Jingle Bells!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Preparation for Primary One

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Core 4 Lesson 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

The IPad is Alive

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

No Mummy Never Mind

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

The Bui Bui Family and the Kang Tang Kias

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Core 4 Lesson 2

Our Saturday morning routine, without the little brother. Muahaha. Anyway, Popo said that the little boy woke up only at 11am and didn't miss us very much.

Looking at the pictures, I suddenly realised that our little girl has grown up so much.

Lesson 2 was uneventful. Teacher Sally was absent and a different teacher took over the class. It is actually quite disruptive cos different teacher means different style. Anyway, class went fine and Lil Shauna seems to learn fine. I thought she was pretty good with some moves.

Then, the free skate started and I accompanied Lil Shauna to the rink as per other days. Lil Shauna was bored after barely 30 mins and we took a rest. We did go down to the ice after the rest and that was when I fell while trying to do one of the criss-crossing move that Lil Shauna learned in class. I fell too 2 weeks back too and landed on my right knee while attempting the same move. Luckily, the fall wasn't too bad then.

This fall however, I would say that it was pretty "spectacular". Lil Shauna was behind me when I fell. I landed on the same right knee 2 weeks back and it hurts like hell. It took me a while to get over the pain before I could stand up again. I don't know if my face turned red from trying to contain the pain but I felt that way.  When I finally stood up, I saw that quite some people were looking at me. It must be quite bad. Lil Shauna was beside me and asking me if I was alright. Then she started to help me sweep the ice off me. Ouch.

I had to skate away to some corner and I was so glad that my knee was still there, still intact. I stopped and tried to get over the pain. Lil Shauna was still bored and I was glad when she said that she wanted to go.

I had some blue blacks. I don't see visible bruises on my knee and I can walk (thankfully) but my knee hurts when I tried to climb steps. Luckily, it felt so much better this morning. Note to myself - 35 years old, old bones.

Mummy Lim

Back to Hectic Weekends

Home sweet home. Despite reaching home late on Friday night and going to bed in the wee hours, our hectic weekend programs go into full force the following day.

Lil Shauna started her 1st Core 4 lesson on early Saturday morning. Daddy Lim mis-set his alarm clock by 1 hour earlier and I ended up dragging the poor girl out of the bed, robbing her of an extra hour of sleep. Zzzzz.. She could barely open her eyes. Daddy Lim hasn't seen his little girl performed in the skating class and accompanied us to class. We didn't even have to hush hush too much out of the house bcos the boy, having only gone to bed only at 1am the night before, wouldn't wake up even to earthquake. 

We had a nice Mac bfast – our tradition before skating class. 

Teacher Sally, the same teacher who taught Lil Shauna Core 2, was coaching her Core 4. Lil Shauna appeared to be the youngest of the group but some of her moves are definitely more precise than some other older classmates. Did you see the mummy beaming? Hehe. The class was full with 10 students to only 1 instructor. I think it would be pretty challenging to learn new moves but luckily, Teacher Raymond had gone through some of the Core 4 moves during the last lesson. I felt less stress (than Core 3) too given that there were quite a few students worst than Lil Shauna. Haha. What is the world coming to? Parent feeling more stress than their kids, who are the actual ones taking the classes. 

Teacher Sally didn't teach new complicated moves but mostly revised the different moves that they learnt in Core 3. I went on the skate practice with Lil Shauna. Daddy Lim left midway to fetch Lil Isaac and I heard the little boy slept until almost 11am. We left the rink at about 12 noon. We were both exhausted. Oh, by the way, Christmas is coming.

The kids had lunch and Lil Isaac had a haircut. He looked super cute sitting on the chair and flashed me a mega smile before his haircut.

They then went for their phonics class (make-up for Lil Isaac) and I took the free time for my long overdue dental appointment. I couldn’t express enuff how stress I was during the check-up. I thought I would die on the dentist chair but of course I survived. Lol. This is the 1st time I ever visited this clinic. Our kids had been using this clinic and they have a fantastic kids’ room.

My dentist appears young. She was generally nice and gentle but made super cold jokes and is super tactless. She wasn’t rude when she made those comments so I wasn’t offended. A few of our conversations went like this:

Me: I thought this used to be the kids’ room?
D: Oh, no. The kids’ room is right next door. Do you want to use the kids’ room instead?
Me: Errr.. no. (Hello, I am not a kid!)

D: It has been a while since you visited the dentist?
Me: (sheepishly + nervous laugh) Yes, hehehe. The last visit was about 1.5 year back
D: Oh, that is not too bad, I thought it has been years (hinting how dirty my teeth are).
Me: ….

Me: So do I have cavity?
D: I can’t tell until I have cleaned your teeth. They are so dirty and all the spots look very suspicious to me now.
Me: ….

D: So do you floss your teeth regularly?
Me: (another nervous laugh) No, hehehehe.
D: I can tell.
Me: …

D: So do your lower front teeth feel different now that they have been clean?
Me: Yes.
D: Right, bcos they were so dirty previously.
Me: ….

