Octopus Song

Another school term has ended and I always love it when we get to collect back all of her assignment books and art and craft that she made in school. Jolie loved it when we go through the books and arts together. She would proudly explain her work and I can see how much she has learnt during playgroup.

Sometimes I would find some interesting art and craft items that turned out to be more than meets the eye. One of them was a cut-out octopus. I thought it was just a simple colouring project, but it turned out to be something more!

A Busy Saturday

We have a full Saturday today! In the morning, we have our usual gym class at Marina Square. After a fun filled hour, we headed back home first. At around 12 plus, we headed to Char's place for Keira's 1st birthday!

It was pretty fun. Jo had a good time playing with the balloons and later even found a friend to play with. I guess the highlight for us was the delicious chocolate birthday cake!

So many little babies! Next year we'll probably have more to join the party!

In the evening, Marl actually invited us all to her place for her annual Hari Raya dinner. Zinc planned to hang around Char's place till evening before heading over to Marl's place, but I thought it would be better to let Jo take a nap 1st, so we headed home.

After her nap it was right on time to head out for the 3rd time of the day! This time it wasn't so pleasant as Jo was throwing a tantrum and I was having a little mood swing. So Cobby and I had a little heated "discussion" on the disciplinary action. When we go into the car I was so mad at Jo that I refused to sit at the back seat together with her.

Cobby decided that if Jolie had to sit alone at the back seat, it would be safer for her to be on the booster seat, safely strapped on with the seat belt. Of course, Jolie was crying and refused the booster seat, but Cobby insisted and sweetened the deal by letting her play with his handphone. I was already in a bad mood, so naturally I thought that it was a stupid idea and he chose a horrible timing to make her sit on the booster seat.

Surprisingly, after a few minutes of whining, Jolie actually became quiet and just sat there, strapped on, playing with her Dad's handphone!

We have failed so many times, that I was still skeptical. I was wondering when she was going to start screaming and pull herself out of the seat, but surprise, surprise! She actually sat in her seat throughout the whole journey! When we arrived at Marl's place, Cobby and I rewarded her by showering her with hugs, kisses and praises. Telling her how happy we were and how extremely proud we were of her for sitting on the seat all by herself. She was very happy hearing our praises, and we had a good time at Marl's place.

This year's crowd was a little smaller. UJ and Zinc was already there, along with Suv. Marl made some delicious black pepper chicken with spaghetti, along with lontong, chicken wings and her famous nutella cake. Yumz! Jolie was so busy playing with Marl's nephew's toys and ended up munching on all sorts of snacks that she didn't eat her proper meal. But seeing that it's a party, I closed one eye. ;)

After the meal we left early. All the running to and fro made me feel a little tired, and I just want to go home. So we bade everybody farewell and headed back for the last time for the day. Jolie made us very proud again by sitting on the child seat all by herself. Encouraged by our praises, she even said that she loves her seat and she's a clever girl for sitting on her seat. :)

So the day ended great with us reaching another milestone. It feels so liberating to be sitting in the front seat while Jolie sit at the back, safely strapped in and not fearing the traffic police! Hahaha... Happy Day!

Dad's Day Out

It's the first Sunday since Dad has been discharged from the dreaded hospital. Cobby wanted to bring Dad to Gardens By The Bay, as promised before he went for his heart operation. But the doctor advised against excessive walking, so I suggest that we postphone it. Instead, Dad called us and asked us out for lunch at the old Hougang hawker centre. I like to call it the Hougang bus interchange or Hougang hawker Centre. But apparently it's renamed Kovan Food Centre now. Blah... We've been calling it Hougang all these years! Gosh, I sound like my Mom, who have a liking for naming places according to the old names in the 60s. Getting old! Haha...

Anyway, I digress. So it was always super nostalgic to go back to that food centre. We grew up living around the area. For lunch we ordered our old favourite of roasted duck and SUPER yummy char siew rice. Jolie wasn't impressed, but I loved it!

After lunch Mom mentioned Gardens by the bay and Dad was all for it, despite my concerns. Sis couldn't make it, so we bade farewell and went separate ways. The weather was super hot and sunny, but we got tickets to the indoor flower dome, which was air-conditioned.

