for Lil Isaac's PTM last term. She's usually quiet in class, well-behaved and cooperative - the kind of students that teachers would love bcos they seldom make troubles. Haha.

Today, Lil Shauna didn't have to go to school. I think the P6 were having some prelims. The school should just give these kids a holiday.  Instead, they were supposed to log on to a website to do assignments! They were even given a time table to follow.

I taught Lil Shauna how to login to the website last night. It wasn't alien, she had done so severe times in school. However, Daddy Lim's gaming mouse is super irritating, racing across the screen. Even when I adjusted it to the lowest sensitivity, it was still dancing everywhere on the screen. Arrggghhh. I wasn't sure how successful Lil Shauna would be in logging in but she was given until Sunday night to complete her assignments despite the timetable.  The school probably know that many kids would have problem logging the totally user unfriendly platform if they have working parents, like us. Even I had some trouble navigating the site.

I called Lil Shauna in the afternoon and she said that she managed to login and finished her assignments. I was secretly hoping that it was true. Unfortunately, almost nothing was done when I checked just now. Lil Shauna must be hallucinating. Popo said that she was on the computer for barely 10 mins and claimed that she had enuff. Win already.

The mouse and keyboard proved to be a big challenge for her. In the end, she read out the answers and I either helped her to click on the answers or type them in. Otherwise, she will probably be in front of the computer for the whole night. She takes painfully long to move the cursor to the right place and find the letters on the keyboard.

I don't quite understand the school's enthusiasm in introducing the computer to the kids. As they grow a little older, I am quite sure that we would have trouble trying to pull them away from the computer screen. So, why rush?

Mummy Lim

Holiday

Did you see this? 

Did you see me dancing around with joy! Daebak! I am so waiting to see this headline.

It is still a long way to go before our Korea holiday. How prepared are we?
Itinerary – almost done
Air ticket – booked!
Hotel – booked!
What is left is basically to pack the bags and also to bring lots of $$ to spend in Korea! Muahahaha.

Actually, we didn't have much in our wardrobe for a winter holiday except what we bought 3 years back, also for Korea. The kids have grown out of most of the clothes. They will need new clothes, shoes and winter accessories to withstand the winter cold. We would be traveling on our own this time and it would be super important to make sure that they are warm, so that they can walk. I am buying some winter apt clothes as and when I see them on sale so that the hole in our pocket doesn't suddenly hit us so hard. I seriously wouldnt want to spend so much on winter clothing. They rarely wore what we bought for them the last time. I think the winter jacket was worn only once. Luckily those were 2nd hand, bought at $10. Thus, pls let me know if there are any aunties who have thick clothes to loan the kids or me. We dont need the outer jackets, got those for the kids from our Ho Chi Minh trip. Hehehe.

Korea, annyeonghaseyo!

Meanwhile, let me keep my sight on the upcoming Bali trip. Hohoho. I hope the volcano activity would quickly die down. I have just bought our travel insurance that covers cancellation fees incurred due to natural disasters. Let’s hope that we wouldn't need to claim anything at all. We would be booking for our accommodation really soon. Woohoo!

Mummy Lim  

Homework

Ever since Lil Isaac starts K1, we make sure that we set aside some time for homework almost everyday. He only receives his school homework at the end of the week and we try to complete those on Friday night itself so that we need not worry about homework over the weekend. His homework is generally writing and sometimes I had to coax him so much to do the boring writing. The school has also started the K1 kids on spelling and 听写.

On other days, Lil Isaac works on the work (generally phonics and writing related work) that we gave him. Now that he has been promoted to Liftoff, he has plenty of sight words and passages to read.

Mummy is generally able to manage all kind of homework with Lil Isaac except for phonics passages reading. He would whine and bargain and bully me. Reading becomes so painful and so I outsourced that to Daddy Lim. Haha. Lil Isaac's nonsense generally diminished in front of Daddy Lim.

Lil Shauna is usually very independent with her homework and only need easy guidance. All is generally well except for Maths enrichment homework. She is learning multiplications now and can sometimes squirm everywhere before she finally completes 1 page of sums.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 18

We still couldn't escape Lil Isaac who woke up bright and early. He didn't fuss but Lil Shauna and I tried as best as we could to run out of the house. As a result, I forgot her student pass and my jacket. Luckily we weren’t asked for her pass and she was still granted free entry. I had to buy a new jacket though, from the only fashion shop that was opened at 10am in JCube for $40. I opted for one thick jacket, so that I could bring it to Korea at the end of the year. Hehehe.

