Flying Off in a Bit

Yes, we are flying off in a bit. The 14 hours journey to faraway Geneva. The kids are so excited and had been talking about it the whole day. We have packed last minute shopping, rollerblading and scooting, making sure that we tired the kids out.

Now at the airport, the kids are using the last bit of their energy running around at the playground. I love Changi airport and their big playgrounds.

The parents?

Eye powering the kids over coffee. I hope we all get some sleep today. I have a super long day tomorrow and hopefully I dun fall asleep during the meeting. Bye Singapore, hi ah yee, here we come.

Mummy Lim

Level 2 Test

It was an adventure this morning. Lil Shauna and I crept out of bed and into the master bedroom this early morning. I had intentionally slept with the kids last night so that Lil Isaac wouldn't end up in my room in the middle of the night. We had been quite lucky for the previous times but something just nudged me to lock the bedroom door this morning. I have never done so the previous times. Not too long after, somebody was trying to open the door. Phew. Then I heard the little boy asking Popo where jiejie was and Popo helped by luring the little boy back to the room and closed the door loudly to let me know that the course was clear.

We got out of the house in record time. It was so fast that we still have messy hair and half-awake look. Lol.

Today is the last of the 4 lessons for the level 2 class and it is the test day. Unlike Level 1 that was so easy, Lil Shauna was actually anxious. Then she told me that her teacher told her that she will need to repeat the class if she fails. Zzzzz… The $$, time and effort spent flashes across my eyes and I felt faint. Lol.

Lil Shauna was still as excited to start class and was all ready, waiting for her teacher to arrive.

Lil Shauna has to be able to do all the following:
1. Forward 1 foot glide in a straight line (left and right foot);
2. Forward stroking (6 consecutive strokes);
3. Snowplow stop;
4. Stationary 2 foot turn;
5. Backward swizzles (6 consecutive);
6. Backward skating with glide and with “C-push”; and
7. Two foot hop (stationary).

I think I was more anxious than Lil Shauna while watching her performed. She could do most of them fairly well except for the snowplow stop and backward C-push glide. When she fumbled on those, I half-believed that my $$ flew away. I also realized that she improved a lot as compared to the 1st lesson. I am not sure if she had improved progressively (bcos PY jiejie took her for 2 classes) or the new skates gave her magic powers. Lol.  The results?

We passed! I was so happy and proud of our little girl. I think I was happier than her. Hohoho.

I got a chance to speak to her teacher who commented that Lil Shauna has to work on her snowplow stop. They aren’t that effective to stop her. She also has to practice a lot on her one foot glide as moving on, almost all movements will be on one foot or the other and so balance will become so important. Her teacher also said that she has to use more strength. Lil Shauna was like so gentle on the ice – not graceful but so gentle. 

We went back to the rink to skate and practice after the lesson. I tried the snowplow stop and the C-push glide myself and they are really tough. By the way, I haven’t mastered the snowplow stop. Then I realized that my standard is probably at level 2, which will mean that Lil Shauna will very much be on her own moving on. Mummy can only help so much. 

So what is next? Her next class will probably be weekend classes and will start in mid October after we come back from Europe. We would have to bring her to the rink for a little practice before we start level 3. In the meantime, mummy will have to go look at Youtube and figure out how exactly this snowplow stop works.

Mummy Lim 

Level 2 Lesson 2 and 3

PY jiejie brought Lil Shauna for her skating class yday and today and I bet things went very well. I hope I didn't scare PY with the truckload of instructions that I gave her via watsapp. Too bad that I am a mother and I have so much to tell her, from the directions to our home, what happened at what time, to what she should do. I tell you, the list was awfully long and even I felt a little embarrassed at how nagging I was. Still, a mother has to do her job.

Yday, I was a little more uptight and sent a few message to find out how things went and also a little reminder her and there. Things went fine and Lil Shauna was back with Popo safe and sound. 

When I saw her in the night, Lil Shauna was chatty, telling us how she chatted and skated with PY jiejie, what they did and stuff. I am so glad that things went well and that I found a babysitter who not only brought Lil Shauna to the destination and even go hamster-round-the-rink skate with Lil Shauna. Most importantly, they clicked. Hehe. 

