Hand print

During Christmas in 2007, our friend bought isabelle a DIY hand mould. Before I attempted the feat, I read and reread the instructions. I even pulled mary into the activity. I made her read and understand the instructions as well. After we confirmed that isabelle is in a good mood, we decided to start. We even made her rehearsed putting her hand into the mould and holding it there for half a minute. No problem, so we started mixing the gel. We got her to imprint her hand on the mould and she coorporated. No problem, so we started mixing the mix. Now that's where the problem started. The mix dried up faster than we could ever imagined. The box said the mix will dry up within 15 mins but in reality it dried up within 15 seconds. There was nothing we could do except felt it harden right under our stirring hand. Goodness! Well, we failed. But at least I remembered to take a picture of the hand imprint on the gel. That's isabelle's hand print at 24 months!

Another messy afternoon

It's a painting weekend again so out comes the aprons, brushes, paints and paper. I brace myself for a wet and messy afternoon. Look at issy's face and you know what I mean. The girls always get themselves dirty and the place messy after their weekend activities. Perhaps I should consider having outdoor painting session. Something new for the girls and it might make mary happier. Hmmm... but they always have so much fun painting (and messing up). Me too. I like watching them at play and at work. Somehow you can tell their personality through the way they perform their task. Yes, the way they organise their space, the way they use the paint, the stroke of their brush, the colours they choose and how messy they get. Everything tells the kind of person they are and I enjoy reading them. Painting is our family's favourite weekend activity.

Doesn't isabelle look like she's been badly injured with "blood" streaming down her face?

A walk in the garden.

Thank God for little girl's concert

Joelle is the little pink "flower" with the green "grass" that will be coming in from screen right. You won't miss her cause she's the one who's fidgeting around. Anyway I did a zoom in on her... =P
Enjoy the girl's performance.

Joelle's school concert

Joelle's school concert this year is titled "Mirabelle" and I was teasing her by asking if we could perhaps name our next girl (if ever she comes) that and she was actually gamed for it but I guess "mirabelle" will never come cause we're going to stop at two. Not our decision by choice but my health could not support another pregnancy. Not a hard and fast rule but still a risk and we were advised against trying by many concern family and friends including my gyneas. We already thank God for the two miracle girls and decide not to jeapodice the picture perfect family in any way. However if it is the will of God that another child comes by, we will embrace ourselves and face the challenges, for the love of that child. Anyway come what may...

"Mirabelle sings her way to the palace" is joelle's class item and though she fidgets about and talks to her dance partner throughout the performance, I have to say she had a good time on stage. She's smiling and even laughing at times and she looks happy and enjoying herself so I guess it's alright. Anyway I never expect her to deliver perfect dance steps or timely movements, I'm contented that she remembers her steps and most importantly she remembers her smiles. Oh and this time round, I'm not a bunch of nerves anymore. I'm a composed mummy and I'm proud of myself. Looking forward to her concert next year.
Joelle's dance costume that cost me $40. Hmmm... should I let her wear for Halloween or Christmas perhaps?

Super crocodile girl!

"Look at me I'm a crocodile. I snap over here and I snap over there. People look at me and they say BEWARE. Here comes a crocodile". This is a song from the series "cubees" and we like it alot. All three of us. We'll go snapping and laughing with the song. It's fun to have children I tell you cos you get to go crazy without reservation.

My firstborn

My firstborn is growing up too fast for me. She even looks different now. She has always been a sensitive child and now she's becoming more tactful, more sensible and even more affectionate. She will call her grandma's mobile and tell her how much she misses her and when my auntie call, she will ask about her injured leg. This morning I told her I have an offer for a job and she told me that I do not have to earn more money because "we already have such a beautiful house and all the clothes and toys and books that I want". She even counter offer my job offer by offering her piggy bank to me. She's amazing I tell you. Back in September 2007, she ever said to me "mummy, if you die, I cannot be a doctor for you and earn money for you to spent. I cannot buy things for you anymore. So I don't want you to die." She's just so sweet isn't she? I'm so proud to have her as my daughter, my first.