After 2 weeks of agony, I decided to switch tactic. This week, I opted to be extra nice to LIL Shauna and encouraged her plenty. Interestingly, she performed better. Apparently our princess doesn't work with the stick. Bleh.. I took some videos of her practice too so that she can better visualize what were wrong and tried to correct. She still has plenty of little mistakes but I guess those really have to correct slowly and with plenty of practice. Did she hold her head and arms up constantly? Of course not. Her head was held up when I reminded her but her arms were still everywhere. 

Then again, when I do compare her to months back, she really did improve so much. She could now glide very effortless on the ice front and backwards and whatever. She went for her class and did fairly well. I saw Teacher Raymond correcting her arms and head so many times and chose to laugh it off. That way, it becomes more bearable for me too. She learnt a new jump during the last class!

After class, Teacher Raymond commented that it is so tough to even hear a single word from her! He also said that her Waltz jump (so that is what it is called) is better. At least she is now stable after she landed. He said that she still needed to work on her speed. Otherwise, she would not have the speed to execute the moves. Zzzzzz. 

Well, it looks like I have to be the one to change my expectation. In that way, ice skating more enjoyable for both of us. 

In the afternoon, I brought Lil Isaac to his Taekwondo class and it was a mini disaster. He woke up too early and Popo brought him out at 9ish bcos he was too noisy at home. Ended up, he was tired and became super cranky. He refused to let me to leave the room when the walls are glass and he can see me standing right outside! The teacher insisted that I leave and in fact away from his sight, which resulted in a mega melt down. Fortunately, he did calm down when the real kicking and punching started and was able to join his class after 20 mins of crying. He was super tired after his class and had like a 45 mins nap, a much needed nap to sustain him for the rest of the long afternoon and night at Daddy Lim’s poly gathering. The kids had a blast at the gathering. 

So, all went well but we were all so very tired.

Mummy Lim

AMPED Trampoline Park

Last Sunday, we didn't have program in the evening and decided to head down to a trampoline park. We tried Skyhigh the last time and heard from auntie H that AMPED is much bigger. So what are we waiting for? Hehe.

I had really wanted to try trampoline jumping too. The kids seem to have plenty of fun the last time and they perspired so much and I think I would benefit from the workout. Daddy Lim, like me, was a kid at heart too. He also wanted to try. Haha. We got tickets for 4 and cost us $72! Not a regular weekend fun.

AMPED is definitely bigger than Skyhigh and the air con was working. Skyhigh's air con broke down the last time. Daddy Lim and I had to buy grip socks too. The staff said that it was compulsory but I do see some other adults with normal socks.

Our slot was at 6pm. It started off with a safety briefing of the dos and don't and off we go! We all had fun jumping on the trampoline. .. for 15 mins. Lol.

By the end of the 1st 15 mins, I was exhausted.  Lol. Jumping on the trampoline wasn't tough.  But trying to anything more required some skills. I couldn't even managed the look-so-simple jump-sit-jump stance but ending up straining my neck instead when I attempted.
 Old already lah.

We did survive the full hour but the I did a lot of sitting around and pretend to look after the kids. Lol. Daddy Lim was actually better and enjoyed jumping around from trampoline to trampoline more than I did. The kids had fun monkeying with the parents too.

Well, once is more than enuff. The next time, the kids can go on their own. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Mission

It was after Lil Shauna’s class. We had some time to burn before our next activity. Daddy Lim was in Starbucks enjoying his cuppa. I decided for the kids to go on a “mission”. It is funny how kids love missions and the most dreadful tasks can suddenly become the most exciting when you labeled it as a “mission”. Lol. 

So, the ‘mission” was to do grocery shopping. Popo had instructed for 3 things to be purchased – wet wipes, sponge for washing dish and broccoli. I had clean forgotten about them until I was picking Lil Shauna up from her Chinese class. Rather than dragging the kids to do the boring grocery shopping, it had become an adventure for them.

Lil Shauna was given 2 $10 notes and she squeezed them into her tiny coin pouch. Although they are familiar with JE, I decided that it would be too dangerous for them to be on their own, especially when Lil Isaac was also in his roller shoes yday. The rules of the mission are – pretend mummy wasn't around and nobody falls down. Lol. With the money safely tucked in her pouch, the kids went on their way. 

Starbucks was located on the 2nd floor in JCube. They took the escalator to the 1st floor and… lost their bearings. Lol. Though I was supposed to be invisible, I had to point them to the right direction. The shop was right outside of JCube. Then they couldn't find what they needed to buy at the shop. While Lil Shauna was seriously looking, Lil Isaac was monkeying around. Faint. Mummy had to step in again. Lil Shauna finally paid for the purchases with one of the $10 and almost left without getting her change until I reminded her. Lol. So much for being invisible. Then she struggled to squeeze the change into her pouch and instructed didi to help carry the purchase. Finally, to the 2nd half of the mission.