Some days ago, we also placed an order for personal skates for Lil Shauna. The rental ones are hard and worn. They hurt her feet and we have to resort to plasters to minimize the friction. Lil Shauna has been asking when she would get her new skates and the skates were finally here. Daddy Lim went on a date with his little girl last night and brought the new skates for his princess. It was a different model that the shop used to carry but they are still pink and the princess is therefore happy. The skates and the accessories set us back by $200. Ouch, I hope the little girl stays committed to her interest.

PY jiejie brought Lil Shauna to class again today and though I am less uptight, I still bombarded her with a whole list of instructions. Well, Lil Shauna has new skates and they need special care! Then again, I was very nice. I at least didn't check on PY to make sure that she stuck 100% to the instructions. What matter most is that Lil Shauna is safe and sound at the end of the day and she is.

I think they had more fun today. They didn't leave the rink until the end of session at 12.30pm when I told PY that they could leave anytime near to 12 noon, depending on how tired Lil Shauna is. Maybe Lil Shauna found friends to skate with today.

Overall, the experience was great. It will be my turn tomorrow and I cant wait to see all the new skills that Lil Shauna has picked up. The teacher is supposed to assess Lil Shauna and judge if she can pass the level 2. I am quite sure she can do the usual skating and the backward swizzle but beyond that, I am not sure about the other new tricks. I also duno how it works or what happens if she is not competent to pass. Does she need to retake the level? 

I am so excited to see her proceed to level 3 and I think that will happen sometime in October. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Level 2 Lesson 1

So, we did sign Lil Shauna up for the holiday program eventually and we also engaged PY jiejie to babysit Lil Shauna for the Tuesday and Wednesday class. I took half day leave to bring her to class yday and will be doing so on Thursday.

It was again “let’s-crept-out-of-the-house” day while Lil Isaac was still in lala land and we were successful but very early. We indulged in the usual MacDonalds bfast and I get to read my Straits Time in super speed before we proceed for her class. This has sort of become a routine that Lil Shauna no longer seems excited at the act. Lol.

Teacher Sally, who is also the owner of the skate shop outside of the rink, was her instructor this time. I think she is very experienced. She looks like a lady in her 50s and I saw her usually conducting the more advance level and figure skating classes. She also has pictures of her and her winning students (I assumed) stuck on the glass window of her shop. The best thing? Though she’s not young and cutsy like Lil Shauna’s previous instructors, she is gentle, warm and very smiley. 

I didn't take many pictures this time. They all looked about the same each class. Lol. The lessons were definitely more difficult this round. They started off with the basics and then learnt how to shift weight from one foot to another and lifting the other foot up. She did that too in level 1 class but this time, they were trying to balance on one foot to the count of 3 before shuffling and shifting their weight. That wasn't too tough.

The 2nd thing that they learnt was a backward swizzle. It is simply making an oval shape, starting by creating an “A” shape and ending with a “V” shape using the skates. This makes them move backwards. Lil Shauna learnt the forward swizzle previously. She did fine but was making such a small oval and wasn't moving very much and I have to keep reminding her to make a bigger oval. 

Moving on, they combined a backward swizzle and then shifting one foot in before the swizzle closes. Then they repeat the swizzle and shift the other foot in this time. If done smoothly, it makes them skates backwards. Lil Shauna had some trouble with this one bcos her swizzles were so small that she barely has space to bring her foot in but nothing that super mummy cant solve. The lesson left her much more tired than the previous classes bcos there was a lot of control needed and strength to do the balancing and swizzling.

We did the usual free skate after her lesson and practice the backward swizzles and the skating backwards a lot. It was pretty fun and even I had a good time trying to practice the new tricks. Lil Shauna wasn't that fantastic with the backward skating but managed to grasp the concepts. I think she just needed much more practicing. 

After all these times spent at the skating rink, I have seen so many independent kids skating alone, maids skating with their charges and also parents who took skating classes together with their kids. Yday, I saw some parents doing that too and I was tempted. Maybe I should learn how to ice skate properly with Lil Shauna? Hehe. On the other hand, we have been trying our best to prevent bringing Lil Isaac to the rink bcos it is so expensive. The next time that he joins jiejie in the rink, he will be surprised at how well jiejie can skates and will get awfully upset again, just like rollerblading now. The skating classes accept kids from 6 YO and it is important bcos they need the kids to be able to listen and take instructions. In Lil Shauna’s class, there is this boy who is constantly in his own world. The instructor has 7 other kids to look out for and is unable to constantly watch out for “rebels”. The boy is then often left on his own, which I guessed is fair given that it is a group class. I bet Lil Isaac would be like that. Haha.

