Motivating stamps.

      

It's amazing how something so small could motivate my daughter to produce such pretty homework. Yes, I'm talking about those small stamps that has "great work", "lovely", "very good" and "fantastic" on them. Joelle gets all excited seeing them on her homework. It actually makes her add colours to her work. The assignments did not require colouring but for the sake of those pretty stamps, she does them anyway. Hmmm... it's time to invest in some too.  

 I'm impressed with this picture. Joelle said the cat is spotted. Wow! I didn't think she could do "spotted" colouring. Isn't the cat spotted beautifully?

Learning to cycle.

   
As our visitors know, we do have many "vehicles" in the apartment. All belonged to joelle and the majority were bought by my mum! She has one bicycle, one tricycle, one motor-scooter, one skate scooter, one luge-like thing and a pair of blades. During our evening walks, she is allow to bring any of the above. She usually rides her bicycle and isabelle will take the tricycle. I'm planning to start adjusting the stabilizers in a way she could not completely rely on them for support. I want to teach her how to ride and I think it's about time to start. Now that the holidays has just started, I think it's time again to work out a holiday schedule to keep my active girls occupied. Hmmm... should I be excited. 

Sichuan earthquake charity show.

I'm weeping like a baby, writing this blog and watching the heart-wrenching footage of the little children that died in the Sichuan earthquake. I know all charity shows will find ways to pinch our hearts and what better way than through the plights of the children. And no matter how strong I try to be, children never fail to rock me. Joelle asked me about 15 minutes ago "mummy, why are you crying?" and when I told her about the children that couldn't make it out of the rubble alive, she started to cry too. So here you have... mother and child weeping in front of the TV. I can't imagine how horrible I'll look if I am to be at the studio tonight. We were given a chance to participate in this charity show actually but we chose to miss it because of the unpredictability of our girl's behavior.

Our friend, the producer of the show called me on friday asking if I would let joelle be on stage reading a verse in mandarin. I was happy to be able to contribute to help the survivors of the Sichuan earthquake and thought this would be an appropriate opportunity to educate joelle about being charitable and understanding the cruel reality of life (she needs to know life is not always a bed of roses). But when I was told the details of her performance, I was a little apprehensive. I was not sure if our bashful little girl will not freak out in front of a huge live audience. And she has to say the verse in mandarin. So I turned it down with a heavy heart. Daddy felt that I'd made the right decision because he's not confident that joelle will proceed with the performance without any hitches. But we were both disappointed that we could not let joelle participate in the charity show. Even mary was like... "oh you could help so many people". It was not easy... but I had to turn it down. I'm sorry Yvonne, I really wanted to help. You have our moral support and I'll be praying for the victims of the quake. Rest well... little children.

Weekend fun lunch.

This week I tried something maybe kids will like. It's omelette fried rice! Something really simple but with a little effort, it became something both girls "WOW" about. Children go for fanciful appearance more than the food itself. I realized from magazines and cookbooks that with a little creativity and effort, simple food could become fun meals for them. So I'm calling their weekend lunches "happy meals" and it comes with a bottle of vitagen and fruits. Joelle actually asks for a toy or stickers to be included. Stickers maybe but I'm looking into the implication of it. I do not want meal time to be bribed. Any comments?  

PTM again.

I have been meeting teachers since 2005 and I kind of dread it. For one who believes strongly in getting involve in my child's development, it's shocking to hear that I dread PTM. Fortunately or unfortunately, joelle attracts a lot of attention. She is a very active and talkative girl with a rather short attention span, who enjoys activities more than lessons and always tries to charm her way out of trouble. Oh and she likes to hang out with the boys. For these, I get some amount of complaints and comments that probably ain't too encouraging. Worst, I get blamed for that because I'm suppose to be the one to "mould her into perfection" as her daddy wish. Guiding her (I would rather call it) is what I want to be doing, not moulding her into something she's not. She's not one who sits down and stares at the teacher throughout lesson, she's one who participates, raises her hand, asks questions and discuss. She likes music and movement, dramatic play, computer sessions, outdoor activities and class discussions. And to be frank, I rather she be this than just sit quietly in a corner, waiting for knowledge to be fed, not talk, not ask, not discuss. That would have been too boring and definitely not OUR daughter. Which of us (dave and myself) do you think fall into that category?