Again, they couldn't remember where NTUC is. Lol. I pointed them to the right directed and off they went. They also comically decided to carry the plastic bag together despite it being super light. So imagine one kid holding on to one handle of the plastic bag and rolling around. Then Lil Isaac being himself was monkeying and constantly going in a different direction. Lil Shauna was heard calling “didi here, didi there”. Lol.

Broccoli was easy to find but the q for payment was long. They waited in the q and both started monkeying, sitting on the railing that separated 2 cashiers. I stood at the exit watching them, trying my very best to refrain from asking  and heard them singing. Lol. Too cute. Finally it was their turn and Lil Isaac paid for the brocooli using the other $10 note. This time, she did wait for her change but blocked the q while trying again to stuff her change back. Lil Shauna was yelling for didi to help but didi decided to play deaf. 

Finally, they exited NTUC and made their way back to Starbucks. They had no issue this time. Lil Shauna carried all the purchases while Lil Isaac just happily monkeying around all the way. Mission accomplished! Time burnt, Daddy Lim had some quiet time enjoying his coffee, the kids had fun, I enjoyed watching them and chores were done. Hehe.  

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 17

Weekends' mornings are always a struggle with Popo. Sigh.

After a mini mad rush, we got out of the house shortly after the boy woke up. He was fine, he got the Galaxy Tab and he knew that mummy was bringing him for his Taekwondo in the pm. 

The moment we were out of the house, I reminded Lil Shauna of her commitment to try her best in ice skating. She faithfully recited the 3 things that she needed to do "push harder, lift up her arms and look up".

It was a cheery Saturday morning with the usually Mac bfast. It seems like we were off to a good session.

The rink was crowded. I think parents are starting to hear about the free entry for primary school kids. We got our practice though and I had to agree that I didn't have to remind as much as usual. Lil Shauna wasn't too bad. 

Unfortunately, she appeared to forget about all that she had to do the moment she went for her class. I saw Teacher Raymond repeating his instructions over and over again and she appeared to be in her own world, doing things in her own way, forgetting all that she promised or even practiced earlier, even the simple front crossovers that she had been practicing every week. Zzzzz. My blood did boil and I was upset.

After her lesson, Teacher Raymond simply said that she had to practice harder and push harder. I wonder if it is a passing phase and most people go through it. I do hope.

I did show how upset I was to Lil Shauna. It seems that she didn't know that she wasn't doing well. She was even glad that she learnt something new during lesson. Yes, something new but if the moves are not precise, then she will always be "半桶水". I was so upset that I threatened Lil Shauna to stop her ice skating class and to give away her skates. Evil mummy. 

After we left the rink, I sat her down. I told her that I wouldn't be upset if she had really put in her best and yet not achieving. I was upset at her for not trying her best. She is not listening and therefore not learning. I hate how she seems to forget everything the moment she steps into the rink for her class. I asked her again what she wants and she replied that she wanted to be a figure skater in the future. 

I wonder if my hopes are too high, that I am asking too much of her. Maybe I should be the one changing my expectations and let her just have fun... very expensive fun. Then again, if it is solely fun, then I really think we need not commit such time, effort and $$. Haha, can you see me arguing with myself? Hopefully time will help with a decision.

In the afternoon, I exchanged Lil Shauna for Lil Isaac and brought him to his class.  He was so eager. I was standing outside his class watching him the whole time, bcos he gave me strict instructions to. Lol. He was so serious and doing his very best, using very ounce of energy to kick and punch. It was so interesting to watch him. He seemed to have fun too. 

If Lil Shauna is this serious in her ice skating, I probably wouldn't be so upset. Haiz. If what happened to Lil Isaac holds true, it is still possible for Lil Shauna to have fun in ice skating despite trying her very best. Right?

Mummy Lim

First Love

Remembered how I drooled over the girl's vball game last week? I was so full of envy. In fact, I visited a few sports shops, hoping to buy a vball to bring to last Saturday gathering but didn't spot any.

I was so fortunate to be able to turn up for this week's session! Lil Isaac's phonics class was canceled bcos Teacher Steven was traveling. Then, it was PH the following day and the kids didn't have to go to school. What a rare coincidence. Daddy Lim kindly agreed to send us to SHSS. I couldn't hide my excitement when the session was confirmed. Hehe.

We picked Lil Shauna from school, fed her dinner in the car and battled the traffic jam, from the West to the East. The jam was horrible. It seems like the people living in the East are all working in the West and they were all heading back at the same time. People should just live where they work.