PY jiejie is taking Lil Shauna for her class today and I think things went fairly well.

Mummy Lim

Funny Things that Happened on Sunday

Apple Core
DL: The bird wanted to eat the apple core.
LS: What is that?
DL: An apple core.... (explains)
LS: I thought the apple wanted to talk to the apple and so it "calls" the apple.

Shoes
Lil Shauna outgrew her running shoes and we brought her to IMM to get a new pair. Lil Shauna said that she didn't want running shoes with a "tick". Haha. So, we got her new shoes with a "N".

Fight?
We were rollerblading in the evening. Lil Isaac had a slip and Daddy Lim managed to catch him before he fell too badly. The end?

Don't worry. He didn't hurt himself nor got into a fight. At that instant that he slipped, he had a nose bled. He had a bad fright though, especially when jiejie was exclaiming how much blood he had. Lol.

He was very much fine and the bleeding stops a short while later. We do look like bad parents who let their son fell very badly though. :p

Mummy Lim

Aeon

We were told by the ICA officer to bring along the old ppts when we exit Singapore for the 1st time using the new ppts. We didn't want to bring the old ppts to Europe. Theft risk aside, it would be a hassle to bring so many ppts.  So we decided to run in the ppts via a trip to M'sia.  We heard about this fantastic mega shopping mall in JB from my brother. It is not too far away and they had been there quite a few times. Coincidentally, they were keen to make the trip too and we dated to go yday after Lil Shauna's phonics class. The intention was to go for dinner and some shopping before heading back.

The traffic at the custom was pathetic. I think we chose the wrong timing. It was the time that hoards of M'sians return home after work. We were stuck at the custom for at least over an hour. The kids were excited and impatient, which is a horrible combination and the "are we there yet" question came up like 100x.

Aeon wasn't too far from Singapore. We went past LegoLand, which got the kids very excited. By the time we arrived at the shopping mall, it was dinner time and we had this Korean food based on my bro's recommendation. Oh my, it was so good and reminded me of the times we had in Korea.  Daddy Lim was so happy. He loves BBQ meat.

The side dishes were like free flow. We ordered so much food and it was so good that I ate a lot even when I wasn't hungry (read: diet plan out of the window). I was bursting at the end of dinner. I haven't felt this full for ages.

It was already 8pm by the time we started shopping. Given that we spent in ringgit,  almost everything seems so cheap. The kids went crazy at the arcade and then shopping for a toy. We then head to the supermart for cheap groceries. It was almost 10 pm when we started to make our way back.

We were luckily that there was only a small jam at the M'sia custom and smooth flow at the Singapore one. We reached home at close to 11 pm and sleep was so easy. I had made a mental note to pack for the Europe trip after the kids sleep and of course it didn't happen. Lol.

I guessed we could go to Aeon again. We need more time. I was so lured to shop but no time. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating Class 5

Today is the last of Lil Shauna's level 1 ice skating class and we sneaked out of the house again. I was initially worried bcos Lil Isaac was stirring. It is so heartless to shake off a crying kid. We got ready in super speed and as quietly as possible. This was Lil Shauna pretending to be a mouse. Haha.

Lil Shauna led the way to the MRT and to JCube. I was training her to lead the way when PY jiejie takes over next Tuesday.

We started the day with the usual Mac bfast and it was heavenly.

As usual, the girl was eager for her class.

Did you realise that she always wear the same clothes? We have so little of cold weather clothes to begin with and Popo always pack the same thing. Haha.

This class was supposed to be the test but didn't appear any difference from usual and I presumed Lil Shauna passed since she can skate and already gotten the green light to proceed to level 2.

Mummy Lim

Paying for Beauty

Many years back, I made a realization that the C shoes were evolving and their makers seem to have placed stylishness over comfort. The retail prices also spiral upwards as they gained popularity. The last few pairs of C shoes that I had weren’t comfortable and I stayed away. I figured out that it wasn't worth paying that much for style but lack of comfort. Over the years, I admit that their shoes are really getting better and nicer in style but I always managed to hold back the moment I tried to squeeze my poor foot into their display shoes.

