Ice Skating Lesson 10

We had ice skating on Saturday morning. Daddy Lim was off bcos of Lil Shauna's bday party in the evening. So, we all sneaked out of the house at 7ish.  Hohoho. I heard that the tiger slept until 9am.

We had bfast at JP. Then grocery shopping for drinks and snacks for the party.

You can tell that Lil Shauna is enjoying the attention, right?

Daddy Lim was with us at the rink. However, instead of skating, he found himself a nice corner and was looking very comfortable while Lil Shauna practised her usual moves.

Lil Shauna was quite on form and when she did raise that leg higher than usual, she looked great.  Still, I went like a broken recorder, "arms up, head up, big movement, hold it there". Before she went for the class, I reminded her to raise her arms, heads and don't be shy. To that she replied that she would try for the arms and head but cannot not be shy. Win already.

When class started, she didn't seem to remember all that I had been telling her. Zzzzz. She didn't learn new moves but practised what were taught 2 weeks back in attempt to master them. By the end of the class, she was so tired that she didn't even have the energy to put the guards back on her skates. Teacher Raymond commented that she is making improvements but needed plenty of reminders. Oh ya, tell me about it.

We have classes on alternate week this month to help save my pocket a little. We should be back next week to practice. Hard work indeed. Daddy Lim saw Lil Shauna at class and commented that our girl wasn't hard working enough. He even asked me not to put too high hopes on her. Pui! But ice skating is really hard work. I saw this little girl (probably 5 or 6) who could already do jumps practising really hard and her mum sternly told her to practise a few more times before they left the ice. Then another girl was doing the same drill over and over again on her own. She fell and got up many times. There are quite some really good young figure skaters and these are also the ones whom I always see every week and very are disciplined. I wonder if our Lil Shauna would get there one day.

Mummy Lim

Gaining Height

There was a period of time that I wore heels to work. However, I prefer flats bcos flats are definitely much more comfortable.  Recently, I had been lazy and my heels are safely tucked in one corner of the shoe cabinet. It is tough to find comfortable heels. I can cope with walking around the office in heels; my feet get plenty of rest when I sit cross-legged at my desk. Haha. It is the after work that kills my feet. I cannot imagine having to wear heels to walk around JP or wherever for dinner and grocery shopping. Ouch!  

Actually I like being tall and a pair of heels adds so much difference to the overall dressing effect. So, I have decided that I would start wearing heels again, while keeping a pair of nice comfortable flats in the car – Auntie H’s suggestion. Day 1 works out not too bad. I love this pair of blue suede heels just that they aren’t the most comfortable pair to slip on. I survived very well and changed into my flats to walk around Clementi while waiting for Lil Shauna to finish her class. 

On day 2, I grew at least 10cm. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Next Destination

I will be in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) for an one-day business trip in June. I have never been to Vietnam. It was then decided that we would make it into a family holiday. Haha. Happy.

This isn’t the 1st time that we have done so. We tried with the Phuket business trip and subsequently with the Geneva one. When we do that, it either feels too much to be a business trip and I ended up not planning much like the Phuket trip or I am too focused on the holiday part and couldn't wait for work to be over.

Given that it is the school holidays, we have decided to spend longer time in HCMC – 7 days. It doesn't normally take so long to see the city. Usually people travel out of HCMC, but anywhere out would take hours of car rides and our kids aren’t great with long car rides. Car rides out would also mean car rides back in as we would be flying home from HCMC. It would just have to be a slower holiday. Luckily we have a good hotel with a swimming pool. We will just throw the kids in the pool to soak. 

Popo probably had a great time during the last Taiwan trip. She had asked to tag along. Daddy Lim decided to ask Nainai too. This would be the 1st ever trip that we would be bringing the 2 mums. Popo hit it off with Auntie S’ mummy during the Taiwan trip. Auntie S’ mummy was full of positive vibes and Popo was influenced, which made me worried for this trip. HCMC is probably less advance than Taiwan. It would be hot and wet. If Popo is negative, Naiani isn’t far off. Nainai is also super dependent. Anyway, too late to regret – air tickets bought, hotel booked.

We have planned for a private tour to the ecological park, which cost a bomb. We would be doing a free walking tour with a local student. Daddy Lim would bring the kids to an indoor playground and probably throw in some swimming on the day that I had to work. We would be visiting a theme park and would likely leave the mums behind – our hotel seems to come with slot machines and that should keep Popo entertained. Nainai can tag with us if she is keen or just chill in the hotel. The theme park would be hot and wet. In BKK, Nainai tagged along and I could see her suffering in the theme park. Oopsy. There would of course be shopping to be done. They have big nice markets in HCMC, just dependent on how long our kids could take shopping trips. I also thought of picnic in the park. There is a big park very near to our hotel. A cruise dinner sounds nice too and I was trying to book one online until Uncle C told us that no booking is needed – just walk along the Siagon river and hop on to whichever boat that doesn't look that it would sink. Win already.

There would still be plenty of empty slots in our itinerary. I hope our hotel comes with a nice bathtub and nice TV programs. Lol.