After a painful 1 freaking hour drive, we finally reached. I think I would vomit blood if I have to battle this kind of traffic every work day. The travel also cancelled out every tiny bit of hope left in me about frequenting such sessions in the future. We are just too far away. Sigh. Anyway, I was beaming with excitement the moment we alighted. Let's go, go, go!

The kids were happy to meet the C, T, Boo and QQ. They were even happier when they realised that they could get free access to so many vballs. There were more than enough for everybody and there was no need to fight.

While the kids self-entertain, the mummies started warming up. The feel of vball... It was absolutely heavenly. How long has it been since I last touched one? 10 years? The sensation was very real too bcos it was so freaking painful. Haha. But that little bit of pain was totally worth it.

We got to play some sets with the very junior after warming up. Oh boy, they are so good! I got to know that they are 18s and 19s! We doubled their age. They aren't born when we started running around in the court! Interestingly, we somehow still know where to go, how to serve and dig a ball despite the years! The skill isn't lost, just very rusty. Lol. I get to play a lot too bcos the rest of the girls know how rare it is for me to turn up.

The kids grew bored at some point and started creating their own game. Well, so long as they have fun and don't disturb the mummies. Yes, they were hiding under the table and hiding balls. They were all very sweaty and sticky at the end of the session, just like mummies.

Thankfully, Daddy Lim also helped to entertain the kids. Or maybe he was entertaining himself. Lol.

The session ended at about 10pm and we hit the long way home. While in the car, Lil Isaac asked if I won. Like Daddy Lim said, it is not about winning but having fun and you cannot imagine how much fun I had! Even the painful arms are nothing compared to the fun that I had.

This morning, I spotted a blueblack on my arm, another super rare. Since secondary years, my arms could hurt like hell but I am too dark for blueblack to show.

The other part of my arm hurts like hell too, just like the secondary years.

I have been warned that I would be aching all over today. I can feel the muscle ache coming. Still, it is worth it. My first love.

Mummy Lim

Handsome Boy

Lil Isaac called me in the afternoon and asked me if 蔡老师 "app" me. I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I didn't receive anything. I told him that I would check again later.

Some time later, I received this via watsapp.

Ahhh... this must be their graduation  concert costume. This cost us $50. I thought he looked quite smart. I didn't think much of the picture otherwise but noticed that he was holding the class mate's hand. Lol.

When I picked Lil Isaac up in the night, I realised that there is a story behind the picture. Well, the students were indeed trying out the costume but he turned out so handsome that the teachers all wanted to take a picture of him! Some of the other kids even asked how come the teachers were only taking Lil Isacc's picture and not the rest of the kids. Haha.

Well, he really looked not too bad in the picture. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

My Indulgences

Big boy plays big toys. Big girl has expensive indulgence too – travel. Travel is so addictive. It is weird that I don't travel much before the kids arrived. I had been only to a few overseas trips with friends and/ or Daddy Lim. I probably didn't have the extra cash and there were a lot more important things to save up for then. After the kids come along and are old enough to travel, the frequency increased year by year.

In year 2012, we went to Hong Kong in Feb and Korea in Dec. Lil Isaac was still very much a baby during the Hong Kong trip.

In 2013, it was Genting in Mar, Gold Coast in May, Phuket in Oct and Taiwan in Dec - the start of our quarterly travel.

Last year, we went Hong Kong in Mar, Penang in Jun, Europe (Geneva, Paris and London) in Sep and Taiwan in Nov.

This year, we have been to Bangkok in Feb and Ho Chi Minh in Jun. Of course we are not stopping here. We will be heading to Batam with my brother’s family over the Aug long weekend. Then I will be in Geneva for a business trip in end Aug and would be meeting up with ah yee. I am so super excited to see her. In Sep, we would be heading to Bali with the Chan family. Then we would be closing the year with a snow filled holiday in Seoul. Hohoho. This morning, FB reminded me that Scoot has an offer for $2 return ticket! I almost wanted to tell Daddy Lim that we should squeeze in another holiday before we fly off to Seoul. I must be crazy.

I realized that I love traveling bcos it is a break from the otherwise monotonous routine life. For that week or 10 days, there is no need to worry about work, no need to send kids to the weekly enrichment classes and we get to do fun things/ visit new places every day. The kids are happy too to spend so much time with the parents. As time passes, I realized that I started looking forward to holidays and feel irritated all over when there isn’t one in sight. That explains why we now travel every quarter. Do we travel luxuriously? Well, we do spend quite some $$ each time, air tickets and hotel aren’t cheap especially when there are 4 of us. But we don't do 5 star hotel or expensive shopping or fine dining when we travel. We sometime also save $$ by extending some of my work trips into family holidays, like the one to Phuket, Europe and recently to Ho Chi Minh. At least my air ticket is free and we top up for the hotel.