The place was lovely. The guys loved the cactus, Mom and I loved the beautiful flowers. Jolie? Well, she just loved being out and about, running around and playing with pebbles. -_-

I don't really like to take photos lately, as I looked like an orange, but some of the flowers were just too pretty to resist!

We only toured the flower dome due to Dad's recent recovery, my inability to walk around too much and Jolie's need for a nap. But I think it was a great trip. Dad has been experiencing too much doom and gloom lately. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, medicine, etc. A little sunshine, greenery and a cheerful little granddaughter definitely made him feel much better.

Afternoon out with Sis

Was feeling a little bored staying at home all the time lately, so since Sis was in town, I thought I ask her out for lunch. Afterall, was feeling a little guilty as us sisters can't seemed to find time to hang out with each other anymore!

I was early, so I hung out at Forever 21 with Jolie. Mother and daughter had a lot of fun trying on different accessories such as shoes, sunglasses and jewellery!

Saw a friend go to this eatery called Charlie Brown Cafe. Looks cute, so I suggest we eat there. The food was ok, but for a comic themed cafe, the place was surprisingly not very child friendly. There wasn't even any children's cutlery!

Turned out that Sis wasn't working that day, so after lunch we walked around the area. With Sis around, shopping was inevitable. We, or to be exact, she, ended up with bags and bags of shopping. From clothes to stationery, aroma oil diffuser to toys for her dear niece. Amazing.

After a quick tea break it was about time to bring Jo home. She was getting irritable and cranky. A quick lunch date turned into a shopping trip, but it was nice hanging out with Sis. Not quite like before as we have Jojo now, but it was nice anyway. I guess I cannot just keep thinking that I would be disturbing her by contacting her. She was probably worried that I was too busy to contact her anyway. When it comes to family, we can always make time for each other. Right?

Happy National Day 2012

Happy National Day! Actually I was planning to go watch fireworks with Cobby and Jolie, but Cobby's Sis called and said that they want to celebrate Mother-in-law's birthday. When was the actual date? I'm not sure really, but I guess we'll be celebrating National Day at MIL's place this year.

Apparently Cobby's cousins and aunt was there too, so we hung around and watched the live broadcast of the National Day Parade before our steamboat dinner starts.

Let the feast begin! Gosh I look so fat. I want to be in our National colours. :)

After dinner I keep hearing Jolie giggling like mad in the kitchen. When I went to check on her, I realised why. Apparently the naughty girl has been putting stickers all over her grandma while she's helpless washing the dishes! Hahaha...

This year's NDP performance wasn't much, but there has been rumours flying all over the island about the health of our ex MM Lee Kuan Yew. Apparently EVERYBODY have been talking him before National Day. Some say he's critically sick, some even say he's already dead! Mom heard it at the foodcourt, even Dad, stuck in hospital, heard the nurses and patient talking about this.

So the whole nation has been looking forward to see if ex MM Lee would appear at this year's NDP. When he finally appeared, the whole audience broke out into a roaring applause and cheering! I thought he looked very frail, but was very relived to see him too. :)



My favourite part was always the ending part of the parade! Always gives me a lump in my throat. So touching~! I love my Singapore! (>,<)

Tots House National Day Celebration 2012

It's a day before National Day and Jolie's playgroup was having a celebration party. This year's a little different as the teachers wanted a student to do the flag raising ceremony and my Jolie was chosen to be the one to do it! What an honour! So naturally I have to dress her up abit more than usual. Afterall, she's the star of the day!

What luck! My mom found this outfit selling at Chinatown. It's super perfect as it bears this year's NDP theme logo. And it looks cute!

We arrived early so we were able to hang around leisurely, taking photos with her friends.

When it's time everybody lined up, ready to march to the flag pole. Jolie to lead the way!

I had to stand next to Jolie to control her speed. The flag raising must coordinate with the National Anthem being played! The teachers commented that they have never in their life did flag raising. I remember doing it, but I just can't remember when. Primary school? Maybe...

After that Jolie got back in line and we did the pledge.