It turned out that I only have super dirty teeth and no cavity. Most importantly, I walked out of the dentist clinic alive and the next ordeal wouldn't be due until 6 months later. Phew.

We met up with the Chan family and Auntie S and the kids after class at ECP. I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the journey from JE to ECP didn't take as long as I expected it to be. The kids had fun rollerblading and scooting under Daddy Lim’s care while I caught up with the aunties under the shelter. My investment on Daddy Lim’s rollerblade is so worth it. Lol. By then, my battery was running low and I was snacking like no tomorrow to keep myself awake. Bad.

Our kids must have some mechanism that can self-generate renewable energy. After the long day, they were still jumping with excitement when they found out that they were going to have chicken rice at Auntie H’s house. By then, I was on anytime-can-auto-shut-down mode. And you cannot believe the amount of running and jumping that took place in Auntie H’s house. We were constantly worried that somebody would get injured or would knock down their newly set-up Christmas tree.

We parted ways at about 9pm. It was only when we were in the car that Lil Shauna’s machine started to auto wind down. She was so exhausted and could barely walk home after we parked the car. Sleep was so easy. Zzzzz.

Mummy Lim

Taipei Day 8 - Home Sweet Home

It was our last day in Taiwan. We slept in, took our time, did last minute packing and lazed around before we ventured out. There weren't much to be done and we were hoping to some last minute shopping done at the Taipei Main Station Underground Shopping streets.

Unfortunately, most of the shops were not opened until almost 11am. Eventually, we managed to grab new shoes for the kids and we have happy kids. Daddy Lim was the only one who didn't manage to buy anything in Taiwan. Daddy Lim has expensive taste lah. Atas de. Hehe.

The taxi picked us up at 12.30pm and we arrived at the airport on time. Checking in and immigration were easy breezy. We had lunch and was waiting to board the plane. 

Scoot wasn't too trustworthy this time. Boarding time was delayed by 30 mins and the flight took off one hour late. Additionally, the Scoot TV that I bought didn't work and the kids were no doubt very bored. I didn't expect Scoot TV to fail us and hadn't downloaded sufficient games. Must make a mental note to be prepared the next time we take Scoot. Luckily, Lil Isaac napped shortly after the plane took off and he napped for a good 3 hours. At certain point, I wonder if he had fainted. Lol. Lil Shauna self entertained with a combination of art and craft, activity book and games. It wasn't too tough to entertain the boy after he woke up and we landed not too long later. I also realised the benefit of flight mode and how our iPad and mobile phones can be switched on throughout the flight.

The flight went fine except for some turbulences. We had some food as well and were so glad that they accept credit cards. We were that cash poor. The flight landed safely at 9pm and we ran for dinner after we cleared the immigration.

It was a long day and we didn't arrive home until about 11.30pm. Lil Shauna fell asleep in the taxi while Lil Isaac was very active and chatty. It was already 1am by the time I was done unpacking and was tucking the boy to bed. Jiejie was in lala land a long time back.

Overall, it was a nice trip. The weather though rainy, had been cool and nice. The duration was just nice. Any longer and Popo and I might craw at each other's neck. I also couldn't be gladder that the 2 Popos got along so well. Our Popo was happy with all her food purchases and I am glad that I had bought enuff kgs to bring all the purchases back. So, keep calm and start planning for the next holiday. Muahahahaha.

Mummy Lim

Taipei Day 7 - Babyboss

We were on our own on the last 2nd day and were heading to Babyboss at 京華城. Popo bought bfast for us and we took a cab to Babyboss at 9.30am. It was getting harder and harder to wake Lil Isaac up.

We were to meet my brother and family at 10 am. The kids were glad to see the 3Fs and they had so much to tell each other. 

As compared to last year, we were definitely better with the planning and there was little time wasted. The kids completed almost 10 jobs and got to try some that they didn't get to last year. 

The 1st job that they attempted was Policeman. They had to patrol one big round. Too cute. 

Then, the gas attendant. 

The archaeologist. 

The nurses at the nursery.

The hotel chambermaid. I thought Lil Shauna looked really smart in this uniform.

The cow milker (what do you call them?)

The fireman.

The artist.

The royal band.

The pilot and air stewardess.

The parents were invited onto the model plane while the air stewardesses served. The plane was so real.

Finally, the construction workers.

The kids get to earn Babyboss money for every job that they completed and the money can be used to exchange for gifts at the end of the day. For locals who frequent Babyboss, there is even a "bank" to deposit the $$.

We left Babyboss at almost 6pm when it was closing for the day. We parted ways with my brother's family and headed for dinner. Lil Isaac was so tired that he didnt last through dinner.

Then we took a cab to 宁夏夜市 and the kids had some final rounds of games before we headed back to the hotel. This particular fishing game lets the kids fish for fun and they get to exchange some lousy toys at the end. The locals get to bring the fishes back.

We also had desserts before heading back to the hotel bcos we needed the toilets. Haha. The deserts that the other old streets were definitely much better.

Back in the hotel was packing and dumping. We dumped a whole lot of clothes and lousy toys that we didn't want to bring back. Soon, it will be home sweet home.

Mummy Lim