It has been a while since we traveled on a package tour, the last was Seoul. We do a hybrid sometimes, free and easy holiday coupled with a few days of private guided tour depending on destination. I love to google and explore the places that we could visit, reading blogs of families who had previously been to these countries.   

Daddy Lim wasn't such a crazy travel freak. Remember that his ideal holiday is to laze around in the hotel room and watch TV? Well, my influence must be quite great bcos he now agrees whenever I suggest that it is time to go for another holiday. Haha. In fact, he too now looks forward to our holiday. Lalalalala. 

I am so looking forward to the coming holiday. I know that the volcano in Bali spits ash for the last few weeks and disrupted flights but I think things would be OK by Sep. I know that a typhoon wreak havoc in Korea a few days back and MERS is still an issue. I would also like to think that things would be great by the time we visit in Dec. I MUST travel. Haha.

Would the craze to travel quarterly cease? I don't think so. I do yearn for the time where Daddy Lim and I could travel without the kids. Maybe when they are both in upper primary and couldn't care more about not going out with Pappy and Mummy.

Mummy Lim

Classic Moments

I have to record these. Super classic.

Presents

LI: Mummy, I am giving you all these stickers as presents so that you will give me a big present on my bday.

This is what I ended up with. What’s with kids and sticking their stickers on other people? Haha.

YouTube

Lil Isaac had been somewhat addicted to Youtube since the school holidays where he has free access to the iPad. School started and Popo still insisted that we give him the IPad on Monday and Tuesday, when he has no enrichment classes and is home early. We often come home to find him glued to the iPad, watching videos after videos on Youtube. Whenever we complain, Popo will insist that he just started on the iPad, even when the fully charged iPad shows half battery life. I told Popo about the bad language that he has picked up as well as the short attention span. Popo challenged me to lock the Youtube app, confidently thinking that the iPad will still entertain the boy nevertheless. So, I deleted Youtube.

Immediately that Monday, after Popo gave him the iPad, I have the boy calling me on the phone, asking me where is Youtube. I told him that I deleted it and he was fussing over the phone. I stood my ground.

Later in the evening, Lil Isaac said that he has deleted my Korean drama apps bcos I have deleted his Youtube. I thought he was joking only to find out that it was true. Haha. He said that he did it bcos I have deleted his app. Never mind, I can always install it back. Nani nani boo boo.

Call

I called home looking for Popo. Lil Shauna picked up the phone. Popo was out sending the boy to the school bus. I thought I chat with the girl since Popo wasn't available. 

ML: Hi baby, what are you doing?
LS: Talking on the phone with you lah.
ML: Hahahaha.

She made my day.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 16 - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

We had our ice skating class on Saturday. Lil Shauna had her protective gear on and did push harder as compared to previously. I don't think it is bcos of the protective gear but she remembered that she had to. Additionally, she had me beside her, commanding her to turn here, twist there, push harder....

We practice jumping too and again I gave up trying to tell her to jump higher. I felt exhausted and wondered who was more tired - her executing the jump (it we can consider those as jumps) or me yelling and encouraging her to jump bigger and higher. I think it was me.

Lil Shauna didn't learn anything new on Saturday. Teacher Raymond revised the old stuff with her. Without me nagging at her, she appeared to forget about most of the bigger pushes, higher leg, etc. To make things worse, with so much concentration on her legs in the recent weeks, she seemed to have totally forgotten to keep her arms up, thereby affecting her posture and balance. Then she had to keep looking down. Arrggghhh... why are we regressing?

I could sense Teacher Raymond's frustration. Or maybe he wasn't but I was. I watsapped Daddy Lim to complain and told him that maybe we should stop Lil Shauna's classes. These classes aren't cheap and we spent time and efforts on her and with her too. We are not asking her to be a world champion but ice skating is hard work. If she isn't keen to put in hard work, then maybe she should stop taking lessons and skate occasionally for leisure. I think I was somewhat disappointed that Lil Shauna isn't putting in as much effort as I expected her to, given the time and money put in for her. She must want to make it happen.

After class, I sat her down and spoke to her sternly. I reminded her about the hard work involved and told her about my thought of stopping her lessons. I can't be the only one doing my very best but she doesn't seem to put in equal efforts. Lil Shauna expressed that she wanted to continue. She said that she wanted to be an ice skater when she grows up and even teared at the end of the conversation.  I wasn't fierce and didn't scold her but just had a very stern conversation with her, something that I rarely do.