Meeting Avriel

Introducing Avriel, the second daughter of our friend Crepin and Michael. She celebrated her first month at the Aranda country club one Sunday. Brought the girls to see the baby and also a chance to take in some fresh air and destress with the girls. We have not been out much. I try to do as much with them as possible despite how busy I can get. Sometimes I wonder if I'm handling more than I can bear but I trust in the Lord. He will never put me through a test He knows I cannot survive. My girls did learn some good things indirectly during this period of time and I believe there would be some good out of this bad episode. Anyway, Avriel looks pretty much like her mummy while Adriel looks like daddy. Just like my two girls. Life's fair isn't it. Haha! Here's wishing you a beautiful life and good health, Avriel.

Best way to keep cool...

Swimming! Yes, brought the girls swimming one afternoon as it was a hot hot hot sunny day. Isabelle played for only 10 minutes as she was not feeling too well. Can't keep her out of the water though. Joelle had some fun time with daddy that afternoon. He's such a busy man, the girls hardly get to see him. He comes home after the girls bedtime, especially isabelle as she sleeps at 8.30pm. When he leaves for work, joelle is already out to school. No weekends, just the rare off days. Sometimes I feel bad that he's working so hard and I'm at home so I make sure that he gets his weekly dose of my homemade cakes and deserts. We have soup almost every other dinner and lots of vegetables and fruits. I constantly brew herbal drinks and pop him with occasional vitamins (he doesn't want to rely on medication too much) and give him his well deserved message and quiet football time (can't talk to him when he's watching his football). I thank God for him all the time and I also pray that he be blessed with good health. No doubt he might be better off if I join him in the workforce, but I'm sure he's happy to know that his daughters, his career, his well-being and his future are well taken care of by me.

Lantern Festival

Found these photos one night and decided to blog them. I brought the girls to visit their great grandma during the lantern festival last month. After dinner we brought them down to light their lanterns. We planned to head to the park actually but it rained so we ended up at the void deck. There were only a handful of children carrying their lanterns and I remembered last year at our garden, there were so many children carrying lanterns and playing with sparklers. It was a noisy night with the many lanterns playing different tunes and the whistling sparklers. But it was fun. Noisy but cheery. Perhaps it's the district. Not really a children's district. Anyway this is the first year my mother did not get joelle any musical lanterns. Every year without fail she would buy a musical lantern for joelle. Last year she bought two. One for each girl. This year I allow joelle to carry those paper lantern with candle inside. Of course I had to keep an eye on her every minute and we did burn a couple... only at the edge though. But I'm glad my grandma could join the girls this year. She's been rather lonely and we hardly visit too. I'll try to visit her often with the girls. I'm sure their laughters can bring her some comfort and joy.

Playing pool

So professional looking. Hmmm... sportswoman? I still prefer doctor.

Grandpa brought a mini pool table over and we had so much fun with it. Joelle even managed to get some balls into the pocket. Amazing. Though her tactic and poise is all wrong, the thrill of getting the balls into the pocket is good for her. It gave her the confidence and encouragement she probably needs in sports. She has always been a shy person and afraid of trying new things for fear of failure so I thought this game is good for her. It's something new and it requires a fair bit of accuracy and patience. So knowing that she could succeed if she puts her mind to it is highly motivating.

I have accepted and forgiven

I would like to apologise to the friends who thought I went into hiding or disappeared. I need to apologise also for my seemingly positive but empty front, my excuses and pretenses. I know I have been very preoccupied and distracted and I know some of you really cared for me. Well, it's been almost two months now and it is barely over. It might even haunt me for the longest time to come but... I have accepted and forgiven.

My family was put through a trial. Both from God and from man. A test of strength, perseverance, spirit, faith and unity. This episode made me realise many things. Most importantly it made me realise the kind of person I am. I'm not God and I'm far from perfection but I'm proud of who I have become. Family meant more to me than ever before. I am no longer fearful, skeptical or concern with people's reaction, opinions or even expression. I now believe that in times of tribulation, true friendships shines through. It's not an easy step to take but it's the truth that's better known than not. The truth used to frighten me so much I rather convinced myself not to know. But today, thanks to the spirit of wisdom and forgiveness, I am happy to say I no longer shame myself for being related to this person and I am ready to support my family through this trial. I am sure we will make it through, whatever the outcome. And yes, I have lost too much weight, carried too many baggage under my eyes (and shoulders) and looked more my age now. But I'm standing tall and I'll survive.