Impulse buying is not good. Unfortunately, it takes place from time to time. Just that day, I was in need of some serious retail therapy and the C shop was literally calling out my name and I got lured in. I was dazzled by the lines and lines of beautiful shoes and I heart this particular pair of heels and it was on 50% discount! I was also amazed at how professional and helpful the sales are. This particular lady who served me in went in and out of the storeroom to retrieve the different sizes and recommended padding to help defy loose shoes for comfort. The shoes look great on me. Under time pressure (I was rushing for to another appointment), guiltiness towards the sales (if I do leave empty handed/ feet-ed), the need for retail therapy and the lure of 50% discount, I became illogical and succumbed to temptations.

It had been at least 2 weeks since I bought the shoes and I didn't have the opportunity to wear them given the height of the heels – they are “flower vase” shoes more than walking shoes. I finally found the opportunity today. I have a late call and Daddy Lim will be fetching the kids. Thus, I will be in the office the whole day, meaning that there would be little need to walk much. 

The shoes look great!

But they hurt my feet damn bloody badly. I felt my toes were being squashed together the moment I tried to put on the shoes. By the time I sat down in my office chair, which didn't entail much walking, my feet were screaming bloody murder. A few more walk to the pantry and I can feel raw spots growing on my feet given the friction. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

I am still hoping that with a few more wears, the shoes will become more season and more comfortable. I really like the design of the shoes. Moving on, pls remind me to stay away from their shoes. What are their designers thinking about?

Mummy Lim

Preparations

Preparation 1
I have started to check off the kids’ clothes for the trip and stuff them into the respective bags. I ended up with 4 bags of clothes and those are only for the kids. I think if there is not enough space, the adults can just brave the cold.

Preparation 2
Ah yee has been urging us to speak via skype to the babysitter. She thinks that it sort of confirms the babysitter’s commitment and minimizes the possibility of no-show on that day. Oh gosh, the thought of no-show gives me cold feet. It also allows us to gauge her English proficiency. Funnily, ah yee also asked us to see if she looks anywhere near a drug addict or robber!? Lol.

We had arranged to chat with her over skype at 10pm last night. It was a great idea to chat after the kids sleep. We wouldn't want the kids to scare her away from the assignment. Haha. For some reasons, there were some miscommunications and I didn't hear from her at 10pm and not until almost 10.45pm. Luckily ah yee was also home at that time and helped to locate her via skype. I really cannot make it when it comes to technology.

 She spoke OK English but had troubles understanding me. I bet I speak with a weird accent to her. We nailed down the date and time and eventually decided that it would be better to communicate via email. Oh, by the way, she’s only 19 years old, young and pretty. Daddy Lim should thank ah yee for finding us such a lovely babysitter for the day. ;p 

I have to send her an email soon to confirm the details. Ah yee has given me a checklist of what to email her and get her confirmation. Things are looking good. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Counting Down

This is so exciting. We are 12 days away from flying off to Geneva-Paris-London. The to-bring list is almost ready but will never be complete bcos there will always be another item that maybe we should bring. LOL. But at least the crucial items are in. We will be bringing a whole bag of foodstuff to ah yee. That bag is already stuffed to the brim and we still have 2 more items to squeeze in. I have to make a mental note to myself to stop buying extras.

I have started to set aside the clothes especially for the kids. The clothes are generally long sleeves and pants that they do not wear normally. I am amazed at the huge pile, that is still growing and wonder if I could magically squeezed everything into the 2 luggage. We would be on our own half the time and figured out that 2 luggage plus 1 bag pack is the maximum that we could handle without losing the kids while transiting. 

Daddy Lim was telling me yday that the temperatures in Geneva, Paris and London were hovering around 20 degrees and we wonder how much colder it would be 2 weeks down the road. 

The kids are excited too. Lil Shauna has drawn her own count-down calendar and strikes off a day every night. The calendar is not accurate though – she sometimes forgot to strike off and sometimes strikes off 2 days bcos she forgot that she had done so. Lol. I cant tell how excited Lil Isaac is. I guess he is too bcos we all are. 

Soon, it would be time to start putting the stuff into the luggage. Oh, we better start reminding the kids how long the flight journey is, though I have repeated myself like a million times. I am quite sure we will survive with the in-flight entertainment and the kids will probably sleep – much better than the adults. I shall worry about the coming back when we are there. Hehehe.

Mummy Lim