I think it is great that she has renewed commitment. I hope she would do better next week. Let's see how it goes before we decide on the next step.

Mummy Lim

Lazy Sunday Morning

There is no Sunday school this morning.We woke up at 8ish. Lil Isaac bugged me to play with him. I managed to shake him off for enuff time to drink my morning coffee in peace. They know that I need the coffee to function. They watched a little TV while waiting and found  Puss in Boots on TV. This is the 1st time that we caught it and all enjoyed the show.

Then, we started with some hot wheels racing. I got bored and suggested that we fixed up some of the mini lego set. We had so many sets and they are all jumbled up now. We were at it for at least 1 hour before I gave up. My eyes were so tired trying to look for those mini pieces. And my back! The kids then switched to make believe with whatever lego that they had fixed. I cleaned up the toys corner, throwing away bags of broken/ missing parts/ super old toys that the kids no longer play.

Suddenly, I realised how luxurious are such slow and relaxed Sunday mornings. I guess I should slow down my pace a little.

Mummy Lim

Unusual Thursday Night

The rink had a last public skating session at 7.30pm last night. I don't remember the rink opening till this late on weekdays. Anyway, I had wanted to buy the protective gear that Teacher Raymond recommended for Shauna. Hopefully, it would help her to push harder. We took the opportunity to buy the gear last night and since primary school kids skate free in July, we headed down to the rink to try out the gear. Lil Isaac happened to have his phonics class in JE too – perfect timing.

This is how the gear looks like, worn like a pair of shorts. It protects the hip as well as the tailbone. Lil Shauna wore a legging over the gear and then a dress to further camouflage. 

So, did it help? I don't know and she didn't as well. Lol. She did fall once and said that it was still painful bcos she happened to land exactly at the part that is not padded. Win already. She did stroke a lot harder last night and lift up her legs a little bit more and she looked great. Then, she had to forget to hold her arms in place. It is like she takes one step forward but 2 steps back. Zzzzz. But we focus mainly on getting her to stroke harder last night and mission was accomplished.

Towards the end, we practice her new learnt jump with arm movements complete. It was a nightmare. She was probably tired and definitely fearful. We spent at least 15 mins and we didn't get a single jump that I was satisfied with. It was either a wrong hand movement or jump so small that an ant couldn't pass underneath it. Zzzzz. I was so tired from telling her to swing her arms and jump. We gave up and left. Obviously that protective gear didn't help in this instance. Lil Shauna was very keen to try to fall down and see if her butt hurts though. Lol.

Let’s hope that the practice on Saturday would be better. 

While we practice hard on the ice, some of the SHSS gang was sweating out on the court. There was a practice session last night in SHSS and some of the really old girls joined. Haha. The pictures sent over were so good. 

I never lament much about staying in JW. But last night I did. Of course I could drive there and back but too much traveling time for that little bit of play on a school day night. Let’s hope that there would be more opportunity in the future. I want to touch vball!

Mummy Lim

Happy

Lil Shauna declared. "Today I am very happy. So I bought something."

What!??! Sound like an excuse to buy things instead. She has already bought something on Monday and had used up her quota.

Don't know to cry or to laugh.

Mummy Lim

Tired

I cant remember if it was 2 weeks back or 3. I started feeling both mentally and emotionally tired. I tried pressing on and ended up physically tired too. I couldn't tell if weekdays or weekends were better. Weekdays are away from kids but it is mad rush in the office and thereafter the fixed routine until the kids go to bed. Bcos I was so tired, I ended up dozing off too while tucking the kids in. The physically rest didn't help much despite sleeping sufficiently. Ok, I admit that there were some late nights too when I got lured by the iPad. When it comes to weekends, Daddy Lim would be in the office for at least half a day or more. Popo did help but also added on to my pain, depending on how bad her mood is. Many times, I felt that I was alone, struggling with the kids, lugging them around until Daddy Lim comes and shared the “burden”. Seriously, it probably wasn't so bad in reality, but I felt that way, wallowing in self-pity.

It became so bad that my patience was paper thin. I thought I became super forgetful too, though I am not sure if there was any linkage. Then Friday came and so did Murphy’s law. Ended up, I was so impatience at times that I wanted to shout at the kids or anyone that doesn't do what I say and I only wanted to say things once. Period. To contain that urge, I used up all my remaining energy and ended up not wanting to speak at all. I wasn't interested.

Fortunately, I made myself talked to Daddy Lim on Saturday night. It really helps. I told him that I so wanted to be alone and have some peace. I never knew I could value silence so much. He tried to tuck the kids in that night so that I could have that little bit of me time but it didn't work. Lil Isaac stuck to me like glue. But his efforts comforted me more than words.