Mummy Lim 

Not so Well

We didn't have ice skating class on Saturday and missed practice bcos the kids attended an egg-citing easter party in church. We invited boo and Lil Isaac didn't cry despite no mummy. He was in the same group as boo and had a blasting great time. The same Sunday school uncles and aunties were helping out. We went to church again yday for Sunday school. This time, the boy got all teary and started crying when I wanted to leave the class. Zzzzz. I didn't get to leave Sunday school.

Lil Shauna was cool about no class or practice. I was the one feeling bad about it. We went back to the ice yday evening. It was great that the whole rink was opened (some sessions, a third is barricaded off for classes) but there were an awful lot of people. This time slot is usually quieter, but not yday.  There were still space to skate but the ice was constantly wet. I do hope that it would be less crowded when Lil Shauna has her bday party at the rink this coming Saturday at the same time slot.

We took a long rest in between, hoping that people would start leaving. 

The rink was a little better towards the end but still wet. We left to meet up with Daddy Lim and Lil Isaac at 7 pm. 

So, while we were on the ice, Daddy Lim and the boy caught Avengers. We were worried that the boy would get bored given that it is not an animation and it is a long show. However, Lil Isaac was all excited when I told him that he would be going for a movie with Daddy Lim. Being very boy, superheros and fighting sit very well with him. He enjoyed the trailer very much too.

They survived the show but Daddy Lim complained that Lil Isaac talked too much. Haha. Lil Isaac didn't quite understood the movie at many times and Daddy Lim was upset that he was constantly interrupted by the boy's questions. In the end, both of them didn't quite know exactly what happened. Lol. Nevertheless, the boy enthusiastically narrated parts of the movie to jiejie and me during the dinner. 

Though both the ice skate and the movie didn't go very well, I appreciate the time spent alone with Lil Shauna. I hope Daddy Lim feels the same way too.

Mummy Lim

Creative Homework

Auntie S asked over the watsapp chat
group - "what are the Dos and Don'ts for Christmas"? She needed help with the Don'ts.n Apparently, she was helping C with her homework. It was a generic question on festival and C had chosen Christmas.

Auntie H started the cheeky reply - "Don't forget to buy presents". Haha, win already. I added on "Don't party too hard". Hahaha. We were definitely not very helpful. We shared more when we met up later in the evening for gathering.

Don't drink and drive.
Don't forget to give presents.
Don't be sad if you have no presents.
Don't ask your mother for presents.

Hahaha. We are so creative.

This morning, I was sharing with Daddy Lim and laughing my head off. He added:

Don't start a chimney fire in your hdb flat.
Don't feed the reindeer.

Haha.
So what if we do not know when is Cheryl's bday. At least we know what not to do on Christmas.

Ah yes watsapp me to add:

Don't open the presents before Christmas.
Don't take down the Christmas tree until Christmas is over.
Don't forget to wrap presents.
Don't be naughty so that you can have presents.
Don't ask if Santa Clause is real.
Don't go to school.

Mummy Lim

Sunday Fun

We headed to the waterplay area with the Chan family on last Sunday late afternoon. The “big” kids had a blast. 

Yes, the kids had been promoted with the newest addition to the group. Meet Ms Meimei aka Lollipop.

She is such a smiley baby. Even Daddy Lim was attracted to her. She is so “talkative” now and reciprocates so happily to whoever is talking to her. Awww.. reminds me of the time when our kids were tiny. I was surprised that I could still hold a baby properly. Haha. Well, other people’s baby is always nice to cuddle and play with.. for a while. ;p

We headed to Raffles Marina for dinner in the night. One of Mr Chan’s favorite places. The scenery is pretty awesome. Auntie H took a walk with the girls to the far end this time, where the lighthouse is. This is the 1st time that they have done so.

Lil Isaac got missed out but was OK bcos Daddy Lim promised that they would do the same after dinner and the boy coudnt wait for dinner to be over. These were taken while they arrived at the lighthouse. 

Lil Isaac was standing so straight bcos he was worried that he would fall into the water. So funny.

Another busy weekend. J

Mummy Lim

Working at Night

Lil Isaac asked, "Mummy, who do you have to work at night? You work from night to morning, afternoon to evening?"

Nope, I don't do shift work and took a while to understand his question too. Then I realised. There had been quite some mornings that he woke up while we were getting ready to go work or left for work. The sky was still dark then = night. Therefore, mummy works at night. Haha.

In his eyes, I must be a super hardworking mummy to work even in the night. Not easy to be a mummy, young man.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating with 2 Plus 1

I have been contemplating about signing Lil Isaac up for ice skating classes. This would replace his very expensive gym classes and we can also avoid the need to escape the house on early Saturday morning.  The only thing that stops me is the thought to have to look after 2 kids on the ice. I wasn't sure that I can.

