Why didn't I have that...

ok... because I'm from marymount and we wear black shoes. But then again, why are the kids getting "branded" white shoes now? Wasn't it panda or something like that? Well, panda is a brand but not "branded" like fila right? Or was it at our time? Anyway I went to the school for administration day and "lost" some S$400 on textbooks, uniforms, sports attire, shoes, socks, classes and art materials. Someone once told me primary education is not as expensive as pre-school education. Today is far from that understanding. Ok..ok.. alright so this S$400 will last me a year (if she doesn't climb over fences or wade into mud), it's still far from my prior understanding. Anyway thankfully a friend of mine warn me to bring cash as they do not accept nets or cards. But we had fun, really, joelle and I. We went station to station choosing shoes and bags and trying out uniform and stuff. It's like a shopping spree... in a school! 2 hours later, we had a celebratory lunch at ikea. To celebrate a new start (probably not much of a celebration for her) at a new school. Here I have to be thankful for the answered prayers. All the stress and sleepless nights are over and we thank our dearest mother mary for praying for us.

1st art competition

Joelle took part in her first art competition in the neighborhood last weekend. It was an evening event and we pack our dinner along so she could draw over a picnic dinner. Halfway into drawing, it got darker and darker and the garden lights were not bright enough. Fortunately she was able to complete the drawing on time.


The girls were playing with daddy at the far end of the field when the winners were announced. I was not expecting her to win anything this round as it was not her best piece really (not trying to be proud) as she was practically rushing through it so she could join isabelle at the playground. BUT when I heard her name, I was like... frantically calling out for her to run towards the stage. She got on the stage, gave a really victorious smile and pose for a picture with penny. WOW! She won the art competition.


The drawing and trophy now stands tall on her desk.

Mummy's lunch #17

Another simple lunch for us. Fried pasta with sliced beef, hot-dogs and vegetables. This is something we do when we run out of lunch ideas or time or just plain lazy.

My isabelle

This is my cheeky baby... with her chipped tooth.

Isabelle is quieter by nature. She speaks softly and gently. She enjoys eating and will nap/sleep under any circumstances. Food and sleep comes before play for this little girl. She will sit in a corner and play by herself. I have caught her flipping books and fixing puzzles quietly by herself. She is almost totally toilet trained (accidents do happen at night). She does not really pick food but she has her preference though. She is cool and not easily excitable. She hardly shows emotions and is less sensitive. She walks in the air with a swing from side to side and she likes to tip-toe like a ballerina. She enjoys singing (her own songs like joelle) and dancing (I enjoy her banana dance). She watches dramas with much concentration and she will wake up and ask to watch her program on television. She has no problems with separation and will get dressed for school without a fight. She likes dresses especially those that will spread wide when she spins around. She chooses her clothes and will at times refuse to wear what we picked out for her. Her favourite colour (for now) is pink and her favourite character (for now) is minnie mouse. She is one of the rare child who eats pork liver, red dates and century egg. She is very determine and strong willed and at times would drive us crazy with her persistence. She moves, speaks and drinks slowly (like her mummy) and she's not that good with instructions (like her daddy). She has a pretty bad temper and will sulk at many trivial matters. She does not pick up her toys after playing and expects her sister to do it. She plays her sister's soft spot (joelle is softhearted) and knows her sister's weaknesses (joelle's many fears). She does drive joelle to tears very often. She uses her tears to get her sister's attention and will behave like a baby so joelle could mother her. She's flexible at times and focused at times. Sometimes it's very easy to reject her request and distract her without causing a stir. Other times she will whine at you for... too long. Most of the time she is rather predictable and easy but that does not mean she has no horns. She's my little angel (with horns) and I love her too much.

Beautiful sisters

It's getting much easier to get isabelle to pose for the camera. Though she does not entertain you like joelle will, she will at least give you a quick smile. Fortunately for mummy's quick finger, here's some great pictures for your enjoyment. Sometimes she would pose with a smile but her eyes would be looking elsewhere. She's really getting cheeky.

Mummy's lunch #16

I really miss this for a while. Baked salmon with cucumbers as sides. Pan fried broccoli with mushrooms and carrots. One of the girls favourite. Not forgetting the japanese rice balls coated with seaweeds. This lunch is perfect.

Out swimming

We spent the week long school holiday in september with my grandmother and mother while renovation began at home. As the swimming complex is within walking distance to the house, we decided to head over for a swim on a sunny afternoon. It's great and we liked it there. Personally I liked it more than the one in SK. So I decided to leave a set of swim gear at their house for any impromptu urge for an afternoon swim whenever we visit.