I was definitely feeling better on Sunday morning. I contemplated skipping church bcos I dread the idea of taking the train with the 2 noisy kids and then a sticky boy who didn't want to be alone in Sunday school. We eventually went ahead and it wasn't so bad. To make it even sweeter, Daddy Lim left work early and pick us up from church! Traveling in the comfort of the car and an extra pair of hands to help man the kids – such small comforts but they made such great differences to me.  

Daddy Lim really did try. We met the Chan family at the Sentosa beach in the late afternoon and he was soaking in the sea with the kids, giving me the opportunity to stone in the shade. Side tracking - there were so many gorgeous ang mos at the beach on Sunday. I almost thought that I was in Gold Coast or something. They were all super skinny and tone with washboard abs. *whisper* We barely saw any Singaporeans, who are easily recognizable bcos only the kids and the daddy would be in the swim wear, those all covered up kind to fight UV rays and the rest would be in T-shirt and shorts like us. While the ang mos sip beer and sunbath, the Singaporeans would be munching tidbits and hiding in the shade. Haha. 

Auntie H took this picture of us. I thought it was super serene. Upon closer look, I realized that we were both looking at those super skinny bikini babes walking on the beach and not at our kids. Haha.

On Monday evening, we had like 30 mins before it was time to pick Lil Shauna up from the school bus and Daddy Lim invited me to a coffee. Though it was just McCafe but it was good enuff for me. And I finally could redeem my free coffee after so many cuppas. Hohoho.

The simple joys in life. I guessed that is what sustain marriage life as well, the willing to share and support. Muaks bb.

Mummy Lim

Growing

Lil Shauna looked rounder after the school holidays.  She is definitely well fed. Other than the proper meals, she had access to endless supply of snacks by Popo. Haiz. She definitely takes after me. Her limbs are skinny but that tummy... ooooo.... what is she hiding in there? Aiya, why didn't she take over the better genes?

I was hoping that it would help now that school has started. It hasn't, not when Popo offered her 2 mini ice cream after dinner and duno what else before school. Zzzzz.

Before bed, we were trying out attire for ice skating this Saturday, something that would cover the protective gear that we are going to invest in. We tried a few pairs of leggings that she hadn't wore for some time and she complained that I was trying to suffocate her thighs. Zzzz. We tried a few dresses over a finally-comfortable legging and the dresses suddenly grew shorter but the real issue was around the waist. She seriously looked like a bah chang. There wasnt space for even an ant to crawl through. Eventually, we settled for this. She hates both the dress and legging but has no other option without looking ridiculous (like some pom pom skirt and a tight top that show off her tummy) and chubby. The dark color must have helped.

It must be time for shopping. Just 2 weeks back, I bought her 4 much bigger and looser tops to replace those tiny ones that totally show off her tummy. Looks like we need new dresses too. 衣服本来刚刚好....

She must stop those snacking.

Mummy Lim

Taekwondo

Lil Isaac attended the trial class a few weeks back. Then something-must-happened every Saturday afternoon and we only managed to bring him back for class last Saturday afternoon.

He was super excited. He had to stay at home in the morning while mummy took jiejie for ice skating. I "exchanged" Lil Shauna for the boy in the afternoon and took the MRT with him to Clementi.  There is a free shuttle bus to West Coast Plaza (WCP) but we didn't quite know where to board and ended taking public bus to WCP. It wasn't so bad.

We arrived 20 mins earlier and had a hard time trying to tell the teacher (Master) that we were there to start class. He couldn't understand English very well and the baby class was taking place with super loud music. I was super relief when he finally understood me. We paid $140 for 4 lessons a month. While I was trying to communicate with the Master, Lil Isaac was pestering me to buy him the uniform. He eventually got what he wanted and lesson started shortly.

They started with stretching.

The little boy didn't quite know what was happening at times. The Master leading the warm up was a handsome, young Korean chap. At times, he was styling his hair  and Lil Isaac followed, thinking that it was part of the routine! Too funny. They did plank somemore.

Then they had a game, running away from a big bouncing ball. They had great fun! Finally, it was real Taekwondo. Lil Isaac hasn't figured out "control". In his mind, it is still about jumping as fast and high and he looked seriously messy.

Anyway, he had fun. After class, we took the fun shuttle bus back to Clementi and then the MRT to JE to join jiejie. The journey back was a little tiring. Overall, it was great and he is looking forward to the next lesson. Yeah!

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 15

I sent her skates for sharpening on Tuesday evening. We were supposed to pick them up on Friday so that Lil Shauna could use them on Saturday. I forgot about the skates clean... By the time I remembered on Friday, it was almost 9pm. We called the mobile number that we found on the shop website but it rang out. Arrggghhh, I was so upset at my scattered brain.