I went to her PTM anyway and I dragged daddy along too. We made a pact to make it as short as we could, grab the results paper and run. But when her class teachers started with "joelle is such a happy girl in school", we ended up chatting for 30 minutes. I'm happy for daddy to hear such positive comments and I'm glad (at last) she has teachers who appreciates her participation in class and her activeness as "normal" for her age and her hanging out with the boys as a good buddy system "the three of them really look out for each other". I learnt from them that joelle is well-liked by her classmates (esp the boys) and knows what is going on despite chatting with friends in class. She is capable of producing good work but is highly dependable on her mood. Sometimes she could be in the "I don't want to..." mood and the teachers would get scribbles and mistakes in her assignments. Other than that, the teachers said that there's nothing to be too concern about. She makes a fine student. Daddy smiles and I'm relieved. Thank God for fine teachers.

Flower art

Slowly we are starting to create new routines to our daily lives. I'm trying to develop a practical yet creative routine with the girls now in preparation for the departure our our able helper. Every night after dinner, I will take the girls downstairs for a walk and open the letterbox. Sometimes we go to the garden for a ball game (to get the girls tired) or to the playground. I hope to get some bonding chance with isabelle without her "airy". During our walks, I allow joelle to pick flowers and leaves from the ground for her "art book". This is one such creation. It's special because it's entirely her creation and it has a story to it. I offered no suggestion or assistance for this piece. It's her masterpiece.

Sighs...

When the expert says "never go to bed with a quarrel", never. Last night dave and I quarreled over the most trivia matter... watching the 2-hour american idol finale or continue with our nightly dose of the suspense series "24 hours". Honestly, I was never really a fan of the highly polled talent show but I was somehow attracted by the Davids. Both of them. And I needed to know who won the title. Archi or the cook? They are both vocally too good but in terms of expression, movement and stage presence, I have to give it to the more mature cook. So I watched, the first 90 minutes with enjoyment and the last 30 minutes with anger. Not with the results of the show but with the ridiculous behavior of my husband whom I believe might have received a call for coffee from another of his ridiculously inconsiderate friend. He didn't go but he vented it on me. He said that I was selfish to want to watch the idol (which he was not interested in at all) instead of our nightly 3-episode "24 hour" DVD (original btw). I said we can always watch the DVD the next night but he insisted I can watch the idol on the web! Both true but I just can't believe it and it's so not him to pick a quarrel over TV programs (unless it's liverpool playing). Out of frustration and suspicious, I refused to talk to him and went to bed full of anger. It was further fueled by a horribly convincing nightmare and I woke up angrier. I regretted not settling the problem as it occurred because now it had blown out of proportion. And out of pride, no one is making the first move. Sighs...

   

To angie with love...

I remembered when I was in secondary school, I wrote and received a lot of notes. My friend Sharon had really illegible handwriting but surprisingly I managed to read all her notes and she continued writing for years after school days. Today we still exchange cards. In college, I continued this trend with some great girl friends. Even when I was in polytechnic, I was still writing among a few brilliant minds. I enjoyed such exchanges and thoughts on paper especially in poly. My friend Wendy wrote beautifully. She actually inspired my first poem! That was the good old writing days. And I really miss them.

What surprised me was the note I received in 2006. Never in my realistic mind would I expect to get a note when I'm in my mid 30s (my husband is the last person to have wrote me notes and it ended with marriage). But I did. It was from a friend in the office. She wrote to encourage me during my second pregnancy. I was really surprised and secretly touched when I saw the note on my desk! I felt like a schoolgirl again. It actually made my heart skip a beat faster. I don't know... I mean I consider myself a "writer" in a sense I truly enjoy and appreciate good writing. And to see a note on the table with my name on it after that many years, is like... WOW! HaHa! Anyway, thank you (you know it's you) for making my days as bright and cheery as the sun you drew on the paper. I never told you then but I almost tear at your kind thoughts. It was really sweet of you... to make me feel young again. I secretly wish I could still find notes with my name on it again sometimes.

Play area.

   
If you know me after I had kids, you'll probably see my house like this (picture on the right). But actually my house was like this before (picture on the left). Simple, neat and what we call "zen". The place have more "life" now I agree but it does look rather messy. I always tell dave that it's going to be a long time (if ever) before the house could return to its "before the kids" glory. I'm not as concern as dave as I think their play area, though not a very pretty sight, is still pretty neat for kids their age. It's not an easy task (especially now with mary around) but I pride myself on this particular training. I think I did a pretty good job.