After that everybody gathered at the void deck and they did some song and dance.I loved singing along to all my favourite National Day songs, but Jolie got very cranky and didn't want to participate in any of the fun. I suspect that she must be hungry. I thought that we would be eating immediately after flag raising, so I didn't give her any breakfast that morning. So I snuck some chocolate biscuits for her, hopefully she can "dong" until it's time to eat.

After some sugar in her system, she felt a little better when I let her take some photos of me. Afterall, it would be a waste not to capture my patriotic T-shirt! Haha...

Check out the massive 5kg cake the chairman of the RC provided! Abit OTT as usual, but the kids sure was excited! They got all the August babies at the party to stand in front of the cake and everybody sang the Happy Birthday song. When it was time to blow out the candles, the kids were so excited that some of them got cake on their shirt for leaning too close!

Jolie sure loved the chocolate cake! Actually, so did I. (I tapao-ed a big box home and ate the whole thing by myself that night. Maybe baby likes it. Heehee...)

We stayed for quite awhile as I didn't have any plans that day, so Jolie had a jolly good time. Happy National Day!

Jolie's drawings

It's interesting seeing how Jolie's drawing skills improve or rather, evolve as she grows. Lately, she has mastered drawing faces, but interestingly, they are always loped sided. Also, they are quite funny as they looked like Japanese purple sweet potatoes with smiley faces on them. Hahaha...

But it's quite sweet as she would always explain who the faces are. Usually they are people close to her, like her mama and papa. Or sometimes it could be people she's thinking about, like one evening she drew a face and said that it was her "yee yee", which is her dear Auntie Jolene. Also, it's interesting that the bigger faces would be the men in her life like her Dad, grandpa or uncle. The mid sized ones would be the women and the small ones would usually be herself.

Belly Movements

At 6.5 months, baby's movements are getting more obvious. Reminds me of some alien movie where there's something sinister growing inside the heroine's tummy. Haha.. of course, mine's an adorable, active baby, no monster!

Look on the right side, that's where all the action is...

Jolie sleeps on a bed

As we start clearing the other room in preparation for the baby, we thought it was time to let Jolie sleep in a proper bed instead of the mattress on the floor. Everything was ready weeks and months ahead. She was already sleeping on Cobby's old mattress, so we just needed to set up her Dad's old bed frame and put the mattress on it. MIL had even bought a "safety bar" for her bed way ahead of time. So since it was the weekend, and we're at home, we just cleaned up the frame and set up the bed for her. Just like that.

Well, we did needed to replace some of the worn out screw and nuts and I gave it a good cleansing, but on top of that, we were a little worried that she wouldn't like sleeping on the bed. Well, we were wrong! Jolie couldn't wait to hop onto her "new" bed and we had to keep nagging at her to get down as we weren't ready yet. But when it was finally done, she hopped onto her bed and happily exclaimed that it was "so high up", and that she "can see...(her) books". Haha... I think she meant that she can see her book shelf from a higher point of view now.

I did consider buying a newer, fancy children's bed, but what for? Those fancy beds cost a few hundred dollars and they are smaller than your typical beds, so in a few years you would need a new bed again. Meanwhile, we have a custom cut foam mattress that doesn't go out of shape, and a unused bed frame that looks perfectly fine and sturdy. Jolie could probably sleep in it all the way until she grows up! Why not?

Anyway, seeing Jolie enjoying her new bed really moved me. Seemed like yesterday when she was just a tiny baby, looking so small curled up on her giant cot. Now, she's gone into a new phase in her life where she's sleeping by herself in her own bed like a big girl. Where did the time go? My baby's growing up so fast!!!

Drama aside, I was a little worried if the "safety bar" could take her weight or if she would fall of her bed, afterall, she really moves around alot when she sleeps! When she was sleeping on her mattress, she could sometimes roll off her bed and end up sleeping on the floor a meter away! So I got up twice that night to check on her. Thankfully she slept normally and safely that night in her new bed.

Sigh, another accomplishment for her and us. Cheers. :)

Update:
The following week, I thought it would be nice to give the bed frame a fresh coat of paint, so during the National Day holidays, Cobby painted the frame white. But the smell of the fresh paint was so strong, we had to put it in the living room to let the smell dissipate for 2 whole weeks before letting jolie sleep on it again. So now her bed is actually white. :)