Truth be told, I wasn't satisfied with Lil Shauna's performance in class on Saturday. We decided that we would head down to the ice on Sunday too, with Lil Isaac in tow. I thought to myself that if I could handle both kids, I would be very much alright and could start considering signing Lil Isaac up for classes. We were supposed to meet the Chan family in the late afternoon for water play in JBP and I dated Boo to the rink too, thinking that she could entertain Lil Isaac while I practice with Lil Shauna.

The day didn't start very well with the princess throwing a tantrum bcos she wanted specific pants and shoes.. what the... angry. I laid down ground rules too - Lil Isaac had to go round the rink while I practiced with jiejie and jiejie has to practice the crossovers on her own when I skate with didi. I had to constantly warn the very excited boy that he has to behave. Sweat.

We met boo at the entrance and trying to wear skates for 3 kids is no joke! I was perspiring before I went into the rink. I sent the kids into the rink while I wear my skates and brought the bag to the seats. Once in the rink, I was busy yelling at the boy to skate straight and not do tricks. Zzzzz. He was skating so fast, posing a big risk to other skaters. Then I realised that Boo and Lil Isaac are 2 same ends of the magnet and they repelled each other than snack time. Strategy failed. Luckily Lil Shauna and Boo were very independent and I only had to worry excessively for Lil Isaac. Still, that was very mentally tiring.

Lil Shauna spent 1 hr practising and performed fairly well on the 3-turns and mohawk, remembering to do bigger strokes. She then left for her Chinese class and I had time to focus on boo and the boy. He was still such a hazard and I had to warn him so many times. At one point, he swerved into a man's path and caused the man to fall hard so as to avoid him. Poor man. Lil Isaac also fell like countless times and some of the falls looked quite hard. The staff who helped to pick him up a few times commented that he was so brave. I think he was implying that Lil Isaac 不知死. Hohoho.

We spent almost 2 hrs in the rink and I was so exhausted at the end from the worrying and yelling. The last fall before we left the rink left Lil Isaac in tears. He fell on his bum and hit his tail boy. I hope lesson learnt but probably not. That boy is like fearless. Zzzzz.

I would still need to think harder about looking after 2 kids on ice. It is so exhausting and I duno if I want to be so exhausted every Saturday morning.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating Lesson 9

We had a good start - we escaped the house while the tiger was still in dreamland. I left him in the care of the iPad nanny and he didn't call to tell me that he wanted to ice skate. Haha. I also checked and confirmed that they would take him in for Core 1. However, I am not sure if I would end up killing myself.

Lil Shauna and I had a good Mac bfast. We had plenty of time to burn and the girl willingly did stretching exercise while waiting. Everything seemed great until we started to go into the rink.

The rink was very crowded today. There was this big group of ang mo kids, many families with young kids and somebody was also having a bday party. Arrggghhh.

We started off with the usual front crossovers and Lil Shauna had to constantly avoid people. Then, there was this boy who was skating super fast and bumped into Lil Shauna and made her fall. It happened so quickly and the boy didn't even stop or maybe couldn't, given his speed that he was going and was an amateur. Lil Shauna was left in tears.

The center of the rink is usually not crowded and left to the better skaters and figure skaters to practice their moves. The rest of the skaters would usually go round the rink. However, due to the sheer number of people, there were people skating into the center of the rink and plenty of families with young kids who parked themselves in the center. Arrggghhh! Lil Shauna cannot practise her 3-turns and Mohawk properly. Though she did eventually get the backward to forward stroke that Teacher Raymond taught last week. We had been practising the footwork at home last week. There was almost no opportunity to practice her lunge and spiral. Haiz. Bcos we have to constantly wait for people to clear, I was in the rink with Lil Shauna for the full 1.5hr before she headed for her class.

She was definitely not on form. Though she could perform the moves during class, her movement was all so small and not at all precise. She was not pushing and thus no speed to complete her moves. Her arms and head were also not in the right position.  Arrggghhh. What happened to all our practice! How I hope to have a mic at that point of time!

She was taught new moves and of course we had plenty of practice to do. After class, I asked her what was wrong. After probing for a long time, she said that it was a weird day - she got knocked down by a boy, she almost knocked into a girl and somebody knocked on her toilet door but she didn't see anybody when she exited the cubicle. Haha.

Next week, we have no class. I had impressed upon her that figure skating is not only about being able to execute the moves but needed that precision and definitely more strength and bigger movement. I pointed out how the good skaters all had big strokes and I hope she understand what I am talking about. We shall practice next week and hoping she would remember what mummy told her during class - head up, hands up, big movement!

Mummy Lim

One More

We picked Lil Shauna from the school bus and she flashed us a "toothless" grin.

Finally the wriggly front tooth is out! Her upper jaw/ gum had been growing. In recent months, the growth was obvious with her tiny milk teeth and big gaps in between her teeth. How amazing our body is.

Her description of how she yanked the tooth out before school yday was quite gross. Something about wriggling it left and right, then blood and twisting it round and more blood stuff. So glad that I wasn't around to witness it.

Now, she would be toothless for her bday party... in her Elsa dress. Hoho. I think she doesn't mind.

Mummy Lim