Day at the chalet

   

My friend Dan messaged me one afternoon with an invitation to a chalet for her dad's birthday. I was quite thrilled as the girls missed their little friend Adriel's birthday chalet last weekend because of my upset tummy. So I really wanted to take them there for some fun, you know... make it up to them a little. We were early because the girls wanted a swim and it was wonderful. The sun was just about to set so it was not too hot and the water was... warm! Really, I had never swam in a pool that felt so comfortably warm. Perhaps the pool at the condo we frequent always seemed so cold, always. So I let the girls play in the pool for about an hour (for isabelle at least) and they were so happy. They slept real well that night. So did we. 
      

Joelle had never seen anyone with braces before and Dan was explaining to her about the use of them, even inviting her to touch them. Joelle was rather squeamish about it initially but soon found the courage to give it a little touch. Issy was happily eating away with Dan's mum. The girls really had a lot of fun that day and I'm proud that they are such sociable kids. Happy kids I've got.  

   

They like their corn.

   

This is the first time I let isabelle eat her corn from the cob. She "cleans" it up really well. I'm so impress by her perseverance. She turns it around and even rolls it around on the table just to pick out any little "cornlet" still attach. She's just so cute. And I notice that she has better concentration than joelle and she doesn't give up as easily too. She is a very focused child. 

Happy Mummy's Day!

I was just thinking the other day how contented I am with my life now. I'm blessed with an extraordinary kind man to call my own and I'm doubly blessed with the girls. Both of them are special in their little ways. I would never trade any for anything else. I could still remember the day they were born, when they were placed on my chest, three years apart. I will never forget that moment when we looked at each other for the very first time. I did not cry then but I can't help crying now. If you are a mother, you will know what I mean. That first moment is one of a lifetime kind of experience. Though I do not have any picture of Joelle all bloody and slimy in the operation room, I have it sketched in my memory.

Two different births, two different experiences, two different looks but one shared emotion ... and it's priceless.

I'm the big sister...

   

... and I want you to smile. Yes, joelle does boss isabelle around but isabelle is no pushover herself. She is very capable of protecting her rights. After witnessing a few episodes, I trust she can take care of herself. I'm only worried that joelle might be pushed over when isabelle grows taller and stronger. I'm praying that they become close knitted so they can be what the other lack and their strengths can complement each other. Currently they are from different "schools" but I believe (and pray) they would not be enemies. I always tell them "love your sister... you have only one".

Joelle can spell...

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, (sometimes) eight, nine and ten. That was her spelling list the last two weeks. Previously her list was dog and cat, happy and sad, stop and go, mummy and daddy, joelle and isabelle. Currently she's learning hair, eyes, nose, mouth and ear. She may have started late or knows lesser words compared to her peers in school but we're starting alright. I'm happy with her effort and daddy's happy with the results. Oh... for the record... I'm still not worried. Sshhh...

Over one weekend...

      

Over one weekend, when joelle was extremely restless, I took out an unwanted box (Osim's isqueeze) and told joelle "let's make a house for you and isabelle!" She was so excited about that project. I let her choose where to put the windows and door. We marked out the positions with a marker pen. I suggested opening some windows in the roof and she was all for it. So I started cutting out the openings and she had a great time painting it. When it was dry, I suggested adding some design so I drew a tree and she added some flowers and hearts. Even isabelle contributed some scribbles! It was a long but fun afternoon. Even my mum joined us for tea break at the corridor. We had cakes and drinks outside the door. Thank goodness it was a cool afternoon.   

Our favourite spot...

  

It's got to be the beach. I like the breeze and the smell of the sea. The girls like the sand, the spades, the moulds, the pails, the space and the freedom to mess up and get dirty. The beach is our family's favourite hideout. We used to head to the beach every week when we had the car. Mostly on weekdays evenings. We usually drive there about four and leave about five so we could still wash up and prepare for dinner with daddy. That was really fun time and we miss those days alot. I'm not complaining (the kids are though) as we do save a great deal without a car. Cars are a liability. We rather own property. Anyway we don't get to go to the beach very often now but that made us treasure the outings more. I take deeper breaths and the girls enjoy the sand more when we do head there once in awhile.