On Saturday morning, we were up early but didn't manage to leave the house before Lil Isaac was up bcos Daddy Lim plugged my phone in the night before but did not turn on the switch. Popo was irritated that we took so long to get out of the house. I had to charge the phone before I could leave. Haiz.. what the....

We had bfast and went to the rink. This month, all primary school kids skate for free. The rink wasn't as crowded as when poly and ite students get to skate for free. I think it is bcos primary kids need their parents to bring them and many parents aren't aware or are just lazy. Haha. Unlike older kids who are independent and words pass around quickly too.

We still entered the rink on time and I managed to call the shop owner, Teacher Sally, who said that they would arrive at about 11am.  Lil Shauna didn't want to practice in rented skates and so we waited. We finally picked up the skates and by the time we were in the rink, we had about 45 mins left to practice before class.

It was the usual drill. Lil Shauna didn't have a lot of time to practice much. We had been working on the bunny hop and jump at home on land. It did work and Lil Shauna could bunny hop so much better and higher last Saturday.  She could surprisingly do her jump too, though she jumped barely off the ice. Lol. I had to constantly remind her to do bigger movements and she was not bad at times when she remembered. But we have a long way to go. She isn't "natural" like some of the talented young skaters are. Sigh.

Class went well. The only new thing that she learnt was to include the hands swinging to complete the jump. She seemed to have plenty of fun during class too, smiling and giggling away.

After class, Teacher Raymond asked us to bring Lil Shauna for cycling or jogging etc to strength her legs. Just as I expected, she didn't push hard enuff and as a result, didn't have the speed to do many of the moves. Teacher Raymond said that Lil Shauna learnt quite fast but the lack of speed is hindering her. I totally agreed. Lil Shauna is probably fearful of falls and therefore not pushing as hard. He suggested for protective gear. It doesn't really protect, but add as a psychological aid to overcome the fear. The gear that is wore like a shorts to protect the butt and hip coat $88! Zzzzz.

I told Lil Shauna about the conversation that I had with Teacher Raymond and asked her if she is not pushing hard enuff due to lack of strength or fear. After some thought, she said that it is fear. She seemed to accept the offer of the protective gear after some persuasion. That is also if we pair it with a nice skirt and leggings so that the gear isn't visible to the public.  She doesn't to be seen with a big bum. Haha.

That would be what we would be doing this week. I really hope that the gear would help her psychological. I will know the power of my $88 this Saturday.

Mummy Lim

Shopping Queen

In the very 1st week of primary school, after the "buddy system" had ended, Lil Shauna went without food during recess for a couple of days. Without the senior's help, she didn't dare to buy food. She said that the q was way too long and she didn't have enough time to q and eat.

To make sure that she doesn't go hungry, Popo started packing food for her. We still give her a daily allowance, just in case she needed to buy food or a drink. For months, she had been packing food to school. She did grow bolder and occasionally bought some drinks, ice cream and snacks.  But those remain occasionally.

I had been encouraging her to buy her lunch. She still prefer to keep to her safe packed lunch. So, I encouraged her to try the bookshop, thinking that if she dares to buy things from the bookshop, buying food would come naturally. Again, it took her months before I finally saw her 1st purchase, which was some cheap and lousy toy. I bet the bookshop from plenty of those. Lil Shauna said that she didn't rarely have enuff time to visit the bookshop after her lunch.

I believed her and thought that it must be miserable to have such a short recess until.... new pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, colour pencils and weird whatever started appearing very frequently. Lil Shauna seems to be having some kind of shopping spree very other day. It was so bad until I had to give her boundary - no more than 1 purchase from the bookshop a week. I mean, how many pens/ pencils/ erasers does she need? That was towards the end of the last semester.

School just reopened on Monday. Lil Shauna still packs lunch to school but is now brave enough to buy drinks and snacks on a few days out of the week. And she went back to her shopping spree, totally forgetting the boundary that I had set. On Monday, she bought a notepad. I reminded her that she had reached her quota for the week. On Tuesday, she brought home a fan and lied that it was a gift from her friend! She confessed eventually. Yday, she bought a mini pen but gave it to me and claimed that it was a gift for me. I don't know how to fault her for that.

Sigh, I shouldn't have encouraged her to head to the bookshop. Zzzzz. I also wonder how much allowance does Popo give her. Like all grandparents, she dotes on the princess and thinks that it is no big deal to do a little shopping at the bookshop. It is after all "not expensive". I hope it is a passing phase and she grows out of it. But I didn't, shopping is always good. Haha.

Mummy Lim