Our new friends

Introducing the playground group. Not the full attendance yet. Besides joelle, the children are all three years old. Mainly from issy's playschool. I'm actually very pleased that I enrolled isabelle to the school in the neighbourhood because I got to know many like-minded mummies and the girls benefited from the many social outings. Simple daily playground meet is as convenient as an sms to each other. Knowing people around the neighbourhood is a great thing. I'm beginning to really enjoy it here. Morning breakfast with the "mummy club" members, evening playground time with the rest of the group and the emerging events like the latest lantern walkabout and the upcoming halloween treat-or-trick visits. It's just getting interesting.


This is a cute picture. The girls are actually waiting and in a way coaxing their friend to come down the slide.

Joelle is currently learning to swing on the monkey bar. So far, she has gone on to the third bar. Not bad for a little "scary cat".
This bike belongs to isabelle's friend and the children would take turns on the one and only bike in the group. Nothing beats a nice long bubble bath after a great time at the playground with that many friends.

Mummy's lunch #15

Another really simple lunch. A combination of minced beef and minced pork with some carrot goes well with the girls. Colourful capsicums and baked beans complete the set. I'm getting happy with our lunches.

Issy @ school

Isabelle with some of her friends in school. These are probably the only pictures I have of my baby in playschool. Enjoy!

Lantern Festival

Another great event held by our GRC, the lantern festival. Ticket cost $3 which includes a battery operated lantern, a mini lotus mooncake, a mac-chicken burger and an ice cream. There were freebies as usual, pop corn, free drinks and a flea market with great bargains. Bought the girls some pairs of socks and shorts and two tees for myself. Simply couldn't resist the bargains. They probably could have organised more activities for the children, perhaps a lantern walkabout earlier. There was a lion dance performance to welcome the leaders and Penny held out her hands and looked at me... so I thought I should shake it. Then I realised I was watching the lion dance with isabelle along the path the MPs were going through. Anyway it was a successful event judging from the turnout that night.

Isabelle met her teacher who was promoting a tamil enrichment class and the girls had fun playing at a booth promoting english enrichment classes.

Isabelle is three!

Isabelle is officially three on 29 september and to celebrate, we took her to downtown east and sent her into explorer kid for an hour of fun (with mary of course). Joelle and I went to check out the cake shops and played a little table soccer while having tea at a little cafe. I took this opportunity to chat with my firstborn and spent a little "us" time. We have not had our bi-monthly lunch-out for a while now and I do miss it. After the office is completely set up and before I assume new duties in the office, I would like to take my little lady out to lunch and hopefully I could make it at least a bi-monthly affair, if not weekly.

Since daddy could not join us for dinner that night, I allowed the girls to choose their dinner destination and it was none other than mcdonald's. They each ordered a happy meal that comes with a toy and they enjoyed their nuggets, corn in a cup, yogurt, french fries and apple juice.


We had a mini celebration (like her second birthday) that night with daddy. Bought some cakes-in-a-cup (not cupcakes) from emicake and lit a #3 candle for her. We sang her songs and made her a very happy little three year old. Happy 3rd birthday my love!

Mummy's lunch #14

Here are some old pictures since I have yet found the time to upload and sort out new photos. Did I ever mentioned that I absolutely like fried rice? Especially those darker coloured ones with lots of green peas and red roasted meat. I can have that every day just like chicken rice, another of my all time favourite. I am so fortunate that my girls like fried rice too so when mary leaves, we might be seeing more fried rice lunches!

We were collecting quite a number of carton boxes for the renovation and the odd ones became the girls house and cars. Here they are "driving" around the house in their self-made cars. Cool...

Joelle loses her teeth!

We have been really busy with the renovation, cleaning, painting and unpacking that we hardly have any time for leisure. We did enjoy some recreation during that period which I will have to find time to blog. As for now, the #1 event must be joelle losing her teeth! Yes, not one but two. My little girl has lost her first two teeth! We waited for the teeth to drop after "shaking" for a week but ended up at the dentist when joelle started to experience some pain in her gum and I noticed that her new teeth are emerging really fast and furious. She is a brave girl and really put up a good front at the clinic but broke down when her second tooth came out. The intensity of the entire experience took a toll on her eventually. But I'm still very proud of my little girl.

I took her to popular bookshop right next to the clinic and allowed her to pick a book for bravery and she picked a book on her favourite character "the little mermaid". That night she wrote two notes to the tooth fairy. One for each tooth. On one she wrote "I want to behave for my mummy" and the second note, she wrote "please buy me stickeys" (she meant stickers). Lucky for me, I always have pretty stickers in the house.